MCRA is pleased to have achieved some progress with maintenance services, welcomes a new central contact at RBK and thanks members for their Annual Contributions, though there are many households yet to contribute. Our latest update covers news from Glendale and Veolia, a licensing planning application, Coombe Rate invoicing, gatekeeper news and more. |
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Glendale Services, RBK and estate maintenance |
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Dear Member We recognise the poor state of maintenance due to dereliction by the contractor Glendale Services, who have not followed the required schedule. As a result, we have had a particularly busy few months with meetings taking place with various teams in Royal Borough of Kingston (RBK) council and Glendale. We are relieved that our perseverance in chasing maintenance work on the estate, has started to pay off - we have received a schedule of work, a specification of exactly what work will be carried out and reassurance that we should see a reduction in our Coombe Rate for work not completed. We are aware that some areas have not yet been tended to, including road cleaning - especially in George Road where school cars are parked all day, a general lack of scavenging, leaf and litter clearing and the cutting back of shrubs and trees. Thank you to those members who have contacted us with images. Please be assured that MCRA will be holding Glendale, RBK and Veolia to their proposed commitment of 45+ visits from March and over the coming 12 months. |
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Veolia Maintenance Issues We are aware of the areas in George Road that still require attention. A member shared with us this image, highlighting the cleaning that is urgently required on the south side of the road. |
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Four Acres Licensing Extension Application |
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Members living in George Road, Stoke Road, Gatehouse Close and The Drive received an application for a variation of premises licence at Four Acres, which would allow alcohol to be served on the premises to non-residents until 2am every day. MCRA will discuss the application in our next committee meeting on Monday 20th March as we are concerned about the extensions. We understand some residents are already in the process of submitting their views. If other members wish to do so, they must address any comments in terms of one of more of the four licensing objectives on the reverse of the letter from RBK. The deadline to reply to the council on this matter is Tuesday 28th March. Residents wishing to respond should write directly to RBK via email, licensing@kingston.gov.uk or via post, Regulatory Services, Licensing Team, Guildhall 2, High Street, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 1EU. MCRA would be happy to receive any comments that members would like included in the wider response we are drafting. |
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Gatekeeping Team & Barrier Update |
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We were delighted to hear from our former gatekeeper, Andrew Campbell, this month. Andrew took early retirement due to a family illness. With family life now stable, he is keen to start back at work with us on a reduced hours basis, and will be joining Martin for two evenings per week. This ensures that we will have cover for at least three evenings per week on Warren Road at Coombe Lane West and Kingston Hill entrances. Simon will continue to join Martin one evening week. Thank you to Simon and welcome back Andrew! |
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Members will be aware that the exit barrier on Warren Road at Coombe Lane West started to malfunction at the beginning of February. On inspection, we were advised that the interior mechanism had come to the end of its useful life and the only solution was to order new parts. Installation of the new parts will take place sometime after 27th March. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to members when exiting the estate. |
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Annual Contribution 2022-23 & the Coombe Rate Charge |
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We are very thankful to members for making the Annual Contribution to MCRA for 2022-23 (and extremely grateful to those who have already paid for 2023-24) helping us to continue the work we do on behalf of all residents on the estate. 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. While we have been particularly busy pushing RBK and Glendale to deal with the general maintenance of the estate and the unravelling of ongoing issues with the Coombe Rate invoicing, we have also had to work around several personnel |
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changes at RBK. This has been a frustrating process, however the council has now established an updated centralised system which we hope will help improve its efficiency. We will continue to keep residents updated in the newsletter and via email.
Annual Contribution payments for 2022-23 can be paid until 30th June 2023. Payments for 2023-24 can be made after 1st July.
If you are yet to make your contribution, you can do so via bank transfer: Barclays Bank Account Name: Malden & Coombe Residents’ Association. Sort Code: 20-46-73, Account No: 80617032 Please use your property name/number and road name as the reference. Cheques should be made payable to Malden & Coombe Residents' Association Ltd and posted to 31 Beechcroft Avenue, New Malden, KT3 3EG. Please add your name/house number on the back of the cheque. |
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Here is the latest breakdown of contributions for 2022-23. |
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We will soon be producing the estate car permits for the upcoming year and these will be delivered to members in the summer. We would therefore be very grateful for any outstanding Annual Contributions to be paid before 1st July. |
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We would like to wish a very speedy and full recovery to committee member Philip Greenhalgh following a serious accident last Autumn. We are looking forward to seeing him on the estate again soon. The committee will be meeting on Monday 20th March. If residents have any issues or concerns they would like to have discussed at the meeting, please email the secretary at the address below before 5.30pm on Monday. We would also welcome hearing from any member who would be interested in joining the committee and the work we do. Please contact us via email: office.mcra@gmail.com |
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We are grateful to affected members, schools and organisations for accommodating the recent filming by Back 2 Black Productions. Filming took place in The Drive and will feature in a bio-pic of the late singer, Amy Winehouse. As before, MCRA requested the company make a contribution to the maintenance of the roads and verges due to damage caused by large filming vehicles. Members may also have seen familiar homes and gardens in other productions over the past few months: Man Vs Bee, The Riches and Gold. |
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Ways to contact us and each other |
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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: |
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