Andrew Wright

Management Committee Role:
Committee Chair
Ptarmigan Land (Channels Land Agent) Liaison
Local Authority Liaison

Sub-Committee Roles:
Chair of Estates & Amenities Sub Committee
Member of Safer Communities Sub Committee
Member of Social Unity Sub Committee

Other Roles:
Director, Channels (Chelmsford) Management Company Ltd

Biography
I have lived on Eagle Rise since December 2017 however from the day our deposit was paid in June 2017 and we were informed that additional charges needed to be paid to a Managing Agent, I immediately wanted to understand more about the process for holding them to account. In the words of William Shakespeare in the BBC sitcom Upstart Crow, “it’s what I do”!

A number of us stepped forward following a meeting with the then Managing Agent (DJC Property Management) in an attempt to better understand how we could resolve some of the existing problems and we have continued to do just that ever since.

I like to be out doing sporty things and I love skiing, windsurfing, sailing, cycling, swimming & running. I have represented the British Triathlon Age Group Team twice (2017 & 2018) and once my rehabilitation from Achilles surgery is complete, I will be looking to qualify for a position in the team again next year.

Our location is well suited to outdoor activities and there are currently two Facebook Groups for runners and riders that you can join to share experiences, routes and generally get to know people!

View from the Chair
We have the opportunity to build a strong community around what is fundamentally a lovely development and the CRCG Aims are reflective of what can be done. I believe it is vital that residents are empowered to make a difference to where they live and this is what the Community Group is all about.

As I felt that there was insufficient information about the management of our phases available to residents, I designed and set up the CRCG website. It has recently been refreshed and contains much of the information that was lacking previously including the differences in the roles of the Community Group, the Residents Management Company and the Managing Agent.

Please do make use of it, continue logging your concerns, send us feedback and don’t forget that by ‘following’ you can receive key updates, information and news via e-mail.

The CRCG Committee members have spent a significant amount of their personal time progressing a number of key issues and working on community development including improvement of estates, sorting the unreliable buses, starting neighbourhood watch, securing our first community grant and of course appointment of a new Managing Agent.

We receive a lot of community feedback (from both the website and via Facebook) and it is important to note that all action progressed by the CRCG is undertaken in direct response to this feedback.

This has meant forging strong relationships with many stakeholders including Bellway, the two local Parish Councils, Chelmsford City Council, Essex County Council, the two Housing Associations (Colne & CHP) and the Channels Land Agent (Ptarmigan Land) which has given us valuable insight into the plans and trajectories for the wider development.

There is no question that forming the Community Group has given us a ‘community voice’ which all of the above stakeholders listen to and are willing to engage with. We now have a formalised constitution and the remit needs to shift from resolution of legacy issues to a focus on community development which can make a real difference to where we live both now and for the future.

It would be fantastic to raise the profile of the Community Group and encourage more residents to become part of the community building process so don’t be shy, come and get involved!

Andrew Wright
Channels Residents Community Group