Lonehill: LRA Oct. 2007 Public Meeting Feedback

From: Lonehill Residents Association
To: Newsletter
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2007 4:10 PM
Subject: [Lonehill Lists] TEST YOUR SYSTEMS BEFORE CHRISTMAS COMES

REPORT BACK ON THE FINAL PUBLIC FEEDBACK MEETING FOR 2007

One of the areas the LRA board has been focusing on is communication with the residents and as such February 2007 saw the first of the quarterly public feedback meetings, held to keep the community up to date with what’s happening in the suburb. Last night the final meeting for 2007 was held at the Village Church.

Rob Gillespie, LRA chairman, welcomed all those who attended and then ran through the following feedback items and questions raised :

Renewal of the Security Tender
The current contract with Fidelity Security Services ends in February 2008. The LRA is busy finalising a tender specification and companies that have been identified as having the resources and infrastructure required to meet the standards set by the LRA will be invited to tender for the provision of the security services. A part of this tender is the proactive input from these companies as to what steps can be taken to secure the community. Future use of technology is paramount to compliment the staff already on the ground, particularly the use of camera surveillance and the management of Lonehill’s perimeters.

Management of Current Resources
Concerns were raised about the monitoring of the current street patrollers and complex guards to ensure that they are patrolling/carrying out their duties. A real time guard monitoring system will be implemented for the street guards by the end of November 2007 and future use of camera technology in the guard houses is being investigated. A specific point was made that the security officers are there to perform a job and those officers who do not meet the standard will have to face disciplinary procedures which could lead to them being removed from Lonehill.

Introduction of new Financial Director of the LRA
Roger McKee has just joined the board to manage the financial portfolio as Avi Naidoo resigned due to business commitments. Roger is a long time resident of Lonehill and has an extensive accounting and company secretarial background. He is retired and occupies his time with voluntary work, bowls and caravanning.

Household / Subscriber stats in Lonehill
There are 5 600 households in the area covered by the LRA and of these 3 004 contribute either directly or indirectly to the security initiative.

Over and above the households there are 8 shopping centers, 2 schools and 7 office or business parks. The number of subscribers is growing, but slowly. The LRA are investigating various options with regards to improving marketing to residents. This includes ongoing maintenance of the website, involving the estate agents and more.

The LRA collects an average R 1 285 000 per month for security services and R 1 115 000 is paid over to Fidelity for the provision of these services. (87% of revenue collected). The difference is used to fund the environment and the LRA’s operating expenses.

Profit distribution from events held in Lonehill
All events such as the Fun Day, Run etc are held to foster community spirit and the money raised is donated to local charities.

Donations to charities this year were as follows –

Ladies Breakfast – February R 3 876 donated to Bosom Buddies (breast cancer support group)
Lonehill Fun Run – July R 17 260 to Princess Alice Adoption Home
Lonehill Fun Day – September R 15 355 to Witkoppen Clinic

The LRA does not pay out cash, but asks the charities for wish lists and items on these wish lists are then purchased and donated.

Communication with residents and businesses
The e-mail newsletter is sent out to 1733 addresses and there is approximately a 1% return. The problem is that you don’t know how many people are actually reading the communication. The LRA has now taken the step of printing out a precise of these weekly newsletters and delivering to the households and complexes and a dedicated “distributor” is being employed to do this to ensure that the news reaches the community.

Rob advised residents that the quarterly hard copy newsletter is receiving a “make-over” and the next edition will be in the form of a magazine.

Status with regards to implementing a “Community Improvement District”
Whist this has been explored in the past, it takes enormous time and effort and there aren’t enough resources at present to focus on this as well as growing the security initiative and environmental portfolio. The project has not been shelved and will be re-investigated at a future date.

Current Lonehill Security Status
Whilst communities around us are experiencing an upsurge in violent crime, armed robberies and hi-jackings our suburb remains largely clear of these events. Events in October were a ‘follow-me” driveway robbery where residents had cash taken from them by armed men after they made a withdrawal from the bank, an armed robbery at a complex in Beverley and several thefts of laptops (which have stopped since moving patrol guards to the riverfront at night).

Vacancy at the LRA offices
It was with regret that Rob advised those present that Giulia Crozier has handed in her resignation. She will be traveling abroad next year. Giulia manages the day to day technical call-outs, prepares the weekly e-mails newsletter and handles all advertising queries for the newsletter as well as is involved in complex liaison with regards to administration. A job description for this position will be made available and it is hoped that this position can be filled by a local resident.

Carols by Candlelight
The last event for 2007 will be a Carols by Candlelight evening on 1 December 2007. Residents will be invited to bring their picnic baskets and enjoy the event which will be staged by the three local churches.

General
· Noted that a value add service to being a subscriber is paramedic support if required in a medical emergency. This support is currently being provided by Life Hospital, Fourways.
· There is no change in status with regards to the vacant land next to the fire station. Crawford College is hoping to lease this land from council in order to move the pre-primary school and extend it’s sports fields.
· There were concerns raised about the noise generated from the cell phone and other masts erected on the tower at the fire station. Council will be requested to measure the noise and take the necessary steps if it’s too loud.
· The current court actions against the Lonehill Shopping Centre with regards to building regulations and excess noise have been remanded to end November.

There being no further questions raised the meeting was closed at 20:30.