The Barbican Residential Committee meeting scheduled for 16 February 2026 was set to cover a range of financial and operational matters concerning the Barbican Estate. Key discussions were expected to include the approval of the service charge budget for the upcoming financial year, a review of procurement processes for reactive repairs, and an annual review of the committee's terms of reference. Updates were also anticipated from various working parties and the Director of Property & Estate Management.

Service Charge Expenditure and Income Account

The committee was scheduled to consider the latest approved budget for the 2025/26 financial year and the original budget for 2026/27 concerning revenue expenditure included within the service charge for dwellings. This report, a joint effort by the Chamberlain and the Executive Director of Community and Children's Services, aimed to provide a detailed breakdown of projected income and expenditure. The proposed revenue budget for 2026/27 indicated an increase of £224,000 compared to the 2025/26 budget, bringing the total to £15,340,000. The report highlighted that direct employment costs had risen due to the Barbican Estate Office restructure, but this was offset by a reduction in technical recharges. The repairs budget was projected to increase due to planned preventative maintenance activities intended to support the longevity of the Barbican's structures, while energy costs were expected to decrease based on Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) credit projections. The budget presentation had been revised to offer greater transparency and a more granular breakdown of costs, separating annually and non-annually recurring works to allow residents to better understand expenditure allocation.

Procurement Review

A report from the Executive Director of Community and Children's Services was scheduled for discussion regarding the procurement of reactive repairs contracts. The report aimed to address resident concerns about the procurement process and sought approval to commission an independent external review. This review would examine the process, including the proposed approach to funding and resident involvement. The report stated that the City of London Corporation did not agree with resident assessments that the procurement process had failed, asserting that it was conducted in line with legal and governance requirements. However, in the interest of transparency and confidence, the City was prepared to commission an independent review with an indicative budget of up to £10,000. Should the review find evidence of failure or negligence by the City, associated service charge costs would be reimbursed.

Annual Review of Terms of Reference

The committee was set to consider its current terms of reference and agree any recommended amendments. These proposed changes would then be put forward for consideration by the Policy & Resources Committee and subsequently the Court of Common Council. The report indicated that the Barbican Estate was undergoing an overall Housing Governance review, scheduled to commence in March 2026, suggesting that no immediate changes to the terms of reference were proposed at this time.

Working Party Updates

Several working parties were scheduled to provide updates:

• Climate and Zero Carbon Working Party (CWP): This group, a joint committee of the RCC and Barbican Association, was expected to report on its progress. A key focus was the AMBUE heating study, commissioned in 2024, which was seen as crucial for understanding factors influencing cost, control, comfort, and carbon emissions. The CWP aimed to provide an informed response to the AMBUE project team and was reviewing its terms of reference.
• Service Charge Working Party (SCWP): The SCWP was expected to report on its recent meetings, including discussions on the 2026/27 service charge budget. Detailed explanations of forecast expenditure, covering employees, repairs and maintenance, future major works preparation, and electricity costs, were anticipated. The SCWP also intended to address historical heating charges and provide an update on the review of City of London recharges.
• Service Level Agreements Working Party (SLAWP): This working party was scheduled to present its findings on key performance indicators (KPIs) for the second quarter of the 2025-26 financial year. Concerns were expected to be raised regarding complaint response rates and the timeliness of urgent and non-urgent repairs, with potential issues related to IT system interfaces between Civica and contractors being highlighted. The working party also intended to discuss changes to repair reporting systems and the progress of a new messaging app.
• Gardens Advisory: A verbal report was anticipated from this working party.

Update from the Director of Property & Estate Management

The Director of Property & Estate Management was scheduled to provide an overview of ongoing activities and strategic developments across the Barbican Estate. This update was expected to include information on the Building Safety Case for the Towers, the progress of the Barbican App pilot and estate-wide rollout, and the review and options appraisal for the Estate's car parks. Further details were anticipated on the full review and wash-up of the Redecorations Project, the strategic approach to the Building Envelope, and an update on the Ambue Heating Review. The transition to an in-house maintenance service for day-to-day repairs was also expected to be covered.

Outstanding Actions

A joint report from the Town Clerk and the Executive Director of Community and Children's Services was to be presented, detailing outstanding actions. Members were expected to review the progress on these actions, with specific items such as the Lambert Jones Roof works and the Antisocial Behaviour Policy deadline being noted.

Minutes of Previous Meetings

The committee was scheduled to agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 17 November 2025. Additionally, draft minutes from the Barbican Estate Residents Consultative Committee meeting on 26 January 2026 were to be received for information.

Other Items

The agenda also included items for decision such as the agreement of public minutes, the exclusion of the public for specific agenda items, and the consideration of non-public minutes and lease renewal for Aldersgate Street. Questions on matters relating to the work of the committee were also scheduled.