Chelsea Bridge Wharf Chair Elections 2024 – my manifesto

Mike O’Driscoll – why I am running for Chair of CBWRA in 2024

About me

I am an academic quantitative researcher in an NHS related role, and cofounder/trustee of an international development charity. I have been a CBW leaseholder since 2004 and led many successful campaigns benefitting residents. In 2020 with other residents I worked to reactivate the residents’ association. I worked continuously (since 2020!) for Right to Manage, despite the fact that the current and former chairs and committee were informing residents that this was not possible, up to the end of 2022. 

My CBW app account was closed in May 2022 without any due process for the supposed ‘misinformation’ that Right to Manage was possible. The independent advice I obtained on RTM In June 2022 showed the CBWRA position was wrong and that RTM was indeed possible. This underlines the need for serious reform in CBWRA in terms of freedom of speech, ending online bullying/arbitrary account closure on the CBW app and conducting elections fairly as well as increasing resident consultation which is virtually zero at present. 

My Priorities as Chair would be to: 

  • Ensure the smooth completion of the Right to Manage process
  • Ensure all leaseholders get the benefits of Right to Manage  (by ensuring elections for Directors and resident consultation on all major decisions) 
  • After RTM – set the new managing agent (Urang) a target to reduce the average service charge by 15% 
  • Challenge Building Safety Act Costs (R and R budget these at 400K which is many multiples of charges at other developments such as VISTA). 
  • Introduce hard data monitoring on key performance indicators so that we have a rational basis to judge the performance of Urang
  • Ensure fair and transparent election process for CBWRA Chair & committee members and DIRECTORS OF THE RIGHT TO MANAGE COMPANY