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Agenda and minutes

Venue: This will be a virtual meeting

Contact: Artemis Kassi, Senior Committee and Governance Officer  Email: akassi@westminster.gov.uk; Tel: 07810 754991

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Membership

1.1      To note any changes to the membership and to elect a Chairman.

Minutes:

1.1       Nominations for the post of Chair were invited. One nomination was received and seconded for Councillor Gotz Mohindra. One nomination was received and seconded for Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg. There were no further nominations.

 

1.2       The committee officer put nomination to the vote.  Councillor Gotz  Mohindra received five votes and Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg received two votes.

 

1.3       RESOLVED: That Councillor Gotz Mohindra be appointed Chairman of the Finance, Smart City and City Management Policy and Scrutiny Committee and Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg be appointed Deputy Chairman of the Finance, Smart City and City Management Policy and Scrutiny Committee for this meeting.

2.

Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations by Members and Officers of the existence and nature of any pecuniary interests or any other significant interest in matters on this agenda.

Minutes:

2.1       Councillor Mohindra declared he owns an electric vehicle which is relevant to agenda item four (Councillor Caplan’s Cabinet Member update).

 

3.

Update from the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Management pdf icon PDF 291 KB

Councillor Melvyn Caplan, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Management, to provide a verbal update and outline of his portfolio to the Committee on current and forthcoming issues in his portfolio and to answer questions from Members.

Minutes:

3.1       The Committee received a written update from the Cabinet Member who responded to questions on the following topics:

·       Members asked about ensuring electric vehicle charging points close to where people lived and also outside NHS facilities specifically for people with disabilities. The committee heard the council moving towards a situation where there will be more and also dedicated places available for people to park and charge their electric cars. 

·       Members asked that the views of surrounding wards be taken into account if a LTN is proposed in future.

·       Members asked about the cost of works around the Oxford Street area. The Crown covered the entirety of the costs of works on Regent Street. The council is considering views on temporary works along Oxford Street and will be able to provide costs in due course. In relation to Oxford Circus, the council will be consulting on what to do in this area.

·       Members asked about temporary cycle lane schemes. The majority will continue but there are some schemes where it is obvious that they are not required.

·       Members heard there will be a review of leisure centres. It will be based on what we see happening when COVID-19 restrictions begin to be lifted. Members commented that some residents were concerned about potential restrictions on opening hours for leisure centres after COVID-19.

·       Members heard that the council is talking with people and groups about its ambition to open up hospitality safely once restrictions begin to be lifted.

·       Members suggested setting up a Westminster award to recognise those that have gone above and beyond, particularly in these challenging times. 

 

4.

Update from the Cabinet Member for Finance and Smart City pdf icon PDF 370 KB

Councillor Paul Swaddle, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Smart City, to provide a verbal update and outline of his portfolio to the Committee on current and forthcoming issues in his portfolio and to answer questions from Members.

Minutes:

4.1      The Committee received a written update from the Cabinet Member who responded to questions on the following topics:

·       Members asked about plans to attract domestic tourists into the City. They heard the council is looking at different types of festivals, including the inside out festival which was postponed last year. Members commented that there were many opportunities to promote the city to an international audience on platforms like Instagram. 

·       Members commended Cllr Swaddle and officers on the successful delivery of the new website.

·       Members asked about procurement and contract management. The council has a new head of procurement and will be looking at new ideas and ways of doing things to ensure the council is an organisation that is easy to do business with.

·       Members asked about broadband connectivity and support the council was providing for people with way leave issues. The council has led by example and given way leaves across all of its properties. Cllr Swaddle encouraged members to reach out to him if there are complicated cases in their wards.

·       Members heard there have been schemes put in place to provide broadband for those with limited economic means, particularly aimed at school aged residents.

·       Members asked about the call centre transformation. They heard that the focus was on delivering a high standard of service while amalgamating the centres.

·        Members asked whether autism friendly meeting rooms would be past of new office spaces. Cllr Swaddle said he would welcome member engagement on ensuring meeting rooms are autism friendly.

·       Members asked about how the council could maximise revenue from its corporate property. They heard the council has a significant portfolio which they want to deliver on while at the same time ensuring the council is not put at risk. Cllr Swaddle encourage members to come forward with ideas.

·       Members heard there is provision in the capital budget to bring works on the Seymour Leisure Centre and the council is looking at options for this.

 

4.2       ACTION: That more information is provided on how new procurement policies will support the council’s net zero goals.

 

5.

Work Programme Report for 2020 - 2021 pdf icon PDF 130 KB

To review the work programme for this committee for the remainder of the municipal year.

Minutes:

5.1      The committee discussed ideas for its upcoming meetings including:

·       Rationalisation of council buildings

·       Waste management and freight consolidation

·       Community contribution fund

·       Oxford Street Programme

·       Streetscape and revitalising the West End

·       Customer service transformation

·       Green footprint of digital offering