MINUTES OF THE WARDMOTE
HELD AT NOON ON WEDNESDAY 20TH MARCH 2014
AT FURNITURE MAKERS’ HALL
The Acting Beadle opened the Wardmote in the usual manner.
The Alderman welcomed all to the Wardmote, his first as Alderman, and thanked the Furniture Makers for the use of their Hall. He then commented that he looked forward to the forthcoming year and the relationship with the Broad Street Ward Club, which he felt was renewed and reinvigorated. He continued to describe a meeting held two days earlier which had been billed as a ‘Ward-Might’, as in what might happen in the Ward. There had been 29 attendees and the matters discussed included street art & sculpture, Tower 42 sign alignment, new signage in Austin Friars, traffic at Bank and construction nuisance around Copthall Avenue and Great Swan Alley. Finally, he congratulated Mr Chris Hayward who is to be Master Patten Maker and Mr John Bennett who is to be Chief Commoner and thanked Mr Jim Shrubb for standing in for the Beadle.
Next the Alderman appointed Mr John Bennett as the Ward Deputy for the year ensuing.
The Alderman appointed Mr Adrian Smallwood as Honorary Ward Clerk for the year ensuing.
As there was one nomination for the Ward Beadle, Mr Terry Taylor was appointed.
The Alderman then invited Members of Common Council to address the Wardmote.
Mr Bennett spoke about continuing privilege to serve the Ward, the successful resolution of the past problems encountered in Throgmorton Street and the roles he fulfils on the various committees at the City of London. He made specific mention of his role on the Board of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, where the School has recently opened a new annex which includes a concert hall with “the best acoustics in Europe”. In addition, he was looking forward to his forthcoming role as the Chief Commoner (the ‘Leader of the House’ of the Court of Common Councilmen) although the role would involve much “protocol, alcohol and cholesterol”. He was proud to be the first Chief Commoner from Broad Street since 1930
Mr Scott spoke about his long term service as a Common Councillor with the Ward, stretching over some 16 years. He is currently in his third year as the Chairman of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee where the Committee is formulating a new Culture Strategy against the backdrop of needing to save costs by 10%. He gave assurance that despite budget cuts, he is determined not to close any libraries. Mr Scott also drew attention to his board membership of many different organisations where his involvement was akin to a working a full five day week.
Mr Hayward noted that this Wardmote was his first as a Common Councillor and he expressed thanks for the warm welcome from the Alderman and fellow Common Councillors. He drew attention to the issues has been dealing with in the Ward; a funding request for the regeneration of the Kings Arms Yard area, improvements to the Telegraph Street / Tokenhouse Yard area and also night time parking and nuisance in Lothbury. With regard to his committee roles, he said he was a member of the Planning, Markets and Education Committees and that he was also on the Member Development Working Group and a Governor of Christ’s Hospital School.
Following the addresses, the Alderman asked if there were any questions from any voters present.
Mr Colin Easby (resident of 7 Lothbury) raised the issue of noise in Lothbury as he was a resident in 7 Lothbury. He explained he had endured night time noise for some time and suggested that the Corporation had failed in its duty of care as it has allegedly investigated the situation but failed to resolve it. He noted that the Corporation’s policy on noise pollution was not changing to solve the situation.
Mr Bennett undertook to answer the question and he pointed out that lorries were not allowed to idle for any length of time and that this should be better policed. He proposed the matter be put as a Resolution before the next Grand Court of Wardmote, to which the Alderman agreed and the proposal carried nem. con.
Next the Alderman invited Mike Lynch of Mace to give a short presentation on the redevelopment of Angel Court.
Mr Lynch handed out some slides on the progression of the development which is due to commence later in 2014. Some particular points were highlighted, namely: the site redevelopment will last approximately 18 months, there will be lorry movements almost every day, the tower is being retained with very little change and some test boreholes made by the archaeologist has not shown anything of interest.
After the presentation, the Alderman invited questions to Mr Lynch.
Mr Scott pointed out that Throgmorton Street had finally been restored to a good condition after a long period of disruption by the development of the former Stock Exchange. He sought assurances from My Lynch that such improvements would not be damaged by the development of Angel Court.
Mr Lynch reported that tests had been carried out to determine the largest vehicle which could safely go down Throgmorton Street without damaging it and also that site marshals would be located at either end of the street.
Mr Scott also pointed out that Copthall Avenue was narrow, had the benefit of a cycle lane and experienced numerous deliveries to shops and offices every day and asked how these would avoid being frustrated by large lorry movements.
Mr Lynch replied that there would be a lorry holding area lorries to wait for the street to be clear before proceeding. In addition, a new barrier would be erected on Copthall Avenue to help with traffic flow.
Col Richard Winstanley (Clerk to the Worshipful Company of Drapers) asked whether street services would happen at the right time of day (particularly cleaning) to take into account the lorry movements.
Mr Lynch gave the assurance that any mess would be cleared up.
The Clerk went on to suggest that the proposed improvements to Austin Friars take place during August when the City is quieter.
Mr Scott undertook to answer the suggestion by agreeing to propose this idea to the relevant committees.
The Alderman asked whether the hard demolition and retention of the tower core and whether these involved anything unusual from a demolition perspective.
Mr Lynch replied that they didn’t have anything unusual about them.
The Alderman then asked whether there was anything unique about the new building which will be erected.
Mr Lynch replied that it will have 25% more floor area than before, and it will be a more exciting, brighter building with a roof garden.
Lastly, the Alderman asked how many other developments Mace was currently undertaking in London.
Mr Lynch replied that Mace was currently active on 76 sites.
Finally, Mr Hayward enquired about the cleanliness of lorries and whether there were any wheel washing plans.
Mr Lynch responded by saying that no dirty vehicles would be allowed into the site and that there would be a patch of concrete hard standing for vehicles to park on within the site so they would not pick up loose material on their wheels.
Next Mr Bennett proposed a vote of thanks to the Alderman for presiding at the Wardmote. This was seconded by Mr Scott and passed unanimously.
Mr Hayward then proposed a vote of thanks to the Master and Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers for the use of their Hall. This was seconded by Mr Bennett and passed unanimously.
The Acting Beadle closed the Wardmote in the usual manner.