Author: Directors

In case you haven’t received it in the post, the letter regarding DJC’s takeover by FirstPort has now been sent out. It says that it is a “further update” but as far as we know it’s the first communication with owners.

There’s also a letter which says that the first was sent in error and there’ll be another one on its way soon; however, it seems most people got the correct one the first time around (so didn’t need an apology!).

The content of both letters are self-explanatory and you can download a copy of the first one (dated 8th June) here. For what it’s worth the second one (dated 12th June) is here.

If you’re trying to register with their My Home portal as they suggest, you might find that there are several issues with the registration process and it may be necessary for you to call to ask them to email a registration link.

You’ll also notice that the way the letter is addressed is incorrect, so we will be advising FirstPort of the correct format for future postal communications.

Not a very good start, but it’s early days yet.

The latest estimate from Bellway is that they are targeting August/September for Marjoram Avenue to be adopted by Surrey County Council. Before this can be done there needs to be a repair to the paviours near the junction with Primrose Close as there is slight subsidence there following drainage work a year or two back.

None of the closes, Betony, Primrose or Yarrow are to be adopted which is in accordance with the original plan. LMC will have responsibility for their upkeep.

We await news on Thames Water’s adoption of the drainage which we believe has to happen at the same time as the road adoption. Thames Water owns the land on which the sewage pumping station sits (adjacent to Primrose Close) and it is already responsible for that.

We were told only recently that DJC Management Ltd (“DJC”) has been taken over by a larger company called FirstPort. The website for DJC now automatically diverts to FirstPort’s although at the time of writing the DJC MyBlockman portal (which many of you will have registered with) is still operational.

Of course the directors are keen to establish what the effects of this change will be and as soon as we have some more information you’ll be able to read it here.

We met today as planned and over the course of an hour and a quarter we reviewed a file of information that had been supplied to us by DJC Management and formed an outline plan on how best to deal with the many maintenance aspects of the Little Meadow estate.

There are lots of things the directors will need to consider and we hope that the fruits of our labours will become apparent in the coming months.

As always, please contact us with any comments or if there’s something that needs doing.

Since the meeting at the end of April you could be forgiven for thinking that nothing has happened but the directors have been working hard on two threads:

1. Trying to get Bellway to complete the remaining outstanding work.
2. Getting up to speed with how LMC has been managed previously and beginning to form a plan for its operation from here onwards. The directors are meeting on Saturday 3rd June to discuss things having obtained some limited information about operations from DJC Management.

Today, 31st May, we finally met with Bellway’s representative and had a walk around the estate. The key points covered (in no particular order) were:

• The rubber matting around the playground area (particularly around the swing) is to be removed and relaid or replaced in a proper manner.
• The culvert below/behind the pedestrian bridge to the Berkeley site is to be cleared out.
• Despite originally confirming in writing many months ago that they would carry out the work , Bellway is now refusing to improve the playground slide area by flattening the slope. The reasons given are that firstly, no matters were identified during their own inspection and secondly, that RoSPA have certified that it’s safe. We intend to approach RoSPA and/or their inspector and to express our concerns directly which we hope will put pressure on Bellway to honour their promise. Subsequently we have heard that their decision is being reconsidered.
• The landscaping plan specified that 3,000 bulbs would be planted in and around the open space and clearly this was not done. Since it is the wrong time of year to plant these, the intention is to get a monetary contribution from Bellway to cover the eventual cost.
• Similarly, a monetary contribution will be given by Bellway towards the maintenance of the swale at the front of the Little Meadow estate which is not to be adopted.
• Approximately fifteen wooden posts are to be installed to mark the eastern boundary with Knowle Park.
• The area in Betony Close where the fence has been removed is to be weeded, re-planted and mulched in accordance with the landscaping plan.
• The swale alongside Yarrow Close was cleared a while back but nothing else was done so it is again largely covered by weeds including nettles and thistles. Bellway intend to clear this again and then sow wildflower seeds in accordance with the landscaping plan; however it is the wrong time of year so it’s possible that a quote will be obtained and Bellway would make a monetary payment to cover the eventual cost.
• Dead trees to be replaced throughout the development.
• The adoption of Marjoram Avenue by Waverley/Surrey and of the sewer system by Thames Water is still proceeding slowly. No timetable has been given but there is still remedial work to be done to correct a dip in the paviours (which floods) near the junction with Primrose Close before this can take place. This work should be scheduled by Bellway “soon” and they will also advise further on the adoption status.
• Completion of the pathway to the A2D site once that part of the next-door development has been completed.

In addition to the above we have requested as-built drawings and relevant maintenance documents to be provided for all common areas including above and below ground services.

This was the first meeting of the company since Little Meadow was completed and it was organised and run by Zack Jermy of DJC Management. Zack gave some general background about how Little Meadow has operated to date.

There was an opportunity for members to vote to appoint new directors of LMC who are also owners. The Bellway-appointed directors continue in post for the time being but they will resign once the transfer of the land comprising the common areas takes place from Bellway to LMC . Until that happens the six new directors outnumber them so effectively the owners are now in the driving seat, although it’s inevitably going to take a while to get up to speed with everything.

The meeting was then opened to members from the floor and discussions took place about a wide range of subjects and concerns.

Minutes are to be produced by Zack of DJC but these are still awaited.