For Householders, Blainroe Estate

From Terry Neill                                                         21^st  October, 2021

Blainroe Estate Management Company board

Post AGM note to householders

My thanks to those householders who were able to join the BEMC AGM via Zoom on Tuesday October 19^th; and for their support for the board and its recommendations.

The smooth running of board and AGM meetings depends on several people, but the vital preparation work is done by Marie Byrne and Katie Mooney, who deserve the thanks of all of us.

Some points from the AGM

1. Vandalism

I mentioned recent egregious vandalism at a house in the Briary.  There have been other examples over the past weeks and months.

These actions are crimes.  It is vital that they be formally reported by victims to An Garda Siochana, and that ‘a crime reference number’ is obtained.  Also inform Blainroe Estate (blainroeestate@outlook.com ) so that we can keep a log.  It is important that we have a complete record for when perpetrators are brought to book.

2. The new board

I am grateful for the votes which overwhelmingly voted for the new board.

We have Amanda Collins, Pat Hinkson, Philip McEnroe, Katie Mooney, Gordon Murray, Terry Neill, Robert Patton and Craig Whelan.

A good group, which happily has a lower average age than the interim board.

We have permanent residents and ‘sometimes’ residents in Blainroe.  It is important that we have only one class of householder – each with the same rights and obligations.  I do, however take Morgan Sheehy’s point about the under-representation of permanent residents on the new board.  We have an issue to address over time.  And I welcome the offers from permanent residents who are willing to join subcommittees over the coming months.

The new board needs to go to work

• We need resilience and ‘back up’ for our current employee group
• We need to update management processes for priority setting and day to day decision making. (With Schnittger Bourne’s help)
• We need an updated financial strategy and plan for the medium and longer term
• We need a ‘trees strategy’
• We need to build on progress in communicating with householders, and on building their engagement.
• And more.

            We will start in November.

3. What sort of Blainroe?

The new board should address the question:  “What sort of Blainroe should we plan for the next 5 – 10 years?”

We have a backlog of potential spending projects and, no doubt, the question will prompt new ideas and options.  There will be questions about finance, quality, scope, and valuation.

We need to explore and engage with householders.  We need to create a shared view of Blainroe’s future – informed by the financial and other implications.

(We are responsible for assets which could be valued in the range €50 – 75 million. Blainroe is a serious business, in which we are all shareholders.)

4. Blainroe ‘shareholder activism’

To quote my comments at the AGM

“Householders are BEMC’s shareholders.  Good shareholders are knowledgeable about what’s involved in running the business.  Good shareholders bring challenges, questions and ideas which are practical and soundly based.  Good shareholders differentiate between good value and poor value.  Good shareholders see themselves as key players in maintaining the standards and values of Blainroe”

(And good shareholders understand and appreciate employees and their work.)

Today’s Blainroe was conceived and created by people with vision and good values. Christy Cooney’s original dream (see the website) may not have been delivered in full – but we have done pretty well.  The future Blainroe will be as good as the quality of thinking and planning that brings it to pass.  The board and sub groups have a leadership role.  Knowledgeable engagement and understanding across the majority of householders will be the vital complement.

5. The new board

Will have its first board meetings on November 2^nd and December 7^th