February 2024 Newsletter

Hi Everyone,

Please find below an update on Estate-related matters. We hope it’s helpful.

Security: CCTV & ANPR

As you will know, a great deal of work has gone into the implementation of the Estate’s CCTV and ANPR in recent months. Soon, we will send out a separate communication detailing some of this work, further analysis and our recommendations going forwards.

Lighting

Our planning application for 8 additional streetlights has now been submitted to Elmbridge Borough Council and is live on their website (application 2023/3328). If you live nearby to a proposed light, you will already have been consulted by the management team and will shortly be contacted directly by the council for comment. We would appreciate your support in delivering this improvement to the Estate.

Gates

All planned works to make our gates “safety compliant”, as well as other recommended repairs and improvements identified during last year’s survey are now complete.

Roads

Road sweeps are booked for Saturday 24th February and Saturday 23rd March. As usual, please could all residents make sure their cars and wheelie bins are off the roads to ensure we get the best results achievable from the sweep. You may also have noticed that all road markings have been refreshed in recent weeks.

Drains

As reported in our last newsletter, last year’s CCTV survey of the Estate drainage system identified multiple problems with the condition of our drains. We subsequently set about putting a plan in place to rectify the deterioration and damage, but have recently become aware of an ownership issue regarding the rainwater sewers.

We have appointed a drains specialist to guide us forward with these issues and they have engaged, on our behalf, with Thames Water and Surrey County Council to resolve the problems and create a multi-year, multi-staged programme identifying and prioritising the worst areas to be addressed first. Once we have determined the best way forward, we will share it with you noting the likelihood the improvements will stretch beyond the 2024 budget request.

Trees & Verges

The annual planned tree works were substantially completed by Mark Lindsey in January and included work to address recent storm damage and the planting of 9 new trees. Sixteen old stumps were also removed.

Finances

By the due date of 1st January 2024, 64% of annual contributions had been received. By the end of January, 100% had been collected. Thank you all.

Following the most recent OWRA Board meeting, the draft 2023 accounts have been approved by the directors and will now go to the Independent Examiner. The next task is setting the 2024 budget for approval at the AGM.

Communications

Please can we request that residents keep their dogs on leads within the Estate to minimise the potential for safety issues and uncollected dog foul.

Best wishes,

The OWRA Board.