Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Jeremy Mayhew, who had to leave the meeting after 15 minutes. 

The following Members made declarations.  Two resident members had either no car park space or storage and were therefore permitted to speak and vote.  Of those Members who had applied for dispensations, they had been permitted to speak but not vote on the matter. 

·       Deputy David Bradshaw – has a car parking bay and store

·       Barbara Newman – doesn’t own a car or car parking bay but owns a store

·       Deputy John Tomlinson –has a store but not a car parking bay

·       Mary Durcan – has a car parking bay and a store

·       Mark Bostock –  has a store

·       William Pimlott – parents have a car parking bay and store

·       Randall Anderson - no car parking bay or store.

To approve the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 16^th March 2020.

RESOLVED, that – the minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2020 be approved.

Matters arising

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of the Annual Review of the Charging Policy for Car Parking and Stores on the Barbican Estate.  The report sought Members’ endorsement of the work and recommendations of the Member/Officer Working Party as set out in the report.

During the debate and questions the following points were raised:

a.   During the last 12 months,  only one resident had mentioned cost as a reason for giving up their parking bay; which might suggest keeping with the direction of travel of £1500 a year for Barbican car parking.  The officer advised that residents were asked to give a reason when they surrendered a bay and there was currently no waiting list for baggage stores.

b.   There was some challenge as to the level of maintenance on the car parks and it was noted that some were in a very poor condition.  Members asked to see a table showing figures for the income/ maintenance of car parks. 

c.    A lower charge was suggested for those who had invested in electric vehicles or smaller cars.  Given the pandemic and economic uncertainty, a CPI increase was suggested with a review in 6 months’ time. Members were asked to be mindful of the implications on staff resources arising from this request. 

d.   Given that Covid-19 was very likely to impact on the way people travel, it was important to explore new income streams.  The officer advised that larger bays/electric car discount/electric bike sockets/additional cycling spaces etc. could be considered in due course as we come out of lockdown.  It was not possible to let the general public use Barbican car parking spaces due to planning restrictions.

e.   Only renewals and not new applications would receive the congestion zone discount by TFL.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services which sought Member approval to submit a supplementary Capital Bid, to be presented to the Resource Allocation Sub Committee and the Court of Common Council, for the proposed replacement of front entrance door sets to all flats on the Barbican Estate.  This would ensure that they met the requirements of the current Building Regulations in relation to fire safety.

In response to a question, it was noted that the final estimate would include Frobisher  Crescent.  Members also noted that, as the works were classified as an improvement in the lease, residents would not have to pay.

RESOLVED, That – the recommendation from officers to submit a supplementary Capital Bid be approved, to enable the replacement of front entrance door sets to all flats on the Barbican Estate with new modern replacements that comply with ‘Approved Document B – Fire Safety of the Building Regulations’.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received the Committee’s Outstanding Actions list.  The Town Clerk advised Members that the Committee’s request at the last meeting, to review its  Terms of Reference, had been approved by the Policy and Resources Committee and would be presented to the Court of Common Council for endorsement at its Annual Meeting, which had moved from April 2020 to July 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

MOTION – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To approve the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 16^th March 2020.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

To approve the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 16^th March 2020.