Lansbury Steering Group
LEASEHOLDER SUB GROUP
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 4.3.2004, SALVATION ARMY HALL KERBEY STREET.
Attendance:
- M. Fennell
- M. Bell
- J. Lyddon
- V. Durrance
- J. Winney
- M. Litson
- A. Kirkpatrick
- O. Kirkpatrick
- R Isabell - Poplar HARCA
- R. Lantsbury - Poplar HARCA
- Apologies
RI reported that Kevin Wright was unable as he had been called away on family business.
- Election of Chair
The meeting agreed to elect J. Winney as Chair.
- Minutes of last meeting
These were agreed as an accurate record. It was also agreed that the minutes could be posted on the Lansbury web site providing peoples addresses were removed.
- Matters arising
It was agreed that Kevin Wright would be invited to the next meeting to discuss how the major work charges were calculated for leaseholders.
- Poplar HARCA document - New Deal for Leaseholders
Before discussing the document it was agreed that this too could be posted on the website.
RI began be informing the meeting that leaseholders could only be charged for services received and then explained how the charges for these services were apportioned. Basically the bigger the property the bigger the service charge. RI noted that peoples leases would override any Poplar HARCA policy/procedure should they clash.
RI informed the meeting that the caretaking charge was based on the schedule of tasks kept by the operatives. He further explained Doug Tait's role in managing the service and that he would be invited to a future meeting.
RI then ran through the other flat charges made including ground rent and administration.
The meeting discussed the buildings insurance contributions and it was agreed these needed clarification.
Action: RI to report back at next meeting.
The meeting then discussed the document as a whole. RI explained that the document was produced during the Housing Choice process in order to give people some degree of certainty in relation to potential service charge increases. The document had been to Poplar HARCA's leaseholder steering group and full board.
RI explained that the deal would be reviewed after three years and that the results of the review would have to be cleared by both the leaseholders steering group and full board before being accepted. He also pointed out that the RPI plus 2% was the maximum of any increase.
The meeting also discussed how horticultural work would be recharged to leaseholders. It was noted that HARCA would have to play close attention to the grassed areas apportioned to each block as many had no clear relationship.
RI also outlined the areas of work that leaseholders would not be charged for and informed the meeting that a responsive repairs booklet designed for leaseholders was currently being worked on.
Poplar HARCA had recently given current leaseholders access to its gas safety contractors and allow leaseholders to employ them on Poplar HARCA rates.
Poplar HARCA was also investigating setting up its own letting and management service to leaseholders looking to relet their properties.
The meeting discussed how leaseholders could pay for major works and noted that no money would be due if there was a dispute on the major works and would not be payable until the dispute had been completed.
The meeting also discussed the large number of leaseholders in dispute with LBTH about service charges and what would happen with these if the transfer took place.
Action: RI to get this clarified and report back to the next meeting.
The meeting also discussed the potential of leaseholder enfranchisement and if Poplar HARCA's charitable status would prevent them from allowing this right.
Action: RI to bring legal advice to the next meeting.