GARRISON RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION
Annual General Meeting.
30th November 2020 at 7.30pm
Zoom Meeting to comply with Covid-19 Rules
Present
Chris Coomber Hon. Chairman
Pamela Deakin Hon. Secretary
Phil Coombe Hon. Treasurer
Peter Farrington
Jonathan Hunnabal
Cliff Marshall
Larry Irwin
Pam Dewey
Richard Spence
Michael Stiers
Robert Fowler
Daniel Puddick
Councillor Anne Chalk
Councillor Steve Wakefield
22 Resident Members
1 Apologies
Councillor Nick Ward
2 Minutes of 2019 Meeting
The minutes of the 2019 AGM were adopted as correct by Chris Coomber, seconded by Richard Spence.
3 Matters Arising
There were no matters arising
4 Chairman’s report
The full report is available on the GRA website.
Chris Coomber welcomed the participants to the 12th AGM.
It was noted that GRA membership is open to all residents, both owners and tenants. Since formation in 2008, GRA has played an active role, working with the developers, their management company – SGMCL - and managing agents - currently Fowler & Spenceley – on property maintenance, service and estate charges, parking issues and site maintenance. It has maintained contact with Southend BC Planning Department, Parks & Leisure, Essex Police and English Heritage. It has also ensured that the developer deposited sufficient funds for the upkeep and maintenance of the Garrison infrastructure.
In a difficult year, the committee has worked with the managing agents to ensure that the estate has been maintained and improved within budgetary constraints. In spite of restrictions, landscaping has been improved significantly.
Development of the site has continued at an alarming rate: the new Lidl is almost complete and the site adjoining Sainsburys is under way. A planning application for a new trade park next to Lidl has been submitted and site owners are expected to submit a further application for a major development off New Barge Pier Road. These are developments on a Grade 3 Flood Plain where regular storm water flooding over the past 25 years has never been recorded or notified to Environment Agency by the lead flood engineers, Southend Council.
Movement of traffic associated with these developments is a great concern, which was raised by GRA and Shoebury Residents Association, and will be monitored during the building phases.
Control of Shoebury Garrison Management Company Limited is finally ready for release by the developer. Current need is for Land Registry to process the transfer papers, which is delayed due to their Covid arrangements and backlog. The appointment of owner-directors can then proceed
As the directors of SGMCL must be drawn from property owners, and all residents are automatically members of the GRA, the work of GRA will continue to be to represent all residents, lobbying ward councillors, Southend BC and other organisations.
The Chairman thanked committee member Richard Spence and Robert Fowler of Fowler & Spenceley for their perseverance in the long and tedious process.
The Shoebury Coastal Community Team, which includes some GRA committee members, previously set up a Community Interest Company, which opened negotiations to lease the Cart & Wagon Shed. Significant funding was obtained. The refurbishment progress has been delayed by Covid lockdowns but is now finished. Current target date for takeover is 1 February: if this is achieved, the café, community rooms and some of the Royal Artillery Archive will be opened in March 2021.
The Estuary Festival was postponed to May / June 2021. Plans have been drawn to use other buildings within Gunners Park.
The Chairman closed his remarks by thanking members of the Committee for their work throughout the year.
5 Treasurer’s Report
GRA’s financial year runs August to August.
Expenses in the year to August 2020 were £70.05. Income was £25
Due to receipts in prior years the retained fund stands at £837.49.
The expenses relate to website upkeep and printing.
6 Update on S 106 handover
Robert Fowler reported that the long-awaited handover of SGMCL from Avant Homes is in final stages. Land Registry completion of transfers of small parcels of land will end the process. All technical issues are clear and transfer is held up by a backlog at the Land Registry. Completion is expected no later than end January 2021.
There has been a good response to the request for nomination of new directors, received from all areas of the Garrison. The current board will appoint the new directors: Fowler & Spenceley, as appointed agents of SGMCL, will contact all prospective directors for a Zoom discussion.
7 Election of Officers and Committee
In the absence of nominations, current officers and committee have agreed to remain in place until the handover is complete. It is hoped that there will be a better response from residents at that time. The Chairman invited further offers or objections: none were forthcoming.
8 Report from Fowler & Spenceley
Robert Fowler delivered the report of the Managing Agents.
In a difficult year, despite to lockdowns and restrictions, a programme of regular inspections has identified repairs and landscaping issues for attention. This programme will be continued in 2021.
Over the past 2 years grassed areas have received specific attention to overcome damage caused by dry summer weather in 2018/19. An ongoing programme of replanting continues.
The work recommended by the annual arboricultural survey has been completed recently. Many of the Garrison’s trees are subject to Preservation Orders, requiring local authority approval before any maintenance work is undertaken.
Mechanical sweeping of unadopted roads and associated clearance of gullies will take place on 7/8 December. Appropriate notices will be displayed in the relevant roads.
Pest controllers have had a busy year, dealing with rodent control, wasp’s nests, bee swarms and damage caused by foxes in a number of private gardens – particularly around Horseshoe Crescent. Specialist advice has been provided to householders.
Replacement of LED bulbs in lighting columns is complete conversion fittings have been sourced for bollard lights. These conversions, which reduce electricity usage and increase lamp life, will be carried out as and when bulb replacement is required.
Overall costs have been carefully controlled this year, and the spend is expected to be within the annual budget. Next year, modest inflationary increases are expected: however, Reserve Contribution will be reviewed to ensure that these are adequate.
External decoration of Horseshoe Crescent and Chapel Road blocks are planned: initial consultation documents will be released to leasehold owners soon.
The agent has responded to queries throughout the year, covering neighbour disputes, noise complaints, planning issues, property sales, insurance matters and building repairs.
Other issues will be considered as they arise, and the agents will continue to liaise with residents.
9 Submitted Questions and Responses
It was noted that there was no report from Andrew Armstrong, the Gunners Park ranger. The Chairman observed that the ranger posts frequent updates on the Garrison Facebook.
(Fay Williams) Where precisely are we regarding the planning application for housing development next to the Lidl store, and is the Application / Consent contingent on inclusion of a GP Surgery /Medical Centre?
The Planning Consent is not contingent on inclusion of a medical centre. The NHS and Clinical Commissioning Group have stated that they will not build a medical centre on a flood plain.
Both councillors expressed concerns regarding the impact of future development on the road system, specifically at the Campfield Road / New Garrison Road roundabout. They have raised concerns about speeding in Campfield Road, and the movement of huge transport vehicles at the Ness Road / Campfield Road junction and adjacent to Hinguar School.
(Fay Williams) What are the views of councillors and committee regarding the proposed marina development?
Councillors opposed loss of further green space, and suggested that an offshore marina might reduce wave heights. More thought was required. It was reported that the West Shoebury councillors opposed an onshore marina, but supported an offshore approach.
(Cliff Marshall) New fencing along Parade Walk is welcomed, but is not complete and lacks gates. Recent increases in foot traffic have generated increases in footfall on the forbidden beach and accidents, as well as causing damage to Mess Road properties.
The Paladin fencing has been found not acceptable. Further consultation has been requested.
Councillor Wakefield will propose that gates should be fitted as soon as possible.
(Cliff Marshall) Southend BC managed areas are not managed effectively, with overhanging trees, lack of leaf clearance, failure to remove grass cuttings from footpath and cycle ways – particularly on Mess Road - which constitutes a safety hazard.
Councillor Chalk will discuss the matters with Southend BC.
(Question) Following ingress by travellers groups in 2020, what steps are Southend BC taking to avoid further invasion of Gunners Car Park and Cart & Wagon Shed Car Park?
Tempered-steel high security padlocks have been fitted at Gunners Car Park These padlocks are used to protect car parks by many authorities and have proved to be very effective. Additionally, hollow barriers are to have metal and ceramic inserts to prevent sawing through. Southend BC is to consider adding cameras above the entrance barriers.
Cart & Wagon Shed car park will also have increased security measures.
(Question) What is being done about various trees in Gunners Rise car parking areas and St George’s Lane that have died?
More suitable trees will be planted.
(Various) Concerns were raised regarding proposed development on the flood plain adjacent to Barge Pier Road, which goes before the Planning Committee on 9 December 2020.
The Chairman has arranged to raise Garrison members’ concerns at the Southend BC Development Planning Committee’s Zoom meeting on 9th December.
(Question) How are Garrison buildings to be used by the Estuary Festival and what security steps are to be taken to prevent damage to the buildings?
Councillors will get more information from Southend BC
At the end of questions, Cliff Crisp proposed that the GRA should pass a vote of thanks to Lara Melville and Lana, who created a Garrison Friends volunteer unit in the first lockdown, to help anyone in need; and also to Jamie and Harry for work on restoring and maintaining the tennis courts throughout the summer.
The proposal was seconded by Chris Coomber.
The Chairman noted that more members were needed to continue the GRA’s work and closed the meeting with thanks to all councillors, resident members and committee members.
The meeting closed at 8.50pm
