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| Click to read the whole letter |
Wednesday, 30 May 2018
The BEO's GDPR letter
Not to be outdone, the BEO has sent out it's GDPR data protection letter today:
Sunday, 27 May 2018
Car Park Price Rises - the view from Lauderdale
The Lauderdale Tower House Group submitted a comprehensive and insightful paper (to the RCC meeting last Monday) in response to the City proposals to raise charges for car parking and storage, and they have given me permission to post it here.
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| Click to read the whole paper |
How the House Group communicates
The house group has a number of means of communication:
This Blog: Although not governed by the house group committee the blog may be the most useful communication channel. All the important news turns up on the blog and the history is always available. e.g. remember the flood of July 2013, or the 85% overspend on maintenance in 2015?
Notice Boards: At the other end of the technology spectrum are the 4 house group notice boards (beside lift 64 L02 (the Waitrose end lift), lift 63 L03, lift 62 L03 and lift 61 L02) carry general information about the house group including the minutes of the last AGM and a link to the blog. There are notice boards in the lifts too which can be used for important current news, but note that not all notices which appear there are from the house group.
Email Broadcast: The BEO runs an email broadcast system, mostly used for the BEO weekly news. House groups can ask the BEO to use the broadcast system for important messages, but these will only reach people who have subscribed to the broadcast system.
Post: The BEO has contact details for all residents and long leaseholders, whereas the house group only has contact details for house group members. If the house group wishes to send to all residents and long leaseholders the BEO will prepare and send out paper letters, but this is an expensive option and so is used rarely.
Direct Email: The house group membership system uses personal email addresses to manage the membership of the house group. These email addresses are only used for membership management matters, not for general news or communication. For example the system sends out annual membership reminders, and, with the recent introduction or GDPR, the email addresses were used to let members (and recently expired members) know about the house group data protection policy.
This Blog: Although not governed by the house group committee the blog may be the most useful communication channel. All the important news turns up on the blog and the history is always available. e.g. remember the flood of July 2013, or the 85% overspend on maintenance in 2015?
Notice Boards: At the other end of the technology spectrum are the 4 house group notice boards (beside lift 64 L02 (the Waitrose end lift), lift 63 L03, lift 62 L03 and lift 61 L02) carry general information about the house group including the minutes of the last AGM and a link to the blog. There are notice boards in the lifts too which can be used for important current news, but note that not all notices which appear there are from the house group.
Email Broadcast: The BEO runs an email broadcast system, mostly used for the BEO weekly news. House groups can ask the BEO to use the broadcast system for important messages, but these will only reach people who have subscribed to the broadcast system.
Post: The BEO has contact details for all residents and long leaseholders, whereas the house group only has contact details for house group members. If the house group wishes to send to all residents and long leaseholders the BEO will prepare and send out paper letters, but this is an expensive option and so is used rarely.
Direct Email: The house group membership system uses personal email addresses to manage the membership of the house group. These email addresses are only used for membership management matters, not for general news or communication. For example the system sends out annual membership reminders, and, with the recent introduction or GDPR, the email addresses were used to let members (and recently expired members) know about the house group data protection policy.
Saturday, 26 May 2018
Estimated Service Charges for 2018/19
The BEO have sent out their estimate for service charges payable by long leaseholders in 2017/18. Here is a copy of the letter the BEO have sent out, but note that the per-flat estimate here only covers one type of flat, the M2B. You should have received a letter specific to your flat type:
It's worth reading the letter and the estimates to understand the range of services for which you are being charged.
This year the estimate includes a "Stock Condition Survey" which is kind of explained by a one-liner in the letter, but I have asked for more detail from the BEO.
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| Click to read the whole letter |
This year the estimate includes a "Stock Condition Survey" which is kind of explained by a one-liner in the letter, but I have asked for more detail from the BEO.
Wednesday, 23 May 2018
Survey on noisy construction work on Saturdays
From the chair of the Barbican Association:
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You may have seen on the BEO email broadcast on Friday that the City has issued its consultation on whether or not to continue to allow noisy construction work on Saturday mornings.
It's here https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/business/environmental-health/environmental-protection/Pages/construction-consultation.aspx
It's a slightly odd format for a consultation - all the text is on this web page and it is followed by an online survey (which it has taken them 6 months and legal opinions to devise).
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You may have seen on the BEO email broadcast on Friday that the City has issued its consultation on whether or not to continue to allow noisy construction work on Saturday mornings.
It's here https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/business/environmental-health/environmental-protection/Pages/construction-consultation.aspx
It's a slightly odd format for a consultation - all the text is on this web page and it is followed by an online survey (which it has taken them 6 months and legal opinions to devise).
Please encourage your residents to complete the questionnaire (the deadline is 7 August).
I think the BA will want to send in a written response too (so let me know if you have any comments you want to make), and house groups - particularly those who have been living next to a building site for year - may want to as well.
I think the BA will want to send in a written response too (so let me know if you have any comments you want to make), and house groups - particularly those who have been living next to a building site for year - may want to as well.
Sunday, 20 May 2018
Car Park and Storage price rises - BJHG response
The issue of the proposed price rises for car parking and storage is of great concern to Ben Jonson House residents. The house group has received a significant number of messages expressing dismay and outrage.
The chair of the house group has written to the chair of the RCC:
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In accordance with your request, we circulated the information about the City’s proposals for car park use and charges to Ben Jonson House residents but, as I am sure you will understand, the official timescale for responses was very short. As a result I have not been able to meet the deadline of 16th May and there may well still be responses to come from residents. However, at the BJH group committee meeting yesterday we were in complete agreement in terms of our objections to these proposals. Our objections relate to three aspects in particular.
1. The proposal to let stores to non-residents
We see this as a real risk to our security. The stores will be available to people unknown to our CPAs and they would be able to acquire easy access to all the residential parts via the doors to the staircases. (In the interests of fire safety these doors can be opened without an ASSA key.) The use of stores by strangers would also present an opportunity for terrorists. Has police advice been sought on this proposal?
The chair of the house group has written to the chair of the RCC:
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{to the chair of the RCC}
In accordance with your request, we circulated the information about the City’s proposals for car park use and charges to Ben Jonson House residents but, as I am sure you will understand, the official timescale for responses was very short. As a result I have not been able to meet the deadline of 16th May and there may well still be responses to come from residents. However, at the BJH group committee meeting yesterday we were in complete agreement in terms of our objections to these proposals. Our objections relate to three aspects in particular.
1. The proposal to let stores to non-residents
We see this as a real risk to our security. The stores will be available to people unknown to our CPAs and they would be able to acquire easy access to all the residential parts via the doors to the staircases. (In the interests of fire safety these doors can be opened without an ASSA key.) The use of stores by strangers would also present an opportunity for terrorists. Has police advice been sought on this proposal?
We are also concerned about the extra duties required of the CPAs in order to monitor the increased use.
2. The proposed increase in charges for stores and car parking
The level of increase for car parking is exceptionally high and the rates do not bear market comparison with local commercial car parks (£800 pa on London Wall). In the case of the stores, the proposed increases are frankly exorbitant, with the large baggage stores at almost 4 times their current rate. Residents with smaller flats are very dependant on their stores and we know of at least one who would be priced out.
3. The function of the car parks
A clear definition is required. As most residents understand it, the car parks were originally built as an integral part of the Barbican blocks to provide secure, off-street car parking for residents and their visitors. In other words, they exist as an amenity for residents. The CoL website states that Barbican car parks are also staffed with 24 hour concierge to maintain resident and visitor safety. On the other hand, the City of London appears to have defined the car parks at some point (when?) as an asset which they should use to generate profits.
2. The proposed increase in charges for stores and car parking
The level of increase for car parking is exceptionally high and the rates do not bear market comparison with local commercial car parks (£800 pa on London Wall). In the case of the stores, the proposed increases are frankly exorbitant, with the large baggage stores at almost 4 times their current rate. Residents with smaller flats are very dependant on their stores and we know of at least one who would be priced out.
3. The function of the car parks
A clear definition is required. As most residents understand it, the car parks were originally built as an integral part of the Barbican blocks to provide secure, off-street car parking for residents and their visitors. In other words, they exist as an amenity for residents. The CoL website states that Barbican car parks are also staffed with 24 hour concierge to maintain resident and visitor safety. On the other hand, the City of London appears to have defined the car parks at some point (when?) as an asset which they should use to generate profits.
The purpose of these new proposals is to maximise profit from charges made to residents and others in order to raise funds for use anywhere in the City of London, including the Barbican. The charge thereby effectively includes a tax, which we understand needs authority from Parliament. Normally, local authorities are not entitled to charge more for a service than the cost of providing it.
We request the RCC to respond robustly to these proposals from CoL and to make recommendations to the BRC which take full account of the concerns that we have as residents.
Kind regards,
Chair, Ben Jonson House Group
We request the RCC to respond robustly to these proposals from CoL and to make recommendations to the BRC which take full account of the concerns that we have as residents.
Kind regards,
Chair, Ben Jonson House Group
Saturday, 19 May 2018
Building Security - Tailgating
From the BEO:
(note that the phone numbers for the police, BEO and Ben Jonson House CPAs are here on the blog)
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We are taking this opportunity to remind residents to be vigilant about tailgating.
This is one of the biggest security threats 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.
(note that the phone numbers for the police, BEO and Ben Jonson House CPAs are here on the blog)
___
This is one of the biggest security threats 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.
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
Concrete Repairs - dates
The long planned concrete repair works (that residents will be paying for) are finally getting under way. In a notice from the BEO (see below) there is a link to a diagram claiming to show when work is currently expected to happen, but it's truly the world worst Gantt chart PDF (see original here) because the row headers are only present on the first page (and we're on the third page).
After hacking the document around it seems that Ben Jonson House will be tackled in project week numbers 23-29, so between 6th November and 17th December.
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| Click to enlarge this snip from the GANTT chart |
Here is the notice from the BEO:
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Please be aware that from June 4, Structural Renovations Ltd will be starting the Concrete Repairs Programme across the Estate. These repairs follow the detailed condition survey that was carried out in 2014/15.
Before the project begins, could residents please note the following:
Working hours are Monday to Friday, 8-5pm in common parts and 9-5pm on the balconies. Noisy works, when required, 10-4pm.
Should you have any queries or concerns please contact the allocated Project Manager, Neil Clutterbuck by email neil.clutterbuck@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Please be aware that from June 4, Structural Renovations Ltd will be starting the Concrete Repairs Programme across the Estate. These repairs follow the detailed condition survey that was carried out in 2014/15.
Before the project begins, could residents please note the following:
Working hours are Monday to Friday, 8-5pm in common parts and 9-5pm on the balconies. Noisy works, when required, 10-4pm.
- No operatives will be on your balcony before 9am
- The work will commence from the roof level downwards and may involve abseiling where required. Operatives will require balconies for access. Please remove any valuable/moveable objects, plants etc. from the balcony for safe keeping. The contractor cannot be held liable for any breakages that may occur to items on your balcony.
Should you have any queries or concerns please contact the allocated Project Manager, Neil Clutterbuck by email neil.clutterbuck@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Friday, 18 May 2018
GDPR and member personal data policy
For context please read the introductory post about GDPR.
To qualify as a Recognised Tenants Association the Ben Jonson House Group must have members from more than 50% of the 204 flats in Ben Jonson House. We manage the membership of the house group using a service called membermojo. In the context of the GDPR the house group is a data controller and membermojo is our data processor. The members of the house group are data subjects.
Here is the membership form for the housegroup on membermojo:
We ask only for the minimum information needed to identify residents and flat owners. For members living in Ben Jonson House we just need:
The data is hosted by membermojo (details here). Once entered data is retained for 12 months following the date a membership ends (e.g. is not renewed). If a member wishes, their details can be completely removed from the membership system. Currently this can only be done by the house group using an admin interface to membermojo. If you are a member and would like your details removed, just email ben.jonson.hg@gmail.com or send a letter to the house group via the Barbican Estate Office.
The administrator of the membership system, and the Data Protection Officer for the house group, was Bruce Badger from March 2018 until 8th June 2021, succeeded by Wendy Spurry.
To qualify as a Recognised Tenants Association the Ben Jonson House Group must have members from more than 50% of the 204 flats in Ben Jonson House. We manage the membership of the house group using a service called membermojo. In the context of the GDPR the house group is a data controller and membermojo is our data processor. The members of the house group are data subjects.
Here is the membership form for the housegroup on membermojo:
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| Click to enlarge |
- A name and email address so we know the member and can contact them
- The member's flat number so we can track which flats have members and which not (so we know if we're over the 50% threshold)
- Whether the member is a long leaseholder so we can correctly administer voting
The data is hosted by membermojo (details here). Once entered data is retained for 12 months following the date a membership ends (e.g. is not renewed). If a member wishes, their details can be completely removed from the membership system. Currently this can only be done by the house group using an admin interface to membermojo. If you are a member and would like your details removed, just email ben.jonson.hg@gmail.com or send a letter to the house group via the Barbican Estate Office.
The administrator of the membership system, and the Data Protection Officer for the house group, was Bruce Badger from March 2018 until 8th June 2021, succeeded by Wendy Spurry.
GDPR and the house group - the background
The new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) takes effect from next Friday, the 25th May. The new regulation affects the Ben Jonson House Group. In this post I'll just explain the context and terminology, and will follow up with a post about how this applies to the operation of the house group and to the personal data of house group members.
In the terminology of the regulation the house group is a data controller because we collect personal information from EU citizens. More precisely the house group collects informations on the owners and residents of flats in Ben Jonson House who are referred to as data subjects in the GDPR regulation. We currently collect personal information using a third-party membership system called membermojo. In the context of GDPR, membermojo is a data processor.
Member mojo explain GDPR and their role as follows. In this, when they say 'you' and 'your', they mean the house group (the data controller):
In the terminology of the regulation the house group is a data controller because we collect personal information from EU citizens. More precisely the house group collects informations on the owners and residents of flats in Ben Jonson House who are referred to as data subjects in the GDPR regulation. We currently collect personal information using a third-party membership system called membermojo. In the context of GDPR, membermojo is a data processor.
Member mojo explain GDPR and their role as follows. In this, when they say 'you' and 'your', they mean the house group (the data controller):
membermojo provides online membership services for organisations.
In data protection terms we are the data processor for your organisation member data, and your organisation is the data controller. (ICO key definitions)
We provide the tools and controls that help implement your organisation's GDPR compliant privacy policy for managing personal member data. This includes:
We also provide functions that assist members and administrators to exercise individual rights under GDPR.
- What personal data is stored - you define the personal data (membership form) that needs to be held for your organisation.
- Gaining consent - your form can include 'accept terms' fields that must be ticked before the form completes. We store the date that the application, and therefore the consent, was completed.
- Where data is stored - all servers and backups are hosted in secure UK facilities.
- How data is protected - we provide security and access controls for your member data.
- How long data is kept for - you define how long personal data is retained and we automate the deletion.
Related topics:
- Right to access - members can sign in to view their own personal data.
- Right to rectification - members can sign in and amend their own personal data.
- Right to Erasure - administrators can securely delete personal data for members requesting their data be erased. Erasing a member will remove their member record and anonymise any activity, attendance and (optionally) payment records.
- Privacy Policy describes how we handle your member data.
- Terms and Conditions provide the written contract required by GDPR between data controllers and processors.
- membermojo security.
- More details on data protection principles and GDPR can be found on the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) website.
Tuesday, 15 May 2018
Sunday, 13 May 2018
Utilities for common parts
The City is about to enter into an agreement on the supply of electricity and gas for the common parts of the estate; details below. If you have any observations they need to be with James Rooke by 6th June.
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| Click to read the whole notice |
Running event road closures 27 & 28 May
The Vitality Westminster Mile and Vitality London 10,000 running events will be held over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, on Sunday 27th and Monday 28th May.
The closest the run will get will be Holborn and St Paul's, but just in case, here are the details:
The closest the run will get will be Holborn and St Paul's, but just in case, here are the details:
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| Click to read the details |
Thursday, 10 May 2018
Parkour & Anonymous Notes
The weather has improved, at last, which means balcony doors are opened and the highwalks are used for all kinds of things. This weekend we had a choir rehearsing, a saxophone player practicing, walkers walking, children playing ... and skateboarders clacking and parkour people parkouring.
The parkour people attracted the attention of residents, and someone felt the need to send out an anonymous note:
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| Click to read the whole note |
The note suggests that people who are disturbed by the parkour people should send a note to common councillor mary.durcan@cityoflondon.gov.uk. I find write-to-them is a good way to contact my representatives.
Some residents have said that the parkour noise did disturb them, but I should also note that some residents have told me that they rather enjoy the buzz the activity brings to the highwalk. I quite like the buzz too ... unless I'm having a nap, in which case the parkor music or, worse, the clack and clatter of skateboards, may make me want to send a message to Mary.
Wednesday, 9 May 2018
BMH: Noisy Marketing Suite?
It seems that Taylor Wimpey wanted to have a marketing suite for The Denizen which would be powered for the next two years by a site generator. Taylor Wimpey claimed this would not cause a nuisance put people were worried about noise and air pollution.
It now seems the City has agreed with Taylor Wimpey to get mains power laid on for their marketing suite.
But to be sure you may wish the let the City know your views. Remember that to make your view count you must call it an "objection".
The planning application is 18/00237/FULL
Write to: PLNComments@cityoflondon.gov.uk
It now seems the City has agreed with Taylor Wimpey to get mains power laid on for their marketing suite.
But to be sure you may wish the let the City know your views. Remember that to make your view count you must call it an "objection".
The planning application is 18/00237/FULL
Write to: PLNComments@cityoflondon.gov.uk
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