Summer Newsletter
Despite the chilly wind at the time of writing, summer is on its way. We have had some brilliant days, and the grounds are looking lovely, as always. Convent residents really are fortunate to live on such a pretty, urban estate. It would be great if we could look forward to some warm evenings and sun‑filled Convent events (fingers crossed).
One of the most significant moments ahead for the Co‑op this summer will be Lorraine’s retirement after nearly thirty years of service. Whoever steps into the role next will certainly have a lot to live up to. Do pop into the office over the coming weeks to wish Lorraine well. There may also be a low‑key (as requested) farewell gathering in a local pub before the end of June. Listen out for news.
Chair’s Report
In the past months, we have focused on stability and preparation as we approach an important transition. After 27 years of service, Lorraine will retire at the end of June. Work is underway to ensure a smooth handover, with recruitment plans agreed and additional short‑term support in place to maintain continuity for residents.
Our financial position remains stable, with no year‑end overspend and low rental arrears. The draft budget for next year has been agreed, including a 4.7% rent increase, cautiously set service charges, and a 3% salary uplift. This approach balances essential investment in the estate with keeping costs reasonable.
Progress continues on key maintenance issues. The first tranche of compliant front door work is largely complete, balcony leak investigations are ongoing, and contractor availability remains a challenge. Cleaning has improved, though consistently higher standards would require additional funding. Resident priorities remain cleaning, repairs, and keeping communal areas clear for fire safety.
Visitor parking permits have been reissued, and proposals for future tree works will be consulted on at the next committee meeting.
Overall, this has been a period of steady management and groundwork for change. Thank you to everyone who continues to support and contribute to the Co‑op.
Recycling or Food Waste?
The new waste system is now established, and we would love to hear feedback from residents. However, it has come to our attention that one or two residents may have been confused about what items should be placed in what bins. Most importantly, DO NOT put rubbish or recycling in the food waste bins. This is important as the food waste is sent to an anaerobic digestion facility, where it’s turned into renewable energy and an agricultural fertiliser (From WBC, 2026).
Allowed: Cooked and raw food, including plate scrapings, bread, fruit and veg peelings, meat, fish, bones, eggshells, dairy products, tea bags, and coffee grounds. Any mouldy or out-of-date food can also be included, provided it is removed from any packaging.
Definitely not allowed: Please do not place non-food items in the food waste bins. We have found packaging, metal coat hangers, liquid waste, bioplastic coffee pods, non-compostable packaging, and foil.
For more details about disposing of food waste, see Wandsworth Council’s website. From the end of March 2026, it has been a legal requirement to offer free weekly food recycling collections to all households. Please take advantage of this service.
Dogs, leads, and dog mess
Anyone walking through the estate will notice that, alongside all the loveliness, we continue to be affected by dog fouling and discarded dog‑waste bags left in so‑called discreet spots, often only collected by members of our volunteer gardening group. Residents are understandably frustrated. The situation is so bad that Convent’s contracted gardener was recently sprayed with dog faeces while tending to the grounds.
Additional signage has been installed in key locations to reinforce the existing (and often overlooked) council notices warning dog owners of fines. Despite this, the problem persists. We do recognise that many of those responsible may be passing through the estate rather than residents themselves.
However, here is a firm reminder of the rules:
- Dogs must be kept on leads at all times when outside your property.
- Dog faeces must be bagged, removed from the estate, and disposed of appropriately.
- Dogs are not permitted on the grass.
Failure to comply with the dog bylaws can result in fines of up to £500. Please report anyone you see failing to follow these rules, if it is safe to do so, to Wandsworth Council.
Online payments
We are often asked if we accept credit cards or Apple Pay. Until now, the answer has been no, which was frustrating for residents. However, we have set up an account that allows us to do so, and we can now accept online payments using most major credit and debit cards, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, for replacement keys and visitor permits. A small surcharge of 50p applies to payments under £25 to cover processing costs.
We also need to confirm there are no restrictions around accepting service charges this way, and we will update residents once confirmed. If available, a processing fee would apply.
Finally
As mentioned in the Chair’s report, we are recruiting for the manager’s role. Please do take a look and share the advert, which has links to the job description and person specification, with anyone you feel might be interested. The closing date for applications is the 29th May 2026.