For Householders, Blainroe Estate                               

From Terry Neill, chair – Interim Blainroe Estate Management Company board

August 11^th 2021                                                          

BEMC status update (number 7)

This is a status report following the seventh meeting of the interim board of BEMC.

Seventh meeting of Interim BEMC board

The meeting, via Zoom, took place on Tuesday August 3rd at 19:30.

Eugene Davy, Derek Griffith, Pat Hinkson, Philip McEnroe, Katie Mooney, Terry Neill, Billy Nelson, Linda O’Leary and Paul O’Neill attended. They were joined by Marie Byrne, Anne Nugent and Bernie Nelson

Main agenda items were

1. Minutes & correspondence
2. Preliminary consideration of investment in CCTV
3. Management Agency/Schnittger Bourne report
4. Finance update
5. Board nominations status
6. Planning update
7. Website / communications
8. Landscaping & General management

1. Minutes & correspondence

The minutes of the June board meeting were approved. Items of correspondence covered various legal items covering house transfers, planning permissions.  A Monk’s Glade resident sought guidance about van drivers requesting entrance via the lane.  We confirmed that all van drivers should be told to use the main entrance on the R750.  Residents should not allow access through Monk’s Glade lane.

2. Preliminary consideration of investment in CCTV at Blainroe entrance

Mark Wilson of Wilson Security Systems provided a helpful overview of CCTV and its legal, cost and personnel implications.  It was an informative discussion which raised issues about which most board members were unaware.  It was not clear to board members that, given the low level of crime in Blainroe, the investment of money and people time could be justified.  More work will be done to sharpen the options and pros and cons, with a view to a discussion at the AGM.

3. Management agency / Schnittger Bourne report

Steven Bourne had provided a report on his work. There were questions about some aspects of the drafting, but the main conclusions were accepted.  Broadly, Schnittger Bourne concluded

• That Blainroe’s current management arrangements were working well
• That it would be extremely unlikely that a management agency could match the current arrangements in terms of either responsiveness, detailed knowledge or cost
• That it is important to build resilience by getting and testing back up arrangements for current personnel
• That by acting on a list of recommended improvements we could continue to ensure effective management arrangements into the future

(Because Steven Bourne was unable to attend the August 3^rd meeting, he joined a Zoom call on Monday August 9^th with Eugene Davy, Pat Hinkson, Philip McEnroe, Katie Mooney and Terry Neill. A final version of his report was agreed.)

The Schnittger Bourne report will be e-mailed to all householders on Monday August 16^th.  It will also be posted to the Blainroe website.

There will be follow up discussions with Steven Bourne to agree plans for acting on the report’s recommendations.

4. Finance update

Paul O’Neill provided a short update on Finance, where no significant issues arise.  By general agreement, and as a matter of goodwill and good relations, it was agreed that BEMC would make a donation of €1,400 to the Blainroe Golf Club fund raiser.

5. Board nominations

We established a board nominations committee comprising Katie Mooney, Philip McEnroe, Pat Hinkson and Terry Neill.

We heard that two excellent individuals had agreed to stand for the board.  Others, however, were reluctant – with some saying “we won’t get involved because of last year’s problems”.

In the interest of building continuity and experience in the Finance area, Terry Neill proposed, and Paul O’Neill seconded, the co-option of Robert Patton to the BEMC board.  Approved unanimously.

6. Planning

Derek Griffith provided an update on planning applications, one of which requested change in the current planning rules.  The board agreed that the rules as they currently stand should continue to be applied, because that is what an AGM has determined.  The board will always be open to suggestions for changes which can be discussed and brought to an AGM.

7. Website/Communications

Linda O’Leary provided a short update on additions to the website.  The calendar has been updated, but Linda would encourage its use for capturing key events for the Blainroe community

8. Landscaping and General Management

See Bernie Nelson’s July/August report attached.  See point 5.  We need everyone’s co-operation to ensure that the Pavilion, and all Blainroe assets, can be enjoyed – and respected – by all.

Blainroe Estate Management Landscape and General Maintenance Report

Date:                         30^th July 2021

Prepared by:      Bernie Nelson

1. Landscaping Update:

Landscaping activities (grass cutting, weeding, edging etc.) are on track.

The hedge along the entrance driveway is causing some safety concern with the large number of briars growing through from the field.  With the permission of the farmer we attempted to cut the briars on the field side but had to abandon after one of the Avondale staff suffered a hand injury from rocks & debris in the field.

I contacted Wicklow Co Council Environment section, regarding use of the hedge cutter, they advised we are prohibited to cut the hedge, apart from manual trim, until 1^st September.

Avondale have scheduled the cutting for end of September.

2. Entrance Flowerbed

Planting is complete, with constant watering during the recent hot weather the plants are starting to take hold.

3. Tree Management

The Arborist is due to start the survey on August 3^rd.

4. Playground

Installation issues with the new fence and gates are sorted and works accepted.  Upgrading of landing surfaces will be completed next week in advance of RoSPA audit, which is scheduled for August, date to be confirmed.

Safety signage & hand-sanitisers were refitted to new fence.

Some minor maintenance issues picked up during routine inspection were closed out. e.g., loose screws on equipment, stones & litter in the play area etc.

5. Pavilion

We had an instance with a group of teenagers accessing the Pavilion at night and leaving it in a mess.  Such indoor gatherings are not permitted under current COVID-19 restrictions.

6. Safety

Awaiting final safety statement document from Safety Solutions, they are currently on annual leave.

Corrective Actions – I have contacted Calor Gas regarding safety responsibility of their tanks on site, awaiting response.

7. Security

Mark from Wilson security to attend our meeting on August 3^rd

8. Drainage

Some incidents with blocked drains in Briary area this month, Kelly drain surgeons were onsite and cleared the blockages

9. General Maintenance Activities addressed this month include,

• Fire Hydrants – replacement markers received, and fitting will commence next week
• Big Bin Collection is confirmed for Sat 21^st August, similar format to last year i.e. 3 x large skips delivered early Saturday morning and removed around lunchtime.

• Beach path was power hosed, railing, shower area cleaned & sanitised, litter and broken furniture items removed from picnic area.
• Sewage treatment plant grills were cleared, and debris removed.
• Dog bins cleaned & sanitised.
• Several manhole covers are damaged, replacements ordered and due for delivery next week.