Welcome to the Oasis Newsletter
Dear Members
Your new directors at the Oasis are now firmly in place despite the efforts of Rendall & Rittner and the outgoing board to frustrate the due process. Once the New Board became a fact of life, Rendall & Rittner served notice on the Oasis. Whilst that in itself wasn’t a problem, the continued non-cooperation of R&R is.
Questions remain unanswered
Rendall & Rittner have refused to tell us what our bank balances are or to provide up to date management accounts. They have still not provided details on last year’s expenditure or reversed the Reserve Fund to the 2020 level as instructed. Nearly all the previously unanswered questions remain unanswered.
Thank you
We would like to thank all the members that have supported our appointment. Also, to thank Zofia Allen for her technical expertise and for sharing so much vital data on how the accounts used to be managed. A special thank you to Peter Hammond for his thoughts and insights, and understanding of the lease. Christine Hancock for her eye for detail and, of course, Marylin Morris for coming out of retirement to rejoin the board and take on the management of our lovely pond again. Roger, Wayne, Marilyn and the other four new directors are working so well together; they know they have a lot to do but rest assured they are enthusiastic about getting things back on track.
The Oasis united
A huge benefit is that Rendall & Riitner did manage to unite the Oasis as never before. And this new positive momentum is something the new board is determined to maintain. The Reserve Fund, Section 20 Notice, & the Service Charge The contribution to the Reserve Fund has now reverted to two equal payments of £340.91 for 2021. It’s gone back to what it was. The Section 20 Notice is cancelled. We have left the Service Charge as it is for now because we lack clarification on the details of the 2021 budget.
The Gym, Sauna & Showers
These facilities remain closed for good reason. There is a Leisure Complex Safety report from 2019, which identified several Health & Safety issues. Apart from the new Key Fob system installed by Zofia Allen, Marilyn Morris and Diana Gunton before they stepped down in November 2019, nothing else has been done in the interim. The New Board asked Rendall & Rittner to update what plans exist and what actions have been taken;
there has been no response.
We have arranged for the gym machines, the sauna oven and fridge to be serviced and PAT tested. We will be acquiring a weight stand which is another requirement that has not been addressed. The middle gym machine that is hardly used will be removed, thereby creating more space in the gym, which was one of the issues in the 2019 Safety Report. We are taking advice on the correct risk assessments. And will introduce an induction process for all members over the pool and facilities as required by the 2019 report.
Appointing a Chartered Surveyor
The leisure complex is in a run-down state. A boiler needs to be changed; apparently, contractors have quoted for this, but we have no detail and no information from either the outgoing directors or Rendall & Rittner, and we have asked. The pipework is shot, showers are broken, the Velux windows are rotten, the extractor fans are inadequate, there is more. The flooring can be a danger, and modern facilities have non slip flooring and underfloor heating to alleviate slippery surfaces. An alarm might need to be fitted by the sauna. The newly installed smoke detector serves little purpose being by the entrance; a second needs to be closer to the sauna.
Additional to addressing overdue H&S issues, an independent survey by a professional chartered surveyor to determine what should be done to bring the Leisure Complex up to standard is logical. Nothing has been done since December 2019; the New Board is now addressing all the issues.
Appointing a new Managing Agent is an absolute priority, there is no shortage of candidates, we are reviewing four companies. After our recent experience, the preference is for an independent company, reasonably local with articulate qualified staff, good communication skills, and excellent references. We want an MA that will put the Oasis first and work well with a pro-active board. To have transparency at all levels is vital. No longer will members be kept in the dark; we all need to know what is going on with our money and property. Our bank accounts must be ring- fenced and safe.
Notwithstanding, we will do our best to appoint a new agent to take over on May 1st. That way, we can hasten the transfer of our assets and minimise the uncertainty of our current situation. The sooner the Oasis can extract itself from the clutches of Rendall & Rittner, the better.
Kindest regards,
Roger, Wayne, Marilyn, Ron, Rona, Rob & Nouritza
