|
RVRA |
|
Keeping You Informed |
|
December News 2007 |
|
December 2007
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ALL OF THE RVRA TEAM
For further information on the Rowner Renewal Programme please click here.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT “CHRISTMAS IN THE SQUARE” WILL BE ON FRIDAY 14TH DECEMBER 2007 ON THE PRECINCT
Second ‘Report Back Presentation’ at Siskin Junior School Friday 14th December 2007 at 2.15pm at The Youthy
16th December 2007
RVRA would like to inform residents that this years ‘Christmas in the Square’ was a success again despite a few minor hiccups, even members of the RRP enjoyed participating. RVRA would like to congratulate Debbie of Rowner Access for all her hard work and efforts and thanks all other agencies involved.
14th December 2007
Since the publishing of our article of 10th December 2007, we have been contacted by Michael Baker-Harber who claims that the Service Charge Debt amount printed is “absolute rubbish” and asked where our figures came from. We have since explained that our figures came from Labyrinth Properties Ltd (Managing Agent) and after speaking with others we are not the only residents who have been quoted this figure.
We have requested the correct figure and await his response. It makes you wonder what is going on!
10th December 2007
We have been informed that the 2008 Budget is available although the publishing of it would have been preferred to be delayed until the Service Charge Demand was ready for issuing to residents. We were not in agreement. We feel that residents should be informed as soon as possible, so below you will find the Proposed Budget for 2008 which has already been passed to the other ‘group’.
Each resident will soon be sent the Proposed Budget along with the Service Charge Demand by Labyrinth Properties Ltd. It would, however, be helpful if residents were also issued with the Accounts for 2005 and 2006! Let’s hope these are issued too.
We would also like to inform residents of the shocking news that as of last week, the Service Charge fund is now over £2 million in debt. This is a very worrying situation for those residents who have paid Service Charge up to date for works which will now not take place.
It has been confirmed by the RRP that the responsibility for past Service Charge income and historic expenditures lies with the current Landlord and the Leaseholders. Although it is assumed that Service Charge payments will balance out with what is owed to residents, this still needs confirmation. We would like to make it clear that RVRA did not participate in, nor agree with 2008 Budget.
10th December 2007
Those residents who have been unable to attend the RRP presentation and are unable to attend the next one to be held on 14th December have requested information with regards to questions and answers appertaining to The Village, please find below a selection of questions from the booklet.
Management Of The Village and Service Charges Questions
Any further questions appertaining to the RRP can be discussed by contacting RVRA in the usual manner.
5th December 2007
We have received a number of enquiries regarding the Service Charges for 2008. We have been informed that Labyrinth Properties are still waiting instructions from the Freeholders with regards to the 2008 budget and how the Service Charges are approached following the decision by the Lands Tribunal.
As soon as we have the budget for next year, we will of course publish it on this web site.
5th December 2007
Residents should now have received the ‘Rowner Reassurance’ booklet (questions and answers). This booklet was made up of questions from residents all over Rower. If, however, you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the RRP and they will be happy to assist.
5th December 2007
Last night the Rowner Renewal Project Team held their ‘Report Back Presentation’ at Siskin Junior School. They informed residents of the outcome of the ‘Renewing Rowner Bringing It All Together Community Design Weekend.
Residents of Rowner were informed of the issues that were discussed and draft artists impressions/illustrations were available to view.
A second Feedback Session has been arranged for Friday 14th December 2007 at 2.15pm at The Youthy. Here residents will have the opportunity to be involved in the Report Back Presentation if you were unable to make last night’s presentation.
If you would like to discuss anything further, please contact RVRA in the usual manner. |
|
QUESTIONS
|
ANSWERS |
|
When do you expect to purchase the Freehold for both the Rowner Estates and Caseacre? |
Within the operating period of the Option Agreement—i.e. prior to 13th July 2010. |
|
Is there any possibility that the Freeholder will refuse you and offer the Freehold to another Company? |
Not while the Option Agreement is in place. |
|
If the RRP does get the Freehold, will the RRP control the Village site instead of Labyrinth Properties? |
Labyrinth Properties Ltd do not at present control the Village site—the Freeholders for this site are Rowner Estates and Caseacre—Labyrinth Properties Ltd are the Management Company employed by the Freeholders to manage the site. When the RRP takes control of the Freehold they will ensure that Labyrinth or another professional organisation is in place to manage the site. |
|
Is the Regeneration Project a rock solid venture or do we as residents have the possibility of another company taking over the estate? |
With the backing of a major private developer and local and national government support, backed by the use of compulsory purchase powers, the partners in the RRP are fully confident that they have the resources and expertise to complete the project. |
|
If PHA on behalf of the RRP gains the majority of properties in the Village in the ensuing period, can PHA confirm that there will be no turnaround mid stream of the programme by undertaking refurbishment of flats in their possession and then selling them off at a profit? |
The RRP have already stated that they do not believe refurbishment is a viable alternative and there has been no further information received by the RRP to make them change this view. |
|
Should the Service Charges continue to be paid? |
Yes until the properties are sold. |
|
When will the Compulsory Purchase Order be used? What are the terms? |
Gosport Borough Council’s aim is not to use CPO powers unless absolutely necessary to enable the project to proceed. If it is needed we anticipate this would start following the granting of planning permission in the Spring of 2008. |
|
If things do go to plan and PHA assumes overall control, what will happen to Service Charge payments by the residents towards the upkeep of the estate and for major repair tasks not undertaken during the time span 2003-2007? How will residents recover this money? |
The responsibility for past Service Charge income and historic expenditures lies with the current Landlord and the Leaseholders. PHA will not assume overall control until it purchases the Freehold. |
|
Proposed Service Charge Budget 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lighting and Electrical |
£10,000.00 |
|
Day to Day Repairs |
£20,000.00 |
|
Security |
£115,000.00 |
|
Landscaping/Cleaning |
£60,000.00 |
|
Management Fee |
£54,000.00 |
|
Insurance |
£130,000.00 |
|
Accountancy |
£3,500.00 |
|
Rubbish Removal |
£6,500.00 |
|
Sundries |
£1,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
£400,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
Reserve |
£0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Global |
£400,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
Landlord’s proportion @ 5% (Instead of 13.7% due to the Land’s Tribunal Appeal Decision ?) |
|
|
|
|
|
Residential proportion |
|
|
|
|