Inquiry from Captain Weaver

To all Directors. Reference the car park entry gates
Thank you for the update of your Directors meeting of the 25/07/19.
Would you kindly copy the following email to all other recipients of your Directors meeting report, thank you.
I have to report a malfunction of the entry gates to the car park  which occurred at 1617 this afternoon, 03/07/19 verified by the buildings security cameras.
I approached to enter and pushed the fob to gain entry. In a few moments the gates started to open, the right gate, (West end)  fully opened but the left gate (east end) only opened half way then stopped and shortly thereafter closed of its own accord,  the other gate also closed. I waited about a minute and then tried again, this time it functioned correctly.
I understand from the caretaker that there appears to be an ongoing problem. If this occurs out of the Caretakers normal hours, what might we do?  This a serious problem for all of us in residence. Might I ask that if any resident has this happens to them that they make an email report to the Directors.
Also might I respectfully request ask the Directors, what is being done about either a planned maintenance or a phone number to call if we are “trapped” inside, and NEED TO GET OUT.  This is something that all of us could dread if we had to get somewhere essentially. I note that you will be “reviewing” the maintenance requirements at your meeting in September.
It seems that it takes along time to get anything done to maintain this building to the high standards previously.  I sincerely hope that it is not “penny pinching” to save a few pounds, we need a fully high standard residence to be maintained. I am sure that all of us who have made this our home will fully agree with these sentiments.
I note with interest the last  item on your report and I for one would certainly appreciate RP improvements rather than dividends.
Yours sincerely
Captain Philip Weaver Flat 27.

FROM THE DIRECTORS IN RESPONSE:

Hello Captain Weaver,
Thank you for your email.

You are correct that the car park gate is an issues that has occurred before. We will report it again and get Anchor (the maintenance company in ASAP). We are circulating this email as requested. Please note the number to call Anchor is on the noticeboards, the website and on a sticker attached to the outside of the doors themselves.

The issue is not one of penny pinching as we have called Anchor out before and pay for them to repair (at a call out rate) but the underlying issue is not fully understood. It is one of a growing list of items that are caused by the general age of the facilities. The gate mechanism is over 20 years old. As are the lifts, the pier, the balconies, the sauna boilers etc.

We are not in a condition of penny pinching, we are facing a financial crunch – if we are to maintain a “fully high standard residence”. The current annual service charge just about covers our running costs. All the items mentioned above will be major expenditures. To give you a sense of scale, Regatta Point Freehold Limited at maximum receives £8,000 in ground rent per annum upon which we have to pay Corporation tax. We have had estimates to replace the motor and pump for ONE lift at £45,000 plus VAT.

This is why the Directors (sorry if I was ambiguous in the previous note but we are not at this point inviting residents) are holding a special meeting to consider the situation in greater detail.

We hope that provides you with a little more background and we appreciate the desire to keep all residents aware of the car park gate issue.

Directors Meeting – 25th June 2019

The Directors of Regatta Point Freehold Limited met for a regular meeting to discuss various matters arising in the running of the building.  

The following are highlights of the discussions:

  • Debtors – whilst there are only a few people owing large sums of money they are persistent offenders.  Action to investigate tightening up the debt collection and policy. 
  • Budgets – a clear picture of maintenance costs rising significantly over the year for door and lift repairs alongside security.  Directors are only approving essential expenditure.  Will plan to increase maintenance budgets in September.
  • Latest combine Fire and Health & Safety assessment reviewed.  No high-risk issues were found.  Other items to be addressed if appropriate with HML.
  • General discussion over major repairs resulted in agreement to hold special meeting at end of July to discuss in detail. 
  • Guest room income is to be re-directed into RPFL account and Directors to take over management in September. 
  • Owners of shares in the freehold to be surveyed for interest in new Articles of Association to allow for dividends or RP improvements.

Extraordinary Major Repairs meeting 31st July

Next meeting 10th September 2019

Lifts all working again. Wet paint on fire escapes.

Lifts A, B and D are now operational again with their smart new flooring. Thanks to all for their cooperation in this project.

As informed last night there is now wet paint on the fire escape metal steps. A second coat will be applied on Friday (tomorrow) . The paint will take the weekend to fully harden and “wet paint” notices will remain on the (operational) fire escape doors. Please do not use these steps until the notices are removed by the contractor. Usage will probably ruin your shoes and require the work to be repeated at extra cost and inconvenience.

Fire escape steps being painted 20th and 21st June

The metal fire escape steps near the bin rooms will be receiving 2 new coats of (silver) paint over the next 2 days. The work is needed because the steps are frequently used and the existing paint has worn through allowing rust to reappear.

Please avoid using the steps whilst the “wet paint” signs are displayed. The fire exit doors will remain operational to maintain the escape route but obviously will be leading onto wet paint.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Lifts A and B operational again with new flooring. Lift D tomorrow.

Lifts A and B are operational again but the adhesive needs to fully cure over night – so please no heavy movements (builders etc) until tomorrow (Thursday 20th June).

Lift D will have its flooring done tomorrow morning but be out of action until late afternoon – again this is to allow the adhesive to cure. Please don’t make heavy movements (builders etc) in lift D until Friday (21st June).

Disappointingly a resident switched on and operated lift A whilst it was out of service. Please leave this type of operation to authorised persons.