June 2016 Garrison Residents Association Update

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Update on Developer Handover

Most of you will recall that the current developer, Country & Metropolitan (now Avant Homes)was due to leave the Garrison site in January 2015. At that time the transfer of the managementof the site to a new board of directors, made up of residents, was due to take place.

Previously, all households had been written to by the Developer in July 2014 and asked to considertaking on the role of ‘resident director ‘and nominate themselves based on relevant expertise andability to represent the different geographic areas of the Garrison. The GRA has also emphasisedhow important this transition was for the smooth running of the estate.

The ‘Board in Waiting’ constituting the new directors was chosen by the Developer in January2015 to form the new Shoebury Garrison Management Company Ltd (SGMCL) on transfer of thesite. The new Board will be a legally constituted with executive powers to manage the estatefunds and the appointed Managing Agents, currently Fowler & Spenceley.

Whilst the managing agents are appointed by the SGMCL, they work closely with the GRA and itsrepresentatives to ensure that the actions taken are ultimately in the best interests of theresidents of the Garrison. We cannot stress enough that the SGMCL and not the GRA hasoverriding and final control of estate matters.

Due to delays between Southend Borough Council and the Developer in the handover of the seawall and the Heritage Centre, this transfer has been delayed and therefore to ensure coordinationand smooth running of the estate, the GRA, the prospective directors of SGMCL andthe Managing Agents have worked closely together over the intervening period.

The future of the GRA

As advised at our last AGM, the current Garrison Residents Association Committee Members who have been nominated as prospective directors of new SGMCL will have to step down from the committee. This effectively will reduce our numbers from 10 to 5 with the loss of the Chairman and Secretary. At this point the GRA will call an Extra Ordinary General Meeting (EGM) to ask residents to nominate themselves to join the GRA Committee and represent their geographic are a and or bring a particular expertise to the committee.

If you value your Residents Association please consider joining us and getting involved.

Role of the GRA

"Promoting and protecting the Shoebury Garrison for the benefit of its communityHow we work to keep you informed

The Garrison Residents Association has, over the years kept residents regularly updated bynewsletters to every household, direct e mail contact and by holding the Annual General Meetingto which you are all invited. More recently our excellent new Web Site provides the opportunityto view the minutes of our meetings and contact us. We respond as soon as we can but pleaserecognise, we, like all residents, have busy lives which may mean there is a delay in our response.

Our newly introduced Face Book Page complements the web site with the social forum for theGarrison area providing a social network.

Contact us via www.garrisonra.co.uk

General Update around and about

Plans for the Garrison Church

On Tuesday July 5th the Garrison Church will have an open day from 10 am to 6.30 pm for people to have a look around. Ideas for the future use of the building will be welcome at this free event however, we understand that the trustees of Southend Educational Trust who own the building are pressing ahead with their original plans to turn the church into a wedding reception venue, a proposal already strenuously opposed by the GRA. Local Councillors and the Shoebury ResidentsAssociation are also concerned with the current proposals. It is imperative residents attend and make their views known to the Owners and Trustees of the Chapel.

Heritage Centre Update

Tourism UK ltd has carried out a business planning exercise for the Carriage & Wagon Shed at theGarrison, also known as the Heritage Centre. The report was recently presented to the Shoebury Coastal Community Team of which, the Garrison Residents Association is an active member. Along term action plan based on these findings is now being prepared in conjunction with theCouncil who will own the asset on handover.

Shoebury Primary Care Centre (PCC) for Shoebury

The NHS Southend Clinical Commissioning Group have identified 3 possible sites for a PCC such a centre. All of which will be of interest to Garrison Residents. The sites identified are: New Building on Shoebury health Centre Site (Campfield Road)

  • New Building on Shoebury House site (Ness Road)
  • New Building on Garrison Site ( land adjacent to Hinguar School)
  • These options will be assessed by a panel including local people to recommend the best options.

Further information and questions on the PCC go to: www.southendccg.nhs.co @southendccg or  sccg.communications@nhs.net