ISSUE 65 - OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014
Your primary source of community information
www.croydon.gov.uk
Culture club – new arts quarter leads town-centre regeneration Page 3
Business as usual – Month of events for start-ups and established companies Page 4
Business as usual – Traders trade as London Road refurb gets under way Page 7
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yourcroydon
October/November 2014 | Your Croydon
Open and transparent As the new leader of the council, I am proud that, in the first 100 days of our Labour administration, we delivered some early successes. More than 5,500 children benefited from our healthy living, free summer swimming offer; and some of Croydon’s lowest paid workers are now rightly being paid the London living wage. Although there is a long way to go, our streets are starting to look a little cleaner, and the fly-tipping epidemic that has done so much to blight our borough is finally being tackled head-on, both in terms of a 78% increase in fly-tips picked up within 48 hours, and in the council actively seeking to prosecute anyone caught fly-tipping. However, significant challenges lie ahead. The national coalition government at Westminster has wrongly, in my view, targeted local councils of all political colours to take a far greater proportion of cuts than any other public service.
Highlights Croydon does business . . . . . . . . . 4 The biggest annual business exhibition in south London gets under way with the chance to lift the Barclays Premier League trophy.
Top of the class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Thousands of new school places ensure that every child is allocated a classroom seat.
How gold is our valley . . . . . . . . . 12 Happy Valley is one of seven borough parks and open spaces to land a top gong in the London in Bloom awards.
In Croydon, this means the council has lost more than 40% of the money previously granted to provide vital services we all depend on, such as care for the elderly, and street cleaning. This funding from government is vital, as council tax is responsible for only a part of the council’s income. With so many people still facing a cost-of-living crisis and trying to balance the family budget, we are going to ensure we deliver our election pledge of freezing next year’s council tax bills at current levels. So, in the absence of any real support for Croydon from the government, we have two choices: either we become victims of what in my view are unfair policies, or we do something about it.
Dealing with domestic violence . 14 October is anti-domestic violence month and the council has launched a campaign detailing what help is available in the borough.
We, as a council, have chosen the latter course. We have introduced policies to give local companies a much fairer chance of being awarded council contracts.
The Army game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
We have said to all property developers that we expect to see an increase in the amount of affordable housing they provide so that local people on average incomes can benefit from the new homes springing up right across Croydon.
The Mitcham Road barracks have new tenants – and 151 Regiment, the Royal Logistics Corps, is offering local people training and adventure.
We are working closely with Westfield, the company that will run Croydon’s new shopping centre, to ensure local people get the first chance to apply for those 5,000 new jobs. And we are freezing council tax bills next year. National government may not show much sign of being on Croydon’s side, but as your council we are, and if, by working together, we can boost and regenerate Croydon’s economy, that is the best response to tackling those cuts the government has imposed on us.
Former Mayor dies . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Brenda Kirby, the much-loved and respected former New Addington councillor has lost her final battle.
To keep up to date with what’s going on, subscribe to Your Croydon and receive a free weekly email that’s full of news and information about your borough, go to www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe and visit Councillor Tony Newman Leader of the council
/ilovecroydon
@yourcroydon
www.croydon.gov.uk
yourregeneration
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Leading regeneration through culture A new cultural quarter for Croydon will help drive forward the town centre’s regeneration – and breathe new life into the Fairfield Halls. An exciting new vision that places Fairfield at the heart of Croydon’s cultural offer and promises to transform it into one of the leading entertainment venues in the south of England is set to jump off the page. Under the proposals, which have had the thumbs-up from the council’s cabinet, redeveloping College Green will be central to the cultural quarter. When complete, a new through-route to and from East Croydon station, will allow quick connection between The Queen’s Gardens, Croydon Clocktower, Surrey Street Market and Exchange Square. It is planned to integrate Fairfield into the scheme, potentially including a new entrance from College Green. The scheme also includes the provision of up to 500 homes, along with shops, restaurants, and community and business space. A cultural quarter will create a place and opportunity for people to go out at night, spearheading the wider regeneration and economic development of the town centre. This cultural vision supports Croydon’s Growth Plan, which sets out how the council will build thousands of new homes; increase the number of jobs in the borough and re-establish the town centre as London’s premier retail and leisure destination.
A number of shorter term improvements to Fairfield are set to be in place by autumn, including a new state-of-the-art cinema for up to 1,000 people providing a regular season of blockbuster movies and live streaming events, typical of any modern leading arts venue. There will also be a new studio space for regular comedy and entertainment events and a modernised Arnhem Gallery to enable Fairfield to attract a wider range of events, including conferences and exhibitions.
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yourregeneration
October/November 2014 | Your Croydon
Croydon means business A month of advice, info and entertainment for local entrepreneurs keen to get ahead. Croydon Business Month gets under way with the biggest annual business exhibition in south London. In the first of a series of events to promote business in Croydon, the We Mean Business Expo 2014 takes place at Fairfield on Thursday, 16 October, hosting more than 100 stands, and with a special attraction this year – the Barclays Premier League trophy. While the likes of John Terry and Vincent Kompany will be desperate to get their hands on the trophy at the end of the season, for the price of a charity donation, you can have your photo taken on the day. The month has something for everyone, with events dedicated to start-ups and existing businesses in the
borough, from Dragon’s Den to growing your business internationally. Start-ups may be interested in a three day new-business seminar from 22 to 24 October, covering topics such as business planning, market research, and budgeting. Or aspiring entrepreneurs might want to pitch their business ideas to a panel of experts on 4 December. Existing businesses interested in expanding internationally should check out the Coast to Capital and South London Export Club event on 28 October. And Deputy Mayor of London for housing, land and property, Ric Blakeway, will be one of the key speakers at Develop Croydon on 25 November. Meanwhile, the
launch event, We Mean Business Expo, is a day of advice, information and entertainment for local entrepreneurs keen to get ahead and speak to others looking for business-tobusiness opportunities. It will feature business advice clinics offering tips on the support available; and speed networking, a time-effective way of making valuable business
connections based on the popular speed-dating concept. Croydon Business Month is a major event in the borough’s business calendar, designed to promote existing companies and help aspiring, local entrepreneurs get off the ground. For the full calendar, visit www.croydonenterprise. org.uk. Pre-booking is advisable for all events.
Coming soon – Croydon Council Housing Co Council proposes innovative way to ease the borough’s housing problems. The shortage of homes in Croydon is to be tackled by a new housing company, set up by the council and offering all tenures, including affordable housing. The building of new homes has previously been financed by the council through its housing revenue account (HRA), providing 100 affordable homes for rent and a further 200 set to be built by 2018. However, due to government
restrictions on the level of borrowing within the HRA, this is now at its limit. The supply of new homes needs to be dramatically increased to meet current and future demands for all types of housing in Croydon, therefore the council is proposing to set up a “wholly-owned housing company”
which will enable it to set the tenure and rent. It would also be able to build homes exempt from right-to-buy and have freedom to borrow more money. The council is committed to increasing the borough’s housing supply and is considering a number of ways of providing more homes; the housing company is one.
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yourregeneration
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Croydon’s promise to bring growth for all
THE
CROYDON PROMISE
R ALL GROWTH FO
The council has set out its vision for how it will achieve growth for the borough, bringing benefits to all residents. The Croydon Promise outlines how more than £9bn will be invested in the borough over the next five years. 1
9,500
This is an investment programme larger than any city in England, one of the largest in London, and on a scale similar 2
housing starts
to the Olympic Park. At the heart of The Croydon Promise, are 10 things that we must do… 3
16,000
jobs
Westfield Hammerson
Provide a choice of homes for people at all stages of life, addressing housing shortages in the borough by enabling at least 9,500 housing starts over the next five years.
Enable the creation of 16,000 jobs - accessible to all - in a range of growing sectors including creative, digital and information technology; financial and professional services; construction; retail; leisure; education; health and social care.
Oversee the development of one of Europe’s largest urban shopping and leisure centres – the Whitgift redevelopment, support independent retailers, and invest in Fairfield Halls further strengthening our cultural offer.
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5
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Attracting investment
2,000
new business starts High-quality office space
1 million sq.ft
Attract investment to our district and local centres, creating vibrant communities across the borough and ensuring that all of Croydon is a great place to live, work and visit.
Make Croydon the best place in London to start a new business enabling 2,000 new business starts per annum, and support the growth of small and medium sized businesses.
Reinstate Croydon’s position as a premier office location by accelerating the development of over one million sq ft of new high-quality office space, and reducing the excess supply of older office stock while delivering a high quality Tech hub.
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international calibre University Raise aspirations of residents through partnering with an international calibre university to offer more higher education in the borough, to raise the number of residents with degree level qualifications and to bring a new vibrancy to the metropolitan centre.
10
Buy local
Transport Support residents Network into employment Improvements Improve the transport network across the borough, providing genuine alternatives to the private car, and strengthening links with Gatwick airport.
Buy local wherever possible and use the council’s purchasing power to support local businesses, generate job opportunities, and promote investment in our local communities.
Support residents - young and old - into employment by implementing our new Pathways to Employment programme; raising the skills of the workforce; and ensuring the skills system is responsive to the needs of local employers.
To see The Croydon Promise, go to http://issuu.com/yourcroydon/docs/ cab20140929_07_02_appendix_to_repor
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youreducation
October/November 2014 | Your Croydon
Thousands of new school places put Croydon top of the class In a record year, every child in Croydon was offered a school place thanks to the council’s huge expansion and building programme. An exciting, multi-million pound schoolbuilding and expansion programme has made Croydon the UK’s leading authority when it comes to providing new school places – almost 3,000 – in proportion to the size of the population. Increasing demand from the fastgrowing number of residents is behind the expansion programme, a happy result of which is that Croydon’s parents can continue to rest assured there will be a place for their child when it comes time for them to apply for a school place. The building of new places has also resulted in a record number of first, second and third preference offers, which has led to the number of appeals from parents falling by half. The provision of extra classes has also meant there is now a small surplus of places in some parts of the borough, allowing flexibility for children to move between schools where this becomes necessary. The overall cost of building works over the next few years is around a third of a billion pounds, and the number of sites under way at any one time keeps the council’s project management team on its toes. Summer this year was exceptionally busy, and the latest round of completed schemes, resulting in almost 3,000 new places, includes: • Harris Primary Academy Haling Park (new school) • Stroud Green Oasis Academy (expansion)
• W hitehorse Manor, Brigstock Road (expansion on new site) • Parish Church (expansion) • Norbury Manor (expansion) • Forestdale (expansion) For children with special educational needs (SEN), Priory School moved into its new premises in Upper Norwood, in April, and the Hazelglen Primary pupil referral unit, in Addiscombe, has recently been completed. These make up some of the 200 special school places and 140 specialist places within mainstream schools that Croydon will provide by 2016. This increase in SEN places not only addresses a rise in demand for specialist education provision, it also reduces the need for children from Croydon to travel long distances to school. In addition, the pupils at Quest Academy have moved into a new school building, and the government opened two free schools in September – the Paxton primary free school, and the Harris Invictus Academy. More new schools and expansion projects are already in the pipeline to continue to cater for growing demand.
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yourregeneration
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London Road – the transformation begins Boots are on the ground, hoardings are up and diggers have moved in as work begins on breathing new life into London Road. Investment of £3.2m will benefit more than 40 businesses as street, shopfronts and building façades as the council sets about renovating, renewing and remodelling. This includes £600,000 to overhaul shop and building fronts, complete with new signage, restoration of historic features such as pilasters, and the installation of features such as awnings and security shutters. As businesses remain open for trading, works are also underway to widen and repave footpaths, remove street clutter and install new cycle parking and seating areas. The initial 30-week phase of works, due to be completed by summer of next year, has begun and will move north along London Road.
The works will transform London Road making the area a pleasant and attractive place for shoppers, but, in the meantime, there will be some disruption while these essential works take place. The council asks for patience from residents and traders. In total, more than £50m is being invested in Croydon through the council’s Connected Croydon programme, a jointly funded project managed by Croydon Council, with support from Transport for London and an £18m contribution from the Mayor of London. Keep up to date with the London Road improvements at www.croydon.gov.uk/ londonroad or follow @YourCroydon on Twitter.
New designs to extend The Queen’s Gardens The town centre’s best-loved park is to grow after plans are redrawn. Newly emerging designs for the redevelopment of the council’s former headquarters, Taberner House, will see The Queen’s Gardens extended for community use. And there are also proposals to double the number of affordable homes previously included in the scheme. Planning permission was granted in May for the 420-home scheme from the Croydon Council Urban Regeneration Vehicle (Ccurv), a partnership of the council and building company John Laing to redevelop council-owned sites in Croydon. The original proposals included only 15% affordable housing
for the Park Lane site, but that could now double to 30%, subject to approval by the council’s planning committee. The revised plans, which have also seen a reduction from five housing blocks to four, will now see the existing green space extended, running south between two pairs of blocks to the Croydon Flyover. The designs also include part of the extension rising above ground-level in an amphitheatre-style format. The new drawings have yet to go through the planning process for a proper assessment.
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yourcommunity
October/November 2014 | Your Croydon
Remembering the fallen The global conflict that stretched between 1914 and 1918 would become known as the war to end all wars; sadly, it didn’t live up to the name, and 100 years later we continue to mark its beginning in the hope of there never being a repeat. The year marking the centenary of the beginning of the First World War may be entering its final couple of months, but there remain a number of commemorative events lined up. In addition to the annual Armistice Day wreath-laying ceremony and civic service in the town centre, similar events will be taking place around the borough. And Croydon’s own London Mozart Players will be staging For An Unknown Soldier, a concert with Croydon school choirs; a certain way of ensuring the younger generation doesn’t forget the atrocities of the Great War and conflicts since. Also helping to keep the memories alive is the Museum of Croydon’s dedicated exhibition, featuring a number of exhibits that show how the borough coped with, and was affected by, the awful events of 1914-18. For more, click here. Tuesday 14 October Battle Bus: The London B-Type and the role of London’s buses in the First World War – Norbury and South London Transport Club, Primary room, East Croydon United Reform Church, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon. Thursday 23 October This was the World and I was King – A family-friendly folk musical featuring the enchanting poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson’s A Child’s Garden of Verses – The Spreadeagle, Katharine Street, Croydon. Friday 24 October Commemorative piano recital by Croydon-born pianist Freddy Kempf – Fairfield, Park Lane. Wednesday 5 to Saturday 8 November Accrington Pals – A moving play telling the story of groups of friends from all walks of life in Lancashire towns who enlisted together to form a battalion with a distinctively local identity – Fairfield, Park Lane.
Sunday 9 November Remembrance Sunday – Civic service and parade. Tuesday 11 November Royal British Legion Armistice Day wreath-laying ceremony – The cenotaph, Katharine Street, Croydon. Friday 14 November For An Unknown Soldier – London Mozart Players in concert with Croydon school choirs – Fairfield – LMP Details of all the above, and more, can be found at WW1 centenary Details of any commemorative activities – large or small – can be emailed to Simon Bashford for addition to the programme of events. A resource pack for organisations
commemorating the First World War is available here. Not-for-profit groups can apply for a grant worth up to £5,000, from the Active Communities Fund, to stage commemorative events. Call 020 8604 7029 or email Yvonne Gaye
For more information about the centenary of the beginning of the First World War, visit: www.1914.org www.britishlegion.org.uk www.museumofcroydon.com www.iwm.org.uk
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yourenvironment
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Turning the tide on illegal waste Council’s campaign to rid borough streets of fly-tipping sees people rallying to the cause and clear-up rates improving. Croydon’s war on illegal waste has seen a dramatic increase both in the speed with which rubbish is cleared off the streets and with more people receiving fines. “Don’t mess with Croydon: take pride” is the battle cry that has been taken up by street sweepers, council enforcement officers and members of the public across the borough. The campaign was launched in June and has seen clearance times for reported fly-tips dramatically improved. While, previously, only 3% of reported fly-tips were cleared in less than two days, almost 80% are now cleared within 48 hours. Only one in 10 takes more than three days to be dealt with. Overall, the number of fines being issued by the council has gone up by 50% since the campaign started. Examples of successfully issued fines include one involving an abandoned truck, suspected of being used for fly-tipping, that was crushed after being found in a residential street in Woodside with five tonnes of waste on board. The waste was traced back to a nearby resident who admitted she had given it to an unlicensed rogue trader. As a result, she received a fine – a risk run by anyone who thinks they can get away with paying for cut-price rubbish clearance.
At the time of publishing, the council is trying to trace the truck's owner, and asks anybody with information that could help to call the fly-tip hotline, in confidence, on 020 8604 7000. The reporting app, My Croydon, is just one of the new methods the council has put in place to allow residents to flag up environmental issues in their neighbourhoods. It can be used for a wide range of environmental problems and is free to download for Android and Apple phones. More information is available at www.croydon.gov.uk/ dontmess.
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10 yourenvironment
October/November 2014 | Your Croydon
@DMWCroydon
R C H T I W S S E M T DON’
o r p p a e c n a r e l o -t o r e z Our
Download the MyCroydon app at www. croydon.gov. uk/app Use it to report fly-tips and other enviro-crimes… …or call the fly-tip hotline on 020 8604 7000 or email flytip@ croydon.gov.uk ..help make Croydon the cleanest and greenest borough in London
£300k
was spent clearing fly-tips IN 2012/13
We collected
354kg
worth of waste per person – equivalent to TWO standard size fridges full of food. IN 2013/14
We will clear reported fly-tips in
TWO working days
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yourenvironment 11
E D I R P E K A T : N O D Y RO
g in p ip -t y fl e l k c a t o t h oac We cleared
Take pride in our borough
15,111 fly-tips in 2013/14
GET INVOLVED
You could be fined up to
ÂŁ50,000 for illegally dumping rubbish
Clean&Green Champi ns If you live in Croydon, sign up to be a Clean and Green champion in your local area. The scheme is here to encourage residents and businesses to recycle more and manage waste properly. Email champions@croydon.gov.uk or phone 020 8726 6200
For more information visit croydon.gov.uk/dontmess
12 6 yourenvironment
October/November 2014 | Your Croydon
Croydon is bloomin’ great The borough’s green and pleasant spaces win clutch of gongs in annual awards. Croydon walked away from this year’s London in Bloom awards with a haul of seven gold medals and a special commendation for the work of the warden at Happy Valley. The annual awards recognise the best green spaces in the capital, as well as praising the individuals and groups who maintain them. Croydon’s gold awards included one for Happy Valley itself in the country park of the year category. The borough’s other top-scoring green open spaces and categories were: • Coombe Wood and Lloyd Park (large
park of the year); • H aling Grove (medium-sized park of the year); • Coulsdon Memorial Ground (park of the year); • Wettern Tree Garden (small park of the year); • Mitcham Road cemetery(large cemetery). In addition, Westow Park picked up a silver gilt award. Neighbourhood awards went to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, for running the Edible Garden; and Birdhurst Community Gardening Group.
More information about the many green spaces across Croydon can be found at www. croydon.gov.uk/parks.
North of the valley
Our dormice in the woods and h There are also sev which are alm
One man’s years of caring for what is regarded one of the greenest jewels in Croydon’s natural crown has been marked with a personal commendation – one of only three issued across the capital. Special recognition has been given by the London in Bloom judges to a man who has spent the past 16 years looking after Happy Valley. Their commendation is a seal of approval for Dominic North (right), the warden who has dedicated much of his life to one of Croydon’s most precious natural resources. Happy Valley has regularly received green flag awards for the way it is managed and maintained, and this annual accolade is in no small part due to the careful and diligent way that Dominic carries out his daily duties. “I took on the job as a stop-gap for a year or so,” admitted Dominic, “but it really grew on me, and as the years have gone by I feel like I’m a part of the place.” Covering more than 250 acres, the valley is a site of special scientific interest, and home to a host of rare or endangered species. “Our dormice are well-known and live in the woods and hedgerows of the valley. There are also several plants and flowers which are almost unique to the area. “Nature conservation is a large part of the job, and I rely heavily on a big team of volunteers and contractors who put a huge
amount of time and effort into keeping our natural habitats flourishing.” Coppicing is a big part of woodland management in Happy Valley, and it’s something very well suited to volunteer projects. The process involves cutting back fresh growth every few years to provide a range of natural habitats and a supply of sustainable wood for a variety of uses. “We’ve got a lot of regulars who come back year after year, but it’s always great when we see new faces getting their hands dirty. It’s hard work, but everyone always has a great time and it’s really satisfying to see what a difference you can make,” said Dominic The valley is also home to some fourlegged volunteer helpers – a small herd of sheep that does its bit to keep the grassland in trim. A new addition to the valley is a number of small signs with QR bar codes printed on them that can be scanned to allow people to directly access web pages full of useful local information. Dominic is keen to stress that not all his days are spent outside in the open air. “I’ve a fair bit of office-based work too,” he grins, “but I enjoy that as much as the outdoor stuff. I have to put in funding bids
and report back to the council and others on how we are getting on. “It’s just as important to do this as the practical work and I’m privileged to have such a varied set of things to do in such a brilliant location.”
It’s just as imp the practical wor to have such a va do in such
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are well-known and live hedgerows of the valley. veral plants and flowers most unique to the area.
portant to do this as rk and I’m privileged aried set of things to h a brilliant location.
yourenvironment 13
Croydon
SHared L ves Scheme to make You can help ference to a positive dif erable uln the life of a v on and d adult in Croy to live in support them unity. m the local com
Why become a Shared Lives carer? Being a Shared Lives carer offers a great career option; it is a paid professional role. You are a self-employed person who can work flexibly from home to suit your own needs. For more information on payments and benefits see www.croydon.gov.uk/sharedlives Being part of Shared Lives means being part of a professional team, the scheme is regulated by the Care Quality Commission, ensuring good practice and safeguarding standards are met and maintained throughout.
What is involved in being a Shared Lives carer? A Shared Lives carer provides care and support on a short or long term basis from a spare bedroom in their own home. Shared Lives is used by older people, people with a physical or learning disability, mental health needs and dementia as well as homeless single parents under twenty-five; It is a positive and rewarding experience for all; sharing your home, your interests and experiences with another adult, as one family.
Who can be a Shared Lives carer? We are keen to hear from people from all backgrounds. If you are suitable, full training and professional support will be given and you will be matched with a person who is right for you both. What is important is that you are enthusiastic, committed, caring, encouraging and sensitive to others needs.
I’m interested, so what next? Find out more about becoming a Shared Lives carer for Croydon. Visit www.croydon.gov.uk/sharedlives, email sharedlivesteam@croydon.gov.uk or telephone 020 8726 6000 ext. 63516.
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October/November 2014 | Your Croydon
Putting an end to domestic violence Month-long campaign aims to bring the hidden menace of domestic violence into the open – and show how to tackle it. The crime that, in too many cases, people are either too ashamed or too afraid to talk about – that’s domestic violence. And that is why the borough’s Family Justice Centre is supporting Domestic Violence Awareness Month during October, using the campaign to highlight the help that is available in Croydon. Increased safety and support services are being offered to victims of this insidious crime with the introduction of specialist support workers based at Windmill Road police station and Croydon University Hospital. From this autumn, an independent domestic violence advocate (idva) will be based at Windmill Road to help high-risk victims and their children. The council-funded support officer will be the main point of contact for victims, and will work with them from the point of the incident to assess their level of risk, discuss the range of options available to them and develop safety plans. Detective Chief Inspector Siân Thomas, who leads Croydon's community safety unit, said: "Having an idva based here with our team will benefit victims of domestic abuse and it will also help my officers deal with what are often very delicate and complex cases. “It means we can refer people there and then, and get them the support and advice they need at an early stage." Victims of domestic violence should contact the Family Justice Centre on 020 8688 0100 and visit www.croydon.gov.uk/ community/dabuse/fjcentre
Croydon's response Launch of Values vs Violence programme in schools to help young people understand the signs of domestic violence, and to know where to get support. A young persons’ violence advocate, now based at the Family Justice Centre. Additional idva support (an officer specially trained to help DV victims) in Windmill Road police station, with another planned for Croydon University Hospital. Every GP in Croydon to be provided with a screening note pad, to highlight key indicators of domestic and sexual violence, and with advice to keep this in mind when seeing patients.
The danger signs • Is your partner jealous and possessive? • Have you been cut off from family and friends and left isolated? • Is your partner charming one minute and abusive the next? Do they have sudden changes of mood – like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde? • Does your partner control your life – for example, your money, who you should see, what you should wear? • Do they monitor your movements? • Do they blame you for the abuse? • Do they humiliate or insult you in front of others? • Do they verbally abuse you? • Do they constantly criticise you? • Do they use anger and intimidation to frighten you and make you comply with their demands? • Do they tell you that you’re useless and couldn’t cope without them? • Have they threatened to hurt you or people close to you if you leave? • Do you change your behaviour to avoid making them angry? • Do they force you to have sex when you don’t want to?
Different forms of abuse • Damaging possessions. • Smashing the furniture. • Threatening to harm or kill the pets. • Threatening to kidnap or get custody of the children if the partner leaves. • Locking the partner out of the house during an argument. • Terrorising the partner by driving fast or through red lights at high speed because they knows it frightens them.
www.croydon.gov.uk
yoursafety 15
Looking to a bright future What has really impressed me, during my first three months in post, is the desire and passion, from everyone I've met, to make Croydon a safer and better place. The good news is that crime is down in Croydon. Mugging, house breaking and thefts from cars is at levels not seen for a number of years, but I need to translate these figures into action; ie, that you feel safer. My challenge is to improve your confidence in Croydon police; confidence in our ability to work with others to reduce crime, catch criminals and deal with your concerns. Our poster campaign has started to tell you about what we’re doing locally to deal with your issues. This is all part of the Met's
wider Listening Campaign where we listen to you, try to respond to your concerns, or tell you why we can't do something. The Listening Campaign is looking to engage with over a million people over the next couple of months, which is a real opportunity for us to find out what matters to you. Croydon will be involved in the Met's Community Ambassador programme, designed to encourage recruitment into the police from the range of communities. If you’re interested in taking part, contact me at andy. tarrant@met.police.uk Of particular note over the past eight weeks has been the third anniversary of the riots. However, I think that it’s time to look forward
and not back. Croydon has a lot to be proud of. The redevelopment of the town centre offers unparalleled opportunities to put Croydon on the map and I’m still seeing communities, brought together by the riots, working in partnership. Maybe some good did come out of those terrible events, after all. Clearly, we face challenges, and I’m keen to tackle the issues that still exist, but, as I said earlier, the message on crime is a positive one. There is much to be confident about in terms of Croydon police and the council working together to tackle the issues that really matter to you. We’re looking at what we can do across the borough, not only
in terms of tackling crime and antisocial behaviour but also to improve pavements and signage, for example, to regenerate certain areas. I’m very much into a “you said, we did” type of approach, and if we can't do something – for example, because it’s not possible under the law – we need to tell you that. I will be ensuring that all my officers and civilian staff are aware of this. Don't forget, you can follow us on Twitter at @MPSCROYDON; we have more than 6,000 followers – please add to this number.
Andy Tarrant
Chief Supt Andy Tarrant Croydon borough commander
Turning to technology Two-way radios and banknote scanners are traders’ latest weapons as they seek to protect their businesses. The battle against crime is being fought on technological grounds in London Road as traders embrace schemes introduced by the council to help keep their businesses safe. Traders gave an enthusiastic welcome to the free Safer Croydon Radio scheme when it was introduced a year ago by the Safer Croydon Partnership. (Learn more about the SCP here.) Some 40 traders are currently signed up to the introductory offer which runs until next March. All say they would recommend it to other local businesses, and most have indicated that they will continue to back the scheme once the free introductory period has ended. The two-way radio system links the traders to each other, the council’s CCTV control room and the police, providing instant communication in the event of a crime – such as shoplifting, assault or robbery – being committed. The radios enable traders to transmit wrong-doers’ descriptions and the nature of the crime they are thought to have committed, often resulting in a swift arrest or detainment. The London Road traders were encouraged to use the radios for free as part of the West Croydon Safer Cleaner Coordinator project. The usual cost of scheme membership is more than £300 a year, including VAT.
More can be learned of Safer Croydon radio here. More recently, counterfeit banknote scanners have been distributed among the traders. Recognising a note as a forgery is becoming increasingly difficult as technology advances, so the council introduced the scanners to help shopkeepers, restaurateurs and other small business owners identify dodgy fivers, tenners and £20 and £50 notes. Initial reaction has been positive, with several notes being identified as counterfeit within the first few weeks of the scanners being brought into play.
16 yourcommunity
October/November 2014 | Your Croydon
Make life easier – sign up to My Account
The council’s dedicated online services and reporting facility saves you time and money. Residents’ transactions with the council – everything from paying the rent, to reporting a fly-tip – are now easier than ever, and all achievable from home. Simply by logging on, residents can open the council’s My Account facility, designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind. Carrying out such tasks as paying rent, requesting housing repairs, and reporting a range of issues can be done from the /my account comfort of the sofa, taking away the need to travel to the council’s offices – saving time and money. And the list of My Account functions is set to grow from the end of October, when users will also be able to access their council tax account.
pay
My
My CROYDON CROYDON
repo rt report
apply
/my account /myaccount
pay pay
Rents - payments Housing Housing register Housing repairs Ordering waste bins
TEMBER ISSUE 64 - AUGUST/SEP
Illegal encampment
Dead animal Dog fouling
Missed waste collection
Domestic waste collection problems
Parks and environment
Building Notice application
Fly-tipping Graffiti
Recycling site problem
Building control regularisation
Highways defect
Skip problem
Highways spillage
Bulky waste collection
Highways drainage
Spillage or street cleansing
White goods collection
Highways parking
on of community informati
k www.croydon.gov.u
ISSUE 65 OCTOBE R/NOVE
MBER 2014
Your prima ry source of
Highways obstruction
Illegal street trading
Street furniture Untaxed or abandoned vehicles
What do you think?
2014
Your primary source
And the following issues can be reported Dangerous building or structure
The following services are app ly apply available via My Account Planning
My Account can be reached on the council’s website by clicking here. The council does, however, recognise that not everybody is confident when it comes to carrying out such transactions online, so it is offering a helping hand. In the town centre, staff from Learn Direct are available in Access Croydon, Bernard Weatherill House, Mint Walk, every Friday between 10am and 3pm, offering advice on tuition courses suitable for individuals’ requirements. And people can get online, free of charge, at any borough library. More information can be found here.
community information www.croydon .gov.uk
Culture club – new arts qua leads town-ce rter ntre regenera Page 3 tion
arent council3 Page Your open and transp for all A fairer Croydon Page 8 Free swimming 14 Page
Busin Month of event ess as usual – s for and established start-ups companies Page 4
Busin Traders trade ess as usual – as London Road refurb gets under way Page 7
You are reading the second edition of the new electronic version Your Croydon, the council’s magazine for all borough residents. There have been some minor changes from the print
version, but we have worked to ensure that it continues to deliver – in a bright, informative way – the news of all that the council is doing for you and your community. Now, we’d like you to tell us
what you think. Do you like the lay-out? Are you happy with the content? Would you like to see anything changed? Drop us an email to this address to let us know what you think of your Your Croydon.
subscribe to the Your Croydon eBulletin at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe
yourregeneration 17
Licensed to rent Public consultation aims to set guidelines that will see end of shoddy rental properties. Rogue landlords and poor-quality accommodation are in the sights of a scheme that will include all private-sector rental properties in the borough. Following the successful launch of its Don’t Mess with Croydon, Take Pride campaign, the council is looking at other ways to improve Croydon by tackling poor standards of private rented properties, and antisocial behaviour. With those aims in mind, the Better Place to Rent consultation will be launched on Monday 17 November, to investigate the possibility of introducing a borough-wide licensing scheme.
If adopted, the scheme would require landlords to obtain a licence before renting their properties, and meet a number of criteria before being awarded that licence, ensuring the removal of rogue landlords who rent pvoor-quality properties to unsuspecting tenants. Landlords, too, will benefit from the scheme by enjoying better support from the council in evicting antisocial, nuisance tenants. To take part in the online consultation, running until 12 December, click here. Alternatively, visit here for further information and a downloadable copy of the survey.
First birthday for town-centre discount card Croydon town centre’s discount card has been given a big thumbs-up by savvy shoppers, after delivering savings in excess of £52,000 during its first year of operation. Check Out Croydon, introduced by the Croydon Business Improvement District as a means of boosting town-centre trade, marks its first anniversary on 21 October. Since its launch, thousands of residents, employees and visitors alike have taken advantage of around 75 exclusive offers and discounts available from more thna 60 well-known businesses across the town, including shops, restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels and service providers. As a result, 89% of Check Out Croydon cardholders surveyed said they would recommend the scheme to family and friends. To join the thousands of people already benefiting from the Check Out Croydon scheme, go to www.croydonbid.com
Car park site ear-marked for new homes New lease of life on the cards for tired car park as shops and homes are planned. As part of the regeneration of one of the borough’s main district centres, the council has completed the purchase of a former car park in South Norwood to build new homes. A planning application is due to be submitted, in the coming months, for the site at 24 Station Road, outside Norwood Junction station. With the number of homes yet to be finalised, the application will include plans to build apartments as part of
the council’s New Build programme. These will provide much-needed council housing for families in need – a key part of the plans to regenerate Croydon. The application will be for a mixed-use scheme, including a commercial space on the ground floor. South Norwood is one of Croydon’s major district centres, and this development will play a part in regenerating the area.
18 yourcommunity
October/November 2014 | Your Croydon
Join up – learn a trade – s Helping keep the Army on the move, Croydon’s Royal Logistics Corps regiment is looking to sign local people to assist. Helping provide the life support and logistic services to keep the Army working, 151 Regiment is an Army Reserve regiment, and part of the Royal Logistic Corps. Having recently moved into the Mitcham Road barracks, and keen to recruit local men and women, the regiment offers a range of opportunities and qualifications for successful recruits. Wherever in the world the Army is, you will find the RLC. The RLC’s motto “We Sustain” reflects its role in managing the complex Army supply-chain management system. Whether in a snow field or a scorching desert, the RLC stores, transports, accounts for and monitors the flow of everything the Army needs. London’s only transport regiment, 151 Regiment RLC is equipped with the latest modern military logistic vehicles. As part of 101 Logistic Brigade, its soldiers need to be highly trained and ready to deploy on operations when called upon to do so. The transport regiment has served on operations in Iraq, UN peace-keeping duties in Cyprus, and, most recently, operations in Afghanistan. Recruited locally, its reservists come from all walks of civilian life representing today’s modern diverse society. Following initial recruit training, they develop a range of trade skills, including obtaining licences to drive a wide range of vehicles on and off road in all kinds of conditions. Some are also trained in catering. RLC chefs are responsible for sustaining the fighting force, both in barracks and on operations. Reservists are paid the same rates as the Regular Army and have an annual leave entitlement. Anybody keen to become a reservist should call the central recruiting line on 01277 268960 or find out more here.
Case studies The insurance broker An insurance broker in everyday life, 31-year-old Nathan Lewington has been a reservist for 11 years, joining the Army Reserve as a chef, responsible for food preparation and catering for hungry soldiers, whether at a silver service banquet or in a field kitchen. Based in Sydenham Road, since joining he has qualified as an infantry soldier, a driver and chef, which is his main trade in the RLC, and has twice been to Afghanistan. He is currently working as part of a recruit mentoring team, training and mentoring new recruits. He said: “I’ve always enjoyed my time in the Army Reserves. “The training is challenging physically and mentally, but rewarding at the same time. “I’ve learnt many skills and qualifications that are transferable into my civilian career. “My employer fully supports what I do as the leadership and management skills I have learnt benefit my employment.”
Amelia Katz gton Nathan Lewin
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see the world
ze
yourcommunity 19
Honours for those who help build communities Annual Community Civic Awards recognise the efforts of those who give up their time to help others and bring the borough’s communities together. Selfless individuals and organisations were among the employees of local firms, fundraisers, carers, volunteers and young people to be honoured at this year’s awards ceremony. The finalists who attended the ceremony were drawn from more than 150 nominations, made earlier in the year by members of the public. The lifetime achievement award this year went to Jyotsna Patel. The 70-year-old Ugandan, Lifetime award: Jyotsna Patel, flan by the who arrived in the UK Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Manjuked ShahulHameed, and Lawrie Nic oll, of sponsor AIG. in 1972 and has been an active volunteer ever since, is now chair of the UK Asian Women’s Organisation. For more than 40 years, Jyotsna has helped people learn English, promoted healthy eating and health awareness, and organised a wide range of events and activities to bring the young and old together.
The textile designer Amelia Katze, has been a reservist for just over three years. A 25-year-old textile designer, she joined the Army Reserve as a communication specialist and is attached to 151 Regiment the Royal Logistic Corps based at the Army Reserve Centre in Sydenham Road. She joined the reserves to meet people and for the opportunity to do something challenging: “My first two years have been focused on recruit training and trade training.” “I’ve recently qualified as a communications specialist and am looking forward to working within the unit’s radio troop. “The work’s interesting, and I get to go on exercises and carry out a variety of military skills training. “I’m also a member of the Royal Logistic Corps parachute display team, and jump regularly. “Since joining the reserves, my fitness has improved – last year, I took part in the Royal Logistic Corps skiing championships, I took part in the London marathon and completed a 100km march in the Netherlands.”
Other award winners were: • B arratts, London (employees of the year) • S ara Greenidge (fundraiser of the year) • S u Kamat (carer of the year) • Brendan O’Donnell (young volunteer of the year) • Sahara Quli (civic life award) • A nnie McDonald (personal achievement award) • Sally Bruce (volunteer of the year) • Rape and sexual abuse support centre (voluntary group of the year) The Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Manju Shahul-Hameed, said: “We have a long tradition in Croydon for volunteering and I hope that, through these awards, this tradition will grow stronger.” Judges examined each entry and scored achievements against criteria designed to identify those people 2014 Croydon who had gone further than others and made a Community real difference to their Civic Awards community.
20
yourcommunity
October/November 2014 | Your Croydon
Former Croydon Mayor loses battle with cancer Brenda Kirby, a former Mayor of Croydon, and founder of the cancer charity that bears her name, has passed away, aged 70. Mrs Kirby was first elected to represent New Addington in 1986, where she had lived for 20 years. Ill-health forced her to stand down but she was re-elected following a by-election in 2000 and became Mayor of Croydon in 2004. Mrs Kirby was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and, having received support from the South East Cancer Care Centre, in Purley, decided to set up a similar centre in New Addington. In 2010 she was awarded an MBE for her contribution to the community of New Addington. Opened in November 2011, the Brenda Kirby Cancer Centre offers advice and support to local people. Councillor Tony Newman, leader of Croydon Council, said: “Brenda was
from that rare breed of politicians who not only connected naturally with local communities but also brought together people from all the main political parties. “She lived alongside the community she represented for many years, and had a deep and personal understanding of the issues that mattered most to those she represented. “I know I can speak for everyone who knew Brenda when I pass on to her family the sincere gratitude Croydon owes to a woman who dedicated her life to helping others and making the world a better place.” As a teacher with a passion for drama and the arts and a love for her community, Mrs Kirby became a governor at Fairchildes Primary School, manager of the Goldcrest Youth Centre and founder of the New Addington Little League.
She served both as an opposition member on the library and arts and education committees and as the lead member for cultural services.
Art and music to mark Anti-Slavery Day Local charity stages events to highlight its work in fight against modern slavery. An art exhibition and a gig will be the main events marking this year’s AntiSlavery Day. Both will help highlight the past year’s work of local charity Croydon Community Against Trafficking (Ccat) in combating modern slavery, and will take place at Matthew’s Yard, off Surrey Street. Anti-Slavery Day this year falls on Saturday, 18 October. The art exhibition, running from 3 to 20 October, will include the work of Sandra Wills, Marie McLoughlin, Christine McLoughlin and Oliver Pengilley. In addition, schools, churches, and Coulsdon and Croydon colleges are contributing art pieces.
Each exhibit will take the concept of freedom as its central theme and will be available for purchase, with the proceeds going to Ccat. The music event, on Thursday, 16 October, will feature local band Back Before Dawn and Croydon singer/ songwriter Sasha Fanthome. Ccat is a voluntary coalition of people from all walks of life who work to raise awareness of human trafficking, oppression, and the enslavement of people that exists in our own community. It works with local, regional and national agencies and seeks to respect human rights at all times. For more information, visit www. ycaht.com and www.antislavery.org
Where and when Art exhibiton: 3 to 20 October (not Mondays), 10am-10pm. Admission: free. Music event: 16 October, 7pm. Admission: £5 donation on the door Venue: Matthew’s Yard – www.matthewsyard.com For further information: Art project: Christine McLoughlin – telephone 07796 113958, email christinemcl132@gmail.com Music event: Anna Arthur – telephone 07733 221949, email sannacott@gmail.com
www.croydon.gov.uk
history for tomorrow
yourcommunity 21
October is national Black History Month, a time when important people, places and events of African origin that have made a historical impact are remembered and celebrated. Internationally recognised stars, dance, storytelling, poetry and costumes will help Croydon mark this year’s Black History Month. Black history will be celebrated with events taking place across the borough, promoted and supported by the council. Running throughout October, this year’s theme will be Croydon Celebrates Black History: History for Tomorrow. The full programme of events can be viewed here with printed copies available from Croydon libraries. Croydon celebrates black history by: remembering people, places and events from the African Diaspora that have made an historical impact; highlighting those who are making history today; documenting or preserving this heritage to pass on to future generations, with a reference to local history; and celebrating the traditions of communities through stories, festivals, crafts, dance and costumes to enhance cultural understanding and appreciation. The celebration of black history is ongoing in Croydon throughout the year, with a range of community events and activities.
joan armatrading
richard neville
This year’s theme also profiles those who are making history today, and this is reflected in the scheduled events. These will include opportunities to discover historical events through performance, music, storytelling and song, and also by taking part in thought-provoking discussions. Many events are free, all take place in Croydon, and the breadth of variety means there is something to interest everybody. Highlights include poetry, story readings, workshops and live performances, featuring: • Rupert Colley – black history talk • Discussions about topical issues • History of business and enterprise in the UK Caribbean and African communities • In celebration of our culture • Joan Armatrading – Ivor Novello Award-winning singer/ songwriter • The Three Degrees – chart-topping vocal trio • Michael D’Souza – Rastamouse co-writer • Richard Neville – writer and broadcaster • Omid Djalili – comedian For more information, email or call 020 8726 6000 ext 63311.
rupert colley
omid djalili
22
yournews
October/November 2014 | Your Croydon
Keeping the waters at bay Work continues in Kenley and Purley with improvements to the course of the Caterham Bourne and flood-prevention measures. Works designed to prevent a repeat of last winter’s flooding in Kenley and Purley are set to be approved by the council on Monday 20 October. Almost £850,000 will be spent on a range of tasks that includes increasing the size of the underground section of the Caterham Bourne, increasing the capacity of the temporary reservoir at Bourne View, and upgrading the balancing pond at Purley Oaks.
Other projects include carrying out landscaping at Bourne Park to form a dam, building a retaining wall to protect homes from flood water at Bourne Park Close, improving the flow of water past the school and cricket club and reinforcing the open ditch near the Tesco car park. A lot of work has already been completed, most importantly changes to the pipe network between the Godstone Road water treatment plant and Purley, meaning that, in future, temporary pumps and hoses will not be needed to transfer excess water past those homes most at risk of flooding. The culverted section of the Bourne that runs under Dale Road is also in the process of being cleared to prevent water backing up and reaching the surface.
Your police, your say Residents are being given a chance to have their say on policing at an event organised by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime and the Metropolitan Police. Panellists are visiting Croydon to talk about the progress made against the Mayor of London’s Police and Crime Plan and to hear local peoples’ views on policing in the capital. Stephen Greenhalgh, Deputy Mayor for policing and crime, Assistant Commissioner Helen King and Croydon’s borough commander, Chief Superintendent Andy Tarrant, will be at Croydon Conference Centre, Surrey Street on 4 November. Doors open at 6pm, the event starts at 6.30pm. Progress has been made over the past year with crime in London now falling faster than the rest of the country – down by 6% in 2013/14. However, challenges remain and it is right to not only showcase local success stories but to continue the conversation with Londoners where further changes need to be made. For more information, and to register for the event, click here.
Talking policing: Stephen Greenhalgh
www.croydon.gov.uk
yourcommunity 23
From Pop Idol to Prince Charming Singer of the third best-selling single of the noughties set to rescue Snow White. Hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s off to work we go for this year’s Christmas panto spectacular, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, at Fairfield’s Ashcroft Theatre from Friday 5 December to Sunday 4 January. Gareth Gates, whose career started with a TV tussle with Will Young, stars as Prince Charming in this funpacked family pantomime. Croydon’s favourite Dame, the hilarious Quinn Patrick, returns for his fourth consecutive Fairfield panto, appearing along with Witney White playing her namesake,
Siani Owen as the wicked Queen Morgana, and The Magnificent Seven filling rather crucial roles. Packed with comedy, great music, dazzling dancing and stunning sets – not forgetting the obligatory audience participation – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will entertain the whole family. Tickets are on sale from the Fairfield box office on 020 8688 9291 or online at www. fairfield.co.uk All tickets for performances from Friday 5 to Friday 12 December, and Sunday 4
January are £17. All other performances are priced £21, £26 & £30 adults, and £21, £22 & £25 children and senior citizens. The family ticket (two adults and two
children) costs £91. Concessions are available for groups, schools, Brownies and Cubs, and there is no booking fee.
Win a family ticket to see Snow White “Mirror, mirror on the wall, which is the greatest panto of them all?” will be the question on everybody’s lips when Fairfield hosts this year’s family fun fest. The answer, of course, is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Gareth Gates will be easily slipping into his best Prince Charming in the Evolution Pantomimes production in the Ashcroft Theatre. Your Croydon and Fairfield have joined forces to offer one lucky family a chance to join the fun. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs promises a wondrous mix of all the ingredients that make for a great family night out – heroes, a wicked queen, spectacular costumes, great dancing, music and songs, an outlandish panto dame and plenty of rib-tickling gags. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs offers great value, with tickets – all with no booking fee – priced at just £17 from 5 to 12 December, and with following performances at £21, £26 and £30. Concessions are available for children, senior citizens, schools, groups and families. Tickets are available from the Fairfield box office by calling 020 8688 9291 or online at www.fairfield.co.uk
To win a family ticket of four seats for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, tell us the name of the song made famous by The Righteous Brothers that was a huge hit for Gareth Gates. Terms and conditions: Prize is a family ticket for four for the 5.30pm performance of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, at Fairfield’s Ashcroft Theatre on Tuesday 30 December. The editor’s decision is final and there is no cash or performance alternative to the prize, which is non-refundable and not for resale.
Answer ................................................................................................ Name ................................................................................................... Daytime tel no. ................................................................................ Address ............................................................................................... Email address.................................................................................... Email your answer to yourcroydon@croydon.gov.uk to arrive not later than Friday, 21 November, 2014. The winner will be the sender of the first correct answer selected at random.
24 yourdiary
October/November 2014 | Your Croydon
Council meeting dates Deadlines for public questions for the forthcoming full council meetings (starting at 6.30pm) – noon on the relevant deadline date. Meeting: Monday, 1 Dec Deadline: Monday, 17 November To submit a question (maximum number of words: 50) for consideration at a full council meeting, email it to council. questions@croydon.gov.uk ; or print and complete the form at www.croydon.gov.uk/councilquestion and post it to Questions for the council, Democratic and legal services, 4th floor, Zone G, Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon CR0 1EA; or call 020 8726 6000 extn 63876. Unless otherwise stated, scrutiny meetings start at 6.30pm, in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall. Meeting:
14 Oct Children and young people scrutiny sub-committee
21 Oct Health, social care and housing sub-committee Venue: St Joseph's RC College, Beulah Hill, Upper Norwood, SE19 3HL
11 Nov Scrutiny and strategic overview committee
For information on scrutiny, visit www.croydon.gov.uk/ scrutiny or email scrutiny@croydon.gov.uk. Meetings of the Safer Neighbourhood Board are held in the venues indicated. For further information, go to www.croydononline.org/safer-neighbourhood-board Forthcoming public meeting dates are: Wednesday 14 January at 6.30pm – Community Space, Mint Walk, Croydon
Useful contacts For police, fire brigade, ambulance, call: 999 or 112, Text phone 1800
Croydon Council general enquiries 020 8726 6000 Croydon NHS Walk-in Centre 020 3040 0800 Non-emergency urgent care - 111 Croydon University Hospital 020 8401 3000
Get in touch To get in touch with the Your Croydon editorial team, email: yourcroydon@croydon.gov.uk or call 020 8760 5644 If anybody you know isn't receiving the online version of Your Croydon, tell them that they can ensure delivery by subscribing at www.croydon. gov.uk/subscribe
Central Library and Museum of Croydon Katharine Street, Croydon CR9 1ET Open: Monday to Saturday (see website for daily hours) Library – www.croydon.gov.uk/central-library Telephone: 020 8726 6900 Email: libraries@croydon.gov.uk Museum – www.museumofcroydon.com Telephone: 020 8253 1022 Email: museum@croydon.gov.uk
Wednesday 13 March at 6.30pm – Community Space, Mint Walk, Croydon Details of all Croydon Council meetings can be found on the council website at www.croydon.gov.uk/democracy/ dande/minutes
Guided Walks For full details, visit: www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/ parksandopenspaces/walks October Friday 17 October Autumn in Happy Valley An easy-paced hilly walk around Happy Valley with Marion Davies to spot seeds and berries and to enjoy the changing leaf colours. Meet at 10 am in Farthing Downs car park, one mile south of Coulsdon South station.
Sunday 19 October Wildflowers for Wandle Park Join the Friends as they prepare the banks of the Wandle for sowing wildflowers. This is your chance to brighten up the river banks and make the park more attractive for people and wildlife. Meet at 10am by the bandstand in Wandle Park.
Fairfield Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG Details: www.fairfield.co.uk Telephone: 020 8688 9291 Email: boxoffice@fairfield.co.uk Sunday 19 October Happy Valley jungle explorer Join the warden to discover the history and wildlife of some of the hidden areas of Happy Valley. Walk covers some steep, uneven and overgrown ground, so strong footwear and long trousers are recommended! Meet at 2pm by the notice board by the fivebar gate in the Happy Valley car park, off Fox Lane, for this 90-minute walk. Bus 466 by The Fox pub in Coulsdon Road.
November Saturday 1 November Hallowe’en at Haling Grove Dress up and bring your pumpkin to
the park between 3 and 5pm and join the Friends of Haling Grove for an afternoon of scary fun in the park. For more information contact friends@ haling-grove.org.uk Sunday 23 November Come coppicing in Happy Valley For thousands of years, small trees have been cut down to regrow to produce a crop of firewood, fencing materials, tool handles, etc. Today we do the same to assist wildlife. A short talk and tour will be followed by a practical demonstration and a chance to have a go. Come just for the talk or stay all day. Call 07775 824811, numbers are limited.
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yourservices 25
Your A to Z of council services The council provides a comprehensive range of services designed to offer help and advice to residents. Below is only a small selection of those services – for the full list, visit www.croydon.gov.uk and follow the “A-Z” link at the top of the home page. Adoption Find out how to adopt a child or young person living in Croydon. Antisocial behaviour What to do about antisocial behaviour. Benefits Information about some of the help and benefits available to you in Croydon.
Dustbins
Information about household waste collection, your wheelie bin, and reporting a missed collection. Education Information on schools and colleges, pre-schools, adult and community education, extra-curricular activities. Elderly Services for older people. Food safety and hygiene
Benefits
Consumer advice The consumer advice service, in partnership with Citizen’s Advice Consumer Service, offers help and advice on your rights. Councillors General information on your local councillors, including their role, allowances and interests. Dropped kerbs and crossovers How to apply for a dropped kerb outside your home or business.
Our aim is to provide high-quality advice, both to consumers and businesses, and to ensure that food premises operate within the law and sell food which is safe to eat. Guided walks
There are more than 80 free guided walks and events on offer in Croydon every year. Health clinics – youth support
Free, confidential advice about all matters relating to the sexual health of young people is available at a range of clinics across Croydon. IT, photocopying and fax facilities – Croydon libraries
Where to find photocopiers and fax, and how to book free access to one of our PCs and the internet.
Jobs – disabled people employment and training schemes
If you have a disability and are looking for employment, there are schemes to support you.
Recycling – sites
Where to find our waste and recycling sites, and what can be recycled at each. Register office
General information about Croydon register office. School admissions – appeals Libraries
Libraries Free to join, with a wide range of up-to-date books, music, journals and much else. Motor salvage registration
Premises on which cars are broken down and spare parts sold require a registration. Nursery school education
You have the right to appeal to an independent panel if your child has been refused a place at your chosen school. Trees and landscape
Find out about trees and related issues, including tree preservation orders, trees in conservation areas and on development sites, and problems with neighbours' hedges. Unauthorised occupants – council property
We ensure one year of free nursery education for children in the borough.
Empty council properties may be occupied only with the council’s permission.
Older people – activities
Wheeled bins
Provision of leisure activities for older people within the community, including cultural, sporting and other organised social activities.
Information about your wheeled bin, household waste collection and reporting a missed collection.
Planning – online planning services
Voluntary organisations providing young people aged 13 to 19 with something to do, somewhere to go, and somebody to whom they can talk.
View current planning applications, decisions, appeals and enforcement cases, and link to the planning portal for online submissions.
Youth projects
Zoo licence
You need to apply for a licence to run a zoo – should you really want to!
www.cro ydon. gov.uk/atoz
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