Barbican Noisy Work Times

From the BEO

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Noisy Work Times and Public Protection

This is to remind residents that Home Improvements are to be carried out on weekdays between 10am - 4pm and no work is to be carried out on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays

If there is a problem during office hours (Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 5pm) please call your House Officer, and if out of office hours please call your concierge or car park attendant.

More information on noise can be found on the Barbican Estate Website in the Residents Information Pack in Communal Living.

Pigeons unfancied

From the BEO:

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Pigeons

Please be advised residents can telephone the BEO at first signs of Feral Pigeons nesting on their balconies. Effective management controls have kept the Feral Pigeon numbers low which in turn keeps maintenance costs down.

To assist in the control of pigeons and seagulls do not feed the birds on the lawns or in the lakes, and especially not from your balcony.

Contractors visit weekly to control pigeon nesting and use a Harris Hawk to control pigeon numbers.
Please click here for more details in the gardens tab of the Residents Information Pack.

Beech Street - Explanation of Closure

From the BEO:

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Beech Street Reopened - Explanation of Closure

Thames Water stated that works were in place to repair a leak, however it was more complicated repair than originally thought, as the leak was sourced in a totally different place to where the visible water was coming up. The repair was done on the 24 Nov, and Thames Water had to wait for the reinstated ground to settle before it could be opened again.  Reinstatement can take a few days until it's safe to reopen a road.

Unfortunately, notices from Thames Water tend only to be given if there's a planned supply interruption, hence why there was no information.

Cripplegate Wardmote - 20th March 2019

The new Cripplegate ward newsletter included an invitation to the 2019 wardmote

20 March, 7 for 7.30pm start
Barber-Surgeons Hall, Monkwell Square EC2Y 5BL

The event is explained in the newsletter:

Annual ward meetings known as Wardmotes will be taking place in each of the City’s 25 Wards early next year.  Electors are invited to attend the meeting in their ward, which provides an opportunity for them to meet their elected representatives (Alderman and Common Councilmen) and raise any issues they have with them. Details of the meetings are shown below and are also on the City of London website. The wardmotes below were confirmed at the time of writing but as arrangements for others are confirmed these will be added to the web link below. If the arrangements for any of the meetings change, updated information will appear on the website.

The Cripplegate Ward Newsletter

The December 2018 edition of the Cripplegate ward newsletter is here!

Click to read the whole newsletter

Residents' Mix & Mingle - Dec 5th

The BEO have organised an event for residents:

Could be fun!

City Local Plan - 2036

From time to time the City go through the process of putting together a local plan.   I think they must have some legal obligation to do so because they jump through the hoops even though they often ignore the results; for example the local plan which is effect now was brushed aside to allow the Taylor Wimpey planning application through.

I'm sure the city officers responsible for putting together this new plan would love to have your comments, if only to validate what they are doing.

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Draft City Plan 2036

The City of London Corporation’s Draft Local Plan, City Plan 2036, contains policies on a wide range of topics relating to the planning and development of the City, including offices, housing, tall buildings, open space and greening, shops, culture and community services.

There will be several events and drop-in sessions with officers in attendance to answer questions. Help shape the future of the City by visitingwww.cityoflondon.gov.uk/cityplan2036
Please sign up here or email us at localplan@cityoflondon.gov.uk to add your name to our mailing list.

The consultation will close on 28 February 2019.

Please click Story Map which provides an overview of the City Plan in an interactive way through videos, maps and graphics. We hope this will help engage people especially from a non-planning background so please have a look!

City plans to remove the BBBB signs

From the Barbican Association, regarding the potential lost of the BBBB signs, for example:

A BBBB sign

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URGENT: Resident Alert from Defoe House and Shakespeare Tower Resident Committees

We may lose our BBBB signs (and get massive illuminated lights instead) if we don’t act now.

Please object to this blatant disregard for our listed building status and have a heart for the residents in Defoe & Shakespeare whose bedrooms and living rooms will suffer from one of the new signs.

These new signs are not necessary. See Robert Barker’s detailed objection for the full story.

Deadline for objections is next week 29th November.

You can have your say by clicking the link here or by email toBhakti.Depala@cityoflondon.gov.uk and PLNComments@cityoflondon.gov.ukquoting reference 18/00335/LBC. It is important that if you object, you make that clear in the email and/or online.

Please click here for possible grounds for objection.

Take Back Those Trolleys

From the BEO:

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Please be reminded that shopping trolleys are not to be left on the Estate. If you are able to push a loaded one to your flat, you should be able to return an empty one with ease.
We do appreciate your cooperation in this regard.

BEO: Vent Fluff Cleaning Service

From the BEO:

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Vent Cleaning

The vents in the kitchen and bathrooms can become blocked overtime by lint, dust, moisture and cooking fats. This reduces the flow of air through the ventilation system causing damp or moisture in the property and gives fuel to a flame if the worst was to happen. 

At your request the vents in your flat can be vacuumed clean and checked for good operation. 

Please contact the Repairs Reporting Line onbarbicanrepairs@cityoflondon.gov.uk or call 020 7029 3909, Monday to Friday 8am-5pm to make an appointment.

Trial hole digging, Silk St & Moor Lane 3 Dec

From the BEO (some of the dates look a bit wrong in this announcement)
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Trial Holes for no.20 Ropemaker Street Development

Reach Active are undertaking trial hole excavation works on the footway and carriageway on Moor Lane and Silk Street from 3 December, to identify existing utility services. Work will continue on Ropemaker Street, Finsbury Pavement, South Place & Eldon Street.

The works started on 19 September on Moor Lane, with the intention of being completed Friday 21 with all works clear by close of play Monday 24.

Moorfields will start Monday 24 / Tuesday 25 September with the works taking 6 days. Site hours are 07:30 to 16:00 with noisy works between 08:00 to 10:00 and 12:00 to 14:00.

Pedestrian and vehicle access will be maintained, Please click here for details and see here for a map.

Noisy Work on Fann Street 26-28 Nov

From the BEO:

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Utility works will take place on the footway on Fann Street between the 26-28 November 2018; Allcom will comply with the noisy hours working times as provided by the local authorities. Please see here for map and here for further details.

Please contact Kieran Wilson by email or telephone 077808665062 if there are any concerns.

Background Underfloor Heating

From the BEO:

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Background Underfloor Heating

This is to inform residents that the heating system is background underfloor heating, not a full central heating system and that residents are obliged to provide their own supplementary heating. If you’d like some extra information about how the system works and what levels you should expect, please click here and search in the 'repairs' tab.

2018 Xmas Gathering & AGM - Wed 12th Dec 19:00

Ben Jonson House residents are invited to Wine, nibbles, and hopefully a quick-quiet AGM at 19:00 on Wednesday 13th December in the Lilac Room. See here for directions to the Lilac Room. The agenda for the AGM is here.

The AGM part of this is quite important. We need 15% of members to be present to have a very quick AGM (10 minutes of admin). As soon as the meeting is quorate we do the formal bit, and then get back on with the wine, mince pies and discussion topics.

The committee is hoping that the lure of wine and mince pies will draw enough people along.

In addition to the hopefully swift formal part of the AGM, there are some specific items the committee would like to discuss with you:

• Estate security - stories & paid for security? 
• Smells from cote 
• New Carpets? 
• Staircase Security (blue cages)

The house group must have an AGM every year or else we can be a house group. Please do just pop in for a short while.

And please do sign up as a member (https://membermojo.co.uk/bjhg)!

Rechargeable Costs to Residents

The BEO can help with may maintenance issues, but you should be aware that for some things the BEO will charge you ...

From the BEO
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Rechargeable Costs to Residents

This is to clarify the procedures and reasoning for recharging for certain aspects of work carried out by contractors working on behalf of the Barbican Estate Office.
Please click here (or below) for further information.


Rechargeable costs to residents. 

The following information is to clarify the procedure and reasoning for recharging for certain aspects of work carried out by contractors working on behalf of the Barbican Estate Office. 

Water penetration 

When water penetration (i.e. water ingress to a flat) is reported, the Call Centre will raise an order for an investigation. This is usually the same day and involves our contractor making safe and isolating the water supply. It is only when the inspection has been carried out by the contractor, that the Call Centre will be advised on whether their investigation is rechargeable to the resident. If the leak is from plumbing which the leaseholder is responsible to maintain, e.g. shower, washing machine, dishwasher etc, it will be recharged. Both this resident and the resident who has suffered water ingress will be notified by way of a letter from the Call Centre. The former resident will be advised in the letter that the investigation is rechargeable to them. The resident will also be asked to carry out any necessary repair work. If repair work is not carried out within a reasonable timeframe the estate office will review requesting access to carry out the work and recharging the cost to the resident. If a leak affects City of London tenants’ flats, and if it is from one of their appliances e.g. washing machine it will be the tenants’ responsibility and they will be recharged for the contractor’s visit. They will also be asked to fix the appliance. If the leak is from their bath or sink, i.e. any of the fixtures inside a tenanted flat, the Barbican Estate Office will arrange for our contractor to fix this and there is no recharge made to the tenant. 

Broken windows 

Broken windows should be reported to the Call Centre and the officer will ask how the damage was caused, and if the crack is internal or external. If the crack is internal and accidental, the resident may be able to reclaim the cost on the building insurance. If the damage is external the Barbican Estate Office will arrange the work as a service charge item. Most damage to windows is accidental. and this can also include damage to privacy screens which can get broken during periods of high winds. Residents should be encouraged to report broken windows/privacy screens as soon as possible, to avoid accidents to themselves and contractors. 

Blocked sinks 

Both City of London tenants and leaseholders are charged for these blockages. The exception is if there is a blockage in the communal stack and this goes against the service charges for the block. It should be evident if there is a blockage in the stack as usually more than one resident is affected. If there is a blockage in the stack, the estate office contractors will be asked to attend and deal with it. 

Lock changes 

Both City of London tenants and the leaseholders will be recharged for lock changes if they lose their keys. The estate office will not arrange for the lock changes for Chubb and other security locks which always remains the responsibility of residents.

Tailgating & Security

From the BEO:
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Tailgating & Security Reminder

We are taking this opportunity to remind residents to be vigilant about tailgating. This is the biggest security threat to the Estate and possibly the easiest to solve.

It seems prudent to remind residents not to hold the door open for anyone without a residents estate key but also to be mindful that the doors close properly behind you.

If you are not comfortable closing the door on someone and there is someone behaving in a suspicious manner, then please wait until you are in a safe place and call either the Police or your nearest Concierge or Lobby Porter.

Please do try to report it as soon as you can.

In the same way if you feel that someone is acting suspiciously then please contact your Car Park Concierge, Lobby Porter or the Police.

Please also remember not to 'buzz in' strangers to the block

If you spot that a door is not closing properly, please report it to Repairs.

Ultra Low Emission Vehicles trial

The City are putting a toe in the water regarding encouraging the use of ULEVs (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle), e.g. plug in electric cars.  There is a flyer for a trial which being proposed for Moor Lane.  Officers were asked if this could instead happen on Beech Street, especially as this is one of the most polluted streets in London ... but officers apparently resisted this, claiming it would be too hard.  Hmm.

The Moor lane proposal has two options, one is to retain the current barrier which limits the times Moor Lane can be used for through traffic (this barrier was hard won by residents who had been disturbed by though traffic), the second is to remove the barrier to open the street to through traffic again, but only ULEV traffic.  Here is the flyer, followed by a notice from the BEO:

Click to read the whole flyer

From the BEO:

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Moor Lane Ultra Low Emission Vehicle proposal consultation

The City of London Corporation would like your views on the proposal for a trial on Moor Lane which would restrict access through the south end of Moor Lane to only Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles (ULEV).

As part of the Low Emission Neighbourhood project, which is a series of measures supported by the Mayor of London to improve air quality around the Barbican area, this proposal aims to pilot the concept of ULEV access only streets in the City, raising awareness of the concept and encouraging the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles by road users in the City.

The City of London Corporation are proposing two options, with the view to this experimental scheme to running for a year from April 2019.

• Option 1: operate an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle only restriction at the police check-point on Moor Lane 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Option 2: operate an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle only restriction at the police check-point on Moor Lane during existing road opening times (checkpoint will remain closed to all road users, weekday evenings 11pm - 7am and at weekends)

The City of London Corporation would like to hear your views regarding the proposal to pilot an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) access only restriction at the southern end of Moor Lane.
This pilot scheme would start in April and last for a year.There are 2 options, one of them removes the gate on Moor Lane that at present closes between 7am and 11pm.

All areas of Moor Lane will still be accessible from the north (via Silk Street, Milton Court or Ropemaker Street), however the proposal would mean only ULEV compliant vehicles could drive through the area by the police barrier at the south end of Moor Lane.

As Barbican residents, we would like to hear your views on this proposal. Please read our consultation document and, if you’d like to have your say once you have read the consultation information, please respond to our survey here. 

Further details can be found at: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ulev

Concrete Repair Works - Update

From the BEO:
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Concrete Repair Programme 2018-2019

Please be aware that the Concrete Repairs Programme will start in Breton House Car Park on 16 November as per schedule.

Click here for further information and a programme of works, which is available on the website. The programme is subject to change due to external forces, such as extreme weather. Should you have any queries or concerns please contact the allocated Project Manager, Neil Clutterbuck by email neil.clutterbuck@cityoflondon.gov.uk
We would like to thank residents for their patience and co-operation whilst these works are being carried out.

We can clarify that work has been completed on Thomas More House, Seddon House, Lambert Jones Mews, John Trundle Court and Bunyan Court.

We appreciate that the works were disruptive, and hope that we prepared residents for the disturbance that works inevitably cause.

In order that we may continually improve our services, we value feedback from residents. Please contact your House Officers with any issues, or if you believe work may be still outstanding.

A point of clarification is that the SikaGard 680S Clearglaze which is a clear anti-carbonation coating has been specified to be applied to repairs where there is a limited concrete cover to the reinforcement. Consequently, it did not need to be applied to all the concrete repairs.
The programme of works can be found on the website.

Noise Complaints - the City wants to hear more

At the Barbican Association (BA) General Council meeting this week I heard that members of the BA had attended a meeting with City officers at which they were told that there were almost no noise problems in or around the Barbican Estate. The City officers knew this because they have received almost no complaints.

If you are disturbed by noise, don't hold back, call the 24 hour environmental protection number:

0207 606 3030

Or send in an email to publicprotection@cityoflondon.gov.uk

These details can also be found on the blog useful numbers page.

The Police

If you would like to contact the police, the numbers are always available on the Useful Numbers tab here on the blog.

...  but just in case:
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City of London Police
Control room (24 hour): 0207 601 2222
Bishopsgate police station (24 hour): 0207 601 2606
Barbican Estate police station (office hours only): 0207 601 2456
... and of course 111 for a non-emergency and 999 for an emergency
See also the City of London Police Reporting a Crime page.

Noisy Work Times and Public Protection

From the BEO:

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This is to remind residents that Home Improvements are to be carried out on weekdays between 10am - 4pm and no work is to be carried out on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

If there is a problem during office hours (Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 5pm) please call your House Officer, and if out of office hours please call your concierge or car park attendant.

More information on noise and the Good Neighbour Guide can be found on the Barbican Estate Website in the Residents Information Pack in Communal Living.

Alex Novoa’s funeral

The chair of the Ben Jonson House Group attended the funeral of Alex Novoa:
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I went to the funeral yesterday, along with a great many of Alex's colleagues from BEO.  The rows in front of us were full of Alex's friends and family supporting Claudia and their three children.

It was a very emotional occasion for everyone there and although the service was conducted in Spanish, it was deeply moving to witness the happiness and love so evident in the many family photographs projected onto the screen. Afterwards, candles were lit around Alex's photo and balloons with messages from those present were released into the sky.

I spoke briefly to Claudia to express the sympathy of BJH residents and she asked me to express her gratitude for the fundraising Bruce set up. It is really heartwarming to see the amount of support the fund has attracted.

Alex Novoa funeral on Thu 8th Nov

From the BEO, below, the details of the funeral for Alex.
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The funeral for Alex Novoa will be on Thursday 8th November 2018, 3pm at City of London Cemetery and Crematorium.

Aldersbrook Road
Manor Park
London
E12 5DQ

Gardening Committee October meeting

Here is a report from the Ben Jonson House Group representative on the estate gardening committee:
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I attended the GAG committee meeting last week, and a subsequent tour of the Ben Jonson/Breton garden areas yesterday.

The GAG started with a tour of the Thomas Moore Gardens, in the company of Jake Tibbetts (City of London Gardens) and Paul Bandassari (Head Gardener in Barbican Grounds)

Key Points raised:

• The Lawns in Thomas Moore have been scarified twice, which is the first time this has been done in many year. The lawn has recovered after hot summer. There were objections to the watering, as this was seen as unnecessary. Paul B will therefore switch off lawn watering, if possible, next year.
• The Thomas Moore/Mountjoy open space will be used as a open potting area for gardening team. This will enable them to reuse more plants and keep costs down.
• Nigel Dunn (who designed the new planted area of Dry Gardens has done several educational sessions with the gardeners and volunteers. However, a general 'Meet the gardeners day' has not been arranged yet, most House Reps wanted this to take place in summer. Hopefully, this will take place in Spring. Jake Tibbetts to arrange.
• Flower beds around BJ and Breton House have been updated and weeded over the summer - much improved
• The BHS would like more people to join the Society and attend their events - membership details on the British Horticultural Soc website
• Group Inspections -these have been done by each house, 6-monthly for 18 months (I do the BJ inspection with Breton House (Jo Rodgers) and Cromwell Tower. Generally it was noted that not much planting has been done over that period, and the beds look pretty much the same. We queried whether this was due to lack of staff, the difficult summer, or because of the forthcoming resurfacing and replanting of the BJ/Breton area in 2019 (with the drainage works). Paul Bandassari said that their budget was tight, but the gardening team was the same size as always, and in fact they had brought in some short term staff for assistance over the summer. The conditions this summer had been very challenging for the gardening team over all the estate. Moisture had been the largest problem, but they had managed to keep most of the plants alive. Paul is aware of the upcoming redevelopment of the BJ Highwalk, but this has not influenced the work put into the area. They are making sure all the beds are kept green and as tidy as possible, but new plants will not be put in - as they would be removed in the redevelopment.
• The Speed Garden replanting has not taken place this summer. It may go ahead next spring, but this is dependent on budget allocation.
• The barbican lake will require draining and de-silting shortly. This is a new item on the estate agenda, and money will need to be found from the budget to cover it.
• Barbican at 50 - is anything being done in the gardens to celebrate this? The RCC did not want to spend any money on this event, and the City of London has nothing in its budget for it either. The Arts Centre will be having additional tours and events. Money will need to be raised from corporate donations etc if anything extensive is to take place. The BA is looking into this.

Jo Rodgers and I had an Inspection Tour of the Ben Jonson and Breton House flower beds with Paul Bandessari yesterday. We looked in close detail at the work done on the lawns and flower beds in the area. Paul's team has done a lot of work to keep them green over the summer. Some areas will need a lot of pruning to remove dead branches after the dry spell. Paul restated that the forthcoming redevelopment of the Ben Jonson High Walk, removal of Yellow Shed etc has not affected the attention to the existing plants in the area. But no new ones will be planted as this would be a waste of time and money if they are to be removed in the next year or so. He is working to improve the soil and drainage in all the larger beds, which will keep them green.

We discussed the overhauling of two beds near to Breton house, and the removal of the wooden flower boxes on the Ben Jonson High Walk. We also would like to see the removal of the netting on thee sides of the towers on Ben Jonson High Walk, as the plants do not survive well there, and many residents would like to see the towers return to their unadorned state! This will need to be discussed at committee level and with the House Committees.

TfL Transport Forum: 29th Nov

From the BEO:
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Transport for London - City of London Residents’ Transport Forum

Transport for London are hosting their first City of London Residents’ Transport Forum on Thursday 29 November at the Guildhall, Committee Rooms 2-3 from 6:15pm to 8:00pm. The forum will be chaired by Councilman Marianne Fredericks and will be an opportunity for residents and other key stakeholders from across the City to discuss key transport issues relating to Transport for London.

The agenda is being finalised but Barbican noise and vibration issues will on the agenda. If you would like to attend, then please email Ciaran McCartan at ciaranmccartan@tfl.gov.uk or Abbas Raza at abbasraza@tfl.gov.uk so they can confirm your place.

Moving in/out & propping doors open

From the BEO:

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Propping Doors Open and Moving In and Out
Please be aware that propping doors open is a security risk and an inconvenience to other residents.

When planning your move to or out of the Barbican Estate it is advisable to contact the Car Park Attendant or Lobby Porter who can give advice on the following essential details:

• Parking for your removal van 
• If the van cannot be accommodated in the car park you can apply for special dispensation to park in the street. See contact list (Parking Dispensation).
• Height restrictions in car parks
• The times of day during which you can arrange for removals. Usually this is between 8am and sunset.

For further information please check the website here in the Communal Living Tab in the Resident Information Pack.

Concrete Repairs

From the BEO
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Reminder: Barbican Concrete Repairs Programme 2018
Please be aware that the Concrete Repairs Programme will start on Ben Jonson House on 6 November as per schedule.

Click here for further information and a programme of works, which is available on the website. 

The programme is subject to change due to external forces, such as extreme weather. Should you have any queries or concerns please contact the allocated Project Manager, Neil Clutterbuck by email:

neil.clutterbuck@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Alex Novoa appeal update

The fundraising for the family of Alex Novoa  is going well.  The total as I write has just topped £2,500.

https://www.gofundme.com/the-family-of-alexander-novoa-rip

In addition to making very generous contributions, people have been asking me for information about how Alex's family are doing.  I don't have a great deal of detail, and really I don't want to ask too much at this time.  I communicate with Claudia by email, and the conversation is mainly about making sure the funds are accessible for her.

I contacted Claudia via the BEO after the house group decided we should try to help.  Claudia and I have not met in person, but Claudia has visited the BEO.  I know that the main concern at the moment is the cost of the funeral.  I understand there is no insurance or other cover there to help the family with this cost, but in addition to the GoFundMe campaign Claudia has received some help from other sources.  I don't have detailed accounts or anything like that, but my understanding is the cost of the funeral will be about £4,000 and the other sources provided something like £1,200.  This means that the very generous contributions to the GoFundMe are filling a critical gap.

Claudia has sent me many thank you emails, so let me pass the sentiment on to everyone who has chipped in.

The BEO have included an item about the fundraising for Alex and a link in the latest weekly bulletin.  Here is the text of that item:

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Alex Go Fund me Page
The Ben Jonson House Group have started a 'Go Fund Me' page for Alex Novoa, the cleaner at Ben Jonson House who passed away on 17 October.

Alex leaves behind his wife Claudia and three young children.They are all in our thoughts at this terribly sad time.

If you would like to contribute please click here, or alternatively ask for an House Officer at the Estate Office reception to contribute in person.