The Planning and Transportation Committee meeting scheduled for 19 January 2026 was set to cover a range of significant topics, including the review of the committee's terms of reference, the approval of revenue and capital budgets for the upcoming financial year, and the Environment Department's high-level business plan for 2026-30. Discussions were also scheduled on government and Greater London Authority (GLA) consultations concerning housing delivery, a highway declaration at 65 Gresham Street, and the Fenchurch Street Area Healthy Streets Plan.

Annual Review of Terms of Reference

The committee was scheduled to undertake its annual review of its Terms of Reference. This process allows for any proposed changes to be considered in time for the annual reappointment of committees by the Court of Common Council. The report indicated that there had been no suggestions for changes since the last review, with the exception of proposed corrections to paragraph numbering. The committee was asked to approve the terms of reference for submission to the Policy & Resources Committee and subsequently to the Court of Common Council. The committee's responsibilities, as outlined in its terms of reference, cover a broad spectrum of planning, development control, highways, traffic, parking, sewers, flood management, street naming, building control, and the City Corporation's commemorative blue plaques.

Revenue and Capital Budgets 2026/27

A joint report from the Chamberlain and the Executive Director, Environment, was presented for the approval of the revenue and capital budgets for the Planning & Transportation Committee for 2026/27. The proposed revenue budget for 2026/27 was £16.178m, representing a decrease of £2.540m compared to the 2025/26 budget. 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 is crucial for the Finance Committee to set Council Tax rates and for the City to set a balanced City Fund budget. The report detailed movements between the 2025/26 budget and the 2026/27 estimate, with significant decreases attributed to net reductions in recharges and increases in local risk income budgets, offset by various other factors.

Environment Department High-Level Business Plan 2026-30

The committee was asked to approve Section A of the Environment Department's high-level Business Plan for 2026-30, which covers service areas within the remit of the Planning and Transportation Committee. This plan outlines the department's priority workstreams and the specific actions and targets for 2026/27. The plan aligns with the Corporate Plan 2024-29 and demonstrates how the department's work supports its outcomes. The seven priority workstreams include powering economic growth, transforming the Square Mile into a cultural and leisure destination, celebrating heritage while fostering regeneration, ensuring an environmentally enhanced and sustainable City, creating an inclusive and healthy Square Mile, maintaining a safe built environment, and providing safer streets and spaces. Each workstream details key deliverables, funding and people resource estimates, and performance measures.

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

This report presented the City Corporation's proposed responses to consultations by the Government and the Mayor of London aimed at boosting housing delivery. The Government's consultation proposed 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 was broadly supportive of the CIL relief, acknowledging its potential to improve scheme viability, though it noted that the relief was unlikely to have significant implications for pipeline schemes within the Square Mile due to its specific development context. Concerns were raised about the potential fall in infrastructure funding and affordable housing levels at a local borough level. The report also discussed amendments to the Mayor of London's planning powers, including a streamlined process for residential developments of over 50 homes and new powers for the Mayor to call in applications on Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land. The City Corporation's response to the GLA consultation supported proposed amendments to cycle parking requirements and flexibility in housing design standards, while noting the time-limited nature of the fast-track route for affordable housing.

City Fund Highway Declaration: 65 Gresham Street, London

The committee was asked to resolve to declare a volume of City Fund owned airspace, totalling 25.19 sq ft at 65 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7NQ, as surplus to highway requirements. This declaration was necessary to facilitate the disposal of this airspace to Hertshten Properties (UK) Limited, who were seeking to regularise the use of this airspace affected by consented development, specifically six inset balconies on the Gresham Street side of the building. The report detailed the ownership of the airspace, the planning permission granted for the development, and the process for its disposal. The declaration was proposed to be made subject to the City Surveyor and Deputy Director of Transportation and Public Realm determining the relevant ordnance datum levels to restrict the vertical extent of the leasehold airspace.

Fenchurch Street Area Healthy Streets Plan

The committee was presented with the Fenchurch Street Area Healthy Streets Plan (HSP), designed to provide a framework for improving streets and public realm in the area. The plan, a long-term strategy, had undergone public consultation, with results summarised in the report. The consultation showed strong support for most proposals, particularly those related to public realm improvements and pedestrian priority. Feedback from stakeholders, including Transport for London, the London Cycling Campaign, and developers, was also considered. The report sought approval for the final draft of the HSP, a revised total estimated cost of £195,202, and an additional budget of £25,202 from Mariner House S106 funding for ongoing programme management.

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 highway and public realm projects, including the St Paul's Gyratory Transformation Project, the Fenchurch Street Area Healthy Streets Plan, the Transforming Fleet Street project, the Pedestrian Priority Streets Programme on Old Jewry, Moorgate Crossrail Station Links, and the Cool Streets and Greening Programme. Decisions made included approving design packages, budgets, and the incorporation of Section 278 works into programmes. A key decision was made regarding the Old Jewry Experimental Traffic Order, which was resolved to be made permanent.