RVRA

Keeping You Informed

July News 2006

July 2006

 

28th July 2006

 

Today members of RVRA attended a meeting with Karen Gray, Property Manager for Labyrinth Properties Ltd.  Also in attendance were SuZan Veale of White Mid Sloan, Sandra Burt and Andrew Dodds.

 

The meeting was primarily intended to discuss the proposed Service Charge Budget for 2007.

 

To begin with, Karen confirmed that Labyrinth Properties received yesterday confirmation that The Village would now not be demolished and redeveloped and therefore intentions to carry out works contained within the Johnson Report would now continue.  Government has ruled that there is insufficient money to carry out such redevelopment.

 

A copy of the proposed budget was as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karen explained that due to various reasons, lessees were not paying their service charge and as of Monday there will only be £14,600.00 left in the bank.

 

With the renewal of insurance due the first instalment will be £12,250.00, leaving only £2,441.92 in the bank.

 

The weekly Security cost is just under £2k, the cleaning contractors are due £20k, Labyrinth are due £20k and others are due £5.5k.

 

Karen explained that non paying lessees being taken to court could take up to 9 - 12 months if the property is on a mortgage.  If the property is not on a mortgage, which 85% of the debtors are, it could take longer.

 

Caseacre apparently are up to date with their arrears.

 

Darwin Roof Overlay

 

It was argued by all affected parties that the cost for the Darwin Roof Overlay is a duplication and should be removed from the budget.

 

5% Inflation

 

It was also argued that the 5% added to items inclusive of the Johnson Report should be removed as the costs contained in the Johnson Report had already provided for inflation.

 

Re-asphalting Walkways

 

Retained in budget minus 5% inflation - In revised Budget £18,700.00

 

Stairs Cladding etc

 

Retained in budget minus 5% inflation - In revised Budget £2,500.00

 

External Decoration

 

Retained in budget minus 5% inflation - In revised Budget £37,200.00

 

Associated Repairs

 

Removed

 

Trunking and Fan

 

Duplication and therefore removal was requested

 

Lift Maintenance

 

Removed

 

Engineering Insurance

 

Removed until lifts are installed

 

Lighting and Electrical

 

Retained in budget minus 5% inflation - In revised Budget £2,000.00

 

Lighting Conductor Upgrade

 

Retained due to Health and Safety Requirements

 

Day to Day Repairs

 

Retained on the condition day to day repairs are - In revised Budget £30,000.00

undertaken by the Managing Agent

 

Security

 

Retained.  Labyrinth explain that they have invited 9 companies to tender, but were only in receipt of 2, both of similar expense but with added options.

 

Landscaping/Cleaning

 

These items were split as new contracts are requested for items separately.

 

Management

 

To be reduced to LVT recommendations of £150.00 per unit + VAT.  All parties i.e. VRA, RVRA and SuZan Veale agreed that the cost for the on site Manager should be inclusive if indeed we need one at all.

 

Asbestos Removal

 

Reduced in accordance with the Johnson Report

 

Insurance

 

Retained.  Questions raised due to insurance cover from 12 months to 10 months on policy for 2005/2006.

 

Bin Chute Repairs

 

Removed due to having paid £25k in 2004

 

Refrigerator Removal

 

Removed pending further investigations

 

Accountancy

 

Retained.  Accounts were again requested for 2005, but yet are still not available

 

Extras

 

It was also argued that £1.5k should be added to the Budget as per the Johnson Report for Lawrence Walk Roof Overlay, £2k for Livingstone Court Roof and £50k for Cladding, Window and Door Repairs.

 

Conclusion

 

It was agreed by all parties and Labyrinth Properties that a revised budged would be produced and discussions on this budget would take place in a meeting in September 2006.

 

We all agreed with suggestions that Labyrinth Properties Ltd should make all efforts to hold an open meeting of residents before any firm decisions are made on the revised 2007 Service Charge budget.

 

RVRA now urge all lessees to who are in arrears with their Service Charge to now pay either in full or by equal monthly contributions.  By not doing so, leaves those residents who have paid their Service Charge severely aggrieved by being unable to gain the full services for which they have paid.

 

Anyone wishing discuss the matter further, please contact any RVRA Team Member in the usual manner.

 

22nd July 06

 

Today RVRA have received confirmation that the application to erect 9 x 300mm Transmission Dishes and Ancillary Equipment on the roof of Livingstone Court has unfortunately been successful.

 

Below you will find an extract of their confirmation letter.

 

“I refer to your recent petition expressing your views in respect of the above planning consultation.

 

The proposal was considered during the last meeting of the Borough Council’s Regulatory Board at which time your letter, together with those of other local residents, was reported to the members.  Following a discussion of the relevant planning issues it was determined to grant planning permission for the additional dishes.  In this case, the Board considered the visual implications of the mast on the local neighbourhood and found that on balance the proposal was not unacceptable.

 

I thank you for having expressed your interest in the proposal and for giving the Local Planning Authority an opportunity to include those material planning matters in its formal determination of the development scheme.”

 

If anyone wishes to discuss the matter further, please contact RVRA in the usual manner.  Thank you.

 

12th July 06

 

Today RVRA have received a reply to our correspondence to Gosport Borough Council with regards to the installation of Transmission Dishes and Ancillary Equipment on Livingstone Court Roof.

 

They confirm that the application will be considered by the Council’s Regulatory Board on 18th July 2006.

 

The meeting is open to the public and starts at 6pm.  Should residents wish to make a formal deputation, please contact Joe Martin in the Democratic Services department on 02392 545651.

 

Applications to make a formal deputation must be returned to Democratic Services by 12 noon on the Friday before the Regulatory Board.

 

4th July 06

 

Members of RVRA had been invited to attend a meeting with Labyrinth Properties Ltd on 5th July 06, to discuss the proposed 2007 Service Charge budget which would include the current Security cover and Cleaning contract.

 

We were also requested to obtain views from residents and for these views to be discussed at this meeting.

 

We have since been advised that this meeting has now been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances and rescheduled for Friday 28th July 06.

 

LPL have advised that a proposed budget will be circulated prior to the meeting but say that it is imperative that they receive acceptance of the budget by the middle of August as there will be no money to pay the insurance or other items.

 

Apparently the financial situation is now critical in that 70.2% have not paid the current Service Charge, 22 have paid in full and there are 68 who are paying by standing order.

 

If any resident has any views they wish to be put forward to LPL, please do not hesitate to contact RVRA by phone or email (set out in our contacts page) and we will be happy to advise LPL accordingly.