1. How long has the Chalklands Residents’ Association (CRA) been in existence?
The Chalklands estate was built by a local property developer, A D Jameson, who owned the land and sold the houses as they were completed. Work started in the 1930s and finished in the 1970s.
The history of its ownership and the responsibility for its upkeep can be found on the website. www.chalklands.uk
The current CRA was established in 2003 to improve and maintain the road and pathways and to foster the growth of community spirit among the residents of the estate.
2. Is membership of the residents’ association compulsory?
All existing and any new residents are deemed to be members of the Chalklands Community and are considered to be members of the CRA
.
3. Does the CRA have a Constitution?
Yes, this can be accessed via the website: –
https://chalklands.uk/management/chalklands-residents-association-2003-constitution-and-rules
4. How is the Committee chosen?
The Officers and Committee are elected by the residents at the Annual General Meeting.
5. Who deals with the day to day running of the Association?
The committee, together with any additional volunteer or professional help as needed.
6. How Is the CRA funded?
The Association is funded by a yearly subscription paid on a per household basis.
7. What does the money pay for?
- Public Liability Insurance – paid annually
- The rolling resurfacing programme (see question 15)
- Regular road maintenance, sweeping etc carried out by volunteers
- Professional annual drain cleaning ( this is not covered by the Council)
- Road signage
- Maintenance of the bollards
- Regular maintenance of the 3 communal grass areas / bulb planting, tree pruning. The grass verges in front of each property are the responsibility of the individual home owners.
- The annual website hosting fee for https://chalklands.uk
- Regular e-mails and printed newsletters sent to all residents
- Neighbourhood Watch alerts
- Annual General Meeting organisation
- General admin costs which are kept to a minimum
8. Is any public liability insurance in place for the private road?
Yes, the CRA has public liability insurance for the road. A copy may be obtained on request from the Chairman.
9.. Who decides the level of the annual subscription?
This is voted on at the AGM by the residents and has increased over the years to meet the rising costs of road resurfacing, insurance and general maintenance. The current subscription was unanimously agreed at the most recent AGM.
10. What is the current subscription?
The requested contribution in 2024 is £120 per household.
11. Will this rise next year?
This will be discussed at the AGM and may rise if inflation has increased the costs we incur such as maintenance and road works.
12. When is the annual payment due?
We request that payment is made in February each year. The timing was chosen because Council Tax is not collected in this month.
13. How much is currently held in the Association’s fund?
The funds held vary over time depending on how recently any large expenses for road improvement have been paid. We are currently growing the amount held in order to pay for the final part of the resurfacing which we aim to complete in 2025.
14. Do all households within Chalklands contribute?
In 2023 94% of households contributed to the funds.
15. What works are planned to the private road and pavements managed
by the CRA over the next few years and will the funds held, and further contributions to be made, be sufficient to cover all works proposed/planned?
The Committee does not authorise expense of any kind unless there are sufficient funds in the account to cover the totality of the cost.
In 2023 we finished a third road resurfacing programme for the 120 metres section from the T-junction up towards no.60.The final section of resurfacing to the roundabout is planned to take place in 2025/26 when sufficient funds have been collected.
Individual homeowners paid separately for the pavements and driveways in front of their properties to be upgraded as part of a collaborative project.
16. Is a resident entitled to a refund if they no longer live in Chalklands?
The contributions are a permanent donation to the CRA and not refundable.
17. Does the CRA organise social events?
Yes, there are a number of social events throughout the year organised by the CRA committee supported by many other volunteers. The events are all self funding.
18. Is there a Neighbourhood Watch scheme?
The CRA is affiliated with the local Neighbourhood Watch scheme and a designated committee member receives relevant alerts. These are passed on to residents by email and the website.
Queries specific to potential purchasers/new owners
What are the requirements of the CRA on a change of ownership?
None specifically. We welcome all new owners.
A welcome pack is given to all new home owners.
Can the Association confirm that any payments due from the existing
owners of the Chalklands property are paid up to date?
Yes, the committee Treasurer will have this information which can be
obtained by contacting the Chairman.
Document written by the CRA Committee January 2024
