Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Chris Boden, Susan Pearson, William Pimlott, Stephen Quilter, Deputy John Tomlinson and Dawn Wright.

Randall Anderson declared an interest in Agenda Item 19 due to the fact that he rented his property on the Barbican Estate. He stated that he would not participate in any discussion on the item.

To approve the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 16^th December 2019.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 16 December 2019 be approved.

MATTERS ARISING

Underfloor Heating Working Party (page 2) – The Chairman reported that the Procurement Sub Committee had noted this Committee’s support for the initiative of the Barbican Estate Residents’ Consultation Committee’s Underfloor Heating Working Party and had indicated that they were happy to have residents involved in this matter going forward.

Waterfalls (page 3) – A Member commented that the waterfalls were currently in working order and thanked Officers for their work on this.

Maintenance budget for Highwalks (page 5) – A Member noted that the maintenance budget for the highwalks was to be reviewed.

Public Realm in and around the Barbican Estate (page 5) – The Chairman reported that CASC had considered this issue but that it had subsequently been sent back to this Committee with Officers tasked with producing an update report for and proposals for the 1 April CASC meeting. Officers reported that the funds available for this work currently amounted to £50k and that the report would explore how any gaps here might be filled.

To note the draft minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd March 2020.

Members received the draft minutes of the Barbican Estate Residents Consultative Committee (RCC) held on 2 March 2020.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk asking that Members review and approve the terms of reference for submission to the Court of Common Council. The Committee is also asked to consider the frequency of its meetings going forward.

The Chairman stated that he was of the view that the current frequency of meetings was sufficient. Members agreed that this was the case. The Chairman then invited comments on the terms of reference.

A Member commented that he was of the view that the membership of this Committee was too large. He asked that the Committee be radical in their thinking around this in order to ensure that they operated as effectively as possible, particularly given the impending Governance Review. With this in mind, he proposed that the Committee membership be amended to incorporate four non-resident members and six resident Members – two from each Ward/side of Ward. He went on to suggest that the quorum might then be amended to require three non-resident Members and one resident Member to be in attendance.

The Chairman reported that he had previously spoken with Ward Deputies to suggest a reduction in representation from each Ward/side of Ward but that this dialogue had been somewhat lost with he move from some Members of the Policy and Resources Committee to abolish this Committee entirely. He added that he had no issue with the proposal now being put forward but would suggest that the quorum remain unchanged and be defined in terms of voting (non-resident) Members only.

Another Member spoke to say that he had sympathy with the proposal. He added, however, that he felt it important to always ensure that there was at least one more non-resident Member on the Committee versus resident Members given that non-resident Members were the pool from

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

Members received the Committee’s Outstanding Actions list.

The Chairman highlighted that the breakdown of the income decreases distributed to BRC Members was sent to Members by the Town Clerk, on behalf of the Chamberlain, electronically earlier this week.

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

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services

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

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

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

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

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

COVID-19

A Member questioned whether the organisation’s Social Services or other departments were offering assistance to tenants isolated within their accommodation, particularly given that the Barbican Estate was home to many elderly residents living alone with no immediate or extended family. She added that she was aware that some House Groups had already begun to address this and that, at present, residents were being referred to the organisation’s website for the most up to date information however, nothing here seemed to be specifically addressed to them at present.

The Assistant Director reported that House Groups may be best placed to contact individuals in the first instance. He added that the next update to residents would be asking all to inform if they were self-isolating so that Officers were able to create a better picture of individual circumstances.

A Member reported that Andrewes House had recently resurrected its Good Neighbour Scheme with residents provided with contact details for those who could help with the provision of food and other necessary supplies.

Another Member added that most House Groups had now taken some action and urged others to follow suit. He reported that Mountjoy House currently had 6 volunteers assisting those who were self-isolating. He underlined the importance of maintaining some sort of central register of those who were self-isolating and ensuring that regular contact was established with them.

The Chairman suggested that House Groups contact the Barbican Estate Office with details of the arrangements they had put in place and key contacts for each House. Another Member requested that this information also be included on the weekly Estate bulletin email.

Tours of the Barbican Estate

A Member questioned whether new Members of this Committee were offered a tour of the Barbican Estate, she added that this would provide them with important

There were no additional, urgent items of business for consideration.

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.

RESOLVED – 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.

            Item No(s)                                                     Paragraph No(s)

                17                                                                           3

               18                                                                           2

            19 & 20                                                                     3

              21                                                                       3 & 5

22 & 23                                                                      -

  24                                                                       2, 3 & 4

  25                                                                             3

To approve the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 16^th December 2019.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2019 be approved.

 Members are asked to note an appendix in respect of agenda item 13.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services providing Members with further information with regard to the current arrears in respect of tenants and leaseholders on the Barbican Estate and the action being taken on these.

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

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services reviewing the rent for residential properties on the Barbican Estate let under City of London tenancies.

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

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services concerning a proposal from Arup to carry out a detailed fire safety audit on a representative sample of four residential blocks on the Barbican Estate.

The Assistant Director, Barbican and Property Services to be heard. 

The Assistant Director, Barbican and Property Services was heard.

A Member raised a question relative to the Beech Street zero emissions zone trial commencing later this month.

There were no additional, urgent items of business for consideration in the non-public session.

To approve the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 16^th December 2019.

The confidential minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2019 were considered and approved.

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

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services seeking agreement for proposals for the restructure of the Barbican Estate Office (BEO).