A short update on further activities locally, in addition to our Press Release issued last week.
Hunts Grove Parish Council sponsors a motion at the AGM of GAPTC
GAPTC is the Gloucestershire Association of Parish and Town Councils. Their Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday 22nd July and we will be there to propose the following motion:
“Provision for the regulation of fees charged by management companies to freeholders of residential properties; to ensure legal step-in rights, in perpetuity, for self-management of shared facilities by such freeholders, Parish & Town Councils, or other appropriate community groups”
If successful, the motion will go forward for petitioning national government for action and legislation.
We are proud to also add that Quedgeley Town Council has seconded our motion and is supporting us on this.
News from our District Councillor
Our District Councillor for Hardwicke Ward at Stroud District Council, Cllr Mark Ryder, has proposed a motion to the Council that will be considered by all 51 councillors at a meeting of the full council tomorrow evening at 7 pm (Thursday 20th July 2023).
The motion calls on the Council to investigate options regarding policies relating to public open spaces and amenities on new developments and the role of management companies. If successful, this will be a broad review of Stroud District policy towards open spaces management, with a requirement to report findings and recommendations by December 2023.
Cllr Ryder is looking for specific measures to address the fact that the current approach is undermining the role of Parish and Town Councils in their communities, whilst residents are finding themselves tied up in legal and financial hardship with no consumer rights to challenge these management companies.
Cllr Ryder mentions that “whilst Hunts Grove is by far the greatest number of residents caught in this “Fleecehold Trap”, it is impacting residents at other developments across the district. I am in touch with constituents at two other developments in Hardwicke Ward, plus just this week have been contacted by residents at another Crest Nicholson development in Dursley where they have seen their annual service charges more than double to £580 per annum”
Councillors and residents meet to discuss the latest developments from the Management Company discussions
Finally, a huge thanks to the residents that came out at the last minute, in the rain, last Sunday to discuss the latest developments. Councillors appreciated the questions and support.
We will look to hold a residents’ meeting with a little more notice as it was a good forum to update on many matters, plus inform our strategy moving forward. Remember that you are always welcome to join our full council meetings as well, the next one is on August 14th, 6:30 at the school.
