Friday 22 May 2020

Noisy Work Times

From the BEO:
___

Noisy Work Times

Barbican Contractors: 9am – 5pm
(Works carried out by our contractors (Metwin etc). They will try to not start before 10am but certain works need a full day to complete and may have to start from 9am). Emergency Works may have to take place outside of these hours.

Residents Private Contractors: 10am - 4pm
Alterations in Leaseholders flats. (Please note there is no quiet period) if there are complaints of noisy work starting before 10am or after 4pm please contact the House Officer for your block.

City: 8am – 6pm 
eg road works, gas, electric water repairs & work not controlled by the Barbican Estate Office.

Rubbish! ... and what to do with it

From the BEO:
___

Cleaning Regime across the Barbican EstateUpdated 22 May

We are continuing to provide more of our regular tasks.
  • We will continue to complete your rubbish collection on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
  • Rubbish collections continue to take up more than 50% longer than normal.
  • Please ensure any cardboard or packaging is collapsed/folded down as much as possible.
  • There will be no weekend cleaning or weekend rubbish collection anywhere on the estate.
  • If you are able, please take your boxes and packaging down to the bins to dispose of yourself, it would be appreciated. If you are not sure where these are, your local Car Park Concierge will direct you.
  • Please ensure your rubbish bags are secured/tied up, as normal procedure.
  • The City of London Fire Safety Advisor asks that you keep your rubbish within your property, until collection days – corridors are still a fire escape route.
  • Our staff will continue to focus on the touch points within the blocks. These include the entryphone, door handles and lift buttons.
  • Lifts are being cleaned.
  • Spot cleaning is being carried out. Vacuuming is being carried out.
  • Litter picking and sweeping has begun again on the podium area. Hand rails are also being focused on.
Please note. There will be a rubbish collection on Bank Holiday Monday.

Sunday 17 May 2020

Running Track on the Highwalk?

The honorary secretary of the Barbican Association sent out the following note about plans to have a marked running track on the highwalk.

The paint will be this colour
But, before handing out cool projects to City officers to manage and roll-out (like Victors seats) perhaps we should get the maintenance of the highwalks sorted out?  Fixing the drains would be a good start.  When the boring old maintenance is properly under control we can then look at the list of cool ideas like the running track (which will come with a maintenance plan too, right?).

Here is the note:

___

Dear BAGC Members 

Please forward this email to your residents so they can comment on the proposal to open a 1.5km running track on the Barbican highwalk without the need for a planning application as, I am advised by the Common Councillor behind the proposal, the creation of the track would be part of the broader plan to refurbish the high walk.

You can see the proposal here -
https://squaremiletrack.com/?fbclid=IwAR15LeepdYVJMTrz08zPwi_-jK_bPA29LY5QCgjmXanS5q_YnaTN1qucZd8

Maps are top left, click there to see a Barbican specific map that shows the route around the highwalk.

There is also a link, below the main image, to comment on the proposal.

Best regards
Christopher
Hon Sec BAGC

Noise from Flats

from the BEO:
___

Noise from Flats

We urge residents to be respectful of their surroundings and their neighbours and keep noise to a minimum, especially in these exceptional times when people are working from home.

The Barbican style of communal living means that you are surrounded by other flats - so please be extra considerate - as noise travels.
  • Try not to slam your doors or windows. If your doors are closing noisily, please contact Repairs 020 7029 3909, to arrange an ease and adjust.
  • Try not to make noise that can be heard outside your property. Remember - if you can hear your neighbours, your neighbours may be able to hear you.
  • Keep televisions and radios down to a minimum, "The tenant will not at any time operate or play or suffer to be operated or played on the premises, so as to be heard outside the premises any musical instrument or any electrical mechanical or other apparatus which produces or reproduces sound.
  • Any person using the common parts shall do so as quietly as possible and cause no disturbance or annoyance to other residents.
  • Please refrain from using the Garchey,washing machines or tumble dryers between 23.00 and 7.00.
If a noise problem is caused by your neighbour, a courteous approach to them to explain the problem may provide a satisfactory solution. If this does not help, please contact the BEO.

If the problem is from another source (eg road works) contact the BEO. Outside normal office hours (Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 5pm) contact your Concierge, who may be able to investigate and if possible witness and/or resolve such problems.

Alternatively, if residents are being disturbed by noise happening now or if you would like help or advice:

Call 020 7606 3030 for noise happening now, or for advice, email the Public Protection Team (please note response to emails is not immediate).

Thursday 7 May 2020

Sub-tenants should be registered with the BEO

From the BEO:
___

Registering A Sub-tenant
Why you should register your sub-tenant?

Some Barbican long leaseholders choose to sublet their flats. The registration of sub-tenants is important for the Estate Office to be kept informed of changes regarding occupancy of a flat.
This enables direct communication when required with all Barbican residents, and therefore contributes to maintaining the security and good management of the Estate.
For further information on how to register a sub-tenant please see the website.

Saturday 2 May 2020

Fire Safety - Flat door replacements

Posts to Barbican Talk pointed out that the matter of the fire safety of the doors to flats had come up in the 16th March BRC committee meeting. See item 10 on page 5 of the (draft) minutes:

The Assistant Director, Barbican and Property Services reported that some extensive destructive fire testing had taken place with doors tested in their existing and upgraded state. However, even those that were upgraded did not meet the required standard and the recommendation was that these therefore be replaced. The advice of Counsel had been sought on this matter and the advice received had indicated that lessees could not be charged for improvements. The cost of replacement would therefore need to be met by the City of London Corporation.