VRA- Newsletter
Village Residents Association
April 2007
Dear Residents, Leaseholders & Landlords,
Thank you for the overwhelming response to our last newsletter which has now prompted this further letter to deal with the issues raised by many of you ~ the Management of the Village Rowner and the purchase of the Freehold collectively by the leaseholders.
MANAGEMENT
Between 2002 and 2005 there were various LVT applications/hearings relating to several matters including the service charges and many miscellaneous matters, one of which was the management of the development. Labyrinth Properties Limited was appointed. From the feedback received from you it is apparent that you are not happy with their management. Therefore, as acknowledged by Mr N Faulkner of Labyrinth at the last LVT hearing
“if the leaseholders want to choose their own destiny”…….they could exercise the RIGHT TO MANAGE contained in the Commonhold & Leasehold Reform Act 2002 provided that they could assemble the requisite majority”.
Do you want to remove Labyrinth as managing agents?
Do you want to exercise your “RIGHT TO MANAGE”?
The minimum number of leaseholders/qualifying tenants required in order to exercise the “RIGHT TO MANAGE” is as follows:
· Hilary Court 16
· Lawrence Walk 46
· Livingstone Court 40
· Raleigh Walk 11
· Darwin Way 39
The process is quite simple. The landlord's consent is not required, nor is any order of court. There is no need to prove mismanagement. The right is yours.
The right is exercised by the service of a formal notice on the landlord. After the set period of time, the management transfers to the right to manage company (RTM). This will be set up by the leaseholders.
The first step is for you to let us know if you want to exercise your “RIGHT TO MANAGE” by completing the attached form, if there are the requisite number leaseholders to qualify we will then set up the RTM company and issue every leaseholder with a Notice of Invitation to Participate in Right to Manage.
PURCHASE OF FREEHOLD ~ (Right to Enfranchise)
Under the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you have the right enforce the sale of the freehold of the building, to the nominee purchaser of a group of leaseholders. The nominee purchaser can be a corporate person, a trust or a company formed by the leaseholders for the purpose and, on completion, will be responsible for the management of the building.
The minimum number of leaseholders/qualifying tenants required in order to PURCHASE THE FREEHOLD as follows:
· Hilary Court 16
· Lawrence Walk 46
· Livingstone Court 40
· Raleigh Walk 11
· Darwin Way 39
Once we establish that there are enough qualifying leaseholders for a successful action we will provide you with a Freehold Information Pack setting out all the relevant details, procedures and requirements.
The advantages of owning a share in the freehold is that there is no landlord or managing agent to answer to and a share of the freehold can boost the value of your property.
The first step is for you to let us know if you want to PURCHASE THE FREEHOLD ~ and exercise your Right to Enfranchise by completing the attached form.
Please send or hand the forms to: VRA representative for your Building as follows:
37 Hilary Court – Dr Ken James
16 Lawrence Walk – Mrs Val Lawes
65 Livingstone Court – Miss SuZan Veale
18 Raleigh Walk – Mr Graham Snape
44 Darwin Way – Ms Tricia Gravestock
We will soon be taking surveys of your views with regard to the services and repairs required at The Village and would be pleased to hear from you with regard to any concerns you might have with regard to any matters in relation to The Village.
Let’s work on getting the roofs repaired/renewed, the lifts reinstated and the whole of our Village Rowner Community pulling together in the same direction.
FORM OF AUTHORITY – RIGHT TO MANAGE
The Village Rowner
Village Residents Association (VRA)
I/We………………………………………………………………………..the Leaseholder of Flat No ……………………….Darwin Way, Raleigh Walk, Livingstone Court, Lawrence Walk, Hilary Court, The Village Rowner, Nimrod Drive & Grange Road, Gosport Hampshire PO13 8A_, confirm I/we wish to exercise our RIGHT TO MANAGE under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002
I/We authorise the Village Residents Association to act and make representation on my/our behalf in the complying with all requirements in relation to exercising my RIGHT TO MANAGE.
Signed…………………………………
Signed…………………………………
Date: …………………………………
NOTE: If the flat is held in joint names – all parties should sign.
FREEHOLD PURCHASE OF THE VILLAGE ROWNER
NIMROD DRIVE/GRANGE ROAD, GOSPORT HAMPSHIRE
Letter of Authority
(1) I am the owner of Flat No…………in ……………………..The Village Rowner, Nimrod Drive/Grange Road, Gosport Hampshire.
(2) I agree to participate in the purchase of the freehold
I understand that:
(3) the purchase will proceed only if at least 50% of qualifying owners participate:
(4) the estimate final cost of the purchase will vary between (best case) £300.00 and (worst case) £710.00
****The worst case could only be applied if the buildings were put into perfect condition with all repairs carried out and the lifts reinstated prior to purchase of the freehold.
(5) I will be required to pay 10% of the purchase price on request; and
(6)
a. I will be required to pay the balance of the purchase costs on request; or
b. I will be required to pay the balance by equal monthly installments over 24/36 months
(7) I will lend my name to the acceptance notice, provided I am a qualifying owner
(8) I authorise the Village Residents Association Committee to appoint solicitors to progress the purchase
Name(s)…………………………………………………………………………………
Signature(s)……………………………………………………………………………..
Date:………………………………….
VRA- Newsletter
Village Residents Association
April 2007
Dear Residents, Leaseholders & Landlords,
Welcome to the 1st Spring VRA Newsletter - you will all have now seen your new committee’s first actions on your behalf - the new service charge we negotiated for you with the Freeholder and their Managing Agents for the year 2007 – for the first time, showing a substantial saving over previous years. With your support we will be able to agree further savings for you for the previous year, as always however; we work best with your input.
At this time the paramount word on everyone’s lips is “Regeneration”. There has been a lot of misinformation with regard to the Rowner Regeneration Partnership and newspaper sensationalising to make “good copy” regarding bulldozers and residents being forced to sell their homes against their wishes.
There are NO bulldozers waiting to knock down your home around you tomorrow or the next day. At a meeting immediately after the press release and newspaper articles on 20 March, it was confirmed that if the residents did not want anything to happen to their homes then it would NOT happen.
John Butler of Portsmouth Housing Association could not confirm what part of Rowner they were referring to for regeneration, The Village Rowner is less than half of the total area of Rowner but he did confirm that at this time there were:
· No formal plans
· No legal agreements
· No funds agreed
· Works won’t necessarily be carried in The Village
Michael Lane of Hampshire County Council confirmed the only thing he could say at this time was “here is a partnership” “The Rowner Renewal Partnership” (RRP) consisting of the following bodies:
· The National Regeneration Agency [English Partnerships]
· Hampshire County Council, Gosport Borough Council & Portsmouth Housing Association (PHA)
· Taylor Woodrow
All those, representing the partnership and the local authority, attending the meeting confirmed NOTHING would be done without full consultation with the residents and leaseholders.
REMEMBER……..
A gosport was a voice tube used by flight instructors in the early days of naval aviation to give instructions and directions to their students. The name "gosport" was derived from Gosport, England (originally God's Port), where the voice tube was invented.
The VRA is your Residents’ Association ~ Use your voice through your Residents’ Association you are living in “God’s Port” if you want it to stay exactly as it is then let your voice be heard – tell us what you want, let us work for you.. There is a committee member for each and every building - speak to them – we will shout your wishes from the top of the tallest building until we are heard. We have the opportunity to take control of the situation...The VRA are currently considering steps that will allow us to take control of the situation for the residents and we will send you more information in our next newsletter.
Let’s work on getting the roofs repaired/renewed, the lifts reinstated and the whole of our Village Rowner Community pulling together in the same direction.
SuZan Veale ~ Chairman
We have received from Labyrinth properties a copy of the asbestos survey carried out on the estate. As requested we have put part of it with the accompanying letter on our website (under Estate Matters). Due to the size of the document anyone wishing to see the full copy can request one from a committee member. This survey will be discussed at our next meeting as shown below.
THE Court Case!
Mr Michael Baker-Harber, Director of Focushawk and New Horizon Management Ltd (both in liquidation) vowed to clear his name in the June & December issues of The News and to have the Penal Notice, issued against him in the 'Munch v New Horizons' court proceedings removed.
Applications made to the court by the defendants for a declaration that New Horizon Management had complied with the Order of Recorder Ralphs dated 24 June 2003 and for an order to remove the Penal Notice made against Mr Baker-Harber in May 2004, was withdrawn and the case set for February the 8th to the 11th will NOT be going ahead.
Mr Baker-Harber has to pay his costs which are considerable.
The Penal Notice remains.
VRSG MEETING FRIDAY 25TH FEBRUARY HELD AT THE NIMROD CENTRE
LVT HEARING
VRSG
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL AND MAY 2005 BRING US JUSTICE FOR ALL RESIDENTS.
Since the latest action was served on the VRA, (the reverse of the previous two actions!) the committee have been extremely busy. We have decided that a diary of some day-to-day events would help to keep residents informed.
DETERMINATION OF SERVICE CHARGE FOR 2005
ALL RESIDENTS MEETING TO BE HELD AT THE NIMROD CENTRE,
FRIDAY 3rd DECEMBER 2004 AT 7-30 PM.
In attendance will be Mr. Martin Brown from Daniels and Harrison, our legal rep Mrs. Linda Lockyer and the elected VRA committee.
We will be discussing the future of our estate, the service charge and accounts from the management company Labyrinth. We will be talking about where our money has gone and on exactly what.
PLEASE ATTEND AS THESE ARE YOUR HOMES AND YOUR MONEY THAT HAS BEEN PAID INTO THE SERVICE CHARGE.
VRA/VRSG vice chairman
LVT APPLICATION FOR 2004 SERVICE CHARGE AND APPOINTMENT OF MANAGER.
A date has been set for the LVT Pre-trial review - it is to be held on Friday the 26th of November in the Council chambers at Gosport Town Hall. There are three elements, namely:
1) An application under Section 20C to stop the costs of the LVT being added to the service charge.
2) An application under Section 24 for the appointment of a new manager.
3) An application under Section 27Ato have the 2004 service charge /budget determined.
PLEASE SEE THE NEW PAGE TITLED 'ACCOUNTS'
CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE AT ROWNER.
OPEN MEETING WITH MARTYN BROWN FROM DANIELS HARRISON MANAGEMENT COMPANY HELD BY ELECTED VRA
HELD AT THE NIMROD CENTRE ON FRIDAY THE 3RD OF DECEMBER
Vic Burt, VRA Chairman, opened the meeting and introduced Martyn Brown explaining that Martyn had kindly given up his Friday evening and attended the meeting at no cost to the VRA.
Martyn then went on to tell us about his company Daniels Harrison, a Hampshire company based in Fareham and chartered surveyors of some 20 years standing, dealing with commercial and building management and valuations.
Martyn himself has had a great deal of experience with management including Ocean Village and Brighton seafront with all its problems. Martyn could not deal in figures as he has not yet been employed as the manager. We have our appointment for new manager waiting to be heard by the LVT.
He explained that we would not be in for an easy ride in the Village as the neglect was evident, however it would be possible to turn the Village around and make it a decent place to live with the help of residents. If chosen as the new management company he would expect to hold monthly meetings with us to discuss the way forward. He would have nothing to do with Labyrinth who would be completely out of the picture. The only contact with the landlord would be to collect ground rent on his behalf. He would be working for US and with US. He hopes he would give good value for good money and good work for sensible prices. To begin with the fees would be similar to those charged by Labyrinth but with a view to reducing the service charges, although this would not be immediate. They would claim only their fees and not a % on all works carried out. Priorities of the work to be done would be discussed at length with us and decided collectively i.e. lifts, lighting etc. helping us to pull together as a community.
If service charges were not paid by individuals because they were finding it difficult he hoped that the persons involved would find him approachable to discuss the matter but money owed to the service charge would be chased.
Contracts would be put out to tender and local contractors used. A skills database is something the VRA have been discussing and in which we are very interested.
WE NEED TO CHANGE OUR MANAGING AGENTS - WE NEED A COMPANY THAT WILL WORK WITH US AND SHOW US WHERE OUR MONEY IS SPENT AND HOLD TALKS WITH US ON A REGULAR BASIS.
Martyn also went on to say that any litigation still needed to sort out the missing money and any money misspent would be an issue carried out separately.
PLEASE SUPPORT US IN OUR ACTION FOR APPOINTING A NEW MANAGER. OUR PAST DOES AFFECT OUR FUTURE.
LVT PRELIMINARY HEARING FRIDAY THE 26TH OF NOVEMBER
The prelim was held at Gosport Council Chambers on Friday 26th November. Mr Long was once more the Chairman. Once we receive notification from the LVT we will publish the letter on this website as we have done previously.
The main facts were that the main trial will not be heard until March/April 2005 as Mr Munch's court to be held in February will affect the outcome of any LVT. Mr Long was not in agreement that the application by Rowner Estates/Labyrinth for the reasonableness of the 2005 service charge should also be heard, as he was of the opinion that we the residents did not have enough information on the 2005 service charge.
Linda Lockyer our legal rep and Labyrinth were given directions by Mr Long regarding the accounts and witness statements This will be shown on our web in the original document when received from the LVT. This therefore will be an exact account of the facts.
HAMPSHIRE POLICE FORCE BOOSTS NUMBERS! (SEE DIARY!)
Congratulations to Victoria Thorneton-Field who has successfully passed the course and become a Special Police Constable, serving at Gosport police station. Attending her attestation at Netley Police College on Wednesday 17th November, were Linda Lockyer VRA/VRSG legal rep and members of the VRA/VRSG committee. Victoria is an active committee member of the group and is the website administrator. We are all extremely proud to shared this special time with Victoria.
PLEASE HELP US TO MOVE FORWARD AND GET THE WORK ON THE ESTATE WHICH WE ARE PAYING FOR DONE
Mr and Mrs Munches court case November 3rd Southampton Combined Courts
Members of your elected VRA/VRSG Committee today attended Mr and Mrs Munches court case presided over by Judge Hughes. Judge Hughes decided that the application was to be put back and listed before Recorder Anne Ralphs due to amount of documentation that had been submitted by the defence. The date decided between the two parties was the week beginning Monday 7th February 2005. The first day was to be set aside for the judge as a reading day of both applications and no one need attend. Day two is to be the applicants opening statement followed by the respondents opening statement. Day three is the disputing evidence a.m. Michael Baker Harber and p.m. Nicholas Faulkner. Day four will be Mr Munch as a witness and witness statements. Day five will be the closing submissions. Your elected committee will once again be in attendance. We wish to thank on behalf of all VRA/VRSG members our legal rep Linda Lockyer and Martin Brown of Daniels Harrison both of whom attended the hearing on our behalf completely pro bono.
National Organisation of Residents Associations
We the VRA have joined the above organisation and are now part of a national group of residents associations. The group supports each other and assists with various problems that VRA groups encounter. At present we have heard from various other groups who are fighting masts on roofs. As you can imagine this is of great interest to us. Our entry can be found at: http://www.alan.shrank.freeuk.com/single/gosport.htm
Brian Hussey will be standing in as VRA Treasurer until the next elections. Brian has kindly agreed as he is already a VRA Committee member that he would take over and fill the gap left since Karen's resignation on October 15th 2004. Arrangements will be made with Karen for a mini audit and handover of all books and monies etc relevant to the VRA.
As Karen is employed by the management company she did not wish to be involved in the VRSG side of the VRA. This was respected.
Karen's resignation was received today delivered by hand. Today is the 15th October2004 and not the 4th October 2004. The VRA have accepted Karen's resignation. A new Treasurer will be proposed and elected as soon as possible. Anyone wishing to put there name forward please contact a committee member.
VRSG ONLY MEETING TUESDAY 31ST AUGUST 2004
A SHORT MEETING WAS HELD TO UPDATE MEMBERS ON OUR FORTHCOMING LVT DEFENCE.
A PRE LVT WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY THE 14TH OF SEPTEMBER AT THE PORTSMOUTH CENTRAL LIBRARY, ROOM F, GUILDHALL, GUILDHALL SQUARE AT 10 AM.
MR MUNCH WILL ALSO BE HAVING A PRE LVT THE SAME DAY.
WE HAVE ASKED FOR OUR TRIAL DATE IN OCTOBER TO BE PUT BACK. THE MAIN REASON BEING THAT MR AND MRS MUNCH WILL BE GOING BACK TO COURT IN OCTOBER AND IF OUR LVT WAS SOONER THAN THE COURT CASE THE COURT WOULD BE ABLE TO OVERRULE OUR LVT. THEREFORE THE MONEY SPENT WOULD BE WASTED.
ALSO WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO GET A PRO BONO BARRISTER.
KAREN'S MEETING WAS DISCUSSED AS WERE HER COMMENTS ON THE LAST MANAGEMENT COMPANY BEING INVESTIGATED. WE ARE IN DISCUSSIONS WITH KAREN ON THIS AND A FEW OTHER SUBJECTS.
WE HAVE WRITTEN TO LABYRINTH ASKING THEM THE QUESTIONS THAT KAREN WAS UNABLE TO ANSWER AT HER MEETING. WE ARE ALSO ARRANGING A MEETING WITH LABYRINTH.
WE ARE BEING THREATENED WITH MELTDOWN AND ARE EXTREMELY CONCERNED AS TO WHERE ALL THE MONEY HAS GONE. WE HAVE HAD NO NEW WORKS AT ALL BARRING SOME NEW FENCING. THIS NEEDS TO BE EXPLAINED TO EVERYONE BY THE MANAGEMENT COMPANY.
WE WOULD ASK PEOPLE TO CARRY ON PAYING SERVICE CHARGE S AS THEY HAVE BEEN AS WE DO NOT WISH THE ESTATE TO FOLD. THIS WOULD BE IN NO ONES INTEREST.
WE NEED THE WHOLE ESTATE TO PULL TOGETHER FOR THE SAKE OF US ALL. DIVIDE AND CONQUER IS THE WAY THINGS ARE LOOKING AT THE MOMENT. THIS NEEDS TO BE STOPPED. WE MUST STAND BACK AND THINK LONG AND HARD ABOUT THE MONEY WE HAVE BEEN PAYING INTO THE SERVICE CHARGE AND LOOK TO SEE WHAT WORKS HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN CARRIED OUT. THEN HELP US ALL PULL TOGETHER TO REMEDY THIS.
PLEASE HELP US TO HELP EACH OTHER AND ALL PULL TOGETHER
THE 7TH PAYMENT WAS TAKEN. MANY THANKS
KAREN'S MEETING FRIDAY 27TH AUGUST
The VRA Chairman, Vice Chairman and various members of the VRA committee attended Karen’s meeting in the Nimrod Centre - Unfortunately Karen could not answer any questions on the accounts and it appeared that the meeting was only called to ask people to pay more money into the service charge - £160 per flat per month (until now the VRA have always advised residents to pay a minimum of £100 per month to ensure the provision of basic amenities).
Karen was assisted by councillor Nina Champion. It would have helped a difficult situation if Nina had verified her facts prior to the meeting. Nina asked why we were insisting on going to the LVT. The VRA explained that we are not taking the Landlord to LVT in actual fact they are taking us. We are defending the action (see note 1 below) - if the landlord wins this action and, going on the evidence of the past 3 years, the service charges could soar to an even more astronomical level. We must protect ourselves by defending this action. Why should we pay – AGAIN - for services not received?
Nina also asked why we had been telling VRSG members not to pay service charges. This was and is untrue and can be borne out by the minutes of every VRSG meeting held; by members attending these meetings; by our legal rep who has attended most meetings; and by statements on the VRA website!
These comments did not help the meeting as feelings were running high.
VRA asked the following questions of Karen.
Q - What is you business plan? A - No answer
Q - What are your priorities? A - To get money in.
Q - Shouldn’t insurance be your first priority as it is the landlords obligation in law to insure these buildings and reclaim the money from the service charge? A - No answer
Q – Shouldn’t security be the second priority as it a stipulation of the insurance and management fees last as the landlord can step in and take over management as stated in the lease? A - No answer
Q - Bearing all this in mind why has new fencing been erected around Darwin and Raleigh? A - Health and safety
Q - Why has Caseacre not been chased for money owed to the service charge for the 2002 2003 2004 including the money owed to us that was taken for court cases and ruled at the 2002 LVT to be returned. A – Don’t know.
Karen also stated openly at the meeting that in her opinion the prior management company should be investigated - Surely this should be done by the landlord who at that time was ultimately responsible for the management company.
We are also concerned and perplexed that if ‘health and safety’ deem it necessary to erect hitherto unnecessary fencing, why this takes priority over leaks (some sewage) into flats, no lifts and fire damaged stairwells awaiting specialised asbestos removal work. To be spending money on fencing when we are threatened with meltdown should be a worry to all residents.
Note
1 - In previous years, having been presented with service charge
demands of £3000 plus we took the landlord to the LVT so that the LVT could
set a reasonable charge. THIS year, the service charge bill was sent out and
the landlord immediately sought LVT approval to back up this demand – hence
our need to defend the action!
FRIDAY 27 AUGUST - MEETING NIMROD CENTRE
We have been informed that a meeting is being held on Friday 27th August at the Nimrod Centre. Karen Killeen is holding the meeting and the VRA committee will be in attendance in the audience. VRA were not asked to be present at this meeting and are in the throes of arranging a meeting for all residents with Nick Faulkner of Labyrinth to discuss the issue of the service charge.
Linda our legal rep has been in discussion with Nick over this as well as ourselves. Nick is as concerned as your VRA committee that the true facts are discussed as this is extremely important. To this end Nick is trying to get some flyers printed to hand out in time for the meeting of which he was completely unaware until we spoke to him. He will not be in attendance. But will be attending an open meeting for all residents with your VRA committee date tbc.
Nick is also in the process of writing his second newsletter for our website.
TUESDAY 24 AUGUST - MEETING WITH VRA AND LIBERAL COUNCILOR ALEX BONE
A meeting took place between Alex Bone and VRA Chairman and Vice Chairman and many subjects were discussed that affect residents of the estate. Full minutes will be placed upon website as soon as they are available.
VRSG MEETING FRIDAY 23RD JULY NIMROD CENTRE - see VRSG page
VRA Committee and Nick Faulkner walk around the Village 14th of July – am.
Nick met with members of the VRA committee and on a walk around the Village we explained that we were not at all happy with certain aspects of the painting. We could not understand why the painters had begun at the bottom and worked upwards which caused splashing and the need for it to be painted again. The finish in our opinion is not very professional especially considering the cost.
We complained that the flower borders were full of litter and weeds yet we were being charged for landscaping in our service charge.
Karen did state that the gardener is slowly getting around to doing the borders and that once completed picket fencing is being placed around them.
Lifts - we have know further information on when work is being started!
The staircases that were damaged in the last fire have to be prepared by specialists.
Karen will be speaking to a company called Colas about certain lights that have not worked for some time with a view to getting them repaired.
No further news on the security door entry system being repaired.
We now have ‘in writing’ that we can put lockable notice boards in some of the walkways thus enabling us to keep all residents informed.
We are awaiting Nicks input for our website. He has said he is happy to do this.
14TH July PM
Committee members held a meeting to discuss the forthcoming Rowner Carnival. It was agreed that we would have a tombola stall and sell soft drinks. We also had a ‘name the teddy bear’; guess how many sweets in the jar; and a raffle for 4 quality bottles of wine, kindly donated by Karen Killeen
A VRSG meeting will be held on Friday 23rd July 2004 FOR MEMBERS at the Community centre. The hall is only booked for one hour, this should be ample time to update members and take the 6th payment.
JULY 4
A meeting with committee members who were available and Linda our legal representative to clear up a few legal points.
Committee members attended a panel meeting with Sgt Alastair Nicholls of Gosport Police and representatives from Surestart and SRB6. The aim of these meetings is to bring groups together to provide a panel to whom local residents can bring ideas and problems. This group would then bring these ideas and problems to the next panel meeting. Hopefully we will all then be able to address the issues and learn to work together for a brighter future for Rowner.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 22nd September if people have any issues that they wish raise please speak to a committee member and it will be brought up at the next panel meeting.
The government agenda wants to have an ‘open all hours’ policy with more of a local focus.
The new Surestart buildings have unfortunately come to a sudden halt as there are problems. Surestart is aimed at helping mothers with children from before birth to 4 years. The new building when finished hopes to have a dental nurse, health visitor, speech therapist, special needs assistant and toy library.
Surestart operates in areas classified as deprived and the Grange has a high incidence of child poverty. Surestart also must have parental involvement and it is actually the parents who produce the magazine.
Unfortunately the problems encountered by Surestart will also affect the MUGA floodlit football pitch to be put behind the Surestart building.
Other topics of discussion included the bad lighting in the streets in and around the Village.
Vandal proof bins are awaited.
CCTV cameras really do help keep crime down and they are now situated at the Village, Carless Close and near the CO-OP in Rowner Rd.
Security can ring the operator and cameras can then be put on area that is at risk.
Time Out has started activity groups for the harder to reach teenagers.
Hopefully in the second week of September we will be having another Rowner clear up week. Most of the housing providers are in support of this and it will be advertised. The aim is too rid Rowner of graffiti and litter etc. The council will be supplying free skips.
Full minutes of this meeting will be available to any VRA member if they wish to read them and will contain details of the single regeneration budget in partnership with Rowner and Wecock Farm
Please see VRSG page
VRA COMMITTEE MEETING IN THE NIMROD CENTRE ON FRIDAY 18TH JUNE.
 |
The VRA committee met to discuss various issues concerning the estate. Although we are the recognised VRA with the police, the landlord, Labyrinth and the fire brigade, to receive a certificate from the rent assessment board (not essential but preferable) we need to have a certain percentage of residents in the VRA. To this end Karen Killeen, VRA Treasurer, is providing us with, to the best of her knowledge, a list of empty properties on the estate which can be deducted from the total thus lowering the number needed. Karen informed us that Labyrinth have a list on their database; as soon as we have that we will then forge ahead. |
|
After many months of nagging the water issue has been forced and as suspected, it is a pressure problem. It appears that some of the stop-cocks might be partially closed. Karen needs to know who is affected so the problem can be resolved – please contact Karen do let her know if you or anyone you know is affected. |
|
Karen has agreed to supply a full list of members from the subscription receipt book, these names will be held by the secretary Maggie Hammond. |
|
We have been trying unsuccessfully to force MBH to keep to the terms of his own lease and attend to his own flat as it is a continuing eyesore having being boarded up for some years and looks absolutely filthy. We intend to keep trying. |
|
Karen will be taking the VRA books to an auditor attached to Brooks Group in Alverstoke. These should take about a week. |
|
A permit system for parking is being discussed. At present illegally parked cars are issued with a ticket from security and if necessary reported to the police. |
|
The problems that have risen from ambulance men unable to gain access to the 7th floor after a person collapsed was discussed and Karen agreed to put the security numbers back on the doors so they could be contacted to admit the ambulance men. Of course it is a great concern that the new locks were in place before the intercom system was repaired. We have written to Labyrinth complaining about this but to date no reply. |
|
The former taxi office in the precinct has been demolished and we are concerned over who is footing the bill as that is not our concern but belongs to Rowner Estates. Karen said that they would be billed. We will be watching the accounts carefully to ensure that this does not go on our service charge. |
|
We have also written to Labyrinth to request permission to put lockable notice boards in each block which would then enable us to keep everyone informed of things happening in and around the Village. |
|
As you may have noticed, Karen has instigated a number of repairs, these include replacing fencing and revamping the borders, it will take time but a programme is in place to fence in the borders to help prevent petty vandalism. |
|
We have been asked to contribute to this year’s Rowner Carnival so we have decided to have a stall where people can meet us and we can tell them our ideas and aims. |
Anyone wishing to help please contact a committee member.
16th of June
We have been served with a legal notice from Mrs Jessop's solicitor to remove some of the content of this Website. If anyone would like to see any of the original documents, please let us know. We have also added an addendum to the CAB letter clarifying to whom the letter refers.
13th of June
Statements have been written and signed in preparation for our defence at the LVT.
11th of June
Mr and Mrs Munch rang to discuss the court judgement made in their favour. they have very kindly given both the VRA and the VRSG a copy.
It would also appear that New Horizons are going into liquidation on the 17th of June - we are trying to find out exactly where this leaves the rest of us in our defence against Rowner Estates.
10th of June
Vic Burt would like to thank everyone on the VRA/VRSG committee for all their help in the lead-up to the election. The support they and everyone gave him was tremendous. Also, the invaluable help given by Martyn Davies was second to none - he has supported and assisted not only Vic but the whole of The Village community and has done so from the outset. A bit thank you also to Shaun and Jane Culley and John Train and all the labour Party for their support; also Margaret Snaith of the Conservative Party for her kindness and caring words. Our job now is to ensure that the newly elected councillor will keep her promises. Unfortunately in the past some of our councillors have taken little interest in the predicament of the Village, despite our many requests. A mere 18 votes and the story would have been very different.
Deep concern was expressed by the Ambulance Service trying to attend an emergency on the 7th floor over their inability to access the flats and the lack of lifts. We will be raising these concerns and try and ensure that the emergency services have the security emergency phone number so they can ensure they are met on arrival.
A number of unpleasant 'poems' have been delivered to the VRA Chairman, Vic Burt, and his wife Sandra. These have been passed to the police who are going to investigate.
THURSDAY THE 3RD OF JUNE
In reply to an article which appeared in the Evening News on Friday the 28th of May, Karen Kileen, Estate Liaison Officer, and Village Residents Association Committee Member / Treasurer and two residents of The Village, voiced their concerns on the comments made by the Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan. Especially in the light of the phenomenal success that the Community Liaison Officer, Gary Boud and site security have had in reducing crime to almost zero!
SUNDAY THE 30TH OF MAY
A member of the VRA has repeatedly asked the site manager to remove a huge pile of wood for 18 months. The wood was stacked next a bin area. Mixed in with the wood were other flammable materials. It took 4 VRA team members about 10 minutes to remove the fire hazard to a safe location away from the building and so averting a potential disaster.
Saturday the 29th of May:
On Saturday the 29th of May at about 10:30, members of the Village Residents Association (VRA) set up a small table on the precinct with a view to disseminating information to as many people as possible about the latest situation regarding our flats. We were also hoping to run a competition for the local children to design a logo for the VRA; discuss any complaints and ideas residents have for the estate; advertise the Rowner Carnival and discuss a float; and to advertise the Rowner clean up week, part of the Dovetail Project, the launching of which was attended by a member of the VRA Committee,
Four members of the VRA were present. After approximately 30 minutes we were approached by the security guard, Darren, who said he’d received an anonymous phone call complaining at our presence.
We were somewhat taken aback as we are trying to encourage as many residents as possible to join together to help increase the quality of life for everyone on the estate.
Darren said he had phoned Karen Killeen and he said that she had told him we did not have the landlord’s permission to be there and he would phone the police to have us moved on. We pointed out the group of people sat nearby drinking (remember it was only about 11 am!) and asked why he wasn’t moving them on as well.
In the past security have maintained that they have no jurisdiction over the precinct which is one of the reasons there are so many complaints about the intimidating and aggressive behaviour of some.
Still perplexed we challenged Darren on his authority to move us on and he was adamant we could not be there and he would phone the police (who already knew we were going to be there as PC Gary Boud had been informed) as we were causing a disturbance. He said that Karen had told him she had phoned Labyrinth – we pointed out that they are not open on a Saturday and he changed it to the Landlord – and as we didn’t have his permission we had to go.
Whilst we were removing our small table, one of our group cleared up the glass from the broken Vodka bottle and picked up litter.
The VRA committee are all residents of the estate. Our solicitor has advised us that the VRA is a recognised body as the LVT application was served upon the VRA Chairman; Rowner Estates recognise the VRA by correspondence entered into, Past and present and by Labyrinth for the same reason.
This new web site will hold as much accurate information as we are able to obtain. The £5 joining fee for the VRA has, is and will continue to be used solely for VRA purposes, e.g. web site maintenance, hiring of the hall for meetings, stationary, printing, phone calls, etc.
If anyone has a comment or questions, please ask us directly. No one has to be anonymous. The question for us is why try to thwart the VRA and stop an effective community on the estate?
It is time to work together for the good of the whole estate. It is time to put the past aside and look to the future, together.
DIVIDED WE FALL, UNITED WE FIGHT!
Friday the 28th of May:
A meeting for VRSG members was held to inform them of the latest news.
Thursday the 27th of May:
The VRSG held a meeting with Linda, our legal rep, to discuss the latest action about the 2004 service charge.
|
|