PERA Newsletter - August 2024

Latest updates from the Piccadilly East Residents' Association

1. Updates

Resident Surgery Sessions

Last month, we held successful surgery sessions where residents spoke with committee members about a range of issues. Meeting with residents meant that the committee was able to offer support in many areas, and this is central to the work that we do. With the positive response this received, we’ll be hosting these sessions more regularly. Stay tuned for details.

Meetings with Capital & Centric and Zenith

Following on from these surgery sessions, the committee discussed several issues with Capital & Centric and Zenith in meetings held in July and August. For a detailed update on these, please see points 5 & 6 below.

BBQs & Fire Pits

Great news! The BBQs have been switched on and are ready for use. This is a result of the committee’s dedicated efforts to ensure that residents are able to enjoy full use of our amenities, and we’re thrilled to have this one back.

New Committee Members

We’re excited to welcome Jacqueline and Matt to the committee. We value a diverse range of voices and look forward to the fresh perspectives they’ll bring. Interested in joining? Reach out to us at piccadilly.east@gmail.com

Next PERA Meeting:
Wednesday, 25th September, Cloudwater Taproom, 7:30pm

2. Litter Picking

Our litter-picking group continues to keep our streets clean, especially around Chapeltown, Baird, Sparkle, and Sheffield Streets. Since April, we have collected over 100 bags of litter. With ongoing development in the area, there is likely to be an increase in pavement litter. Therefore, we are working with the council to hopefully have permanent bins installed in these areas.

Additionally, we’re pleased to report that our streets are now part of the council's regular road-sweeps. We’ve also applied for more litter-picking equipment through the council’s social value program to support our ongoing efforts.

3. Gardening Group

The gardening group has been busy maintaining plant boxes at Crusader and Phoenix, and are working with Zenith Management on plans that would save around £3,000 in the 2024/25 service charge budget. Beechwood Landscaping will continue their regular duties alongside this.

We are keen to increase the number of regular volunteers in the gardening group—no experience is needed. If you’d like to join, please email us at piccadilly.east@gmail.com.

4. Improving Our Surroundings

We are in discussions with the council about how to best utilise the green space between Baird Street and the tramlines. The council has made it clear that they value the input of local residents and are keen to work with us to improve these surrounding areas. We have been encouraged to share our ideas with the council, so please share any ideas you do have with us, whether they are written descriptions, sketches, or CGI images, so that we can collaborate with the council to create an inviting space.

5. Meeting with Zenith

The PERA committee holds quarterly meetings with Zenith Management. Please find key updates from our July meeting below:

  • Issues Tracker: The committee has been keeping track of ongoing issues in and around the buildings that require attention. This tracker was reviewed in this meeting, and some of the following issues were discussed: the quality of the window-cleaning, retrospective service charges, cost-saving strategies around our bin collection, as well as additional areas where we could save costs across both buildings. Updates on solutions will be shared once they have been agreed.

  • BBQs & Fire Pit: Zenith confirmed that the BBQs and fire pit were serviced, cleaned, and the surrounding areas jet-washed. The gardening group trimmed nearby trees and shrubs, and these areas are now ready for use.

  • Budget Review: Zenith confirmed that they conduct quarterly budget reviews to ensure budgets are met and funds are used efficiently. We hope this goes some way to reassure residents when reviewing and paying service charges. The committee will continue to work closely with Zenith on this.

Zenith will conduct a meeting with all residents in the near future. Do look out for future correspondence from them about this.

6. Meeting with Capital & Centric

The PERA committee also holds regular meetings with Capital & Centric. Please find key updates from our August meeting below:

  • Service Charges: Service charge collections have been successful, and there is now a balance of over £100,000 in the service account. This means that all services have now been restored.

  • Bridge Links (Crusader): Repainting and rusting issues will be addressed by the end of September.

  • Courtyard: There is ongoing work to resolve uneven paving and water pooling in the outside area in front of concierge. There are discussions around what a more permanent solution would look like. Further updates to come.

  • Crusader Lift Fob Access: Contractors are ready to complete this, but a data-feed issue needs resolving to ensure that the system will work.

  • Tram-side Drainage: Disputes between contractors are being resolved, but work on this is expected to be completed by September.

  • Snagging Issues: If you haven’t received an update on your snagging issues in the past 12 months, please contact Nicky at nicky@capitalandcentric.com.

  • Ferrous Update: Revised plans are pending, and work on this is expected to begin in late 2024 or early 2025.

  • Neptune Mill: This is nearing completion, and occupancy is scheduled for September. Negotiations to secure a coffee shop operator are ongoing.

Next PERA Meeting:
Wednesday, 25th September, Cloudwater Taproom, 7:30pms