ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON 25th NOVEMBER 2019
/GARRISON RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
HELD ON 25th NOVEMBER 2019
AT HINGUAR SCHOOL AT 7.30 P.M.
Present
Chris Coomber Hon. Chairman
Pamela Deakin Hon. Secretary
Phil Coombe Hon. Treasurer
Peter Farrington
Simon Wright
Cliff Marshall
Larry Irwin
Pam Dewey
Richard Spence
Michael Stiers
Robert Fowler
Andrew Armstrong
Matthew Halls
Councillor Anne Chalk
32 Resident Members
1. Apologies
Councillor Nick Ward
Councillor Steve Wakefield
Daniel Puddick
Doug Poskitt
Denise Oanes
Brenda & Peter Reid
Chris Coomber opened the meeting by welcoming guests; Councillor Anne Chalk; Matthew Hall from Southend Police Force; Andrew Armstrong, Gunners Park Ranger; Robert Fowler and Michael Stiers of Fowler & Spenceley.
2. Minutes of the 2018 AGM.
The minutes of the 2018 AGM were adopted as correct by Chris Coomber and seconded by Phil Coombe.
3. No matters arising.
4. Chairman's Report.
Chris Coomber reported that the Committee has been actively involved with the Managing Agents, Fowler & Spenceley, to ensure that the Garrison site and infrastructure continue, within the budgetary constraints, to be maintained and where possible, improved.
In the past 12 months major development has been a common theme. In February the GRA and Councillors met with Garrison Developments regarding their proposed planning application for a trade park / industrial area on the Garrison site. Following this meeting, the application was withdrawn. In the coming months we will see the opening of a Lidl supermarket; this development was approved after local opposition
During the year, Garrison Lofts has been completed – a residential development in a vacant commercial building.
Committee members are participating in the Coastal Community Team initiative. Significant funding has been set aside and SBC are going to tender for internal works at the Cart and Wagon Shed. It is hoped that these works can be completed for temporary housing of the artistic company Metal – who are organizing the Autumn 2020 Estuary Festival. It is hoped that this festival will further develop the Cart and Wagon shed as a community venue.
(brought forward item)
9. Report by Gunners Park Ranger*
Andrew Armstrong reported that 2019 had been a very buoyant year for Gunners Park. Many migratory birds were stopping over to feed and rest on the way to the Arctic, and an increased number of unusual birds were sighted. New and rare invertebrates were identified.
Residents were asked to assist in maintaining this Improvement by encouraging control of dogs and liaising with the ranger teams to identify and discourage any harmful activities.
5. Treasurer's Report.
Phil Coombe presented the Treasurers report. The Association has a balance in hand of £807.
GRA pays for printing and Web Hosting fees.
6. Update on S106 Handover.
Chris Coomber thanked Richard Spence for his tenacious contribution in pressing Avant Homes for information.
Considerable progress has been made. Items remaining for completion are drainage adoption; seawall transfer and adoption of the coastal path. Drainage adoption is an ongoing issue between Anglian Water and SBC regarding the protected nature of the site, which is being progressed by legal advisers; currently, open items relate to corporate approvals. No specific problems are identified regarding seawall transfer and adoption of coastal path.
7. Election of the Chairperson, Officers and Committee Members.
There have been no nominations, and no one came forward at this point.
8. Report from Managing Agents, Fowler & Spenceley.
Robert Fowler presented the report from the managing agents.
Fowler & Spenceley continue to work closely with the GRA and attend regular committee meetings, although they act on behalf of Shoebury Garrison Management Company (“SGMCL”) and maintain contact with their board. Most recently Fowler & Spenceley were appointed as Company Secretary to SGMCL which enables them to sign Certificates of Compliance and Transfer Deeds to circumvent a bottleneck for owners when properties are sold.
Key projects over the last 12 months
· Internal redecoration of Gunners House
· Specify and tender work to replace manually operated roof light in Magazine Mews block
· Specify and tender work to remedy damp within one of the Horseshoe Crescent blocks
Inspections
· Carry out weekly visits to The Garrison: to identify housekeeping needs
· Respond to reports and concerns of residents
Contractors
· Monitor performance of contractors: particularly on landscaping works
· Annual arboreal survey completed, and recommended work carried out
· Mechanical sweeping of roads and gully emptying: to be completed in December
Estate Work
· Repair and painting of all lamp columns on all adopted roads and communal parts
It is expected that works will be completed within the agreed annual financial budget
General
Post-handover, it will be necessary to revise the prospective SGMCL board, as some former prospective members have moved away. These are unpaid posts, open to all shareholders in SGMCL. The aim is to create a board that is representative of all parts of the Garrison. We invite expressions of interest from people who are willing to take on responsibility for the company: anyone requiring further information or discussion should contact Michael Stiers or Robert Fowler at Fowler & Spenceley.
10. Ward Councillor and Police
Councillor Anne Chalk and Matthew Hall (Police) responded: to questions from residents.
· Damage to Private Roads from Future Development: it was noted that Chapel Road may be damaged from traffic to the Wet Suit Outlet. SBC has refused to implement Planning Control orders on size of permitted vehicles
· Parking in Chapel Road, parking by Wet Suit Outlet, commuters and commercial vehicles on site: in the absence of parking restrictions and following two parking surveys, there is not sufficient interest to implement enforcement processes
· Plans for the Chapel to become a retail outlet has been shelved as the business interest has moved to USA
· Gym building, which was intended to be free for first 200 residents, was declared to be non-viable commercially and has been purchased by Ian Holms. It is understood that permission for residential use is to be applied for.
· Traffic situation on Campfield Road was questioned in light of the Lidl development: Councillor Chalk said that traffic lights had been included in previous plans for end of Campfield Road and Councillor Jarvis had requested that contribution should be sought from Lidl. Councillor Chalk will investigate further.
· Problems on New Barge Pier Road from “boy racers” in cars and motor bikes, plus parking in the unused bays at night: use of restrictive barriers (speed bumps and blocks) was to be investigated.
11. A.O.B.
The following specific issues were raised by the attendees;
· Area by West Gate: ownership and responsibility for maintenance was questioned. Title has not yet been traced.
· Broken fence on sea front (Outlook block): Avant Homes has agreed to pay for repair
The Chairman thanked all participants and attendees.
The meeting closed at 9. 30 p.m.
Footnote Item 10: Area by West Gate: title deeds indicate that the area was included in the estate transferred from MoD to Gladedale Ltd. The area will fall under the control of SGMCL, and will be managed accordingly