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  • #75448
    Frustrated Gardener
    Flatchatter

      Hello All,

      About to have our next AGM and will not be able to get through all our approved agenda items because we basically ran out of money.

      I nevertheless want to action these outstanding items in the coming year and want to know the proper procedure. Do we need to add these as new motions to the AGM, and vote on these again? Seems like a pain, and there is the risk it gets declined this time around.

      One of the standard agenda items is to approve the minutes of the last AGM as true and correct. Can we do this given we have not actioned all approved agenda items before the upcoming AGM?

      How do we note that we did not action all approved AGM items in that year, to keep a record of this fact. I like a paper trail as I think our strata manager is either too busy or incompetent, or both.

      Thanking everyone in advance for their thoughts.

      • This topic was modified 3 months, 2 weeks ago by .
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    • #75451
      Jimmy-T
      Keymaster

        About to have our next AGM and will not be able to get through all our approved agenda items because we basically ran out of money.

        Not sure what this means.  Did you run out of money needed to action the items approved at the last AGM?

        One of the standard agenda items is to approve the minutes of the last AGM as true and correct. Can we do this given we have not actioned all approved agenda items before the upcoming AGM?

        The approval of the agenda items is a statement of intent.  The fact that you ran out of money doesn’t affect the fact that you made the decisions. The minutes should stand unless they report something that wasn’t discussed or agreed.

        Meanwhile, add those missed items to the new agenda and ask that the budget be adjusted to accommodate them.

        The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
        #75454
        Frustrated Gardener
        Flatchatter
        Chat-starter

          Yes Jimmy, we ran out of money to action approved items at the last AGM, so we are going into the next AGM not having resolved them.

          I guess my concern is that we could perpetually roll any unresolved agenda items indefinitely. I was hoping that we would be in a position to hold owners to account for not making progress from year to year – progress could be made with higher levies but is obviously unpopular.

          So approval of an agenda item is intent and not implementation? If we have a relaxed EC and intent is all that’s ever realised why have motions for action if there is no penalty for follow-through?

          • This reply was modified 3 months, 2 weeks ago by .
          #75456
          Jimmy-T
          Keymaster

            So approval of an agenda item is intent and not implementation? If we have a relaxed EC and intent is all that’s ever realised why have motions for action if there is no penalty for follow-through?

            You have a record of what was intended and not actioned. To avoid the constant roll-over, propose a motion to the agenda that asks the strata committee chair and treasurer to outline their plan for fulfilling the commitments made at the last AGM – including necessary amendments to the budget – or explain why they will not be done despite their being the expressed wishes of the majority of owners.

            The penalty for lack of follow-through is that you elect different people on to your committee who will get things done.

            The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
            • This reply was modified 3 months, 2 weeks ago by .
            #75473
            Quirky
            Flatchatter

              See section 81 of the Strata Schemes Management Act. (4) If the owners corporation is subsequently faced with other expenses it cannot at once meet from either fund, it must levy on each owner of a lot in the strata scheme a contribution to the administrative fund or capital works fund, determined at a general meeting of the owners corporation, in order to meet the expenses.”
              Note the word “must” – if the OC lacks money to carry out its duties, as approved at a general meeting, then the OC must raise a special levy to fund them.
              So the AGM agenda should have either a motion to raise the regular levies to meet those expenses, or alternatively or additionally, have a motion to raise a special levy to fund the unexpected costs.
              If the owners refuse to fund them, by voting down the motion, then you (or other owners) can apply for an Order at NCAT to make this happen.

              #75504
              kaindub
              Flatchatter

                You need to be mindful of the intent of the motions.

                If it’s to improve the common property, then it’s purely optional according to the act. Yes there can be a motion to do something but that’s just an agreement between the owners

                If the motion is to repair common property, then according to the act, it’s a non negotiable duty of the committee and OC. In that case a special levy needs to be raised.

                If the owners are reluctant to do so, take the next steps which are mediation through fair trading and then a visit to NCAT.

                #75550
                Frustrated Gardener
                Flatchatter
                Chat-starter

                  Thank you everyone for your thoughtful insight.

                  So basically be persistent, get what you can in writing or tabled, and when enough is enough, use what is documented to do what is necessary for action, whether that is sacking the committee, mediation or tribunal.

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