John Hewer – Chair of APRA wrote to Mr Richard Dendy – Alexandra Park Property Manager regarding a number of issues.
Dear Richard,
Thanks for calling in the other day, and I am sorry I couldn’t walk round with you on your regular visit.
I hope that all the work required for the handover is now completed and acceptable.
The points we raised about the cable, hoggin footpath edges, faded no through road signs, and tree replacement, I hope have all been addressed.
Regarding the proposed budget, as promised we discussed at our committee meeting and our comments are listed below.
1) We queried the figures for the landscaping – the original quote we were given by Kevin when we had the original walk round with him just before Easter last year was for £14600
including vat.
You mentioned in your email that this had not decreased as per Kevin’s original quote of
£17520. but in fact it appears to be just over a 13% increase.
Unless we have misunderstood your email, it seems that the extra for the Lords Close addition is £6912, which again seems excessive for the relatively small amount of
additional work in that area, as there is very little landscaping compared to
the rest of the estate but would now be a quarter of the total quote.
2) We expected that we would at some stage incur expenses regarding the necessary work and inspection on the large amount of trees on the estate. We think that the
contingency fund should be used for this type of expense. It has always been
know this work would be needed and in the past we have stated that we would not
want to have a large amount to be charged in one year for this work.
Although the figure of £1500 is considered to be reasonable, we would ask if this is a ‘one off’ expense, and if not, how regularly would it be expected to be charged, and that
a realistic figure is added to the contingency fund to cover, and not be charged as an extra levy.
3) The figure for accountancy and audit has increased by over 50% compared to the budget for year ending March 2011. Again this was thought to be excessive.
4) Our continuing concern over the high Management charges have not been helped by the figures quoted. We consider that a figure of £65 +vat for each property would be more appropriate and in line with other companies charges we have experience of.
5) When we agreed that Greenfingers be awarded the contact, we inserted a caveat that the contact was reviewed annually and observations made over their performance.
Whilst we are in the main extremely happy with the work they have done since last Easter, and the estate is looking its best for a while, we also have a couple of points we would like
to raise.
a) The specification states that the grass cuttings should be removed. When G/F started the work, the grass was so long that it would have been a huge task to remove it all, so
it was agreed that a couple of compost heaps be used to allow the cuttings to naturally decompose.
Unfortunately it seems that the compost heaps are being used regularly to cope with the cuttings from the tractor, with the hand mowers cuttings being collected and removed. We would stress that the specification should now be kept to and all cuttings should be removed.
b) We have also asked that we are given a schedule of work to be carried out, so we can keep the residents updated. Apart from the occasional verbal update we have not had what
we have asked for.
6) Regarding the Road sweeping, It does need doing, and as the issue has not yet been cleared up with who is responsible for this charge, it should be done ASAP, with the
understanding that if it is eventually established that E&M are responsible through the fixed rent charge, the bill be transferred to them.
As you can tell, we are not entirely happy with the amount of increases, even if they are taken as a proportional increase in line with the number of extra houses, it doesn’t
equate, so we need more explanation before we can accept you budget proposals.
We look forward to hearing from you
Kind Regards
John
John Hewer
Chair APRA
