Q&A

Whilst HRRA aims to provide accurate information to help residents based on what is known or has been advised, residents should not rely solely on the HRRA responses and should make their own enquiries as they feel necessary...

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ROADS AND FOOTPATHS

A. Avant is responsible for completing High Royds Drive, Guiseley Drive, Ingle Lane and a short section of Menston Drive as far as the bollards near building 20 (which is currently being converted by a private developer). HRRA understands that Norwood Avenue is partly David Wilson Homes’ responsibility and partly Avant’s. Eventually these roads, footpaths and associated street lighting will be adopted by Leeds City Council.

Q. When will the main Estate Roads receive their final resurfacing prior to adoption by Leeds City Council?

A. Avant’s regional development director has said that the roads would not be completed until Yorkshire Water agreed to adopt the main surface water drains which apparently have not been constructed as per the approved layout drawings. Yorkshire Water has insisted that Avant undertakes a survey of the drainage and Avant has appointed a company to carry out the survey.

Q. Who is responsible for replacing broken street lights on High Royds?

A. This is quite confusing at present. Eventually, responsibility for the main roads and associated street lamps will be Leeds City Council’s. All other street lights will be the responsibility of Trinity, currently only responsible for lighting around the blocks it manages. At present some lights are Avant’s responsibility and others are David Wilson Homes’.

TRINITY AND AVANT

Q. What is the relationship of Trinity to Avant?

A. Trinity is employed by Avant as its managing agent both for most accommodation blocks on High Royds plus the Wider Estate. According to the residents purchase contracts, Avant will enter into a management lease with an Estate Manager (presumably Trinity) one year after the last property sale on High Royds. The individual purchase contracts indicate that residents could establish their own company to manage the Estate if more than 50 per cent (based on one vote per property) vote in favour.

Q. Will Trinity manage all the land around High Royds?

A. No. The Cricket Pitch, Tennis Courts, Football Pitches and the large car park off Ingle Lane do not form part of the managed Estate.

Q. What will happen to these areas which are not managed by Trinity?

A. HRRA doesn’t know and we are concerned about the future of this land. A number of residents are considering the possibility of establishing a residents’ not-for-profit company to manage the sports land.

ESTATE CHARGE

Q. Why is there an Estate Charge (maintenance contribution)?

A. This charge specified in purchase contracts is to meet the costs of areas which Trinity manages around blocks and on the wider estate. These are areas and roads which will not be maintained by Leeds City Council.

Q. Does the annual Estate Maintenance Charge for 2021/22 have to be paid in full up front?

A. No. The Charge can be paid monthly by a number of methods as set out in your invoice. HRRA understands that payment by Bank Standing Order payable on the first day of each month is also possible in addition to the methods outlined on invoices.

Q. What is the accountancy fee for?

A. This is to provide for the cost of an independent audit of the end of year accounts.

Q. Why are banking charges being budgeted for?

A. Trinity says they are held in a separate bank account for High Royds as they do for all the estates they manage and this item allows for charges incurred.

Q. What is the redecoration fund for when there is little to paint on the Wider Estate?

A. This charge is for painting of railings, fences, street lights and bollards which form the Estate managed by Trinity. It applies mainly to the Avant converted block areas and is one of the reasons for the higher percentage charge applicable to these properties.

Q. What is the Block Sinking Fund in the Estate Charge?

A. Trinity has said these costs form part of the Estate Sinking Fund budget and should not have been shown under the heading Block Sinking Fund.

Q. What is the Ecological Survey? It seems expensive.

A. HRRA has been told by Trinity that this is a three-yearly survey of flora and fauna on High Royds required under the planning permission. We are concerned at the high cost and are querying the requirement for the ongoing surveys with Leeds Planning Department.

THE RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Q. When will HRRA next elect its officers and members to represent the interests of residents?

A. Covid-19 restrictions have made the conduct of the AGM problematic. We have had difficulty finding residents willing to carry out the officer roles particularly over the last eighteen months. A small group has shared the workload to keep HRRA active. It’s hoped that an AGM can be held in March 2022. However, HRRA needs more residents to come forward who are willing to give up their time and get involved to help our community.

Q. How often does Trinity advise that it will consult with Residents’ Association ‘Directors’?

A. Trinity says that where a Residents’ Association has been established it officially recognises such a body and holds two meetings per year with the Directors representing the relevant association to discuss annual accounts. During these meetings Directors are able to highlight concerns or decide to add/remove items or costs as long as it is all carried out in line with the budget.

Q. Will residents be able to be involved in future budget setting discussion and the annual accounts?

A. Trinity as advised HRRA that once the whole site is in management those appointed residents as officers/committee members of HRRA (they call them Directors) will be able to help Trinity set up the costs and manage arrangements.

LANDSCAPING

Q. Who does Trinity employ for landscaping? Is it the same company as Avant?

A. No. Avant uses Pudsey Landscapes while Trinity has employed HGM.

Q. There are some landscaped areas which have not been completed by Avant. What is happening to them?

A. Trinity says it has undertakings from Avant to carry out improvement work to the Orchard and around the pond including the planting of a number of trees.

Q. What is happening to the Orchard off High Royds Drive?

A. Trinity says that it has received an undertaking from Avant to replant areas of the Orchard whilst Northern Power Grid is to make good the damage caused carrying out work on the electricity pylon. HRRA was told this work would be carried out in November, 2021, but as it’s not completed we have been in touch with Avant who are also contacting Northern Power Grid. It seems unlikely that the landscape reinstatement work required will be carried out until some time in the new year.

Q. What landscaping work will HGM be carrying out and when?

A. HRRA is advised that HGM will, in addition to current maintenance, be dealing with the overgrown areas which need cutting back, plus preparing the areas which need replanting. Replanting will be undertaken in the Spring.

DOG AND LITTER BINS

Q. Who is responsible for the removal of dog waste on High Royds?

A. Currently, there are two types of dog waste bins on High Royds. The red ones are regularly emptied by Trinity’s contractors at residents’ expense. If they become full and overflowing, contact Trinity to advise. The two litter bins on Guiseley Drive are emptied by Leeds City Council. A further bin near the post box on High Royds Drive has been promised.