1 Golden Lane construction

A couple of documents have been released about the under-construction 1 Golden Lane office block.

• Construction Logistics
• Circular Economy Statement

And it will look like this:

Hefty

BJH AGM - Wed 2024-01-31

 The Annual General Meeting of Ben Jonson Residents will be taking place at 7pm on the Wednesday 31^st January in the Lilac Room (basement area of Seddon House, opposite the BEO offices in Lauderdale Tower).  We will be offering light refreshments to all who come along.

The Agenda, Minutes of the 2023 AGM and the Chair's report will be sent out a little closer to the meeting date.

House Group AGM: 11th Jan in the Lilac Room

 As announced in the December house group newsletter, the Ben Jonson House Group AGM is scheduled for 11th January in the Lilac Room (which is here) at at 19:00:

Click to read the whole newsletter

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

 

Ben Jonson House Group AGM - 1st March

From the BJHG:

____

Reminder: Ben Jonson House Group AGM

The Ben Jonson House group AGM is scheduled for 1 March 2022 between 7.15 – 9.00 pm in the Main Hall of Golden Lane Community Centre, Fann Street, London EC1Y 0SA.

All Leaseholders and Tenants are welcome, membership is free but there is no need to be a member of the House Group.

In order to join or renew your membership please email bjhg@membermojo.co.uk

or

You can sign up at the AGM, there are also vacancies for Committee Members.

If you would like to put yourself forward for election, or have specific questions that may require research, please contact the Secretary: ben.jonson.hg@gmail.com

Looking forward to seeing you!

BJHG COMMITTEE

1 Golden Lane redevelopment consultation - to 7th Jan

From the Ben Jonson House Group
___

The refurbishing of 1 Golden Lane is a project that may impact on many of you.

The company involved, Castleforge, have put together some basic proposals/designs and some sketches to show the direction they are heading with the refurbishment.

You can view their website at www.1goldenlane.co.uk

They are inviting us to an in-person drop in consultation event at Capel Cymraeg Jewin, 70 Fann Street on Tuesday 14th December from 3pm, where the project team will be on hand to talk through the proposals and answer any questions. The exhibition venue is fully accessible. Please see email below from Castleforge's Account Executive.

Castleforge is not planning to demolish the building, simply refurbish it, but increasing the height has been proposed, which could lead to shading in areas where the Block enjoys sunshine.

Please take some time to look at the proposals; if you're not happy with them, now is the time to make your voice heard.


... from the developer representative ...

Dear Representatives of the Barbican Association, Ben Jonson House Group, and Breton House Group,

Many thanks for taking the time previously to meet with us to discuss emerging proposals for 1 Golden Lane. We are pleased to confirm that today we have a launched a wider community consultation on more detailed proposals.

Your feedback, along with input from other local stakeholders, has helped shape the proposals and we look forward to working with the wider community to further refine them.

A consultation website has gone live this morning which contains more information about the proposals and a survey for interested parties to provide their feedback.

The website is available at the following link: www.1goldenlane.co.uk

The consultation will be live until Friday 7th January 2022.

If you would like a separate meeting to discuss the proposals, we would be delighted to arrange one with the project team. This will give you the opportunity to hear more about the proposals and ask any questions you may have.

If you this is something that would be of interest to you, please do get in touch by emailing me.

Best wishes,
Stephen Gregory
Account Executive
M: 07468 492 708
sgregory@conciliocomms.com
conciliocomms.com

London Office
131 Finsbury Pavement,
London, EC2A 1NT

House Group AGM - 2022-01-11 19:15

The Ben Jonson House Group have given notice that the next AGM at 19:15 on 11th Jan 2022 to be held in the Golden Lane Community Centre.

The email address for the house group is ben.jonson.hg@gmail.com

The attachments to the notice attachments are:

• The minutes of the last AGM were not attached ... I guess will follow
• The minutes of the last committee meeting (2021-11-03)
• Fire signage proposals
• Barbican Estate Energy Efficiency Report

The notice from the house group committee:

___

Dear All,

Attached please find the minutes of our last committee meeting.

Our next meeting will be the AGM on 11 Jan 2022 at 7.15pm. As the Lilac Room is not available, it will take place in the Golden Lane Community Centre.

We have a line-up of 'celebrities' for you, namely:

• Chair of the Barbican Residential Committee, Mark Wheatley,
• Chair of the Residents' Consultation Committee, Christopher Makin
• Chair of the Barbican Association, Adam Hogg
• Alderman David Graves
• Common Councillor Mark Bostock

Please make a note in your diaries, it will be a chance for your to put your questions to some of the people who manage and champion our Estate.

The Committee would like to offer simple hospitality for everyone on the evening; Jane, who is very good at organising these things, will not be available.

Could you help on this occasion? Just drinks and nibbles.

Please get in touch on the above email if you can. It would be much appreciated.

Seeking Volunteers for the RCC Asset Management Working Party

Here is notice distributed by the Ben Jonson House Group for the Asset Management sub-committee of the RCC (Residents Consultative Committee).

The RCC is looking for volunteers to join the Asset Management Working Party.

Read the notice for details ...

Click to read the whole notice

A letter from the new house group chair

At the recent house group AGM a new committee was elected, and the committee has elected a new chair.

   

Here is a message sent by the new chair to all members of the house group:

___

Dear Members,

I hope you are well, and feel secure and cared for, in your homes in Ben Jonson House. At the House Group's recent committee meeting, the role of Chair was entrusted to me, and I hope to serve you well.

We are living in unusual times. The Barbican Estate has just passed its 50th milestone. Those of us who have lived here for many years have known the best of times, as the City thrived as a financial hub and the Arts Centre grew into a world renowned centre for excellence.

But times they are a-changing!

We needn't fear; we can embrace it, with all the vigour of our predecessors, as they watched our brutalist building rise from the rubble of a ruinous war.

To stand proud for the next 50 years, our great edifice and environment needs care and attention. The Asset Management Working Party strives to do this, as it oversees Major Projects. For example, recent testing of the concrete shows it to be fit for purpose for many years ahead. That's good news, because climate change is having a dramatic effect on so much, all over the world.

Nobody thought of recycling in the '60s; everybody is thinking of it now. As residents, we can't think of everything at once, but our Garchey system takes cartons and tins, glass and potato skins, mixes them all into a gooey dough in a soggy pit, before being sucked out and deposited - heaven knows where. One thing is sure, traces of our detritus are getting into the rivers and oceans and not doing the fish
any favours. Is the Garchey the recyclers friend? Food for thought.

The Barbican Estate Weekly Bulletin is a great source of information for what's going on around the Estate. This week there are a few messages from the Projects Hub, relating to the Podium and Exhibition Halls. The project will impact on us, as Phase One did. I hope you will engage with the Project Team as soon as possible, so that it has the chance to take your views into account from the beginning.

info@barbicanprojects.co.uk

Among many residents throughout the Estate, opinion has strongly been expressed, that the covered walkway to the Exhibition Halls is not an asset, and would enhance the Podium if it were removed. Do you have a view? Please let the Project Team know on info@barbicanprojects.co.uk or the House Group on ben.jonson.hg@gmail.com

Below you will find the names of the Committee Members and their roles. They are all dedicated to safeguarding our English Heritage site, and making it a safe and enjoyable place to live. To introduce ourselves, and meet as many of you as possible, a social event is being planned for sometime in the summer, pandemic permitting. I look forward to seeing you all on that occasion.

Kind regards,
Chair Ben Jonson House Group Committee
ben.jonson.hg@gmail.com

Ben Jonson House Group Committee Minutes - 17th March 2021

From the house group:

___

Minutes of Ben Jonson House Group

17 th March 2021 7pm via Zoom

Attending from Committee:

Helen Hulson (Chair), Fiona Lean, Stephen Chapman (Treasurer) , Wendy Spurry (Secretary), Jane Bickerton, Kevin Bond, Simon Frew, House Officer BEO

Action points from AGM 15.01.2021

Action Point 1: The House Officer to find out when By Laws notices will be put in place

Update: The wording and fines are still being finalized, to be put up in the existing places plus the ‘hotspots’. No actual timeline for installation at this point. ONGOING

Action Point 2: Notices of numbers to call for nuisance activities to be reprinted and put up in lifts and notice boards. COMPLETED

Action Point 3: The Committee to investigate the options for the hiring and funding of security staff

Update: ONGOING

Action point 4: Wendy Spurry to discuss the planting of key areas on the Highwalk with the Gardening Committee

Update: ONGOING

Action Point 5: Committee to investigate with the House Officer on the possibility of installing pedestrian buttons

Update: ONGOING. House Officer to check if this is a possibility

Action Point 6: The House Officer will update the Committee with any progress on internal redecorations.

Update: See RCC Report later in the minutes for further info

Action Point 7: Wendy Spurry to liaise with the estate office on costs of the new gate and discuss with the Barbican Wildlife Garden team to see if this is feasible.

Update: See points later in the minutes for further info. ONGOING

Action Point 8: The House Officer is to look into health and safety in the Bridgewater square area of garden as there is no ready access other than from the far side of the garden at present.

Update: Part of Action Point 7, see below

Action Point 9: The House Officer will speak to Highways team about the lighting on the perimeters of the estate as it is not estate responsibility, and also ask the estate engineers if they can look at the problem.

Update: ONGOING; The Globes have been replaced all along the Ben Jonson Highwalk, but the lighting below the balustrades is still dark. House Officer to chase up the Highways Team for dates on repair

Action Point 10: Helen to let the new members of the committee know the dates of the committee meetings.  COMPLETED

Election of the Committee and recruitment of new committee members

Helen Hulson relinquished her Chairmanship at the recent AGM. The Committee elected Fiona Lean to take over this role.

Due to pressure of work, Kevin Bond was unable to continue as Secretary during the the 2019-2020 period and Wendy Spurry stepped in. Her appointment as Secretary was confirmed.

Stephen Chapman is willing to continue as Treasurer.

Both Helen and Kevin will continue as members of the Committee, as will Jane Bickerton.

Two new members, Linda Stubbs and Si Frew, volunteered at the AGM and were warmly welcomed.

The Chairman stepped down at our AGM on 15 th January and two new members volunteered. This evening the Officers were elected and members volunteered for various tasks as required. As our House Officer is retiring, the committed thanked her for all she has done and wished her well for the future. She had been presented with a card and gift token prior to the meeting.

Roles covered by Ben Jonson Committee members

Fiona asked for a run down on the roles and responsibilities undertaken by each BJ Committee member and this was duly dealt with.

Treasurer’s report

No change since last report at AGM

RCC report

(See papers circulated by Fiona prior to meeting). Fiona summarized key point of interest:

1. The RTA audit is to be done this year (Bruce Badger has more details on this if required). We will retain the ‘opt in’ membership system.
2. Podium: The BEO have put in a bid for money to redo the Podium area. Discussion are ongoing.
3. Fire Safety: No change from last update. Plan is to put up notices as soon as possible. This is a legal requirement but liaison with residents on legibility and positioning is important.
4. Fire Risk Assessment: Work in progress. The BEO has a provider lined up and aim to proceed without delay.
5. Redecorations: No change since last update at AGM. The BEO’s bid for funding of between £15M and £20M for the Door Replace Project was approved in December 2020. At the BRC this week, approval was given for the first tranche to be released to enable the BEO to take this project forward without delay.  The timescale and schedule of works is under discussion. Implementation will impact on the redecorations schedule, but the plan is to dovetail the two projects so that the redecorations are not unduly held up.
6. Working Parties: the RCC is looking to make the various working parties on the Barbican Estate more effective. They are encouraging new membership and looking to reduce duplications of effort. This should make all of them more efficient as the tools of the RCC and the Barbican Estate.

Podium ASB issues

Simon gave update from his links with the Security Committee and the BEO

Increased City of London Police Patrols Appear to Have Addressed This Issue

A new database is launching soon – there are some teething problems at the moment. However, it’s not clear what the database is to be used for. It does not replace reporting the incidents to the police, but working alongside police notification. The BEO may be using this as a record of the incidents – the number and type of nuisance involved. It’s not certain if it will register incidents that are not crimes, and breaking bylaws is not a crime as such. Some clarification of the database and its usage is required. We are still waiting for David Bradshaw to respond to this question

Signs to be put up around the estate to show what is not allowed and (possibly) the fines incurred for breaking bylaws. No timescale on this as yet

There is a working party/security committee but no-one from Ben Jonson is on it. Apparently there isn’t room for additional people at this point! We need a presence on this committee as Ben Jonson is the most affected by ASB problems.

Action Point: House Officer to investigate who is heading the security committee and whether we can nominate a Ben Jonson person to the committee. Note: this is not a RCC working party.

The link for registering lighting or highways problems is https://highwaysreporting.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ 

Arts Centre Residents Committee

There was a meeting on 18 th February attended by Wendy Spurry. Notes on this have already been sent to BJ Committee members. Still waiting for official minutes to be circulated.

One additional point to the notes: The Arts Centre will be opening for audience and customer activities in mid April.

Wildlife Garden access from BJH

Wendy Spurry liaising with the estate office on costs of the new gate and discuss with the Barbican Wildlife Garden team to see if this is feasible.

Action Point: Wendy to continue investigations

Pandemic Update

Kevin updated Committee that the need for assistance to shielding residents has dropped off, but is still available.. The weekly calls to those who are vulnerable and shielding are ongoing.

Communications

Fiona raised the issue of communication between the BJ Committee and the residents of Ben Jonson House. We should have a system of communication that is independent of the BJ Blog to keep the membership updated regularly with any important issues.

Wendy Spurry volunteered to be the Comms Officer (as part of the Secretary role)

Action Point: Wendy to speak with Bruce regarding a list of the emails of BJ members

The Ben Jonson Email Google Group – this should not be used. We will send emails to the BJ Committee, or separate committee members, as a grouping within our own emails. In this way we can avoid sending sensitive/business information to anyone outside the BJ Committee by accident.

Forwarding of emails – we all need to be aware of the sensitivity of all information in the light of the new, tougher, data laws. If we receive emails from other groups that we wish to pass along to the BJ Committee then we need to ensure that they are ‘scrubbed’ of all original data/email addresses before forwarding. Use ‘blind copies’ where required. Likewise, we need to ensure that if we send out emails outside our Committee, we need to ensure that only those email addresses that are relevant are sent out. We must be vigilant in the receiving and passing of information as we may be liable for fines if we are careless on this.

Action Point: Fiona and Wendy to make list of guidelines for the BJ Committee to follow

BAGC

Helen sent minutes of the last meeting to the BJ Committee last week. She summarized the key points:

One of the key issues was the petition regarding planning arrangements in the City of London. These do not consider the residents at all, and the system needs to be made more democratic. All residents should sign the petition as it is in their interests. This can be done here: http://chng.it/Y8H6M7DsHf

There is a new website for the BA which is going live in April. It’s not live yet, but it might be a good idea for us to look at it and see what is on there. Find it here: https://barbicanassociation.co.uk/BA2021site/

Beech Street working party- the traffic order will be in place until September.

There is a new working party for the Electric Vehicles (part of RCC) and we should try to have someone on that committee.

AOB

BJ Residents should be told about the Council Tax help and advice that is available to all City of London residents. If they are having problems meeting the monthly payment they can find help here:
COVID-19 Council tax - City of London

Rector of St Giles, Katherine Rumens, is leaving on 23 rd May. There is no replacement at the moment, and there will probably be an interregnum. If anyone wishes to make a contribution to her leaving fund, it can be found on the St Giles web page, or contact the admin team: admin@stgileschurch.com

The next Book Fair at St Giles will be in mid April. If anyone has books they don’t need then please put them in the book box next to the CPA shed in the car park.

The House Officer said that some of the lifts had been repainted recently as part of a general tidy up of BJ House. If other areas need to be repainted, due to wear and tear please let her know and they can be considered for out of schedule redecoration.

2021-01-12 AGM Minutes

From the house group:

___ 

Minutes of Ben Jonson House Group AGM

13th January 2021 7pm via Zoom

Attending from Committee:

Helen Hulson (Chair)
Fiona Lean
Stephen Chapman (Treasurer)
Wendy Spurry
Jane Bickerton
Kevin Bond (Secretary)

 

Minutes of previous AGM 15.01.2020

These were agreed and passed.

 

Treasurer’s report

The Treasurer reported that there was £1213.90 in the House account after the Christmas expenses. He also mentioned that there was a small discrepancy in the amount stated in last year’s AGM Report, but he is chasing this through the statements that he has now received.

The Estate Management will reimburse costs of administration – such as Zoom licences etc if we submit them with receipts.

 

Chair’s report

The Chair circulated her Report on the previous year (click here to see the report).

House Officer’s report

The house officer gave a report on the ongoing issues:

1. Due to Covid the next round of cleaning inspections will be postponed, and the cleaners have been asked to be extra vigilant.
2. Alterations to flats during Lockdown – these will continue in England as Government is allowing this providing the proper PPE actions are taken during the work.
3. Lift ventilation – this was raised by a meeting attendee – all of the lifts are currently very noisy with air conditioning noise.  The house officer said that the air conditioning had been increased to ensure that air was being circulated (as a precaution during Lockdown). If this is causing noise problems for any of the flats then we should email the house officer who will investigate.

Election of the Committee and recruitment of new committee members

Helen Hulson will stand down from the post of Chair.

Kevin Bond will stand down from post of Treasurer.

Both will continue on the Ben Jonson Committee, and the other Committee members will continue their membership.

Two new members are to join the Committee.

Membership report

We have 114 registered members of the Ben Jonson House residents group. Which is sufficient to qualify as a residents group within the Barbican Estate. The meeting was attended by 28 residents which is enough to be quorate.

Podium ASB issues

Free-runner/parkour and skateboarder groups are increasingly causing estate-wide disturbance. Some residents of Ben Jonson House are frequently subject to noise issues, and some feel intimidated by the aggression of the people who are creating the issues.  The gardens and furniture are frequently damaged. The various types of nuisance were discussed, highlights and action points listed below.

1. Bylaws notices need to be installed as soon as possible – the current ones are not obvious or clear what the penalties for breaking the bylaws are. The BEO Security manager has said that notices will be put out.  The house officer confirms that they has seen these and they are up to date and quite visible.  Action Point 1: House Officer to find out when these will be put in place
2. Notices with numbers to call when the residents see any nuisance activity were installed on key noticeboards, but have been taken down in many places around the block. All residents need to call the relevant numbers to ensure that the frequency of the incidents is reported and actions can be taken by the Estate Office or Police. Action Point 2: Notices to be reprinted and put up in lifts and notice boards.
3. This problem could be addressed with private security staff, as the police are unable to address the problem quickly and their presence on the estate is irregular. A vote was taken on whether or not to investigate the use of private security on the estate. This was passed with a majority vote of 20 people.  Action Point 3: The Committee to investigate the options for the hiring and funding of security staff
4. The areas used by the free runners/parkour groups could be planted more thickly and with spiky plants. The re planting of the flower beds on Ben Jonson Highway – to continue in the style already used at the Barbican Tube end – which could be adapted in order to be harder to damage, with the use of thick planting.  Action point 4: Wendy to discuss the planting of key areas on the Highwalk with the Gardening committee
5. Pedestrian buttons could be installed to break up the surface, and deter the skateboard groups.  Action Point 5: Committee to investigate with the Estate Office on the possibility of installing these.

Redecorations and carpet renewal update

The internal redecoration and the carpet renewal is an estate wide programme which has been expected for some time. The programme has been delayed because the existing doors of each flat do not meet the present fire regulations and have to be replaced. The cost of this will be borne by the CoL and the process for agreeing the costs is complex and has to be rubber stamped by several committees.  Currently there is no time frame for the door replacement programme.  Action Point 6: The House Officer will update the Committee with any progress on this..

External redecorations are due (last done in 2015) and the colours are to be chosen by residential vote.

Wildlife Garden access from BJH

A resident house group member asked for a vote on the possibility of installing a new gate in the Barbican Wildlife Garden to allow easy access from Ben Jonson House. A vote was taken and the action agreed (majority of 14).  

Action Point 7: Wendy to liaise with the estate office on costs of the new gate and discuss with the Barbican Wildlife Garden team to see if this is feasible.

Action Point 8: House Officer to look into health and safety in the Bridgewater square area of garden as there is no ready access other than from the far side of the garden at present.

AOB

Podium Lighting: the strip lights under the balconies at the back of Ben Jonson were installed and working for several weeks in the Autumn, but have been switched off, or broken for some time. Can these be re-instated as the area is now very dark after hours.  Action Point 9: House Officer will speak to Highways team as it is not estate responsibility, and also ask the estate engineers if they can look at the problem.

Prior Western School lighting; Islington Council have sent out a notice to all Ben Jonson Residents to inform them of the change to the planning application for lighting on the school playground area. This will bring the paperwork into line with the lighting that was actually installed (more lamps but less light spillage) and give it official approval. No action needed by committee or residents.

Close

The elections for Committee posts will take place at the next Committee Meeting in March 2021.  Action Point 10: Helen to send details of committee meetings dates etc to the new Committee members

AGM 2021-01-13 - House Group Chair's Report

Chair’s Report BJHG AGM 13.01.2021

The Pandemic

We were faced with stockpiling, shortage of essentials, shortage of delivery slots and the dangers to vulnerable groups posed by shopping other than online. In BJH a volunteer group, to whom we owe much thanks, was set up to help those in need.

The effect of the pandemic on BEO staff was that illness and isolation meant shortages and the cleaning routines were changed to focus on more frequent cleaning of surfaces likely to transmit the virus. Rubbish collections were reduced and the Car Park Attendants were faced with a deluge of deliveries as residents switched to online services. BEO office hours were also greatly reduced.

Zero Emission Zone

At the same time Beech Street was set up as an experimental Zero Emission Zone. The reduction in traffic caused by lockdown has made it difficult to measure accurately the effect of the trial.

The closing of the Golden Lane and Bridgewater St. junctions means longer journeys for vehicles to reach our car park and on the South side of Beech St there have been access problems. The BA is trying to negotiate acceptable solutions.

Podium activities/ASB

There has been ongoing concern and outrage about the disturbance, alarm, damage and flouting of rules caused by groups cycling, skateboarding and free running outside BJH.

In attempting to gain some control, we have been in contact with the BEO security officer, the chair of the BA security committee and Barbican Centre security. The situation is, that together with the CoL Police, they are working on setting up a uniform method for residents to report incidents.

In the meantime the contact numbers displayed on the notice boards should be used and we must press for urgent installation of clear well placed notices about prohibited activities.

Redecorations

We had expected both external and internal redecoration to be underway by 2021, and the City has appointed a contractor to carry these out. The delay on the internal redecs is connected to the need for all our front doors to be replaced after they failed the post Grenfell Tower tests. It has been agreed that the replacements will be paid for by the City of London, but until they are installed internal redecs will not take place. I do not know the current plan for the external redecs.

Service Charge information shows a substantial increase this year and concerns about this should be addressed to Michael Bennett, Director at BEO.

Prior Weston School

Improvements to the MUGA (multi use games area) have been installed, including the floodlights, which we had opposed. Fortunately, a change of plan resulted in 6 instead of 4 lights of lower intensity and at a lower level.

We are told that residents in BJH have not found them intrusive and the new Headteacher, with whom we have established a positive relationship, has assured us that they will not be in use after 6pm.

The school is applying for retrospective Planning Permission for the new lights. It is pleasing to see that resident requests that were denied at the original planning meeting i.e. the green wall and sound absorbing surface, have in fact been installed to good effect in reducing noise.

Thanks are due to Fiona Lean for her part in keeping us abreast of RCC and BRC business, to Wendy Spurry for her part in liaising with the Barbican Centre, the Gardens Group and with Prior Weston School, to Kevin for his secretarial role and to Stephen as Treasurer.

I also want to thank other committee members for their active participation and help, as well as volunteers, who have generously continued to manage the BJH blog as well as our membership arrangements.

I am stepping down as Chair, but will be happy to assist the new Chair when elected at our next Committee meeting. It has been an eventful time and an honour to hold this post.

Helen Hulson
Chair, Ben Jonson House Group

House Group AGM - 13th Jan at 19:00 via Zoom

From the house Group:
___

Ben Jonson House Group AGM 2021

When? Wednesday 13 January 2021 at 7 pm

How? Via Zoom. Please register your wish to attend by emailing ben.jonson.hg@gmail.com

You will then be sent an email nearer the time with details of the agenda and how to join the meeting.

Reasons to become a member of the Ben Jonson House Group:

• It’s a great way to hear and influence what’s going on
• It’s an opportunity for your voice to be heard and to get things done in the place where you live
• Membership is free to residents in the block

We are recruiting new members now

If you have any questions about what is involved please email us at the address above.

We look forward to welcoming you to the AGM next month.

House Group contacts & numbers

From the Ben Jonson House Group Committee: 

____

BEN JONSON HOUSE GROUP 
Useful Contacts for BJH Residents

House Group

To contact us directly ben.jonson.hg@gmail.com

To find information concerning BJH http://bjhg-blog.blogspot.co.uk/

House Officer (BEO)

Sheila Delaney Sheila.Delaney@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Security concerns/ unacceptable podium activities
i.e. Bikers, Skateboarders, Free runners doing potential damage

Barry Ashton (BEO Security) 0207 029 3920

Barry.Ashton@cityoflondon.gov.uk

For a more urgent response use Barbican Arts Centre 24/7 security number

0207 382 7308

City of London Police 020 7601 2222‬

Podium Antics - who to call

From the chair of the Ben Jonson House Group:

___

Activities on the Podium

This notice is to provide you with the appropriate contacts if you notice activities which should not be taking place on the podium.

Barry Ashton (in charge of Security for the BEO)
Email: Barry.Ashton@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Telephone 0207 029 3920

Please give him details of your observation.

If you consider an urgent response is required, the Barbican Arts Centre have provided a 24/7 number through which residents may alert their security staff.

Telephone 0207 382 7308

The Ben Jonson House Group is aware of concern among residents concerning some of the activities taking place on the Podium. You probably know that skateboarding and cycling are actually prohibited and you may feel that the presence of groups practising free-running can be alarming.

If we are to address this matter, it is important to collect evidence for the authorities to justify some form of preventative action. Although plans are being developed for a simple method of reporting incidents, until they are in place we are recommended to use the contacts above.

I hope you will find this information helpful.

Chair, Ben Jonson House Group

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
___

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

12th Feb Meeting - Beech St Zero Emissions

The following is from the chair of the house group, along with the observation that "We also need to be aware that this proposal is closely connected with the development of Beech Street as part of the Culture Mile which will have a different kind of impact on us, positive I hope."
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Meeting for City residents
Beech Street: Proposals for a Zero Emissions Street

Come along and hear from the City Transportation Team what is planned for Beech Street, why, and how it will affect nearby residents

12 February 7pm, Main Hall, City of London School for Girls

Entrance on St. Giles' Terrace (off corner of Wood Street and Fore Street), Barbican, London EC2Y 8BB

Presentation from the City of London Transportation Team:

• Leah Coburn, Group Manager for Major Projects, City Transportation
• Kristian Turner, Project Manager

... Followed by your comments and questions

(The Transportation Team is also running question and answer sessions on 18, 24, 27 February in Exhibition Hall 1, Golden Lane, at 12-2pm and 6-8pm)

Organised by the Barbican Association www.barbicanassociation.com

Arts Centre residents meeting Mon 27 Jan

Notes from the meeting by Wendy Spurry:

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The Arts Centre Residents liaison meeting was held on 27th February.

See:

• Agenda for this meeting 
• Minutes of the previous meeting

Attending from Ben Jonson House: Wendy Spurry and Fiona Lean

Matters Arising:

2.1 4B's - the planning application is still in abeyance. It may be re-submitted in February. The residents reminded the the meeting that there were hundreds of objections to the removal of the signage. 

2.2 kitchen fans - A date still needs to be set with environmental health organisation for a base background level reading of the noise around the affected areas, for use in future in case the noise levels rise again. Jane Smith (BA) will write to them to ask them to undertake a baseline measurement. 

2.3 Planters in the Guildhall area: in the new financial year the art centre is still looking for funding to re-do the planters to mirror those in the Lakeside area. 

3. The outdoor cinema in August: consultation meetings are going ahead with Frobisher Crescent. 

6. Service Road: the gate is in place till 6 am, and between 6 and 7 am it is monitored by the security team. It is closed at midnight until 6 am. Traffic calming measures will be in looked at over the spring and summer period and noise levels will be monitored.

Agenda

3. Lakes
The Art Centre gave an update, informing us that the engine room has been rebuilt, and nearly ready to be switched back on. They will be looking to reinstate the fountains, but will need a month or so of testing. The waterfall will be looked at, with the intention of redirecting the water to reduce the noise for the Brandon house residents. A group has been set up for the waterfall revamp, to check both the noise and the aesthetic side of things.

4. GSMD end of term events
The students hold end of term events, principally in the summer and Christmas. The Christmas events this year were quite lively, and the art centre passed on apologies for any disturbance to residents which occurred in December. The next student event will be more closely monitored, and managed to ensure that noise levels are kept down.

5. Google Maps and location of Barbican Centre 

The maps on Google show incorrect pointers for the Art Centre, the theatre and the Barbican centre itself. The art centre have contacted Google and are reclaiming these pointers to try and put them into the correct places. However this is a generic problem with Google.
The signage towards the Barbican Centre has been altered, and now shows Barbican only. The residents felt that this was leading to additional confusion when visitors are trying to find specific parts of the Barbican.

6. GSMD skip
The skip that was put in place in December, But was quickly filled by rubbish from staff and students. This remained in place until the 20th of January, and was a bit of an eyesore. The Art Centre management pointed out that actually it had been cleared away and replaced after Christmas, but it was quickly refilled! The system is - the skip comes in, the skip is filled up, the skip is taken away. Management will keep an eye on this to ensure that full skips do not hang around and Are cleared away as soon as possible.

7. GSMD light pollution
The lights for Milton Court will be reprogrammed to take down the lighting when the building is not in use. This covers the front of house lighting and lighting in the stairwells. This should reduce the amount of light spilling over towards speed house. 

8. Cladding on the front of Milton Court
High winds brought down a piece of the cladding on the front of Milton Court recently. No one was hurt by this. The landlords have made this safe, and are looking to make some re-designs in order that this should not happen again.

9. Residence reception
The 'estate at 50' events were very successful, and the residents felt that it had added greatly to the prestige of the estate. There is a movement towards having a committee looking at the next 50 years within the Barbican. It's important to look at the estate as a whole unit, and mesh together the upkeep of both the centre and the residents blocks. A workshop may be put together for a review of developments coming up in the future.
The Art Centre Are looking to host a resident reception in 2020, possibly in the summer.It is likely that there will be a reception to give residents a chance to find out what is happening in the centre and showcase what is coming up in the near future.
It was suggested that the resident reception be held in term time and the students of the GSMD and Girls school be invited to perform their work as a central feature of the Reception.

Minutes of the 2020-01-15 AGM

The minutes of the 2020-01-15 AGM:

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Ben Jonson House AGM Meeting Minutes
15th January 2020

Present: Committee Members, Sheila Delaney (House Officer) and Residents of Ben Jonson House (total attendees: 24)

Apologies: John Murch

1. Reports and Minutes

The minutes for the previous AGM were agreed. The current agenda circulated for discussion.
Treasurer’s Report was read out and it was noted that we currently hold £1343.90 in funds.

The Chairman’s Report was read through – summarizing the key events in 2019. (See this post).

The Committee members were asked if they would continue in their posts for another year – all agreed except two: John Murch to step down from the Treasurer’s post and Bruce Badger to step down as Secretary.

Residents were asked if they would like to join the Committee, two people had already put their names forward.

The House Officer read her report.

2. Agenda Discussion·

Membership
We currently have 113 members listed (down from 125 last year), we need 15% long leaseholders to attend the AGM for us to be quorate, we have 24 attendees, so this point is covered. We therefore retain recognition as an RTA (Recognised Tenants’ Association) under the Barbican Association banner.

All residents are encouraged to join the membership listing – and the details of the blog address were distributed to the meeting attendees.

Proxy voting
This might be put in place so that residents can vote on behalf of each other on issues raised at the AGM. However, this must be announced 21 days before an AGM – so we were not in time to do that for this AGM. The meeting attendees were asked if they were interested in this being done in future. Only 6 people showed interest, so this will not be investigated further.

Communications and Good Neighbors scheme
Current communications between residents and the Estate Office are as follows:
Ben Jonson Noticeboards – which will be increased to two locked boards soon for important notices
Blog – for residents to check on current and archived issues around Ben Jonson and the barbican estate. Residents are encouraged to make comments on these, which can be taken forward at bimonthly meetings by the committee.
Estate -wide weekly email from Nabeela/Corporation of London website – what’s happening in the BA, the RCC etc. Giving a lot of info on council and Barbican issues.
Barbican website - for general information on the Barbican estate
Barbican Talk – for general opinions on what is happening around the barbican estate.

The Good Neighbors scheme has been tried in Andrews House and in Thomas More House. However useful this may appear – careful use of these groups is important, as it involves trust of neighbors etc. The model has been looked at, but many residents have been put off by the checks required and responsibilities involved. The meeting attendees didn’t show much support for trying this in Ben Jonson at this time.

Podium issues
If residents see any nuisance activities, such as skateboarders, dog walkers, parkours and bicycles etc. on the Podium they should phone the police, as this is a public problem. The CPAs are not authorized to stop this activity. Residents should also ring the estate office as Barry Ashton (the Security Manager) is keeping a log of these activities to use as evidence of problems faced inside the estate. It’s also advisable to send an email of the event with photos if possible, to the estate office (Sheila Delaney). There are notices of the bylaws dotted around the estate, but these could be larger and more obvious. Sheila will look into this being done and will send a copy of them to Bruce Badger for him to post on the Blog.

Carpet replacement
The blue carpets throughout the Ben Jonson block are now quite old and tired. Quotes for new carpets have been found by Sheila Delaney. However, the timing of the replacement should be given some consideration. We will have the external redecorations in 2021 and the internal redecoration in 2022. The residents voted to postpone the new carpeting until after the internal redecorations had been done.

Security/ blue cages
The car park doors give access to the main building. Only door 64 has a locking blue cage around the base of the staircase. The residents were asked to consider whether they would like to have similar cages put on the other three doors to improve security. The storage units in the car park area will be available to non-residents soon, which will mean increased numbers of people able to see the doors to the main building. However, the number of burglaries in the block (or on the estate) is very low. It’s more likely that the issue of ‘tail-gating’ and buzzing unknown people into the building is more of a security risk than the car park doors. The residents voted against installing new cages in the car park area. (8 out of 24 in favor).

3. Roundtable/AOB

• Lakes – these are still under repair, the Arts Centre hope that they will be finished, and fountain reinstated, in the late Spring 2020
• Smokers outside door 64 to Waitrose: This is still happening, the estate staff make smokers aware when they are passing, but it is difficult to enforce. Mostly the smokers are from Lloyds bank offices opposite, and the office manager has been informed.
• Air-BnB – short term lettings are against the terms of the lease. Several companies have been canvassing residents by mail for them to join them in renting to short term clients. These have been brought to the attention of Sheila Delaney who then contacts the leaseholders to remind them of the lease conditions. There are sites online with Barbican flats for short term rent, however there have been no ASB – noise issues – as a result of these.
• Barbican Exhibition Hall – currently used for exams and small conferences. There are no plans to make use of it in any other way currently.
• Lighting on the east side of Ben Jonson/Breton is not working – this is a highways issue.
• Lift 64 – has been out of order many times this last year. Are there any plans to replace it as it has more wear and tear than the other lifts (as it leads to Waitrose)? The lifts within Ben Jonson are inspected regularly for insurance purposes and have a KPI of 98% overall, but there are no individual stats for that lift. Sheila Delaney will investigate this and see if a separate report can be run to show the number of outages for it. The lifts are over 20 years old, but replacement is expensive. If a lift is reported as out of order, then the repair team is sent out as soon as possible. The Duty Manager is available 24 hours a day to take such calls. Residents’ thanks to the Committee for their work over the previous year.

House Group Chair's AGM Report

Report presented to the 2020-01-15 Ben Jonson House Group AGM by the chair, Helen Hulson:
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Chair’s Report BJHG AGM 15.01.2020

It has been a busy and eventful year with a number of encouraging results.

Following a meeting with the manager of Cote restaurant, improvements were made which seem to have solved the problem of odours according to the results of the follow up survey we conducted.

In spite of strong objections, PWS received permission to install floodlighting raising fears of increased noise and intrusive light. It was therefore reassuring when they installed green walls, a sound absorbing surface and more but less penetrating lighting. They are keen to interact positively with the local community and termly meetings are planned

The proposal to install antennae on the Barbican Centre roof was fiercely opposed and eventually dropped

The CLSG expansion proposal shocked us all and engendered huge opposition with a petition reaching more than 3,000 signatures. It was welcome news to hear that the school is rethinking its expansion plans, but we need to remain vigilant.

It has been announced that Beech Street is to be the first 24/7 Zero Emission Scheme in the UK in a bid to improve the dire air quality. The trial will run for 18 months preceded by a consultation period . During the scheme arrangements will be in place for essential access, otherwise only pedestrians, cyclists, 153 bus and passengers, and zero emission vehicles will be permitted.

In June and September we celebrated Barbican at 50 with talks, films and a fete. It was also proposed that we give thought to the next 50 years with an appeal to residents for ideas for improvements to ensure its iconic status is maintained

The Denizen has now reached its full height and has changed the outlook on Golden Lane. We will continue to monitor its progress and impact.

Disenfranchisement remains a bone of contention between the City and the Common Councillors who seek to represent us.

It was very sad to lose Robert Barker, who had worked tirelessly for the BA for more than 20 years representing residents on many questions including the roofs and also accessibility. We were also sad to hear of the passing of John Whitehead who had been Chair of Breton House.

I would like to express great thanks to Bruce Badger, our current secretary and previous Chair, for the valuable contributions he has made to BJHG. As well as running the Blog, which is such a terrific source of information, he has been our representative on the BAGC. He is stepping down from the committee and will be much missed. We wish him well. John Murch, our Treasurer, is also resigning from the committee due to time pressures. Please join me in thanking them both.

Thanks also to Fiona for representing us on RCC and to Wendy for her work on the Garden Advisory Group and liaising with the Barbican Centre, and to all committee members for their support. Please consider joining the Committee – the more people, the lighter the load.

I also wish to thank Sheila Delaney for all her assistance in providing information and liaising with BEO, and inspecting standards of cleaning as well as being the first port of call for any problems residents may have.

Helen Hulson 15th January 2020