I would like to thank the trustees who made themselves available for this year’s committee. They did so knowing that it is a working committee and what was expected of them. However, one of the trustees reluctantly stood down due to moving to another area. Their efforts were really appreciated partially with the Covid-19 pandemic which came as a curved ball.

Dealing with Arnhem issues and the pandemic has been particularly trying, what started as a three-week lockdown has gone on and on. Although we are on level 1, we still can’t be complacent.

We brought in policies to attempt to prevent the spread of the virus, following government guidelines regarding the wearing of masks, a sanitizing unit in the foyer for hands, putting up signs re social distancing Limiting the number of persons in the lifts and of course moving the waste bins off of the emergency staircases The move of the bins coincided with an inspection by the fire brigade who informed us that the bins were an obstruction in the case of an emergency evacuation. While deciding how to handle the situation, Covid-19 arrived, so for health and safety reasons the bins took up the new position at the back of the garages and we now bag our waste and take it to the bins. It works, problem solved.

During the year we have employed contractors to paint the external metal fencing and remodelled the entrance portico, with a new Arnhem sign.

We have installed upgraded cameras and are in the process of installing fibre into the Arnhem office to enable mobile phone viewing of the Arnhem area. Unfortunately, the Foyer upgrade stalled; due to the Covid-19 close down of the building industry and possible health and safety issues.

We have also approached a Project Management company to undertake a comprehensive report on the condition of the external of the building and the internals of flats to establish issues that need to be addressed Once we have decided on the best practice plan of action we will cost and budget the works. The works will span a number of years and will be undertaken when we are in a satisfactory financial position. Once the projected costs are established, we will need to revise our 10 year rolling financial projections.

I am pleased to see that the bike store is being used and that bikes are not being transported in the lifts.

We subscribe to Milnerton Crime Watch on your behalf. Their cell number is displayed (you should put it in your cell phone address book) …. If you see someone or something suspicious within the building or on the grounds, do not hesitate to phone them.

Please do not let anyone into the building, as it’s, the responsibility of the occupier they are visiting, to let them in and out.

Keep vigilant.

Let’s look forward to a vaccine in 2021 and getting on with our lives without worrying about every cough, cold or sore throat.

Regards

Tony Blackwell Arnhem Chairman of the Trustees