Agenda item

A Member asked about the increase in service charges on the Barbican Estate, which had effectively doubled for a range of reasons, the most significant being the need to renew the lifts in the tower blocks.  However, as it was now very unlikely the work would be done in this financial year, the Chamberlain agreed to look at a revised estimate.

There was a further comment in that resident communications in this matter had been poor.   The Chairman of the BRC, also a Member of the Finance Committee, advised that he was seeking to resolve this matter, noting that it did not fall within the Finance Committee’s Terms of Reference. 

The Town Clerk stressed the importance of modernising the City Corporation’s business processes, particularly in respect of calculating of service charges.  Members noted the review of the Barbican Estate Office, currently underway, which is seeking to address these issues.  The outcome of the review would be reported back to this Committee in September, in terms of financial regularity and value for money, with the wider issues being reported to the relevant Committees.  Members also noted that the new Executive Director of Community and Children’s services would be looking at to make resident communications more detailed and transparent in the future.

The Chamberlain explained that, under the City Fund’s Regulations, it is not possible to have a ‘sinking fund’. Members were asked to be mindful of the age of the Barbican Estate and the implications in respect of service charges.  The Chamberlain would be looking at the budgetary process and balancing charges with the new Executive Director and Housing Finance Team.