CHAIR’S REVIEW 2021/22
I look forward to welcoming you all to the 2022 Annual General Meeting of the Chipstead Residents Association.
I have now been in post for just under a year. During this time the CRA committee has continued to meet during the various lockdowns by using Zoom, face 2 face meetings, outside meetings by candlelight and then back to Zoom meetings for the Christmas Lockdown.
We have reluctantly said goodbye to Elizabeth Vetta & Rebecca Fitch-Carpenter from the committee this year - with Elizabeth returning to nursing and Rebecca taking on a new role at The Brit School, they sadly have had to retire their membership from the committee. I would like to thank them for all their hard work and efforts over their time on the CRA.
That does leave some gaps in the committee - we are keen to welcome people who are willing to join us in committee roles. The main “roles” or portfolios that are vacant are Environment (building and maintaining alliances with local countryside organisations), Funding (managing funding applications) and Membership (managing memberships database). Please email me at chairchipsteadra@gmail.com if you have any questions about any of these roles and how you can help.
There are a number of new faces on the committee which I am pleased to be introducing to you at the AGM.
The main actions carried out by the CRA over the past 12 months include the following:
An electronic survey to understand what residents would like from the CRA
Updates to the village website to reflect
Changes to the CRA committee
A new membership sign-up method - Go Cardless
An updated newsletter sign up
Chipstead Parade local business information
New pages for planning policy, guidance & specific applications
A redesign of the CRA newsletter to employ a more modern look and feel
Updates to the mailing system, saving both time and money
Completion of a Welcome Pack for new residents
An increase in followers to the Chipstead Village Facebook page to over 1400
Collaboration with Cherish Chipstead to help obtain funds allocated in 2019 for numerous trees to be planted throughout the village
Meetings with Chairs of all neighbouring RA’s and councillors
Meetings with various members of the outgoing committee to hand over historical and relevant information on traffic actions before COVID
Ongoing meetings with Surrey County Councillor Luke Bennett to discuss how best to mobilise Surrey Highways.
A successful application for funds from Luke Bennett for the CRA to purchase
In addition, the CRA held the following events:
Village Picnic - and although the weather was almost biblical this was well attended both by local residents and local groups.
In conjunction with the CVPS a Bonfire for Chipstead Little People was again well attended at the Grove.
Father Christmas came to Chipstead and handed out over 60 presents to children of the village.
Welcome return of a village quiz night, with Fish and Chip supper.
Plans are being finalised for the Platinum Jubilee Picnic on the Meads, Live 8-piece jazz/swing band, food stalls, beer tent, cakes stand, commemorative items for sale. Tickets for sale here
As we move forward in 2022, the CRA’s priorities, as informed by the recent survey, will be focused on continuing to bring the village together through events, traffic calming projects and increasing membership.
Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard over the last 12 months - I look forward to working with you in the future.
Lastly, I would like to thank Robert Collier for auditing the accounts.
Catherine Tulley - Chair
