Our Action
By Nige
on Tue 25 Jun 2024
at 16:11
Type: Page
TDRA will use this page to evidence the action that we are taking in support of Our Plan and to explain the significance of these actions.
1. Reinvigoration of the Elected Committee!
The Elected Committee had not met for months, under the impression that we were in a holding pattern awaiting VWHDC making resource available to restart work on handover.
Now we are on a mission: we have met for the first time in a long time; we have developed a way forward; and we plan to take no prisoners.
2. Requested Information from VWHDC
VWHDC is the only party that really knows what has happened over the past 9 months or so. So, we have reached out to them requesting specific information about the Certificate that has been issued and the implications this will have on the way forward. DONE.
They have already referred some of this request to the VWHDC Freedom Of Information (FOI) team.
3. Engagement with Residents
This is the most important element of TDRA: keeping everyone informed about what’s going on. We have informed everyone through the Facebook group and through updates to the RA’s website.
We held vote number 1, which was simply an expression of interest in the outcome of handover. We used Facebook and engaged other residents (that have not signed up to Facebook) about this vote too. DONE.
We held vote number 2, which was a question about whether residents wanted FirstPort to take over as Estate Manager after handover was completed. DONE.
We held vote number 3, which was a focused on whether residents wanted an EGM to be organised as soon as possible. DONE.
We don’t always get the communications side of running an RA right first time, so we are always keen to hear from residents as to how we can do things better.
4. Engagement of Other Stakeholders
TDRA has been in contact with Soha, as a significant homeowner on the development, it’s important they understand what we are trying to achieve and how we plan to deliver. Soha will also have a big part to play in voting. DONE.
We have also been in contact with the Parish Council; partly to find out what they may have known about the actions VWHDC had been taking and to request a regular slot on the agenda of monthly parish meetings. DONE.
5. Preparation of News Articles
Our first article focused on the disappointing news about VWHDC initiating the handover process without engaging with residents. Although this starts with a negative, we end the story with how we want to move forward and help all parties learn lessons. DONE.
Our second article focused on the response from Bloor Homes to the residents votes. DONE.
These have been circulated to a number of local media organisations including BBC South West, the Oxford based papers, Round and About and the Drayton Chonicle.
Further stories/articles will be developed to expand on our plans for taking control of our own destiny.
6. Engagement of a New Governance Team
A group of residents is now overseeing the work being undertaken by TDRA. Daily emails are issued with progress updates and the governance team has the opportunity to ask questions, make suggestions and even object to the approach being taken. DONE.
7. Engagement with Potential Managing Agents/Estate Managers
We have prepared an Invitation to Tender (ITT) and a Requirements Document (RD) for managing the Public Open Space (POS). This has formed the basis of running a tender process, inviting potential Managing Agents/Estate Managers to submit proposals and quotes for maintaining the POS on behalf of the Management Company (MC). ON GOING.
More details on this can be found on Our New Managing Agent.
8. Discussions with Bloor Homes Ltd
Further discussions have been initiated to aim at securing agreement to hold an EGM in the near future to allow Resident Directors to be appointed. This is the key event which allows residents to take control of the MC – DONE.
This has now been superseded by agreeing a handover plan with Bloor Homes and FirstPort.
More details on this can be found on Our Timeline.
