Hello, Welcome to the spring newsletter. Despite a wet start to the year we had a fairly mild winter overall which hopefully helped us all with the heating bills! On that very issue most of you will be aware that the buildings on the estate now benefit from cavity wall insulation and this should further reduce our energy consumption something in these days of high energy prices is very welcome. We have already started to tender for maintenance works in 2014 - 15 and these will be made available to all flat owners with the AGM packs that are due to go out towards the end of May. The AGM is due to be held on Monday 16th June 2014 at 8:15pm in the Upper Library of the Royal Grammar School. This year it is 40 years since the first occupier moved into Windsor Drive. To celebrate this we are taking part in the “Big Lunch” a national event held each year to encourage neighbours to get together. The event is supported by the Eden Project and held on the first Sunday in June. Our event will therefore be on the 1st June between midday and 3pm. Please do come and support the event, enjoy the day and meet your neighbours. David Winterburn Director & Co Secretary

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W E L C O M E T O Y O U R S P R I N G 2 0 1 4 E S T A T E N E W S L E T T E R

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Did you know? Tenders for new contractors for 2014-15 are now being advertised? The selected contractors will be confirmed at the AGM on 16th June 2014.

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Freehold or Management Company?

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Looking after your stairwell

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Waste & Recycling

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Neighbourhood Watch

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Local Services 6

Estate Diary 7

Contact Points 8

W I N D S O R D R I V E N E W S

Windsor Drive (HW) Man Co Ltd Page 2

The freehold company are responsible for…. Collection of Ground Rent and Insurance payments (Both of which are collected annually), Permission to sub-let a flat, replace windows, fit any external structure (e.g. Aerial or dish) and Lease extensions.

Key Dates: Ground Rent - 23rd June 2014 Insurance Renewal - 10th September 2014 AGM - Date to be announced Contact details… Windsor Drive (HW) Freehold Ltd, PO BOX 988, Naphill, High Wycombe, HP14 4ZN Tel: 07961 - 007351 E-mail: windsordrivefreehold@yahoo.co.uk

The management company are responsible for…. Collection of service charges, Maintenance of the buildings, Emergency works, Garden maintenance, Liaison with the freeholder and external agencies (e.g. council), Cleaning common areas including garages and paths, Providing common services such as communal lighting.

Key Dates: Service Charge year end for payments - 31st May 2014 AGM - 16th June 2014 New Service Charge year begins - 1st July 2014 Contact Details…. The management company team can be contacted by using the details shown on the back page of the newsletter. While we do provide a 24/7 emergency service please try to keep general enquiries to 9am - 9pm daily.

*Please ensure we have up to date contact details for your flat*

Issue 13

Did you know? The gardeners visit the estate every two weeks throughout the year. During the summer there are extra visits to keep the estate in tip-top condition. Each year the lawns are cut a minimum of 18 times and trees are usually pruned every two years. At this time of year they are there for you to enjoy!

Freehold or Management Company?

Windsor Drive News Page 3

Looking after your stairwell

Did you know? All the external windows of the flats are cleaned three times a year in February, June and October. Our specialist contractor uses a pole fed system to clean each window from the ground. This is much safer than the old days of window cleaners on ladders. Each window is cleaned just using treated pure water.

The stairwells are shared by us all with each serving either 4,6,8 or 12 flats. In general most are clean and tidy. These are regularly cleaned by our cleaning team every two weeks who do Blocks 1/1A, 2 and 4 one week and Blocks 3,5,6 and 7 the other. So what happens between cleans? Hopefully not too much to make them dirty. However we do have one or two people that perhaps need to remove their muddy boots, stop dropping litter or leaving buggies & bikes etc. in the stairwell! The latter compromises the Fire Safety Policy so please do not do this. Had or having the builders in? If you have the builders in there is always going to be some mess that will spread out into the stairwell however careful they are. Out of courtesy to your neighbours please ensure they clean up at the end of the day. Similarly if you drop anything within the stairwells please clean up the mess and do not leave for someone else. While the cleaners are there to do a clean they may not be back for up to two weeks and neither are they there to tidy up after builders or clean up after you. External Mats A few flats have put an external mats outside their front door and we would ask you not to do this for two main reasons: 1. They can cause a trip hazard and this is a particularly problem when

placed outside the ground floor flats. 2. They mean extra work for the cleaners. Remedy? - Place them on the inside of your front door and still keep your flat clean & tidy.

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We have general waste and now improved recycling available on the estate. The recycling bins are located by Block 4 (Flats 19-36) and Block 7 (Flats 85-96) and are for use by all residents. For general waste use the black or green bins closest to your block if possible. For those residents in Block 1/1A (Flats 97-126) you may also use the bins by Block 2 (Flats 37-54) or elsewhere on the estate. Rule No:1 - If a bin is full use another! Blue Bins - Mixed Paper and Cardboard Red Bins - Tin Cans (Drinks & Food) & Plastic bottles. You can also now deposit tin foil and mixed glass into this bin. Brown Bins - Due on site soon. These bins will be for disposal of food waste. General - This should be deposited in the green & black bins. Please Waste note nothing larger than a black sack full should be placed in these bins. No electrical items, furniture or building rubble. Clothing - There is no re-cycling available on the estate. Please take clothing either to Terriers (Next to Arrow Taxis), Morrison's, Tesco Loudwater or another re-cycling centre. Large items - There is no provision for disposing of large items such as furniture, fridges, washing machines & other domestic appliances. They should be taken to a re-cycling centre. The management team will offer help if required so please ask - DO NOT just leave unwanted items lying around. Anything we have to dispose of costs every resident money, flat owners through the service charge and tenants indirectly through their rents.

Car Parking We are one of the few estates that have sufficient parking available. However this is currently not being used to the best advantage so please try and use your space where possible. Avoid parking on the “No Parking” area at the top of the hill, down the steep hill to the bottom blocks and on pavements. There have been a number of incidences where residents have had to walk with children a buggies in the road because of irresponsible parking. Please park with care. Thanks!

Waste & Recycling - Dealing with your rubbish!

Windsor Drive News Page 5

Insurance - Avoiding Claims The buildings insurance is paid by us all. If there is a claim the premium is likely to increase and the cost born by us all. However, with a little care we can all avoid most accidents and hence claims. Fire can be prevented, and water leaks should be quickly repaired minimising damage to the building. We cannot of course prevent damage from crime but along with the Police are working towards reducing this. Please help by doing your bit. Thanks!

Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch

*** New members needed ***

Neighbourhood Watch is a national scheme aimed at reducing crime by self help. Ideally we need everyone on the estate involved so can you help by doing your part? Being a member of the scheme costs nothing, involves little commitment beyond keeping eyes and ears open to problems, reporting anything to the Police and where possible letting other neighbours know. As an estate we enjoy a relatively low level of crime and that’s not just by good luck. Residents on the estate keeping a look out for undesirables, dealing with youths hanging around, abandoned cars and rubbish is all part of keeping the crime rate low. But we need to go better than that and aim for zero crime so here is how you can help….. 1. Get involved with the Neighbourhood Watch 2. Keep in contact with your neighbours 3. If you see a problem don’t assume someone else or the management

company will deal with it. Report a potential crime to the Police. 4. Report any building damage to the management company. 5. Do not take any risks. Get help if you see undesirables or call the Police

and let them deal with the problem 6. Note down the number and type of any suspicious vehicles 7. Ensure your vehicle is secure and nothing is left on display. 8. Ensure your shed is locked 9. Leave nothing in the garage or service cupboards. These may be things

people can use to commit a crime.

Contact David e-mail: david@windsordrive.co.uk Tel: 01494 463107

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Did you know? The lighting is checked every two weeks throughout the year by our electrician. The same cycle is used for cleaning of the stairwells. This is to ensure any faulty lamps and switches are replaced and stairwells are kept clean and tidy. We do also rely on residents to keep the stairwells clear of junk and not to walk in unnecessary dirt.

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Building Services Construct & Maintain 01494 712139 / 07798 897039 Totally Kitchens 0800 644 6754 Warwick Windows - Doors - Conservatories 01494 672924

Computer Repairs & Training Clive Mannerings 01494 565738 / 07768 342802 Childcare Babysitting & Emergency Childcare - Wendy 07530 171185

Domestic & End-of-Tenancy Cleaning Absolute Cleaning Services UK 01494 446131 / 07900 354174 Tickled Pink Cleaners - Sophie 07704 276145 or Graig 07747 030063 Electricians Affordable Electrics - John 01494 441053 / 07535 635700 Finch Electrical Services 01494 439844 Phil Brooks 01494 711949 Plumbing Apache Plumbing 01494 711700 Taxis Arrow Taxis 01494 474764 Bee Local 01494 449663 Crown Taxis & Minibuses 01494 446644 / 534341 Neales Cars - Buses - Coaches 01494 522555 Tiger Taxis 01494 461111 TV Services Atlas - Aerials / Satellite / CCTV 01494 444060 Used a firm worth recommending? - let us know for this list. Please note the Management or Freehold Companies cannot endorse any of the trades people listed above. The list is provided to assist residents and you should ensure they meet your requirements before allowing any work to be undertaken or using a service.

Local Services Guide

Windsor Drive News

Management Company meetings - 12th May & 9th June at 7:45pm These are usually held on the second Monday of every month. Let the Company secretary know by the Friday before the meeting if you wish to raise an issue or attend the meeting.

Service Charge Year End for payments- 31st May 2014 All payments for the year (including any arrears) should be completed by this date. Should the AGM approve a discount for 2014-15 your account must be paid in full by 31st May 2014 to qualify.

Big Lunch - Sunday 1st June The Big Lunch takes place on Sunday 1st June from Midday until 3pm. This annual event takes place nationally all over the country and is a chance to meet your neighbours. For us this year is a special celebration as it is 40 years since the first flat was occupied on the estate back in 1974. Do come and join us on the day, bring a dish and hopefully enjoy a great summers day - There will be something for everyone families to singletons.

Annual General Meeting - Monday 16th June (TBC in AGM Pack) The AGM of Windsor Drive (HW) Man Co Ltd is due to be held on Monday 16th June 2014 at 8:15pm in the Upper library of the Royal Grammar School. This meeting is where the companies annual report and accounts are approved, director are elected for the following year and the service charge for 2014-15 set. After the AGM there is a short meeting of the local estate Neighbourhood Watch and a chance for a drink in the pub afterwards.

Neighbourhood Watch Meetings - Dates to be advised These are held twice a year at Godstowe School on Amersham Road. The next meeting is due in May so watch out for the flyer with the details. Importantly come along give your views and get involved. New Service Charge year starts - 1st July 2014 Start of the new financial year for Service Charges due until 30th June 2015.

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Water Leaks Pipes are an inevitable source of leaks. However many such as connections to washing machines and showers can be prevented by ensuring they are tight and also that bath seals are in good condition. Leaks beyond the plastic pipes to your stop cocks are the responsibility of the flat owner.

Estate diary 2014

68 Windsor Drive High Wycombe HP13 6BL

Windsor Drive (HW) Man Co Ltd

Martyn Bradshaw (Construct & Maintain Ltd) 01494 712139 / 07798 897039 (Emergency Contact Only) Buildings Insurance Broker - Finch Insurance Brokers Ltd Tel: 0118 918 6651 * Please inform Windsor Drive (HW) Freehold Ltd before making a claim - Contact details can be found on page 5. * Wycombe District Council 01494 461000 (Switchboard) 01494 421415 (Refuge & Large waste collections) 01494 421703 (Noise Nuisance) Buckinghamshire County Council 01296 395000 (Switchboard) 0845 230 2882 (Highways on-call—Potholes / Street Lights) Police 101 (Non Emergency number) 112 / 999 Emergency or Crime taking place

GENERAL CONTACTS

Phone: 01494 463107 Fax: 01494 464168 Text / Mobile: 07762 003055 E-mail: david@windsordrive.co.uk © Windsor Drive 2014

David Winterburn (Director & Co Secretary) - Flat 68 Tel: 01494 463107 Mob: 07762 003055 E-mail: david@windsordrive.co.uk Zoë Forde-Lovett (Director) - Flat 63 E-mail: zoe@windsordrive.co.uk Andy Cole (Director) - Flat 56 E-mail: andy@windsordrive.co.uk Terrie Smith (Finance & Administration) - Flat 103 Tel: 01494 445816 / Mob: 07855 067498 E-mail: terrie@windsordrive.co.uk Martin Bennett (Committee Member) E-mail: martin@windsordrive.co.uk Note: While the management company contacts will try to deal with an emergency at any time please try to keep general enquires to the following times - Daily 9am - 9pm.

Did you know? Since the millennium service charges have risen by just £80 per year, which is much lees than inflation. There have been only 2 increases in 13 years from £720 per flat to the current rate of £800 per flat per year. We offer a £50 discount for timely payers so many owners only pay £750 per year.

MANAGEMENT CO CONTACTS