May 2024
Residents’ Spring Social & Annual General Meeting
The 2024 Residents’ Spring Social was held on 29 April 2024 at 6-8pm at Auriens, Dovehouse Street. Members and guests arrived starting at 6pm to enjoy a glass of wine and conversations with others.
The AGM was opened at 6.30pm by Susan Spiller, Chair of SSDRA, who welcomed all members and residents to the annual meeting. She introduced SSDRA committee members Lucinda d’Ambrumenil (membership), Laura Carrara Cagni (planning) and David Farlow (treasurer). And noted apologies from Seb de Lemos (website and communications).
She introduced Rt Hon Greg Hands, MP for Chelsea and Fulham and our three Councillors: Kim Taylor-Smith, Will Pascall, and Josh Rendall as well as Miriam Parker, PCSO for Stanley Ward.
She also thanked William Harding the General Manager of Auriens for their hosting of our meeting.
As a reminder, SSDRA membership is open to all residents (owners/renters) in Sydney Street, Bury Walk, Pond Place, Guthrie Street and Stewart’s Grove. Most SSDRA communications are by email and WhatsApp. The SSDRA WhatsApp Community Group includes both members and other residents in our neighborhood. Anyone wishing to join the WhatsApp can contact us by email at info@SSDRA.org.uk. SSDRA also publishes a periodic (typically annual) newsletter and our website at www.SSDRA.org.uk.
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Miriam Parker, PCSO, provided an update on policing and safety in the area, noting that our area is generally a safe part of London, although periodic incidents do occur. She reminded residents to report any issues that they see in order to ensure that she or others are able to follow up on them. Also, to ensure that windows are closed and locked when one is away from their home, that blinds are closed in the evening to prevent potential burglars from seeing valuable items in a home and that alarms and ring-style doorbells/cameras are helpful in deterring and preventing crime.
Greg Hands MP provided an update on broader topics across his constituency of Chelsea and Fulham. Our three councillors updated on a range of local and ward topics. There were a number of questions for our MP, the councillors and police.
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The Chair introduced our guest speaker, Edward Williams of Cagni Williams Associates. Mr Williams presented the community heat network project being undertaken by the SSDRA in collaboration with Cagni Williams Associates, Genius Energy Lab, and Kensa Utilities. This project, funded entirely by the Community Energy Fund, aims to conduct a feasibility study for a community heat network.
In summary, the project will explore the use of existing ground source heat pump technology as part of a shared network in our neighborhood. The plan involves utilizing the public highway to install a local ground source heat pump network through a series of linked boreholes. This innovative technology will provide residents with access to clean energy for heating and cooling their homes, similar to how fiber-optic cables provide internet connectivity, for a small monthly rental fee. This approach avoids the need for individual, noisy, and unsightly air conditioning units, reduces pollution from gas, eliminates the risks associated with explosive gas in homes, and incurs no maintenance costs (as these are included in the line rental). Additionally, it offers an opportunity to enhance the street landscape.
The project’s success depends on a majority of residents signing up to make it viable. If you are interested in learning more about the project, please register your interest on our website: SYDNEY STREET HEAT NETWORK – SSDRA. This page also includes key informational slides from Mr Williams’ presentation.
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The meeting was closed at 7.30pm by the Chair, who invited attendees to stay longer to socialise and to speak 1:1 with police and councillors. She also thanked Auriens for their generous hospitality in hosting our SSDRA meeting. The event ended at 8pm.
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Website: www.SSDRA.org.uk E-mail: info@SSDRA.org.uk