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APRA EGM : 11th May 2010 The APRA committee were aware that the work that had been undertaken to improve our environment may have gone unnoticed by some residents, and therefore a slide was shown outlining many of our successes. The first order of business was a debate about the role of APRA and its future direction. Over the last few years, membership of APRA has dropped to below 50%, a level at which there has been serious concern about the viability of APRA. It was explained to all at the meeting that unless the general membership increased APRA may not be in a position to continue. The committee also pleaded with those in attendance to consider joining the committee, as the amount of work being undertaken, especially recently was unsustainable. The committee presented three possible ways forward: 1 – Disbandment of APRA and all membership subscription would be returned. 2 – Continue to arrange some social events and act as an information conduit for residents on issues as they arise. 3- Option 2, plus speaking for all members of APRA on any issues as they arise. It was made clear to all in attendance that for either option 2 or 3, APRA would need more active members. A vote was taken and 100% of the residents in the room were happy to accept option 3, providing we are able to gain more membership and committee members / support. A debate then followed on how to increase membership and ways to encourage more residents to join APRA. There was an excellent suggestion put forward by the meeting for APRA to start using “Road Reps” to better engage with all residents. We were fortunate that many residents in attendance agreed to take on the role of “Road Rep”, and as a result we now have reps for every road on Alexandra Park. These reps will be responsible for engaging with their friends and neighbours, explaining what APRA is doing and encouraging all non-members to join. A meeting is to be arranged to confirm the roles and responsibilities for these Road Reps. APRA will provide an information sheet to help deliver our message. The meeting then moved on to discuss the current situation with Solitaire, the levels of service we are receiving and what, if anything APRA could do. The meeting was not a forum for the residents to discuss their own particular issues with Solitaire, but rather an opportunity to discuss the way forward. There were some strong opinions voiced and ideas presented, along with some residents favouring more direct action. APRA explained to those in attendance that they had sought brief legal advice and that advice was for all residents who have an issue to enter into and complete the Solitaire Complaints Procedure. To assist residents, APRA had produced template letters for all stages of this process and published them on the website. Cliff Barry kindly provided a brief overview of the main issues all residents were having with Solitaire, their complaints procedure and an overview of what further actions APRA could take, if we were to gain a full mandate from all residents. The outcome of the debate was that APRA would now push hard for more members to join, as there would be strength in numbers when dealing with Solitaire and David Wilson Homes. We would also write to DWH, explaining that we had a meeting with residents who had asked APRA to undertake an official complaint to Solitaire. APRA would then raise an official complaint to Solitaire on behalf of all members of APRA. It was clear that at this point membership numbers really matter. It was agreed by all at the meeting that if Solitaire is going to take ARPA seriously, we need as many members as possible. Once membership was increased and new committee members were onboard, APRA could then look at further ways in dealing with Solitaire on behalf of APRA members. We finished the meeting by briefly advertising the upcoming Farm Walk and APRA thanked everyone for taking the time to attend. After the meeting closed, APRA were delighted to see a number of residents come forward and be prepared to join the committee, increasing our ability to act on behalf of members. A meeting is to be held as soon as possible to welcome them and progress our unified strategy in dealing with Solitaire.
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Lack of Maintenance of the Public Open Space Given the fees that residents are obliged to pay, you won’t dispute that this is unacceptable. APRA believe that it is not acceptable for Solitaire to continue to collect fees without providing a commensurate service. To help resolve this situation it is vital that APRA receives your support so we can help you gain control of our own development and manage the landscaping maintenance and associated costs in a competitive manner. Please join us at 8 pm on the 11th May 2010, at Alexandra House, to openly discuss the continuing issues around Solitaire, Greenscape and the poor maintenance of our estate. It is vital that we agree a way forward for APRA, including a coherent strategy for all future engagement and interactions with both residents and Solitaire. Specifically, APRA wish to gain your support in favour of the formation of an independent Management Company for the ongoing management of the Public Open Space at Alexandra Park. Without your ongoing support, APRA will be forced to disband, meaning that there will be no Voice of the Residents in relation to Solitaire and other issues relating to landscaping and Alexandra Park. This in turn may result in a reduction in the quality of life for Alexandra Park residents. To help APRA become the Voice of the Residents – we need you to join the Association. Only with increased membership can we influence Solitaire. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please email your comments /Wishes
APRA NEEDS YOUR HELP – JOIN US UPDATE – 4 May 2010: A Reply from Solitaire Carole Lawes, Solitaire’s Regional Manager, in her e-mail to APRA on Friday 30th April 2010, has said the reason for the lack of landscaping work is due to insufficient funds available in the Alexandra Park account to pay Greenscape the Landscaping Contractor. Greenscape have quite rightly refused to undertake any further landscaping work until they have been paid. This is the reason that no landscaping work has been undertaken on Alexandra Park since October 2009. Carole Lawes states that one of the principle reasons for the lack of funds is the number of households on the development in arrears with their Variable Rent Charge. Carole says “We are taking all necessary steps to recover these outstanding monies but would urge residents to settle any sums which they have owing to ensure that we can meet the financial obligations of the development and settle the contractors payments” She goes on to say ”We are also working closely with our accounts team to ensure that the service charge invoices which fell due on the 1st April 2010 are issued as soon as possible to ensure the continued flow of money into the development bank account”. APRA have replied stating that we are very concerned that Solitaire are not managing this development and that no landscaping work has been undertaken since October 2009, work for which the majority of residents have already paid. We have strongly urged Solitaire to enter into a dialogue with those residents that have arrears in order to address the situation. We have also asked that landscaping work be carried out as a matter of urgency and that Solitaire manage this development and deliver the level of service we, the residents, have paid for. APRA have also stated that considering no work has been undertaken since October 2009, those residents that have paid the Variable Rent Charge should be considered to be in credit by 6 months. We expect invoices to arrive from Solitaire for the advance payment of the Variable Rent Charge for the period 1st April 2010 to 30th September 2010 in the next few days; residents should check these invoices carefully. We continue to urge you to complain directly to Solitaire, using their agreed complaints procedure. if you are unhappy with this current situation. . To make this process easier, the Committee have produced a number of standardised letters that you can adapt and use to initiate the complaints process. Please click here for a template Stage 1 letter Please click here for a template Stage 2 letter Please click here for Complaints contacts Please click here for the Solitaire Complaints procedure UPDATE – 30 April 2010: Mowing at the Entrance to Alexandra Park Just in case you thought that Solitaire had sorted out the Landscaping problem we would like to point out that it has been APRA members who have been out last week and over the weekend cutting the grass at the entrance to the development and on the Green by the statue. The problems with Solitaire and the lack of Landscaping continue! |
