The Planning and Transportation Committee of the City of London Council met on Monday, 19 January 2026, to discuss a range of items including the committee's terms of reference, the revenue and capital budgets for the upcoming financial year, and the Environment Department's high-level business plan. Other key topics included consultations on boosting housing delivery, a highway declaration for 65 Gresham Street, and the Fenchurch Street Area Healthy Streets Plan.

Annual Review of Terms of Reference

The committee was scheduled to review its Terms of Reference, a process that occurs annually to allow for any proposed changes to be considered before the Court of Common Council's annual reappointment of committees. The report from the Town Clerk indicated that no significant changes had been suggested since the last review, with the primary proposed amendment being a correction to the numbering of paragraphs (i) and (j) within the committee's responsibilities. The recommendation was to approve these terms of reference for submission to the Policy & Resources Committee and subsequently to the Court of Common Council in April 2026.

Revenue and Capital Budgets 2026/27

A joint report from the Chamberlain and the Executive Director, Environment, presented the proposed revenue and capital budgets for the Planning & Transportation Committee for the 2026/27 financial year. The report indicated a net decrease in expenditure of £2.540m compared to the 2025/26 budget, with the total net expenditure for 2026/27 projected at £16.178m. The budget was prepared in line with guidelines and within the resource envelope allocated to the Executive Director, Environment, including an inflation increase of 3%. The report highlighted that adherence to the resource envelope was crucial for the Finance Committee to set balanced City Council Tax rates. Members were asked to review and approve the estimate for 2026/27 for submission to the Finance Committee, note the approved capital budgets, and delegate minor amendments to the Chamberlain in consultation with the Executive Director Environment.

Environment Department High-Level Business Plan 2026-30

The committee was presented with the Environment Department's high-level Business Plan for 2026-30, which outlines the department's priority workstreams and specific actions for 2026/27. The plan aligns with the Corporate Plan 2024-29 and demonstrates how the department's work supports its outcomes. The report detailed seven priority workstreams, including those falling within the remit of the Planning and Transportation Committee: Planning and Development, District Surveyor's Office, and Highways, Transportation and Parking. Key objectives included powering economic growth, transforming the Square Mile into a 7-day-a-week cultural and leisure destination, celebrating heritage while fostering regeneration, ensuring an environmentally enhanced and sustainable City, and creating an inclusive and healthy Square Mile. The plan also addressed maintaining a safe built environment and providing safer streets and spaces. Members were asked to note the factors considered in compiling the plan and approve Section A, which covers the service areas within the committee's remit.

Government and Greater London Authority (GLA) Consultations on Boosting Housing Delivery

The committee was scheduled to consider responses to consultations from the Government and the Mayor of London concerning measures to boost housing delivery. The Government's proposals included temporary relief from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for qualifying residential developments and amendments to the Mayor's Fast Track Route for affordable housing. The City Corporation's response, detailed in Appendix 1, was broadly supportive of the CIL relief, aiming to improve scheme viability, though it noted potential implications for infrastructure funding and affordable housing levels at a local borough level. The response also suggested amendments to CIL Regulations for greater flexibility in payment schedules. The GLA consultation, outlined in Appendix 2, proposed changes to cycle parking requirements and some housing design guidance, alongside a time-limited planning route for affordable housing delivery. The City Corporation's response supported reducing cycle parking requirements based on local surveys and flexibility in provision, while noting that the proposed changes were unlikely to have significant implications for pipeline residential schemes within the Square Mile.

City Fund Highway Declaration: 65 Gresham Street, London

A report concerning a City Fund Highway Declaration for 65 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7NQ, was scheduled for discussion. The proposal related to a consented development that included six inset balconies on the Gresham Street side of the building, which encroached into City Fund-owned airspace. Before third-party interests could be granted for this additional airspace, it needed to be declared surplus to highway requirements. The committee was asked to resolve to declare a volume of City Fund-owned airspace totalling 25.19 sq ft as surplus to highway requirements to facilitate its disposal. The terms for the highway disposal were to be approved under the City Surveyor's delegated authority.

Fenchurch Street Area Healthy Streets Plan

The committee was to consider the Fenchurch Street Area Healthy Streets Plan (HSP), a framework designed to improve streets and public realm within the area. The report indicated that the plan was a long-term strategy, with a delivery plan to be developed and funding opportunities explored. A public consultation exercise had been undertaken, with results summarised in Appendix 2. The proposals, which focused on pedestrian priority, public realm improvements, and cycling enhancements, received strong support from respondents. Members were asked to approve the Fenchurch Street Area Healthy Streets Plan and a revised total estimated cost of £195,202, with an additional budget of £25,202 to be funded from Mariner House S106.

Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee Draft Minutes

The committee was scheduled to note the draft minutes and non-public summary of the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee meeting held on 9 December 2025. These minutes covered discussions on various projects, including the St Paul's Gyratory Transformation Project, the Fenchurch Street Area Healthy Streets Plan, the Transforming Fleet Street project, and the Pedestrian Priority Streets Programme for Old Jewry. A key decision from the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee was to make the Experimental Traffic Order on Old Jewry permanent, retaining its southbound opening for motorised traffic and two-way access for cyclists.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee

The agenda also included a slot for members to ask questions on matters relating to the work of the committee.

Date of Next Meeting

Members were to be informed that the next meeting of the Committee was scheduled for Friday, 13 March 2026, at 10 am in the Committee Rooms, West Wing, Guildhall.

Exclusion of the Public

A motion was scheduled to be considered for the exclusion of the public from the meeting for specific items on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information.

The agenda also included non-public items for discussion, including non-public minutes and non-public questions.