GOLDTHORN (WOLVERHAMPTON) MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED

C/O Thomas Skidmore, Chartered Surveyors, 15 King Street,

Wolverhampton WV1 1ST

Minutes of the directors’ meeting held at the Goldthorn Hotel, Penn Road on Friday, 21st August 2015, starting at 7.30 pm.

Attendance

Jonathan Nelson (Thomas Skidmore), Mark White (147A), Andy Arnold (151A) and John Bristow (153)

1. Appointment of chairman

Jonathan Nelson was appointed as chairman.

2. Apologies and proxies

None

3. Minutes of last meeting

Approved as an accurate record by all those present.

4. Matters arising

None

5. The Green Deal

There was prolonged discussion on the subject of whether the rear elevation should be externally

insulated. A decision had to be made before the following Monday. It was decided not to proceed with

the work. Two directors voted against the idea and one abstained. The directors’ main objections were as

follows:

  • Planning permission for the proposed work had not been granted.The directors felt that starting the work before getting planning permissionwas a risk that they were not prepared to take.
  • Green Deal grants had been allocated for 24 of the 26 flats in the terrace, but the estimates presented at the meeting did not show that there would be anycost advantage compared to the alternatives.What they demonstrated was that the cost to Goldthorn Management Company of repainting the masonry at the front and the woodwork on both sides of the building,and externally insulating the rear elevation, would be close to £50,000. Based on Mac Davies’s quote for repainting the front elevation and the woodwork on both elevations (£11,000), the company would have to spend more than £39,000 on repairing and repainting the render at the rear for this alternative to be more expensive.
  • It was felt that such an important decision should be put before an AGM, but that there was not enough time to do thissince the proposed work could start no later than the Monday following the directors’ meeting.
  • The character and aesthetics of the building would be compromised.
  • Doubts were expressed about the durability of the finish.Damage to the insulation at 135 was apparent less than 6 months after the work had been finished.
  • Unauthorised work affecting the rear elevationhas been a frequent occurrence. For example, gas pipes have recently been routed along the exterior wall without the permission of Goldthorn Management Company and in contravention of the terms of the lease. New vents for central heating systems have also been installed on a regular basis. The directors felt that any such alterations in the future would damage the exteriorinsulation and would be difficult and costly to repair.
  • Work on some individual flats would not be finished within the specified time scale. Doubts about whether the whole front elevation could be insulated by the beginning of December(as stipulated by the terms of the Green Deal grant) were also expressed.
  • The need to accommodate exterior gas pipes, central heating vents, meter boxes, telegraph cables, burglar alarms and external meter readers would have an adverse effect on the appearance of the building.
  • Although various possibilities had been discussed, there was noplan for replacing the exterior lighting at the rear and no indication of the costs which might be incurred in doing so.It was pointed out that a lack of adequate lighting might affect residents’ house contents insurance.
  • Another levy would have to be raised to pay for the cost of the insulation. Although this would be reimbursed, past experience has suggested that there are a number of leaseholders who would not pay.

In view of these objections, it was agreed that the best way forward would be for Jonathan Nelson to obtain 3 written estimates for repairing and repainting the render on the rear elevation, repainting the woodwork on both sides of the building and repainting the masonry on the front elevation.

6. Arrears

It was agreed that no action would be taken against long term defaulters till the beginning of 2016.

7. The next directors’ meeting

It was agreed that the next directors’ meeting should take place in mid-September.

8. Any other business

None