Issue - meetings

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 City of London Corporation’s approach to the provision (or non-provision) of EWS1 Forms across the Barbican Residential Estate.

Members noted that there had been no issues as yet with the ‘comfort letters’ issued to mortgage lenders.  The Assistant Director explained that the EWS1 forms require a surveyor to inspect the whole building and a certificate is then issued.  Unfortunately, there is currently an industry shortage of surveyors.  A letter of comfort explains why we believe there is no need for a full EWS1 form and confirms that our buildings do not have ACM and MCM cladding, which has been identified as problematic.   It was noted that this policy would be consistent across social housing and the Barbican estate.

RESOLVED, that - Option 1 in the report be approved; ie  the Corporation will not  issue EWS1 Forms but provide ‘Comfort Letters’ for individual residents upon request

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

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services which sought guidance and instruction on the City Corporation’s approach to the provision/non provision of EWS1 forms across the Barbican Estate.

Members noted that a similar report had been  considered by the Housing Management and Almshouses Sub (of the Community and Children’s Services Committee).  The Assistant Director advised that producing EWS1 forms is expensive and, given that they are not essential, he had been providing ‘comfort letters’ for mortgage providers.  An example was provided in the appendix to the report.  The Assistant Director had provided 10 letters across Housing and Barbican, which had been accepted by mortgage lenders.   Members noted that they applied to buildings over 18m high, not on a floor-by-floor basis.  The Assistant Director had had also taken advice from Legal Services in respect of  floors at sub-podium level.

RESOLVED, that - the report be noted.