PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
As you will be aware an Extra- Ordinary General Meeting of Stuart Tower Limited was held on the 22nd April, to allow lessees to vote on whether they wished to proceed with the proposed potential development of ten residential flats to the rear of the Stuart Tower and a Spa development to the left of Stuart Tower.   The Board had hoped that the income raised from the proposed development would ameliorate much of the cost of the major works that are needed at Stuart Tower and believe such a project would significantly improve the general environment of Stuart Tower. We are pleased to advise that the meeting was well attended.  After a lively discussion the matter was put to the vote and the resolutions to proceed with the projects were rejected. The Board would like to thank everyone who made the effort to attend the meeting or use their proxy.  The Board will continue to work in the best interests of Stuart Tower and look at opportunities to enhance the building and environment.

NEW T.V AERIAL SYSTEM
Work has now been completed on the installation of the new satellite aerial system. The new system will not only improve reception to the block but do away with the need for satellite dishes. We would therefore ask lessees to ensure that any satellite dishes are removed and remind you that it is a breach of the terms and conditions of your lease if you place a satellite dish on the balcony or walls of Stuart Tower.

NEW SECURITY SYSTEM
You will be aware that various works have been carried out at Stuart Tower in recent months to improve the security at the block. These include:-

• A new entrance system that has been installed using PAC fobs as opposed to keys.
• CCTV cameras have been installed at entrances to the Building and the lifts. These are linked to a VCR Recorder.
• The fire exit doors have been alarmed to avoid unauthorized use.

RECYCLING
We would again take this opportunity to remind you of the recycling bins located in the basement. These have proved immensely successful, and we have been able to reduce the number of landfill bins by half. Thank you for your efforts, it is really
appreciated. The porters have recycling bags for those who have not picked one up.
The bins are located in the basement area adjacent to the rear entrance.

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
As you will all no doubt be aware the Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday the 4th December at 7.30pm in St Joseph’s School Hall in Lanark Road. We are pleased to say there was a good attendance from lessees to the meeting, and after the formal matters of the AGM were completed, we took the opportunity to take some festive refreshments. During the course of the formal Company business section of the meeting, Civvals Chartered Accountants were reappointed as the auditors for the coming year.
Both Christine Ohlenschlager and Andy Stiff were due to retire as Directors from the Board and kindly agreed to stand for re-election. Both Christine and Andy were re-elected. A vote of thanks for the Directors continued hard work was called for by Mr Kahn of flat 2D Stuart Tower and was unanimously seconded by the meeting.

GARDENS
We are sure you will all agree that the gardens have been extremely attractive this year and Rod Tootell has done a very good job in enhancing their appearance. The gardeners will be carrying out a programme of cutting back and pruning the plants in preparation of the winter and spring season.
If any one has any comments or would like to make any suggestions concerning the gardens please contact Giles Mason at Haywards Property Services who will pass you suggestions on to the gardeners or arrange for a meeting.

SERVICE CHARGE
Lessees will now have received their quarterly service charge demand from Haywards Property Services which was due for payment on 25th March.
Haywards wish to remind all residents about the importance of paying the service charge on time. The smooth running of the block depends on these contributions.

DIRECTORS
The Board is always on the look out for new members who will take an active and interested role in the running of Stuart Tower.

If you are willing and able to offer your time please contact Ann Sullivan on ann@stuarttower.com, or alternatively you may contact the Board via the comments box in the reception of Stuart Tower.

CIGARETTE ENDS
There is a continuing problem of certain residents in the Building disposing of cigarette ends either on or over the edge of balconies to flats, which is not only dangerous, but causes a litter problem. The new No Smoking law came into force on the 1st July and it is now not permitted to smoke anywhere in the common parts of Stuart Tower but nevertheless can you please ensure that all smokers using your flat dispose of cigarette ends in a proper manner.
Still on the subject of balconies, would you please ensure that these are kept clean and tidy at all times and not used for the storage of any extraneous items, washing etc.

STAFF
Since the last newsletter we have had a new porter join the staff of Stuart Tower, we are sure you will join us in welcoming Ronaldo Adoptante, who has been with us for several months now. He has settled in very well and is proving to be a helpful member of Stuart Tower staff.
We would remind you that it is not part of the porterage staff’s duties to escort visitors to lessees’ flats. Please ensure that you make arrangements with any visitor to make use of the phone entry system.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
As part of the ongoing monitoring of all aspects of Health and Safety in the Building, we have been advised that doormats placed outside front doors are a potential tripping hazard. Haywards have already written on this point and if you have not already done so, these mats should be removed immediately.
Please note that the fire doors should not be wedged open at any time.

MR KRAUS
It is with deep sadness that we advise you, that in July of last year Mr Kraus, a long standing lessee of Stuart Tower died. Mr. Kraus was extremely well known around the block and had been a lessee for approximately 30 years and will be sadly missed. I am sure you will all join the Board in passing your condolences and deepest sympathies on to Mrs. Kraus.

HIPS
At the AGM in December 2007, the possibility of introducing a standard template for Home Information Packs for lessees of Stuart Tower to use when they market their flats for sale. The proposal was discussed in depth by Haywards Property Services and Brook Vincent and Partners, the building surveyors for Stuart Tower. It has been decided that to the very individual nature of the HIPS, it is not practical to have a general template, and vendors will need to seek advice when they market their flat from a HIPS surveyor.

SUBLETTING
We would remind you of the importance of applying to Haywards Property Services for a License to Sublet, if you are intending to, or are subletting your flat. It is vitally important that we have details of occupants at Stuart Tower from a Health and Safety point of view and anyone subletting without a License will be in breach of the terms of their lease.

INSURANCE
The Board has once again been able to obtain very competitive rates regarding the buildings insurance and continue to monitor claims closely, most of which are water damage. Your cooperation on ensuring all pipes, sanitary fittings and water vessels for which you are responsible for in your flat are kept in a good state of repair is much appreciated.

LAUNDRY
A lessee has asked us to share his laundry cleaner with you, whom he highly recommends. They are The Swiss Cottage Laundry and will collect on a Friday evening and return on a Saturday evening.
Telephone Number: - 02073288878.

HAYWARDS PROPERTY SERVICES / ERINACEOUS GROUP
As Giles Mason reported at the recent EGM Erinaceous Group Plc has gone into administration but Haywards Property Services which is part of the Residential Management Group (RMG) Ltd is not included in this outcome. RMG have now been sold to a company owned by three leading banks HBOS, HSBC and Lloyds Banks TSB and will continue trading in the normal way.  This means that there will be no disruption whatsoever in the management processes but Haywards will now have no connection or relationship in anyway with Erinaceous Group Plc.

COMMENTS
If you have any comments / stories please leave them in written form with the porter, or email them to: ann@stuarttower.com