Category Archive: Uncategorized

Berkeley Homes contradict CBWRA claim that management contract retendering has been decided and also state that CBWRA recognition to be withdrawn

Berkeley Homes today confirm they have given CBWRA notice that their recognition will be withdrawn. The reason is not (as CBWRA have been desperately trying to say) anything to do with me –… Continue reading

Groundhog Day – RTM again delayed by retendering of management contract

From my 2023 CBWRA Chair Manifesto: ‘Retendering the management contract’ has in my view been a waste of up to £15,000 of residents’ money and a lot of time. It could only have… Continue reading

Vote Mike O’Driscoll for CBWRA Chair – for a new model of residents’ association, not just a rebrand and to keep pressing for Right to Manage despite the contract retendering

There are many areas of CBWRA governance which need reform, including the constitution, election processes, transparency on finances and resident consultation but  above all we need to detoxify the CBW app. I have spoken to many residents who are genuinely afraid to ask even the most basic questions for fear of being attacked or having their app account closed: this must stop. Please see my manifesto for detailed proposals. The unfair running of the 2023 Chair elections show how much we need to change to become a normal democratic residents’ association. A 140% membership fee increase without explanation says everything about the culture of current CBWRA regime – remote, hierarchical, apparently not too interested in residents’ views.

Recognition of CBWRA – it has to be earned or else there is no incentive to address the serious problems in our residents’ association. CBWRA’s recognition is at risk because of its own governance issues – not because of me

. We should of course be recognised but we also need to get our house in order and start behaving like a normal residents’ association. A Residents’ Association which is not behaving in a democratic way – which has never held elections for committee and which has to be dragged into elections for Chair (while insulting the residents who are asking for elections) has never held a valid AGM, may have some issues to address..

A slightly biased question.?

This is the voting form for the 2023 Chair election, which is currently open. Does anyone see anything wrong here? Has the result been announced already? :). It should of course say joint… Continue reading

Understanding the difference between Fact and Fiction – a response to some groundless allegations against me

While I am forced to be absent from the CBW app, the soon to be former Chair (Mr Stephen Thompson), has repeatedly made defamatory statements about me which are completely untrue and unevidenced. I consider these wild and groundless statements to be a smear campaign, and make a fair election impossible. My solicitor has written to Mr Thompson (5.2.23) and offered him the opportunity to draw a line under these matters by a simple retraction and apology on the CBW app – unfortunately Mr Thompson has refused to do that and hence I am writing this letter and discussing further action with my solicitor. Mr Thompson enjoys legal insurance as the Chair of CBWRA, which residents are paying for, and which in my view is being seriously misused.

Below I reply to numerous instances of what I consider to be defamation by Mr Thompson Since May 2022

2023 CBWRA Chair elections – democracy dying in darkness?

I have nominated myself for Chair of CBWRA in the 2023 elections because I wanted to improve the governance of the CBWRA and to ensure that all that was possible was being done to achieve Right to Manage, following what have been (in my view) two wasted years as far as RTM goes

Petition passes the 3,500 mark! Thankyou for your support. Rendall and Rittner and Ovedo must listen!

More than 3,500 residents at developments ‘managed’ by Rendall and Rittner have now signed this petition to tell Rendall and Rittner that enough is enough – they need to stop the unjustified service charge hikes, lack of transparency, poor service and much more.

No meaningful response has been received from Rendall and Rittner or their parent company Ovedo. That is quite amazing when you think about it – just ignoring 3,500 of the people who have to pay their hiked service charges and endure their service which is often poor. However given Rendall and Rittner’s atrocious record on communications it is not surprising.

Rather than addressing the issues raised and responding to them, Rendall and Rittner and some of their allies have tried and failed to have this petition stopped. That is shameful. Rendall and Rittner have also made it clear that they may choose not to work with residents’ associations who support this petitions – even if they are elected representatives of residents – that is sinister and anti-democratic.

CBWRA ask Rendall and Rittner to provide two security guards for ten weeks at a cost of £29,544 – no resident consultation as ever

Many residents were astonished to learn that the Chelsea Bridge Wharf Residents’ Association (CBWRA) had asked Rendall and Rittner to commission 2 security guards for a 10 week period at an estimated cost… Continue reading

Confirmed: social rent cap will not apply to shared owners

Hunt’s Autumn Statement announcement does not apply to people living in shared ownership homes. Shared owners could be in line for rent rises of up to 14.1 per cent, campaigners warned, with rents… Continue reading