City of London COVID-19 Poster

Here is the poster produced by the City of London regarding COVID-19

Click to see as a PDF

Heating to stay on into May

The underfloor heating is normally turned on at the start of October and turned off at the end of April, but this year we're keeping our toes warm for a bit longer.

From the BEO:
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Background Underfloor Heating
With so many of us at home all day and with the night time temperatures still being quite chilly, the Barbican Estate Office has taken the decision not to turn the Background Underfloor Heating off on April 30. We will review this again in the third week of May.

Once More Unto The Turret

"The Turret" is the structure on Aldersgate St., quite close to the Museum of London and directly above The Coriander Indian restaurant  (here). It is listed along with the rest of the estate.

A number of years ago planning approval was granted to convert the 'unused space' in the upper part of the structure into a flat. That approval is about to expire and a new planning application has been submitted.

... and on this topic, the chair of Speed House has sent the following message:
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I should be grateful if you would forward this email to residents in your building so they can have their say about the plans to convert the 'Turret', above the Indian Restaurant on Aldersgate Street, into a flat. These plans have been resubmitted for planning approval because the prior plans cannot be implemented before their planning approval expires. 

City Officers advise that "... the proposed scheme is unchanged from that previously approved. The previous approvals are material considerations but representations can still be made. If there have been changes in circumstances, e.g. changes to policy ... in the locality this might mean the proposals have a different impact."

In terms of a change of policy, I would suggest that the introduction of our Conservation Area in 2018 is exactly that. Further, a Councillor advised that the prior planning vote was close at 11 to 8 so it is possible that this application may not be approved. 

Residents who are against piecemeal damage to the Barbican Estate can Object here https://www.planning2.cityoflondon.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=Q7CBSPFHK7900 or by emailing PLNComments@cityoflondon.gov.uk quoting the reference 20/00272/LBC prior to 12 May.





Those in favour are, of course, welcome to share their perspective.




Thanks and regards




Christopher

Hon Sec BA

Minutes of Ben Jonson House Committee Meeting 12th March 2020

Here are the minutes of the Ben Jonson House Group AGM held on 12th March 2020
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1. No apologies. Attending: Helen Hulson (Chair), Wendy Spurry, Fiona Lean, Kevin Bond, Christopher Masters, Jane Bickerton and Sheila Delaney ( Barbican Estate Representative)


2. Minutes of AGM 15/1/20 were passed.


3. Election of Officers.

Helen will continue as Chair for this year.
Stephen Chapman to be the Treasurer
Kevin Bond to be Secretary
The admin for new members of the committee, and the new posts will be undertaken with Bruce Badger.

4. Beech Street Zero Emissions

The closure of Beech Street tunnel will start on 18th March, and a letter went out to residents on the vehicles which were permitted entry. This will be closed for up to 18 months, with a review after 6 months.


5. Redecoration of exterior and interior of the building

The BRC have selected the contractors that came in last time (Maloney). The actual redecoration will be deferred until after the new fire doors are installed (on the BRC agenda 16th March).


6. Matters arising from RCC meeting: Fiona summarised the key points

Fire Safety: doors to be changed and the cost not to be charged to residents
Anti social behaviour: this is a perennial problem, and the police will only get involved if the behaviors becomes criminal. All residents should log any instances of cycling, parkour, noise and other issues to the estate office. Email the house officers so they are aware. All instances will be noted and this will allow the Security Committee under Barry Ashton to evaluate the extent of the problem and see what needs to be done to deal with the problems.

High walks maintenance: £50K was allocated fr the revamp of the podium, but this has already been used in existing works. A review is done weekly for repairs. However, a new fund is required to cover the next 5 years of repairs. This is being put before the BRC.

Working party on the service charge: there are 4 on site engineers in the Barbican estate, flats are provided for them to ensure they are available at short notice. The committee is in full agreement with keeping them residential.

Underfloor heating working party: the estate engineers are looking to make the regulation of the heat (spring and autumn) more flexible in future. There is an overall plan from the management team and they are trying to communicate with residents to make a neighbourhood plan.

Asset management: Garchey removal, no decision will be made until the City says that they should be removed from the flats.

Barbican Strategy for next 50 years: There is a residents/estate document and Ben Jonson is in agreement with all the points listed.

Gardening Fund: there will be a surcharge of £25 per flat per year for the next two years. This is to be used on the residents private gardens.

If there are any issues or comments on the notes from the RCC, please let Fiona Lean know so that she can take these forward at the committee meetings on our behalf.


7. GAG and BEO

The Gardening committee have been cut off from the BEO who stated in a letter tot he GAG members that they were unable to continue the meetings due to staff shortages and pressure of work. This is bad news as we rely on these meetings to give input to the gardening works taking place throughout the estate. A letter has been sent back from the GAG to request that the meetings are reinstated, and a meeting of the GAG team will take place in the Lilac Room on 30th March to discuss the way forward.


8. AOB

The BAGC - summarised by Helen

Beech street, residents concerns.
Disenfranchisement - general discussion on the legality of the dispensation.
AGM - levels of membership were discussed, but decided against a two tier system of membership.
4B's planning - this has not gone to the RCC yet.
Noise issues - should be addressed to the environmental health team.
50 years plan - update - need to minimise the carbon footprint of the barbican estate.

AirBnB: Sheila maintains a check on the usual sites and hasn't seen any new ones recently. Residents are encouraged to notify her of any that they see on line.

Covid 19: There are many inquiries going to the barbican estate office on the cleaning plans. This has been increased in all blocks. Sheila will send a letter to the committee that can be put on the website

Gardens - Watch your distance!

From the BEO:
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Use of Barbican Gardens

After an incident last weekend in Thomas More gardens where the City of London Police had to be called we request that you make appropriate use of all Barbican gardens, following the Government directives at all times, especially in the warmer weather we are experiencing.

We are pleased to say that the majority of you have been very supportive and have shown immense community spirit and a desire to support public servants and their local communities during these difficult times.

No one wishes to place any restrictions on anyone that are disproportionate or draconian, we simply wish, with the consent of our communities, to preserve and protect life. Staying in our homes and social distancing as repeatedly appealed for by the Prime Minster and Public Health England to avoid the spread of COVID 19, which for some can be fatal, and to avoid the NHS becoming overwhelmed.

Due to the recent incident we have consulted the Barbican Association and Residents Consultation Chairs and signage has been placed on the entrances to the private gardens.

We believe that we should with reasonable behaviour be able to keep the gardens open for the proper use by you in-line with the attached signage.

We would stress again how fantastic the majority of you across the Estate have been and hope that you will support and communicate the intent behind these notices.

Arts centre flooded - pumps in action

Notice from the Barbican Centre - Emergency Tanker Works

Last weekend on Sunday 5 April the Barbican Centre suffered from a critical failure to some of its pump mechanisms that resulted in substantial flooding.

Due to the nature of the failure, and damage caused, the only interim solution was to remove the waste water by use of an emergency tanker. Some Residents will already be aware, since the generator and pumping from the tanker causes not insubstantial noise. We apologise that this happened on a Sunday however this is a serious flood and has to be rectified as soon as possible.

This situation has been brought under control to an extent and a temporary solution is in place whilst we attempt to replace/repair the pumps (and electrics / control panels). The tanker will remain on site but will only be used in an emergency if the measures fail.

We will continue to update regarding further development.

Waste collections now only Mon, Wed, Fri

Here is a message from the BEO explaining that waste collections will now only be happening on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

It's best to use the waste compartment in your service cupboard rather than leave your rubbish sitting in the corridor.

From the BEO:

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Reminder: Rubbish Collections

Rubbish left in the corridor

We are having to continuously reduce the number of cleaners we have coming into work. We also have to balance the enhanced cleaning needs at the moment.

Rubbish collections are akin to Christmas week at the moment and taking 50% longer than normal.

Rubbish collection will now only be on MONDAY, WEDNESDAY and FRIDAY.

Please ensure any cardboard or packaging is collapsed/folded down as much as possible.

COVID-19 advice from the City of London

City of London Corporation - Advice for Residents
Dear Resident,

If you live in the Square Mile, are self-isolating and require help, please let us know by emailing the COVID-19 mailbox or by calling 020 7606 3030. Please note, you can email us on behalf of someone else (with their consent).

The mailbox is treated with confidentiality.

Please send your or their (if you are sending on someone else’s behalf):

• name
• address
• phone number
• date of birth
• date self-isolation began

and let us know if you or they have any concerns or special requirements.

Please indicate if you are happy for your contact details to be shared with local voluntary and community groups who may be able to support you.

Get Government help if you are vulnerable
If you have received a text/ letter from the NHS that you are in the “extremely vulnerable” group, or if you are vulnerable, please register to receive government support services.

What you should do
The City of London Corporation is dedicated to ensuring that we protect the most vulnerable, support our residents and continue to provide key services during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest Government instruction is to stay at home and:

• Only go outside for food, health reasons or essential work
• Stay two metres (six feet) away from other people
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home

Some non-essential services may need to be closed or operate at reduced levels to support social distancing for staff and service users.

Some people may need extra support at this time, and we are actively encouraging good neighbourliness and support through established local community groups.

Washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from the virus. The NHS provides guidance on hand-washing.

More advice
For more detailed advice on the following areas, please visit our dedicated City of London Residents’ Advice Page

• Staying at home, for households with possible COVID-19 infection
• Worried about your income during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Schools and other educational settings
• Libraries in the City
• Help with your health and wellbeing
• If you wish to support COVID-19 relief efforts
• City Advice
• Latest Government Advice
• Potential COVID-19 (Corona virus) related scams