A Message From Our Co-Chairs |
|
|
We're pleased that Summer is almost here and we hope you have been keeping well. It has been wonderful to see the blossoms on the estate working hard this past month, despite some very challenging weather (and temperatures). You will have hopefully noticed that Glendale, the contractors managed by RBK to maintain the estate (and all of the Royal Borough) have visited our roads recently. Work has taken place to neaten verges, mow the grass and some cutting back of overgrown shrubs. This is as a result of our close monitoring of the team and our better relationship with the Neighbourhood Team at RBK. Earlier in the year, we met with Denise Parry (RBK's Neighbourhood Manager for the estate) and Ed Barron of RBK to discuss the work that Veolia had not carried out, with particular reference to road sweeping, gutter clearing and refuse collection. Our complaint was that the estate received only three or four visits per year, rather than the scheduled fortnightly work. After some discussion, RBK eventually understood that as estate residents pay the Coombe Rate, an additional council tax, we should receive frequent and effective scheduled maintenance. Following the meeting, we requested a full breakdown of all RBK's budgetary items, and liaised with Dominic Aslangul (Waste Services |
|
Manager, RBK) on reducing the amount paid to Veolia. The Accounts Department at RBK informed us that the overall increase for services in 2024-25 is 5.5% except on street sweeping which is 2.5%. The Accounts team added that the savings we have made through our persistence in holding the council accountable for them giving very little service in the first 3 months of the year has paid off. Our work has resulted in residents receiving a reduction on street cleaning, which was amended for the 2023-24 budget as well as the 2024-25 budget. We were also offered an apology. The budgeted £11,000+ having been spent in 2023-24 was reduced to £9,458. The new estimate for 2024-25, which was due to be approximately £11,300, will now become £9,700 which is a significant reduction. However, we know there is still a long way to go and we continue to welcome members' photographs or descriptions of areas that have been neglected. Please do let Amy in the office know: office.mcra@gmail.com Further to our mention of the Rokeby planning application in the last two newsletters, we RBK has still not reached a decision after nearly 11 months.
You can read more about the work we have been doing for members on the following pages. We thank you again for your continued support.
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
Traffic Calming in Warren Road |
|
|
Regular readers of our newsletters and communications will be aware of our two-year long efforts to reinforce calming measures to help stop speeding (often cut-through, unauthorised) traffic on Warren Road. We have also raised this issue at the past two AGMs, mentioning the consultation with RBK and proposals. We reported that RBK carried out speeding surveys on Warren Road, with particular concentration in the north end, and the council are proposing a reprofiling of the existing speed humps plus one addition where there is a dangerous stretch of road. Having met with Matthew Hill (Assistant Director, Highways, Transport and Regulatory Services at RBK) on the estate recently, he will soon provide us with information about the work and will invite residents to provide feedback. |
|
|
Following a successful trial period, we were delighted that Ian McArthur has joined the gatekeeping team full time from this month, carrying out shifts in the mornings and afternoons from Monday to Thursday. Members may be aware that our weekend gatekeeper, Layachi, is away until next month and his replacement - again from Surrey Security - is Sayed Ali. |
|
|
Car Permits 2024-25 (and new logo) |
|
|
Members may notice a new look to the MCRA car permits when they arrive this summer. Permits will be arriving through doors in July. Designed in house, we have refreshed the logo, website and communications materials. We hope you like the new look. |
|
|
A few members have raised concerns about some colour transference from permits to windscreen glass. We apologise for this, and have this year sourced a specially-coated vinyl permit so there will be no colour transference in the future. |
|
|
MCRA Banking & The Annual Contribution |
|
|
We thank those members who have amended their banking details to ensure Annual Contribution payments are made to the below new account. We would be most grateful if any resident who still has a direct debit/standing order in favour of Barclays, could change it to the Lloyds account below. We are pleased to be able to protect the current fee of £40 per household and £200 per organisation for another year, despite rising administrative costs, including an increase to our car permit production. MCRA Annual Contribution Banking Details: Lloyds Bank Sort code: 30-99-50 Account number: 21602763 Account name: Malden & Coombe Residents' Association We would be very grateful to those members who have not yet contributed to the association for 2023-24, if they could do so before 30 June 2024. Your contributions ensure we can continue working on your behalf with RBK and other parties to maintain and improve estate standards. |
|
|
Many members have noticed a worrying amount of fly tipping on the estate, most recently in Edgecoombe Close (pictured). Over months, fly tippers have dumped garden and building waste and general rubbish including a child's stroller. Earlier this year, rubbish was dumped on The Drive (unfortunately as a private road, RBK will not instruct Veolia to remove dumped waste). We have reported all of this to RBK, but we are concerned that as soon as it's removed, fly tippers will repeatedly offend, as the issue appears to be resolved. We are therefore asking any members who have cameras installed either on either their gates or homes to monitor any unusual activity. If any member witness' fly tipping in action, please do take a description of the offender and any vehicle details so that we can also report offenders to the police. To report fly tipping issues, members can also use the I Need To... portal on the RBK website. |
|
|
Housekeeping Notices & Upcoming Events |
|
|
As part of the National Garden Scheme, The Watergardens will be open to the public from 1.30pm on Sunday 28th April. You can read more about the National Garden Scheme here. |
|
|
A member on Ballard Close is seeking 2-3 hours a week for some assistance around the home for her elderly mother. If you know of a cleaner or home help who would like additional hours, please contact Samantha directly: chan_smc@yahoo.co.uk or via her mobile: 07592 607448 |
|
|
A reminder that our local councillors hold their surgery at Warren House on the first Saturday of each month at 10am. Residents are welcome to drop in. More information can be found here. |
|
|
Guidance on how to report issues to RBK |
|
|
Thank you to all our members who have reported issues to RBK. We very much appreciate you using our Guidance. If you do encounter a barrier or have not received a response to your complaint or issue, please do let the office know and we will support your case by chasing the Neighbourhood team. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
