Agenda item

Members are asked to note the Sub Committee’s Outstanding Actions List.

The Assistant Director, Barbican Estate & Property Services, went through the listing and updated the committee.

Tenancy Visits

This was reported to the Committee in March 2020, and a further report will be provided to the Committee in its future sittings.

New Portsoken Community Centre

The Committee was informed that the Members of the Grand Committee had received several reports on the New Portsoken Community Centre. The first report stated that the Department for Community and Children’s Services would be responsible for the community center's governance until there are some stability and reliability. The second recommendation to the Grand Committee was that an elected Member from the Court of Common Council would sit on the advisory board for the New Portsoken Community Centre.

The Chairman mentioned that a number of issues are still of concern to the local resident, such as the use of the Green Box. It was agreed that the Community Centre's purpose is not changing, and for the future, the local residents will have a say in how the New Portsoken Community Centre will be run. This should alleviate any community fears.

A report on the governance and staffing structure of the New Portsoken Community Centre will also be presented to the Grand Committee, as well as the Sub-Committee.

Great Arthur House – Cladding Works

The Committee was informed that the City of London has now received a court hearing date for March 2021. A day has been set aside by the court, but the City of London awaits to hear any further updates.

Climate Action Strategy – Funding

A Member asked if there has been any further update on the Climate Action Strategy – Funding available for the Committee, which comes to an end in May 2021. The Assistant Director, Barbican Estate & Property Services, advised the Committee that around £8million worth of funding for housing projects are available.  In terms of how the funding can be accessed remains uncertain, and Officers are working with the Chamberlain to address the matter. The Assistant Director, Barbican Estate & Property Services, agreed to return to the Committee on this after the meeting.  The Assistant Director, Barbican Estate & Property Services, also agreed to bring a report to the Grand Committee and the Sub-Committee on the matter.

The Deputy Chairman asked if the Climate Action Strategy should become a standing item for the Committee. The Chairman of the Grand Committee agreed to raise the matter with the Chair of the Policy and Resources and provide a direction to the Committee on a later date.

A Member raised a question on if the Committee was eligible for the Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Funds for some of the development works within the estates of the City of London.

The Assistant Director, Barbican Estate & Property Services, responded that there are two approaches to this. In terms of the Climate Action Strategy – Funding, the Corporation is very vested in this. The Community and Children’s Services is working with colleagues in the Chamberlains to see if the funding can be accessible.  Additionally, Officers are also assessing to see if the City of London can also apply to the revised Green Deal which the Government has announced.  The Committee was assured that Officers are exploring both internal and external funding sources.  If the City of London cannot access the external funding, the Department can direct residents (leaseholders) to appropriate sources to access the funds.

Another Member noted that the Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood funds had been applied by a local community group, which is a rolling program, and there is no deadline for applying. The Member informed the Committee that they had raised a question to the local MP on the Green Homes Grant and whether the City of London can access the Green Deal; the Member agreed to share the MP's communication to the wider Committee.

The Chairman of the Grand Committee noted that the City of London could not apply directly got the Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Fund’s and this needs to be driven by the leaseholders themselves.