WhatsApp News Feed Posts – 2025

Post 79 – RHRCG is Trialling A New Approach To Address Key Community Challenges (5 Minute Read) 02/02/2025

For quite some time, there has been growing recognition that the Royal Holloway and Runnymede Consultative Group (RHRCG) meetings have not effectively tackled the critical issues facing residents with regard to Royal Holloway. (The RHRCG is a meeting between Royal Holloway, RBC, Surrey Police, Residents’ Associations. They take place three times a year.)

As we understand it, in order to drive meaningful change, the RHRCG is piloting a new, solutions-focused approach through three dedicated working groups. 

The groups are: Antisocial Behaviour, Student Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and Transportation & Parking.

Each of these groups is being chaired by a local councillor. They are bringing together small teams of representatives and stakeholders from Surrey County Council, Runnymede Borough Council, Royal Holloway and Residents’ Associations to develop practical interventions that address immediate concerns while also exploring long term solutions. 

The first meetings have already taken place and will take place monthly for six months, during which the aim is to develop and implement actionable solutions. Following this period, the RHRCG will review progress and determine the next steps….

So we think this is good news….

Yes, it may feel like more talking but it would appear that there are now some goals to these meetings which must be welcomed. And at the very least the old format (fundamentally a marketing platform for Royal Holloway and a place for Royal Holloway to neuter any dissent for real change) has been well and truly shaken up. 

Most importantly, it may even deliver solutions to the problems that have come about through the university’s expansion.

We are not privy to the conversations that are taking place and are unlikely to be able to report anything until after they are concluded as the Terms of Reference for the meeting include, ‘The Chatham House Rule’, an agreement amongst the participants where the primary benefit is to encourage open and inclusive dialogue. 

So as these meetings take place, we thought it would be an idea to run our own ‘meetings’ in tandem to discuss the possible solutions…..

Over the next few weeks, we will be posting weekly/ fortnightly. Each post will identify a specific problem and we will propose a solution/s along with the rationale.

We will then invite you to share your thoughts. You may very well see the problem differently – or you may have a better idea for a solution that you would like to put forward.

The more cynical amongst us may view that debating the issues and arguing amongst ourselves is exactly what Royal Holloway wants. A bit of blue on blue whilst Royal Holloway gets on with their agenda, growth – and you may very well be right. But we also think it is healthy to share ideas and to get an understanding from all members of our community as to what they think the solutions should be.

To take part in the discussions, either to spectate or contribute, you will need to have joined the WNTTARH Forum WhatsApp group. If you are not already a member you can join by following the link below.

https://chat.whatsapp.com/BQmFKEHSa6gLsU55FU8QxN

So let’s go with one of the biggies to kick us off. Next week’s topic will be: Parking. How to deal with a problem like Royal Holloway, the joy.

Best wishes,

We Need To Talk About Royal Holloway

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