City Quay Lake Update

LAKE

As you all know, the lake is the centerpiece attraction at City Quay. The years have not been kind to the fountains, water quality and ecosystem. The board is committed to improving the lake with new fountains, plants and fish. Our vision is that the lake will be the best it’s ever been and be the envy of everyone else. Below is a review of lakes current state and our plans to improve it.

Water level and supply

Amazingly, we have our own water supply! For some reason it was only rediscovered two years ago, but the site has its own borehole. The water quality from this has already been tested. One consultant considered that it was rich in nutrients, so it is important to take care in filling the lake without some measures in place to prevent algae growth. Another consultant commented that the quality was better than tap water.

The lake has an inlet control which for some years had been used to automatically top up the water level, without knowing the source. Once the source was discovered to be our own borehole, the water authority put in a meter and issued a certificate for a very restrictive usage allowance.

We are now in the process of negotiating a significant increase in this allowance in order that much more new water can be fed into the lake throughout the year.
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Appointing a New Agent

To all leaseholders of City Quay

There have been a number of important developments this year, including the change of board membership, creation of our own web site (www.cityquay.com) and regular meetings with residents to discuss changes and respond to any issues raised.

We have also been addressing the need to find a replacement for our current Managing Agent. Following the last AGM in July, Wren had made it known that they did not intend to continue. In due course they advised us that we should undertake a tender process for new managing agents and that they would not be submitting themselves for consideration.

The board has now reviewed detailed applications and had meetings with 5 companies who have met our criteria relating to experience, established procedures and qualifications.

At this stage we have identified two candidates who we feel best match our requirements and offer the best value. They are:

Revolution Property Management Limited, based in Deansgate, Manchester
Berkeley Shaw Property Management Limited, based in Old Hall St, Liverpool

The intention is to make a final decision within the next two weeks. The board continues to welcome any input from leaseholders regarding this and any other issue. If you have any thoughts regarding the choice of managing agent, we would be pleased to take them into consideration. Clearly, as there are 415 apartments involved, it would be exceptional for everyone to agree on every matter. Nevertheless, all views are imprtant and all are now taken seriously.

Please look at our web site for more information. Register on our forum, which is designed so that any issues may be raised within our own group. You are also able to use our contact form if you wish to raise any confidential matters with the board.

If you would prefer not to contact via the website your comments email us at mal@gwl.co.uk or telephone Malcolm Bailey on O 151 236 7171.

Regarding the Service Charge, please do not make any change to standing orders at this time. There will be no increase in the amount payable as a result of this change and you will be notified of any required amendment to payee bank details in good time.

Yours faithfully

City Quay Board of Directors

CITY QUAY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

IMPORTANT NOTICE

At our last open meeting we made an announcement about recent changes at City Quay and what has been going on behind the scenes.

Not everyone is able to get to our open meetings so, we are putting this notice on every notice board.

A new website for owners and residents has been created, we encourage you to sign up and get involved in news sharing etc. www.cityquay.com

We are also in the process of tendering for a new management agent. We have retained a legal advisor to help with this from a firm of Liverpool based solicitors.

Wren have informed us that they will not be tendering for the contract. Their current contract will therefore terminate at the end of November. Meanwhile there will be little change for leaseholders and residents. All normal work and repairs will continue until we have a new management agent in place.

Tom Tracey and David Mault will continue to work for us checking on all necessary repairs and generally keeping things in good order.

We will place notices about our next open forum in a week or two. We hope to see you there. Please sign up to our website and post if you would like to keep up to date or be involved in any aspect of life at City Quay.

Good Neighbour Policy

Introduction

Everyone who comes to live at City Quay has a right to enjoy their apartment in a peaceful and stress-free atmosphere. Achieving this will at times require patient and skilful negotiations between neighbours. For some people City Quay is their permanent home and they have invested much if not all of their financial and emotional resources in settling here; while others are here only on a temporary basis some for as short a period as six months. Expectations from both groups can vary considerably. This policy will firstly make clear that the Lease which everyone has agreed to abide by contains elements that we have a right to expect will be adhered to at all times by all people on site.

Purpose

This policy document attempts to set out some guidelines to help residents deal with difficult issues around relationships with neighbours brought about by the close living involved in apartment dwelling. It is based on an assumption that most people are reasonable and considerate and are open to moderating their behaviour in order not to inconvenience unnecessarily their neighbours. However there is a small minority for whom this approach will not work and this policy will outline the steps that ought to be taken to try and achieve an appropriate attitude to communal living. Firstly the policy will make clear the responsibilities under the lease whose compliance with is the responsibility of everyone living here.

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