Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from David Graves (Seddon House), John Tomlinson (Cromwell Tower) and Jim Davies, (Mountjoy House). Mike Bristow represented John Tomlinson

There were no declarations.

Town Clerk to be heard.

Being the only Member willing to serve, Christopher Makin was elected as Chairman of the RCC for the ensuing year. 

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4.          To Elect two Deputy Chairmen

Jim Davies and Graham Wallace both tendered their resignation as Deputy Chairmen and the Chairman thanked them for their contributions.  Graham Wallace was invited to speak as a past Chairman and as Deputy Chairman.  Graham wished the RCC well  and asked the Committee to investigate the benefits of some forms of social media to communicate the work and aspirations of the RCC. 

In the absence of any nominations, two Deputy Chairmen were not appointed.  In the event of any Member giving this further consideration, they were invited to contact the Town Clerk.

Town Clerk to be heard.

Being the only Member willing to serve,

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection

This report has a large appendix, which will follow shortly

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of the infrastructure for electric vehicle charging on the Barbican Estate.  Members of the RCC were asked to comment on the report, ahead of being presented for approval by the Barbican Residential Committee (BRC).  Members noted the time sensitivities connected with this report, in that the Local Emission Neighbourhood (LEN) funding would end in March 2019 and therefore, this report was being presented to a Special Meeting of the BRC later this week. 

During the discussion the following points were noted.

1. There had been a positive response to the pilot and there were 2 options before Members.  There was a general consensus from the RCC that Option 1 was preferable; i.e. residents should pay for what is used, as Option 2 could penalise those who used only a small proportion of electricity.

2. A Member expressed concern about the Zipcar hire cars using the bays and the difficulty this might present to Concierges. The Car Park Manager agreed to investigate.

3. There was some confusion as to where the cost would fall for two parking bays, if there was adequate space for them and whether this option was worth pursuing.  Also, were there any bays which might be unsuitable for conversion?

4. It was suggested that charging for two bays would be prohibitively expensive and would penalise electric car use. However, it was noted that to remove a usable bay and not charge for it would reduce potential car park income.

5. The recommendations in the report were based on forecast demand over the  next two years and it was acknowledged that technology moved rapidly in this area.  Furthermore, there would be far more choice in electric vehicles in the next couple of years and residents might delay taking a

To approve:

1.     The minutes of the Annual General Meeting on 29^th January 2018; and

2.     The minutes of the Extraordinary General Meeting on 25^th June 2018.

The Minutes of the following meetings were approved as a correct record:

1.     The RCC’s Annual General meeting on 29^th January 2018.

2.     The RCC’s Extraordinary General meeting on 25^th June 2018.

Matters arising

The Chairman advised that he would be a guest speaker at the Barbican Association’s (BA) Annual General Meeting in April.  His comments  would cover the division of the roles of the BAGC and RCC and provide an opportunity to open debate across both BA and RCC matters. Members welcomed this, in addition to the Chairman’s regular input to the BA newsletters.

Members are asked to consider the Committees Terms of Reference and make any comments or suggestions thereon.

Members considered the RCC’s current Terms of Reference Map referred to in ToR and made the following comments.

1.     Could the map of the Estate Boundaries be appended to the Terms of Reference. 

2.     Members noted the BRC’s Terms of Reference in respect of ‘other occupiers’, which includes; ‘the management of all completed residential premises and ancillary accommodation on the Barbican Estate, e.g. the commercial premises, launderette, car parks, baggage stores, etc. (and, in fulfilling those purposes, to have regard to any representations made to it by the Barbican Estate Residents’ Consultation Committee)’.  It was suggested that the RCC’s Terms of Reference be  specific in respect of ‘other occupiers’.

3.     Could there be a reference to reducing costs and investment; i.e. an example being the work of the Asset Maintenance and Underfloor Heating Working Parties.

4.     The integrity of the Estate falls within the remit of the Barbican Association, who closely monitor Licensing and Planning Applications.

RESOLVED, that – the Town Clerk include the above comments in a re-draft of the RCC’s Terms of Reference, for Members to consider further at their next meeting on 4^th March 2019.

Members are asked to consider the Terms of Reference and Membership of the various Working Parties and to make any comments or suggestions thereon.

Members considered the Membership and Terms and Reference in respect of its working parties and the following points were noted.

1.     Fann Street Wildlife Garden is called Barbican Wildlife Garden.

2.     The SLA Working Party is highly valued as the keeper of the Estate’s ‘to do’ list.

3.     Members look forward to receiving the Asset Maintenance Working Party’s report.

4.     The Chairman and Members thanked David Lawrence and his Team for the work of the Leaseholder Service Charge Working Party.

5.     Report of the Underfloor Heating Working Party

Ted Reilly provided an update on the work of the Underfloor Heating Working Party, following the concerns raised at the last meeting about a perceived lack of progress.  Members noted a recent and very constructive officer meeting, with Mary Durcan in the Chair, and the Working Party now had a short shopping list of ‘quick wins’. Members agreed that the new control system had been an excellent step forward. 

Ted advised that the quick wins included  an audit of the 3 different loadings and how they are charged for. The potential to produce , a web page  providing information as to how long the  heating had been on the previous night, with the  profile of temperatures.  Officers  had devised a mechanism to enable the Estate Office to move some of the power from January and February to the ‘shoulder’  months of October and May. Feedback on the latter proposal would be sought at the BA AGM. The  proposal would be cost neutral.  

There was a discussion as to how some flats were warmer or colder than others, depending on their position.  The Working Party had an objective whereby flats would be able to have some control of their own heat and a trial was underway  for ‘trimmers’ in 2 flats, whereby the

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members received a report of the Town Clerk in respect of the recent RTA Audit and noted that the following; i.e. all those who had applied, had achieved RTA Status.  Two blocks which currently had RTA Status; Bunyan Court and Mountjoy House, were invited to submit their returns in time for when the report is formally recognised by the BRC, at its meeting on 18 March 2019.

Andrewes House*

Ben Jonson House*

Cromwell Tower*

Defoe House*

Gilbert House*

Frobisher Crescent*

Lauderdale Tower*

Seddon House*

Shakespeare Tower*

Speed House*

Thomas More*

Willoughby House*

Barbican Association*

*indicates existing RTA, from the last Audit in December 2016

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.

Town Clerk to be heard.

The Town Clerk advised that, at the last meeting of the Court, two new non-resident Members had been appointed, which would considerably reduce the risk of future BRC Meetings being inquorate.    Members noted that the Policy and Resources Committee had delayed taking a decision on Housing Governance, pending the outcome of the Standards Committee’s decision on a report on Policy and Guidance on Dispensations under the Localism Act, 2011, which had subsequently been agreed on Friday 25^th January 2019.  

Whilst noting the restriction on voting under the 1985, Housing Act, there was some discontent expressed in that the new Policy had not adequately reflected the directions from the Court of Common Council in December 2018.  The Chairman of the Barbican Association advised that the matter had been discussed at the Barbican Association General Council meeting the previous week and she would be writing to Aldersgate and Cripplegate Ward Members, setting out their concerns. 

The Ben Johnson House Group representative raised the matter of water ingress, had caused anxiety to residents and, whilst works would commence in the new financial year, they had been waiting for some two years. 

The House Group also felt that the issue of car parking charges, taken together with the installation of stores, which were set to occupy a very considerable area of their car park, needs careful and sensible consideration. The final decision should take into account the overall income from the floor area and any additional costs; i.e. whether the current number of car park attendants can manage all their additional duties without compromising security.

The House Group were very reassured that the question of smoke ingress was under review, but disappointed that relatively simple matters, such as the installation of signage and development of fire management plans were taking some time.

The Defoe House representative raised concerns more generally in respect of the shop below Lauderdale Tower, the ‘yellow box’ on Ben Jonson Highwalk , new storage, tube noise and the culture mile. 

The Chairman encouraged Members to submit written questions in advance of regular RCC Meetings on these and similar issues.

There was some discussion in respect of a vision for residents in the next 10 years, based on the discussions during this meeting; and including Culture Mile, noting what does and does not fall within the RCC’s remit.   Sandy Wilson (Shakespeare Tower representative) was happy to lead on this, and feedback a shortlist to the Chairman, and residents were mindful of some having cost implications.  It was suggested that contributions be via email, or as a sub group, without City officer involvement. 

Members were also encouraged to look at the City Corporation’s Draft Local Plan in respect of the future of the Barbican and

There were no items.