Royale's Responses to Points Raised at our AGM.

Our AGM was held on 6 October 2022.

Points rasied at the AGM were put to Royale and these are the respnces.

a) Firstly, a resolution was put to Royale that “This Association thanks Royale for clarification that the proposed entrance/exit points for the building works in the old touring caravan site will not impact on current residents. However the Association requests that more detailed plans are shared regarding the short and long term access to this site so residents can fully understand how this will work in practice?”

Royale responded to us that it was not possible to answer the question because “no confirmed development plans are finalised”.

The committee discussed the matter and agreed to continue to pursue this with Basildon Council.

b) On the matter of speeding and vehicles going the wrong way up one-way streets. Royale confirmed that they will get their health and safety manager to attend the site in the coming weeks and compile a report. Royale will share this with us in due course and discuss plans that can be activated. The chair also told the committee that, to date, we haven’t had a response to our own roads and street lighting report which was sent to the site office on 6 October but perhsps this will be factored in when the H&S managers comes to Dunton.

c) At the AGM residents expressed concern about the future of security on site. Dunton is advertised as a safe, gated and secure community. There are no gates. There was also doubt cast over RoyaleLife’s claims of 24/7 security/patrols because a member had been told recently that the patrols are not for the benefit of residents. Residents are therefore concerned that they’ve been sold a ‘safe and secure environment’ but now being told security is primarily to protect machinery on site.

In their reply, Royale only confirmed that vehicle gates will be installed at some point and we would all get fobs. The committee agreed to continue to monitor the situation.

d) At the AGM residents’ asked if they were permitted to fit solar panels on their roof. Royale has responded to us that this would be permitted. Residents need to fill out a plot-works application available from the office. Residents would also need to use an approved installer and pass on Dunton’s Meter Point Administration Number (also known as MPAN).

e) Residents’ raised the issue of the pitch fee at the AGM and how it seemed some residents seem to pay a higher pitch fee than others on the site with a similar size plot.

Royale did respond to say they are unable to discuss individual residents' pitch fees and these are initially set at the time of purchase.

The chair added to Royale’s response by explaining that when you enter into a new agreement with a park site owner, they will set the pitch fee. If you think that initial fee is not appropriate (for example if you become aware that it is not the same as for similar pitches on your site) you can apply to a tribunal to change it. However, the law only allows people six months to apply to the tribunal.

f) At the AGM residents’ expressed concern over increasing dog barking noise from a number of homes on site. The association is aware that the only dogs permitted in the park rules are registered assistance dogs which, by their very nature, wouldn’t normally be left alone, so the association wondered if this is guest dogs impacting on residents. We asked Royale about this and they said that area manager Gail and her team will look into this further and feedback. The association agreed to work with Royale to minimise any noise nuisance.