Issue - meetings

Report of the City Surveyor.

The appendices to this document are very large.  They will be available on the web site and circulated separately.

The Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor, which set out the key points and recommendations from the City of London Corporation’s Housing Net Zero Carbon Action Plan.  Members noted that the option recommended in the report presented the potential to save additional CO₂ but the position could be reviewed once detailed surveys had been completed.

During the discussion, the following points were noted:

a)      The de-carbonisation of Frobisher Crescent would be part of the recommended scenario but, due to the specialist nature of this work, it would need further investigation.

b)      The social housing decarbonisation fund is available for mixed tenure but, as it requires 70% social housing, this would exclude the Barbican.  However, capital funding might be available, together with assistance for those Barbican residents on low incomes.

c)       The application for the initial round of funding does not include the Barbican Estate and the costs in the action plan might need further refinement.  However, there was the potential for carbon offset funding from developers and other via private finance schemes.

In concluding, Members noted that this is a high level report and, once the action plan had been agreed, the feasibility studies would commence over the next few months and the outcomes reported to the relevant Committees.   

RESOLVED, that:

1.       The report and its contents be noted.

2.      The recommended approach to developing priority projects be agreed.

3.      Future projects to be taken forward will be received separately for approval via the Gateway process.

Report of the City Surveyor.

There are 2 large appendices to this report which will be circulated separately.

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor in respect of the key points and recommendations from the City of London Corporation’s Housing Net Zero Carbon Action Plan in relation to the Barbican Estate.

In response to questions the following points were noted:

a)         The plan set out priorities aimed at those estates emitting the most carbon and experiencing the highest levels of fuel poverty.  It also sought to create synergies with the existing Capital Works Programme.  However, there was scope for opportunities to implement cost effective carbon safety initiatives earlier in the programme; i.e., soffits insulation for flats at podium level and improving the controls of existing heating systems.

b)         Triple glazing would also fall within prioritisation, if found to be cost effective. The officer confirmed that triple glazing can be installed, but consideration is given on a  case by case basis, due to the different depths and sizes, and in accordance with the Deed of Variation and Listed Building Consent.

c)         Resident groups had identified a couple of quick fixes in terms of insulating soffits and air handling in the blocks, which is currently poor, and the officer confirmed that they would also be looked at in terms of prioritisation.  The officer confirmed that suggestions (a) to (c) above would be raised when the report is presented to the BRC. 

d)         Embedded carbon from buildings does not form part of the action plan but falls under design standards in the Climate Action Strategy, which is being taken forward as part of planning policy.   In the future, it is likely that there will be a lot more scrutiny on new developments, rather than demolishing and rebuilding.

e)         Whilst grants are available to decarbonise homes, these might fall outside the scope of the Barbican Estate.  Officers are looking to