May 2024
Dear Resident and/or Key Holder
Minutes of AGM, 10 January 2024
Pl find the Minutes of the AGM held on 10 January 2024 here.
Action Points Arising from the AGM
Calendar of Garden Events and Booking Form
Pl find attached the updated Events Booking Form here implementing the recommendations made at the AGM.
There is also a calendar for booked events as of 1 May 2024. The payment details have been redacted.
Garden Accounts to Year End 31 Oct 2023 and Budget 2024
Pl find here a letter of 10 Jan 2024 (sent on 16 Jan 2024) approving the accounts from Baginsky Cohen, Chartered Accountants and the finalised budget for 2024.
Residents Association Accounts to Year End 31 Oct 2023
Pl find here the Balance Sheet and a statement of Income and Expenditure prepared by John Graham, Reporting Accountant. We are all grateful to John for devoting a considerable amount of his time converting and checking the cash only accounts against the bank statements into proper accounting form.
Electric Vehicle Charging Survey Results
As stated at the AGM, this produced a good response. The results have been carefully analysed and are here for information. We are grateful to Ashley Abraham for organising this initiative and seeing it through.
A couple of points of interest. The Trojan EV charging method is being rolled out in Brent and Camden: see, for example, here for more information. In summary, the charging points are only seen above ground when in operation; the rest of the time they lie flush with the pavement. Another option being developed (as seen on BBC TV Dragon’s Den this year) is laying submerged cables in the pavement between a block and the kerbside to enable individual block residents to recharge their cars privately through their own electricity supplier.
Minutes of the Management Committee Meeting Held on 6 March 2024
These are here for information along with the Garden Report for the period. They were received and accepted at a Working Party Meeting on 26 March 2024 subject to formal approval at the next Management Committee Meeting on 8 May 2024. The Working Party comprises the Garden Management Committee. It meets separately to focus on delivery of the Maintenance Review and Improvement Projects as outlined at the AGM.
It had been hoped to save the Mimosa Tree opposite 72 CG, which had been listing badly, by conducting a severe prune on the leaning side. This was not possible after a lorry hit the overhanging limb on 4 April 2024 rendering it unsafe. The tree was removed by our tree surgeon later that day. The stump and roots have been removed creating space to allow for a replacement small tree such as a Flowering Cherry or an attractive large shrub.
Two Lilac Trees - one in Central north west and the other in West north - were badly damaged on 7 April 2024 following storm Kathleen. The damaged branches and split trunks have been removed. It is expected that both Lilacs will regenerate and eventually recover.
Maintenance Contract
David Ashton’s quote (on behalf of his Company One Two Tree Ltd) for the maintenance contract for the year ahead has been accepted: it was the most competitive and offered the best value for money. We are grateful to David and his team for their hard work and commitment to Cornwall Gardens over 20 years in maintaining and delivering such attractive results in the challenging circumstances of gardens which are enclosed by buildings on all sides and contain many large trees. We look forward to continuing to work with David and his team.
Improvement Projects
Garden Waste Recycling Project
Pl see draft proposal here. Pl feel free to comment on the proposal.
The Mound and Eastern Border, Central
Proposals are still under consideration.
Iron Railings and Gates West Garden
A quote has been obtained from a specialist to replace the missing roll bars and decorative features and this is being considered. The railings and gates can then be repainted. The railings are not suitable for chaining bikes as they are vulnerable to damage caused by bike thieves and/or the bikes themselves so efforts will be made to find alternatives such as another Sheffield bike stand and installation of appropriate and unobtrusive Victorian-style signage on the railings to stop bikes being chained to them.
Cabling from Shed to Middle Bed, Central
A power cable has been trenched in from the Shed to the Middle Bed to power the Christmas Tree lights direct from the mains and also provide additional sockets and power points for other uses. The socket box will be painted green to help disguise it along with the plants growing around. The trench has been infilled and reseeded with the new grass now germinated and growing back nicely. The various excavation sites will be filled in shortly and the warning tapes removed. We are grateful to Adrian Gingles for overseeing this project successfully, to budget and on time
Irrigation System
The irrigation system is being repaired, overhauled and extended to cover more areas of the garden and improve efficiency. This will include the eastern border of Central to help promote stronger, healthier and more vigorous plant growth.
General
Children’s Toys and Mobiles
Pl ensure these are returned to the bunkers and area next to the shed when finished playing with them. Signage will be going up in the Gardens reminding users to do this before they leave if no-one else is using them.
Building Safety Act 2022 and Insurance
Pl see a paper here for interest. This also includes a case note on unlawful subletting and how this may adversely affect a claim.
Inaugural Meeting of Building Representatives/House Captains
This is taking place on Thursday, 9 May 2024 to discuss issues of common concern to block owners, Flat owners and tenants and managers and come up with an action plan to control escalating insurance premiums, unlawful subletting, management of refuse and so on, among other things, as well as discuss legislation such as the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Freehold and Leasehold Reform Bill. If you or your block has not yet been contacted and would like to be represented, pl contact the Secretary. Minutes will be circulated to all those on the bulletin distribution list and available on the website when approved.
Hanging Flower Baskets
These have been ordered and are expected to be installed later this month. An application has been made for funding by RBKC through its Community Infrastructure Levy imposed on developers as a condition of planning permission. A decision is awaited.
Request for Replacement/Additional Street Litter Bins
This has been done and installation is awaited.
Stanford Court Garden Charges
A number of Stanford Court residents have suggested collecting Garden Charges by direct debit. This suggestion has been accepted and will be implemented by the Management Committee through personal contact with each of the residents who have opted in or received a garden key. This will also assist with the management and preparation of the accounts which was covered in some detail by the Treasurer at the AGM and help avoid erratic invoicing and payments and the build-up of arrears.
Crime and Anti-social Behaviour
We continue to attend the Queen’s Gate quarterly neighbourhood police liaison panel which we now host. The Minutes and crime statistics are available on request. The number of reported incidents in Cornwall Gardens continues to fall. The public cctv system is now in operation covering both sides of the gardens and the cuts between and may be having a deterrent effect. They are assisting with investigations with access through RBKC (the system operator) in cooperation with the Police and residents. We have a new area sergeant who is supported by a team of four comprising two police officers and two community support officers. Any suspicious behaviour may be reported to the Secretary who will forward on your concerns to them so they can monitor and intervene as necessary.
RBKC Street Enforcement
Residents are regularly reporting refuse being put out on the wrong days or times and fly-tipping. RBKC is proving to be effective in taking enforcement action in response, including fixed penalty notices and, in repeat or serious cases, prosecutions.
Dog walkers who do not dispose of dog excrement properly are also being spoken to and encouraged to use the appropriate disposal bags and dog waste bins.
Misconduct in the Gardens
One person was caught recently walking their dog in West and another in Central and reminded by residents that this is not permitted. Appropriate enforcement action will be taken if this happens again.
Children have been left for periods on their own in the West Garden unsupervised by an adult and this has caused serious and unsightly damage to the lawn at the east end which was being used for football and target practice. This has been dealt with.
Spring and Summer Open Events
(Note: to access the links below, pl copy and paste into your toolbar and open).
The London Open Gardens Weekend – Sat 8 and Sun 9 June 2024
The Central Garden will be open to visitors for this event on Sat 8 June 2024, as in previous years.
Details of all the participating gardens and how to book may be found here.
A Jazz Trio will be providing background music in Cornwall Gardens and refreshments will also be available. As in previous years, admission is free to Key Holders and Cornwall Gardens Residents and they are not required to book; all other visitors must book in advance or at the gate and pay the appropriate charges.
“All’s Well That Ends Well”, Shakespeare in the Squares, Tuesday, 25 June 2024 at 7 pm in Central Garden, Cornwall Gardens SW7
Details of the production, which contains gypsy swing music and a fairy tale twist, venues and how to obtain tickets may be found here.
Tickets are selling well so please book yours as soon as you can to avoid disappointment.
Mosimann’s will be providing refreshments in Cornwall Gardens before the performance and during the interval. You can, of course, bring your own picnic.
“Some Enchanted Evening” Summer Concert, tlc, Tuesday, 2 July 2024 from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm in Central Garden, Cornwall Gardens SW7
You probably have seen the banners already up on garden railings for this event. The producers at tlc are greatly looking forward to performing the concert and providing refreshments in Cornwall Gardens.
All residents of Cornwall Gardens who have booked tickets (no entry charge, though a voluntary donation to the Earl’s Court Community Trust is requested) are welcome to come along. Please book your tickets here.
By booking tickets early, not only will you be able to secure your spot for what promises to be an unforgettable evening, but you'll also assist the producers in ensuring that they can manage capacity effectively and cater for everyone's needs. They want to make sure there's plenty of Pimms for everyone to enjoy!
All other exciting events coming up in tlc’s summer season may be found here.
Kensington Society Annual Report
The Kensington Society’s 70th Anniversary Annual Report has been published. It makes for a fascinating read with 86 pages of features, pictures and graphics. Details of how to join or obtain a copy may be found here.The Annual Report contains reports from affiliated societies which also includes a report from the Chairman of Cornwall Gardens Committee and Residents Association
Best,
Alan Lester
Keys Secretary and Secretary, Cornwall Gardens Committee and Residents Association
07816 324335
