RIVERMEAD RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

 

Minutes of Committee Meeting 19:30 2007-04-16, Monday

 

Present:

Christine Girolomini [CMG] (Chair), Peter Walsh [PW], John Turner [JHT], Chris Fraser [CF], Jean Minshull [JM], Irene Dunstan [ID] Plus two Resident guests:

 

Apologies for absence: Sanlly Gatheral, Marie Wilkins

 

Resignation: Marie Wilkins has tendered her resignation from the committee having served since 2003 including as Treasurer for some time.  A message of thanks will be sent.

 

Items Discussed:

 

Freshwater Correspondence: David Mott has written.  They are delighted with the state of the garden.  It is all turfed at present.  This is because late spring is not a good time for transplanting small to medium-sized bushes and small trees.  Rising temperatures and dry weather would kill them, so our promised 200 plants will arrive this autumn.  Meanwhile, turf is there for sake of appearance.  Electricity supply will soon be connected to the new shed and extra posts will be added to the fence to strengthen it.

The iron gate into the complex from the footpath should have a self-locking mechanism.  This is being looked into.

Major Works: Tenders are officially to be opened 17th April.  Residents will soon be invited to a general meeting including a presentation with samples of materials for balcony repairs.

Balcony fronts are to be stripped to wall and floor level, asbestos-containing panels replaced and higher top-rails installed to current building safety regulations.

 

Residents’ correspondence: Email from Susan Hurst (45) see below.  Points raised were discussed.  Some questions we can help with, others need a direct answer from Freshwater.  It will be forwarded to Mr Mott.

 

Neighbouring Local building works: Plans published by Nottingham City Council for the Ozone ‘Energy Tower’ a 60 metre structure across the Trent evoked a long discussion.  ID has spoken with NCC officers and told us that she was informed to the effect that “We can complain all we like but the plan is likely to go ahead”.  JHT, CMG will write formally to the Council complaining that inadequate time has been given to study the plans adequately and to cite our objections.  It seems that most people are against the idea.

 

Other noisy neighbours:  The planned leisure facility beside the planned Energy Tower threatens to aggravate our noise problem.  ID, CMG mentioned Trentside Club as being on the brink of losing their licence if complaints continue.

 

Membership: ID and JHT reported several new members have signed up in recent days.  This is encouraging and we must hold on to these members, beyond the promised party.

 

Floodwall: Noted that there are no traffic bollards installed yet.  Also the bank-side safety rail at the end of the pathway near Beckett School is no longer adequate now that the path opens widely to the left.  JHT to write to Rushcliffe BC pointing this out.

 

Rats: Several members report seeing rats in bin bays and the bushes.  Peter Porter to be told.

 

Next Meetings: Next regular Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday 19th June.  (Party planning needs a meeting to itself: scheduled for 17th May.)

 

 

Appendix: Resident’s question and Committee’s replies

 

What is the latest situation re balconies – has it been decided upon yet whether we are having new balconies or the old ones being repaired? We would quite like a new balcony but does every leaseholder have to agree to this? Our understanding of it is that because some of the desired works could arguably fall under the heading of non-essential improvements, all that can be done as essential repairs will be done.  That is: removal of asbestos panels + replacement, stripping out (rusted) ironwork to wall/floor  level, replacement with new ironwork plus new safety rail to higher level as per current regulations.    [Will non RRA members get the chance to view the suggested materials and design mentioned in the minutes 5/3/07?].  All leaseholders & residents will have the opportunity to attend the meeting that Freshwater will arrange (date and venue TBA).   

 

Schedule of major works - minutes of 5/3/07 state that ‘while scaffolding is up opportunity should be taken to install cables and clean windows’ 1) who is paying for the windows to be cleaned as we understood the Environment Agency would be and 2) What cables are being installed?  New cabling will be needed whether Virgin (NTL) Sky or both are invited to provide cable services.  We realise that many residents currently use Virgin.  I believe Sky will install a parabolic dish for common supply to a block of flats if at least 4 residents apply (my personal interpretation of the wording of a recent Sky ad).

 

Can we have some clarification re aerials – when they are removed for the works to begin what are our alternatives as we don’t wish to have NTL? Can we replace our aerial once the work is finished or will there be a communal aerial?  See above.  Alternatives appear to be Virgin Media and/or Sky. 

 

In the Rivermead grounds [back of Harvard] there is now turf where trees, plants and flowers used to grow – is the loss of these being included in the compensation package?    They are not lost.  Their planting has been postponed until autumn this year being a more appropriate time for transplanting (rose bushes, small/medium trees etc).   Meantime, turf is there for sake of appearance.

 

 

Will there be any measures to stop people parking on this turfed area [the kerbs don’t seem high enough to stop people]?     Common sense/common decency should be enough but I know what you mean) -- I don't know -- ... ... ... ... ...   

 

In the breakdown of annual charges there is a cost of £1,500 a year for phone call charges from the lift – is this a charge for when people press the call button in the lift? - Why is this being allocated to all of us?   Déja vu on this question.  I know safety regs insist on a phone/alarm button in lifts with 24/7 cover, but £1500 does seem a lot -- Passed to Freshwater Properties ... ... ... ... ...

 

Security – would it not be a good idea to install CCTV on site, especially in light if the recent problems with the garage break ins etc.  Also is there any plans to have better lighting in the garages; even painting the ceilings and walls would make the garage lighter and brighter and might encourage people to use [thus helping with the parking problems on site].   So far, any discussion of CCTV ends with the decision that although prices of the hardware keep falling, by the time you have paid for a human to monitor the screen, the price exceeds our budget.  Perhaps we should re-visit this question ... ... ... ... ...

 

What is the latest re installing barriers on site?  Are Freshwater against us having higher boundary fences and electronic gates?   The presence of the shop makes this a non-starter with the present road/building layout. There may be long-term plans ... ... ... ... ... ... 

 

Many thanks -- Susan Hurst -- Flat 45

 

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