Agenda item

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services

This report updated Members on issues raised by the Residents’ Consultation Committee and the Barbican Residential Committee at their meetings in May/June 2012 and other issues on the Estate. 

During the discussion and questions, clarity was sought on the following:

Car parking – Members noted that an on-line payments system via the web site was on hold but the various options being considered would be put to the RCC/BRC in a future report. Older systems would run in tandem as new ones were trialled. 

Barbican Area Streetscene Enhancement Strategy: Moor Lane – the Barbican Association (BA) had provided detailed comments on the design but received no feedback.  They had asked, where possible, if benches could be located away from bars at City Point and the smoking areas. 

Proposal to narrow Silk Street to Chiswell Street – Members were concerned that this would have implications during peak traffic periods.  The Chairman felt that consultation had been inadequate and the Barbican Association offered to raise this. The Barbican Estate Manager agreed to liaise with the Street Scene Team regarding the communication and consultation on these projects. 

Broken tiles on Ben Jonson Highway -  A partially sighted resident was particularly concerned at this health and safety hazard and the RCC asked for the BRC to be made fully aware.  The Estate Manager advised that he had today met with the new Highways Manager and that, under a new Highways contract, remedial works would be given a priority.  Members also noted that the Barbican Estate Office would be taking the lead role for the management of the overall Barbican Estate and giving direction on co-ordination and stakeholders’ budget allocation.  Members also noted that the Health and Safety Risk would be transferred to the Director of Community and Children’s Services.  Furthermore, the Health and Safety Officer would be reporting directly to the Head of Technical Service.

Beech Gardens Podium:  Drop-in sessions -  Members were concerned that some pertinent questions, particularly in respect of Beech Gardens drainage and toxicity of the new pond lining, could not be answered at the sessions.  The Head of Technical Service advised that the sessions had been very well attended and residents would receive a letter with a Q&A update, covering about 50 questions on the issues raised. 

Redecorations – a Member asked if the new quality control system for the redecorations works could be included in future update reports.

Concrete testing – this report would be presented to the BRC on 24 September and the Chairman of the RCC would be attending as the residents’ spokesperson.  The report would be published later this week, as part of the BRC agenda, and RCC members would also receive a copy.

Frobisher Crescent heating system – further to the Minutes of 28 May 2012, Frobisher Crescent residents maintained their view in that the City should take this over after the winter of 2012/13, to ensure that all the hot water issues had been fully resolved. 

Organisation Chart – Members asked if future charts could also cover the Technical Division of the Department.

RECEIVED

At 8.29 pm Members agreed to suspend standing orders in order to conclude the business on the agenda.