Newsletter Autumn 2015

NATURAL ENGLAND COASTAL PATH

Improvements to public access along the Kent coast;
This is in the early stages of planning but it is currently a proposal that this pathway will run along the existing footpath on Preston Parade. They are planning stopping points where walkers can sit and picnic and enjoy the sea views. A notification was sent to the Company and some of the committee attended a preliminary meeting to ascertain what is intended and we have requested a site meeting to which concerned residents will be invited to air their views and objections. You can find additional information on their website at: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/access/coastalaccess/default.aspx and you can get information about progress on the Whitstable to Iwade stretch and local drop-in details at http://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-whitstable-to-iwade

Estate Roads and Edges

The roads have been inspected and a list of repairs made covering filling of potholes both in the roads and in the verges (mainly adjacent to speed humps) where traffic is driven around the hump with one wheel. Some verges require additional filling to prevent the edge of the tarmac being broken away.
The main works are in St Marys Grove.

We are also considering cutting away the centre of full width speed humps and reducing the length of “overlapping” speed humps to make travel easier for wheelchair users and prams/buggies. Our concern is that some drivers may try to straddle the smaller humps making them ineffective. Excess surface dressing is to be removed from the edges and centre of the roads where traffic movement has pushed it over. White lining will be applied to the Junction of Hodgson Road and St Marys Grove.

We hope to have this work completed before the winter weather arrives.

Voluntary Contribution vs Service Charge

There still appears to be a confusion for long term residents and some misinformed local Solicitors that had implied that the Estate Service Charge is a voluntary one. This view is incorrect as the charge’ had been in place since the Company bought the estate in 1998 and I set out below a paragraph from the January 2001 Issue of ‘Update’.

UPDATE 2001 Issue 1 January

Voluntary Contribution v Service Charge
“The change in status 2 years ago, when the Granville Cliff Estate Company Ltd took over from the previous company following a majority vote of residents, has meant extra responsibilities for residents. We are not in a leasehold situation. We own our houses and the land we bought with the house, but the Company and its shareholders (residents who have paid for a share) own the roads, banks and beaches to the high water mark. The difference is that there is no longer a ‘landlord/tenant’ situation. We are all expected to be equal partners in maintaining the estate and taking responsibility for the good of all. Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of this. To help unscramble any confusion, what used to be the ‘voluntary road fund’ is now to be called the ‘service charge’ in keeping with other private estates in this country and beyond.”

Company Share Certificates

As mentioned in the summer Update there are still some residents who do not hold a share. Several of you contacted Vic after the last message to arrange for a transfer of the share on your property. If you do not remember whether or not you have a share or a partner recently passed away the share can easily be transferred into your name.
For further information or advice please get in touch via our contact page.

Bonfire Night

Please be safety conscious and consider your neighbours, following the estate guidelines; Bonfires cannot be erected until the morning of the actual day they will be fired and should only be placed below the high water mark. Please remember to clear up the beach of any screws, nails or other potentially dangerous objects afterwards.

Have a safe and hopefully dry bonfire night.