Message from the Chairman

We have just held our AGM as you are probably aware and, whilst attendance numbers were smaller than previous years, we still managed two hours of, at times spirited but certainly healthy, debate.  Representatives from both our resident and landlord populations were there, which gave us the breadth of coverage we needed to ensure a balanced view of the Estate and its underlying issues.  

All Directors, whether standing for re-election or, like myself, election for the first time, were accepted, largely unanimously.  We came away with a clear understanding of issues, actions and priorities for us to work on and, most importantly, support for these changes.  I'd like to highlight just a few of these here:

Security.   People do not feel safe here at times and the approaching summer brings heightened concerns.  We are looking at what we can do to improve on what we currently have.  Our budget is set to provide 10 hours of cover daily, from 2pm to 12 midnight.  One suggestion was to move the hours of cover forward to 4pm to 2am.  We are also looking at whether two men from 9pm to 2am would provide better coverage or alternatively whether we could afford a security man with a dog.  Concerns on these approaches are around lack of onsite cover between the time the caretaker leaves at 2pm and security coming on site and whether the changes would be effective in deterring potential crime.  We are looking at these options in conjunction with our incident records and with the local police but we recognise that time is short if we are to effect change before summer is upon us.  If you have any suggestions or comments to assist in this, please see contact details at the bottom of this article.

Recycling.  The bins continue to be an issue.  Amsterdam Road is the focus of many of the issues with people dumping rubbish and boxes by the side of the bins.  Rubbish gets left there when the bins are full and it seems many people are just too lazy to fold their boxes and remove the polystyrene inserts from them, even when the bins are empty, which results in the Council not taking them.  We are re-siting these bins and the caretaker now has instructions to remove excess rubbish to other recycling bins when those are full.  Much was already in progress and more has been done since the AGM, details will follow post our monthly Board meeting, due last Thursday of this month.  Cost of removal of household rubbish from bin stores was also highlighted and we will be investigating that shortly too.

Gardeners, beach cleaning and evergreening of the Estate are also on our “green” agenda and more detail will follow in the coming months.

General Repairs and Cleanliness of the Estate.  All agreed currently very poor.  We already have a significant number of maintenance tasks, routine and issues arising, quoted for and approved by the Board but awaiting action from contractors. 

Motor-scooter on Fire on Amsterdam Road