For Householders, Blainroe Estate

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

March 4th 2021

BEMC status update (number 2)

This is a status report following the second meeting of the interim board of BEMC, which will serve until new elections for a board to be established in August.

Second meeting of Interim BEMC board

The meeting, via Zoom, took place on Tuesday March 2nd 

Two new board members had been formally proposed, seconded and approved as co-opted members of the board: Katie Mooney and Eugene Davy. 

I was delighted to welcome them to the meeting, at which we agreed that Katie would take the role of company secretary.

With me the other board members in attendance were Derek Griffith, Pat Hinkson, Philip McEnroe, Billy Nelson, Linda O’Leary and Paul O’Neill.  We were joined by Marie Byrne, Anne Nugent and Bernie Nelson

Our main agenda items were:

1. Board objectives for the next 6 months
2. Management agency progress
3. Communications with Blainroe householders
4. BEMC/Blainroe golf club relationship
5. Blainroe Water system

We also covered actions agreed in February meeting (all done); correspondence; a short update on the (healthy) state of Blainroe finances; the creation of an inventory of key documentation (contracts, insurances etc); and a preliminary discussion of projects to address priority safety issues.

1. Board objectives for the next 6 months were agreed

• To run BEMC board, and governance generally, with the balance of informality, transparency and rigour necessary to serve the best interests of Blainroe householders.
• To create widespread understanding amongst house holders of the scope, complexity and value of Blainroe estate management
• To create clarity about the options for involving a management agency; and to provide options and information for a decision to be made by the incoming board
• To provide a coherent communications regime to engage and inform all householders. (Face to face, e-mail, website and social media)
• To explore the advantages of a closer relationship with Blainroe Golf Club and to create the information to make joint decisions for policy and action
• To ensure that all aspects of BEMC documentation (contracts, insurances, employee documentation, tax, roles & responsibilities, planning, etc) are held in a coherent structure; so that householders can continue to be assured that everything is complete and robust.
• To make sensible decisions – based on need and cost – for proceeding with priority projects; and to create project list with suggested priorities for the incoming board
• To actively inform, engage and recruit candidates for an August board election and for Blainroe estate working groups.

2. Management Agency

After the February board, Peter Stapleton, Philip McEnroe and I met and drafted an approach – capitalising mainly on Peter’s knowledge and experience.  We had a preliminary discussion of a possible proposal, the viability of which requires some further research which Peter is now pursuing.  When we have a solid and agreed proposal, I will share the approach with householders.

3. Communications

Following the February board meeting, Linda O’Leary, Pat Hinkson and I met, and created plans for a significant improvement in communications about Blainroe, its values and the activities that keep the estate working. 

We already have WhatsApp groups, e-mails and other forms of communications – long may they continue. We lack a comprehensive source of information for householders which ‘fills the gaps’, holds ‘permanent’ information, and helps everyone to understand and appreciate what is going on.

Linda and Pat have already done excellent work in shaping practical approaches. The work will continue through March as we establish a small team, led by Linda, to create a ‘communications hub’ for all of us. More detail next month.

4. Blainroe estate and Blainroe golf club relationship

Several people see benefits to both by building further on the (already good) relationship between householders and the golf club.  Golfers and non golfers see potential in supporting Sorrel and Eve’s appointment to run clubhouse dining.  Eugene Davy and Terry Neill will explore with key officers of the golf club.

5. Blainroe Water system

We perhaps take our water and water quality for granted.  It needs work and regular monitoring. Billy Nelson reported on the system and recent samples testing to assure quality.

The purpose of the BEMC water system is to provide safe and adequately treated drinking water in compliance with EU Drinking Water Regulations 2014.  The treatment system uses a combination of a resin bed and chlorine dosing to remove suspended solids and microbiological contaminants.  Sodium Hydroxide is added to neutralise the pH. The system provides looped controls over chlorine and pH dosage levels and there is a 24 x7 on-board monitoring and SMS generated alarm to notify any deviations from specifications.

Water sampling & Analysis

BEMC commission testing including heavy metals and microbial content by an Independent accredited laboratory on samples of raw and treated water twice annually as per regulations.  

Wicklow Co Council verify the water quality by frequent sampling & testing at point of use.  We also supply water to the nursing home where it is tested in accordance with HIQA requirements.

The latest results show all parameters in specification, since the treatment plant was upgraded some years ago, all test results have complied with acceptable limits.

Equipment Calibration & Maintenance

• Calibration of instrumentation is performed annually as per Regulatory requirements by EPS Engineering. EPS also perform routine maintenance of the computer supports and instruments.

• All other routine maintenance of the system is performed by BEMC in-house.

• Data from the control system is electronically stored.

6. Classics Corner 

Plato, a philosophic householder in Athens estate around 340 BC, will be helping with recruiting for Blainroe estate board and working groups. In April, we might see what his old mucker, Aristotle, had to say. Plato said:

“Happiness springs from doing good and helping others”

“He who wishes to serve his country must have not only the power to think, but the will to act”

(And, I have shared this with my children, “Don’t quarrel with your parents even if you are right”)

We are grateful for the BEMC boards of the past, and current board and working group members – and their ‘will to act’.  Working groups cover

• Finance
• Planning
• Governance
• Landscaping, environment & safety

We will add ‘Communications’ and others as appropriate. 

We will continue to share information over the coming weeks and months.  We hope it will persuade more people to get involved, to play a part in ensuring a Blainroe environment which all can continue to enjoy.