Dated 5 September, 2004
The Residents’ Association welcomes everyone’s contribution. If you have a problem, suggestion or news please contact a Committee member. They are: Jim Hurson (flat 6) Shirley Batten-Smith (flat 7) Syd Hall (flat 9) and Paul Ryzman (flat 11)
Also on the committee are the Directors of Langwood Residents Association Ltd who are:
Tony Batten-Smith (flat 7) Alan Goodridge (flat 21) and Stephanie Beardsworth (flat 22).
Our Managing Agent is Dennis Brooke of Qualitas telephone: 01923 211331
The following items were considered at the latest meeting.
Gate
The posts are in and the gate will be added soon. Please note that the gate will be padlocked shut for the first week only. This is to give the impression that it will be permanently locked but after the first week although the padlock will remain the gate will be open. During that first week those in block 10/22 requiring access to the car park and garages will have to go through block 1/9. If this arrangement presents you with any special problem please contact Alan in flat 21 (tel: 245971) for help.
Exterior Lights
The new lights have now been acquired and will be fitted shortly.
Block Doors and Locks
The tendering process has revealed that the cost of the new doors will exceed £5250 and accordingly formal consultation with shareholders is required. Dennis will write this week to all concerned.
As previously indicated, thought is being given to the introduction of locks on the block doors. The committee has it in mind to buy a radio-controlled system. This system uses radio transmission between a caller panel at the front door and a battery operated handset in each flat. Visitors using the panel cause the handset to ring in the flat they want and when you answer you can speak directly to the visitor and unlock the door for them without leaving your flat. Residents coming home can open the door by entering a code at the panel or use a key. The system can be set to keep the doors open for a set time to allow access for regular deliveries (papers, milk, post etc).
Being radio controlled means there would be no need to run wires between each flat and the block doors. This is a modern, flexible system offering good security but comes at a price. The first quote received is £4169 plus VAT and that is for only one panel per block (the other doors would have traditional locks). Other quotes are being sought but are unlikely to be much cheaper and having panels on 3 or 4 doors would cost more.
As we do not have locks at present introducing them is not, strictly, a maintenance item so your views are requested. The cost could be covered from existing funds but do you think it is worth the money? Please forward your views to Alan before the next meeting (3 October).
Banner Homes
The most recent planning application for the site 59/63 Langley Road & 1 Langwood Gardens goes to the relevant Council committee on for decision on 7th September.
Guttering
The cause of a long-standing problem on block 1/9 has been identified but it is now so bad that it is to be treated as an emergency repair. It may involve replacing a section of fascia and if so upvc will be used. The cost will be in the region of £1100.
The high cost is due, largely, to recently introduced safety regulations that mean that, in future, virtually all work above first floor level will need scaffolding. Similarly, the other exterior re-decorating that was planned for this autumn will be more expensive than had been budgeted for. Replacing all the existing fascia boards with upvc would eliminate much of the future maintenance costs but it is not in our 2004 budget. In these circumstances it has been decided to limit the 2004 exterior re-decoration to the bin stores and to defer the fascias to next year. In the meantime the cost of replacement by upvc will be identified so that it can be included in the budget for next year.
Lawns
A further treatment is imminent.
Parking
As the pressure grows on parking space some people have begun to park in front of their garage. There is no problem with this providing you do not block in anyone else. (Clearly it is not possible for those in flats 7 to 15 to park in front of their garages).
Next Meeting: Sunday, 3rd October, 2004 at 10.30 in flat no.21.
Sending the newsletter by email saves time and paper. If you would like your newsletter sent by email please let Alan know your address on alanjgoodridge@hotmail.com