Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Tim Macer, Philip Sharples and David Graves

There were no declarations

To agree the Minutes of the RCC Meeting held on 28 January 2013

To agree the Minutes of the AGM held on 15 April 2013

The Minutes of the RCC Meeting held on 28 January 2103 and the AGM held on 15 April 2013 were agreed as a correct record, subject to recording that Mary Hickman submitted apologies for the AGM.

Matters arising

At the AGM, residents had been encouraged to submit questions in writing, in advance of the meetings.  Four residents had done so in respect of the Update Report (Agenda item 4) and their questions and responses are appended to these minutes.

Repairs to the tiling on the steps – residents noted that the missing white edge tiles had been cemented over, whilst waiting for replacement tiles.  Officers advised that the cement would be painted white in the interim, to aid anyone visually impaired.  Residents asked if this could be kept as a ‘live’ item on the update reports/minutes, as part of an ‘outstanding actions’ list.

Crossrail – the Barbican Association had attended the recent Crossrail meeting, where officers had raised residents’ concerns.  Full details would be added to the BA website.  The Chairman of the Barbican Association (Jane Smith) advised that there would be an all residents meeting with Crossrail on 24 September 2013 (further details would be added to the BA website shortly).  Residents challenged the 97% performance of the escalator and once again stressed that the City Surveyor should be represented at RCC meetings.  The Deputy Chairman (Randall Anderson) advised that he has also raised this concern separately with the City Surveyor who had explained that, due to the breadth of areas covered by the City Surveyor’s department, it was difficult to find a single representative who could represent the entire department. Eddie Stevens offered to liaise with them to ensure that residents’ queries were answered, both inside and outside of Committee cycles.

Barbican Cinema (sound measurements) – The BA

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services

This report updated residents on issues raised at the RCC/BRC meetings in January/February 2013.  It also provided updates on other issues on the Estate.

Four residents had asked questions in advance (appended to these minutes) but there were further issues raised during the discussions.

Service Charges (Q1) - Eddie Stevens offered to facilitate meetings with house groups about the emerging Asset Management Strategy. The Chairman of the Barbican Association (Jane Smith) suggested an annual briefing meeting, particularly for the benefit of new RCC/House Group members.

London Film School (Q2) – Eddie Stevens offered to provide further details on the fit out.  John Tomlinson (Deputy Chairman of the Barbican Centre Board) reminded residents that the London Film School had held a consultation meeting last year and were very mindful of residents’ concerns. 

Beech Street Tunnel – Residents noted that, given the volume of work required to achieve EU standards for the tunnel, the enhancements would be mainly cosmetic.  Residents felt that the street cleaning standards in the tunnel were somewhat lacking.

Beech Gardens (Q. 6) – Eddie Stevens reminded residents that the podium had been leaking, intermittently, for the past 30 years.   There had been numerous remedial works but no actual solution.  Further to the possibility of litigation from Virgin Media, Members had insisted on a robust programme of works, with a 25 year guarantee.  Residents asked if there could be an email broadcast, providing further information.  Residents were reminded of the recent, comprehensive programme of public meetings (both lunchtime and evenings), which had been advertised widely around the estate as well as the recent email broadcast.  Mr Anderson had met recently with the Department of Open Spaces to discuss the process for planning and consulting with residents on new planting and the new irrigation systems; which would be installed above

Minutes of the Meeting held on 30 April 2013

Members noted the minutes of the meeting to discuss the concrete repairs on the Barbican Estate.  This had taken place on 30 April and was attended by the Deputy Chairman of the BRC, the Chairman of the BA, the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the RCC, Barbican Estate Officers and the concrete specialists, Bickerdike Allen.   This was discussed as part of the Update Report (item 4, above).

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services

This report updated Members of the review of the Estate wide implementation of the Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for the quarter January to March 2013.  The report detailed comments from the House Officer and the Resident Working Party and an on-going action plan for each of the five Service Level Agreements. 

Whilst accepting that the ivy had been removed due to the damage it causes to concrete, residents asked that a suitable alternative be sourced in order to preserve the local wildlife habitat. 

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services

This report sought BRC approval for an extension of the existing Window Cleaning Services Contract for a period of 12 months, and thereafter on a monthly basis, to synchronise with the end of the 3 year period of the COL cleaning contract and the tendering of the total works.  Residents were assured that the specification would be to existing or enhanced standards.

RECEIVED

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services

This report sought BRC approval to progress with installation of the baggage stores and staff relocation.

Director of Community and Children’s Services

This report advised residents/members of the sales and lettings which had been approved by officers since the last meeting.

Q1. Page 19 of papers - Question relating to RCC Annual Review – item 4 - costs

Please may we have a fuller report about the costs and nature of Repairs and to what extent the estimated and actual costs cover what is required to maintain a high standard of repair on the Barbican Estate.

(Some residents ask for a more detailed report of what is covered under General Repairs particularly, but also what is covered under Technical Services.

Residents are anxious to maintain a high level of quality repairs to their block. Some residents have expressed a firm view that they are not seeking for reduced expenditure in this sphere. There is therefore concern if there is an apparent underspend on General Repairs when the Actual cost is compared with the Estimate. There is also concern if there is an overspend in Actual Cost in one year which is not reflected in the Estimate for the next year.)

Q2. Page 23 of papers - London Film School (LFS) development under Breton House

- do we have a schedule for when they will begin works?

A. Planning for LFS to take the space and begin their fit out in first half of 2014.

Q3. Page 23 of papers - State of the podium tiles and benches

- keep up the good work on the tiles, but please do not

slacken off – Comment only

Q4.Page 23 of papers - when will the gashes carved in the tiles between Ben Jonson House and Breton House be repaired?

A. These works will be carried out during the last 2 weeks of June

Q5.Page 23 of papers  - when will the decision finally be made to get rid of the universally unpopular benches?

A. The Transportation and Public

There were no items of urgent business