Note from the Chairman, Executive Committee
Dear Owners,
This Newsletter provides information on a number of updates relating to GSA and QDM..
GSA
GSA continues to experience financial difficulties, although the lifting of travel restrictions has helped to increase the use of the golf course throughout the autumn. The reduced numbers of staff over recent months has not helped in the provision of communal services across the resort, including QDM.
The Judicial Administrator, Dr. Carlos Inácio, and his assistant, Dr. Rui Rosado, continue to oversee the management of GSA. A new accountant has not been appointed with resultant delays in the provision of financial updates to the OA.
Sale of GSA – GSA is now advertised for sale (Monday 20th December) under a Sealed-bid Auction, closing on 24th February 2022.
2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The 2021 AGM was held on 18 th November with 69% of the membership represented through attendance or proxies. In summary, the AGM approved the Fiscal Board Report including the OA accounts, addressed the status of the QDM infrastructure, and the future management of QDM where the owners voted for the “Wait and See” option with respect to the continued use of GSA as our communal services provider.
The AGM also addressed future reviews in terms of the infrastructure-related equipment including the use of solar power; a review of the communal pools and surrounding areas cleanliness requirements, and communal gardens, also taking into account the need to better secure the access to the pools and the surrounding area; and a review of the Community Services Agreement (CSA).
Full details of the AGM can be found in the Summary Record of the meeting on the OA web site under “Meetings”, or can be downloaded at this link.
QDM Budget – Community & Urbanisation (C&U) Charges
Since the beginning of August 2021, the OA has been collecting the C&U charges and paying GSA the appropriate amount given the standard of communal services actually being provided to QDM.
At the beginning of 2022 we will commence our discussions with GSA with respect to the 2022 QDM Budget and associated C&U charges for the villas and townhouses. Any change on the charges and the collection of those charges will be dependent upon the outcome and the Committee’s review and agreement.
GSA Point of Contact – the main point of contact in GSA continues to be Jorge Ricardo at
community.services@saresorts-gsa.com.
2022 – Reserve Fund & OA Subscriptions
The Reserve Fund and OA Subscriptions are planned to remain the same for 2022 (€100 per house for the Reserve Fund, and €20 per house for the OA subscription).
The annual Reserve Fund contribution continues to be important to QDM as it funds the replacement of significant items of our vital communal infrastructure, the domestic water system and the pool infrastructure.
The annual OA subscriptions cover, inter alia, our necessary legal- and accountant-related costs.
COVID-19
Portugal has once again moved into a “State of Calamity”, from a “State of Alert”. Please be aware that the use of masks in Portugal is mandatory in enclosed public spaces – airports, taxis, public transport, shops, supermarkets, pharmacies, etc.. In many places only surgical masks are permitted, and not fabric masks. The Safe Communities Portugal web site is an authoritative location for all the latest
information.
www.safecommunitiesportugal.com
Also, you can keep up-to-date on the latest situation by accessing the online Portuguese news websites
https://www.theportugalnews.com/
https://www.portugalresident.com/
Thank you very much from the Committee for your continued support to the Owners Association.
Please feel free to provide any comments to the Committee members; we do welcome your comments.
Finally, on behalf of the Committee, our best wishes to you and your families for Christmas, and look forward to a safe and healthy New Year.
Best regards
David Murphy
Chairman, Executive Committee
December 2021