Notes from Meeting with FirstPort – 6 February 2025

Attendees

MP Tony Vaughan
Tim Prater (Sandgate Parish Council)
FirstPort
Taylor Wimpey
Residents

Backdoor Training Area & Refunds

Taylor Wimpey confirmed again that they have never invoiced FirstPort for the Backdoor Training Area. Any costs incurred by residents in relation to this area should therefore be refunded.

FirstPort confirmed that refunds will be issued once each year’s signed accounts have been completed.

Tony Vaughan stated that there should be no delays in issuing refunds, as the funds are clearly shown in a separate section on the invoices and should therefore be easy to identify and return to residents.

FirstPort advised that, although residents will eventually receive refunds, these may not be issued as a cheque or bank transfer and could instead be applied as a credit to residents’ accounts to offset other charges. They agreed to review this and confirm.

Accounts Delays

FirstPort stated that the disputed accounts for 2022 should be completed by the end of February 2026. Shortly afterwards, signed accounts for 2023 should also be issued. The 2024 accounts may follow 30–60 days later.

Residents highlighted that FirstPort has been promising these accounts since July last year, with previous target dates given for August and November, yet the accounts have still not been received.

FirstPort assured Tony Vaughan that the new deadlines would be met and that residents should receive refunds for any amounts due from 2022 by the end of February.

Taylor Wimpey confirmed that their cost for the Backdoor Training Area this year was £92,000. Once development works are fully completed, residents will only be expected to pay ongoing maintenance costs, and any outstanding development work will be covered by Taylor Wimpey. They also confirmed that the budgets for the Backdoor Training Area are fixed and that any overspend will be covered by Taylor Wimpey.

Residents requested sight of any invoice sent from Taylor Wimpey to FirstPort for work and maintenance relating to the Backdoor Training Area for 2025. Taylor Wimpey confirmed that no invoice has yet been issued to FirstPort for 2025.

When asked about the accounts for 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, FirstPort stated that once completed they will upload a ZIP file containing all invoices and supporting information to the FirstPort Creatio Portal, allowing residents to download them without needing to submit Section 22 requests.

Tony Vaughan again asked FirstPort to confirm when refunds would be issued. FirstPort reiterated that refunds can only be processed once the year-end accounts have been completed.

Tony Vaughan then asked both the developers and FirstPort to clarify their legal basis for charging residents for maintenance of the estate and the Backdoor Training Area, given concerns that the management company may be in breach of its obligations under the TP1 transfer documents.

FirstPort replied that they have the legal right to charge residents under the TP1 transfer documents and advised that residents should seek independent legal advice if they wish to challenge this.

Residents also raised concerns about inconsistencies within the budgets, particularly regarding insurance and other items.

FirstPort confirmed that Accounts Preparation Fees should not have been charged in previous years and that these should be removed.

Insurance Discrepancies

They also agreed to investigate the insurance figures, as the amount charged to residents was more than £10,000 higher than the figure shown in the insurance documentation. This suggests that residents may either have been overcharged or under-insured, both of which are concerning.

FirstPort confirmed they would provide a response within two weeks.

Back Door Training Area Sales Information

Residents raised concerns that Taylor Wimpey had failed to clearly communicate information about the Backdoor Training Area to new buyers, with many stating that it was not included in sales packs or other purchase documentation and was only mentioned within the TP1 transfer documents.

Taylor Wimpey responded that information is provided to potential buyers within the sales pack, through displays at the Sales Office, and within the TP1 documentation. They advised that any buyers who believe they were not properly informed should raise this with their conveyancing solicitors.

First Port Portal Issues

Residents also reported that issues raised on the FirstPort Creatio Portal were regularly being closed without response.

FirstPort acknowledged that, in the past, issues were sometimes closed when contractors were assigned rather than when the work had been completed and confirmed to the required standard. They stated that they are reviewing staff training to ensure this process is clearer going forward.

Shorncliffe Heights Residents Group

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