WATERWAYS MANAGEMENT COMPANY
MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETING No 110
Thursday 12th September 2024
Present: Sarah Lally, Pat Strudwick, Liz Wheater, Paula Reynolds, Raquel Stremme, Brian
Shine (Acting Chair) Roni Hameiri, Kate Lack, Aroul Ramadass (Treasurer)
In attendance: David Hone (FirstPort), Rachel Dolacinski (FirstPort)
1 Apologies for absence
Louise Robertson, Nazeem Dharamshi, Nicholas Orme, Ann Hall.
2 Minutes of the WMC meeting 109 – Thursday 12th July 2024
The minutes were agreed.
3 Matters arising from the minutes
3.1 (3.1). Contacted A W Grace & Son Limited, OX14 3DA in terms of
refurbishment/replacement of railings to obtain quote, refer to 4.3.3 – closed..
3.2 (3.2) FP had written to resident re charging a car via a long lead and reports of another
resident doing the same. FP to follow up directly with the owners of the properties.
3.3 (3.3) Email recevied from Cllr Miles including information of required planning
permission including fees for community notice board. Discussions around potential
costs and concerns around the notice boards becoming untidy and what can go on the
board. Use of website can be encouraged. It was unanimously agreed by eight
directors not to proceed at present due to expense..
3.4 (3.5) A director to update Compendium of Decisions.
3.5 (3.6) No information yet received from Green Square – ongoing.
3.6 (3.7) It was agreed to monitor the EV charging at Waterside as there are complexities
of installations on houses and apartments on an estate. No progress – remove from
agenda for the time being.
3.7 FirstPort to provide Directors with details of EV contractors – refer to 4.3.2 closed.
4 Sub Committee reports
4.1 Apartment Blocks Sub Committee
4.1.1 Successful meeting with Hemsworth to discuss lift modernisations. The plan was
reviewed and next two blocks due for modernisation 108-126 & 115 – 141 Frenchay
Road, funds permitting. It was discussed and agreed to continue to monitor the
remaining lifts for any issues and review the reserves for the remaining blocks with a
review of the lift condition in 2030.
It was requested that notices were installed into the lifts to advise ‘passenger lift only’
due to furniture and household goods being moved using the lifts.
4.1.2 Works completed at 108 – 126 Frenchay Road – closed.
4.1.3 Replacement canopy installed at 108-126 Frenchay Road – closed.
4.1.4 Redecoration works to Stone Meadow & EJW have been placed on hold due to repairs
being required to the render first.
4.2 Gardening Sub Committee
4.2.1 Bike clearance completed – closed.
4.2.2 Brickwork complete to the Stone Meadow pillar. Lantern installed but not connected,
electrician instructed to attend.
4.2.3 FirstPort to obtain a sample of the resin bonding surface, with a view to undertake the
works in Spring 2025.
4.2.4 Autumn walkabout date September/early October to be confirmed.
4.2.5 Works have been completed to make good the fence / grounds by the end Stone
Meadow house.
4.2.6 Concerns of fishing in the lake. Hedges are in place surrounding the lake and a secure
gate to prevent access, signage in place, the life ring and the gate is kept closed.
Residents to call 101 if they see anyone fishing – closed.
4.3 Private houses Sub Committee
4.3.1 Objections had been sent re the air source heat pumps, no further action – closed.
4.3.2 FirstPort to provide Directors with details of EV contractors.
4.3.3 Contacted A W Grace & Son Limited, OX14 3DA in terms of
refurbishment/replacement of railings to obtain quote.
4.3.4 FirstPort to obtain a sample of the resin bonding surface, with a view to undertake the
works in Spring 2025. Once design & colour agreed by WMC, FirstPort can obtain
tenders. FirstPort could not confirm if there will be sufficient monies in reserves to
cover the works until quotes are recevied.
5 Finance
5.1 Budget for 2024/2025 issued. Accounts have been drafted for review on 16th
September with Treasurer.
Copies of invoices were requested following the accounts. It was explained that
leaseholders can request this in writing ‘Section 22 Landlord & Tenants Act’.
Bank Statement of The Waterways was requested.
5.2 Asset Plan has been created for review to look at schedule of works – initially 3 – 8 &
31-39 Complins Close and 115-141 Frenchay Road.
It was asked how many sublets have been done in the last 12 months, FirstPort to
liaise with the necessary team to obtain information.
6 Feedback
6.1 Air BnBs – concerns of these at The Waterways. FirstPort to deal directly with
properties.
7 Managing Agent
7.1 Various roof works required across the estate following roof surveys. FirstPort have
obtained quotations and this information has been sent to WMC. Most cost effective
contractor unable to undertake works immediately. It was agreed to remain with Acorn
to undertaken works as soon as they possibly can due to the costs.
8 WRACIC
8.1 Christmas event date 7 December 3.30pm – 6.30pm.
9 AGM 2024
AGM agreed Tuesday 5th November at 7.30pm in Woodstock Road Baptist Church
Hall.
Thank you to Paula Reynolds for all of her hard work and dedication to The Waterways
as she will unfortunately not be re-standing as Director at the AGM.
10 Any other business
10.1 The big rake: morning of Sunday 22 September
10.2 Evergreen had confirmed they do not use Glyphosate, FirstPort to confirm what is
used.
10.3 A date for the silt clearance works to be confirmed by OnSite.
10.4 Two directors wrote to Cllr John Howson in May, following a wider consultation about
the Voi scooter bay on Frenchay Road. This was escalated to the Senior Transport
Planner and the lines were removed and bay deactivated on the app. However
scooters are still being abandoned on the estate. A director recently wrote to Cllr
Howson again but unfortunately little can be done. It was suggested that this is raised
with the company directly.
Concerns were raised that there was no consultation of the removal of the voi scooter
bay following the council’s go-ahead. There are people at The Waterways that use
them and would have liked a bay to remain on the estate. Consultation more widely
should have been done to represent the people fairly before removing.
11 Dates of 2024 meetings
14 November 2024, 9 January 2025 at 6.00pm in the Community Room