Simon

On Saturday 9th June a lightning strike in Woodilee Village caused extensive damage to the Malcolm’s home and the destruction of most of their belongings. Fire and water damage mean the property needs to be rebuilt and as a result the family have been displaced until the building works are complete. In the days following the fire a large number of people approached the Woodilee Residents Association wanting to help, but not really sure how to go about doing so. In response to these requests the Association set up a fundraising page, with the intention of providing the Malcom’s with a fund they could use to help get them back on their feet. The fund attracted donations from the local community, as well as from those further afield.

The Association have since met with the family to discuss distribution of the monies raised. The Malcolm’s are incredibly touched by the generosity shown by all who contributed and extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated. They are grateful to have the majority of their needs met by insurance and as such have asked for much of the fund to be distributed to a number of local charities. There has, however, been a negative impact on their children following the events of that day, and the subsequent disruption to family life, so the Malcolm’s will retain a portion of the monies raised to create more positive memories for the whole family during this challenging time.

The charities that will benefit are:

• Contact the Elderly (£1000)
• Shelter Scotland (£500)
• Babes in the Wood, Bishopbriggs (£500)

The Malcolm’s immediately sympathised with Babes in the Wood on hearing the group’s shop in Bishopbriggs was also badly damaged in the same June storm. Babes in the Wood offer support to local families that have been referred to them by health visitors, social workers, family support workers & women’s aid. Despite the distressing event it was fantastic to see the local community rally round, and both the Malcolm’s and the Woodilee Residents Association would like to thank everyone who donated or provided support to the family.

Customers registered on the RMG Living and receiving paperless correspondence, will have received notification that the annual maintenance charge for Woodilee Village Estate 2018/2019 is now due. Customers who receive hard copy correspondence will receive their request for payment by post shortly.

As RMG have experienced delays in preparing and issuing this year’s budget which was due 1st May, this recent charge is showing as due for payment now. RMG would urge all Owners to make payment of their share of the annual maintenance cost as charged, at the earliest opportunity, to ensure they continue to hold sufficient funding for the estate. Please do however note that RMG will allow a standard period 30 days for customers to make payment. To clarify, the charges due for payment for the year 01/05/18 – 30/04/19 are £191.67 in total. This is the amount you should pay for this year. If you have an outstanding balance on your account from previous years, RMG will write to shortly about the recovery of these unpaid charges.

You may find it helpful to spread the cost of the annual maintenance charge over 9 monthly payments by direct debit. You can contact RMG Customer Service Centre on 0345 002 4499 if you would like to arrange to pay your account by direct debit or click on the MAKE A PAYMENT link within your account on RMG Living. This will allow you to pay by debit or credit card, or set up a direct debit payment arrangement online. On your RMG Living statement of account, you will currently see some additional, recent itemised entries. Please note that from now on, you will see individual items of expenditure detailed on your account as these are processed by RMG Scotland. This will provide you with greater visibility of costs as they are incurred by the Woodilee Village maintenance fund and your individual share of these. Please note that you are only requested to pay your share of the maintenance charge and sinking fund which has been invoiced to you, and not the itemised items that will show on the account with NO DUE DATE.

The Woodilee Resident Association committee met on April 24th at Lenzie Golf Club.  The minutes from that meeting can be found at the link below.

 2018 – April – Committee Meeting Minutes FINAL

Woodilee Residents Association and Lenzie Community Council have been in discussions regarding the Community Council boundaries that apply to Woodilee. It is apparent the current Community Council boundaries are around 20 years old and bear no relation to the layout of housing in Woodilee, with houses falling under Kirkintilloch Community Council or Waterside Community Council boundaries and currently none under Lenzie Community Council. The Community Council boundaries serve to define the area for which each Community Council takes responsibility, and do not determine ward or school catchment. The clear definition of Community Council boundaries offers residents the opportunity to become members of, and participate in, an identified Community Council for that area. Community Councils represent the residents to the local council on a range of issues, including the statutory right to be consulted on applications for planning permission and in communicating the aims and concerns of the community they serve.

If you’d like to find out more about what a Community Council does, please follow this link : www.communitycouncils.scot/what-is-a-community-council.html

To find out more about what the Lenzie Community Council in particular do, please follow this link : lenziecommunitycouncil.org.uk/home/about/what-we-do/

Woodilee Residents Association are keen to see the estate boundaries re-aligned with a single, active Community Council to ensure the entire Woodilee community is properly represented within East Dunbartonshire Council. Aligning with Lenzie Community Council will allow for clearer and more effective communication between the represented parties.

Lenzie Community Council is a very active group giving due consideration to planning concerns and local environmental issues. Every year the Lenzie CC runs the Lenzie Gala Day, the New Year Jog and the Christmas Lights Switch On, all examples of just some of the events Lenzie CC members organise for the benefit of the
community.

Find out more about Lenzie Community Council on their website: www.lenziecommunitycouncil.org.uk

To understand how the residents of Woodilee would like to be represented in the Community Council structure of East Dunbartonshire, the Residents Association and Lenzie Community Council have produced a short survey and posted it to all Woodilee residents (via the factor RMG). This will allow us to determine the views of Woodilee and action accordingly. Please return one survey per household. A majority rule will apply. Please return completed surveys to the ballot boxes located in The Old Gatehouse or the Deaf-Blind Scotland Offices no later than WEDNESDAY 23rd MAY 2018.