Saxon Court Residents' Committee: minutes of meeting on 25 March 2025

Agenda

 1. Budget approval

2. Bin store

3. Garden

4. Tree/ hedge reduction

5. Balconies

6. Back fence repair

7. Telephone for lifts

8. Outstanding precepts

9. 'Tree works' from 2024 accounts

10. AOB

Minutes

 In attendance: Liz Robson (chairman), Hamed Bybordi, Tessa Simpson, Tony Bray, Nicola Harrison, Peter Harrison, Hermann Moisl, Sharon Cairns (Moonstone)

1. Budget approval The 2025 budget was presented and explained by Sharon Cairns. Accepted by the Committee. Residents' precept to rise in line with current inflation rate, and the additional revenue thereby raised is to go to the Reserve Fund.

2. Bin store A quote to have the bin store professionally restored and another for materials to do the work ourselve were obtained. Tony Bray presented plans for renovation of the store together with costings for materials. Committee members agreed to do the work ourselves, and all Committee members expressed a willingness to participate in the work as required. Timing of work to be arranged. Relevant documents attached here.

3. Garden Tessa Simpson presented a document outlining plans for work on the front garden - attached with costings, and the Commiitee agreed to proceed. Bamboo is to be to be removed subject to agreement by Michael Lucas, who lives adjacent to it. Agreement that an offer to replace with alternative planting to be made. Tessa will consult with Michael. Costings attached here and accepted.

4. Tree/ hedge reduction Quotes for the requisite work were presented and are attached here and here. Conifers are to be reduced and the sycamore trimmed. Tessa contacted one of the tenderers, Penson, for a reduction during the meeting, which resulted in a reduction from £4000 to £2600 + VAT. The meeting agreed to engage Penson.

5. Balconies Liz Robson reported on the inspection of the balconies by Fraser Washington, whose company did the exterior painting two years ago. He was asked to provide quotes for (i) repair of the existing woodwork, (ii) replacement with wood, and (iii) replacement with a suitable grade of composite. Sharon Cairns agreed to obtain a second quote, and when they arrive the Committee will decide whom to engage. Sharon also noted that the composite has to be A1 to meet fire regulations.

6. Back fence repair There was no progress on this, but the meeting noted that repair was urgent. Sharon Cairns to obtain two quotes.

7. Telephone for lifts This has been arranged by Sharon Cairns, and replacement of the existing analog phones with digital ones is imminent.

8. Outstanding residents' precepts Moonstone has initiated steps to recover outstanding precepts, which may lead to legal proceedings if necessary.

9. Tree works' from 2024 accounts Some months ago Liz Robson identified a discrepancy in payments made by EPM, our former property management service, for tree removal and wall reconstruction after storm damage in 2023. She went to considerable lengths to identify the cause of the discrepancy with the aim of recovering the sum involved, but to date there has been no resolution of the issue on account of what appeared to be deliberate obfuscation. She went on to say that there seemed to be no prospect of further progress, and as such proposed to terminate her investigation, with which the Committee concurred. It was suggested that existing documentation relevant to this matter be retained for possible future reference, to which Liz agreed.

10. AOB