KRSA x The Roof Gardens – Monthly Meeting 01.08
Attendees – Alex Stirling (AS) (via Google Meet) , Keith Mehaffy (KM), Lee McPherson (LM)
The Roof Gardens (TRG) – Sue Walter (SW), Robert Seals (RS), Eilish Quinn (EQ)
Apologies : Peder Oien
Agenda
• Overview of complaints received
• Update Parking Management Technology
• Update on SIA in Kensington Square & Parking
• Any other business
• Next meeting date (Thursday 5th September @ 6pm)
Overview of Complaints received
- AS -advised that there were no complaints from KSRA but added that many residents were on holiday over July/ August. He expects complaints will increase come September.
Update Parking Management Technology and SIA in Kensington Square & Parking
- RS -we are in the process of sourcing an appropriate battery for the equipment that the SIAs need to use. By next month we will have more clarity on the parking management technology.
- AS- how do you intend to use the technology, will SIA’s go around and scan registrations? RS – confirmed it was exactly that. SIA’s will scan number plates and it will compare against the database TRG holds. This process will be better than the current one as it will allow SIAs to check if a member or not. AS – asked will SIA’s be asked to enter a number plate or compare it to a database and RS explained that TRG didn’t have the technology yet to trial but anticipated it being a scan from what he had been advised. AS- agreed that if we can come up with a process where SIAs walk the square, scan the number plates and can check, that it has to be a lot more efficient for TRG, and inline what was originally agreed.
- AS asked if the technology would be trialled in early September, RS -confirmed that all being well, yes TRG could be in a position to trial then.
RS went on to advise of two other bits of technology TRG were looking to trial:
- TRG has a members app which our members download onto their phone. We also have another piece of tech that if they have the app on their phone, and when they enter the area it measures speed and can pretty much identify if they are arriving by car. This will give TRG the opportunity to send them a push notification that they can’t park in the square. Wording to be agreed as we will not know if in their personal car or taxi. We need to test and trial it first but it could be another helpful thing to have.
- The second piece of tech is with Uber. TRG can implement a geofence around the Club with Uber (block off pick-ups on Derry St), but this would impact Equinox gym and The Daily Mail and they are not willing to do it. For those members that have our members app on their phone and also the Uber app on their phone,as long as they have the same contact details for both apps (email address and mobile number) it will allow a geofence on that phone. So anyone trying to book an Uber on that phone will be moved up (pick up pin) to Kensington High Street up near The Ivy for pick up. It is a nice piece of tech which we need to get working and trial. We need to get the API signed off with Uber. TRG can’t geofence the whole building, but we can at least try and help control where members can pick up their Uber.
- AS -was there any progress in the collection of number plates from members? Last time we discussed you not being able to collect number plates from a meaningful proportion of the members and it hadn’t been set up with the application form. RS – confirmed that he didn’t say we didn’t have a decent proportion, he had not said an actual figure. He confirmed that it is now on the application form, and TRG is collecting data on new joiners.
- AS -without wanting to push too hard on this point you already have 1200 members in situ who may/may not have given you details, what’s the plan trying to retroactively get theirs? I know you didn’t have bank account details for all these people so I guess it would be a good time to go back and get the number plates at the same time you get bank accounts. RS – we would have bank account details for members. SW clarified that Alex is referring to a small group of members TRG had to ask again for their bank details. It wasn’t all members, just a small proportion of them.
- AS -is there an opportunity to go back and get some of the missing data. SW – TRG will be capturing number plates as they arrive, so capturing in real time and then we will give some thought as to whether we need to back depending on how big of an issue it is, but at the moment the SIAs are every day getting better and better at what they do. So it might just be that live collection of data for now, particularly until we get the new technology trialled and live. RS -agreed that once the technology comes in let’s relook at it and see how big our database is compared to how that’s working practice, feel that’s a more fair enough balance.
- AS -the key challenge here is that we discussed last time. It’s great having handheld devices to scan number plates but if the database only has 5 number plates it’s a slightly pointless exercise. SW -it’s not pointless if that’s the only thing we are doing, but don’t forget we have active SIA’s on the ground, we have people in reception, we have Rob managing with Head Doorman and Head of Security so it’s belt and braces approach Alex. AS -agrees it’s layer upon layer and there is no silver bullet here. The SIAs are seemingly doing a good job and getting to grips with it , but remember we always discussed having technology to help here. The point I was trying to make is that if you don’t have a database then the technology is not that useful as it’s not comparable against anything. That’s the key point here. SW -agreed and added that it would be correct if there was no data in the database, but TRG are collating number plates through different means, and to RS point let’s revisit it once we have the technology and we better understand how it works. SW added that we are meeting again on 5 September so hopefully by then we will have technology by then and be able to test and play around with it .
- RS added that he understands the concern but believes that the percentage of members coming to the club by car is very small in the grand scheme of things. Having any sized database might not even be more useful than what we have now. I take your point but let’s get the technology in. We have had an increase in members and they are all on the new application from where they complete number pate data.
- AS this is a really important point and we have discussed it a lot. I don’t think you will necessarily see many people driving by car as it’s July /August, it’s a quiet period and sunny outside. When it’s back to school September/ October and it’s dark and wet I think you will probably see a big increase in cars, so I just want to make sure we don’t forget about this. I would encourage you at some point to say we have technology in place of 50, 75 or 100 % hit rate on the number plates and the system both tech and human SIAs are managing this in an efficient and diplomatic way with your members . SW- agreed that this is definitely what TRG is working towards and assured Alex that no one around this table is going to forget about it. It is being minuted and will be on every agenda. It will take both an analogue and technology approach to stay on top of it. RS- added that overall what we are trying to achieve is a better square for the residents/ protect the square.
- No Security update but SW/RS confirmed that SIA’s are more confident. SW advised that a guest of a resident square was questioned by one of our SIAs when parking. The resident was very unhappy their guest was questioned, but at least it shows that the SIA’s are doing their job. RS -added that SIA’s used body cams where needed and record incidents in an app.
AOB
Noise
- SW- confirmed that we have not had any noise complaints. Not because we haven’t had any music events in the space, but we have been much more rigorous in how we manage them and the learnings that we have applied from the opening week when we were testing different types of events.
- AS -added that on the positive side there hasn’t been a repeat of the Stormzy event which is a relief. Conscious that the sound monitoring devices are in place in the front and back gardens. RS -confirmed there were four devices on the roof , handhelds used on the roof and street and that limiters have been set on inside /outside sound systems for any recorded music. We have not had any complaints and we will obviously continue to monitor.
- KM – I am very much guided by yourselves if everything is working. You can set sound limiters and agree a managing process in place, but the only way we know if it’s working is by getting feedback from residents As far as the levels set for the sound limiting device the fact that no one has complained is a good indication and we can hold on to that as an issue for further meetings. My issues are to do with an external management to ensure we have a good process and liaison working with everybody . RS- agreed and added that everyone is very clear on the kit TRG has and what is allowed into the building. AS -said a lot of residents away so naturally there would be less complaints so let’s revisit in September and see if there is any noise there. He added that he has only visited the club once and his experience is that people on the terrace were asked to move indoors at curfew and the doors were shut to minimise sound and keep noise inside. SW- i’m glad you were able to see it in action and operationally that is what happens every night. Members are also getting used to the fact they need to come inside at 11pm.
Rubbish
- AS -the pre 7am glass smashing rituals seemed to have stopped , but just wondering what you may have done to intervene? RS -I spoke to the building team after that 6.30am incident as it was their team that did that, they are aware and apologised. Spoke with the building Facilities Manager, (Gemma) again today from Avison Young. She is aware and has tried before to get refuse collectors not to come at 6am on the dot to come but I will say again that it is not for us to manage, we can only work with them and abide by our 7am restriction. We do our side and we have asked them to do theirs. AS-if you can continue to remind them, that is super helpful. It is pretty piercing if you have 20 mins of broken glass being emptied at 6/6.30am. If it’s after 7am, people are normally up by then. SW-we will continue to have that conversation. At the last meeting you mentioned the KSRA have regular meetings with Sophie of Wilson Green, so if we’re both giving them the same feedback that’s helpful. AS agreed.
- Next meeting is to be held on 5th September @ 6pm.