For Householders, Blainroe Estate                           

From Terry Neill, chair – Blainroe Estate Management Company board

July 6^th 2022    

BEMC status update

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

July meeting of the 2022 BEMC board

The July BEMC board meeting took place via Zoom at 7pm on Tuesday July 5^th.

Pat Hinkson, Katie Mooney, Gordon Murray, Terry Neill, Craig Whelan and Robert Patton attended. They were joined by Marie Byrne, Bernie Nelson, Billy Nelson and Anne Nugent.

Philip McEnroe attended part of the meeting (from his holiday location)

There were apologies from Amanda Collins

Minutes and correspondence were straightforward and agreed.  The main topics were extensively discussed, and actions and spending proposals agreed in principle

The meeting covered

1. Finance
2. Blainroe Operations and Infrastructure
3. “Habitat for Humanity” proposal
4. BEMC document management update
5. Board renewal and preliminary AGM plans
6. Any other business

1. Finance

Robert Patton shared a first draft set of financial numbers for the April year end.  In general the draft spoke to a healthy state of Blainroe finances.  The board is aware of a list of spending commitments (some covered in section 2 below).  It was agreed that the chair would follow up with Robert to determine how best to reflect these known spending commitments in our financial plans.

2. Blainroe Operations and Infrastructure
   1. General policy philosophy

We discussed and agreed that, as a general principle, when there is an infrastructure or safety issue, our starting point will be to invest in a long term solution – rather than ‘a patch’.  Sometimes a ‘patch’ might make economic sense, but it should generally be the second choice.

We should also aim to fix several issues together and at the same time where it makes sense to ‘join the dots’

These principles informed the board’s discussions and agreed action and spending plans for the areas below

1. Monks’ Glade infrastructure

There have been a series of issues with the water and sewerage infrastructure supporting Monks’ Glade.  The board reviewed proposals and possible spending required to provide permanent solutions.

It was agreed that a short report would be prepared to summarise all the issues, and provide firm information on the spend required to address them effectively – and for the long term.  When the final proposal has been prepared, it will be shared – in the first instance – with the householders of Monks’ Glade to ensure that they know what is planned and the benefits of the planned spend. Summary information will inform other Blainroe householders in next month’s board note to householders.

Other works in Monks’ Glade were discussed.  Some concerns about safety need to be addressed.  The board will aim to be as helpful as possible.

1. Paddock Fence

The Paddock fence has been patched at various times over the years.  For future safety and other issues, the board agreed that the whole fence should be replaced; and agreed a budget estimate in principle.  The Paddock fence work may be combined with other fence work in Blainroe.  If so, a final budget will be reviewed, but the board has given the go ahead for replacing the Paddock fence as quickly as is feasible.

3. “Habitat for Humanity” proposal

Gordon Murray proposed an updated approach to the ‘Big Bin’ collection.  It would involve separating good quality, re-usable materials for donation to the ‘Habitat for Humanity’ initiative.

Final details for the 2022 collections will be prepared and circulated to householders so that everyone understands the updated rules and the value of Gordon’s proposal.

4. BEMC document management update

The June board meeting approved a proposal that the ‘Microsoft Teams’ system would be the basis of the support system for BEMC documents and documentation.

Craig Whelan summarised a planned approach for change management, policy documentation and training.  A final plan will be brought to the August board meeting

5. Board renewal and preliminary AGM plans

There was a short discussion about board renewal and AGM plans.  Given the likely timetable for the auditor to sign off on the accounts, the earliest and most likely date for the 2022 AGM will be October.

As in previous years, the board will encourage board renewal.  A sub group of board members is tasked with approaching potential candidates, but the board would be keen to hear about potential nominees from any householder.  In the first instance, make contact via an e-mail to blainroeestate@outlook.com.  A board member will be happy to discuss what we seek from board members and the experience they bring.

6. Other business

There was a brief review of the BEMC social calendar, which has benefitted from some terrific ‘volunteering’, led by Amanda Collins, Moira Reilly and others.  Board members agreed to address some further areas which required volunteers to ‘step up’.

Katie Mooney commented on Governance issues – and reported that insurance for the Paddock was up to date and confirmed.

Bernie Nelson reported that various landscaping issues are “well in hand”.

The meeting closed at 8.35pm

The next BEMC board meeting will be on Tuesday August 2^nd in the Pavilion.