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Committee Report March 2021

At the present time it is not possible to hold the Annual General Meeting but as soon as regulations permit a date will be arranged. Meanwhile it is hoped this short report keeps tenants aware of how the estate is faring.

It is regrettable that Tony Gee, Chairman, cannot write this report but he has been very ill since October with pneumonia and has been unable to carry out his usual duties. We hope he soon begins to feel much better.

The last 12 months has been a difficult year due to Covid and staff retirements.

Estate Maintenance

Paul Sutton decided to retire just before Christmas. He has worked on estate maintenance and repairs for over 15 years. We wish him well in his retirement.

Over the last few years Mark Gaskin, a sub-contractor, has worked on renovating empty properties. Presently Mark has one empty property (12 Lilac Avenue) to work on and will also undertake any general repairs on tenants' properties. However it is hoped to recruit a part-time general maintenance person in the near future.

The programme for replacing cast iron guttering etc on all properties is progressing. All properties on Chestnut Avenue, Lilac Avenue and Keyham Lane (between Fern and Chestnut) are now complete and several on Fern Rise and Laburnum Road. The completion of Keyham Lane is now being processed.

Estate Office

Susan, Estate Secretary, for over 17 years, found it difficult to work doing the pandemic and decided she could no longer continue and retired at the end of October.

A new secretary, Rachel Pierce, began her employment in the office before-Christmas. The Committee are pleased to say she has settled in very well and proving to be an able administrator.

During the interim period the office was manned by Committee members.

Electrical Inspections

The Government has bought in legislation for all rented properties to have full inspections of all electrical wiring etc. in a property. This should be completed by 1^st April 2021. Any work found to be necessary has to be completed within 28 days. This work is being processed as quickly as possib’e with 4 different contractors employed. (Inspection of electric appliances is not included). These inspections will need to be carried out every 5 years.

It is understandable that, due to Covid, some tenants do not wish to have contractors in their property.

The Committee would like to thank tenants for putting up with the disruption whilst the electricians carry out their work but it is necessary that everyone lives within a safe household.

Finances

A profit has been recorded for 2020/21 (the paperwork is presently with the auditor and balance sheets etc. will be sent out as soon as available). The profit this year is more than the Management Committee would usually plan for as it entails paying corporation tax which we like to avoid!

However, the electrical inspections and necessary work will result in major expenditure during this current financial year. Unfortunately it was not easy to arrange for much of this work during 2020, again, due to Covid.

Laburnum Hall

Unfortunately the Hall has been out of use during the Covid restrictions but it is hoped it will soon be possible to open again and that some, or all, of the original groups will return. Bookings will be taken through the office/web site when the hall reopens.

Rents Payments

Unfortunately there are times when some tenants find it difficult to make their rent payments. The Committee wish to stress that they would rather a tenant discuss the situation. Ignoring the problem only makes it worse and eventually leads to legal action which is unpleasant and expensive.

The vast majority of tenants pay their rent by direct debit and we would urge all tenants to pay this way. Especially during this period of Covid, it is safer for the Secretary not to handle cash and to keep the number of visitors to the office at a minimum.

Report and statement of accounts for the year ending 31^st January 2021

Current Committee of Management 2021/22 as of 31^st July 2021

Previous Committee of Management 2020/21

Attendance for the year in 2020/21 (21 possible)

Order of retirement

Report of the Committee

Fellow Members,
We present herewith the Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31^st January 2021. After meeting all expenses including interest on the reserve fund, there is a balance of £52,779.

The Committee of Management recommends that no dividend be paid for the year ended 31^st January 2021 and that all revenues received are used for the running, upkeep and maintenance of the Societies properties.

On behalf of the Committee

Mrs K Creese — Acting Chairman

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