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Noisy neighbours. The summer sunshine brings crowds of people outside to enjoy the atmosphere and relax after a busy day. Evening and night time noise can cause a disturbance to others and especially to residents and businesses working late.  The City has a Noise Strategy and a keen ear to pick up complaints.  The Public Protection Team can be contacted 24/7 on 020 7606 3030.  This number should be used for noise happening at the time and officers will usually respond swiftly. If the noise is happening and a visit is needed then the officers aim to visit the site within 75 minutes. This is a 24 hour service and so someone will attend at all times. Many complaints about party noise or noisy premises are usually dealt with informally on the spot and resolved immediately. Some complaints might be on-going and so it is important for anyone affected to keep a log or photos and so create an evidential record that can be acted upon. I should warn that formal action about noise can only be taken if a competent officer of the City is present and hears the noise. However informal action can be taken on third party complaints.  
Over the last few weeks there have been complaints in Dowgate Ward of which I am aware, about parties on roof terraces as well as late bars.  Most business premises will have licensing restrictions or even planning obligations about the timing of entertainment (music,  lights and noise). This can all be checked and a visit or meeting and reminder have worked the trick to sort these issues out in the last few weeks. 
 
Illuminated River  The River walkway in Dowgate has been crowded with construction work over the last few months in connection with the Illuminated River scheme to light London's bridges. The scheme conceived by the Illuminated River Foundation and designed by artist Leo Villareal and the architectural practice Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands was unveiled in the City of London on the evening of 17 July.  The whole scheme will light all 15 of London's bridges with an imaginative and beautiful pallet of colours and patterns. Viewed from the River it is tremendous but the River walk will be enhanced by these views and this will draw many to the City to see these bridges in a new (colourful) light. Already a busy night-time City this public art commission will change our view of the River and the dynamism of London. See the website for more information and go visit. https://illuminatedriver.london/legacy

A college reunion can be a mixed affair. There are easy cliches, fearing comparison of one’s career or circumstances post graduation.  My return to Van Mildert College did not focus on these worries but rather marvelled at the achievements of the current students and academic staff.  

At the University of Durham, the Van Mildert College motto is “Sic vis non vobis”. A rather obscure quote from Virgil which can be translated as “not for ourselves”.  Virgil uses the line to say that oxen sheep birds and bees all labour for the benefit of others and so should we.  Bishop Van Mildert, who founded the University, and after whom the College is named was found with this fragment of Latin text in his papers at his death struggling, maybe, to make sense of its meaning. Students at Van Mildert have used this motto as an inspiration to build an impressive programme of  outreach that existed even in my days as an undergraduate. Now the work is so extensive that in 2017 Van Mildert won the University, regional and national Green Gown Awards www.greengownawards.org  and was a finalist in the international competition.  The current programmes include work in six areas. These include work with young people of 14/15 from local schools in disadvantaged areas, helping them build confidence and skills. This culminates  in four days residential  in the College giving them a taste of University life. There is also a project with primary children acting as teaching assistants and giving extra help to those struggling and those high flyers needing stretching. 
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Some students visit elderly people in the locality providing friendship and company. Students also visit the Aycliffe Secure Centre where youngsters are mentored in difficult circumstances where they are detained for their safety or for public safety. Finally there is an environmental project which works with local conservation groups and works to do projects around tree planting  litter picking and the like.  The motto or its English translation appears on many doors and posters in the College building a community of selfless giving and outreach to the people in the locality and further afield.  
Surely this is education at its best, encouraging a wider engagement and experience of life outside of the usual hothouse of  College and University life. I did not look back with rose tinted glasses at my experience but embraced the future in the hands of these outstanding young people.  
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The main focus for many businesses in Dowgate Ward are the works to replace the gas mains that have dug up the whole of Cannon Street. Working has been taking place since April and whilst a December end date was originally expected it is likely that this will end sooner in September/October.  Cadent are the operators doing the work. For many the works are really disturbing and an interference with their business.  It is possible to get a reduction in the rateable value if the overall quality of the building and/or the surrounding areas has degenerated. A request can be made to the Valuation Office for them to consider reducing the rateable value of the building. This can be done on a temporary or permanent basis. An appeal can be submitted through the following link https://www.gov.uk/correct-your-business-rates.  A reduction in rateable value will result in a reduction in the business rate bill.

Applications can also be made for possible compensation from Cadent https://cadentgas.com/help-advice/frequently-asked-questions . Cadent's helpline might be useful  for an update on 0800 389 8261.  There is another 24 hour helpline on 0800 151 2404.  Photo of gasworks in Cannon Street