The Barbican Residential Committee met on Wednesday 22 July 2026 to discuss a range of estate management issues, with a particular focus on the refurbishment of lifts across the estate. Key decisions included granting delegated authority for the appointment of consultants for both the tower lift refurbishment and the electrical repair framework for terrace block lifts, aiming to expedite these crucial projects.

Lift Refurbishment and Repairs

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the ongoing lift refurbishment projects. The committee granted delegated authority to the Barbican Estate Office (BEO) to appoint a lift consultant for the tower lift refurbishment project, which encompasses lifts in Cromwell Tower, Shakespeare Tower, and Lauderdale Tower. This decision was made to avoid delays, as the procurement timeline did not align with the committee's meeting schedule. The project, estimated to cost over £6 million, aims to address the end-of-life condition of these nine lifts, improving reliability, safety, and compliance.

Similarly, delegated authority was sought and granted for the appointment of a consultant and contractor for a Lift Electrical Repair Framework for the terrace block lifts. This initiative addresses the systemic failure of ageing electrical systems in these lifts, which have become obsolete and difficult to repair. The framework aims to stabilise lift reliability in the short to medium term while a full modernisation programme is developed. This project is estimated to cost nearly £3 million and will focus solely on electrical components, leaving the mechanical systems in place where supportable.

Governance and Estate Management

The committee received updates on the ongoing Governance Review, which is being conducted by Charles Russell Speechlys and Inside the Box. The first phase, reviewing terms of reference and associated documents, was nearing completion, with resident and stakeholder engagement to follow.

A review of the Barbican Estate's car parks, undertaken by Arup, was also discussed. The review aims to assess current usage and identify opportunities for optimisation, balancing resident needs with potential income generation. The scope and Arup's proposal were circulated to members, who advocated for greater resident involvement in future discussions.

Compliance and Safety

The committee reviewed the Compliance Report, noting improvements in fire safety compliance. However, concerns were raised regarding the reporting of wet riser systems as 100% compliant despite being out of service. Officers explained this reflected successful statutory inspections rather than operational functionality. Playground inspections were confirmed to be undertaken to meet insurance and public liability requirements and will be included in future compliance reports.

A discussion also took place regarding the issue of wooden flooring in leaseholder properties. Legal advice indicated that enforcement action solely on the basis of wooden flooring was unlikely to be successful due to the City's past lack of consistent enforcement. A new strategy focusing on enforcing noise nuisance, rather than just wooden flooring, is being developed.

Other Matters

Updates were provided on the Barbican App, which has seen over 1,500 residents sign up, and the transition to an in-house repairs service. The committee also discussed the Major Works Programme Board's activities, noting the significant projected expenditure of approximately £10 million per year over the next 30 years for estate infrastructure.

The Climate and Zero Carbon Working Party was asked to explore the development of a formal protocol for decisions regarding the heating season, moving away from the current discretionary approach.

Finally, the committee addressed concerns raised by residents regarding the Thomsmore playground campaign. While agreeing to address issues with half pipes, netting, and the football pitch flooring, officers maintained that the play equipment was functional and safe, and replacement was not deemed a priority at this time, costing approximately half a million pounds. The BEO committed to meeting with campaign organisers to discuss the proposed works.