Update from Comer Property Management

Leisure Centre holiday closing

The Leisure Centre will be closed on 25th and 26th December and on New Year's Day.

Service charge accounts

The accounts are being posted to all leaseholders within the next 24 hours.

Snow clearing at RCP

A BIG thank you to the Comer staff that yesterday bore the cold and cleared all roads and paths in the development of snow so residents could safely go about their business.  They truly did an amazing job.

Courtesy Bus

The courtesy bus will operate a normal service this evening.  Steve is back.

Igloo

Phase 4 planning application being submitted for igloo shortly.

Courtesy Bus

The courtesy bus will not be operating first thing tomorrow in view of the weather conditions.  Further information will be posted on the website when the schedule is clearer.

Broken tree outside JFK House

All, a tree has broken under the weight of snow outside JKF House and come down on a car Can we ask all residents who park under trees to make sure that their car is not in danger of the same fate!

Nigel Jarvis RCP RA H&S

Halloween

There was a big turnout for the now traditional RCP Halloween night of trick or treating. 

Once again RCP provided a fabulous environment for a load of excitable kids to run around knocking on doors.

Thank you to all who provided treats for the various skeletons, ghosts, ghouls, Dracula, storm trooper and Harry Potter.

Halloween - Trick or Treat

Hello RCP Residents,

Halloween is only just over a week away and I am hoping to repeat last year’s successful RCP Trick or Treating for any children, grandchildren or friends that would like to join a big group.

It worked very well last year, getting all the kids together, and making sure we were only knocking on doors of residents who wanted to hand out treats.

So please could you reply to halloween@rcpresidents.org if either:

1. You would like to join the group

2. You're happy to have a large number of children knock on your door on the 31st.

I suggest meeting in the quad at 6:30 to set off at 6:40.  

Regards,

Ian Burgoyne

Leisure Centre

We understand from Comer Property Management that a compressor on the air con/ventilation has broken.  The pool area remains open but there will be an increase in humidity.

PLEASE: Will all residents take care to respect the rubbish and recycling bins

Hertsmere Council has imposed the revised rubbish and recycling collection dates on us and there is no point trying to blame anyone else if the new scheduling has created problems.  Although there are some rubbish bins which are full to overflowing, there are plenty of others around the estate which are not.  A two minute walk to another bin area will almost certainly solve your immediate problem.

On the other hand, if you put non-recyclable rubbish in the recycling bins, as some of our less considerate neighbours have been doing, you will make matters much worse because the Council will not take contaminated bins as part of the normal collections.  Instead, they will impose significant extra costs for making special collections.  This is not in any of our interests.

Please use your commonsense while we get through the teething problems with the new schedule and don't make matters worse just to save a short walk to one of the other bin areas.

Online petition - deadline approaching!

With nearly 700 signatures so far, let's push on to 1,000 before the petition is submitted to Hertsmere on Monday.  It takes a matter of seconds to sign the online petition here so please make every effort to do so asap.

General meeting report

There was an excellent turnout for our meeting last night with over 50 residents in attendance.

The resolution to change the name to Royal Connaught Park (Phase One) Residents' Association was passed, as were other amendments to the rules.  This means that the Residents' Association is now formally approved by Comer which will give us important additional rights in our dealings with them over service charges and other matters.

The subsequent session to discuss the Phase Three planning application was lively and thought provoking.  The importance of individual objections was stressed and all members and other residents were encouraged to submit their views to Hertsmere as soon as possible (ie within the next few days since the closing date is 6 October at the latest).  Please note there are two planning applications - one for Phase 3 and one for the conversion of the Chapel.  Please object to both.

There is an online process, details of which have already been distributed to residents.  The relevant web page may be found here and the planning references are 17/1752/FUL and 17/1785/FUL, but anyone in any doubt about what to do should contact chairman@rcpresidents.org for further guidance.  It is important to make sure that objections are founded on valid planning matters otherwise they will be ignored.

The final planning meeting of the Council will take place at 6pm on 9 November and the public is allowed to attend.  A strong representation from RCP will be important to show our strength of feeling.  Further details will be published on the website nearer the time.

Today's meeting

The meeting due to take place this evening to discuss the issues arising from Comer Homes' application for a Phase 3 development at Royal Connaught Park is now restricted to residents only.  Invitations had been issued to allow interested local residents to attend as our guests so that they could share their views on the local traffic situation and their concerns about the wider community impact of the proposed development.  Comer has informed us that they will not consent to the use of communal facilities within RCP for this purpose and have insisted that we withdraw invitations previously made.  We are sorry for any inconvenience which may have been caused.  Note: Comer has subsequently explained that they were unable to make the necessary health and safety arrangements in time to allow visitors to attend the meeting.

Petition against Phase 3

Please sign the online petition against Phase 3 to reinforce our arguments to Hertsmere Council.  This is not restricted just to members of the association, so please forward to anyone who is interested in the issues.  The link to the petition may be found here .

Dates for the diary!

A general meeting of the Residents' Association will be held in the Dining Hall on Tuesday, 26 September, at 7pm.  All members are welcome to attend.

Following the formal business, an open meeting for all residents will be held at 7.30pm to discuss Comer's planning application for Phase 3 and our response.  Please make every effort to attend.

If you are not a member of the Residents' Association and would like to join, please follow the link on the right for a membership application form.

All residents should have received an invitation from SP Broadway, a consultancy firm acting on behalf of Comer Homes, to an exhibition of the Phase 3 development proposals to take place in the sales office in JFK between 4pm and 7pm on Thursday, 28 September.

Dining Hall - Please note

There has been a number of instances recently where residents have left the Dining Hall doors open after exiting the Leisure Centre.  Will everyone please make sure that the doors are kept shut at all times. 

Tennis fun tournament Sunday 18th September 2017

The event saw 15 very keen tennis players turn out for a highly competitive and fun tournament.  12 Adults and 3 children competed in a doubles round robin competition until we had a winner.  Food and drinks were provided by Debbie Naylor and her team to whom I am very grateful.

Approximately 25 spectators had arrived by the time the semi-final was held between Santiago, Tony and Vanessa, with Katy joining in to make sure the match came up to an exhibition level.  This led to a final between Tony and Santiago that Tony won narrowly.

Tony was presented with the inaugural Comer Tennis cup and Kush with the junior cup.  The Cup will be on display in the Health Spa.shortly.

Thank you to all those that came along and supported  this event .

Simon Spalter

Old Boys' Reunion

This coming Saturday the Old Masonians Association are holding their Annual Dinner in Bushey to mark the 40th Anniversary of the School's closure in 1977.  During the afternoon Comer has allowed access to the grounds so you may see some of the Old Boys walking around and taking stock of all the changes that have taken place since they left school.

To all dog owners at RCP:-

For the second time in a few weeks the blue newspaper bins behind Devonshire House and opposite JFK and Windsor Houses have been contaminated when dog-owning residents [or just one] put bags of dog faeces through the slot into the bin. 

The collectors then refuse to clear the bin as they have again today. 


It is unacceptable that the vast majority of responsible dog owners who live here are labelled by this irresponsible, misguided and uncaring behaviour. If you are that dog-owner please amend your actions and walk just a metre further into the bin area to deposit your dog's mess correctly in a very large blue bin with a black lid.

Leisure Centre

Comer Property Management has asked us once again to publicise the requirement for all residents to sign in when using the Leisure Centre.  This is an essential safety precaution which is being flouted on a daily basis.

Further update on the dogs ....

Comer has not yet responded to our letter complaining about the security dogs.  Accordingly, we have contacted the Police to establish the correct procedure should they become loose again.

If anyone feels physically threatened by the dogs, they should dial 999 because it is an emergency.

If the dogs are simply roaming loose and no one feels directly threatened, then you can call the non-emergency number 101, but it is unlikely that any immediate support will be available.  The matter will likely be referred to the Council Dog Warden.

Security dogs again!

We have been informed by a resident that the two security dogs have escaped again this evening (Friday) and are roaming around the estate.  This is unacceptable and contrary to assurances we have received on more than one occasion from Comer.  The security man at the gate appears unable to take any action.  We have been told in the past that the dogs are not a threat, but if any resident encounters them and feels threatened, then the only course left open to us is to phone the police.

Courtesy Bus - Update

Comer Property Management has asked us to publicise the following information regarding usage of the courtesy bus.

"Please note that the bus is for going to the train station between the hours of 7am – 10am & 4pm – 8pm.  

Between the hours of 11am – 2pm the bus is for the shopping run into Watford only.  No hospital, dentist or trips to other places."

We understand that the gaps in service are designed to allow the drivers to have a rest period.

New Committee

There was a very good turnout of members at the AGM yesterday.  The results of the Committee election were announced and the following were elected to serve until the conclusion of the next AGM.

Laurence Brass
Simon Golz
Nigel Goss
Pauline Hewgill
Nigel Jarvis
Debbie Naylor
David Pollock
Trevor Sherling
David Sweetland
Bulent Yalcin

For the time being, Trevor Sherling remains Chairman, Nigel Goss, Secretary, and David Pollock, Treasurer.  They can be contacted by email to chairman@rcpresidents.org, secretary@rcpresidents.org and treasurer@rcpresidents.org.

Annual General Meeting - Reminder

The Annual General Meeting of the Royal Connaught Park Residents’ Association will be held in the Dining Hall at Royal Connaught Park on 10 May 2017 at 7.30pm.

1ST ANNUAL TENNIS TOURNAMENT

One of our members, Simon Spalter, is organisinig a tennis tournament ( Adult and Child ) from June onwards with a finals day and fun doubles tournament on Sunday 15^th September  with food and drink

Matches will be played at the RCP Tennis Centre .

If you would like to join in, please let Simon know which tournament you would like to enter.

Adult- Men / Women or Joint.                         Child under 18 : Boys and Girls or Joint

Singles and or doubles.                                      Or just one draw for everyone?

We could hold the tournament/tournaments on a handicapped basis .

If you have a tennis rating please advise.

Simon will then draw entries based on demand.

Please email back by 5th May.

If anyone needs to brush up their tennis ahead of matches please let Simon know.

The tournament entry will be free of charge. There will be a small charge for the finals day to include food, drinks , trophies and tennis balls.

We hope many of you will join in.

Please notify your interest to tennis@rcpresidents.org

Google Maps

If you haven't looked at the Google Maps view of our development, it's well worth doing so.  You can now see 3D views of the site which are quite stunning.  Just go to Google Maps, pick the satellite view and then choose the 3D option.  It's a bit fiddly working out how to move around but using Ctrl + Mouse allows you to get a view as if you were in a helicopter.

Leisure and Sporting Activities @ RCP

Aquarobics

Two sessions are held each week:

Mondays and Fridays: 8am to 9am

Please contact Liz on 07973 862835 if you’d like to join either of these classes.  Newcomers are always welcome.

Pilates:

Two classes are held each week:

Tuesday: 7.30pm

Saturday: 9.30am

Please contact Candy on 07715 656152 for further details.  Classes are limited to 8 participants but more classes can be arranged if there is more interest than places available.

Tennis:

Katy Spalter (Level 2 LTA Tennis coach) is pleased to offer tennis lessons to adults and juniors.  Please contact her on 07415 860760 for further details if you are interested.

Car drivers - Please Note!

There is still a small number of residents who persistently disregard the speed limits around the estate.  They are there for a reason, our safety, and we really don't want an accident before the lesson is learned.

The Gatehouse beside the entrance in The Avenue is now occupied and we should be respectful as we enter and leave the estate.  There really shouldn't be any reason to use your car horn and especially late at night after 10pm.  Surely you can find a better way of handling your frustration if you have to wait a moment or two longer than you would like to gain access.

Bus and bicycles!

Update from RCP Residents’ Association at the request of Comer Property Management

Bicycles

Helen Eames has today tagged bicycles which do not show the owner’s name.  They will be removed on 22 March unless the owner makes contact with Helen to confirm their ownership and then makes sure the bicycle is tagged or marked with their name.

Courtesy bus

The courtesy bus will not be running between 10am and 4pm on Friday (3 March), Monday and Tuesday (6 and 7 March).

Property issues

Comer Property Management has asked us to publicise the following issues:

Parking

In order to improve security and to enable parking restrictions around the estate to be enforced more effectively, residents will in future be expected to display their RCP permits on their car windscreens.

Abandoned bicycles

There is a large number of what appear to be abandoned bicycles and scooters which are taking up valuable space in the bike racks, especially around Windsor House.  Any bicycles or scooters which are not marked clearly with their owners' name (as requested by Comer a while ago) are liable to be removed without further notice.  Action on this will commence next Wednesday (1 March).  You have been warned!

Dogs

All dogs need to be kept on leads in and around the buildings.  Owners must clear up after their dogs throughout the whole estate, including on the fields!

Leisure Centre

A few residents are using the Leisure Centre as a short cut without recording their presence in the signing-in book or shutting the external doors properly.  This is in breach of our insurance regulations and must not happen.

Underground car park

All cabinets and lockers need permission from the freeholder and must be fire-proof and small enough that their car can still park within the white lines marking the space.

Finally, on a more positive note, we understand that three new benches will be installed around the development in the coming weeks.

Further update on the dogs!

We have now received confirmation from Comer Homes that the security dogs have been removed permanently from the site.

Dangerous dogs update

We have now confirmed that the dogs concerned were indeed security dogs kept on the secured part of the new development.  When a similar incident happened a few weeks ago, the resident involved was assured that the dogs would in future be tethered at all times.  We await an explanation as to why this hasn't happened given the obvious danger to residents.

Comer Homes has acknowledged that they are primarily responsible for the control of the dogs, rather than Helen Eames and Comer Property Management, and we have been assured that the matter will be addressed as a matter of urgency.

Dangerous Dogs - Safety Notice

Late last night one of our residents was out on the estate near the entrance to the underground car park walking his dogs when he was confronted by two aggressive Alsatian type dogs which were roaming loose.  Although it was a nasty situation, fortunately the confrontation did not develop beyond a stand-off.

An email was immediately sent to Comer Property Management at 11.27pm last night informing them that it seemed probable that two of their security dogs had been involved in this incident and requiring their urgent attention to make sure this situation was resolved.  However, despite the obvious urgency of the situation, we have had no formal response from Comer.  We have heard informally however that the dogs did indeed belong to Comer and this may not have been the first time an incident such as this has occurred.

This situation is wholly unacceptable for residents and we will expect Comer to give us an apology and firm undertaking that it will never happen again.  Until we receive this, we advise all residents to be aware of this threat and to inform Security (07923 842198) immediately if there is any recurrence.

Comer Property Management - latest news

The gate on the pedestrian entrance to the underground car park has finally been fixed.  The code will be distributed by email to Residents' Assocation members shortly, but if any other residents need the code please let me know and I will forward it on to you (webmaster@rcpresidents.org).

The new security arrangements on the front gate announced at the recent RA meeting are being introduced this week.

Comer has agreed in principle to introduce charging points for electric cars.  This is encouraging news, but as yet we don't have any further details.

Benches are going to be placed near the tennis courts.

Various issues

Underground car park

The side gate has been fixed and has a new key pad.  Comer Property Management will be sending out a letter shortly to everyone who has access to the car park, but if anyone needs the code urgently, they should contact Helen Eames.  The gate can be opened from inside the car park simply by pressing the release button.

Bicycle racks

It appears that a number of bicycles have been left behind by former residents in some of the bicycle racks around the development.  Would everyone therefore please label their bikes clearly so that Comer can attempt to identify bicycles which do not belong to current residents.  Unmarked bicycles will be at risk of being removed.

Dining hall doors

Anyone using the side doors to exit from the Dining Hall should take care to ensure that the door is closed firmly behind them.  We have had a number of recent instances where the door has been left open and security compromised.

Note of meeting

A note of the informal meeting held on Wednesday can be found here.  The meeting was well attended by residents although we had to wrap up well to keep warm.  Let's hope the temperature is a bit higher for the AGM when that comes around!

The Chairman (Trevor Sherling) addresses the meeting

Meeting tomorrow

Just a reminder that we have our first Residents' Association meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7.30 in the Dining Hall.  Although it is for Members only, we are keen to encourage everyone to join so any non-members who would like to come along should do so - as long as you bring your cheque made payable to RCP Residents' Assocation for the £25 membership fee, you will be most welcome!

RCP Residents' Association Meeting - 11th January 2017

To all Members of the Royal Connaught Park Residents’ Association

There will be a meeting for all members of the Residents’ Association to be held in the Dining Hall at 7.30pm on January 11^th.  This will be an informal meeting to provide an opportunity for members to meet the new Committee and to discuss how to approach some of the more pressing issues of the moment.  These include concerns about security, Comer’s failure to provide information about how our service charges are being spent, and the need for greater responsiveness and communication from Comer Property Management when things go awry or need fixing.

Our Chairman had scheduled a meeting before Christmas with Robert Sheppard, who is Comer’s main contact for matters affecting the development, but unfortunately this had to be cancelled at short notice.  The meeting will be re-arranged for an early date.

The Committee does not intend to carry on any formal business at the meeting on January 11^th since this will be reserved for the Association’s first AGM which is due to be held in May, by which time we hope to have a better indication of Comer’s approach to our concerns.

RCP Residents’ Association Committee

Comer Property Management