Agenda item

Report of the City Surveyor.

Consideration was given to a report of the City Surveyor relative to the relocation of Dorothy Annan Ceramic Panels to Barbican Highway and the transfer of ownership to the City of London Corporation.

Concern was expressed by a Member that there was insufficient information in the report to make an informed decision on the relocation of the panels.  The Director assured Members that thorough consideration had been given to alternative locations, and that this had included non-Barbican estate sites. 

Members recalled that on 18 September 2012, the Planning and Transportation Committee resolved to grant listed building consent for the removal and safe storage of the ceramic panels.  This permission was subject to a S106 agreement which provided that every effort should be made to find the panels a new home in the City.  The report to committee indicated that a suitable and agreeable location had been found on the Barbican High Walk after consultation with English Heritage and the 20^th Century Society who had indicated a preference for the panels to remain in the City and to be attached to a listed building; and that the S106 required Goldman Sachs to use all reasonable endeavours to secure its safe relocation. 

Following a question raised, the Director confirmed that a suitable British Telecom building had not been identified.

Members voted on a motion to request that the Planning and Transportation Committee reconsiders alternative locations.

Vote – 1 in favour, 6 against and 2 abstentions.  The Motion was lost and it was therefore -

RESOLVED – That,

1)     the Culture Heritage and Libraries Committee be recommended to agree in principal to the relocation of the panels to the Barbican High Walk and that on completion of the works the ownership shall be transferred to the City Corporation along with a dowry of £100,000 to be set aside in a ring fenced fund for future maintenance and repair.

2)     the Culture, Heritage & Libraries Committee, be recommended to approve the sum of £100,000 as being appropriate for the future maintenance and repair of the ceramic panels and associated light fittings and add it to the register of art works maintained by the City Corporation.