Direct Debit Subscriptions

The West Wickham Residents Association has introduced a Direct Debit option for the collection of annual subscriptions. This is to augment and improve the current cash only system and to make life a lot easier for both you, our members, and our Road Stewards who are often with several return visits to residents because they have no cash or are out on the first visit.

We hope that you will take up this new opportunity commencing with the 2026 subscriptions – still at only £2.00 per annum.

So, just what do I get for my subscription?…..

… is a question often asked of our Committee members and Road Stewards. Well, for a currently very small annual outlay, you get quite a lot. A common misconception is that you’re just buying a quarterly Newsletter but that’s not quite the case. You’re paying for membership of an organisation that puts a lot of effort into pursuing the “betterment of West Wickham”, the stated aim in our Constitution. Sure, you get a Newsletter every quarter which informs you of the current activities of the Committee as well as access to the Association’s website and Facebook account for more immediate information, but these communications do not show all that’s going on behind the scenes.

We look at every planning application that relates to our membership area and those outside the area which might impinge on our quality of life in the town. Current planning rules mean that most extensions to private houses are permitted development and so attract far less attention than previously. On the other hand, for proposals relating to large or common facilities such as the redevelopment of the Leisure Centre and Library, we will actively provide information to members, seek views and represent the interests of the community. A notable example was when Marks and Spencer proposed a new High Street foodstore. The initial design submitted with the application, involved demolition of the existing historic dairy buildings and the erection of a building which was out of keeping with the other shops in the High Street. We knew, from members correspondence, that they wanted this store in the town so we contacted M&S who allowed us to work with their architect so that we got a store which maintained much of the historic building and blended better with the High Street.

We monitor transport and highway issues and developments, liaising with Southeastern Railways, local buses, the Council and TfL where appropriate. Quite often this is sparked by announcements from these authorities and on occasions by members pointing out a problem affecting road or transport services.

On environment and leisure, we contribute to street tree planting which often involves arduous and time consuming dealings with the Council and contractors. We support resident’s groups which are working voluntarily to improve facilities in our parks, playgrounds and sports grounds. We are represented on the West Wickham, Spring Park and Coulsdon Commons Consultative Committee which oversees the work in managing the woodlands and open spaces they administer in and around the town.

We know that education and health provision are also important areas for our members and so we monitor changes and developments and get involved in associated discussions and activities. No less importantly, we believe that the health of the High Street is key to the health of the town, so we monitor proposed changes and report news in this Newsletter, on our website and Facebook. We are represented on the Business Community body where we influence and support their endeavours, for example, the Christmas Lights and Christmas Festival. Any extra funds raised are channelled back into supporting local events and charities. We are the largest Residents Association in Bromley and we are represented at the Federation of Bromley Residents’ Associations where Borough and London-wide issues affecting members are discussed and acted upon.

To achieve all this, we have a committee of 15 – 20 people from across the town who give their time free and cover their own expenses. They attend meetings with the bodies and authorities that provide service or affect our quality of life in the town.

What we don’t do is take sides in neighbour disputes nor get involved in politics. On occasions, our Ward Councillors attend our meetings but they have no voting rights. They generally end up walking away with more work than they came with!

I hope this gives more insight into what you get for your subscription.  

Direct Debit Mandates

You will be presented with a secure online form requiring details of name, address, bank sort code and account number and e-mail address to pay WWRA £2.00 annually. After submission of these details, you will receive an e-mail to advise that a direct mandate has been set up and date of payment which will annually on the 1st of June.

It is a very simple and safe process and you will be afforded all the normal protection of the Direct Debit Guarantee.

Your subscriptions enable us to continue to represent you and to pursue the “Betterment of West Wickham”.

In order to manage the process and ensure the integrity and privacy of members’ bank details, we are employing the services of an independent and trusted financial services provider, GoCardless. They are regulated by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) with their main business being to facilitate intermediary financial transactions on behalf of many UK and International organisations. For further details of their operation, please visit https://pay.gocardless.com/AL0004D3FCHZZJ.