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Waterways Management Company

Management Committee Objectives 2017-8

1	Pursue satisfactory co-operative management arrangements for the ongoing maintenance of the watercourse. Gardening Watercourse Sub Committee

2	Pursue proper monitoring of noise and vibration resulting from increased rail traffic, in conjunction with the Wolvercote action group. Chair

3	Begin process of replacing vulnerable paving slabs and worn parking areas. Gardening Sub Committee

4	Continue the maintenance/management/planting of trees by the lakeside, next to the railway line and across the estate. Gardening Sub Committee

5	Pursue parking issues across the estate with the County Council, police, etc. Management Committee

6	Continue the programme of flat roof replacements in apartment blocks and build reserve funds accordingly. Apartment Blocks Sub Committee & Treasurer/FirstPort

7	Start planning the implementation of the apartment blocks’ asset management plans and start building up reserve funds to meet these long-term needs. Apartment Blocks Sub Committee & Treasurer/FirstPort

8	Pursue breaches covenants of apartment leases or freehold house transfers in relation to short-term lets/Airbnb and HMOs. Apartment Blocks Sub Committee

9	Acquire the freehold of the estate from Berkeley Homes at an appropriate time. Scrutiny Sub Committee

10	Continue negotiation of new management contract with FirstPort. Scrutiny Sub Committee

Council Plans for Parking in Elizabeth Jennings Way and Frenchay Road

We are all aware of the problems caused by commuters parking across the estate. The WMC Committee thinks that this will only be solved ultimately by a residents parking scheme and it will be pressing for this. In the meantime the County Council, which is responsible for the adopted roads on the estate, proposed new parking arrangements to solve the immediate safety issues in Frenchay Road and by the nursery in Elizabeth Jennings Way. The proposals are attached below. There were several comments made about the Frenchay Road proposal and so the council claimed they would produce a revised scheme in summer 2017 but despite pressure form our county councillor, this has still not appeared. It would seem that because of cuts to the county council's budgets we may have to wait a considerable time. In the meantime, the scheme for Elizabeth Jennings Way has now been completed and the double yellow lines extended. Residents who come across parking issues anywhere on the estate may contact the police if it is a serious obstruction or hazard and should also make complaints to the council.

December 2017

Character Assessments and Development Guidelines

In spring 2015 members of the Management Committee carried out Character Assessments of the estate, divided into four areas (excluding Rackham Place and Ryder Close which are the responsibility of GreenSquare). These were done in accordance with guidelines and templates devised by Oxford City Council and are intended to help and guide the council and local residents in the planning and development processes and decisions. Full details of the aims of the scheme and how they are carried out can be found on the Oxford City Council website at www.oxford.gov.uk The four assessments have been submitted to the council and copies can be found below on the attached files. The Assessments complement and amplify the Development Guidelines (see file below) which the Management Committee produced in 2014 and which are meant to guide house owners on the estate when considering developments to their property.

November 2015