Apologies

1

Minutes of the June Meeting

Taken as read – no objections and no matters arising

2

Matters arising:

Noise from apartments affecting other apartments

Individual letters have been sent - reminder letters to all residents underway with Hugh.

Lighting

Absence of Street lighting in Goat Wharf  ND will write to Hounslow Council to request these

3.

AGM for Ferry Quays Management Companies and Residents Association

The date for this was agreed as Weds 26^th October at 8 pm. We are expecting County Management (and the auditors) to arrange the logistics.

4.

Unpaid Service Charges

Resident directors had a second meeting with County Estate Management and their solicitor on August 2^nd to review progress with pleasing results. Most legal actions had resulted in either payment or promise to pay. This covers the residents only.

Commercial units are still in dispute and not paying their service charges

4.

Service Charge Demands for next financial year

These have still NOT yet been sent out by County Estate Management – were due on 24^th June. Problems over allocation and in house changes in procedures and staff at Country. 

Our new manager at County, Raechel Turner will this week produce letters (not formal demands) with an on-account amount and we should all assist by immediately paying this.

5.

Planning Meeting with Hither Green

First meeting between representatives of the residents and the new Hither Green Ltd owners Michael Barnes and Philip Davies took place on the 13^th July 

Monument (run by Mr Barnes and Mr Davies) submitted the Marina planning application. They would complete the paving work on Ferry Point and fence off the restaurant site. Unaware of the future of restaurant site which was sold to a Mr Virani. It seems we may have to put up with a bare site for some time. They also must develop the History wall as part of S106 obligations.

A lot of time was spent describing the residential moorings, which they wish to install on all frontages and in the marina. These were described as highly regulated with all services provided and strict controls on the appearance of the boats, noise levels, a ban on maintenance etc.  Moorings to be managed from the building proposed for Point Wharf, which may include living accommodation.   We stated the need for strict controls on noise and use, and how we wished the marina to be used for resident’s boats not residential. One point they made, was, once the moorings were developed and enforced, then there would not be camping by undesirable, unsuitable boats.

They have commissioned a new ecological survey for Lots Ait, which has found the area not “quite so sensitive as initially thought”. Plan to develop this for boat store and maintenance.

Enquired if residents could join the Board of the Estate Management Company – they said not till the S106 discharged, but we could “shadow” them which is not satisfactory

6.

Security update

Funds allocated from FQRA stuck in County Estate Management Accounts Department

On hold waiting for them to be passed to Rakesh.

7.

Parking update

Waiting for the go ahead from County to survey resident regarding opt-in clamping scheme in resident car

Bollards

Following an incident in Poppadams Restaurant. An ambulance would not get past the bollards and as an interim measure it was agreed that some bollards would be left down for “emergency access only”

To the discomfort of residents, this has led to more illegal parking and driving in Ferry Lane.  Some by the staff in the commercial units.

Large No parking/ Emergency access signs have been erected between the fixed bollards

8

Directors for management companies

We NEED three for each block company to allow for good decision making and cover for holiday, illness and retirements, currently we have only one or two.

Recruitment is hampered by lack of clarity about roles and obligations. Legal advice required to clarify relationships between the management companies, County and the freeholder/developer.  Handbook listing criteria, rights, obligations and working practises for directors would be advantageous and may assist in getting new volunteers as well as helping the running of the companies

Accounts and annual returns have NOT been made on time. 

Freehold purchase - no news.  Will certainly affected by change of ownership at Hither Green. Company accounts have been submitted for the Freehold Company

Anyone who is interested in becoming a Director, Volunteer or providing advice please contact your Block representative

9

AOB

Garden:

Sylvia has emailed a list of points to be addressed to Ginko. Stop press: satisfactory response received 22.08.05

Chairperson of FQRA

Sylvia announced her request to resign at the AGM to concentrate on the Director role

FQRA Summer Drinks Evening at San Marco 

This was a success with many attending and contacts made. Thanks to Marnie for organising and publicising. Suggested to repeat twice a year but with plenty of advance notice to ensure good turn out.

County Estates manager – change of personnel

Anna has left and been replaced by Raechel Turner who so far has shown to be efficient, experienced and pro active. This is just as well as all affairs are in a mess, bluntly put.

Boats Moored to Ferry Point

Persons 'together with various dogs’ have been reported to the new free holder with little result so far.

Also concern as the 'secluded area behind the sculpture has become a focus for drinkers/ lavatory'

Car park

A further break-in at the public car park over the weekend

Noted that some in block H have been allocated spaces near to Block B, so perhaps an informal swap arrangement could be organised to avoid people working long distance to their cars?

10

Fire system / procedure:
1) Systems are tested every 3 months by Chubb Fire. There is no general audible alarm, but the smoke alarms in the corridors emit a high piercing sound when triggered.
2) Smoke vents, situated at the ends of each landing and in the roof, are tested annually by Smoke Vent Ltd.
3) When the fire system is triggered, double doors across each corridor automatically close by the release of magnetic catches and the smoke vents open. The closed doors prevent spread of both fire and smoke; they can still be opened manually for exit.
4) There is a smoke extraction system for the stairwells and the underground car park.
These measures are provided in the communal areas. They are in addition to individual apartments' smoke alarms and fire doors. Corridor escape routes are clearly marked by green signs, together with emergency lighting.
Hugh has offered to write a Fire Procedure for noticeboard display and for inclusion in the new occupiers' letter of welcome.

Next Meeting  - 7 pm 5^th September 2005