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Spare a Thought for Melissa!
Melissa Briggs has been a doughty campaigner for many years fighting the injustice of leasehold. Her campaign began many years before NLC and LKP came along.
She founded the campaigning group CARLEX(Campaign Against Retirement Living Exploitation) Her site was really successful and resulted in many potential customers pulling out of purchasing McCarthy & Stone development flats.
As time went buy Melissa agreed to merge CALEX with LKP. What she didn't know at the time was that the CARLEX domain name was very valuable. That domain name was sold in a secret deal by an unnamed person associated with LKP for over £100,000. Melissa did not receive a penny. By sheer coincidence it appears that the unnamed individual who sold the domain name subsequently donated the funds to LKP. Shortly afterwards this individual became an employee of LKP until again by coincidence his salary matched the "donation" of the funds.
This financial chicanery was overseen by the trustees of LKP.
These are the same trustees that we are all supposed to celebrate their award of an OBE?
And who was the name sold to? Insiders claim the domain name was sold in secret to McCarthy & Stone in order that the CARLEX domain name never appeared on social media again.
So anyone stuck in the McCarthy & Stone trap that did not benefit from the warnings CARLEX would have given them, best not to celebrate the OBE awards!
She founded the campaigning group CARLEX(Campaign Against Retirement Living Exploitation) Her site was really successful and resulted in many potential customers pulling out of purchasing McCarthy & Stone development flats.
As time went buy Melissa agreed to merge CALEX with LKP. What she didn't know at the time was that the CARLEX domain name was very valuable. That domain name was sold in a secret deal by an unnamed person associated with LKP for over £100,000. Melissa did not receive a penny. By sheer coincidence it appears that the unnamed individual who sold the domain name subsequently donated the funds to LKP. Shortly afterwards this individual became an employee of LKP until again by coincidence his salary matched the "donation" of the funds.
This financial chicanery was overseen by the trustees of LKP.
These are the same trustees that we are all supposed to celebrate their award of an OBE?
And who was the name sold to? Insiders claim the domain name was sold in secret to McCarthy & Stone in order that the CARLEX domain name never appeared on social media again.
So anyone stuck in the McCarthy & Stone trap that did not benefit from the warnings CARLEX would have given them, best not to celebrate the OBE awards!
Posted by The Editor on 14 June 2025
Dear Mr Editor
Doesn’t it stink. Melissa Briggs shouod demand LKP say to whom her CARLEX Domain was sold. If LKP refuses she should alert the media.
It is so wrong that LKP admin can use racial and misogynistic abuse in an attempt to belittle a leaseholder ( me) and the trustees who have received an OBE say ‘ move along, nothing to,see here,he has apologised ‘….I was called a ‘ Mare who needs handling’. My African name was made ‘ fun’ of and ridiculed. None of this was denied by LKP and no action was taken…..I still have the disgusting emails abusing me. Boyd true to type accused me of ‘ Harassment’ and said I was being ‘ defamatory’ when I asked for action to be taken! Typical rogue managing agent street tactics! He is now paid for by the taxpayer as chair of LAS. It really stinks.
Doesn’t it stink. Melissa Briggs shouod demand LKP say to whom her CARLEX Domain was sold. If LKP refuses she should alert the media.
It is so wrong that LKP admin can use racial and misogynistic abuse in an attempt to belittle a leaseholder ( me) and the trustees who have received an OBE say ‘ move along, nothing to,see here,he has apologised ‘….I was called a ‘ Mare who needs handling’. My African name was made ‘ fun’ of and ridiculed. None of this was denied by LKP and no action was taken…..I still have the disgusting emails abusing me. Boyd true to type accused me of ‘ Harassment’ and said I was being ‘ defamatory’ when I asked for action to be taken! Typical rogue managing agent street tactics! He is now paid for by the taxpayer as chair of LAS. It really stinks.
Posted by Kim on 15 June 2025
Let us not forget Boyd was appointed by a Government minister as chair of the Leasehold Advisory Service within days of proposed leasehold reform legislation falling far short of what had been promised and both LKP and NLC issuing surprising support with little criticism for that legislation.
Let us not also forget that it was Boyd the government minister appointed chair of The Leasehold Advisory Service and also chair of LKP who thought it appropriate to post on his charity website that some of my criticisms of LKP could be from the side effects of cancer treatment I had been receiving?
Let us not also forget that it was Boyd the government minister appointed chair of The Leasehold Advisory Service and also chair of LKP who thought it appropriate to post on his charity website that some of my criticisms of LKP could be from the side effects of cancer treatment I had been receiving?
Posted by Michael Epstein on 15 June 2025
Dear Michael
I will never forget that. . It was disgusting, and that is what these people are.
I will never forget that. . It was disgusting, and that is what these people are.
Posted by RUTH on 15 June 2025
Dear Mr Editor
Re Boyd chair.
Seb o kelly wrote that Boyd would not be accepting a salary for his chairpersonship of LAS . Can this statement be verified as fact ? I believe the LAS salary was approx £90,000 pa.
Did Boyd trousers salary or not? Leaseholders should be told!
Re Boyd chair.
Seb o kelly wrote that Boyd would not be accepting a salary for his chairpersonship of LAS . Can this statement be verified as fact ? I believe the LAS salary was approx £90,000 pa.
Did Boyd trousers salary or not? Leaseholders should be told!
Posted by Kim on 15 June 2025
The previous CEO had a salary of £85,000. It is hard to believe that employment rules would allow a CEO to take no salary, but of course that salary could be donated. since the last published LKP accounts show an income of £13,500 it is doubtful that Boyd's salary was donated to LKP.
Don't forget the ever virtuous Sebastian O'Kelly managed to take over £100,000 out of the LKP charity.
Don't forget the ever virtuous Sebastian O'Kelly managed to take over £100,000 out of the LKP charity.
Posted by Michael Epstein on 15 June 2025
What an unedifying shower that
lot are…BTW , checking out LKP blog to see how many congratulatory comments are made re the LKP trustees chocolate medal award…. 2 to date and one is from Methuselah Holland…I think it will backfire on the self styled “ Three Nothern Mums”🙄by accepting the loo brush award for NOT achieving the abolition of leaseholds or even regulation of managing agents. It Stinks. Like a used loo brush.
lot are…BTW , checking out LKP blog to see how many congratulatory comments are made re the LKP trustees chocolate medal award…. 2 to date and one is from Methuselah Holland…I think it will backfire on the self styled “ Three Nothern Mums”🙄by accepting the loo brush award for NOT achieving the abolition of leaseholds or even regulation of managing agents. It Stinks. Like a used loo brush.
Posted by Kim on 16 June 2025
Put things into context?
Mr Holland's comments on the LKP website are ever so slightly misleading as they predicted negative comments about the awards on this site after they were posted(a kind of retrospective Nostradamus) The awards were not given for what NLC achieved rather for what they were prepared to sacrifice their principles for.
You can imagine for a moment someone like Harry Scoffin sacrificing the cause of leaseholders in exchange for baubles? I rather think not!
I note that Katie has responded to Mr Holland's post citing trolls (that's me I suppose) Remember Katie, Postmaster victims child sex abuse victims were called trolls as well. She simply can't bring herself to mention About Firstport, Melissa Briggs or Harry Scoffin. Katie Kenrick you were a trustee of LKP when you oversaw the dubious employment of Sebastian O'Kelly which resulted in £100,000 being taken out the charity. You mention Louis Burns who acted as your moral compass. Katie, had he been alive today there is no way he would have allowed you to act as you have.
A lot of people are going to be very angry when the truth of your behaviour dawns on them.
However inconvenient and however much pressure I come under I will continue to tell the truth. Leaseholders beware Katie Kendrick sold you out many years ago.
Mr Holland's comments on the LKP website are ever so slightly misleading as they predicted negative comments about the awards on this site after they were posted(a kind of retrospective Nostradamus) The awards were not given for what NLC achieved rather for what they were prepared to sacrifice their principles for.
You can imagine for a moment someone like Harry Scoffin sacrificing the cause of leaseholders in exchange for baubles? I rather think not!
I note that Katie has responded to Mr Holland's post citing trolls (that's me I suppose) Remember Katie, Postmaster victims child sex abuse victims were called trolls as well. She simply can't bring herself to mention About Firstport, Melissa Briggs or Harry Scoffin. Katie Kenrick you were a trustee of LKP when you oversaw the dubious employment of Sebastian O'Kelly which resulted in £100,000 being taken out the charity. You mention Louis Burns who acted as your moral compass. Katie, had he been alive today there is no way he would have allowed you to act as you have.
A lot of people are going to be very angry when the truth of your behaviour dawns on them.
However inconvenient and however much pressure I come under I will continue to tell the truth. Leaseholders beware Katie Kendrick sold you out many years ago.
Posted by Michael Epstein on 16 June 2025
Michael E
I had a bottle of Vintage Krug with my old mate Erasmus last night down the old “ ‘ Southern mum ooo lives in a shoo with 25 kiddies ‘ local pub.
Erasmus said to me, he said “ Kim, your’e my best mate you are and you ,should be given a ‘ Queen of the world’ medal for writing all those letters to government ministers in the name of the NLC,and for all the thousands of pounds you donated to the NLC.I replied, Erasmus , mate. I don’t need a worthless medal . I know how wonderful I am.I said, listen to me Erasmus,
The less talent a person has,the more pride and vanity they have. All these fools ,however , find other fools who applaud them. Erasmus kissed me tenderly on the lips and said , “ I wish I’d said that “. I said, you will, you will.
It was a good night! 😂
I had a bottle of Vintage Krug with my old mate Erasmus last night down the old “ ‘ Southern mum ooo lives in a shoo with 25 kiddies ‘ local pub.
Erasmus said to me, he said “ Kim, your’e my best mate you are and you ,should be given a ‘ Queen of the world’ medal for writing all those letters to government ministers in the name of the NLC,and for all the thousands of pounds you donated to the NLC.I replied, Erasmus , mate. I don’t need a worthless medal . I know how wonderful I am.I said, listen to me Erasmus,
The less talent a person has,the more pride and vanity they have. All these fools ,however , find other fools who applaud them. Erasmus kissed me tenderly on the lips and said , “ I wish I’d said that “. I said, you will, you will.
It was a good night! 😂
Posted by Kim on 16 June 2025
Dear Michael,
DId you know that Katie Kendrick has recently been appointed Mayor of Ellesmere Port.. Wondering what havoc she may create there? Glad I don't live there !!
DId you know that Katie Kendrick has recently been appointed Mayor of Ellesmere Port.. Wondering what havoc she may create there? Glad I don't live there !!
Posted by on 16 June 2025
So you are a Labour Mayor serving a Labour Government who offer a fraction of what leaseholder's have been demanding. If you are a good girl and follow the party line you could be in line for an award. What do you do? Follow the ethical path and stand up for leaseholders or put self interest first?
I know what choice Kendrick made?
I know what choice Kendrick made?
Posted by Michael Epstein on 16 June 2025
Did Sebastian O Kelly of LKP call for the ‘ mare/ Major of Ellesmore port to “ be handled” ? He called me a “ Mare who needs to be handled”. His misogyny and sexism must not be discriminatory!
Re Kendrick..What a bloomin disappointment she turned out to be.
Re Kendrick..What a bloomin disappointment she turned out to be.
Posted by Kim on 16 June 2025
Stomach Churning Awards!
The three worthies behind NLC have been awarded OBE's in the King's birthday honours awards.
Two of the three are labour councillors.
No way could they possibly have stood up for leaseholder rights by arguing that the government were not going far enough to ban leasehold and put in proper regulation for managing agents and still got a government sponsored award.
Like Martin Boyd who compromised any vestige of integrity he may have had to become chair of the Leasehold Advisory Service, NLC have sold their soul for personal aggrandisement.
These awards can be seen as a reward for not campaigning too hard against the government.
Two of the three are labour councillors.
No way could they possibly have stood up for leaseholder rights by arguing that the government were not going far enough to ban leasehold and put in proper regulation for managing agents and still got a government sponsored award.
Like Martin Boyd who compromised any vestige of integrity he may have had to become chair of the Leasehold Advisory Service, NLC have sold their soul for personal aggrandisement.
These awards can be seen as a reward for not campaigning too hard against the government.
Posted by The Editor on 13 June 2025
OMG. That is hilarious Awarded . ‘Officer of the British Empire” for keeping schtum about a Labour governments failure to ban leasehold ( as promised) and regulate managing agents….Says it all, really.Boyd has his tootsies under a government quango desk at a taxpayers salary.The NLC trio have got a useless tarnished badge from the establishment.What next? Seb o Kelly for a Knighthood ? You couldn’t make it up! Shame on them.
Btw, A Hillsborough Campaigner one Professor Phil Scranton, turned down an OBE. He said he “ could not accept the honour which was tied to the “ British Empire” ,while those responsible for the Hillsborough disaster’s
aftermath remained unresponsive to the bereaved and survivors efforts to seek Justice and truth.families” end quote.
Just let that sink in.Then ask why the NLC trio felt that the they could in good conscience accept this tarnished bauble.
Note. Check out the classy folks who declined an ‘ Honour’ Stephen Hawking to name but one!
Btw, A Hillsborough Campaigner one Professor Phil Scranton, turned down an OBE. He said he “ could not accept the honour which was tied to the “ British Empire” ,while those responsible for the Hillsborough disaster’s
aftermath remained unresponsive to the bereaved and survivors efforts to seek Justice and truth.families” end quote.
Just let that sink in.Then ask why the NLC trio felt that the they could in good conscience accept this tarnished bauble.
Note. Check out the classy folks who declined an ‘ Honour’ Stephen Hawking to name but one!
Posted by Kim on 14 June 2025
Dear Mr Editor
It made me feel sick! People who work hard to help others are ignored.
You will know to whom I refer!!!
It made me feel sick! People who work hard to help others are ignored.
You will know to whom I refer!!!
Posted by RUTH on 14 June 2025
Changing to a new Managing Agent
Many of us are considering changing our Managing Agent (firstport)
We have no committee or association on site, but would like to know the first step to changing from FirstPort. We know of a local managing Agent who already managing a site down the road, and managing it well.
Any information greatfully received.
Mick
We have no committee or association on site, but would like to know the first step to changing from FirstPort. We know of a local managing Agent who already managing a site down the road, and managing it well.
Any information greatfully received.
Mick
Posted by Micheal on 12 June 2025
First of all you need to gather up a majority of residents. It must be at least 51% but ideally nearer 60%. You need to form a Right to manage company with all residents invited to participate as well as the freeholder/landlord. Once this has been done you serve a formal notice that you wish to exercise your right to manage.
The chances are though that any alternative managing agent that you may be seeking to appoint will carry out the whole process for you. You should allow approximately £150-£200 per leaseholder to successfully carry out a Right to Manage.
The chances are though that any alternative managing agent that you may be seeking to appoint will carry out the whole process for you. You should allow approximately £150-£200 per leaseholder to successfully carry out a Right to Manage.
Posted by Michael Epstein on 12 June 2025
The new Agent should guide you through the process. We are now with SRS they held our hand throughout and made it very easy.
We couldn't be happier having booted out Firstport!
We couldn't be happier having booted out Firstport!
Posted by Leaseholder on 13 June 2025
Since its inception which was nearly strangled at birth due to the actions of the leaseholder charity LKP(who were recommending one of their paid for accredited members for a managing contract About Firstport have always been impressed by the service levels and the integrity of charges levied by SRS. Indeed the late great Chas Willis fought very hard to stop LKP in their tracks. It is a good day when SRS win another management contract, especially when it for a formerly Firstport managed development.
Posted by The Editor on 13 June 2025
Dear Mr Editor
I say this to any leaseholder block choosing to boot out FIRSTPORT and go RTM . Avoid any LKP accredited Managing agent ,and avoid WESTBURY RESIDENTIAL LTD ( WR)like the plague. WR was recently booted out of our block …It is a if not worse than Firstport in my view.AVOID
I say this to any leaseholder block choosing to boot out FIRSTPORT and go RTM . Avoid any LKP accredited Managing agent ,and avoid WESTBURY RESIDENTIAL LTD ( WR)like the plague. WR was recently booted out of our block …It is a if not worse than Firstport in my view.AVOID
Posted by Kim on 13 June 2025
Thank you so very much everyone!
I now know how to proceed.
Mick
I now know how to proceed.
Mick
Posted by Micheal on 15 June 2025
The Property Institute
As was widely reported at the time Firstport were suspended by the Property Institute over their failure to hand over residential service charge funds to the RTM company after they had their management contract ended. They were then re-admitted despite dozens of other developments suffering the same fate.
Now Preet Kavr Gill MP for Birmingham Edgbaston has written to The Property Institute to challenge its decision to quietly re-admit under fire property services firm Firstport.
He writes: The shocking delays and mismanagement of residential accounts in my constituency demonstrates that Firstport is failing to meet the minimum standards leaseholders should expect. For that reason I find it baffling that The Property Institute has quietly reinstated Firstport membership.
It is not just the MP that finds this to be a baffling decision. Every victim of Firstport management find it equally baffling as do all the campaigning sites involved in protecting Firstport residents as do other managing agents who actually do a good and honest job.
Now Preet Kavr Gill MP for Birmingham Edgbaston has written to The Property Institute to challenge its decision to quietly re-admit under fire property services firm Firstport.
He writes: The shocking delays and mismanagement of residential accounts in my constituency demonstrates that Firstport is failing to meet the minimum standards leaseholders should expect. For that reason I find it baffling that The Property Institute has quietly reinstated Firstport membership.
It is not just the MP that finds this to be a baffling decision. Every victim of Firstport management find it equally baffling as do all the campaigning sites involved in protecting Firstport residents as do other managing agents who actually do a good and honest job.
Posted by The Editor on 05 June 2025
There have been some 16597 posts and replies on this page. To view older ones search here.
This only searches posts, not replies.
Wiltshire is famed for the number of pigs that are reared in the county.
Indeed, the county town Swindon took its name from the Swine it produced.
But now Swindon has rid themselves of the biggest swine in the UK namely the swine known as Firstport from the Goddard Court development. Another win for SRS and for the Goddard Court residents. No doubt more wins against Firstport will follow!