Consultation letter - BJH External Redecorations

If you have any comments on how the City/BEO plan to go about the external redecoration of Ben Jonson House read and respond to this letter.

You have until 9th May to make your comments.

BJHG Committee Meeting Dates (& 2015 AGM)

These are the dates for the Ben Jonson House Group Committee meetings over the coming year.  These include the date for the 2015 AGM.  All the meetings will happen in the Lilac room.

• Wednesday 21 May 2014 at 19.30
• Wednesday 16 July 2014 at 19.30
• Wednesday 10 September 2014 at 19.30
• Wednesday 12 November 2014 at 19.30
• Wednesday 21 January 2015 at 19.30
• Wednesday 25 March 2015 (AGM) at 20:00
• Wednesday 15 April 2015 at 19.30

These were all set up for us by our house officer Sheila Delaney, so many thanks to her.

We still need to have the AGM for *this* year!  A date for the flash-AGM will be announced fairly shortly.

VFM - How the fibre network will work

VFM gave a presentation explaining how the new Internet service would work. Here are the slides:

Result of colour Vote - Ben Jonson House external redecoration

We'll be staying blue; Oxford Blue.  From the BEO:

Dear Residents

Result of the colour ballot- Ben Jonson House external redecoration

The Barbican Estate Office wishes to inform you that the result of the colour palette vote for the external redecoration of your block has now been decided.

The most popular option was for the external redecorations to remain the same as existing, which is Oxford Blue (BS20C40).

There was no take up for the fire doors to be painted Red. Consequently they will be painted the same colour as the external handrails, Oxford Blue (BS20C40).

The painting is due to commence at the end of June or early July, and a further update will be sent to residents when the main contractor has been selected.

With regards

Barbican Estate Office

Minutes of the Non-AGM held on 16th April 2014

Many thanks to the house group secretary for producing the minutes of the meeting of the 16th April 2014.

Just to note (as indeed it says in the minutes) that this was NOT an AGM as we didn't have enough members turn up.  We will be holding a 'flash-AGM' in the near future which will just cover the essentials of the AGM in a few minutes.  More on that soon.

The minutes:

External Redecoration: Vote now!

From the BEO:

Dear Residents,

External redecoration- Ben Jonson House 

The external redecorations for Ben Jonson House are scheduled for this year. The Barbican Estate Office would like to remind you to vote for your preferred colour from the Approved Palette using the link below:-
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/V98TY3J

The colours are available to view at the Barbican Estate Office and the car park box.

You only have until tomorrow, Friday 25 April to vote so don't miss out! If you have any queries or would prefer a paper copy, please contact your House Officer.

Barbican Estate Office

Works in Fann Street Garden

From the BEO:

Dear Resident,

Please be aware that Open Spaces will be carrying out some urgent tree reduction work within Fann Street Wildlife Garden. This will be carried out from 9.00am on Monday 28 April. Unfortunately they will be using chainsaws and a chipper but our gardeners will endeavour to carry this work out as quickly as possible.

If you have any queries, please do contact your House Officer.

Barbican Estate Office

Schedule for replacing the seats

The seats and planters on the highwalks which appeared early last year, surprising us all, are to be replaced with facsimilies of the ones which were there in the first place.

I asked Steve Presland when this will happen. Here is the schedule:

• Receive final quotes from manufacturers – 16th April 
• Appoint manufacturer – 17th April
• Manufacture period (4-6 weeks) – 21st April to 30th May
• Relocation of existing seating – 09th to 13th June
• Installation period of new seating – 16th to 20th June.

Fann St (ex-YMCA) planning applications published

From the BA planning dude:

Dear All,

 

Redrow's planning (14/00322/FULMAJ) and listed building consent (14/00323/LBC) applications for Fann St (ex-YMCA) are out: see links below. We have at least until 20th May to comment.

 

Best regards,

Chair, Barbican Association Planning Committee

 

---------- Original Message ----------
From: PlnComments@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Date: 18 April 2014 at 08:07
Subject: Saved search results and Tracked Applications have been updated

The following results have been updated recently:

Saved Search Results

Aldersgate

Refurbishment, infill at basement, lower ground and ground floor levels, and change of use from hostel (sui generis) and gym/dance studio (D2) to 72 residential apartments (C3) with associated cycle parking and public realm improvements. Increase in floorspace of 407 sq.m GIA. - YMCA 2 Fann Street London EC2Y 8BR

Ref. No: 14/00322/FULMAJ | Received date: Mon 07 Apr 2014 | Status: Pending Consideration | Case Type: Planning Application

Refurbishment, infill at basement, lower ground and ground floor levels, and change of use from hostel (sui generis) and gym/dance studio (D2) to 72 residential apartments (C3) with associated cycle parking and public realm improvements. Increase in floorspace of 407 sq.m GIA. - YMCA 2 Fann Street London EC2Y 8BR

Ref. No: 14/00323/LBC | Received date: Mon 07 Apr 2014 | Status: Pending Consideration | Case Type: Planning Application

Removal and relocation of partition wall between living room and bedroom, installation of suspended ceilings throughout. - 363 Lauderdale Tower Barbican London EC2Y 8NA

Ref. No: 14/00175/LBC | Received date: Thu 27 Feb 2014 | Status: Application Approved | Case Type: Planning Application

Sample of pond lining material pursuant to condition 3(c) of listed building consent reference 12/00617/LBC dated 20th May 2013. - Beech Gardens And John Trundle Highwalk Barbican London EC2

Ref. No: 14/00299/LDC | Received date: Wed 02 Apr 2014 | Status: Pending Consideration | Case Type: Planning Application

TV & Internet fibre installed by July

From VFM (looks like they have worked out how to use BCC):

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your registration details and interest in our services to The Barbican.

The first phase of our work is to install the new High Speed Fibre Optic Network in the communal areas of the Estate and this is scheduled to complete in June 2014. We will be sending out updates informing you of our progress and will contact you towards the end of June to discuss a suitable service installation date if you still wish to proceed.

I would be grateful if you could accept my personal apology for any embarrassment we may have caused with a previous email communication. We have now reviewed our process checks prior to any further communication going out.

Regards,

Gill Robson

Support Director

Vision Fibre Media Ltd

97-101 Cleveland Street

London

W1T 6PL

The Film School: Closing time 23:00

The current thinking is that all members of the public should be out of the file school by 23:00.  Here is a message from the BEO:

Hello, thank you for your email to Michael Bennett about the London Film School (LFS). Michael has asked me to respond to you.  The update from the City Surveyors and the Barbican Centre is: "There is currently no change in the progress of the lease. LFS have asked for a little more time to allow for their own due diligence process to take place. 

LFS and opening hours: With the request for visitor/public access times to be written into the lease- there has been detailed discussions with both parties legal representatives over this. It has been agreed that the London Film School will have to draft and agree a Visitor's Management Plan similar to that drafted by the Barbican Cinemas. It has been agreed that this Visitor's Management Plan will prevent members of the public from being in the building after 23.00 

There is strong desire to keep public/visitor access within the hours already in place for other Barbican operations, i.e. closed to public after 23.00.  It is considered best to address this through the Management plan for the site which will reflect management plans used for other site operations in terms of time limitations.  Any licensing applications will also incorporate time limitations. The management plan approach and licensing restrictions allow for far more flexibility in the years ahead than through the lease.  

The Barbican Centre is involved in negotiation of the lease and has been instrumental in agreeing the key terms alongside the City Surveyor's department. On the City Surveyor's side Alexandra Bentley is co-ordinating the negotiation" 

PS – BAC refers to the Barbican Arts Centre, and Michael Dick is our contact for the LFS there.

Breton House external redecs meeting 24th Apr

There will be a meeting about the Breton House external redecorations, but many of the issues will apply to Ben Jonson House too.  If you do go along and hear anything interesting please do let me know (you can use the email form at the bottom of this blog page).

Here is the invite from the BEO:

Dear Residents, 

Meeting to discuss external redecorations, Breton House
Following on from the first stage Statutory Consultation regarding external redecoration of the above blocks, we would like to invite residents to attend a meeting at the Barbican Estate Office. Steve Murray, Property Services Team Manager, and your House Officer will be available to provide further information regarding the above project.The venue, date and time for this meeting is clarified below, and we look forward to seeing you there. There will also be an opportunity for residents to discuss the colour palette. Venue: Barbican Estate Office – Residents meeting room (Lilac Room) Date: 24 April
Time: 19:00
If you have any queries please contact the Barbican Estate office:barbican.estate@cityoflondon.gov.uk or your House Officer"With regardsBarbican Estate Office

Fire Doors

From the BEO:

Steve Murray, Property Services Team Manager, who will be leading the project for redecoration work, is aware of residents unhappiness with the fire doors linked to the previous external redecorations. He will ensure that the specification for the tender incorporates hard wood for any fire doors that require replacement/redecoration. 

A question was also asked about the weather proof finish for the window frames – what is it? With regard to the coating on the external frames, this is Sikkens, and in areas which are particularly exposed, Novotop (a derivative of Sikkens) is used which offers more protection against the weather. Sikkens is Dulex accredited product, as are the paints being used.

A quick search revealed Sikkens Cetol Novatop.

Background Underfloor Heating Working Party

Our RCC representative, Fiona Lean, gives an update on the underfloor heating discussion in response to a question from the floor at the non-AGM last Wednesday:

Reply to Q at 2014 AGM re Background Underfloor Heating Working Party

...

An RCC Background Underfloor Heating (BUH) Working Party is in existence to review the contract with EDF Energy and to try and make sure that whoever supplies us with electricity in the future, lets us have it at an advantageous rate.

As part of their study, the BUH Working Party looked at the current underfloor heating system to determine its fitness for purpose and concluded:

A detailed investigation into the reliability and cost effectiveness of the current system has concluded that the system is in a good state of repair, that there is no justifiable reason to replace it. The failure rate is low, and is not increasing. Where failures do occur, they are easily and inexpensively repaired. (Even a failed floor pad, which happens rarely, can be revived in most cases with a small in-situ spot repair, unless the occupier has installed hard flooring, as that makes repairs very difficult.*

*From the RCC Minutes Monday 25 Nov 2013, Item 2, Bottom of Page 58

The question from the floor on Wednesday was about a flat that doesn't appear to be warm enough and the suggestion that there is something wrong with the actual system, i.e. a failure has occurred and could it be rectified.  And was there anyone who could put the matter right.

Regarding maintenance/repairs/general problems that crop up relating to the underfloor heating system, Eddie Stephens has said that engineers/maintenance personnel were being trained to deal with these. Until recently the BEO could rely on one particular individual (Mr Pitt??) who knew the system thoroughly, but as he is becoming less available, the BEO is training others to replace him.

So with a bit of luck there are now people who can sort out this type of problem,  the occupant has to ask the BEO to get them to come along. It could mean taking up his carpets!!!

Another suggestion is: as the BUH Working Party is monitoring individual flats until the end of the heating season in May, to see if the heating energy is consumed to its maximum efficiency, maybe a monitoring device could be installed in this particular flat. Tim Macer (chair of the RCC) manages information on this.

I think this covers it.

Fiona

Prince Consort returns to Holborn Circus: 11:15am Sat. 26th April

The City, via the BA, tell us that the cleaned up Prince Consort statue will be craned back into place at Holborn Circus.  Be there at 11:15am Saturday 26th April to see it happen.

I hope you don't mind me contacting you - as someone who lives in the City with an interest in City culture.  As we have had some interest in the statue restoration, so I thought you might be interested to come and see the Prince Consort statue being returned by crane to its relocated position the weekend after next, at 11:15am on Saturday 26th April.

This is part of the completion of the Holborn Circus highway works scheme.

I was 'fortunate' to front a video about the statue restoration:

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVgMoZW3Gdg

I will be attending with some Members and a photographer, so if you are interested in seeing something different on a Saturday morning, see you there! 

Kind regards, Bron Claridge.

London Wall Project March Newsletter 2014

Via the BEO, here is the Brookfield Multiplex monthly newsletter for the London Wall Place Project, for your information.

Crossrail update and defects survey meeting on 19 June

This does not directly affect Ben Jonson House, but for those interested in Crossrail here is a note from Jane Smith, Chair of the Barbican Association:

Dear All - and particularly those in: Shakespeare, Willoughby+Speed, John Trundle+Bunyan,Lambert Jones, Lauderdale, Defoe, Gilbert, Andrews, Brandon Mews

• Crossrail are holding a meeting for residents on 19 June to explain how they propose to conduct the defects surveys ahead of the tunnels coming through.

• I believe that defects surveys are only relevant to those houses in the settlement zone (which had assessments done about 2 years ago) - ie those listed above.

• We were told at the recent Crossrail liaison forum that the tunnels are likely now to come under the estate early next year (in mid January and mid February) rather than the end of this year.

Crossrail will be doing their own publicity about the meeting in due course, but I thought I would let BAGC and Housegroup chairs know about it now so they can get it in their diaries. I'll also ask the estate office to circulate the relevant blocks via the email and a notice. 

Below is the information about the meeting provided by John Parrott, the community relations manager for this area.
Venue - City of London School for Girls

Date and time – 6.30pm on Thursday 19 June 2014
The meeting will begin with a 10 minute update on tunnelling progress, following on from the September meeting. The next 50 minutes or so will involve a presentation about the pre-tunnelling defect survey process (notification, communication, purpose, benefits for property owners, process for those with settlement deeds versus those without) followed by a Q&A session. 

These surveys are intended to baseline the condition of the property ahead of any small-scale ground settlement arising from the tunnelling. The surveys will make it easier to identify any defects that arise due to the tunnelling. It should be emphasised that the process of tunnelling has been modelled by expert designers, and only very small movements are expected. We will survey any building predicted to be affected by 10mm settlement or more, and any listed building where 1mm or more is predicted. Tunnelling is not expected to reach Barbican until late this year or early 2015, so we expect to be contacting occupiers individually from late summer onwards to arrange surveys. It would be very helpful if residents can respond promptly to our surveying consultants when they receive a letter, so as to avoid repeated attempts to contact them. At the meeting Crossrail would want to deal with any concerns of the residents, put their minds to rest about the level of impact, and understand how we can most efficiently arrange the surveys.

The non-AGM

We held the AGM meeting last night, but it didn't qualify as an AGM because less than 15% of house group members came along.  For this meeting we were up against the City of London police residents meeting, and of course it is very close to Easter so perhaps people were away for that.  And of course last night was a rescheduled meeting after the City chose to hold the Cripplegate Ward Mote on the 19th March giving only a couple of days notice.

The AGM is an important part of the governance of the house group.  If the AGM is not held in good time we can lose our RTA (Recognised Tenants Associations) status.

What to do?

Well, last night we ran through the non-governance parts of the meeting such as the House Officer's report and updates on what the committee has been doing (and there is a sound recording of the meeting - let me know if you'd like to hear it).

We're planning to hold a flash-AGM.  That is, a very brief meeting of less than 30 minutes to cover the essential governance items such as approving the minutes of the last general meeting and electing the committee.  I'm thinking we may be able to do this in the cinemas cafe underneath Ben Jonson House (I need to check with them if that would be OK).

I'll keep you posted.

City Life 2014 Summer Fair – The City Village

From the BEO:

Dear Residents 

City Life 2014 Summer Fair – The City VillageDo you run a club or community organisation in or around the City of London?Have you got a talent, skill, or craft to share with the community?  Would you like the chance to participate and raise funds at a high profile public event in the City of London? 

This summer the residents of the City of London will come together for a new type ofcommunity event. The City Life Community Fair will be the City's very own village fete. 

Held in the Guildhall Yard in mid-July (date TBC) and boasting a fun-packed programme of entertainment and activities for all ages, the Community Fair will also include a bustling market area where charities and community groups can run stalls to raise money for charity. 

We want to include as many local organisations as possible in the day. A key aim of the event is to bring the residents of the City together but also the many clubs and organisations that contribute to the fabric of community. We are looking for a diverse, colourful and fun range of stalls for the event, for example: 

• Knitting, sewing and handicrafts 
• Cakes, jam and homemade produce 
• Nearly new and jumble-sale 
• Refreshments 
• Therapy and treatments 
• Raffles and games 
• Activities 
• Performance: music, singing and dance 

These are just some suggestions, if you have any other ideas we would love to hear from you. All stalls must offer fun, food or fundraising. We do not want stalls that simply distribute information or promote a service. 

What next?If you are interested in getting involved please send a few brief details about what youwould like to do - just a few lines is all we need at this stage. Please send this by email toWill Cooper, FYi Manager:will.cooper@cityoflondon.gov.uk no later than Friday 2 May 2014. 

The event steering group will then consider all the expressions of interest, and get back intouch within two weeks to let you know if you've been selected.  If you are not chosen we will get in touch and let you know why. It could be that we have too many groups providing similar things, or there might be a practical reason why we can't accommodate your suggestion. We don't want anyone to be excluded if possible so we will try our best to give everybody a chance. 

With regards

TV SIGNAL - BEN JONSON HOUSE

From the BEO:
(Update:  We heard at the non-AGM meeting that in fact this was caused by a test of the dry risers which didn't quite go to plan)

Dear Residents.

There has been a leak in the Barbican Centre which has damaged some fuses for Ben Jonson House. Consequently the TV signal for Ben Jonson House has been affected.  MDTV and our Property Services Officers are on site and dealing with this. However, the TV signal may be intermittent for several hours. Thank you for your patience whilst this issue is being dealt with.

Barbican Estate Office

 

House Group AGM, Wed 16th @ 19:00, Lilac Room

The Ben Jonson House Group AGM will be held this Wednesday evening (16th April) from 19:00 in the Lilac Room.   See the meeting announcement for the agenda.

Regarding decorations, there will be samples of the colour options for the external redecoration on display, plus some interesting ideas for future internal redecorations.

Please do come along.

Tour de France & Prudential Ride London news

From TfL:

Home Plan journey Status update Maps Dear Resident, I am writing to give you advance notice of the two major cycling events taking place in London and the South East this summer, continuing our reputation as the world capital of events. Tour de France On Monday 7 July, Stage 3 of the Tour de France, the world's largest annual sporting event, will start in Cambridge and travel through north, east and central London, passing along the Thames and finishing late afternoon on The Mall. The roads on the route will close from 10:00 for most of the day and will re‑open when safe to do so. Many bus routes will be on diversion and stations along the route will be busier than usual. For more information, including a detailed map of the event route, please visit tfl.gov.uk/tourdefrance Prudential RideLondon On Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August, this four event festival of cycling takes place across London and Surrey. On the Sunday, the 'Classic' and '100' events start at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford and go via the City of London, west London, through Surrey and back through west London finishing on The Mall. There will be road closures from early morning. Many bus routes will be on diversion. More information will be on our website closer to the time. Yours sincerely, Vernon Everitt Managing Director, Customer Experience, Marketing and Communications Email sign up Social Media Fares & Payments Driving Copyright in the contents of this email and its attachments belongs to Transport for London. Any unauthorised usage will infringe that copyright. © Transport for London

BEO seeks comments on external redecoration

The BEO is asking if we have any comments of the proposed external redecoration of Ben Jonson House.  Send comments to Steven Murray at Steven.Murray@cityoflondon.gov.uk or using the postal address in the letter:

Air Quality Meeting - now on 23rd April

If you follow the blog you'll know that the Air Quality meeting was moved from the 9th to the 23rd April.

But not everyone reads the blog, so please help:  If you see a posted paper notice for the Air Quality Meeting still showing the 9th April date, please scribble out the date and add the new date of the 23rd April.  I've done some of them, but there are so many notice boards in Ben Jonson House!

Thank you

Closure of London Wall extended 2 months with zero notice

Work on London Wall should have finished on Friday 4th April, but on that day we are told they needed another seven weeks, to Sat 24th May.  Just like that.

Did this come as a surprise to the to the contractor?  Were they just putting down the last bit of replacement tarmac and suddenly realised that they had forgotten a bit of the job, about two months worth of work?

Or did the contractor give the City lots of notice that there may be a delay and the City simply didn't bother to tell anyone until the last possible moment?

Who knows.  Anyway ...

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "DBE - Traffic Management" <traffic.management@cityoflondon.gov.uk>
Date: 4 Apr 2014 16:49
Subject: Eastbound closure of London Wall
London Wall has been closed eastbound from 8 March for repairs to a gas main. These works were expected to be completed by 6pm today, Friday 4 April. The statutory undertaker experienced technical difficulties and was unable to complete these works as scheduled and requested for the closure to continue for a further seven weeks. We therefore extended this closure until 24 May.
Please accept our apologies for the closure not being included in our traffic management bulletin which was distributed yesterday 3 April. I have attached an amended copy of the bulletin.

If you cannot view these attachments visit our website:
http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/transport-and-streets/roads-highways-and-pavements/Pages/Current-road-closures-road-works-and-events.aspx  Regards,
Traffic Management [AM]Department of the Built EnvironmentCity of London
Tel: 020 7332 3553/4, Fax 020 7332 3552Traffic.Management@Cityoflondon.gov.ukwww.cityoflondon.gov.uk/streetworks

External redecoration - Pick a colour!

From the BEO:

Dear Residents,
External redecoration- Ben Jonson House
The external redecorations for Ben Jonson House are scheduled for this year. The Barbican Estate Office would like to invite you to vote for your preferred colour from the Approved Palette using the link below:-

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/V98TY3J
The colours are available to view at the Barbican Estate Office and the car park box.

Please would you submit your vote by Friday 25 April. If you have any queries or would prefer a paper copy, please contact your House Officer.

With regards Barbican Estate Office 

Vision Fibre Media - Update (& blunder)

VFM, the company given the job of running a fiber to the home (FTTH) network in the Barbican, have just sent and update.  Terrific.  But they emailed out their update including the email address of everyone who expressed interest in VFM in the TO field (they should have used BCC).  This means VFM have emailed out lots of personal information.  A big no no.

Not a good start for a firm we are being asked to entrust our Internet connections to.

Anyway, here is their letter:

Dear Resident,

Thank you for your registration details and interest in our services to The Barbican.

The first phase of our work is to install the new High Speed Fibre Optic Network in the communal areas of the Estate and this is scheduled to complete in June 2014.

We will be sending out updates informing you of our progress and will contact you towards the end of June to discuss a suitable service installation date if you still wish to proceed.

Please feel free to contact us directly if you require any further information.

Yours faithfully,

Emma Pathak
Customer Support Team

Vision Fibre Media Ltd97-101 Cleveland StreetLondonW1T 6PL

Air Quality Meeting - NEW DATE - Wednesday 23rd April at 18.00

Dear All

It seems a large number of residents will be on holiday on the 9th April - so we have decided to postone the Air Quality Meeting until Wednesday 23 April at 18.00 in the Lilac Room.

Many apoplogies for this - but we felt it was important to give as many people as possible the chance to come along.

I have updated the flyer - so if I could impose on your goodwill once more to publicise the new date for the meeting to members of your house groups etc.

Residents will be invited to see the latest results and review options for reducing traffic on Beech Street and surrounding streets and to give their views on what they would like to see done to improve air quality.

Many thanks

Sarah

City Digest information

From the City via the BEO:

Dear Residents

Discussion Event on the City Supplement - A City Digest

1 May 2014

Have You Heard of the City Digest?

The City Digest reflects the needs of the City services users to ensure that services are appropriate to those who use them. Come and join the discussion to ensure that your needs  - now and in the future will be catered for in the City.  

The document has been produced to provide an overview of the health needs of the City's populations, as requested by the City of London's Health and Wellbeing Board.

We would like to invite you to a discussion to hear your views on how accurately the City Supplement reflects the needs of the City's service users: the document will be used to inform local commissioning, so we need to ensure that services are shaped in the way that best suits the health needs of local people.

Date               Thursday 1 May 2014

Venue            Artizan Street Library, 1 Artizan Street, E1 7AF

Time                2.00-4.00pm

Please contact Janine Aldridge at healthwatchcityoflondon@ageuklondon.org.uk or call 020 7820 6787 to register your attendance. Refreshments will be provided.

We look forward to seeing you there.

With regards