Lace Hill Residents Association meeting

I attended the LHRA meeting last night which must have attracted at least 70 people to the sports hall at the Town Council's Sports and Community Centre on Lace Hill. It was an excellent meeting, well led by Joëlle Jones and Petula Boddy who talked people carefully through the detailed agenda of items.

Frankly, there is a huge amount to manage as it would appear that the developers are just a little bit reticent, shall we say, to fix all the problems with the public (and probably domestic too) areas of the estate. Fortunately the LHRA is now going from strength to strength with several new committee members joining in recent weeks. But there is a big task ahead. The LHRA needs all the support it can get.

The core challenge they face is to ensure that when management of the estate is handed over to the new Management Company (which the residents will be paying a premium for - and have the opportunity to become directors / shareholders of) - that the public areas are handed over in a fit state. If not, then the residents of the estate will be paying for improvements over many years that the developers should have put in place first off.

This is no mean challenge. I said that various levels of local government were here to help and mentioned all the councillors able to offer assistance: all the Town Council, Cllr Charlie Clare (Buckinghamshire County Council - who was present last night), Cllr Robin Stuchbury (District Councillor - who gave his apologies as he had some family matters which required his attention) and Cllr Howard Mordue (District Councillor). I also explained the importance of understanding what each council does. This link gives that information.

I suggested that they needed 'snagging wardens' for each small collection of properties to collate all the issues that need to be resolved before the estate management is handed over.

Meanwhile here are some links to bodies that might also be able to help:

• National Organisation of Residents Associations
• Residents Associations in the UK
• Federation of Private Residents’ Associations

One or more of those might be able to help with providing ideas on how to manage the transition from others who have just come through it.

Meanwhile, here is a pic of the room, before everyone came (extra chairs had to be found). And below is a copy of the newsletter that the committee are now distributing on the estate. I wish them all the very best and remain on standby, happy to help.