Westleigh Maintenance Company AGM 27 November 2008

Held at Flat 14, starting at 7.00 pm

Present: Edward and Ingrid Kempster, Julie Culshaw, Victor and Pat Powell, Edith Pickles, Mary Greenhalgh, Vera Sissons, Gerry Clarke, Heather Pollitt, Roy Johnson

Apologies: John and Sylvia Sillars, Martin Albu, Jerry Lunt, Reg and Lavinia Marsden, Colin and Irene Rodger,

1. Accounts

The accounts were accepted and approved.


2. Appointment of Directors

The existing directors were re-appointed. These are: Roy Johnson (Chair), Heather Pollitt (Secretary) Gerry Clarke (Treasurer) Edward Kempster (Project Manager).

3. Any other business

i. The gardens

A number of requests were made for changes to the maintenance of the gardens. The meeting was reminded that all requests for changes or improvements should be submitted in writing on the form provided by the secretary.

ii. Rise in the maintenance charge

The treasurer reminded the meeting that the existing maintenance charge was so low that the company had no surplus to deal with emergencies or improvements. Following discussion, the meeting agreed to give the directors a mandate to agree on a reasonable increase in the charge. The increase would come into effect in April 2009.

iii. Appointment of managing agents

The directors explained to the meeting that a number of factors meant that the tasks they faced in running the company efficiently were becoming excessively burdensome. There were also new requirements of insurance and health and safety legislation which left the directors with legal responsibilities from which they needed protection.

The meeting agreed that the best solution to these issues was to appoint a professional managing agency which would take over these tasks and act in accordance with the directors' instructions. The meeting unanimously approved a motion to give the directors a mandate to reach a decision about the employment of a professional management agency.

iv. Extended flue on the roof

One of the flats in Block One had fitted an extended flue pipe to the roof without permission. It was agreed that the secretary write to the owners of flats 2, 5, and 8 requesting that the flue be removed and replaced with one the same size as the others. Failure to do so would result in the work being done and the owner charged with the cost.

The meeting closed at 8.00 pm

Annual General Meeting - 27 February 2008

Present: Roy Johnson, Heather Pollitt, Edward Kempster, Ingrid Kempster, Pat Powell, Gerry Clarke, Edith Pickles, Vera Sisson. Julie Culshaw, Mr Lunt

Apologies: Reg and Lavinia Marsden, Colin and Irene Rodger, Martin Albu, Mr and Mrs Greenhalgh, John and Sylvia Siller, Victor Powell

1. Accounts

These were accepted and approved.

2. Appointment of Directors

The existing directors were re-appointed. These are: Roy Johnson (Chair), Heather Pollitt (Secretary) Gerry Clarke (Treasurer) Edward Kempster (Project Manager). Vera Sisson agreed to be a standby director.

Any Other Business

3. Service charge

It was agreed that the service and maintenance charge will be increased to £75.00 per month, starting from October 2008. This should be paid by standing order. Mandates will be issued well before this date.

Anyone who chooses not to create a standing order should make two payments of £450 before the end of September and April of each year. Failure to meet these deadlines will result in the owner being invoiced for a payment of £500 on each occasion.

4. Implementation of the lease and its covenants

There have been instances of owners wishing to make changes to their properties which are in contravention of the lease and its covenants. It was therefore agreed that copies of the lease should be sent to all owners with a cover note, drawing their attention to the fact that any works being considered must be submitted to the directors for approval.

5. Communications with the directors

It was agreed that a special form should be issued to all owners. This should be used for making requests and observations to the directors.

6. Damaged walls

The damaged wall in the garage of Flat 1 was being repaired. Work on the damaged perimeter wall had not yet begun, because the matter was still in the hands of the local council.

7. Car park lighting

EK promised to chase the existing electrician, who had failed to progress this work. JC recommended an alternative electrician - Adrian 07984 212382.

8. Gardens

It was agreed to ask Peter Mills if he could add the cleaning of the two bin houses to his job list.

9. Redecoration of the hallways

It was agreed that this was still a priority. HP reported that she had received a ball park estimate of £4,000 from John Dalton.

10. TV and other cabling

It was agreed that there should be no external cabling on the building. Existing cabling should be removed, and those owners who wish to extend their TV access should use signal boosters, internal cabling, and other means.

11. Car park markings

It was agreed that the car parking spaces needed re-painting in the same or similar unobtrusive colour.

12 Tree preservation orders

RJ to contact the council to check on possible changes to tree preservation orders in the vicinity.

Westleigh dented!

This was the result of a high speed police car chase on Monday 01 October 2007 at 23.45. Amazingly, the driver of the vehicle being pursued survived to escape - though his car didn't.

Annual General Meeting — 8 March 2007

Present: Roy Johnson, Heather Pollitt, Edward Kempster, Ingrid Kempster, Victor Powell, Gerry Clarke, Edith Pickles, Vera Sisson.

Apologies: Lavinia Marsden, Colin Rodger, Graham Gell, Reg Marsden, Martin Albu

1. Accounts

These were accepted, with the observation that Reg Marsden and Graham Gell should be removed from the list of Directors. It was also agreed that a copy of the gardening specification should be made generally available.

2. Appointment of Directors

The recent appointment of Gerry Clarke as new treasurer was approved, and the existing directors were re-appointed. These are: Roy Johnson (Chair), Heather Pollitt (Secretary) Gerry Clarke (Treasurer) Edward Kempster (Project Manager). Vera Sisson agreed to be a standby director.

3. Venue for next AGM

It was agreed that the venue for the AGM should rotate. The next meeting in 2008 will be held in Flat 10.

4. Any Other Business

Window Cleaning. The current system of cleaning with long brushes using clear water was deemed unsatisfactory. HP to discuss the matter with the window cleaners.

Lighting. HP to contact GG regarding repair of faulty lights in Block One. RJ to replace lamps in Block Three.

Manhole Cover(s): GC to contact builders regarding replacement of manhole covers in rear car park.

Steps to Block Three: HP and GC to contact builders to obtain quotes for repairs to faulty steps.

Car Park Marking: EK to obtain paint and brushes for do-it-ourselves repainting of car park markings.

Disputes: It was agreed that where disputes occur between individuals at Westleigh, resolution should be sought in the first place between the people concerned. Only if complaints arise from a number of individuals should the directors intervene. However, where resolution of problems and or complaints could not be achieved, the directors were willing to arbitrate.

Painting & Roof Matters

We are pleased to announce that the painting of the exterior of Westleigh - including the garages - will start on or around Monday 19th June 2006.

Due notice has been given to all owners and residents, so that garage doors can be left open on the relevant days and times.

Queries may be addressed to any of the directors.

Meanwhile, Frank Walsh of Profelt has been contact following discussions on the Letter from Carmen Smith representing Mr Hira (Flat 9) in his complaint about a leaking roof in his newly converted attic. Mr Walsh will look into it. If he can see an obvious point of leakage in the roof over Hira's flat, he has been instructed to go ahead and repair it.

In addition he will look at the seals on the gutters at the front and rear of the block containing flats 3, 6 and 9. If the cost exceeds £250 he is to contact Eddie Kempster for a further discussion. Once the repair to the roof over Flat 9 is completed, a claim can be made for redecoration of any damage to the bathroom from Westleigh insurers. Westleigh Maintenance Co. Ltd, will then have fulfilled its obligations.

Recycling

Following the recycling bin saga, we are now confronted by a second problem. What to do when the bins get full? The household refuse and waste paper bins have been emptied regularly - but not the tell-tale green glass bin. This houses all those empty bottles of Chateauneuf du Pape and Gevrey-Chambertin which are the favourite tipples of so many Westleigh folk. Well, yesterday I solved the problem by a little direct citizen action. Even though the local council keeps its contact details buried almost unreachably deep on its web site, I dug them out, sent one email, and hey presto! the bins were emptied the next day.

Apparently they are under orders to respond within twenty-four hours. So if it happens again, go to our list of services where you will find the phone number (0161 474 4747) and the email address (streetscene@stockport.gov.uk)

Annual General Meeting — 05 April 2006

Minutes of the meeting

Present
Edith Pickles, Vera Sisson, Frances Gell, Victor Powell, Gerry Clarke, Ingrid Kempster, Edward Kempster, Graham Gell, Heather Pollitt, Roy Johnson, Ian Coulson (for John Sillar)

Apologies
Isobel Walton, Martin Albu, John Sillar, Reg Marsden

Accounts
The treasurer Graham Gell gave an introduction to the accounts. The principal item was his explanation of the fact that the payments for the replacement windows would be split across the accounts for two separate financial years. The accounts were accepted.

Appointment of Directors
There were now new nominations for positions as directors. The current directors were returned unopposed.

Re-painting of Westleigh
Three quotes for the re-painting of the exterior of Westleigh had been obtained. Two were deemed unacceptable, because they did not include the re-painting of the perimeter railings. It was agreed to accept the third quotation (Hugh Hainey) and a schedule of work would be drawn up to be completed during summer 2006.

Tree Surgery
A report had been obtained from the regular tree surgeon, which observed that dead branches needed to be removed, particularly from the large trees around the perimeter of the property. It was agreed that the report be accepted and the necessary work commissioned, with the contractor being requested to submit the report to the council for agreement, legal approval, and any further comment.

Finance
The meeting agreed to the proposed increase in the community charge, which is now two half yearly payments of £400, with a £25 discount for those paying early or on time.

The meeting unanimously agreed that the finances of WMC were in good order, that there was no desire to incur the extra expense of a professional management service.

One absent owner had been in dispute over a payment toward the communal window replacement. This was discussed at the meeting via a proxy attendee and has since been resolved. As from now, serious arrears will be posted on this site as a matter of course.

For Sale Notices
Further objections had been made to the placing of estate agents 'For Sale' and 'To Let' notices outside Westleigh. There were a number of conflicting views on this matter, and it was recognised that there would always be tension between those who wished to advertise their properties for sale, and those who wished to keep the complex free of these unsightly objects. Finally there were three propositions voted on. To allow boards anywhere and any time - DEFEATED. To completely prohibit the use of boards - DEFEATED. To maintain the status quo - ACCEPTED. The status quo is as follows.

Owners may allow their estate agents to place an advertising board for a maximum of six weeks in one designated area - adjacent to the bus stop. After six weeks the board must be removed, but the vendor may re-apply to the directors for a further six weeks later in the same year. These periods of six weeks may not be contiguous.

Purchase of Leasehold
There was a discussion of the possible advantages and disadvantages of owners buying the leasehold to Westleigh. It was agreed to look further into the legal and financial implications of this proposal.

Date of Next Meeting
To be arranged by the directors