CONTENTS – 1 NEW Key info on New Barnsbury buy-backs!! – 2 Didn’t get the email? Here’s what to do – 3 Residents Group meeting 12th Jan – 4 Keith Murray Comp Purchase Surveyor update
As always you can contact us through barnsburyleaseholders@gmail.com
- NEW Key info on New Barnsbury buy-backs!!
On 23rd Dec all New Barnsbury leaseholders received a very important email from Angela Nevin, the new Head of Newlon’s BEST team (replacing Bill Henderson who has moved to a different department in Newlon). This email had 4 documents attached which contain key info about how the redevelopment will affect us and what the processes are for buy-backs, decanting, etc.
Additionally, Angela Nevin’s email included a date for a New Barnsbury Leaseholders only meeting with Newlon to discuss all the issues we face. This is the evening of Tuesday 1st February 2022, either in-person or online. It’s the most important meeting for New Barnsbury leaseholders so far, so please do come along. (I’ve requested to Angela that if it’s an in-person meeting, it’ll also be online for non-resident leaseholders who can’t attend in person.)
I’ve also emailed Angela to clarify in what way this meeting will be a “consultation”, e.g. which areas are negotiable, who will be there to answer questions, and what the process is for following up on our concerns.
Please read the 4 documents ASAP. If you have concerns or questions about the info, I’d be grateful if you could send me (Annie) your queries by 21st Jan, at barnsburyleaseholders@gmail.com I will compile a list of all the concerns that we have, and forward this list to Angela Nevin in advance of the 1st Feb meeting.
2. Didn’t get the email? Here’s what to do
A – Double-check your email/spam folders for the email from NewBarnsburyLeaseholders@newlon.org.uk subject “New Barnsbury Leaseholder Documents” with 4 attached documents, on or around 23rd Dec.
B – Get in touch with Newlon/BEST via the link here to make sure they have the right email for you, and request they re-send the email: https://betterbarnsbury.org.uk/contact-us/ – or request paper copies be sent to you at an up-to-date address.
C – In the meantime, you can find the documents on the BEST website, here https://betterbarnsbury.org.uk/offer-document/ – go to the bottom of the page and find the links under “Information for New Barnsbury Leaseholders”
3. Barnsbury Residents’ Group, next meeting Weds 12th Jan
The Barnsbury Residents’ Group is the newly-formed group independent of Newlon and Source, for all tenants (any tenure) and all leaseholders (including non-resident) on the estate. Several Leaseholder Reps have helped to set it up, and we hope it will be an effective way to advocate for leaseholders into the future. The first meeting open to all was in mid-November. It was positive and attended by approx 25 people. The Residents Group’s new website will be up and running soon, and minutes, agendas etc. will be available there in due course.
The meeting is on Weds 12th Jan (next week!) and will be online-only. Please come along if you can, we have power in numbers. Email Emma on Community.Services@newlon.org.uk to request the link to the online meeting.
4. Keith Murray Comp Purchase Surveyor update
Last May, we fundraised from Leaseholders to pay for an initial report from Keith Murray http://www.keithmurrayconsultants.com/ on 3 representative sample leases, Newlon’s offer document, and the draft Residents’ Charter. Keith says that he is working on the report. I will strongly request that his initial report be delivered by 21st Jan, so that we can take it into account when we meet with Angela Nevin on 1st Feb. I will also forward the new documents from Angela to Keith.
Keith has not received any fees from us as yet. The money we raised is being held safe and sound, and we may well not have to use it at all.
In November, those of us who opted in to be represented individually by Keith Murray had their details sent to Newlon in a letter of undertaking. He is waiting for a response from Newlon confirming that they will pay for his work (as they must as part of the buy-back process). Once funds are available to him, we can submit him more detailed questions.
Keith stated that it is likely that the fees paid by Newlon will also cover the cost of the initial report for us. In this case, I will contact those who donated to the fundraiser to organise a refund.
Barnsbury Estate Leaseholders Group 