Perseverance Works Freeholders Ltd (PWFL) is a unique company owned by the shareholders and tenants who together make up a strong community of around 400 people who live and work at Perseverance Works, London E2. The original PW Residents’ Association became a limited company in January 2000 and since then, has had sole responsibility for the running of the site.

PWFL Ltd owns the freehold interest and the vast majority of long leaseholders have bought a share in the company. The company is run by a board of directors whose businesses are also on site. The ethos of the Board of PWFL might best be described as a total commitment to ensuring both effective, efficient and friendly management of all at Perseverance Works, thus enabling a sense of community to continue to thrive. As a result, PWFL runs the entire site solely for the benefit of those who work and live there and occupiers are not subject to the agendas of others.

The board meets at 1.00pm on the second Tuesday of every second month, with a Facilities Management meeting in the intervening months. Shareholders and tenants are invited to raise any site issues for both meetings by email, worksnews or letter. Formal minutes are taken of all the meetings, which are subsequently sent to shareholders/tenants, usually by email. Tenants and shareholders have access to copies of these minutes, together with PWFL accounts, on the following link.

PWFL manages the site on a not-for-profit basis although there is a small amount of commercial activity. Service Charges are charged at cost only, which underlines the non-profit making element to PWFL. This has enormous advantages to businesses and residents alike because:

• All monies raised through the service charge go towards maintaining and securing the site.
• Every shareholder is able to comment on issues concerning the running and well-being of the site.

The commercial activity is mainly in the area of photographic location hire and website advertising, and there is also a limited car parking operation. All revenue raised in this way is re-invested in the provision of improved or new facilities for all who work and live at PW.

PWFL engages part-time services in three key areas;

There is a Facilities Manager (FM) who handles the day-to-day facilities management. The FM attends the meetings each month and is briefed by the board on the current projects and repairs for the PW site. The FM provides quotes for intended works for the Board’s consideration and ensures that the PW site complies with current Health and Safety and Insurance regulations. All shareholders and tenants are invited to contact the Facilities Manager concerning repairs and maintenance via email or entries in the FM logbook held at the security cabin.

Daily administration issues are handled from our desk in Charity House, again on a part-time basis. This also includes our film/photography location business.

PWFL accountancy/book-keeping is not handled on site. Budgets and invoices are prepared so as to enable PWFL to meet the commitment to shareholders, tenants and Customs and Excise. This also allows Service Charge payers to reclaim their VAT where applicable.

Our website also provides:

• information on site management, security and car parking.
• details of upcoming courtyard events
• a shareholders’ site for access to insurance, shareholder/tenancy forms, audits and Facilities Management and board meeting minutes (password required)
• service charges budgets and accounts
• photography and film shoot details
• information on the refuse collection and recycling project.

‘Worksnews’ is our email forum and everyone is encouraged to sign up to receive information on security issues, door code changes, general site information and any planned events. Visitors to password-protected sections can obtain a password from, and at the discretion of, the Chair of the board.