I would like to remind flat owners that we’re holding the 2011 AGM at 1900 on 12 May at Paddington Sports Club.

We hear from many of you during the year by email and over a casual chat in the garden but it’s always gratifying to see a good turnout at the AGM.

There are two major issues we plan to discuss on 12 May:

  • Phase two of the four phase external refurbishment. This should begin at the end of May and will cover the front and sides of the Grantully Road block. The surveyors will be at the meeting and will explain what was accomplished in phase one and what is to be included in phase two.
  • Central heating and hot water systems – You will know from previous letters that I would like to us to be more proactive regarding the long term future of the communal systems. Recent developments have only highlighted this. We will be establishing a sub-committee of flat owners to work with our professional advisors to look at the options.

Finally, although we are well served by our managing agent, Linda Foss at kfh, the governance of Ashworth Mansions is only as good as its board of directors.  We need some new volunteers. You don’t get paid but it’s not that much work and we are in particular need of people with (1) some legal or property expertise or (2) with flats on the central heating system.

The major advantage of owning property in a block owned by its leaseholders is that we can run it in our own best interests and not in those of a commercial property company. Without the active involvement of flat owners, we may as well be run by a profit hungry plc. If you would like to join the board, please get in touch.

I will write to you again after the AGM but do hope to see as many of you as possible at the meeting.

Yours faithfully
Geoffrey Barraclough

Chair, Ashworth Mansions Ltd

editor@ashworthmansions.com