Present: Steve Wookey, Patrick Pillai ,Linda Gildenhuys, Burt Gildenhuys, Neale Penman; Lorna Middup; Bobby Mosidi, Richard Bovell, Erica Whyte; Colin Vermaerke; Ian Williams, members of the Sunninghill Gardens Homeowners Association
Apologies: Proxy's and Mario Barbolini
Welcome:
The meeting was opened by Colin Vermaeke at 19h30 where he welcomed all, thanked Linda Lazarus and the Sunninghill Superspar for sponsoring the cheese and wine. Colin then introduced the members of the committee. He handed over the chair to Patrick Pillai
Chairman's Report:
Patrick Pillai opened his report by thanking all for coming and mentioned that the number of members who attended the meeting and the vast amount of proxy's received showed just how committed the residents were to Sunninghill Gardens. Patrick continued his report by outlining the key milestones that had occurred in the previous year. These were:
The completion of the Tudor Road guardhouse. The building operation went very smoothly and the committee had received a number of compliments in this regard. Erica would begin shortly with the entrance gardens.
The new security initiative launched last year had proved to be very successful and Linda would elaborate more in the crime report.
Patrick welcomed all new members to both SG and the AGM.
There were some new exciting plans for the future and he had no doubt that we could achieve anything we set our minds to.
The chair was handed to Linda Gildenhuys
Crime Report:
Linda opened by giving feedback on the new security initiative:
The new SG security initiative of pro-active policing and zero tolerance for criminals was launched in May of 2007.
Savika Armed Response was brought in as the new preferred security provider and most members had changed over to them.
The success of the initiative had exceeded all expectations with SG having experienced the lowest crime in years.
This is a wonderful achievement given the fact that crime continues to escalate, especially violent crime and that the density of the area too has increased.
Savika have proved their willingness to work with us and we thank them for the extra effort they put into solving the crime wave that hit Kearsney.
The involvement of Savika in the rest of Sunninghill and the crime prevention operations they held with the SAPS and Metro Police has also helped to take pressure off SG by reducing crime in the areas of Sunnignhill bordering SG.
SG averaged on between zero and 1 crime per month, the best stats in seven years.
Audited Financial Statements For The Year 2007/2008:
These were presented by Linda Gildenhuys.
The actuals versus budget were discussed and there were no major variances, with the exception of the security amount that had exceeded budget. Linda explained that the reason for this was that the CCTV at the entrances to SG were now going to be monitored live off site and the overspend was the radio equipment needed for this.
Income versus expenditure was presented. A loss of R19,000 for the past fiscal year was declared.
Budget 2007/2008:
This was presented by Linda Gildenhuys
Proposed budgeted expenses were based on CPI increases, with the exception of one or two items, one being the dedicated patrol vehicle, where a 21% increase was proposed. 11% for the reaction officer and a 40% increase for the fuel which had increased by 70% for the same period. Linda said that the committee felt that this was fair and that we did not want Savika to suffer financially or have to instruct the dedicated vehicle to cut down on its patrols due to their fuel bill.
Linda reminded members that their had been no increase in levies the previous year and was pleased to be able to say that the increase proposed for the coming year was below inflation. A 7% increase in levies was proposed for the following year and accepted!
Special Projects - Special once off levy
It was mentioned that over the past two years SG had concentrated on the new guardhouses at the entrances and that it was now time to go back to security which was SGHA main function.
A special once off levy was proposed to begin the installation of CCTV cameras in the streets of Sunninghill Gardens that would be monitored live from Savika's control room in Sunninghill.
The first clusters of these cameras would be installed at both the corners of Lingerette/Dukana/Tudor and the corners of Tana/Lingerette if finances allowed.
Negotiations would take place with City Power to try and get permission to erect these on street poles as the cost of these poles was extremely expensive.
The special levy was proposed and accepted.
The budget was carried and the floor was opened to general questions.
Colin Vermaeke informed the residents of the upcoming social for SG. A campout in the park towards mid October. This was met with much enthusiasm by the members.
Election of Committee for 2008 / 2009:
Linda started this by mentioning that Steve Wookey one of the founding members of Sunninghill Gardens who had served on the committee as Vice-Chairman for the entire 12 years had resigned. Mention was made of the wonderful service that Steve had rendered the community during this time and Linda thanked him on behalf of the residents and handed over a gift hamper to Steve. Steve addressed the audience, saying that he had treasured his time on the committee and would always be there should he be needed. He did however feel that it was time for him to move on and for the committee to have some "new blood". A note of thanks was given to the existing committee. Richard Bovell said all other current members had shown a willingness to stay on. A new member was elected; Felicity Erasmus was nominated and accepted.
General:
Thanks were given by Linda Gildenhuys. The meeting was closed.