Here are brief summaries of the key organisations/websites for the Barbican Estate.
Do consider getting involved with these groups, it is a rewarding way to find out more about your home and meet your neighbours.
The Barbican Association
The Barbican Association (BA) is the Recognised Tenants Association for the Barbican Estate and some 60 percent of its residents are members. It represents all who live here, including lessees and their subtenants.
The BA is the City of London’s go to organisation for the views of residents on strategic developments such as Climate Change, the Local Plan, Conservation, Planning, Traffic Management, Governance and Licensing. We work closely with the Barbican Residential Consultative Committee that deals with all matters pertaining to our leases, and play an active role on matters affecting the whole Barbican Estate with the Barbican Centre and other stakeholders.
The BA is independent of the City of London and has its own funds drawn from membership subscriptions and the revenue from a quarterly lifestyle magazine, Barbican Life, that is distributed free to all residents. These monies pay for professional advice for the BA’s campaigns and related matters.The BA also has quarterly newsletter that is distributed free to residents.
The BA holds an annual general meeting to elect members of the Barbican Association General Council (BAGC). Each Barbican House Group also sends a representative to the BAGC to ensure that all Barbican residents have a voice.
Barbican Residents Consultation Committee
The Barbican Residents Consultation Committee (RCC) was established in 2003 as the City of London’s consultative body representing Barbican residents in all landlord/tenant matters. Its work relates primarily to matters paid for via residents’ service charges. You can view the RCC’s agendas and papers.
As with the BA, residents are represented on the RCC via their House Groups and residents are welcome to attend the RCC’s meetings to hear its discussions first hand.
Each RCC meeting reviews the papers of the Barbican Residential Committee, which is a decision-making body, and provides feedback and recommendations. City Officers attend each RCC meeting to answer questions and take feedback from residents.
Working Parties
Much of the real work for the BA and the RCC takes place outside the set piece meetings in a number of working parties that address key topics and report back to the BAGC or RCC as appropriate. Current working parties include major works, gardens, underfloor heating, planning and licensing, service levels, the Culture Mile, service charges and security.
House Groups
Most residential blocks on the Barbican Estate have a House Group that enables neighbours to work together on matters of mutual interest that can vary enormously throughout our 40-acre estate.
The House Groups also allow residents across the Estate to work together through the Barbican Association and the Barbican Residents’ Consultation Committee. Each House Group sends a representative to the BA and RCC so every building has a voice.
Many House Groups are also Recognised Tenants Associations. This legal status provides some additional obligations on the City in terms of the information provided and requirement for consultations.
The Barbican Residential Committee
The Barbican Residential Committee (BRC) is the decision-making body that oversees the management of the residential part of the Barbican Estate and its commercial premises, car parks, baggage stores etc. It does not manage the Barbican Arts Centre or the Barbican’s educational facilities.
The BRC is a committee of the City of London and its members are elected Aldermen and Common Councillors. As elected members who are resident in the Barbican are seen to have a pecuniary interest in the work of the BRC they cannot vote on most issues, so decision making falls to the non-resident members.
The BRC’s meetings are open to the public and you can view its papers.
The Barbican Estate Office
The Barbican Estate Office (BEO) is based in the building adjacent to Lauderdale Tower. It manages a team of some 70 cleaners, porters and concierges (car park attendants) that are key to residents’ quality of life.
The weekly email bulletin issued by the BEO is a great way to hear the latest news, so do sign up.
The BEO also manages services including repairs, redecorations and the residents’ gardens. These services are paid for by your service charge, or your rent if you are a City tenant. Who to contact if you need a repair.
The BEO also manages the Barbican Estate’s commercial premises, car parks, baggage stores and is responsible for the paving of the podium/highwalk. This is designated as a public highway so does not form part of the service charge. The BEO does not manage the Barbican Arts Centre or the Barbican’s educational facilities.
Your elected representatives
The City of London Corporation is our local authority with the Barbican Estate situated in two of the City’s 25 electoral wards – Aldersgate and Cripplegate. Registered voters elect Councillors and Aldermen that help take the major strategic decisions that direct the work of the City Corporation. Our elected representatives sit on a variety of committees – all open to the public – that manage the City’s diverse functions.
Contact details for your elected members.
Barbican Living
This independent website is a treasure trove of information about the Barbican Estate with dedicated sections for each building and flat type.
Barbican Talk
This independent website is an online forum for residents, offering them an opportunity to chat online and to buy and sell items.
If you are interested in joining the RCC, BAGC, a subcommitte, your House Group committee or one of the working parties, please get in touch.