Listening to and Speaking up for Residents

I do hope that you got through the latest lockdown without too many problems. I know it is isn't easy and that too many families are worried about jobs and not having enough money, especially for food. The dark afternoons and evenings certainly do not help. Now that we are in Tier 2 with its restrictions about visiting others’ houses life is not easy. There is some relaxation of the restrictions over Christmas but I do urge you to keep safe. It would be very sad if we wasted all the efforts of the last 9 months just as a vaccine appears on the horizon. I shall be getting the vaccine as soon as I am offered it and I hope you will too.

I met a friend in the Thomas More gardens the other afternoon. Yes, it was cold and my fingers froze, but it was great to meet someone other than on Zoom. I definitely recommend it.

Barbican Centre – Britten Sinfonia

I also recommend the online Barbican events, in particular the recent Britten Sinfonia concert with Shabaka Hutchings on 18th November. Shabaka is an incredibly talented player of the clarinet, with a repertoire of jazz merged with classical music. He was accompanied by a small orchestra, all socially distanced. Unlike most musicians he was wearing a very colourful coat, this tall young man was a delight to see and listen to. His fingers seemed to move quicker than the speed of light. It was a magical evening. Please look out for further awe-inspiring events.

City of London social housing

As Deputy Chairman of the Housing Management Sub Committee with special responsibility for 2 estates in Islington, I had a meeting last week to discuss the social housing development on one of our estates in Islington. We are planning for approximately 100 new homes for families and others on the housing list. There will be 4 blocks carefully blended into our existing estate. The green open spaces will be retained and the current residents will not lose the views from their properties. In addition there will be a new community centre and management office plus extensive landscaping. We will be looking to phase out the use of fossil fuels with the resultant low energy bills for residents. I am delighted with this development as there are several other advantages: it allows new residents to join an existing community; there will be little demolition required; we can build to the highest climate energy standards; the existing estate will be enhanced and we do not have to purchase the land. We hope to get planning permission and start building later next year.

Policing

We all know we live in a very safe area but of course there is always room for improvement. The City of London Police has launched a new, enhanced neighbourhood policing model known as ‘Sector Policing’ which was explained to Cripplegate councillors by Chief Inspector Chris Hay. The City has been split into two ‘Sectors’, East and West. The Barbican and Golden Lane Cluster are in the West sector together with Bank Cluster and Fleet Cluster. There is a senior officer responsible for each Sector. We have 2 dedicated ward officers for our Cluster who will lead on the police response to, and management of, crime and disorder in that area. They will be our point of contact for visitors, residents and businesses. The aim is to provide continuity, putting the community first and allowing direct contact with officers who know their area.

Underfloor Heating Working Party

The working party is meeting on 10th December to review the seasonal load shifting trial where an extra 20 hours heating are provided in October compensated by a 20 hour reduction in January. So far, thanks to the hard work of our engineers, the trial has been successful. We wait to see the results for January. As promised we shall be looking at the issue of the ‘hard to heat flats’ i.e. those on corners, above the podium and at the top of the buildings.

Lord Lisvane and the Barbican Residential Committee

The Corporation continues to hold briefing and consultative sessions for councillors on various parts of the Lisvane report. The report, commissioned by the City of London Corporation, looked at the governance of the City. Some of the proposals are, I am sure, controversial. In particular there is a recommendation to abolish the Barbican Residential Committee. Lord Lisvane regards this committee’s task as entirely one of management, He writes ‘ I cannot see why it should exist as a Corporation Committee. So far as the interests of the Corporation are concerned, that function can be dealt with by Officers. So far as the internal arrangements are concerned, those can surely be made by residents themselves.’

In respect of consulting and engaging with residents, he suggests we include all residents, not simply those of the Barbican. I’m sure this will produce a lively discussion with strong views expressed. I would welcome your thoughts.

Lord Lisvane and Licensing Committee

I sit on the Licensing Committee which deals with all the applications by licensees in respect of their premises in the City of London. This is a statutory committee. Licensing was transferred from magistrates’ courts to local authorities in 2003. As a magistrate in Oxford I was Chair of the Licensing Committee.

Lord Lisvane writes ‘I have no recommendation to make in respect of the Committee’s terms of reference but, as with the planning process, it is essential that Members representing affected Wards are taken entirely out of the decision-making process, if necessary by the use of ad hoc panels.’

It is our usual practice to appoint ad hoc panels which exclude members from dealing with applications in their ward. Neither do we sit on applications for premises which are close to our ward as it may be thought we have an interest. I therefore did not sit on the applications from Daisy Green, the restaurant/bar by London Wall. I can of course, as a resident make representation to the panel dealing with the matter and I did.

Finally, I wish you a merry Christmas and hope that 2021 is a much better year for us all. Please keep safe.

Mary Durcan
Common Councillor
Cripplegate Ward
City of London Corporation
(This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Tel: 02073746599 or 07966505643
December 2020