Agenda item

Report of the Managing Director.

Members received a report of the Managing Director providing updates from the Barbican Directors on their respective areas.

During discussion, the following points were raised:

·         In respect of the Centre for Music, it was advised that a further report would be considered by the Policy & Resources Committee the following week; the Managing Director expressed his confidence that the work to date demonstrated the project’s feasibility. On a related note, the Policy & Resources Committee would also be considering proposals relating to the future of Beech Street, which were closely connected to the wider Cultural Hub project.

·         Members noted the reference to the car park within the commercial development update and queried the status of the previously discussed City Corporation-wide car park strategy. The Managing Director advised that discussions about a strategic approach were ongoing as part of the Cultural Hub work, adding that he understood this issue would be addressed in the paper being presented to the Policy & Resources Committee.

·         In response to questions regarding air quality concerns in the Beech Street tunnel and the impact on the Cultural Hub plans, the Managing Director advised that a low emission zone was being proposed to tackle this; in addition, wider discussions were ongoing within the City Corporation about how traffic in the area might be further minimised.

·         Responding to questions concerning the status of the stalls bar, the Director of Operations & Buildings advised that a safe and effective solution had now been identified which should be implemented shortly.

RECEIVED.