WATERWAYS MANAGEMENT COMPANY
Q & A session before MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING NO 76
7.00 pm, Tuesday 25 September 2018
Present: Adrian Olsen (Chair), Ann Hall, Nicholas Orme, Paula Reynolds, Louise Robertson, Hilary
Sorensen, Mary Tovey, Liz Wheater, Cath Whitehead
In attendance: Rebecca Burt, FirstPort Property Services, Karen Dolton, Michael Faulkner, Roni
Hameiri, Michael and Joanna Harrison, Kate Lack, Kate Mulholland, Thelma Nichols, Pat Strudwick
Minute taker: Imogen Olsen
1 Question submitted in advance
1.1 Roni Hameiri and David Bowen had asked: ‘What solution can the committee
recommend for those residents that may be unable or unwilling to wheel a bin from the
back to the front of a house?’ After much discussion of the problems raised by the
dustbins stored at the front of houses in this part of Frenchay Road, which is not allowed
by the transfer document although access to the rear of this row of houses is difficult
and not the same as elsewhere on the estate or as indicated on the estate plan, it was
agreed that the matter would be investigated during the next Gardening Sub-Committee
walkabout and that a solution would be considered, possibly involving the use of a
concealing hedge or trellis.
Kate Lack pointed out that it can be difficult to make new tenants aware of the estate
regulations. The Chair explained that the Welcome to the Waterways booklet is
available for residents to pass on to any newcomers they notice but that it is very
difficult to identify all new tenants/owners.
2 Further questions were invited
2.1 Mr and Mrs Harrison asked about renewal of the landscaping and planting near
Clearwater Place. This matter was already on the agenda for the next Gardening SubCommittee walkabout. Suggestions were invited from residents regarding the shrubs to
be replanted during the winter.
2.2 Karen Dolton raised the question of the communal gardens in Complins Close. FirstPort
explained that feedback from residents to the proposed 1 meter high, looped-top black
metal fencing had been very divided and that a compromise acceptable to all would be
difficult. Residents with children wanted a garden suitable for play, while others wanted
beautiful flowers and shrubs. After much discussion it was decided to hold a meeting for
residents in order to find a way forward.
2.3 Michael Faulkner asked whether there was a long-term plan for the alders in Frenchay
Road. It was explained that there is as yet no overall plan, that individual trees have
been felled for reasons of safety or because they were in privately owned gardens. It
was agreed that a plan for ‘the avenue’ will eventually need to be drawn up but that
replacement with more suitable trees would probably be difficult because of the
extensive tree roots and hedging..
2
2.4 The question of replacement paving slabs was also raised, and it was explained that
there is a rolling programme for this work which will begin once the scaffolding for
current roof works is all down. As it is very expensive, it was estimated that the work
would take 3-4 years.
2.5 Thelma Nichols raised an enquiry regarding Baker’s Dozen, the company that manages
1-25 Stone Meadow. FirstPort explained that they had all the apartment owners’
addresses on file and would be able to help by sending out letters if Thelma contacts
them.
3 The meeting ended at 7.30 pm.