Consort RPRA Update Tuesday 6 th May 2014 Pumping Station / Drain Related Drain Problems We continue to experience problems with the drains due to residents neglecting what they dispose of into the system. Below is an example of where my caretaker tried to rod one of the drains which was blocked with hand wipes and baby products. Unfortunately his efforts were not successful which meant having to send instructions to a contractor to get the drains professionally jetted – again incurring unnecessary cost. Tavistock House / Rosebury Square Area As you know there is a serious issue with a damaged sewer pipe deep underground in this area. Consort has been given a quote of approximately £15,000 to complete the repair which involves digging up a large area of the ground. Consort has been in discussion with the insurers to see if any part of the problem can be covered by insurance. The insurers have since sent a drain specialist to Repton Park and a loss adjuster is due to visit Repton Park on the 7 th May. We hope to know more soon as to how we can progress with this particular problem. Due to the amount of money spent in this area of the budget, it may be necessary to increase the service charge to cover additional cost being spent on drains and the pumping stations. It is impossible for Consort to establish who is responsible for neglecting the system but we have to ensure the pumping stations remain operational and drains clear at all times on health and safety grounds.
Transcript
Consort RPRA Update
Tuesday 6th May 2014
Pumping Station / Drain Related
Drain Problems
We continue to experience problems with the drains due to residents neglecting what they dispose of into
the system. Below is an example of where my caretaker tried to rod one of the drains which was blocked
with hand wipes and baby products. Unfortunately his efforts were not successful which meant having to
send instructions to a contractor to get the drains professionally jetted – again incurring unnecessary cost.
Tavistock House / Rosebury Square Area
As you know there is a serious issue with a damaged sewer pipe deep underground in this area. Consort
has been given a quote of approximately £15,000 to complete the repair which involves digging up a large
area of the ground.
Consort has been in discussion with the insurers to see if any part of the problem can be covered by
insurance. The insurers have since sent a drain specialist to Repton Park and a loss adjuster is due to visit
Repton Park on the 7th May. We hope to know more soon as to how we can progress with this particular
problem. Due to the amount of money spent in this area of the budget, it may be necessary to increase the
service charge to cover additional cost being spent on drains and the pumping stations. It is impossible for
Consort to establish who is responsible for neglecting the system but we have to ensure the pumping
stations remain operational and drains clear at all times on health and safety grounds.
Road Related
Roads Update
Further to a meeting with the RPRAC Roads sub committee a works order has been placed with Price &
Myers to progress this project. Price & Myers plan on visiting Repton Park in the near future further to their
instruction. Consort will keep the RPRAC in the loop as the project progresses.
Road Repairs
Two quotes have been received for the areas of road in Repton Park which are in need of repair. The cost
between the two quotes in quite considerable. Consort looking for feedback from the RPRAC.
Grounds Review
Flowers
All the bedding flowers currently on display throughout Repton Park are from the winter bedding which
has done really well. In the next month or so the Development Manager will be liaising with MBS to discuss
ideas for the annual summer bedding displays and locations.
New Flower Beds
The development Manager has identified a couple of areas where we could introduce flowers beds –
improving the grounds. If the RPRAC have any suggestions then please let the Development Manager
know. A wild flower bed is going to be introduced using a wild corn mix along Clarence Gate – adding a
natural wow factor to the grounds.
Weed /moss treatment
The grounds have recently been sprayed to address the weeds growing in the kerb edges and moss around
the development. MBS have now purchased a new machine which will be trialled shortly on Repton Park.
The Boulevard roundabouts
Management are currently reviewing the roundabouts with a view of making improvement; a real focal
point of Repton Park. Consort to follow this up and liaise with the RPRAC in preparation for the summer
months as this is a joint project. Need to arrange meeting with sub committee responsible.
Bike Store
After giving this some consideration I think should the RPRAC wish to explore this further then the ideal
location is opposite the gatehouse. Obviously Consort are currently storing the buggy there however the
Development Management is looking into alternatives to see whether it could be kept elsewhere.
Once a location has been established a RPRAC member should contact the council to see if they have any
suggestions or concerns on behalf of the residents of Repton Park. Please keep Consort in the loop with any
progress.
Tree Works
There remains around 2 weeks worth of tree work to be completed around the boundaries of Repton Park.
Consort is currently liaising with the contractor over a start date. This is further to the bad weather we
experienced in earlier months due to the level of damage caused on Repton Park.
Council Trees
Consort has also been in discussion with Redbridge Council who are visiting Repton Park to check all the
trees which fall under the council’s responsibility.
This is due to Consort raising concerns over the condition of some of their trees. Below is an example of a
council tree where a limb has fallen and touching the boundary fence in Claybury Villas; an area of Repton
Park that has already experienced damage to the fence from a fallen council tree.
Small trees around apartment blocks
Due to the site maturing it will now be necessary to have annual works carried out to these trees. It is
estimated that there is around 2 weeks work per year. This will be a new addition to the budget so the
Development Manager is looking to tweak to specification for the landscaping to take this into account.
Redecoration Review
Major Works – Repton Park apartments only
This project is again underway. Consort is currently liaising with the contractor over outstanding external
works throughout Repton Park.
A meeting has been arranged with the contractor and ICI who prepared the works specification on the 8th
May to review the external communal doors. This is due to concerns being raised about the final finish to
some of the doors already decorated as the varnish is getting damaged easily.
Consort met with the contractor to discuss the issues which lead to the trial redecoration to the communal
door at Aundle House last week. This will be inspected and discussed at the meeting on the 8th with ICI.
To bring the doors up to the standard expected, it may mean an amendment to the works specification.
This would mean additional cost due to the extra works involved. Below shows a door which has been
stripped back as part of the trail. To strip a single door back like this takes around 3 hours, this is without
being redecoration and simply prep work.
Consort Update
On site Staff Personal Development Reviews
Management continue to work on the staff’s annual development reviews. This is where any training or
guidance needed will be reviewed with each member of staff on an individual basis. These will be
completed by the end of May.
Customer Surgeries
One site Management continue to carry out monthly evening surgeries. This is so residents are able to
speak to Management of an evening should they wish to do so.
Frank Vidler & Jeff Wallis
Our Maintenance Man – Frank is retiring this month after 12 years of service at Repton Park. His last
working day will be Wednesday 28th May.
We welcome Jeff Wallis to Repton Park who will be replacing Frank. Jeff joins the onsite team with vast
experience in all aspects of buildings and maintenance.
Annual Tenders
Management continue to work on the annual tenders. We should have all the tenders for Repton Park in
by the end of the month. This will then be shared with the RPRAC.
Budget Review
Consort will shortly be working on the budget for Repton Park for the year ending 31st July 2015. Once we
have put our proposal together we will then forward it to the RPRAC to review.
Should the RPRAC have any suggestions about the budget please let the Development Management know.
Consort are aware that consideration needs to be given towards the roads moving forward.
Spring General Letter
There was a delay in getting the newsletter published however this will be delivered around Repton Park
this month.
Security / Health & Safety Car Park Lighting
As old units fail within East & West Car Park they are being replaced with LED Lights. This will eventually
save money on running costs and repairs.
Street Lights
Consort has been in discussion with a contractor who has been exploring the possibilities of changing the
light bulbs in the street lights to LEDs. Unfortunately it is not as simple as just ‘changing over the bulbs’. All
the existing fitting would need to be removed and replaced with a LED unit. It is possible but could cost
anything between £150 - £200 per street light.
Identity theft
There were no reports of any Identity theft in April, however we did get a report from a resident in
Cheltenham House who had suspicions that someone may have tampered with their letter box.
Trade Buttons to Blocks
All the trade buttons to the apartment blocks have been adjusted to turn off at 10:00am. This is to help
improve the security within the apartment blocks.
Police safer Neighbourhood Team
The SNT team continue to visit Repton Park; however their last recorded visit was in March. Development
Manager to speak to them about this as extra support will be required around the development in the
summer months.
Communal Areas
There has been a noticeable improvement in residents respecting the communal area; however keeping
the communal area clear of resident’s personal items will require continuous monitoring.
Management have also been knocking on residents doors and speaking to them directly about any
concerns that they have specific to this. This approach is working well.
Pigeons – Devonshire House
Consort continues to look into this. The Development Manager is liaising with MBS on this as Martyn Bass
has a contact with a bird of prey however an improvement has been noticed so such action may not be
necessary.
Service Charge Review
The service charge continues to be in good health. Consort’s Customer Collections Team remains on top of
this and monthly updates are provided to the Development Manager.
At the moment there are approximately service charge arrears of 3%
