Agenda item

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

The Committee received a report from the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services in respect of identifying material risks (identifying which type of asbestos if any is in situ) in all areas within the common parts of the Barbican.

The Assistant Director advised the Committee that a further asbestos report shall be submitted to both the BRC and RCC at its next meeting. The report noted that £95,000 worth of asbestos removals had been identified and soon quotations for remaining work shall be finalised. Wanted to bring paper to this committee as soon as possible prior to its submission. 2,500 – 3,000 asbestos removals were expected to be required and this was budgeted at a cost of approximately £1.5 Million - £2 Million. Stage 1, section 20 notices had been issued to residents due to the urgency of this work.

A Member asked if there was any risk of danger to residents or visitors to the Barbican Estate in relation to asbestos. The Assistant Director believed that there no imminent risk to either residents or visitors and any high-risk asbestos, to date, had been addressed and dealt with immediately. The Assistant Director also agreed to share a further communication regarding asbestos removal to reassure residents at the request of the Deputy Chair.

In relation to the costs detailed in the report, a Member wanted confirmation on which party shall be responsible for these costs. The Assistant Director confirmed that further detail on this shall be listed in the next asbestos report submitted to the Committee.

A Member highlighted the risk of asbestos once interfered with and advised officers to mindful of this when making decisions to remove asbestos situated on the Barbican Estate. The Assistant Director advised that out of the circa number of asbestos removals (2,000), 15 were classed as complete removals and that there was consideration for restriction requirements or encampments (enclosure) for remaining asbestos.

RESOLVED, that – the report and its contents be noted.