AGM 2011 Minutes

 

Annual General Meeting

held on Monday 14th November 2011

at the Society of Chemical Industry

15 Belgrave Square SW1

at 7.00pm.

 The Chairman’s report.

James Wright extended his thanks to everyone for attending.

The members of the Executive Committee have worked extremely diligently ,

giving their time freely and  completing several major campaigns throughout the past 12 months.

This has been a positive year for the team .

One of the most significant problems has been dealing with basement developments. Dr Thompson

Represents  the Belgravia Residents  Association on this matter and will speak about this later in the meeting.

The membership numbers have increased over the past 12 months. A decision was taken to rationalise subscription payments  and to commence renewals and new subscription payments  in the January of future years. Therefore the accounts are misleading in that in 2009 the figure actually represents a  15 month period of the subscription payments of members. It also covers two Novembers which historically is when most of the reminders are mailed and membership renewals are received.

Several guest speakers have been invited and questions will be taken at the end of each topic rather than at the end of the evening.

Residents have written to the Association complaining that the services in Westminster have  been reduced especially street cleaning and that dog fouling incidents have  increased.

There will be a very noticeable negative impact around the West  End and in central London generally  both before and during the Olympics next year. All building work will cease and lorries will be severely restricted . Maps had been distributed by TFL by post showing the restricted areas.

The Chairman thanked Sara Oliver and Sarah Farrugia for the new  Belgravia Residents Association web site. This more modern approach enables members to join, pay and contact the association on line.

Nigel Hughes from Grosvenor  will talk later about Grosvenor’s  initiative  to reduce rat running  and review  traffic calming measures within  Belgravia and neighbouring  areas .

Treasurer’s report.

Carl Muller  reported  that the  Association maintains an acceptably sound financial

condition despite its having incurred a loss of £4,152 for the 12 month period ending  31st December  2010 compared with a gain of £1,022 in fiscal 2009 period.  To understand

the results we must take into account the fact that the 2009 figures include 15 months and

2010  only twelve months. Revenues in 2010 were £8,200 compared to £16,200 in 2009, a decline of £8,000. Subscriptions in 2009 were £10,140, which was £4,210 or 42% more than the £5,930 in

2010.  However, it is a fact that most of the subscriptions are paid in the last quarter of the

year.  The fifteen months of fiscal 2009 included two such quarters, those of 2008

and 2009.  Subscriptions have traditionally varied between £5,200 and £6,500 in the past, so

that the 2010 result of £5,930 would not appear to be a significant departure from past

experience.

The 2009 revenues are bolstered by the inclusion of £3500 in advertising revenue, which largely covered the cost of the membership brochure prepared in 2009. We received two Westminster grants of £650 in 2009 for the years 2008 and 2009. In 2010 we received a single amenity grant . The members of the Executive Committee  on behalf of our entire membership wish to express our sincere appreciation for the support provided by Westminster City Council.

The total of the difference in subscriptions , advertising and grants amounts to a negative

variance of £8360. There was a positive variance of £460 in garden party ticket sales, combined

with the negative variance accounts substantially for the total revenue variance.

Total expenses decreased from £15,178 in  2009 to £12,352 in 2010, a positive variance of £2826. Looking more closely at the component expense items, we see that there was an expected decrease of £3437 in membership brochure related expenses. Garden Party expenses net of ticket sales increased to £2,919 from £2.260 the year before.  The negative variance is due to the hiring of a live band for £500 and certain catering expenses.  Your Executive Committee continues to run the Summer Garden Party at a net expense. We want as many members and their friends to attend  because we regard the party as one of the many benefits of membership in the BRA.

Expenses in 2010 for the Annual General Meeting appear to have declined by £203 from

2009, however, we must recognize that the 2009 figures contain expenses related to two

AGMs.  In the past AGM expenses have varied from £2000 to £2,900, so that the 2010

expense of £3,765 exceeds the normal range.  The larger expenditure is due to the need to

provide members with the proposed new constitution, which significantly increased our

printing and mailing costs.

Administration also showed a negative variance of £196, due to restocking of

supplies.  Expenditures incurred in 2010 , but not in 2009, were related to the drafting of the

constitution (£494) and a summer newsletter (£452), an innovation in 2010.

Your Executive Committee is not satisfied with the 2010 results.  We continue to manage

expenses carefully. There were extra expenses in connection with distributing the

new constitution and maintaining our level of services for our membership and the

community.  We are reviewing  and implementing a number of initiatives to increase

revenues and to introduce efficiencies in communicating with members.

Our current bank balance is £5,489.96.  All invoiced expenditures have been paid.  The

members of your Executive Committee are confident that the plans we are executing will

strengthen our Association in its role of representing the interests of the residents of

Belgravia, as well as promoting the enjoyment  and pride in our community.

Mrs Shannon asked what difference will be made by the increased  subscription rates.

The Chairman explained that rather than using outside printers the increased funds will ensure that we can support local, slightly more expensive printers.

 

Randa Hanna –Head of the Planning Sub Committee.

This is the third year that basements have been discussed at the AGM. Dr Thompson will talk about  this in detail this evening. The new city management plan will be available for public consultation shortly. The Chelsea Barracks development has received planning permission enabling basement works to commence in March/April 2012. There will be a change to the corner where the hotel had been positioned. This will be altered from an L shape to a rectangular style.

Ben Marsh had promised to give a brief presentation about Johnson House but is absent from the meeting this evening. This will take about 2 to 2 ½ years to build. There has been a delay as the tenants will need to be  evicted by Court Order which should be around  the  15th January 2012.

Method statements are expected  prior to the commencement of  any  works. The Belgravia Residents Association has objected to  the removal of so many  trees. It has been agreed that Westminster will plant mature Ginko trees in Ebury Street and not just in the private square behind.

The Chairman introduced Dr James Thompson.

 

Dr. Thompson.

The main emphasis of the campaign involving basements has been ‘ to allow a right to develop but with a duty to respect  neighbours’. Until four years ago an individual had the right to build as part of ‘permitted development’ without the need to go through planning. The main problem for the Council was that on appeal often damages would be awarded to a home owner who had been denied the right to extend their property. We are aiming to have basements within the  footprint of the house to be excluded from permitted development. There is a great need to improve the party wall act as currently it covers the final product but not the actual process .

Dr Thompson , John Walker and Sofia Lambert  ( former civil servant) met with Baroness  Hanna and her nine advisers to discuss the matter of basements. Lord Jenkins feels that there may be some review to the legislation. Baroness Hanna suggested that basements  should be brought under the remit of planning rather than under permitted development. It is important that individuals report their experiences to Grosvenor and to the Councillors. Improvements could be made by requiring that consultation with neighbours occurs prior to planning applications being presented to Councils.  Councils should be able to enforce the  consultation process as a  pre-condition to any planning application.

Councils must be allowed to impose more conditions on basement developments to prevent damage and nuisance to adjoining properties. There needs to be adequate and clear provision for compensation for disturbance.

There should be reform of the party wall act to make it easier to claim under  it.

If the response from Baroness Hanna is not satisfactory then legal action will be sought.

A  response about permitted development is expected soon. However if the party wall discussions are fruitless then a test case may be brought  to try and deal with  compensation for noise and nuisance.

Dr Thompson thanked all associations and Councillors for their continued support .

 

Anthony Lake –Head of the Transport Sub Committee.

Six main areas of concern exist which affect the traffic in Belgravia. All except one cover the whole of the Westminster area, the issue of the coaches affects just Belgravia itself.

  • Strategic traffic. Grosvenor have initiated and managed  the South Westminster Traffic Management Study. The residents association endorses the traffic flow study within Belgravia as it is likely to be within our interest.
  • Upgrade of Victoria Station and the underground. The north and south traffic flows have different problems. There is considerable disruption around Victoria Station, between the Terminus and Victoria Street  due to the work being undertaken to improve pedestrian access to the station.
  • Eccleston Bridge. The diversion here has been successful. There will be a continued increase in the amount of traffic for the next three  years  but the 30,000 extra vehicles seem to have  been effectively rerouted.
  • Parking. Westminster City Council have implemented changes to parking  on yellow lines. The residents association does not believe these changes will have an adverse impact on Belgravia .
  • Coaches. This problem affects the southern parts of Belgravia. The number of coaches is increasing by 3% each year. There is no current solution. The situation is being monitored by the Mayor of London, Grosvenor and  Westminster. Recently the Ebury Street Coach Station curfew has been breached but after discussions with them this has been reinstated and the barrier is locked when not in use.
  • The Olympics.  The games will severely limit Londoners’ movements both before and during the events. The marathon and cycle routes will be closed to the public. It is not possible to do anything about this disruption but it is important that people  understand the full impact

on those living and working within London so that they can better prepare for this inconvenience.

Charles Oliver raised concerns about the number of parking offences issued  by  Westminster vehicles  which are fitted with cameras . Mr Lake suggested that he address these concerns to the Councillors for comment.

The Chairman mentioned that several homes in and around Bourne Street and Eaton Terrace have experienced noise vibration from the underground tube lines running underneath parts of Belgravia. The acceptable level is 35 decibels yet some houses have recorded in excess of 60-65 decibels. London Underground has  given assurances that they will replace part of the old railway lines within the next 24 months.

 

Nigel Hughes and the Grosvenor Estate.

The Chairman welcomed Nigel Hughes and thanked him for attending the meeting.

Nigel Hughes is the Director of Planning and Environment for the  Grosvenor Estate.

There are many areas of activity currently but the three that take the forefront are basements, localism and traffic calming  measures.

Last year Grosvenor had a major restructuring drive and has revised the London Estate Team.

Representatives of two of the Belgravia teams are here this evening. John Clark who is the Director of the North Belgravia Team and Catherine Stevenson who is the Director of the South Belgravia Team. Simon Elmer ,who is unable to attend ,is the Director of the Eaton Square Team. The teams  are better aligned with each particular location within Belgravia in order to  work more closely with the residents.

The public realm project in Elizabeth Street came to an end in September 2010. Grosvenor won the Stonemason of the Year Award. Nigel Hughes pointed out how vital it is to support the local traders.

A resident commented that the removal of the lights at the end of Elizabeth Street was likely to

cause an accident.

Mr Hughes stated that the health and safety traffic audit had been positive and that no accidents had occurred yet at this junction .

Grosvenor is keen that the traffic lights at the corner of Lower Belgrave Street and Ebury Street should be removed and the traffic lights at the junction of Ebury Street and Eccleston Street might also be taken away.

The summer garden party in Belgrave Square had been a huge success with 400 guests attending.

The invitation next year is again for all Belgravia residents who might wish to attend. Grosvenor has donated the use of Carmell Hall to the Francis Holland School for Girls. This is also available to rent.

After the August riots Grosvenor will be reviewing security  with Westminster and the Police.

The biggest area of concern is basement development. Nigel Hughes is in active discussions with all the main London estates including Howard de Walden ,Portman ,Cadogan and the Crown. The issues about basement development are  universal and the  meetings  include  discussions about  how  best to deal with  problems  that arise from these excavations.

Grosvenor has conducted several consultations on basements with varying results.

In Chester Square 50% of the residents agreed to a new basement development within the square

whilst  50% were opposed to the scheme. Grosvenor relies heavily on the feed back and comments of the residents when giving or with holding their consent for future works.

Each case if reviewed separately on its merits. Queens Council has confirmed the position of the

strength of the Grosvenor Belgravia Management Scheme to grant or to refuse permission to build basements.

Each Estate has its own list of criteria which is taken into consideration prior to approval

being given. Grosvenor considers whether the building is listed, if it is part of a terrace, whether there is a good professional team behind the build, the views of the residents and whether due diligence has been shown in the preparation of the planning application.

The views of the residents are  becoming increasingly important. In Chester Row after the collapse of the roadway causing months of distress and disruption to the residents, Grosvenor has refused to grant their consent for some basement developments.

Westminster needs more resources to support and implement  future changes concerning basement development.

The traffic study group will include a review of the traffic flows around Belgravia  and neighbouring streets. In addition to Grosvenor , Westminster City Council, Transport for London, Kensington and Chelsea, Victoria Business Improvement District, Land Securities, Qatari Diar, Cadogan Estate, British Land and Berkeley Homes are sponsoring the study. The aims will include improving the public realm, access, congestion reduction, planning, accident levels and the economic impact of increased vehicular movement.

Grosvenor arranged  a stakeholders meeting on the 8th November at Portland House to discuss the traffic in Belgrave Square , Motcomb Street and Grosvenor Crescent. Rat running occurs in south Belgravia along Ebury Street and in Pimlico. Montpelier Square and Exhibition Road are also

experiencing  high traffic flows. The aim is to create a much more holistic approach with a model

being  produced in March 2012.

The Localism Bill will soon become legislation by way of the passing of an Act. It will cover the impact of neighbourhood issues, planning and forums. Grosvenor believes  that there is a need for a local plan for many areas. Grosvenor is keen to be involved with this and encourages residents to do the same.

Mr Vaughan commented that Grosvenor’s attitude is crucial in whether basements are permitted.

Mr Wright replied that Belgravia is in a unique situation in that Grosvenor must give their consent before construction can occur whether or not planning permission has already been granted by Westminster City Council.

Grosvenor has with held permission  for a basement under a  house in Chester Row as all the residents presented  a petition to them objecting to the project. Mr Vaughan asked how many applications had Grosvenor received in the last year and how many had they approved. Mr. Hughes replied that the number of applications doubles each year. In 2010 over 60 applications had been received and some had been refused  permission completely. In the last 6 months 6 to 8 applications had been received and only 2 had been approved.

 

 

Denis Jackson-Head of the Environment  Sub Committee.

The three areas that are currently causing residents the most upset are noise, street cleanliness and dog fouling. In addition there are concerns about the use of the Royal Parks especially Hyde Park during the Olympic Games. There will be a village carnival based in Hyde Park from 8.30am to midnight daily. Hyde Park already experiences high crime rates which will increase during the Olympics as large TV screens will be erected  to watch free of charge during the games. Mr.Jackson thanked the Belgravia Police and Francis Blois for their continued work against crime within the area.  Francis Blois chairs the Knightsbridge and Belgravia Safer Neighbourhoods Association.  Mr Jackson introduced  the members of the Belgravia Police team  who attended  the meeting.

 

PC Gary Herrett-Belgravia Police.

2011 has been a busy year. Quarterly Safer Neighbourhood meetings are held and these revolve around discussions about robbery, theft, residential  and hotel burglaries, motor car thefts and snatch and grab incidents. The main concern has been the theft of handbags especially around the Brompton Road area. The bags are discarded and only the money is removed.

The second biggest problem is theft from car boots and glove compartments, even though items are locked away and out of view.

Belgravia is  classed as a low crime area and experiences few violent crimes.

James Vallance White asked about the progress of the violent crime that had occurred in Gerald Road. PC Herrett  reported that this was on going as no one has been arrested yet. More evidence is required in order to build a case.

Mrs Haubold asked if the Police are expecting more crime around Victoria Station especially during the Olympics. PC Herrett confirmed that all Police leave from June to the start of September 2012 has been cancelled. More officers , special forces teams, and man power  from all areas in Britain will be drafted in for additional support  in London during the games.

James Wright mentioned that the Belgravia Residents Association has received several  letters requesting that the association organise  private security firms.

Grosvenor already provides private security   in Eaton Square. PC Herrett noted that the Police are aware of the private security firms but stressed the need to follow correct  Police procedure. These firms can act as witnesses only and the Police must be contacted in order to make an arrest. The Chairman thanked PC Herrett and introduced Councillor Tony Devenish.

Councillors’  reports.

Tony Devenish gave apologies  for Mark Field, Rachel Robathon  and  Philippa Roe ( who had to leave early). He thanked Frances Blois for her work with the Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

Councillor Devenish responded to the Chairman’s comments about the  reduction in Westminster’s services explaining  that 80% of the cuts were in the  back office . Street cleaning services have been cancelled at the weekend but continue Monday to Friday.

Dog fouling is a real problem and the wardens continue to chase the owners  of offending dogs.  The Councillors have sympathy for the issues raised in respect of the changes to parking rules but feel that they do not directly affect Belgravia. The changes will be noticed mostly in  the West End.There will be a consultation about parking on the 9th January 2012 and all correspondence will be answered. The Olympics will have huge repercussions on Belgravia .The Councillors meet weekly to discuss the issues with the main authorities. There are concerns about the free festivals in Hyde Park and in Exhibition Road. These will need to be managed and organised properly in order to mitigate noise and congestion. Mark Field and Boris Johnson meet regularly to discuss this. Councillor Devenish extended his congratulations to Dr Thompson for his progress on basement developments. The Grosvenor’s  South Westminster Traffic Management   study is a welcome initiative.

The elections for the new  Mayor will be held  on  3rd May  2012.

A resident requested that  more dog bins be provided and asked if businesses could sponsor these. Councillor Devenish confirmed that there is only one dog bin currently in Belgravia.

A resident asked about the dangerous crossing by Sloane Square tube station. Councillor Devenish will forward  contact details to her. The Belgravia Residents Association had challenged this initiative but it fell under the remit of Councillor Daniel Moylan and Kensington and  Chelsea City Council.

 

Re-election of the Chairman.

Vincent Oratore, Solicitor, proposed  James Wright for  re- election  as Chairman of the Belgravia Residents Association.

Sam Haubold, attorney, seconded this motion.The motion was passed.

 

 

 

Re-election of the Executive Committee.

The Chairman explained that Maggie Stanway  is standing down due to ill health and thanked her for her  work with the association  over many years.

The Constitution requires that some members of the committee stand down by rotation.

This year Caroline Haubold, Helene Oratore, Shirley Abicair and Carl Muller will stand down and put themselves forward for re election again  at this meeting.

Vincent Oratore proposed that the four members standing  down by rotation  be re-elected.

Seconded by Sam Haubold. The motion was passed.

Vincent Oratore proposed that Sara Oliver  and Sandra Wagg be elected to the Executive Committee.

Sam Haubold seconded this proposal . The motion was passed.

 

Approval of the new subscription rates.

Randa Hanna proposed that the subscription rates  of the Belgravia Residents Association  be increased  from £20 o £30 per year per family.

Seconded by  Sam Haubold .The motion was passed.

 

Any other business

A resident asked if the Police sirens could be switched off or turned down during the night especially when the roads were free of  other  traffic.

Rosemary McCann from the Belgravia Police  Station explained that calls were graded and the policy about emergency 999 calls was unlikely to  be altered .Hence the sirens would probably continue to be used. She apologised for the disturbance and will forward the comments to the station officer.

The Chairman thanked Waitrose for their continued support and for the canapés and wine for this evening’s meeting.  Mr Wright extended the committee’s appreciation to all those who generously supported the association’s  summer party in Wilton Crescent. The Chairman thanked everyone for attending the meeting and invited them to join the committee and guest speakers for drinks.

 The meeting ended at 8.30pm

Minutes recorded by Helene Oratore.