Agenda item

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

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of the City of London Corporation’s approach to the provision (or non-provision) of EWS1 Forms across the Barbican Residential Estate.

Members noted that there had been no issues as yet with the ‘comfort letters’ issued to mortgage lenders.  The Assistant Director explained that the EWS1 forms require a surveyor to inspect the whole building and a certificate is then issued.  Unfortunately, there is currently an industry shortage of surveyors.  A letter of comfort explains why we believe there is no need for a full EWS1 form and confirms that our buildings do not have ACM and MCM cladding, which has been identified as problematic.   It was noted that this policy would be consistent across social housing and the Barbican estate.

RESOLVED, that - Option 1 in the report be approved; ie  the Corporation will not  issue EWS1 Forms but provide ‘Comfort Letters’ for individual residents upon request