Councillor Leema Qureshi – Scrutiny Lead Resources

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To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the meeting held on 12^th January 2022

RESOLVED:

1.          The minutes of the meeting of the Sub – Committee held on 12^th January 2022 be approved as a correct record of the proceedings.

Consideration of any written comments received from members of the public in relation to any of the reports on the agenda.

[Any submissions should be sent to the clerk listed on the agenda front page by 5pm the day before the meeting]

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To note for information individual decisions relating to the award of grants that have been taken by the Mayor the last meeting.

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Anna Zucchelli (Heritage at Risk Projects Officer, Place) presented the report.

The report sought permission for the Council to allocate funding provided to the Council by Historic England as part of the Petticoat Lane High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) programme.  The programme supported a number of projects and this particular grant was for the provision of a ‘Memories, Craft and Community Hub’ in a vacant shop unit in Wentworth Street

It is proposed that Toynbee Hall take on the lease of the shop unit and manage the space to support a series of cultural and community events until March 2024.

The Committee discussed a number of issues and noted the following points:

·       The proposed funding of £55,000 would only contribute to revenue costs(rather than costs of the activities and running costs).

·       Suitability of the vacant shop to provide the project – This was in view of the Town Centre location and that it would meet more of the objectives of the programme. Other sites had been considered but discounted such as at a local university complex and other local community centres – due to a number of difficulties and that they was outside the Town Centre.

·       Officers had engaged with Toynbee Hall about the types of events that could be provided including the provision of exhibitions on local cultural history. In response to Committee Members, it noted that this could include events on such things as Bangladeshi history.

The Sub – Committee welcomed the project.

RESOLVED:

1.             Approve a grant of £55,000 to Toynbee Hall for a ‘Memories, Craft and Community Hub’ as part of the Petticoat Lane High Street Heritage Action Zone programme.

2.             Authorise the Corporate Director Place to enter into the grant agreement and any such other agreements required to affect the grant and the use of the grant as detailed in paragraph 1 of the report.

Anna Zucchelli (Heritage at Risk Projects Officer, Place) presented the report.

The Sub-Committee were reminded of the previous decision agreed by the Sub - Committee in January 2022 to provide funding to support the development of the Update Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (CAAMP).

The report sought permission to increase the grant previously awarded to Toynbee Hall by £7,500 from £40,324, to work with the local community to carry out thematic surveys and archival research to feed into this updated CAAMP

The Committee discussed a number of issues as set out below:

·       The merits of the providing the funding -  to allow effective evaluation of the CAAMP project by community appraisers, at no extra cost to the Council.

·       This was because the funding from these grants is from the HSHAZ.

·       The breakdown of costs were set out at 3.8 of the report, setting out the proposed use of the grant.

·       The potential of roll out this project in the future to other Conservation Areas in the Borough and beyond (depending on the costs). Officers would explore the lessons learnt from the project and the benefits of carrying out further projects. Such benefits included enabling greater community participation in such activities.

·       The work of the community appraisers and the ways this may improve their skills and future employability. It was noted that the experience will enable them to gain new skills and experience in for example report writing and data analysis. For example, they would be provided with professional training in specialist areas -  such as archival research and understanding architectural features. They may also get involved in similar projects in using their experience, and in any future reviews or roll outs of the scheme.

RESOLVED

1.             Approve an increase in grant of £7,500 to Toynbee Hall from £40,324 to £47,824 to support updating the Wentworth Street Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan.

2.             Authorise the Corporate Director Place to enter into the grant agreement and any such other agreements required to affect the grant and the use of the grant as detailed in paragraph 1 of the report.

Ross Hughes – Programme Manager High Streets presented the report.

This report seeks approval to set-up a grant scheme under the Middlesex

Street Regeneration Programme to carry out public realm improvements to the  unused space on the corner of 13 New Goulston Street, E1 7TF (otherwise  referred to as New Goulston Corner) in the Middlesex Street area

The grant scheme cost is estimated at £300,000 (inc. design fees and

contingency). This project will be from the Middlesex Street Regeneration

programme which is funded via S106 and CIL.

The Sub – Committee noted the key features of the scheme including:

•     The project is to be delivered as a grant scheme. This is because the majority of the works will be on private land owned by a third party – East End Homes who were keen to see the improvements come forward in the area.

•       Feasibility Study had been taken out.  It was felt that the square would provide the ideal location.

•       The project sought to provide a range of improvements, which were noted, as well a providing the new community garden for the school.

•         This project should provide a place for visitors to sit, improve foot fall, protect and enhance the setting of the Conservation Area and will mitigate the problems with fly tipping and help reduce ASB.

•       A Formal Maintenance agreement will be secured with East End Homes and Uniboss. These two parties will have responsibility for the ongoing maintenance.

•       Officers had also secured an agreement with the Council’s Green Team regarding the maintenance of trees.

The Sub – Committee noted the questions submitted by Councillor Leema Qureshi, Scrutiny Lead Resources regarding the following issues

·       Inflation costs, in view of the current climate. It was noted that the costs of the project had been carefully worked out, taken into account inflation and potential cost increases. Amendments had been made for example to certain elements of the plans to ensure that the project could be delivered in budget.

·       Risks management issues given the third party ownership of the land.

·       Responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of the land.

·       In response, it was empathised that, whilst Officers had carried out risk assessments and had worked with the two third parties involved to take them through the plans, they, not the Council, would have responsibility for all these issues – details of which will be secured in the formal agreement.

·       Officers had also agreed with Uniboss increased rents levels, given the expected increase in the land’s value – to provide additional income

·       Officers also had also secured the agreement with Parks regarding the tree maintenance, as mentioned above.

The Committee discussed a number of issues as set out below:

•       Progress with the Leyden Street  Toilet Refurbishment and Shop Front Improvement Scheme. This was to commence soon, whilst, this was separate to this application, these works will complement each other.

•       The Business Improvement District Initiative. Reassurances were sought about how this project would contribute to this.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.3

Emily Fieran-Reed, (Strategy & Policy Lead) presented the report. The report sought permission for the Council to extend current grant programmes beyond their planned end date. This will enable the council to have sufficient time to develop and agree longer-term funding options for the VCS (due to commence in October 2023) and for projects to continue. Many of these projects supported marginalised groups.

The Sub – Committee noted the questions submitted by Councillor Leema Qureshi, Scrutiny Lead Resources regarding the following issues :

•                The Emergency Fund and Infrastructure and Capacity Building Grants Programme. Clarification was sought on the plans to review the proposals after the initial period, given the longer time period for the extension.

•                It was also confirmed that Officers will carry out a reviews at appropriate stages of the funding to ensure the needs of sector were being best met.

RESOLVED

1.       Note the plans to develop long-term proposals for funding for the VCS.

2.       Agree to extend the scheduled end date for the Local Community Fund (LCF), Small Grants programme and Innovation Fund by 6 months, from 31st March 2023 to 30th September 2023.

3.       Agree to extend the scheduled end date for the Infrastructure & Capacity Building Grants Programme by 18 months, from 30th September 2022 to 31st March 2024.

4.       Agree to extend the scheduled end date for the Emergency Fund by 2 years, from 31st March 2022 to 31st March 2024.

5.       Note the termination of the Covid Community Fund in March 2022

6.       Agree the carry over of £39,500 of Emergency funding from the April 2021-March 2022 financial year to the April 2022-March 2023 financial year (the total of £39,500 to be carried over may be reduced if any further grant awards are made prior to 31st March 2022).

7.       All agreements to external funding beyond 2022-23 will be subject to Cabinet and Council approval of future years budgets,

Nicoletta Vianello, (Principal Air Quality Officer, Place) presented this report.

The report sought permission for the Council to allocate grant funding from the LIF, specifically allocated for green infrastructure projects in LIF Area 3 (Poplar and Limehouse). This was for the purposes to design and deliver the Aberfeldy Pocket park.

This project would be delivered in partnership with Poplar HARCA, who were leading the regeneration of Aberfeldy estate, as part of the Aberfeldy LLP (a joint venture between Poplar HARCA and EcoWorld).

The Council is currently working in partnership with Poplar HARCA on several air quality, climate change and active travel initiatives. The land was owned by TfL.

The Sub – Committee noted the questions submitted by Councillor Leema Qureshi, Scrutiny Lead Resources regarding the following issues :

•     The forecasted costs of the project and the potential reallocation of the any contingency surplus.

•     In response - Alex Jeremy – Poplar HARCA, addressed these points. Members noted that careful consideration had been given to the costs of the project, with the aim of ensuring it could be delivered as efficiently and as cost affectively as possible and that it will be a well designed project. Any surplus would be reallocated to the budget. Most of the budget would go towards the provision of the physical green infrastructure with allowances for other necessary activities which were noted. It was also noted that Aberfeldy LLP were committed to providing match funding.

The Sub Committee discussed a number of issues as set out below:

·       Air quality issues – the benefits of the project in terms of improving this. It was confirmed that Research undertaken by the University showed that these projects mitigated air pollution.  The Council will carry out testing before and after the project was completed to monitor air quality.

·       Impact of the wider plans for the area on the provision of this pocket park in the longer term. It was confirmed this was a standalone project and would be delivered independently -but with the flexibility to transfer all of its value should the need arise, should it be impacted by the wider regeneration of the area – at LLP costs.

·       Officers reassured Members that the parklet would be delivered in the proposed location on a permanent basis. They had no plans to change this. However it was important to have  this flexibility, highlighted above, to ensure its continued provision and the Committee were aware of this.

·       Crime prevention issues and the involvement of the Crime Prevention experts in the design.  It was confirmed that Officers had worked closely with such officers and stakeholders, including TfL who owned the land, regarding the crime and ASB prevention measures. They would continue to work closely with stakeholders in agreeing the final design. TfL had provided initial comments and were satisfied with the plans – subject to final sign off by their crime prevention officer.

·       It was considered important to ensure the consultation was as inclusive as possible and Members emphasised the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.5

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