News

April Updates

Highways Update

Bellway have confirmed that the speed cushions installed a couple of months ago were done so in line with Highways requirements i.e. style & location.  Whilst white arrows used to be painted onto these kind of speed cushions, these are apparently no longer used. Ultimately, Bellway have followed the instruction of Highways who will be adopting the roads later this year.

Final handover of the roads to Highways is now expected during the summer subject to some further work in relation to Land Registration and Drainage Vesting being completed. Bellway have confirmed that they will undertake a further ‘de-weeding’ of roads and paths before final adoption.

Parking

A reminder that all residents are bound by the Parking Regulation that was agreed via EGM in May 2021. This specifically requires no parking on raised pavements, no blocking of accessways, no parking on any soft verge and no commercial vehicles other than on private driveways. The details of the regulation can be found HERE.

Litter Bins

It is important that the black litter bins that are situated across the development are not used for normal household waste or recycling. We are again finding large amounts of household  waste in bins and indeed we have video evidence of someone transporting a large bag full of such waste and filling up the bin next to the bus stop on Brassie Wood (as well as leaving items next to it). This is technically fly-tipping.

If costs increase as a result of bins being damaged or because more collections are required to prevent the bins from over-flowing, everyone will ultimately bear that cost.

Dog Fouling

There appears to be an increase of dog fouling across the development. Yesterday a male in a grey hoody was observed taking his dog onto the Nursery area ground specifically to let his dog foul and there have been many other instances of people walking along our grass verges and allowing their dogs to do the same.

Dog owners have a legal duty to clean up every time their dog messes in a public place. The law states that being unaware a dog has fouled or not having a suitable bag is not a reasonable excuse. There are plenty of dog-waste bins across the development so there is no excuse to leave it.

We have to accept that we have a lot of ‘through traffic’ across our area however if you witness dog fouling, please report it to Chelmsford City Council either by ringing 01245 606606 and asking for ‘Dog Wardens’ or by reporting it online.

CCMC Ltd Annual Meeting

Directors of your Residents Management Company, Channels (Chelmsford) Management Company Ltd, will be holding an Annual General Meeting on Thursday 26th January 2023 at 6.00pm at Channels Brasserie (Barn), Pratts Farm Lane East, CM3 3PT.

This will not be a ‘town hall’ style session. It is a management company members only general meeting and a formal notice with papers should have been received via the post accordingly.

The notice/proxy form, agenda and proposal for election of directors form can be viewed/downloaded here:

Please ensure that returns for the meeting (specifically if you wish to stand as a director or appoint a proxy) are delivered to Remus no later than midnight on Thursday 19th January 2023.

You do not need to inform Remus of your intention to attend the AGM. The venue is large enough to accommodate all those that wish to participate however you will need to respond as outlined above if you want to appoint a proxy or stand to be a director.

If you wish to stand as a director it is important to understand that as an officer of a limited company, you must:

Directors are able to hire other people to manage some of these things day-to-day (for example, Remus or an accountant) however it is the directors that remain legally responsible for the company’s records, accounts and performance.

To ensure there is sensible and practical governance in relation to the running of the RMC, the following will be proposed at the AGM:

  • To limit the number of directors to 7;
  • To use dedicated sub committees where necessary;
  • To assign each director specific roles;

A member must be up to date with their service charge payments to stand as director and regular attendance at board meetings is mandatory.

Directors look forward to seeing members on Thursday 26th January 2023 at the Annual General Meeting.

2022-23 Service Charge (Jan-Jun 2023)

Dear Eagle Rise & Aqua Verde Residents,

The second half year Service Charge Notices (January-June 2023) have been sent by Remus in recent days to your preferred correspondence address which will either be by post or e-mail.

If your correspondence preference is e-mail, please check your junk/spam folders and if you do not believe you have received the notice, please contact Remus accordingly.

The summary schedule of costs for the period 1st July 2022 to 30th June 2023 can be viewed and/or downloaded below and the second half year charge represents 50% of the figures outlined:

2022/23 Service Charge Schedule
2022/23 Site-Wide Estate Charge

Further explanatory notes can be found HERE.

The easiest way to make payment is via the Remus Website at:
www.remus.uk.com/make-a-payment/

Just fill in the form with your account reference number and balance as found on the demand and you will be presented with various payment options to facilitate the transaction.

The payment is due on or before 1st January 2023 and late payment fees will be added for accounts not settled by this date as non-payment creates significant cash flow issues.

If you have any queries about your payment or account balance, you can use the form on the website to contact Remus.

CCMC Ltd Directors

Safety Bollards

We have been advised that Bellway will be installing safety bollards on the main bend into the centre of Fairway Drive on Monday 31st October.

You may recall that the safety of the bend has been under discussion for over 2 years and that one of the options previously explored was double yellow lines. Highways have however determined that bollards represent the most appropriate option, and these will be installed on the inside of the bend as shown in the image below.

This will ensure that there will always be safe passage for pedestrians around the bend as vehicles will no longer be able to park on both sides of the road on the pavement areas.

Use of Litter Bins


It is important that the black litter bins that are situated across the development are not used for normal household waste or recycling. Recently black bin bags, food waste bags and cardboard has been found in some bins.

The Residents Management Company has responsibility for maintaining and emptying the litter bins, the cost of which everyone pays for via the annual service charge.

If costs increase as a result of bins being damaged or because more collections are required to prevent the bins from over-flowing, everyone will ultimately bear that cost.

It is also important to note that any waste that is generated within the boundaries of a residential property whether it be food, general household waste, garden waste, dog poo etc. must be disposed of in the bins provided by the local authority to be taken away on bin day. If household waste is disposed of in any other way such as dumping it outside the property, putting it in a litter bin or dog poo bin it is classed as fly tipping which is a criminal offence and can be dealt with accordingly.

Many thanks 👍

Dog Fouling

We have noted reports of an increased level of dog fouling across Eagle Rise & Aqua Verde. Dog owners have a legal duty to clean up every time their dog messes in a public place. The law states that being unaware a dog has fouled or not having a suitable bag is not a reasonable excuse. There are plenty of dog-waste bins across the development so there is no excuse to leave it.

Anyone who fails to clear up after their dog can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100. If the case goes to court this could cost the owner or person in charge of the animal up to £1,000.

Let’s work together as a community and if you witness dog fouling, please report it to Chelmsford City Council either by ringing 01245 606606 and asking for ‘Dog Wardens’ or by reporting it online.


CCMC Ltd Directors

2022/23 Service Charge Notification

Dear Eagle Rise & Aqua Verde Residents,

The budget for 2022/23 has now been agreed and Remus will be sending out Service Charge demands on this basis imminently. In a climate of rapidly increasing prices, directors have endeavoured to minimise increases to the Service Charge. This has been achieved by minor amendments to the Grounds Maintenance specification, on the basis the landscape is now well established, and reducing the sums transferred into reserves.

The year on year overall budget increase is only 0.97% and this is mainly attributed to the CIC site-wide charge as our share was estimated last year prior to the contributions being finalised by the CIC.

The summary schedule of costs for the period 1st July 2022 to 30th June 2023 can be viewed and/or downloaded below:

2022/23 Service Charge Schedule
2022/23 Site-Wide Estate Charge

Further explanatory notes can be found HERE.

CCMC Ltd Directors

2022/23 Service Charge

Dear Eagle Rise & Aqua Verde Residents,

We are aware that you have not yet been notified of the Service Charge for 2022/23 and yet the new year starts on 1st July. In a climate of rapidly increasing prices, directors have been working to minimise increases to the Service Charge and the biggest single cost is Grounds Maintenance for which discussions are ongoing with Remus and Olly (Channels Estates).

Our intention is to be in a position to communicate the 2022/23 charge to you week commencing 20th June and we are confident that there will not be any significant increase over the 2021/22 budgeted sum. We do however need to be mindful that if costs continue to rise at the current rate, the position at the end of the coming service charge year may not be so favourable and as such robust in year management will be required.

CCMC Ltd Directors

Residents Meeting 21st January


The residents meeting scheduled for 7pm on Friday 21st January will now be an online session and will take place via Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84310766354?pwd=b016R2hPeEtoTndoYldqWStkMXlLZz09

Meeting ID: 843 1076 6354
Passcode: 083821

This will be a more informal ‘town hall’ style session and not a formal General Meeting of the management company and as such all Bellway residents are welcome to attend. It is a chance for a general chat, for directors to communicate any key updates and for residents to raise any questions. Remus will be hosting the meeting for us and will also be available to answer questions.

The directors look forward to catching up with as many residents as possible on Friday. 🙂

Service Charge Payments


For freehold owners, don’t forget that the due date for payment of your half year Service Charge demand for the period 1st January 2022-30th June 2022 is Saturday 1st January.

The easiest way to make payment is via the Remus Website at:
www.remus.uk.com/make-a-payment/

Just fill in the form with your account reference number and balance as found on the demand sent out in November and you will be presented with various payment options to facilitate the transaction.

Some residents may have small credits on their account as a result of an error from the days of POD Management so do check the amount you have to pay to clear your account as it could be less than the headline half year charge.

It is important that Service Charge demands are paid without undue delay as this income is used to pay contractors, which in turn ensures directors can deliver the legal obligations of the RMC. This was flagged as a key risk to effective cash management and the ability to comply with obligations as set out in the RMC Articles of Association at the AGM held on 6th September.

If you have any queries about your payment or account balance, you can use the form on the website to contact Remus.

Thanks 🙂