HISTORY AND RECOGNITION

The VRA was formed in early 2003, after a recommendation by Martyn Davies, one of our staunch supporters and advisors. This was also recommended by Andrew Sears who was at that time the solicitor for the VRSG (Village Residents Steering Group). The VRSG had been formed in January 2002 to fight the rise in the service charge from approx £800 to between £3200 (2-bed) and £3400 (3-bed). We took the landlord, Michael Baker-Harber, to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT) and won, the service charge being reduced by some £2000. We also had a survey done of the properties which made recommendations for the next 5 years as to work needed to be done and when.

We have paid the money into the service charge fund but some 2 years later there are still no lifts and the roof is leaking badly in some places. The excess on our insurance is so high it is useless to the people living here. We were also without any insurance for about 16 months yet we had paid for it in our service charge.

In January this year we were, as the recognised VRA, (please see VRA Recognition) served notice that the Landlord's Company, Rowner Estates, were taking us to the LVT for the 'reasonableness' of the latest service charge. We feel there has been little choice but to defend this action as the amount is NOT reasonable for the work that has been done.

A diary has been kept of work carried out but apart from some painting (in non-estate colours) and grass-cutting, there is little evidence of much else and there have been continuous and numerous complaints, for example, about vomit and dog-foul left for some weeks!

During 2003 and after the election of the then chairman there was concern from some members of the then committee at the lack of information passed to the rest of the committee. There was also a surprise as a thank you to Michael Baker-Harber was added to the webpage. The question was asked as to why he should be thanked and the reply at a meeting was that it was private and personal!

We have also been accused of forcing Mr Fernie and his daughter Ms Jessop from the committee (- please see an extract of a letter from Mr G Fernie sent to the LVT on 1 April 2004. PAF2.doc ). This is untrue and we have a letter from an independent witness stating that Ms Jessop and Mr Fernie walked out saying they had resigned along with one other committee member. The meeting in fact continued, as everyone present will remember, and Mr Burt took the Chair by popular request. The present committee were subsequently elected - a list of members can be seen under 'Feedback.'

We believe that we should ALL be working together to benefit EVERYONE on our estate, unhelpful and incorrect information works against ALL residents