Agenda item

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

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services in respect of the Barbican Podium Waterproofing, Drainage and Landscaping Works.

The Chair asked how the report could possibly be ‘For Information’ when it was so heavily redacted and the disclaimer at the top of each page stated that it was only valid if read in conjunction with the City Intranet which no RCC members had access to.

The Assistant Director admitted that the report being redacted with commercially sensitive information may not have been easy to read and in future a more concerted effort to provide a condensed version would be considered. It was highlighted that a public version of the report ,without redaction, had been submitted at the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee and Members were keen to view it.

The Head of New Developments & Special Projects, Housing Property Services informed that Gateway 5 report was expected in the coming months. He advised the Committee that planning listed building consent was being granted and a detailed design had been completed. An application of building regulations had been submitted and tenders for the project had been received. The possible start of the project was expected to be early 2026 with completion at early 2028.

A Member asked if it was possible to maintain resident engagement when dealing with matters of commercial sensitivity, potentially offline, instead of receiving redacted versions of reports.

The air quality of Beech Street Tunnel was questioned and the closing of vents was concerning for Members and they were keen to understand the rationale behind the closing of ventilation. It was advised that 14 vents above Beech Street Tunnel were blocked and therefore ineffective and a technical evaluation of these vents deemed them to be obsolete. Highways and Technical experts had considered repairing these vents, however they concluded that vents were no longer required and could be removed.

Members asked for further information on structural support and why this was not listed in the plans. Officers explained that there were inaccuracies in historic records of the Barbican Estate and upon site investigation several columns did not exist which had featured on the original record drawings. However, he had no reason to believe there was any structural instability but would obtain further technical expert advice to confirm this. The Assistant Director, confirmed that structural renovation surveys had been conducted on the wider columns of Beech Street and they were “structurally sound”. A member queried artwork being included in the project when it was water proofing which was the necessity and made the point that if the project is overbudget, the artwork should be removed not any fundamental waterproofing works

The Head of New Developments & Special Projects, Housing Property Services confirmed that although residents were not involved in the consultation process with Planning Officers, the scheme had been shared with residents and other stakeholders. A Member asked if noise emanating from exercise and play on the podium had been considered and the Committee were advised that Planning Officers had considered this and all consultations had been conducted via the statutory process hosted by City Planning. Further questions were prompted by Members and it was suggested that these questions be collated post-meeting and shared with the Planning Department for further comment.

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