September, 2019 | Dene Park Estate

27th September 2019 in Newsletter

Summer 2019

Dear Residents, here are the latest updates regarding the estate.

Gardening / Planting etc

The estate continues to look lovely and thanks to the gardeners for their hard work and perseverance. The Directors suggested that small areas of grass were left un-mown and wild flower seeds were scattered. The vast majority of residents at the latest AGM agreed that these areas look lovely and the idea will be continued. When the wild flowers have stopped flowering the grass will be mown as before. Bee and butterfly friendly flower seed will be used for future sowings.

Thanks to residents who have donated plants and shrubs that have been planted around the estate.

Volunteer Gardening Group

We are always looking for volunteers to join an informal gardening group to help maintain areas that have been renewed on the estate.

Contact Bo (0161 432 4851)

or Pat (0161 432 6716)

Trees

The trees were “crowned” early on in the year. Some residents disagreed with the action taken and the Directors are looking into ways to ensure better communication of results of tree surveys. Any future surveys will be put on the website and residents will be consulted before any action is taken. It’s a massive positive that residents care about our estate and the Directors will always try to do what is best and take into account residents’ views.

Security

There have been a few instances of theft and petty crime recently on the estate; bike theft and cars have been opened and items taken. The rest of the Heatons seem to suffer far worse from car theft and burglaries than we do, thankfully; but please take care with home security, and secure items left outside. If you see anything suspicious, ring 101 as the police need to know.

It has also been pointed out that the meter cupboards for some of the properties on the estate are accessible from the outside. This makes them vulnerable to malicious interference – burglar alarms and “Ring” type video doorbells that are wired into the house’s electrical system could be turned off. There are often back-up batteries that kick in but it has been recommended that these cupboards have a lock fitted so the householder can keep access secure.

Neighbourhood Watch

The estate representative is Phil Mason at 3 Dene Court. Phil is happy to respond to those who get in touch about neighbourhood watch issues.

(email: [email protected])

Painting

Phase 2 of the painting and UPVC cleaning will take place in 2020. Realty and the Directors will be taking quotes for this work including a quote from the painter who worked on Phase 1.

Dene Park Estate Website

The address is www.denepark.org. Already, some new residents have said they found the website useful when researching the area before buying a house here. Surveys, newsletters, contact details etc. will be available on the site. One of our residents has expertise in this area and has offered to help to ensure the site is put to the best use and kept up to date.

The estate WhatsApp group is very useful for quick communications – so join up if you haven’t already (see at end).

Community Areas

Please remember that these areas are for everyone to use. It is really important that play equipment is not left out. Gardeners need access to maintain these areas and unfortunately, if a third party had an accident on the equipment, the estate would be liable.

Realty Management

Realty are now in place and are employed by the estate to manage the collection of service fees, debt collection, setting up of insurance, data issues, printing and general accountancy. The estate company DPM (Dene Park Maintenance Ltd.) still exists and the residents’ first port of call for non admin queries/complaints is to the Directors. Realty does not decide on trees, gardening, painting etc. They can use their contacts to get quotes and surveys for us but the Directors make the final decisions. Please note the next item on complaints procedure.

Complaints Procedure

Sadly, one of the Directors was subject to verbal abuse from a resident who wanted to make a complaint with regards to the wild flower areas. This was overheard by another resident who was appalled at the language used. The gardeners were also subject to the abuse. If residents have a complaint, please either email or visit us for a chat. If residents feel that they have not been listened to, contact our Realty representative Jack Sargeant who may be able to help.

Welcome!

Welcome to everyone who has moved onto the estate recently. The Directors and Court Reps are available to help if there are any questions or issues. Please don’t hesitate to ask.

AGM

We had a great turn out; and it was a very positive meeting. The minutes are being sent out with this newsletter

Contacts

Pat Flynn (Director)

16, Deneway Mews

0161 432 6716

[email protected]

Bo Cochran (Director and Court Rep)

11, Burley Court

0161 432 4851

[email protected]

Ev Speak (Director)