October/November Update

[Tim Godsmark]

NOVEMBER UPDATE

 

In the last month we have had two meetings with City of London officers with responsibility for the Estate and elected representative for Cripplegate. The meetings were to discuss maintenance and major projects. On the City’s side was Paul Murtagh, the Assistant Director of the Barbican and Property Services. Paul is relatively new to the job, has a construction background and is determined to turn the years of neglect that this and other City estates have suffered. He has recruited a team of surveyors to take maintenance and major problems out of the City Surveyor’s hands as they have been shown to be more concerned with managing the City’s property portfolio.

 

In the second meeting we discussed the plans for the Estate in detail and Paul has worked out a comprehensive plan for its renovation and we can discuss this in more detail at the next general meeting. He is also reinstating regular inspections.

 

This was all reassuring and we will be monitoring performance to see that they are held to account if they do not perform.

 

OCTOBER UPDATE

 

Since the election of your new committee we have been working to put the Association on a sounder footing and to engage positively with the Corporation on a number of issues.

 

We have:

• Begun to put together a plan for the Association with objectives and targets.
• Arranged a meeting with senior officers and elected representatives to discuss the issues that affect you the most.
• Have had a meeting with the planners regarding making the Golden Lane Estate, the Barbican and the surrounding into a Conservation Area. The reason for this is to provide additional controls over which buildings can be demolished locally and what new buildings are like.
• Intervened on behalf of residents with issues concerning the works to Great Arthur House.

 

Our focus areas for the coming year can be grouped under the following headings:

• Maintenance and repairs.
• Major projects.
• Governance and communications.
• Quality of life.