RVRA

Keeping You Informed

October News 2006

October 2006

 

26th October 06

 

We have been advised that the services of the on site Security Company, Independent Estate Security Ltd will be dispensed with as of 6pm Monday 30th October 06.  This decision was taken for a number of reasons.  Labyrinth Properties Ltd however have instructed a new Security Company, M.Q.D. Securities Ltd who will commence their duties from 6pm Monday 30th October 06.

 

The new Security Contact telephone number is 07794 603749.  This should now have been issued to all residents by M.Q.D. Securities Ltd in time for their commencement, if you have not received your official letter and contact cards please use the number above to contact them directly.

 

After discussions with Karen Gray of Labyrinth Properties Ltd, we have been advised that it has been agreed to remove the 5% Indexed Link charge added to various items on the 2007 budget.  Labyrinth Properties Ltd will in due course inform all residents about the 2007 by letter.

 

In the meantime, RVRA would like to inform residents that the Service Charge for 2007 attached to the Proposed Budget should be as follows:

 

Global Service Charge

 

3 Bedroom Property     £1,846.99

2 Bedroom Property     £1,595.66

 

12th October 06

 

Tonight there was a Community Police meeting held at Siskin Junior School.

 

Present were:

 

Inspector Kevin Cuffe

Sgt Gavin Steele

PC Gary Boud

CSO

Nina Champion Grange Ward Councillor

 

Inspector Cuffe introduced himself and colleagues and thanked everyone for attending.

 

PC Boud said that the crime rate for Rowner is not any higher than in other areas of Gosport, but there has been a spate of moped thefts.  PC Boud encouraged everyone with mopeds to ensure that they leave them secure whilst unattended.  Arrests are being made.

 

The Rowner BMX site is still causing some issues but the Police are working with other agencies to alleviate this.

 

The Rowner Recreation Centre is still an issue.  Since it’s closure it has run into disrepair and is the centre of vandalism.  There is still no word on what the future holds for this building.

 

Operation CREW (Crime Reduction Environment Week) continues to be a success.  This happens once a month on a certain area.  Recently this took place in Exeter Court where the Police, Council and other agencies get together.  The Council removed graffiti and had a major clean up of the area.  There were also Fire checks and truancy sweeps etc.

 

Operation MAZDA also has been taking place.  Day 1 was Environmental Day clearing abandoned and untaxed vehicles.

 

Day 2 targeted vehicles which were being driven without tax etc.  This took place in the Grange car park thanks to Labyrinth Properties Ltd.  There were 30 offenders some were arrested with the vehicles being seized.

 

Other subjects were discussed i.e. Policing Panel  and projects such as the Junior Warden Scheme.

 

Residents were informed that the area with be receiving 4 extra Community Policing Officers with 5 Police Community Support Officers.  This is good news for the area to deter many criminals committing offences in the area. 

 

11th October 06

 

Tonight there was a VRA meeting held at the Nimrod Community Centre.

 

In attendance were:

 

SuZan Veale                   VRA Chairman

Mark Latham                   VRA Vice Chairman

Graham Snape                VRA Secretary

 

17 other attendees.

 

SuZan began by introducing the above Committee Officers.  Mr Ruscoe voiced his opinion by saying that the meeting notice did not give residents sufficient notice of the meeting.  The Committee apologised.

 

SuZan Veale said that the Committee intended to change the Constitution of the VRA.  Mr Ruscoe corrected SuZan by asking if they “proposed” to change the Constitution? The Committee agreed.

 

SuZan explained that the minutes of the last VRA meeting had been produced by the outgoing VRA Committee and placed on the web site, but she was in possession of a copy and this would be made available for anyone wishing to peruse it.

 

She went on to say that when the new Committee were voted in, it amounted to only 6 and since then 1 member had resigned leaving 5 members so she would like to vote in an extra 5 nominees who were:

 

Trisha Graystoke of Darwin Way

Val Lawes of Lawrence Walk

 ????   ??? of Livingstone Court

D Veal of Livingstone Court

Martin Walsh of ?

 

SuZan then said that the Committee wish to change the Constitution to say that all Committee Members will be up to date with their Service Charge.

 

SuZan then spoke of the RVRA.  She said that due to their vast history knowledge of the estate and experience being the VRSG and the VRA, she would like to work closely with the RVRA Team Members.  The RVRA Members agreed.  The floor was informed that contrary to popular belief none of the RVRA Team Members were “in the pockets of the Landlord”, “getting their Service Charge paid”, “getting their mortgage paid”, or “getting paid to say what they say by Labyrinth”.  SuZan informed the floor that in fact the RVRA Team Members really do fight for the rights of the residents, however the discussions that take place between the VRA, the RVRA and Labyrinth Properties are actually carried out in a civilized way. 

 

Mark said that the Landlord required that the Residents Association need to have formal recognition via LVT.

 

A member of the floor said that they were unsatisfied with paying the annual Service Charge and being unable to get the services paid for.

 

The Committee said that this was the fault of the residents as many of them have not paid.  RVRA’s George Fernie informed the floor that the arrears now stand at over £500k and that is the reason no services apart from the cleaning, insurance and security are being provided.

 

RVRA’s Veronica Jessop informed the floor that there had been discussions on the proposed 2007 budget but the information given to residents regarding the agreement of the proposed budget by Andrew Dodds (old VRA Vice Chairman) was in fact incorrect.  The proposed 2007 budget had not been agreed at the meeting with Labyrinth on July 28th 06, we merely discarded what we thought should be discarded, but having read the Johnson Report and the LVT Determination of 2005, further discussions were required.  This has now been undertaken at our meeting with Labyrinth on Friday October 06.  NOTES OF WHICH ARE BELOW.

 

Unfortunately the new VRA Committee had no time to discuss the proposed 2007 budget due to running over time.  Maybe a further meeting will be arranged.

 

RVRA can inform residents that a regular VRA Newsletter is to be circulated with input from the VRA, RVRA and Labyrinth Properties Ltd.

 

If anyone has any questions or comments they would like to discuss with us, please contact us in the usual manner.

 

6th October 06

 

Below you will find notes taken at the latest meeting that RVRA and the new VRA attended with Labyrinth Properties Ltd.

 

In attendance were:

 

Mrs Karen Gray                            Labyrinth Properties Ltd

Mr George Fernie                        RVRA

Mrs Veronica Jessop                   RVRA

Mr Graham Snape                       VRA

Mrs SuZan Veale                         VRA Chairman

Mr Mark Latham                          VRA Vice Chairman

 

The meeting commenced at 10.38.

 

SuZan introduced herself as the new VRA Chairman and her colleagues to Karen Gray and the RVRA Team Members present.

 

Karen informed us all that LPL intended to apply to LVT for a decision on the reasonableness of the 2007 Service Charge which will enable Labyrinth to gather Service Charges from those lessees who have chosen not to pay.  She also said that she would hope that this would be with the agreement of the VRA and the residents.

 

SuZan explained that the new Committee  had changed the Association Constitution to ensure that all the Committee Members were up to date with their Service Charge.

 

Karen explained that the new Committee would be required to apply to the LVT for a recognition certificate as the Landlord does not recognise the VRA.

 

As there were some confusion to the situation, it was pointed out that Mr Long (LVT Chairman) made a direction to the ‘old’ VRA Committee in 2005.  Mr Long said that he was not willing to award a recognition certificate at that time as he felt that the Constitution was undemocratic.  He advised that the Committee change the Constitution and ‘work together’ with the RVRA on a united front and return to LVT by April 2006.  This unfortunately was not undertaken and therefore the VRA Committee as it stood remained unrecognised by the Managing Agent, the Landlord and the LVT.

 

Karen informed us all that the Service Charge arrears are healthier standing at £525,000.00 and that the creditors are now being paid on time.

 

She went on to say that the accounts for 2005 are still being audited.

 

Karen said that LPL placed their Appeal to the Lands Tribunal on 28th April 06.  The appeal is due to the decision the LVT took regarding the payment of Service Charges.  They agreed that the Service Charge demand should be sent out to lessees by 1st January each year, but they directed that payment should be made by 31st December each year, which leaves the Managing Agent being unable to ’legally’ pursue non payers until the following year.

 

We were also advised that Mr Munch has also placed an appeal against LPL’s appeal.  He allegedly has been given until this month to make his case.

 

Karen advised that she will be attending the Rowner Vision Meeting which will be held on 15th November 06 at 6.15pm.  This will be held now in the Community Centre.

 

On the subject of Insurance, we were advised that the Insurance excess is now down from £25,000.00 to £10,000.00.

 

There is around £18,500.00 being paid into the Service Charge fund each month by Direct Debit/Standing Orders and the insurance payment each month is £11,000.00.

 

Now on to the subject of the Proposed 2007 Budget.

 

The items which we previously reported on in July are either inclusive of 3% Inflation or 5% Indexed Linked which was a directive of LVT.

 

RVRA Team Members passed documentation on to Karen with regards to the responsibility of the removal of the ‘white goods’.  This information was from White House Services.

 

Items on the budget which was agreed to remove are as follows:

 

Darwin Roof Overlay, Associated Repairs, Trunking and Fanning Replacement, Engineering Insurance, Bin Chute Repairs and Refrigerator Removal.

 

The next subject which was discussed at length was Security.  Karen informed us that the Security Contract with Independent Estate Security Ltd will not be renewed for a number of reasons, one of which was the vast amount of complaints Labyrinth have received.  Karen explained that LPL intend to contract a new and fresh company.

 

SuZan said that she had heard a rumour that Dave Foster was starting a new company and coming back to the Village to contract for electrics and lighting.  Karen dismissed this rumour completely.

 

SuZan, Mark and Graham enquired as to whether all or some of the RVRA Team Members would like to join the VRA Committee.  After serious consideration and with all due respect to all VRA Committee Members, RVRA Team Members declined although both groups have agreed to work democratically together with LPL in the attempt to bring the Village back to a better place to live for all residents.

 

SuZan informed us all that the VRA intend to hold an E.G.M. on Wednesday 11th October 2006.

 

Mark said that the VRA intend to issue newsletters and enquired as to whether LPL and RVRA would like to be part of this.  All parties accepted.

 

RVRA would like to congratulate the incoming VRA Committee on their elections and wish them luck for the future.