Notice of Meeting

Notice of the meeting was given on the 8th of August, 2008 and the Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed all homeowners present to the meeting.

Attendance Register

The attendance register was circulated and signed by all present.

Apologies / Proxies

Fifteen proxies were received.

Chairman's Report

The Chairman presented his report for the year ended 30th June 2008.  The report was accepted as proposed by David St Clair and seconded by Sheila Worrall.

Approval of Annual Financial Statements

The financial statements for the year ended 30th June 2008 were presented by Derek Brittain of Cenprop and unanimously approved.

Appointment of Auditors for the forthcoming years

The Chairman proposed that the current auditors, Thornton-Dibb, be retained as auditors and the approval of this was unanimous.

Approval of the Auditors' Remuneration

The auditors' remuneration was discussed, as per the budget and unanimously approved by the house.

Noting of the Levies

The levies were noted and it was approved that they be increased from 1 September 2008 to R1000 per month.

Election of Directors

Nominations were received for the following homeowners to be appointed as Directors to the Board of the HOA:

• Is a business man and runs SA The Good News
• Is currently building at Gowrie Farm and intends moving onto
  the estate permanently at the end of 2008
• Has two young children, who will attend Clifton Primary in 2009
  
  David St Clair
  
  
• Is an accountant
• Currently resides in Durban, but will be moving
  up to Gowrie Farm in 2009
• Is moving to Gowrie Farm for the lifestyle
  
  Chris Lister-James
  
  
• Currently lives in Johannesburg
• Will be moving down to Gowrie Farm in the near future
• Has children at Michaelhouse
• Is in the equity business
• Currently serves on the school governing board and
  is on the board of an NGO
  
  The outcome of the voting was as follows:
  
  
  Chris Lister-James :  71 votes
  David St Clair:  64 votes
  Steuart Pennington:  8 votes
  
  
  Christopher Lister-James and David St Clair were congratulated on their
  election to the Board of Directors of the Gowrie Farm Homeowners' Association.
  
  

Amenities

Stables:  Homeowners were informed that the cost of the stables will be the building cost of the stables, plus R2000, plus one sixteenth of the cost of the common areas, such as storerooms, tack rooms, etc.  Those homeowners interested in purchasing stables must please let Janice know by e-mailing her on janice@vnh.co.za, in order to have a list of interested persons compiled.

Tennis Courts:  The site for the tennis courts has currently been levelled and Tenecon will be on site by the end of September.

Swimming Pool and Squash Court:  The obligation that the developers have to build a swimming pool and squash court was discussed and the suggestion raised that, instead of the developers building the squash court, they build an indoor, heated swimming pool.  After much debate, the decision to build an indoor pool rather than a squash court and open-air pool was approved, with voting all in favour of this, save for one abstaining vote.  However, if, after getting input from those homeowners not present, the developers were to build the pool and squash court as contained in the agreements of sale (as per their obligation), then the squash court shall be built close to the Maintenance Sheds area.  It was pointed out that there are squash courts at Michaelhouse and Clifton schools and that Gowrie Farm homeowners could join those clubs to make use of their facilities.

General

Sauna:  A request was received that a sauna be built.  However, the close proximity of Brookdale to Gowrie Farm was raised.  If homeowners wish to make use of sauna facilities, an arrangement could be reached with Brookdale for easy access to the facilities.

 11.2

Gowrie Farm Review Committee:  Steuart Pennington raised the issue of having an homeowner representative sit on the Gowrie Farm Architectural Review Committee when the committee meets to assess plans.  After much debate, it was unanimously agreed that the committee functions independently and it would not be in the interests of the HOA to have a representative from the HOA sit on the committee.  However, the Directors of the HOA would be informed of the dates of the committee sittings and should they wish to attend, they are welcome to do so, as observers. 

Should any homeowner wish to have input before submitting plans to the Review Committee, they are welcome to contact the Committee.

Site Inspections:  On a question from the floor as to whether site inspections were conducted on sites where building is taking place, homeowners were informed that neatness and compliance with the estate rules were checked on a regular basis by Orange Gondo, Sandra Nel and Guy Smith.  It was mentioned that it is the architect's duty to ensure that their buildings are built in compliance with the approved plans and if deviations are noticed and an architect is not involved, then the Gowrie Farm Architectural Review Committee can appoint an independent architect to inspect the building and charge the fee to the home owner's deposit which is lodged with the Homeowners' Association.

Estate Agents:  It was mentioned that the developers make use of Meander Real Estates and Winchester Marketing to market properties at Gowrie Farm, and that Pam Golding will now also be added to the panel of agents allowed to market Gowrie Farm properties.  The reason for limiting the number of agencies in the estate was to prevent selling through agents who may not be properly equipped with the necessary knowledge of the requirements of the estate.  This could lead to problems for homeowners selling properties and misinforming potential purchasers.

Pine Trees on Site (Short Crescent):  Mr Bailey raised the issue of trees that are on the sites and asked whether they would be removed.  The Chairman informed the meeting that if the homeowners wished to have the trees removed, they must inform the HOA and arrangements would be made to clear the trees.  It was, however, mentioned that the trees provide protection from the wind and it would not be advisable to remove all of them.

Security:  Steuart Pennington enquired as to the status of security breaches and the meeting was informed that there have been no breaches in security.  The report from the SAPS indicates that only minor crimes have been reported for the Nottingham Road area over the last four months, namely, driving under the influence, a domestic dispute and the use of a vehicle without the owner's consent.  On Gowrie Farm itself, there was only one case of theft of diesel eight months ago.

Introduction of Game to Gowrie Farm:  The developers are looking to purchase some zebra and there is already various other game on the farm.

Building over Weekends:  Mr Rabinowitz asked if permission could be granted to builders to work over weekends.  This was declined, as it can lead to disturbances for homeowners who are living on the estate.

Low Cost Housing Scheme:  Mr Clark enquired as to the progress of the low cost housing and how it was going to be operated.  The meeting was informed that 40 families who had been identified by uMngeni Municipality would be allocated housing.  These families will also be governed by the rules and regulations of the Gowrie Farm HOA and will also pay a levy for the upkeep of the scheme.

Closing

The Chairman thanked all those present for attending the meeting and invited them to a buffet lunch and those who wished to play golf, to a round of golf.

The meeting adjourned at 11:05.