Brentford Dock food for thought. A partial response to an email and other points for residents’ consideration.
Reply
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Hello,
Thank you for your email below.
The stranglehold Ms Plant and subsequently V Wray and Edwards have allowed Michael Richards & Co. (Michael Richards Property Management Ltd) to exert over Brentford Dock Ltd (BDL) and the estate is mind boggling, and one could argue not in the best interests of Brentford Dock Ltd shareholders.
The right to manage was supposed to be for the benefit of all owners and was presumably designed not to be high-jacked by a few for their own perceived “status”/benefit; which is what appears to have happened at Brentford Dock.
For shareholders to be told that directors have no obligation to provide minutes of resident block meetings, or timely and informative BDL and Brentford Dock Enterprises Limited (BDEL) meeting minutes, shows the contempt these people have for the Brentford Dock shareholders. It would appear to any reasonable person that the minutes provided by V Wray, Mike Edwards and the BDL/BDEL boards do not indicate an onerous work load.
For Brentford Dock Ltd to have the same accountants as their managing agents has been seen by many residents as being highly questionable. We are told that Carol Cherriman and John Antrobus prepare the accounts, despite we are told having no accounting qualifications between them.
Reference:
Blick Rothenberg Ltd
Chartered Accountants
16 Great Queen Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2B 5AH
Apparently Michael Richards changed their client portal, yet they are still unable to send out the correct invoices!
Furthermore, for a company that apparently had a turnover a little less than that of BDL when they first received the Brentford Dock contract, and which has posted the accounts detailed below; it should be concerning that Michael Richards Property Management Ltd are now charged to the hilt to NatWest, with whom BDL also banks. One would have to wonder whether the BDL contract is forming/part of an underlying guarantee for this charge.
Paul Booth is an incompetent, not fit to be a director, let alone a finance director, in many peoples opinion, a justification for him being paid is a difficult argument to make in the real world. Whether Paul Booth (formerly of Network Rail and now at The Nichols Group) is being paid by Brentford Dock is at present unknown to us.
We are unaware of there being other paid roles being given out to dock residents, whether they are Brentford Dock Ltd directors or otherwise.
The full register of shareholders not being able to vote on who should be their managing agent is scandalous. The 364 day rolling contract was supposed to be temporary, but as we are aware this did not suit Veronica Wray, Mike Edwards or Adam Goldwater/Michael Richards & Co.
Veronica Wray we are told has an increased work load, the question would be how and why? There has not been a commercial director for three years after Ferber. It would appear somewhat convenient now for Veronica Wray to be made “commercial director” now that London Borough of Hounslow (LBH) and its freeholders at Maurice Court, Augustus Close have had enough of her and replaced her with the appropriate LBH representative.
The question is why will BDL not disclose what Veronica Wray’s supposed duties are, and what her salary is?
Question marks also remain over the so called “away days”/jollies, Brentford Dock directors have enjoyed since their introduction by Wray/Edwards, both in terms of their number, their purpose and cost in light of the great expense of the on site office and conference room incurred by Brentford Dock shareholders.
A question remains as to whether the duties of Michael Richards & Co/Michael Richards Property Management Ltd been scaled back in light of all the apparent duties being taken on by Wray; and if so is this being reflected in Michael Richards & Co/Michael Richards Property Management Ltd charges to Brentford Dock shareholders?
Michael Richards & Co. and the Brentford Dock board have since their relationship started shown little or no interest in the safety of residents. The rude and off hand behaviour as shown especially by the estate manager (John Antrobus) has been allowed to go on for far too long. As one director has clearly stated in the past, criminality and antisocial behaviour is just ignored and that they have turned a blind eye – 3 Monkeys. It appears to many that Adam Goldwater/Michael Richards & Co.’s policy at Brentford Dock is to be uncooperative with the police in dealing with the criminality on site.
We look forward to your and others contributions whether they are published or not.
Regards,
brentforddockresidents.com
> From: – xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: –
>
> Message Body:
> I discovered your website… I would like to add some points you may or may not be aware of.
>
> BD are stalling major works increasing service charges to an unjust
> level for what they are delivering – which is actually being cut back.
>
> Other more cost effective management companies are available
> residents are not aware of this or do not care
>
> Minimal cleaning services are provided
>
> Problems with the office staff, not treating residents information
> confidential. Promoting a yobbish culture
>
> John Antrobus has an electric guitar and amplifier in his office, is
> this a good use of his time? When he is ever in the office
> What is he employed for?
>
> Paul Booth made finance director by board. other paid roles being
> given to dock residents
>
> These roles are of no use to residents and not generating any money
> for the dock
>
> Multiple dock related bank accounts for different sources – how are
> these being tracked?
>
> Delays in invoices being sent to residents, accounts are in debit by
> the time these are received. This is illegal.
>
> Incompetent staff giving contractors long term contract to local know
> companies only.
>
> Security guards who tell you to call the police when people are
> dealing drugs, or if there is a disturbance at night.
>
> —
> This e-mail was sent from a contact form on
> BrentfordDockResidents.com (https://www.brentforddockresidents.com)
Any thoughts on any of the above, or information would be welcomed from any residents who have concerns about the “management” of Brentford Dock.