MCRA Summer News & Actions |
|
|
We hope you are well and enjoying the milder weather. As members will be aware, MCRA has had a challenging and frustrating year trying to manage and navigate the complex new systems, personnel and contractors at Royal Borough of Kingston, including Glendale Services who should be regularly pruning, scavenging and mowing overgrown areas on the estate. The changes have significantly impacted the appearance of the estate and the level of services covered by the Coombe Rate, which are sub-standard. We have held numerous face-to-face meetings with the council and Glendale representatives, and endless follow up communications on all-estate maintenance, potholes, broken fences, litter, the lack of Civil Enforcement Officers (traffic wardens) to name but a few. While some issues have been dealt with, the vast majority have not and we continue the very painful process of contacting and chasing officials on a very frequent basis. We are grateful to our local councillors, |
|
Rowena Bass and Ian George, for setting up the latest meeting with RBK, this time with senior management, who we will voice our concerns to in August. We will continue to keep residents updated in the newsletter and via email.
We were also very thankful to our neighbours at Coombe Wood Golf Club who have improved the area outside the car park so that pedestrians are no longer impeded, as well as the area between the clubhouse and Pinewood Manor. It's made a huge difference to the top end of George Road which we had requested, and now have. Finally, some members will be aware of the Four Acres variation of premises licence that would allow alcohol to be served on the premises until 2am. MCRA had partial success in restricting potential noise disturbance by ensuring customers/residents were inside at midnight and alcohol would not be served or permitted outdoors after this time. Thank you for your support. In the meantime, we hope you have a wonderful summer, |
|
|
Dr. Judy Kane & Rupert Cox, MCRA Co-Chairs |
|
|
About MCRA's Committee: The Committee members give their considerable time voluntarily and MCRA employs a secretary who is paid on an hourly basis and is responsible for estate communications, answering queries and complaints, chasing Kingston Council to get estate matters attended to, liaising with local police, arranging the administration, printing and distribution of your annual estate permits, developing and managing the website (www.mcraltd.com), social media (@mcraoffice) and database, dealing with the barrier and gatekeeper matters and many other tasks. |
|
|
Rokeby School Planning Application |
|
|
Members may be aware that Rokeby School has submitted the below planning application reference 23/01756/FUL on kingston.gov.uk/applications: Provision of three classrooms at first floor level above the existing sports hall (ensuring the ridge height remains unchanged) located on the eastern boundary together with the single storey extension of the existing Design and Technology classroom to the rear, new electrical substation and associated works. Capping pupil numbers to 420. Rokeby School wishes to increase pupil numbers from the current 405 (beyond the 370 legal limit that was placed on the school) to 420. The three extra classrooms have a capacity of 24 pupils each. Anyone wishing to submit a representation/comment is advised to do so via Planning Public Access at the website www.kingston.gov.uk/applications (or using the button below) using the reference 23/01756/FUL before August 10. |
|
|
Gatekeeping Team & Barrier Update |
|
|
We welcomed a new duo to our weekend shifts this Summer. Nasar (pictured) and Malik (occasional staff) have joined us, as part of an arrangement with Surrey Security. They have already made a great impact on managing the busy weekend traffic. We also wish to thank Simon who did a great job at repainting the barriers at Coombe Lane West and will begin work on the other estate entrances as required. |
|
|
Finally, we are extremely grateful to our Gatekeeping team who operate brilliantly, often in the face of provocation. Recently, both Simon and Andrew have had dreadful experiences on the estate - including being driven at aggressively, and even having had a foot run over. They are all heroes at the gate and we are very proud of them. |
|
|
Car Permits 2023-24 & The Annual Contribution |
|
|
Members will have recently received information from the office regarding 2023-24 car permits. These will be sent to households in mid-August - we must remind residents to carefully check their envelopes for their permits so that these are not thrown out by accident! |
|
|
We are thankful to members who made the Annual Contribution payment to MCRA in 2022-23 and to those who have already contributed for this year, 2023-24. Your contributions help us continue the work we do on behalf of all residents on the estate. Further information was emailed to households and organisations in July. |
|
|
Committee Update & AGM Notification |
|
|
We were absolutely delighted to see Philip Greenhalgh back to good health this Summer - and extremely impressed that he attended our recent committee meeting! - following his serious accident last Autumn. We have also welcomed a new member, Patricia O'Driscoll, who joins as a representative for Edgecoombe Close. We're very grateful to both Philip and Patricia for their time and welcome support. The committee will be meeting again on Thursday 14th September, when we will discuss, among other important items, the upcoming AGM on Thursday 12th October at 7pm. If residents have any issues or concerns they would like to have discussed, please email the secretary: office.mcra@gmail.com |
|
|
Estate Security & Reporting Issues to RBK |
|
|
We are aware that there have been some security concerns on the estate over the past few months. Images of suspicious drivers and vehicles have been posted on the website and information sent to members via email. We have reported suspicious activity to the police and requested additional patrols. Please do report anything suspicious to the Coombe Hill Police team: Office Tel: 07810815660 Non Emergency: 101 | Emergency: 999 :E-mail: CoombeHill@Met.Police.uk |
|
A reminder to residents that they can report directly to RBK through "I Need To", covering all manner of issues effecting the estate - eg abandoned vehicles, street lighting issues, planning concerns, noise disturbances, excessive litter, dead animals, fallen trees & branches, etc. This is one very effective area of RBK's new services for the scheduled roads! While we welcome reports, it is helpful that as many of us as possible report them this way, to ensure RBK responds swiftly. |
|
|
Summer Specials at Warren House |
|
|
Our neighbours at Warren House have provided us with details of two of their Summer Specials - a Love Potion cocktail and Afternoon Tea! |
|
|
Introducing Love Potion, an exclusive, refreshing blend of chilled vodka, light-bodied red wine, a dash of lemon, served over ice & garnished with fresh strawberry. Perfectly balanced, this cocktail encapsulates the essence of summer in every sip. |
|
Come & savour a sumptuous and quintessentially English tradition with a twist, Afternoon Tea in our Garden! Delicately prepared selections of finger sandwiches, accompanied by exquisite pastries, bite-sized cakes & sweet treats, finished with a side of warm, freshly-made scones and a generous serving of homemade preserves & clotted cream. Choose from a wide selection of perfectly brewed loose leaf traditional & fruit teas or add some sparkle to the occasion by opting for our Champagne Afternoon Tea. |
|
|
Ways to contact us and each other |
|
|
If you would like to find out more about MCRA, please visit our website, follow us on Twitter or email us: office.mcra@gmail.com Members can also now communicate directly with neighbours when seeking babysitter, housekeeper or cleaner recommendations through a Coombe Estate Forum - sign up via Log In on the home page and start a conversation: |
|
|
|
|
