Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from  Averil Baldwin (represented by Caroline Reed) John Taysum, David Graves, Jane Smith (represented by Robert Barker), Michael Swash (represented by Valerie Mills) and Richard Dykes.

There were no declarations.

To agree the minutes of the Barbican Residents’ Consultation Committee (RCC) held on 30 January 2017 and the meeting of the RCC’s AGM on 6 March 2017.

The draft minutes of the previous meetings were approved as follows:

·       Barbican Residents Consultation Committee (RCC) and 30 January 2017

·       Barbican Residents Consultation Committee AGM on 6 March 2017

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

Members noted the ‘You Said: We Did’ outstanding actions list from January to May 2017.

This item was deferred at the RCC’s AGM on 6 March 2017.

The Town Clerk advised that this item had been deferred from the AGM as the Committee had not been able to appoint a Deputy Chairman.

Being the only Member willing to serve, Chrisopher Makin was elected as Chairman of the Barbican RCC for 2017/18. 

Members were reminded that that, as the RCC can appoint up to 2 Deputy Chairman, a vacancy was outstanding and therefore further nominations were invited.

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of the charging policy for Barbican car parking.

Officers outlined the last report to the Committee, which sought to fulfil the City of London Corporation’s Service Based review and provide a fair return on the City’s investments.  Members noted that a report on storage charges would be presented at a later date and there would be a rolling ‘Questions and Answers’ document presented to the Barbican Residential Committee on 5^th June.

The Chairman asked for Members to be factual and non-anecdotal or emotive in their comments as it was accepted that the local Ward Members had received a lot of communications on this matter. During the discussion, the following comments were noted:

1.       The basis of the valuation was challenged as, based on supply and demand,  there were currently 513 spaces vacant.  The £2,000 market value was challenged  as to whether it was a fair comparison.   Members suggested that a lower price would raise the level of usage.

2.       Members felt that, in its current format, the report was inadequate for taking a decision on. This was only one element of the Charging Policies as the Stores Policy would be presented later in the year. 

3.       Given that 25% of space renters would give up their spaces if the charges went up, Members felt that this would negate any benefit from the increased charges.

4.       Whilst accepting the need for a ‘fair’ return on investments, Members were concerned that Barbican residents could not park on the street and therefore the Policy was unfair. 

5.       Dolphin Square was not considered to be a fair valuation on a comparable estate, as it was entirely rented and not local authority managed.

6.       Lauderdale House Group has undertaken some

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

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of repairs and maintenance to roofs/balconies following water penetration.  The report provided Members with an update on progress made by the Working Party in relation to the City of London Corporation’s approach to dealing with repairs and maintenance to roofs and balconies to the residential units on the Barbican Estate. 

Robert Barker (former Deputy Chairman of the RCC) thanked officers for their contribution to the work of the Working Party and for the spirit of open dialogue in which it had operated. 

During the discussion and questions, the following points were noted:

·       Frobisher Crescent was still under warranty and the Assistant Director would ensure that it was included in the new Barbican Asset Management Strategy. 

·       The RCC and Barbican Residential Committee (BRC) would receive a further report on Lauderdale Place roof inspection and other similar roofs that have not as yet been inspected due to various access problems as soon as possible after the inspections have been done. Members noted that this would likely be in the Autumn.

The costings and position on warranties and repairs would be included in a future report to the RCC/BRC once the Working Group had reached its conclusions.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted. 

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services

 The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of the Electric Vehicle Charging Points Pilot Project. 

During the discussion the following points were highlighted, the details of which would emerge in the next report to the RCC/BRC:

·       Methodology, cost recovery and the placing of meters.

·       The Barbican Estate Office had cross referenced the use of bays to ensure no duplication.

·       First usage would be in the autumn, as part of the pilot. 

·       There would be a number of communal bays.

·       There would be a resident survey over the summer.

·       Additional electrical infrastructure had been installed in the five selected car parks and this would be reviewed as part of the potential roll out of charging points.

In concluding, the officer thanked Members of the Working Party for their valued input.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

To note the minutes of the following Working Parties:

The Committee received the minutes of the Asset Maintenance, Underfloor Heating and Gardens Advisory Working Parties.  Members noted that reports in respect of the fire doors on some of the top floors at Ben Jonson House and a condition survey were due in June 2017.  In respect of a query as to whether update reports could be provided in addition to the Minutes, officers offered to include them in the regular update reports, under the ‘property services’ appendix.

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

The Committee received the regular update report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.  Officers advised that, due to the timing of the RCC’s committee cycle and the early despatch of reports in order to accommodate questions in advance, this report was often 5-6 weeks old by the time of the RCC meetings.   Members therefore agreed to receive this report closer to the meeting date in future.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted. 

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of the quarterly review for Service Level Agreements between January and March 2017.

Members noted that, in order to achieve 100% performance, residents were encouraged to use the generic email addresses for the BEO, rather than email direct to individuals.  In respect of cleansing, Members noted that it was not practical for the barrier at the entrance to the Garchey bay next to Defoe car park to be down during the day but it might be possible to do so at night.  Officers advised that this was being looked into further.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.

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

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of sales and lettings.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.

The Deputy Chairman asked whether Members would be happy to be emailed without being blind copied; i.e. so that the email addresses were visible.  This would allow members to exchange views readily.  Whilst there was a general agreement to this, the Town Clerk advised that she would check the data protection implications before following this up with a formal request to RCC Members. 

Officers had met with the Planners about the application for the baggage stores and agreed a way forward in respect of the objections.  Members noted that pre planning consultation would take place via email broadcast before a formal application was submitted.

In addition to the above, some questions had been submitted in advance of the meeting, which had been circulated earlier in the day and were tabled for Members.

There were no items