REPORTS FROM THE RECORDER & ADVERTISING RATES
The Riddlesdown Recorder
On Line
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
PLANNING ADVICE ON
USEFUL LOCAL INFORMATION & LINKS
Information on Local Healthcare, Leisure,
Transport -
Community Page
(Things to do, join and help with)
ABOUT THE
RIDDLESDOWN
RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
ABOUT RIDDLESDOWN
AND ITS COMMON
RRA AGM Minutes
AGM 2021
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE
RIDDLESDOWN RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (RRA)
Held on: 12 May 2021 at 7.30pm
At: Online by Zoom
Apologies were received from: Cllr Simon Brew and Brendan O’Brien.
Sanderstead Ward Councillors Lynne Hale and Yvette Hopley and Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown Councillors Helen Redfern and Simon Hoar, also attended the meeting.
The meeting was opened by Brian Longman, RRA Chairman who then introduced and welcomed the guest speaker, local resident James Daglish.
Minutes of the previous AGM (2019)
The Chairman ran through the minutes from the last AGM (note -
Action items:
The Association had managed to procure a Public Address system – now available for use, although not required for this AGM
Litter picking – hope to resume in the autumn.
Paul Meakin Estate Agents are now supporting the E-
Treasurers Report overview (appended in full at the end)
The Treasurer Linda Bevin presented the accounts for 2018/19
Small surplus for the year £181.99
Woodland appeal is just over half of the total -
No questions from the floor.
Linda presented the accounts for 2019/20
No subscription or advertising income – just parking fine refund and compensation.
Only expenditure was donation to East Surrey Transport Committee.
Small surplus for the year -
£48,233.60 total at end.
Brian thanked Linda. Accounts have been audited by a qualified accountant.
John Rapp proposed acceptance of accounts, seconded by Keith Powell.
No proposed subscription for this year (2021). There was a small surplus for the last two years, but only because of bank compensation. There would have been a deficit if not for that. We have looked at subscriptions and concluded that it should rise to £5 in 2022. This is similar to other RAs. A move to Standing Order method of collection from 2022 wherever possible is needed. To be investigated during the coming year and discussed and ratified at the next AGM.
Chairman’s Report
Busy year despite the lockdown. Lots of work for Phil Thomas on Planning -
Riddlesdown Avenue – new flats and houses at ends of gardens – leading to a lack of privacy. Some planning conditions not yet discharged. Money paid by developers has not yet been used by the Council for the intended purpose of access road upgrade.
Many developments of 7, 8 and 9 flats – to avoid affordable housing. Now an appeal for 21 flats in place of a single detached house in Riddlesdown Rd.
Some victories but overall trend is that the majority of applications are approved. Requires more emphasis on quality of the design. Pressure on the infrastructure e.g. flooding at Riddlesdown Station near bridge. Sewage coming up in peoples’ gardens.
City of London – parking charges on Riddlesdown Common car park brought in, in January. The Association objected to the City of London but we were ignored. Understand the need for revenue, but question the logic. Effect has been for the traffic to move into the residential roads. Now find that dog-
Setting up a film club in the Goddard Room – try again after the pandemic.
The RRA need more people (with energy!) to join the committee. Lost two people from the committee – one retired after 45 years, another moved away. Fun day discontinued due to insufficient committee numbers/volunteers to man the event. Residents’ views welcome.
Purley Panel – Purley should be the natural hub for Riddlesdown – used to have a cinema but now people go to Oxted rather than Croydon. Consultation carried out a few months ago – ideas such as pedestrianising Purley High Street.
Questions from the floor
Michael Hill – used to be a café on Common about 40 years ago. Correct.
Brian – suggestion of a children’s area where dogs have to be on a lead.
Election of Committee
Phil Thomas thanked Brian for his work as Chairman and nominated him as Chairman. Seconded by Michael. Hill. Unanimously approved.
Brian nominated Linda Bevin as Treasurer – Seconded by Phil Thomas. Unanimously approved.
Rest of committee en bloc – proposed by Brian, seconded by the Lesters. Unanimously approved.
Other Committee members;
Berni Munt -
Phil Thomas -
John Rapp -
Keith Powell -
Neil Tarrant -
Frankie Wheeler -
John Placek -
Janice Kedwards
Jan Powell
Any Other Business
Cllr Helen Redfern advised the Council's community budgets are back for this year but down from £7k to £2k pa. Have to be more careful given the lower amount. Also St. Edmunds – being refurbished and a new weekly service on Wednesdays to be launched. Brian welcomed its return.
Phil Thomas advised there is now a new formed Croydon Association of Residents Associations (CARA) with members from about 17 local RAs in the Borough who discuss many things, but primarily about planning issues in the Borough. The London Plan 2021 is now adopted.
Nicola Hunt – Riddlesdown Common – not all owned by CofL. Do we have links with other landowners? Brian responded we do with some.
Brian thanked Bill Whitmarsh for his support over the last 45 years as a committee member. Bill has been a good committee member, always there when needed. He ‘played’ Santa at the Children’s Xmas party. A full tribute to Bill will be paid in the next Recorder magazine.
Brian also said Riddlesdown now need new ideas like the Play Streets in Westfield Avenue.
We would also welcome new members on the committee.
Guest Speaker
James Daglish a local resident and solicitor gave an overview of Restrictive Covenants (RCs) for 14 Mitchley Avenue, and 141 Brancaster Lane that he has been researching and the extent of the Mitchley Wood Estate. Most RC’s – only allow one dwelling on the land and he is consulting with a barrister. There is mixed case law on the subject. He has a pack of information available and will forward to the committee. Cllr Yvette Hopley advised that Heather Lindsay (Sanderstead RA Chair) has input on other local RCs. She can share information.
Appendix;
Treasurers report (Linda Bevin) 2019
No AGM held last year due to COVID pandemic so 2019 being reported one year late.
Income down overall.
Expenditure almost level with previous year (up £24)
Overall a small surplus over the year of £181.89.
Treasurers report 2020
An unusual year for the Association. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic the decision was made not to deliver the Recorder Magazine or to collect cash from residents. Therefore, there is no subscription income or advertising revenue. Nor are there any print costs.
Income total £325
Expenditure
An inexpensive year with only £10 being spent – a reduced subscription to the East Surrey Transport Committee.
Overall a surplus of £315.00.
Looking to the Future
No subs will be collected in 2020. Although there has been no children’s Christmas party or Riddlesdown Recorder the committee have continued to work hard, especially on planning matters and dealing with banking issues.
The Association has had surpluses the last two years only thanks to compensation in respect of complaints from Lloyds bank. The Treasurer sincerely hopes this will not be repeated.
The subscription rate has stayed the same at £3 per household for several years. The committee feel the time is right to raise the subscription to £5 in 2022– particularly as then we will have been two years without subscription income. It is also worth noting that other local RAs typically charge at least £5.
The pandemic has also brought home the need for us to move to a standing order subscription where possible. It would make sense for the increase and this change to go hand in hand.
Minutes taken by Berni Munt