Minutes for Part 2 of meeting held on Friday 17 February 2023 at 1000
Present
Committee Members St Mellion Representatives
Andy Martin (AM) Chairman
Matt Pressman (MP) Resort Director
John Dalglish (JD) Secretary
Richard Hazel (RH) Finance Manager
Joyce Bloom (JB)
Andrew Merritt (AMe) Finance Director for Crown Golf
Stephanie Latham (SL) Timeshare Administrator
Colin Rayson (CR)
Apologies for absence: Sarah Yardley (SY)
- Minutes of Previous Meeting
Approved. AM will post on owners’ web site. - RPI and the Annual Service Charge
AM explained that the committee considered the service charge fee
should be increased in line with RPI, as per the terms of the time share
lease (MP had previously offered to hold the increase to around 10%, in
line with CPI). This offer was appreciated but it was judged that
adherence to the terms of the lease was important, to avoid setting a
precedent. RH added that the fee must have been reset in 2014,
following the last 10-year review, and charged with effect from 2015,
using the RPI All Services index. Until now, the 2 indices had broadly
tracked each other, before flipping significantly in this financial year.
After some discussion, it was agreed to use the RPI All Items index
for the final year of this period. JB noted that the fee increase should be
announced with letters going out to owners with their maintenance bills
for the forthcoming year. In response to SL query, the January 2023 RPI
figure is the one to be used. - Preparation for the Annual Meeting in March 2023
AM: the committee will travel down to St Mellion on Thursday 23
March, the eve of the meeting. 5 rooms will be required for committee
members; the meeting should take place at 1100 on 24 March 2023 and
be available via Zoom for those who wish to attend remotely. Full joining
instructions will be sent out to all owners by St Mellion team.
MP asked when that communication needs to be sent out to owners –
30 days prior (AM). AM added that the latest finance report/accounts
need to be sent to all members, many of whom will wish to know the
financial state of the scheme.
SL: do we have the email used as a calling notice from last year? JD
promised to look.
Post meeting note: copy sent to SL.
AM then asked JD to summarise his views, expressed in the earlier
committee meeting, as to why he was unsure about staying beyond
2023 as a time share owner. JD expressed his reservations about the
intent of St Mellion management vis-à-vis maintaining the Time Share
estate in a reasonable condition and committing to ensure that Time
Share remains an attractive and viable proposition. The numerous
changes of personnel and aborted initiatives have had a negative effect.
The uncertainty and speculation over future occupancy and any further
consolidation will likely only worsen, unless something positive is done in
the near future. There is no sign of that happening, with some aspects
of inadequate maintenance now evident in the fabric of the lodges. If
owner numbers continue to reduce, the enterprise will wither on the
vine – something JD and his wife would not wish to continue to be part
of and would likely lead them to exit the scheme reluctantly after their
stay in June this year.
MP agreed that this was fair comment but stressed that there is still
no clear plan and, until there is, all that can be done is to keep things
going. AM said that the 10-year review is an opportunity to set down the
future vision, with a timetable, to ensure the continued viability of the
scheme. RH repeated his comment from 2 meetings ago that St Mellion
wanted to make the scheme work – what do owners want and what
would that cost? Answers to these questions would help define a
strategy.
Other points to note for the annual meeting:-
AM will present his chairman’s report at the meeting
MP to present resort director’s report.
Re-election for committee members – AM, CR and JD.
Farewell to JB.
- Conduct of the 10-year Review
JB suggested issuing a questionnaire to owners; this was done 10
years ago. Also, how about making a discounted offer on
accommodation at the hotel the night before, to encourage people to
attend, especially those who are passionate about St Mellion. An
1100 start is not feasible for many owners, who live more than 3
hours’ drive away.
The review will need to be completed by the end of 2023 and
future occupancy should be clear by the end of the summer period.
The format for the review should be decided at the annual meeting.
AM asked how much input will be required from the committee. CR
added that people will just want to know what is happening, as the
time share asset is not being maximised, reflecting what JD had
summarised earlier. The management’s intent will be essential to
future plans.
5.Occupancy Grid
It was noted that the number of time share weeks at the time of
the last review in 2014 had been 849. AM suggested that it would be a
good idea to highlight this at the annual meeting; MP agreed. AM
queried the status of the 13 debtors. RH explained that St Mellion have
engaged the services of a debt collection agency (no win, no fee basis)
on a 10% commission of amounts recovered. RH agreed to instruct
following AM’s approval. RH further explained that taking the leases
back from debtor owners had to follow a court process and would cost
c.£750 per lease.
JB proposed that St Mellion offer short term leases of either 3- or 5-
years’ duration to bring in extra income (as has been done at other time
share locations), or the obvious risk is that the business will be left with
several empty lodges for long periods. JB stressed the need for a
proactive rather than reactive approach to the issue. MP could see the
merit of this proposal but stated that he could not act until St Mellion
knows what it is left with after the exit option this year.
- AOB and Date of Next Meeting
There was no other business and the date of next meeting will be set
after the annual meeting takes place.
John Dalglish (Secretary)