15 september 2010
GNTOWER UPDATE Annual General Meeting... It was great to see so many leaseholders at the meeting on Monday, 13th September, to discuss the work carried out on everyone’s behalf since the block was handed over by the developers, and decide who to elect as Directors to take things forward. Many thanks to all who attended or contributed by submitting their proxy votes. GNTMC Ltd: Board directors Your new Board comprises Christian Bodtke, Felipe Rodriguez, Dominic Garvey and Robert Jones. Christian and Felipe were members of the previous group of four directors, and both were unanimously reelected. Christian is a finance and property director, and Felipe runs a number of travel companies. Robert, who works in the area of finance, has already made a contribution though attending Board meetings for the last few months as an observer. Dominic works with a major international accountancy firm. Two of the previous directors, Ian Butler and Lesley Chalmers, preferred not to stand for re-election, though both will continue to support the Company through the new Board in whatever way they can. Both Ian and Lesley very much appreciated the overwhelming support and thanks of the meeting for their work as directors of GNTMC Ltd. The meeting agreed and unanimously agreed and adopted the Directors’ Report and Accounts.
Managing agents Rendall & Rittner can be contacted by email at: matt.kirk@rendallandrittner.co.uk, or by telephone on 0161 638 9301.
This update has been produced by a group of leaseholders and residents who have a positive commitment to the Great Northern Tower; four of them act as Directors of GNTMC Ltd, the GNT management company, following takeover from the developers in spring 2009.
GNT TOWER 15 SEPTEMBER 2010
“no thanks” to poison and self-interest... Copious paperwork had been distributed to leaseholders prior to the meeting by Messrs Skillin and Yip, both of whom are in breach of their leases. Both cases originated before the Board of resident directors took over in March 2009, after which they worked to properly and fully clarify the legal, technical and safety position in the interest of the whole block and all residents and visitors. Neither man is happy with decisions of the Board over sale of communal areas, over which all 257 leaseholders have right of access, to enable them to amalgamate/extend multiple apartments they have acquired, despite their leases being very clear both on their responsibilities and those of the Company. Both embarked upon alteration works, including areas not conveyed to them. without obtaining the required formal approvals from either Taylor Wimpey City or GNTMC Ltd. Both Mr Yip and Mr Skillin had put themselves forward for election to the Board. At the meeting, the majority of Members present expressed their support for the work of the Board since they took over from the developers, and confirmed that that they expected their directors to use their judgement on such matters in line with their responsibilities to the block and taking into account the best interests of all leaseholders and residents. They also made it very clear that they didn’t care for the nature and tone of communications they’d received over the last month. The majority of members also expressed very strongly the view that leaseholders in arrears, effectively being subsidised by their neighbours, are not acceptable persons to manage the affairs of the Great Northern Tower. Members present questioned every candidate for election as to their payment position. Mr Skillin, who was accompanied by his accountant and solicitor, withdrew from the election once the feelings of the meeting were made clear. Graham Massey also withdrew from the election. Mr Yip failed to achieve sufficient support on a vote; neither did Mark Skillin, Aftab Ahmed, or Andrew Wood. GNTMC Ltd Memorandum and Articles of Association: The AGM agenda included some proposals for changes to the Memorandum and Articles of the Company. which required a 75% majority on a vote to be effected. There were four elements to the resolution, two of which related to restricting the entitlement of leaseholders in material breach/dispute of their leases from standing for or serving on the Board. This includes being in arrears with service charges. The resolution was put to a vote and 70% were in favour; a very helpful and indicative result given attendees at the meeting. The Board will return to the issue in the future given the very strong views expressed by the majority of members/ leaseholders at this and previous Residents’ meetings.
From 1st September 2010 Rendall & Rittner‘s address is: Lowry House, 17 Marble Street, Manchester, M2 3AW Telephone: 0161 638 9301 Facsimile: 0161 638 9302 matt.kirk@rendallandrittner.co.uk