The Planning and Transportation Committee is scheduled to convene on Monday 22 June 2026, with a public agenda that includes discussions on wardmote resolutions, the reform of planning committees, and the adoption of several supplementary planning documents. The committee will also consider reports on air quality, celebrating heritage, offices, planning obligations, automated passenger services, and the draft local flood risk management strategy.

Wardmote Resolutions

The committee is set to consider resolutions from the Wards of Cripplegate and Tower. The Wardmote Resolution from Cripplegate expresses concerns about the transparency, fairness, and accountability of the City of London Corporation's current planning process and calls for the establishment of an independent design review process within the Planning and Development Division. The Ward of Tower has raised concerns about the loss of retail and hospitality units at the 47-50 Mark Lane development and is seeking to understand the City of London Corporation's proposals to prevent such losses and ensure vibrant cultural use on the site.

Reform of Planning Committees

A joint report from the Town Clerk, the Comptroller & City Solicitor, and the Executive Director of Environment outlines the outcomes and proposed implementation of reforms to planning committees. These reforms are being driven by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and aim to modernise the English planning system to increase efficiency, consistency, and certainty in decision-making. The proposals include the compulsory delegation of certain planning decisions to officers, a gateway mechanism for referring other decisions to a committee or sub-committee, and a statutory limit of 13 members on any committee making planning decisions. The report seeks approval for changes to the Terms of Reference for the Planning and Transportation Committee and its Planning Applications Sub-Committee, as well as amendments to the Officer Scheme of Delegation and the Planning Protocol.

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs)

Several draft SPDs are scheduled for decision:

• Air Quality SPD: This document, prepared by the Executive Director, Environment, provides detailed guidance on managing and minimising emissions of air pollutants to comply with City Plan 2040 policies HL2: Air Quality and HL9: Health Impact Assessments. It aims to ensure emissions are avoided where possible, minimised where unavoidable, and compensated for through damage costs where necessary.
• Celebrating Heritage SPD: Also from the Executive Director, Environment, this SPD offers guidance on how development can incorporate consideration of the City of London's character and the significance of its heritage assets. It builds on City Plan 2040's strategic policy S11: Historic Environment, aiming to put heritage at the heart of placemaking.
• Offices SPD: This SPD, from the Executive Director, Environment, supports the implementation of City Plan 2040 policies related to retaining and increasing the City's office stock. It aims to protect strategically important office accommodation and maintain a sufficient supply of office space suitable for various sectors and markets.
• Planning Obligations SPD: This document, also from the Executive Director, Environment, outlines the City of London Corporation's approach to securing planning obligations under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. It provides guidance on the scope, contribution levels, triggers, and mechanisms for these obligations, in line with City Plan 2040 Policy S26.

Automated Passenger Services in the City of London

The Executive Director, Environment, will present a report on automated passenger services in the City of London. This topic is relevant due to the anticipated introduction of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in the UK by mid-2027, with pilot schemes for automated passenger services starting in late 2026. The report will likely discuss the City Corporation's proactive engagement with potential operators to include the Square Mile in their initial operating areas, aiming to understand impacts and inform future policy.

CIL Instalment Policy Review

The Executive Director, Environment, will present a report on the review of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Instalment Policy. The current policy, adopted in 2014, is considered an outlier compared to neighbouring London boroughs, and the proposed changes aim to ease the upfront CIL charges on developers, thereby incentivising the implementation of schemes.

Draft Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2027-2033

The Executive Director, Environment, will present a report seeking agreement to publicly consult on the draft Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) for 2027-2033. This statutory document outlines how the City Corporation will manage local flood risk, aligning with the London Surface Water Strategy and addressing risks from surface water, groundwater, and ordinary watercourses.

Nature Recovery Strategy Development Proposal

The Executive Director, Environment, will present a proposal for developing a corporate Nature Recovery Strategy. This strategy aims to set a long-term direction for biodiversity and nature across the City Corporation's functions, services, and assets, aligning with the Climate Action Strategy and Corporate Plan outcomes.

Information Reports

Several reports are scheduled for information only, meaning they are for noting and do not require a decision. These include the minutes of the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee, the Environment Department Business Plan 2025/26 End of Year Progress Report, the District Surveyors Annual Report, the Revenue Outturn 2025/26, the Risk Management Update Report, and the Report of Action Taken.

Non-Public Agenda

The meeting will move into a non-public session to discuss exempt information related to non-public minutes of the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee, debt arrears within the Environment Department, and a delegated authority request concerning City Fund land surplus to highway requirements at 1 Undershaft.

The meeting will conclude with non-public questions and any other urgent business that the Chair considers appropriate.