Reduced Cleaning Service - Friday 19 August

From the BEO:

___

Dear Residents

We will be running a reduced cleaning service on Friday 19 August, rubbish will be collected as normal but may take a bit longer with less staff.

This is because the upcoming tube strike on Friday 19 August will affect the number of cleaning staff being able to get into the office.

Thank you for your understanding in this regard.

UK Power Networks: Statement of Services

An email from UK Power:
___




Why am I receiving this email?

We own and maintain the electricity lines and cables in your area. We are required by the energy regulator to inform all our customers about our Statement of Services. Find out more.

We are UK Power Networks and it's our job to maintain a safe and reliable supply of electricity in London, the South East and East of England. This means we keep the lights on in your area, regardless of who you pay your electricity bills to. It's important that you know this so you can contact us quickly if and when you need to.

At UK Power Networks, we strive to provide our customers with brilliant service. An important part of this is showing you what services you can expect from us. You can view our Statement of Services on our website. Here you'll find our contact details, information about your rights as a customer and how you can get extra support in a power cut.

Read our Statement of Services

Priority Services Register – Providing extra support during a power cut

The electricity networks are 99% reliable but power cuts can happen occasionally for a variety of reasons, including severe weather. If the network is damaged or develops a fault we'll get your power back on. Our engineers work around the clock 24/7 to restore power supplies as quickly as is safely possible. We also provide extra support to customers who need it. Find out more about our Priority Services Register.

Already on our Priority Services Register?

It is important that the information we hold is up-to-date, so we can provide you with the support you need. Please update your details here.

Copyright © 2022 UK Power Network Holdings. 

All rights reserved. 

UK Power Networks are registered in England and Wales.

Registered number: 3870728. 

Registered office: 237 

Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 6NP.

40c - BEO Reception will close at 2pm today

From the BEO

____

Dear Residents

Due to the Red Weather Alert, we will be closing the reception at 2pm today.

We will not be closing the reception for the lunchtime break today (1-2pm) and will just close at 2pm.

Please find the hot weather warning attached which was circulated last week.

Stay safe and thank you for your understanding in this regard.

Barbican Estate Office

====

Hot Weather Warning

For some people, especially older people and those with underlying health conditions, the summer heat can bring real health risks. Temperatures indoors can be higher than temperatures outdoors.

That’s why we’re urging everyone to keep an eye on those you know who may be at risk this summer. If you’re able, ask if your friends, family or neighbours need any support.

The top ways for staying safe in the heat are:

• Close curtains in rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors.
• Turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment –they generate heat.
• Use cool spaces if going outdoors.
• Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol.
• Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children, vulnerable adults, or animals.
• Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest.
• If you have to go outside in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
• Avoid physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day.
• Make sure you take water with you if you are travelling.
• During warm weather, going for a swim can provide much welcomed relief. If you are going into open water to cool-down, take care and follow local safety advice.

Look out for the signs of heat-related harm:

• If you feel dizzy, weak or have intense thirst and a headache, move to a cool place as soon as possible. Drink some water or diluted fruit juice to rehydrate. Avoid excess alcohol.
• If you have painful muscular spasms (particularly in the legs, arms, or abdomen), rest immediately in a cool place and drink electrolyte drinks. Most people should start to recover within 30 mins and if not, you should seek medical help. Call 111 if you feel unusual symptoms, or if symptoms persist.
• Call 999 if a person develops any signs of heatstroke as this is a medical emergency.

Further information on heatstroke and heat-related illness are available here:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/

1 Golden Lane: Act now

Here is a letter from the chair of the house group urging us to make a submission about the plans for 1 Golden Lane:

___

 

The closing date for comments on the redevelopment of Golden Lane is fast approaching - 6^th May 2022.

 

Four more storeys are to be added and the facade facing the west side of Ben Jonson will be extended towards the perimeter of the Estate by 11 feet, covering almost all the existing brick facade. 

 

East Central News - link below - describes the development as the Hunchback of Golden Lane and gives a very full description of the development and its effect.   https://eastcentralnews.wordpress.com/

 

Support is requested for those who find the proposed changes disturbing so please, as good neighbours, take time to register your comments on the attached link: https://www.planning2.cityoflondon.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do?action=simple&searchType=Application  22/00202/FULMAJ

 

I'll also remind you that our Common Councillors will be holding a Ward Surgery on Thu 5^th between 7pm to 8pm, at the Golden Lane Community Centre, where you can take your case.  See this week's Estate Wide Bulletin. The surgeries will be walk-in, with no appointment necessary. Come along and let us know how we can help with resident issues. Any questions please contact Ceri Wilkins on ceri.wilkins@cityoflondon.gov.uk

 

Golden Lane Campus - Another retrospective application

 The Golden Lane Campus is yet again making a retrospective planning application.  It would seem that there is no incentive for them to do otherwise, no danger of having to undo the work, no danger of a fine for the individual decision makers.  Why bother with the hassle of fighting for permission to do a thing when you can just do the thing and get it approved afterwards?

In this case the retrospective application is for play structures.

While we most certainly should think of the children, we should also think about the wider context including neighboring residences and, you know, following the boring old planning rules/laws.

I hope the children do indeed end up with good play facilities, but I also hope that the Islington planning team recognise the habits of the school regarding retrospective applications and take action to discourage it.

Click to read the whole document

 

1 Golden Lane - How Big?

The redeveloped 1 Golden Lane will be much bigger, and more intrusive, than the current building.

Planning permission for the proposed redevelopment has been submitted (see the notice here).

You have until 5th May to make representations.  If you object to the plans make sure you include the word "object" in your objection otherwise it will be taken as merely a comment.

Send your representations to PLNComments@cityoflondon.gov.uk 

I have also received a flyer which gives a good sense of just how much bigger the proposed building will be: higher by no less than 20.39 meters (66.89 feet).  The flyer also points out that the proposed building will built out to be closer to Ben Jonson House, that there will be new entertainment terraces, and that refuse containers will be placed immediately in front of Ben Jonson House.

Click to read the whole flyer

Rubbish Locker Doors

Here is a note from the BEO about rubbish locker doors.  See here for a picture of what they are talking about.

The note from the BEO:

___

Rubbish Locker Doors

Following a recent inspection by the City of London’s Fire Safety Officer, we have had to remind all our cleaning staff, to ensure all the lockers by the front doors are left locked when shut, after rubbish collection has taken place.

We understand that this may be an inconvenience to some of you but as the lockers form part of the fire safety compartmentation, it is essential they are left shut at all times.

We are aware that there are a number of broken locker doors or locks across the estate, and these are being dealt with. The cleaners have also been reminded to report any faulty doors or locks in the future.

Over time, some of you may have lost the keys, or not had them passed on to you by the previous owners. If this is the case you can borrow one from the Porter/Concierge but you can also purchase one from the local hardware shop such as City Hardware on Goswell road, and ask for the Barbican square rubbish locker key.

Please be reminded that the lockers are there for this purpose and with regular rubbish collections across the Estate, there should be no need to leave anything out in the communal areas.

Thank you for your assistance and understanding with this matter.