The Gordon Terrace Association 2007
Minutes - AGM - Tuesday, June 12th 2007
Financial Matters
Apologies were given for the error in the previous statement issued recently. This should be discarded. A revised statement (pale green) was issued to those present and will be delivered with the bill to those not at the meeting. It was agreed that the amount of money held as a contingency fund was insufficient for the purpose. There is still some concern about the Liberton Road wall and there will be extra work this year in the gardens (see below).
Discussion moved to the buddleia bushes, which overhang the wall and conceal road signs/traffic lights. It was suggested that chemicals should be used. It was agreed that the bushes should cut back as far as possible and then treated with chemicals.
ACTION to investigate the availability of suitable chemicals.
Concern had been previously expressed about trees, which are growing very tall. It was agreed that cutting the tops off was not a solution. It was considered more appropriate to thin them out. This would require professional advice.
ACTION agreed to consult aforestry expert who lives in the area
After further discussion it was agreed to raise the amount collected by 20%. This would ensure that a more realistic float was available. There were strong reservations expressed by at least one member. This is because of the great discrepancy between the amounts paid by the residents (last year this varied from £19.00 to £254.00). It was pointed out that everyone enjoys the privacy given by the gardens. The allocation is based on the frontage on to the Terrace at the time the original feus were established. This is written into the deeds and bears no relation to the size of the property or the area of land, which seems unfair. It has already been investigated and considered it to be difficult to change the deeds as everyone would have to agree and legal costs would be involved.
ACTION to make available previous investigations.
A.OC.B.
- It was agreed that the double yellow lines were an improvement.
- White lines were still missing outside some houses.
- Plans to close off the end of GT have been cancelled.
- The state of the Gardens is.a matter for concern and TWO residents "cleaning up" days are proposed. A good turnout is expected. See below.
- It would be helpful if the names of new residents were given to the secretary.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Association wishes to place on record their appreciation of the work on behalf of the residents undertaken by Mr I Duncan.
WORK DAYS PLEASE PUT THESE DATES IN YOUR DIARIES
- Saturday June 30'" at 10.00am (Sunday July lit if wet) Coffee included at no 9; and
- Saturday Sept 1st at 10.00am (Sunday Sept 2nd if wet) Coffee as above
GORDON TERRRACE ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF AGM APRIL 30th 2010
PRESENT
11 residents attended
APOLOGIES
4 residents sent apologies
MATTERS ARISING from the last minutes None
TREASURERS REPORT (see handout with the notice calling the meeting)
The damage to the wall resulting from a car crash was repaired. The cost of £750 was covered by the car owners insurance.
A hedge cutter and safety equipment to support use of a chain saw were purchased.
The group were reminded that labour is not cheap and we are fortunate to have the help in the gardens thanks to Charles Packham. Under his leadership the gardens have been well kept and we owe him a big debt of gratitude
The purchased equipment will enable garden maintenance to be undertaken next year without hiring an outside contractor (cost £2500 in 2009/10). It is, however, necessary to purchase a chipper as the volumes to dispose of are too much to burn or removed, but chipped material can be left on site.
A member who has not paid for several years is being taken to court.
MAINTENANCE REPORT
After reading the report submitted with the notice of the meeting it will be appreciated how serious the condition of the condition of the wall along
Liberton Road has become. This especially applies to the coping stones which are loose and could fall on to pedestrians. This would result in huge damages which would have to be paid by the members of the association. The cost to make the wall safe is estimated at £10000. It is essential this work is done.
Costs for insurance, equipment and its maintenance, and a small amount of labour and contingency are estimated to total up to £2000. To enable work on the wall to proceed, after discussion it was reluctantly agree that non-recurrent payments are necessary. This payment to be raised by approximately doubling the amount paid by each feuar this year, totalling some £7000, with a further similar instalment likely needed next year. It was recognised that this would hit some more than others as this money is based on the frontage on to the Terrace. This varies from hundreds of pounds to tens of pounds.
OTHER BUSINESS
1. The bank account for the association is held by Santander (formerly A&L) in Morningside. This is difficult to park near and they only take 5 cheques at a time. It was proposed to change the account to Bank Of Scotland which is nearer and parking is good. They also have a business desk and will take any number of cheques at one time. This change was approved by the group.
2. The clearing of vegetation behind the wall for about a metre was approved leaving enough growth to prevent people getting near the edge and providing fencing where this is not possible.
3. It was proposed to make payments to Charles and his contractors as he is saving the Association a great deal of money. This to be decided by the chairman and the treasurer.
4. The dumping of rubbish in the gardens is a big problem and the group agreed that is up to the Association members to do something about it. Two work periods are proposed and every one that is able are asked to participate in this venture. The days are;
SATURDAY JULY 3rd AND , IF WET OR A BETTER DATE, SUNDAY 4th
SATURDAY SEPT 4th AND SUNDAY SEPT 5th AS ABOVE
5. On these dates please meet at no 8 at 10-00am to plan the attack on the rubbish. If you are unable to manage these days and want an alternative please contact James Woodrow at no 8 - email: info@gordonterrace.co.uk.
6. Pat Thomas put forward her resignation as secretary (after 30+ years). The meeting thanked her for her long years of contributions to the work of the Association. Haig Bathgate agreed to accept appointment.
7. The meeting finished with repeated thanks to Charles Packham for the work he is doing in the gardens. Please show your support by helping on the dates above.