News from the Barbican Estate Office – January Edition
House Group Chairman
The following House Group Chairmen are not necessarily the same as
the Residents Consultation Committee representatives.
Block Name Flat No. Chairman
Andrewes House 173 Steven Quilter
Ben Jonson House 543 Chris Punter
Brandon Mews
Breton House 84 Keith Clarke
Bryer Court 706 Gabrielle Robertshaw
Bunyan Court 316 Antony Croot
Cromwell Tower 133 John Tomlinson
Defoe House 176 Richard Morrison
Gilbert House 404 Douglas Woodward
John Trundle Court 107 Frank Warriner
Lambert Jones Mews 1 Robin Keen
Lauderdale Tower 223 Sally Woodward
Mountjoy House 402 Richard Gaskell
Seddon House 307 Jane Smith
Shakespeare Tower 382 Alison Gowman
Speed House 89 Farah Amin
Thomas More House 9 Don Prichard
Wallside
Willoughby House
209 Seddon
Barbican Association David Graves
House
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News Page Regular Features
Jon Phillips 2 House Officers Update 17
Salvage Store 2 Police Update 18
Cleaning 4 Technical Services Update 19
Open Spaces 7 Window Cleaning 23
Leasehold Services – 8 Schedules
Insurance & Subletting Good Neighbour Guide 25
Background Heating 9 Repairs Reporting Details 28
Residents Survey Results 10 Residents Consultation 28
Car Parks & Security 14 Committee Update
Standard Charges 15 Contact List 30
Jon Phillips
Jon worked at the Estate Office for nearly 2 years
and dealt with, amongst other things, temporary
and permanent car parking permits and tickets for
residents. He made a significant impact on the
Estate Services team by setting up systems and
procedures and was always keen to provide
assistance where needed.
Unfortunately, Jon died as a result of a tragic
accident at Moorgate Underground Station on Wednesday 21 December
2005.
We would like to thank the many residents who passed on their
condolences, Jon’s family were pleased to hear that he was so valued by
those he came into contact with on a daily basis.
Salvage Store - Original Fixtures And Fittings For Barbican
Flats
Residents looking to restore flats to their original condition, or replace worn
out fixtures and fittings, now have an invaluable resource on the estate.
The Barbican Salvage Group has established a salvage store of genuine
original fixtures and fittings.
Fixtures and fittings cover anything from light switches and taps through to
wardrobe doors and nearly complete kitchens (worktops, hobs, cupboard
doors etc). We even have a couple of tower block bidets in stock at
present!
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And the best news is that the service is FREE.
Run by a group of residents who are keen to preserve the integrity of the
estate, the last few months has seen the group busy collecting unwanted
items from residents flats and around the estate, storing and cataloguing
them.
Importantly, everyone involved would like to stress that they are not
opposed to the updating of flat interiors. It’s simply driven by a belief that
where items are being removed they should be put to best use by those
wishing to live in an original flat, rather than being disposed of forever.
There’s even a website where you can see the current stock list which is
updated as often as possible or of course you can simply call us. If you
require something in particular, you can join the wish list by providing
details of what you require and if the item becomes available we will call
you.
Naturally, success is dependent on rescuing as many items as possible
that are no longer needed by residents and this is where the service is also
looking for your support. So, please inform us if you are updating the
interior of your flat and we will be glad to arrange for removal of these
items on your behalf.
In addition, if you see any abandoned original items around the estate
that have been disposed of, please call us and we will pick them up
immediately and store them. Please try phoning all the numbers, as items
often only remain for a couple of hours before the refuse teams arrive.
Finally, the group is compiling a wish list of items that could be reproduced
at reasonable cost if sufficient interest exists, for example original size
bathroom wall and floor tiles.
So whether you are looking for particular items, can help by donating
unwanted items to the salvage store, or are interested in getting involved
contact us:
1: 020 7638 9967 Martin Brady 3: 020 7628 3073 John McLean
2: 020 7638 2645 Cynthia White 4. 020 7588 6800 Christian Keesing
OR email barbicansalvage@yahoo.co.uk
OR visit http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/barbicansalvage
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Cleaning News
Household Items Removals
If residents have any bulky rubbish or household items they wish to be
disposed of, please contact the City of London’s Cleansing Department on
020 7606 3110 Ext: 2241 and by giving 5 days notice, items will be
removed from outside your flat on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Please have your bulky rubbish and household items at your front doors
ready for collection as the Cleansing Department and the Estate Services
Cleaning teams cannot enter your flat to dismantle or unplug electrical
items.
Washing machines, dishwashers, fridges and freezers must be emptied
and dried out before being removed from flats to ensure water does not
leak from these items during removal.
Residents can, if they wish, take their bulky household items to any one of
the collection points around the estate at the following Car Parks (next to
the compactor skips only) Andrewes House, Thomas More House,
Bunyan Court as well as the Garchey Bay in Beech Street.
If residents require a quicker service than offered by Cleansing, please
contact the Barbican Estate Services team on 020 7029 3955 – although
there is a charge for this service e.g. £25.00 per load for an armchair or
£75.00 for 3 loads i.e. a 3 piece suite.
Oxfam recycling clothes bin at Bunyan Court car park.
There is a bin for recycling clothing for Oxfam, this is based near Bunyan
Court car park. The location is underneath the YMCA adjacent to the car
park box. The recycling bin is bright green and shouldn`t be difficult to
notice.
Window Cleaning Service
A current specification has been agreed with the window cleaning
contractors and the following standards and procedures are being
monitored. These standards have led to a decrease in complaints and a
more consistent service.
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1. All window cleaning contractors carry identification with them at all
times.
2. Window cleaning is carried out for each block every 6 weeks/30
working days.
3. A window cleaning schedule is placed on the notice boards of each
block for a 3 month period/minimum of 2 scheduled cleans and
placed in the letterboxes of Brandon Mews, Lambert Jones Mews,
Postern and 1& 2 Wallside by the contractors. The window cleaning
schedule also appears in each bi-monthly newsletter. This schedule
is checked by the Cleaning Manager and the window cleaning
contractors.
4. The window cleaning contractors hours of work are 08.30 – 16.30
and they sign in and out at Reception at the Barbican Estate Office
daily. This is checked by the Cleaning Manager.
5. The window cleaning contractors send a copy of their daily schedule
of work done including all flat numbers and communal areas to the
Cleaning Manager at the end of each day or by 08.30 the following
day.
6. The daily window cleaning schedules are checked against the
contractors’ invoices by the Cleaning Manager and the Estate
Services Administration Officer.
7. For each Tower Block, the window cleaners record the timings when
each flat is buzzed prior to balconies being accessed for each clean.
This record is passed to the Cleaning Manager on completion of the
cleaning in case of queries. For all flats that require access, the
window cleaning contractors will leave notification for residents to
contact them if they are unable to gain access during the scheduled
clean.
8. The window cleaning contractors will clean the following:
a. external glazing for flats for windows and doors,
b. both faces of glazing for privacy screens and
c. balcony screens and both faces of glazing in communal areas.
9. Abseiling is carried out on Ben Jonson House, Breton House, Bryer ,
Bunyan and John Trundle Courts for all inaccessible areas every 3
months. This cleaning is carried out before the scheduled window
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cleaning for that block and a notice board letter confirming the dates
is placed in these blocks. The next scheduled abseiling dates are
(Monday 6 February – Friday 10 February). As a result of the
residents survey we are currently reviewing our procedures for those
flats that require abseiling to ensure a better service for residents
10. Eyebolt testing is carried out once a year to comply with Health &
Safety legislation. An annual test certificate is sent to the Cleaning
Manager for retention. This work will commence again in August
2006.
11. All queries regarding standards and performance can be raised by
residents with the House Officer and will be actioned within 24 hours.
Please try and place your queries with us within 5 working days of
your scheduled clean to enable us to help address your issue. All of
these queries are logged on our database and are reviewed at the
weekly monitoring meetings. As a result of the residents survey, we
are currently reviewing our procedures for checking residential
windows to ensure a better service for residents.
12. Communal glazing is checked by the Cleaning Manager and the
House Officers during the daily spot check block inspections. Any
deficiencies in standards are given to the contractors at the weekly
window cleaning monitoring meetings.
13. The House Officers, Cleaning Manager and the Estate Services
Manager hold weekly meetings with the window cleaning contractors
to monitor standards and improve the service. The agenda includes
queries/complaints from residents, communal glazing, adherence to
the cleaning schedule, daily procedures, interface issues (Open
Spaces – gardens, Leasehold Services – access to balconies) and
equipment.
14. The annual residents’ survey results and comments are given to the
contractors and an action plan agreed by the House Officers,
Cleaning Manager, Estate Services Manager and the window
cleaning contractors, this is regularly reviewed.
Please leave your balcony glass and privacy screens accessible for the
window cleaners to enable them to clean your windows without moving
your personal property. If this is not done, we cannot guarantee that your
windows will be cleaned.
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There are two contractors servicing the estate.
The contact for Andrewes House, Brandon Mews, Cromwell Tower, Gilbert
House, Lambert Jones Mews, Postern, Shakespeare Tower, Speed
House, 1 & 2 Wallside and Willoughby House is Adam Jones on 07748
983583 during working hours, 08.30 – 16.30 Monday to Friday.
The contact for Ben Jonson House, Breton House, Bryer Court, Bunyan
Court, Defoe House, John Trundle Court, Lauderdale Tower, Mountjoy
House, Seddon House and Thomas More House is Pip McLaren on
07949 647372 during working hours 08.30 – 16.30 Monday to Friday.
Queries may be raised at the Barbican Estate Office with your House
Officer.
Contact: Jackie Booty, Cleaning Manager, 020 7029 3965
Open Spaces News
Help with BBC filming
The BBC's Natural History Unit are interested in talking to any Barbican
residents who have had ducks nesting on their balconies. If you think you
can help, please email parks.gardens@cityoflondon.gov.uk with the title
'Barbican Ducks' or call 020 7374 4134.
City Gardens Win Prestigious National Award
City of London grounds maintenance contractors ISS Waterers has
received a major award at the BALI National Landscape Awards 2005 held
in London recently. The
Awards, which are run
annually by the British
Association of Landscape
Industries (BALI), pay tribute
to landscapers who have
demonstrated exceptionally
high standards of
professionalism and skill.
ISS Waterers was presented
with the BALI Principal
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Award for their maintenance of the City of London’s gardens in the Square
Mile. TV gardening personality Chris Beardshaw presented the award.
The City of London works in partnership with ISS Waterers to maintain
over 150 parks, gardens, churchyards and green spaces across the City of
London. The BALI judges expressed their delight with this arrangement:
"The City of London is a major financial centre, tightly packed with a mix of
historic buildings and high rise office blocks. Maintaining such spaces
cannot be easy, but all look fresh and inviting. The variety of spaces are
stunning and the City of London and their contractor, ISS Waterers, have
the right recipe for each and every one."
Contact: Jane Campbell, City Gardens Section, 020 7374 4134
Leasehold Services News
Insurance
It is a term in the long lease on the Barbican estate that all flats are
contracted in to an estate wide buildings insurance policy. The premium is
billed annually in the December quarter as a one off payment.
The City of London's buildings policy covers all aspects of a property that
would generally be regarded as buildings by insurance companies. This
policy is for the full rebuilding cost of the flat. The fact that it is an ‘Estate
wide’ policy means that they can be no question of under insurance.
The interest of the lessee or owner of each flat and the mortgagees of any
of them is deemed to be noted without the need to be specifically recorded.
The buildings policy also covers fixtures and fittings such sinks and toilets,
but residents should take out their own contents policy because furnishings
and personal items are not covered. All free standing and moveable items
such as furniture, curtains, and all carpets that belong to lessees are
regarded as contents. Even 'fitted' carpets are contents.
It is therefore strongly recommended that all lessees have their own
contents insurance in respect of these and all other personal property
items. You should be aware that you will be responsible for any damage
caused to furnishings & fittings to the flat below under your contents policy
if your washing machine leaks and your neighbour is affected. Any repair to
decorations is covered under the buildings policy.
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If lessees have contents cover regardless of whether it is with a different
insurer then this will always dovetail with the Landlords buildings insurance
for any given peril. There is an Insurance Market agreement to this effect.
A summary of cover will shortly be available on the website and if you
require a claim form or general advice, please contact the Barbican Estate
Office.
Subletting
Leaseholders are permitted under the terms of the lease to sublet their
flats. The subletting must only be of a residential nature and cover a
minimum letting period of three months. Holiday lets are not permitted on
the Estate unless planning permission is obtained. Planning permission
has to be obtained for all lets under 90 days. The Estate discourages
holiday lettings because of the security implications involved.
Any subletting must be registered with the Comptroller & City Solicitor and
a copy of the tenancy agreement and the required registration fee to the
should be forwarded to the Barbican Estate Office upon commencement of
the tenancy. Following registration of the sub tenancy, the Barbican Estate
Office will provide the new resident with copies of the latest newsletter and
when available a copy of the Residents Information Pack.
All notices in respect of a Barbican flat must be registered with the
Comptroller & City Solicitor. This includes notices of assignment, mortgage
charge and subletting. Cheques should be made payable to the City of
London.
Contact: Sheila Delaney, Leasehold Services, 020 7029 3911
Background Heating
Underfloor background heating is provided by way of electric cables
installed in the floor of each room, this is energised utilising off peak
electricity. The amount of charge time is determined by the night time
ambient temperature and the control of this is managed by EDF Energy.
Residents do not have individual control over the level of background
heating in their flats. In order to achieve individual levels of comfort,
controls known as ‘trimmers’ have been installed into the majority of flats;
this enables a reduction to be made to the amount of night time charge and
so reducing the output temperature.
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The heating system is normally switched on from 1 October to 30 April
but some flexibility to these times is exercised in exceptional weather
conditions.
The system endeavours to achieve 15.6ºC under external conditions down
to 1.7ºC. However, in extreme and exceptional weather conditions, the
internal temperature may drop below this and residents may find it
necessary to supplement the heating system with their own portable
heaters.
Should there appear to be any failure of the heating installation or an
adjustment to the trimmer be required then this should be reported through
the normal repairs reporting line details of which are on the contacts page
at the back of this newsletter.
Residents must on no account make any fixings which involve penetration
of the floors as damage could result to the electrical cables in the floor
screed. If you intend to fit a new carpet, the carpet fitter should be informed
that the under floor heating is installed so that he/she may supply an
underlay suitable for the purpose.
Contact: Mick McGee, Technical Services Division, 020 7332 3014
Residents Survey October 2005
We would like to thank all residents who responded to our Satisfaction
Survey which was circulated to all residents in October. A report on the full
results will be presented to the Residents Consultation Committee in
January and the Barbican Residential Committee in February.
Your comments have been noted and where outstanding issues have been
highlighted, these have been passed to the appropriate officers to
progress. Your comments have been copied to and discussed with
contractors and staff and where appropriate the address has not been
disclosed.
A number of residents commented that officers` individual e:mail
addresses be publicised. We advise that all e:mails should be forwarded
to the barbican.estate@cityoflondon.gov.uk address as all
communications to the office are logged & monitored so that we can
ensure targets for response times are met. In the absence of officers, mail
can also be forwarded to other officers for action.
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Overall 356 (18%) completed surveys were returned and the table below
details the response rate from each block.
No of
Block name No of flats % response
responses
Andrewes House 192 31 16%
Ben Jonson House 204 38 19%
Brandon Mews 26 5 19%
Breton House 111 8 7%
Bryer Court 56 7 13%
Bunyan Court 69 6 9%
Cromwell Tower 111 22 20%
Defoe House 178 44 25%
Gilbert House 88 25 28%
John Trundle Court 133 17 13%
Lambert Jones Mews 8 5 63%
Lauderdale Tower 117 23 20%
Mountjoy House 64 9 14%
Seddon House 76 12 16%
Shakespeare Tower 116 15 13%
Speed House 114 30 26%
Thomas More House 166 28 17%
Wallside / The Postern 26 5 19%
Willoughby House 148 20 14%
Subtotal 2003 350 17.47%
Block not identified 6 0.30%
Total returned 356 17.77%
Overall, 93% of responses rated the services provided or managed by this
Office as satisfactory or above. Managers will be discussing with staff,
areas where the levels of satisfaction are lower than expected, for
example, dealing with complaints.
The implementation, from October 2005, of service level agreements setting
out the standards and levels of service and the introduction of House Officers
who are carrying out a stringent monitoring system, should ensure that
satisfaction levels remain high and are improved.
The full results have been detailed in the following graphs.
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Very Good Good Satisfactory Poor Very poor
Residents Survey
2005
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Customer Care
a
A Response to letters
B Response to E:mails
C Response to Telephone Calls c
D Reception Staff
E Office Staff e
F Dealing with Complaints
G Leasehold Enquiries g
H Service Charge Enquiries
I Baggage Store Enquiries i
J Car Parking Enquiries
Barbicanews 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
A Content a
B Frequency b
Cleaning 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
a
A Collection of Refuse
B Communal Areas b
C Helpfulness of Staff c
Window Cleaning 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
A Flats a
B Communal Area b
C Helpfulness of Staff c
Concierge Staff 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
A Security a
B Assisting with Parking b
C Control of Parking c
d
D Parcels
e
E Helpfulness of Staff
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General Repairs 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
A Common parts Repairs a
B Repairs to Services b
C Responsiveness c
D Helpfulness of Surveyors d
E Helpfulness of Contractors e
Out of Hours Service 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
A Out of Hours Service a
B Helpfulness of Staff b
Garchey Service 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
a
A Repairs Service
B Helpfulness of Staff b
Lift Maintenance 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
A Routine Maintenance a
B Response to breakdowns b
C Helpfulness of Staff c
Major Works 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
a
A Consultation
B Information on Progress b
Lakes & Gardens 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
A Lakes a
B Gardens b
C Helpfulness of Staff c
Contact: Sharon McLaughlin, Support Services Manager, 020 7029 3915
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Car Park & Security News
Many of the staff on the Estate always
make a huge effort to make the
Christmas season special.
Residents using Breton and Defoe
Car Parks will know that the staff
ensure that the offices resemble
Santa’s Grotto – without the elves of
course!
Breton Car Park Box
Car Park Box Refurbishment
Due to the age and condition of many of the car park boxes, a programme
of car park box refurbishments is taking place. The first, Thomas More Car
Park, will be complete by the end of January.
The new car park box provides
approximately 90% additional space
improving the working conditions and
allows for sufficient space to store
residents deliveries.
Planning permission has been
requested to extend the Car Park
Boxes at Speed House, Willoughby
House 01 Level and Andrewes
Delivery of new box to site House.
Discussions are also underway to determine the options available for the
Defoe House Car Park box refurbishment.
Bicycle Lockers
The Planning Department have informed us the application for installation
of Bicycle Lockers to the Car Parks is still being reviewed and that they aim
to reach a decision by end of February.
If you haven't already applied for a Bicycle Locker and would like to do so
please contact a member of the Estate Services Team on 020 7029 3955.
Lockers are priced at £60 per annum with a refundable £40.00 deposit for
keys.
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Security
Could all residents please ensure that block entrance doors at podium and
car park level, gardens and on the lakesides close behind them. If there are
any problems with door closers or locks, please report it to the repairs
reporting team or to your car park attendant or lobby porter who will arrange
for a check on the door to be carried out.
Contact: Barry Ashton, Car Park & Security Manager, 020 7029 3920
Standard Charges
This department makes charges for a number of services and goods
supplied to residents, organisations or other departments of the City.
Some of these charges are made via the quarterly service charge demand
and others charged via invoices.
These charges are reviewed annually in either April or September. For
locks and keys, the charge will be reviewed when the suppliers charge to
the Barbican Estate increases.
Baggage Stores
Annual Rental £200/£220 Via quarterly demand
Baggage Store Purchase £4,000 On completion of sale
Baggage Store Conveyancing Fee £150 On completion of sale
Bicycle Stores
Bicycle Store – Annual Rental £60 Annual charge
Bicycle Store Refundable Key Prior to keys being
£40
Deposit released
Car Parking & Charges
Temporary Car Parking £8 Invoice
Car Bay Annual Rental – Residential
£990 Via quarterly demand
Rate
Transmitter Replacements £40 Invoice
Clamping Release Fee £35 Prior to release
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Prior to granting of
Bay Licence – Administration Fee £40
Licence
Bay Purchase £8,000 On completion of sale
Bay Conveyancing £150 On completion of sale
Locks & Keys
Currently the charge for the provision of a lock & keys with installation is
normally in the range of £75 to £85
Locks with keys can be supplied for self installation – charge supplied on
demand
Additional keys £5.20 Payment on ordering
Miscellaneous
Photocopying Plans of Flat Layouts £5 Prior to Plans being copied
Retrospective Works Approval £235 On Request for approval
Removal Fee per load by Estate
£25 Invoice
Cleaners
With signed copy of
Tenancy Renewals £75 counterpart tenancy
agreement
Flat Sale Registration Fee £50 With Notice of Sale
Notice of Remortgage £50 With Notice
Notice of Mortgage £50 With Notice
Payment supplied with
Registration of Subletting £50
tenancy agreement
Solicitors Sales Enquiries
Solicitors Enquiries – 10 day Prior to information being
£130
response provided
Solicitors Enquiries – 5 day Prior to information being
£260
response provided
This list is not exhaustive and from time to time other charges will be
levied in particular for works which need to be undertaken by Estate
Office Staff or contractors in flats, for example to investigate leaks or
in emergencies.
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This list will be updated as prices change and updated versions will be
made available at the Barbican Estate website
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/beo.
Contact: Sharon McLaughlin, Support Services Division, 020 7029 3915
Regular Features - House Officers Update
Sarah Styles Becky Marshall Helen Davinson
020 7029 3962 020 7029 3964 020 7029 3963
barbican.estate@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Defoe House Ben Jonson House Andrewes House
Lambert Jones Mews Breton House Brandon Mews
Lauderdale Tower Bryer Court Cromwell Tower
Mountjoy House Bunyan Court Gilbert House
Postern John Trundle Court Speed House
Seddon House Shakespeare Tower Willoughby House
Thomas More House
Wallside
We are now settled into the process of the 6 weekly joint inspections of all
the Houses, and would like to thank all the residents who have given their
time to this. We are finding these inspections an excellent way of
highlighting and resolving any issues that residents have.
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The inspections allow us to walk around areas of the blocks to inspect the
levels of cleaning and focus on any repairs that need to be done. We are
always on the look out for new volunteers, so if you can spare the time,
please contact either your House Officer or your House Group Chairman
for details of the next inspection. As well as the joint inspections, we are
also available for any issues that arise in individual areas, so please do not
hesitate to contact us.
Police Update
Just to remind you that we have placed a suggestion / correspondence box
(For non-urgent enquiries) in the Barbican Estate Office Reception area.
We value all input from the community and endeavour to provide an
appropriate service.
So please do contact us via any of the methods listed below.
If you think the matter is a very high alert, dial 999 as soon as possible.
Any other general matters or non urgent calls can be reported to the
Beat officers on their mobile telephone numbers
or Snowhill Police Station on 020 7601 2406
If you require the Estate policing team dial 020 7601 2456 or 020 7601
2452 (ansaphone)
or via my duty mobile phones for non emergency calls
PC Dave Whitbread 07921 095346
If you require more information about community policing or any other
aspect of the City of London Police please go to www.cityoflondon.police.uk
Contact: PC Dave Whitbread, Barbican Beat Officer, 020 7601 2456.
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Technical Division Update
We Have Moved
I am pleased to announce that the Technical
Division relocated to Lauderdale Place over the
Christmas period. Although we have been there for
less than one month, staff have already noticed the
benefit of working in the same building. I am
convinced that residents will also see these benefits
over time.
We continued to operate a full service during the move but apologise if
residents were inconvenienced in any way during that week.
Television
The contractor has now completed the schedule
of appointments and we are now in the defects
liability period.
Negotiations will be taking place with service
contractors who will be able to maintain the
system fully.
Heating Survey
A series of interim reports have been received
and a meeting was scheduled for mid-January to
determine a timetable for the presentation of the
final report
Garchey
The report from the Garchey Working Party is
currently in draft form and will be presented to the
Residents Consultation Committee (RCC) in
January and the Barbican Residential Committee
(BRC) on 13 February 2006.
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Covered Walkways
The Planning Department have now agreed – in
principle – to the installation of a latchway system
on the covered walkways.
Before a formal Listed Building planning
application is made it is proposed to bring a report
to the RCC outlining the options and indicative
costs of installing the system. A report to the BRC
will follow.
Tower Block Tank Rooms.
Early warning devices are to be fitted to Tower
Block tank rooms as a result of the recent flood in
Lauderdale Tower.
These devices will ensure early detection of any
problems and will reduce and keep to a minimum,
the resultant damage to lift systems, store areas
and the fabric of the building.
Access To Roof Areas
Following recent risk assessments, it is now
evident that the method and equipment used to
access roof areas and plant rooms does not meet
with current Health & Safety regulations.
It is likely that changes to procedures and
equipment used will be subject to Listed Building
Consent and a report will be brought to this
committee detailing these proposals and the
funding implications.
Andrewes and Defoe House Replacement
Staircase Lighting
Lighting designs have been submitted that will allow
safe access for maintenance purposes. Minor
changes are required to the designs and these are
currently being discussed with the lighting consultant
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Podium Drain Cleaning
This work continues across the Estate. North
Barbican has been completed and the contractor
is currently working in the Defoe House and
Shakespeare Tower areas. He will continue along
Speed, Willoughby and Andrewes Houses before
completing the programme along Thomas More
House.
Water Treatment
Monthly inspections continue on a random basis.
The contractor, Hertel, will be returning in
February to carry out water tank inspections.
There will be no disruption to water supplies
Willoughby Car Park Barrier
As part of the Car Park Strategy, Willoughby 03
level car park is to be closed on a trial basis for a
period of six months. The installation of the new
automatic barrier is now complete.
Full implementation will take place once car bay
users have been issued with remote controls.
Shakespeare Tower Lobby Refurbishment
The proposed Shakespeare Tower lobby
refurbishment is currently in the tender process.
The Planning Department and English Heritage
have viewed the scheme and are satisfied with
the design. Formal acceptance was due on 23
January 2006.
Ventilation
For a number of years the BEO operated a ventilation maintenance system
that involved a Corporation employee making appointments to enter
Barbican flats and carry out a brush and vacuum clean on the ventilation
grilles situated in the Kitchen and Bathrooms.
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Over the years it became increasingly difficult to arrange access and a
number of residents preferred to run their own vacuum over the grilles, as
and when it became necessary.
When the employee retired, the number of requests for the service was
very low and it was therefore decided to offer the service through our
schedule of rates contract, on demand only.
Residents who wish to have the grilles cleaned, as above, should contact
the repairs reporting team requesting a ventilation grill clean.
Duty Managers – Out of Hours Service
The resident engineers on the estate operate a rota system to ensure that
there is managerial and technical representation on the estate 24 hours a
day 365 days a year.
Residents phoning into the CPAs out of hours for nuisance or technical
problems, have these problems assessed by the CPA. The CPA will if
necessary seek the advice/assistance of the Duty Manager who will
respond a number of ways.
He may instruct the CPA, he may telephone the residents directly and
discuss the matter or he may decide that the matter is so urgent that he will
take immediate action to remedy the situation.
Examples include a CPA / Lobby Porter going sick during his shift. The
Duty Manager must decide how to resource the position. He may shut a
less used CPA box, he may instruct a cleaner to cover, he may ask
another CPA to come in at short notice to work an extra shift, the decision
is his.
In the case of a repair he may authorise, for instance, a lock smith to call to
assist a resident who is locked out of a flat or he may attend a water leak
that is causing damage to a neighbours flat.
It is important that contact is made through the CPA because at any given
time the Duty Manager could be on a roof attending to flapping tarpaulins
or in the subways dealing with an overflowing garchey pit.
During 2005, the Duty Managers dealt with 643 out of hour calls.
Contact: Eddie Stevens, Technical Director, 020 7332 3014
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Window Cleaning
Queries may be raised with Jackie Booty, Cleaning Manager, 020 7029 3965.
Contact Adam Jones on 07748 983583 between 08.30 – 16.30 Mon to Fri
Area Start Date Finish Date
Speed House 24/01/06 26/01/06
Lambert Jones Mews 27/01/06 27/01/06
Willoughby House 30/01/06 01/02/06
Andrewes House 02/02/06 07/02/06
Postern/ Wallside Flats 1 & 2 only 08/02/06 08/02/06
Gilbert House 09/02/06 10/02/06
Shakespeare Tower 13/02/06 20/02/06
Cromwell Tower 21/02/06 01/03/06
Brandon Mews Car Park Side 02/03/06 02/03/06
Speed 01-02 Lakeside / Brandon Mews
03/03/06 03/03/06
Lakeside
Speed House 06/03/06 08/03/06
Lambert Jones Mews 09/03/06 09/03/06
Willoughby House 10/03/06 14/03/06
Andrewes House 15/03/06 20/03/06
Postern/ Wallside Flats 1 & 2 only 21/03/06 21/03/06
Gilbert House 22/03/06 23/03/06
Shakespeare Tower 24/03/06 31/03/06
Cromwell Tower 03/04/06 11/04/06
Brandon Mews Car Park side 12/04/06 12/04/06
Speed 01-02 Lakeside / Brandon Mews
13/04/06 13/04/06
Lakeside
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Window Cleaning
Queries may be raised with Jackie Booty, Cleaning Manager, 020 7029 3965.
Contact Pip McLaren on 07949 647372 between 08.30-16.30 – Mon to Fri
Area Start Date Finish Date
Seddon House 24/01/06 25/01/06
Lauderdale Tower 26/01/06 02/02/06
Thomas More House 03/02/06 08/02/06
Ben Jonson House 09/02/06 14/02/06
Breton House 15/02/06 16/02/06
John Trundle Court 17/02/06 20/02/06
Bunyan Court 21/02/06 22/02/06
Bryer Court 23/02/06 23/02/06
Defoe House 24/02/06 01/03/06
Mountjoy House 02/03/06 03/0306
Seddon House 06/03/06 07/03/06
Lauderdale Tower 08/03/06 15/03/06
Thomas More House 16/03/06 21/03/06
Ben Jonson House 22/03/06 27/03/06
Breton House 28/03/06 29/03/06
John Trundle Court 30/03/06 31/03/06
Bunyan Court 03/04/06 04/04/06
Bryer Court 05/04/06 05/04/06
Defoe House 06/04/06 11/04/06
Mountjoy House 12/04/06 13/04/06
All Residents please note:
Abseiling takes place every 12 weeks for the following:
Ben Johnson House, Breton House, John Trundle Court, Bunyan Court
and Bryer Court. The abseiling is completed one week prior to the window
cleaner’s normal schedule, starting at Ben Johnson House on Friday 3
February 2006.
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BE A GOOD NEIGHBOUR! We would like to give a gentle
reminder of the following:
• Before commencing any works or alterations to your flat, contact Sheila
Delaney, Leasehold Services Assistant at the Barbican Estate Office on
020 7029 3911
• Ensure that all works are carried out during the normal working week i.e.
between 09.00 and 17.00, Monday to Friday. Ensure that noisy works
such as drilling, are further restricted to between 10.00 and 16.00 and
please recommend that your contractors refrain from noisy work
between 12.00 and 14.00.
• Ensure that contractors clear all debris and rubbish away from the Estate
on a daily basis. Skips are not permitted on the estate unless prior
permission has been granted by the Estate Office. Permission will be
granted for a limited period of up to 1 day between 10.00 and 16.00.
• Contractors must ensure that the lift curtains are put up when using the
lift to transport equipment or furniture as it will help prevent scratching
and damage to the lift doors and interior. These are available from your
Car Park Attendant or Lobby Porter.
• Please remind your contractors to be careful when moving equipment or
furniture within the lifts and stairs as damage is being caused to floor
coverings and paintwork. Any damage will be recharged to residents as
it is their responsibility to ensure contractors are aware of procedures.
• Do not install wooden flooring, as this is prohibited in the lease because
of potential noise disturbance. It also reduces the effectiveness of the
under floor heating.
• Household Items Removals - If residents have any bulky rubbish or
household items they wish to be disposed of, please contact the City of
London’s Cleansing Department on 020 7606 3110 Ext: 2241 and by
giving 5 days notice items will be removed from outside your flat on
Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please have your bulky rubbish and
household items at your front door ready for collection as the Cleansing
Department and the Estate Services Cleaning teams cannot enter your
flat to dismantle or unplug electrical items.
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• Washing machines, dishwashers, fridges and freezers must be emptied
and dried out before being removed from flats to ensure water does not
leak from these items during removal.
• Residents can, if they wish, take their bulky household items to any one
of the collection points around the estate at the following locations, Car
Parks: (next to the compactor skips only) Andrewes House, Thomas
More House, Bunyan Court or the Garchey Bay in Beech Street.
• If residents require a quicker service than offered by Cleansing, please
contact the Barbican Estate Services team on 020 7029 3955 – there is
a charge for this service e.g. £25.00 per load for an armchair or £75.00
for 3 loads i.e. a 3 piece suite.
• Do not make any noise that can be heard outside your flat.
• Refrain from using the Garchey between 23.00 and 07.00.
• Do not obstruct your balcony, the staircases or your lobby – they are all
fire exits.
• Do not bring pets to the Barbican.
• Please place your rubbish bags out for collection every Monday to
Friday in the morning before 08.15 or 07.00 for Lauderdale and
Cromwell Towers, as there is only one rubbish collection per day. Do
not leave rubbish bags out in corridors at any other times, especially
overnight or at weekends.
• Rubbish Bags can be placed in your flat locker (if you have one) or can
be taken to the nearest bin compound, see your Car Park Attendant /
Lobby Porter for directions.
• If you need to dispose of rubbish at the weekends or on Bank Holidays,
please take it to your bin compound
• Please wrap any broken glass up securely before placing in the rubbish
bag. We would be obliged if you could label the bag, so that cleaners are
aware of the broken glass in the bag.
• Orange plastic bags are to be used for recycling only. Black plastic bags
are for wet waste if you do not have a Garchey.
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• At weekends or out of office hours contact your Car Park Attendant or
Lobby Porter for extra rubbish or recycling bags.
• Do not discard leaves, flowers, and twigs etc which have been dead
headed over balconies. Please collect them in a plastic bag & put the
bag in your refuse sack.
• Do not leave rubbish in baggage stores such as, wood, cardboard
boxes, broken furniture or bags of old clothes.
• Do not leave shopping trolleys on stairwells, balconies, lobbies or in car
parks.
• The person you politely hold the door open for could be about to break
into somebody’s home; maybe yours! You may find it discourteous to
have the door closed in front of you, but it could be saving somebody’s
possessions from being stolen.
• Please keep any window box, plant, tub or terrace garden in the
premises in a proper state of cultivation.
Contact Sheila Delaney, Leasehold Services, 020 7029 3911
Payments
All payments over the counter (rents/service charges/temporary car
parking etc) should be made to:
Bank Lloyds TSB Bank PLC
Sort code 30 00 00
COL income account No 1 00312592
Please quote both account number and invoice number.
Please note also, that in line with our recent change of name, cheques
should now be made payable to ‘City of London’.
Contact: Sally Waters, Revenues Division, 020 7029 3910
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Repairs Reporting
You can report repairs using the following methods:
• By telephone to a repairs hotline on 020 7029 3909.
(This number is manned during normal office hours
(09.15 to 17.00) and for out of office hours – there is an answering phone service)
• By e-mail to barbicanrepairs@corpoflondon.gov.uk
The repair will be logged onto our repairs logging system and a copy of the
order sent to you. A copy of the order will contain details of the repair, an
expected completion date and a satisfaction survey which will enable us to
monitor our repairs performance.
Residents Consultation Committee
The Last meeting of the Committee took place on 12 December and was
attended by representatives of 14 blocks.
Revenue and Capital Budget
A joint report of the Chamberlain and the Director of Community and
Children’s Services on the Revenue and Capital Budgets 2005/06 7
2006/07 was discussed. It was suggested that in future, the report should
include guidance on the content of each budget area.
Monthly Direct Debits
Following a question at a previous Committee, a report was presented
regarding the possibility of implementing a monthly payment facility.
Members expressed disappointment that it was not possible to bill
residents on a monthly basis but noted that interim payments could be
made prior to the standing order demand.
Baggage Stores
A report updating the Committee on the management of baggage stores
was considered. A full report will be presented to the next meeting on 30
January which will inform the committee concerning the introduction of a
refundable key deposit for all new baggage store lettings with effect from 1
April 2006.
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Service Level Agreements and House Officers
Michael Bennett, Estate Services Manager informed the Committee that
the initial 6 week joint inspections had been completed and the programme
for the second round was being arranged. He also reported that posters of
the House Officers will be placed on noticeboards around the estate and
that the House Officers had been provided with a uniform to increase
visibility.
Comments are being sought from the Service Level Agreement Working
Parties for consideration at the next meeting.
Other Issues
A number of questions were raised concerning issues which fell under the
remit of the Department of Technical Services including the parking barrier
at St Giles Terrace and the escalator form Moorgate to podium level. It
was agreed a list of concerns would be produced for the Department of
Technical Services’ consideration. An officer from the department would
attend the next meeting to respond to the concerns raised.
Frobisher Crescent – a proposal concerning the potential conversion of
three floors to residential use is currently being considered through the
formal committee process. Further reports would be presented to the
Committee as the proposals are formalised.
Delivery of Notices – it was agreed that whenever possible, notices would
be sent to each resident if there was an interruption to services such as
water or electricity. The Committee was asked to note that officers may
only be notified a short time before such occurrences.
Routine Reports
A number of routine reports were presented including a list of future
reports, a Technical Division update, an Open Spaces update on the lakes
and gardens and a flat sales report.
The next meeting will take place at 6.30pm on 30 January 2005 in the
Guildhall West Wing.
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Alternative Formats - If you would like to receive (a summary) of this
publication in your language or in an alternative format such as large print,
Braille or audio tape, please contact Felix Chinehasha, Support Services,
020 7029 3991
Contact Details Barbican Estate Office
3 Lauderdale Place
Barbican
London
EC2Y 8EN
Barbican Estate Reception – 020 7029 3958 / 3959
(Open Monday to Friday, 08.30 to 17.00)
General Enquiries – 020 7029 3953 / 3991
(Office hours only – Monday to Friday, 09.15 to 17.00)
e:mail – barbican.estate@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Repairs Line – 020 7029 3909
e:mail –barbicanrepairs@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Web site - www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/beo
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Estate Services Revenues / Service Charges
For Security, Lobby/Car Park Attendant For general service charge account
staff & service issues, parcel deliveries- enquiries & Right to Buy –
Barry Ashton, Sally Waters, Revenue Collection
Car Park & Security Manager Officer, 020 7029 3910
020 7029 3920 Anne Mason
For temporary/permanent car parking Service Charge & Revenues Manager
issues including invoice queries – 020 7029 3912
020 7029 3953
For cleaning including window cleaning, Leasehold Services
staff, recycling/rubbish/furniture Reception, key permission, baggage
collection, window boxes, bird control – store allocations
Jackie Booty, Cleaning Manager Nicola Greenwood & Michael Bailey
020 7029 3965 Estate Officer Estate Officer
Service issues for Andrewes House, 020 7029 3959 020 7029 3958
Brandon Mews, Cromwell Tower, Gilbert Neighbour disputes, landlord’s
House, Speed House, and Willoughby permission for alterations
House. Sheila Delaney,
Helen Davinson, House Officer Leasehold Services Assistant
020 7029 3963 020 7029 3911
Service issues for Defoe House, Tenancy renewals, surrenders,
Lambert Jones Mews, Lauderdale registering sub tenants & general
Tower, Mountjoy House, Postern, enquiries
Seddon House, Thomas More House & Maureen Cole, Estate Officer
Wallside. 020 7029 3902
Sarah Styles, House Officer Commercial property, neighbour
020 7029 3962 disputes.
Service issues for Ben Jonson House, Mike Kettle,
Breton House, Bryer Court, Bunyan Leasehold Services Manager
Court, John Trundle Court, and 020 7029 3944
Shakespeare Tower.
Rebecca Marshall, House Officer Support Services
020 7029 3964 Business planning, personnel, Investors
Michael Bennett, Estate Services In People, complaints, newsletter
Manager, Sharon McLaughlin
020 7029 3923 Support Services Manager
020 7029 3915
General Enquiries (Not detailed above - Office hours only) 020 7029 3953
Repairs Reporting - 020 7029 3909
Technical Enquiries (Office hours only) 020 7332 3014
Car Parks and Lobbies (24 Hours)
Andrewes 020 7029 3928 M: 07785371175 Willoughby 03 020 7029 3930
Breton 020 7029 3938 M: 07785371832
Bunyan 020 7029 3940 M: 07917271579 Cromwell 020 7029 3924
Defoe 020 7029 3939 M: 07785372131 Lauderdale 020 7029 3929
Speed 020 7029 3925 M:.07747565582 Shakespeare 020 7029 3927
Thomas More 020 7029 3934 M: 07917271568
Willloughby 01 020 7029 3931 M: 07785372329
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