Newsletter September 2010

Dear Owners,

Welcome to the first of our new style community newsletters. Below you will find a quick update of community news and issues currently being dealt with by the committee. We hope that you will find this useful and informative, but please feel free to send any comments to the committee if you feel it could be improved in any way or if you encounter any problems with the format.

Security – Following recent break-ins and the increase in crime, the committee are:

• Getting quotes for the installation of CCTV at the entrances.
• Getting a quote for the installation of “dummy” cameras as a deterrent.
• We have also reviewed the lighting in the garages and corridors and have issued an order to the electrician to make several improvements so that no one has to walk through darkness in these areas.
• Any decisions that require large expenditure and for which we have no budget (such as CCTV) will require community approval at an AGM or EGM.

Legal Actions
• The legal action between the community and San Antonio Properties has been given a pre-hearing date in December. We have been advised that it is possible for the judge to make a decision and conclude the case on that date. If that does not happen a date will be set for a full hearing.
• We have started the collection process against the debtors agreed at the AGM. As the first step in the legal process “Burofaxes” are being sent to the owners concerned; copies of these will also be posted on the community notice boards.
• With respect to alterations to No.58, judgement has been made in favour of the community. The committee is currently considering the most appropriate course of action.

Pools
• We are awaiting an inspection by the Town Hall in connection with the license for the upper pool. The pools have never received licenses. We have commissioned a technical architect to prepare a report of what work may be required for this.
• The lower pool will be dealt with separately.
• Over the summer there have been several problems with the chlorine dosifier systems in both pools. Both pools have now been equipped with tablet-form dosifiers, which will be much more reliable and cheaper to run.


Painting Programme
• Arrangements are in place for Paul Skirrow to undertake the painting of blocks 3 and 4 this year.
• Work will start in October and will include all external walls, wooden balustrades, roof beams and pergolas and original ironwork such as the Juliette balconies and garage gates.
• The painter will “make good” cracks and damaged corners, and has been requested to check chimneys and replace missing window surrounds.
• Painting will not include rejas and gates installed by owners
• Areas inside glass curtains can only be painted if access is available
• Owners are recommended to clear their terraces of any personal or valuable items before the painting commences.

Future Running of FSA
• Following the discussions at the EGM with regards to staffing, we have been looking at the way in which our community is managed and run.

• We are currently analysing what is required to run the community on a daily basis including those roles presently covered by on-site committee members. We will also consider the suggestion by some owners that some aspects of the former janitor’s role are no longer being covered.

• All options for the future will be looked at, including the use of a management/maintenance company, and we will report back in due course.

Service Providers
• Over the summer we changed our insurance provider and also the company responsible for maintenance of the fire extinguishers/alarms and associated installations. Both changes resulted in significant savings compared with previous years.
• We are currently reviewing more competitive offers for the lift maintenance and callout service.

Apartments
• Apartments 4 and 36 – applications for fitting of glass curtains and associated building work – currently under discussion

Community Fees
• Just a reminder that your Community Fees will be due on 1st October

Best wishes from the President, Vice President and the Committee

fsacommunity2010@gmail.com