Your Croydon 69 - August-September 2015 by Your Croydon

your ISSUE 69 - AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015

www.croydon.gov.uk

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Ambition – four days of festival fun See pages 4 and 5

Cycle race day, Ping! and the Rifles’ homecoming parade See pages 6, 7 and 18

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August/September 2015

The year of Ambition Highlights

As I write this column, I am reflecting on Croydon’s first Ambition music and arts festival – and what a stunning event it was.

Alongside up-and-coming young talent from Croydon, it featured international stars such as Soul II Soul, and nationally recognised comedy names, as well as theatre, dance and much more. But, more than anything, the festival proved to be another event putting people and local communities at the heart of celebrating art and culture across Croydon. See the picture feature spread on pages four and five. And when positioned alongside this summer’s already hugely successful Purley, London Road, Crystal Palace and South Norwood festivals, the arrival of the iconic Rise gallery, and fantastic announcement of Boxpark coming to our town next summer, it proves that Croydon is changing forever. No longer a sleepy outer London suburb, it is a vibrant, modern borough with an array of fantastic district and local town centres, a truly diverse population, and new job and training opportunities being created in numbers we could only have dreamed about a few years ago.

Ambitious for summer....................... 4-7 Picture features on three of this summer’s amazing town-centre events.

Taking up the tech challenge . . . . . . . . 8 A £2m hub in the town centre is set to keep Croydon at the forefront of the tech revolution.

Crowdfunding success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 An arts centre in Keeley Road has been set up thanks to help from a very modern financing scheme.

And that’s all before Westfield/Hammerson’s new world-class retail centre opens in a few years’ time. However, Ambition and growing success bring their own challenges, so that is why, as a council, we are proud to be delivering a number of new schools for local people, ensuring thousands of new homes are being built, and introducing a licensing scheme for private landlords to improve the standard of accommodation for those who choose to rent.

Stepping into the world of work . . 13

Also, we are campaigning to further improve Croydon’s fantastic public transport provision, which is rapidly becoming a victim of its own success with buses, trams and trains often running near, or at, capacity.

Pledging support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

It is, in fact, with the pressures on public transport in mind that I, as council leader, have launched Croydon’s campaign to convince national government and the Mayor of London that the proposed Bakerloo line Tube extension should continue on from its proposed route to Lewisham and then cut through south-east London to Croydon. I hope you agree that the Tube would be a good thing for Croydon; please do let us know your views. Can I take this opportunity to wish everyone a peaceful summer and an enjoyable holiday if you’re lucky enough to be having one. And please, if you have children, do ensure you take up the offer we are repeating from last year of free swimming for young people in borough leisure centres.

Councillor Tony Newman Leader of the council

Apprenticeships and work placements are vital for young people as they consider their future.

Students at Croydon College have signed up to spread the anti-domestic violence message.

Jubilant home coming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 The Rifles marked their return from a third Afghanistan tour with a march and presentation to the Mayor of Croydon.

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For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news

50 years young In 1965, people in Croydon, Coulsdon and Purley ceased to be residents of Surrey when their boroughs became part of Greater London. Marking the 50th anniversary of Croydon becoming part of London, 20 stones are to be placed in parks and streets across the borough. Croydon became a London borough on 1 April 1965 by bringing together the old local councils of Croydon and Coulsdon & Purley, both of which were in Surrey. Croydon Council is marking the anniversary with 20 large stones representing the borough’s original 20 local wards. The stones, which, until recently, lined Central Parade in New Addington, are being fitted with brass plaques commemorating the borough’s creation. A number of the stones are already in place, and the rest will be installed in August. Councillor Alison Butler, the council’s deputy leader, said: “Becoming part of London 50 years ago was a key moment in Croydon’s history, and placing these beautiful recycled stones across the borough is a fitting way to celebrate this landmark.” The locations are:

Left to right: Councillor Alison Butler (deputy leader and ward member for Bensham Manor), Councillor Patricia Hay-Justice (Mayor of Croydon), Councillor Humayun Kabir (Bensham Manor ward member) unveiling the Bensham Manor commemorative stone in Trumble Gardens.

1965 ward name

Present day ward name

Locations

Addiscombe

Junction of Morland Road and Morland Avenue

Bensham Manor

Trumble Gardens

Broad Green

Wandle Park

Central

Fairfield

The Queen’s Gardens

Coulsdon East

Bradmore Green pond

East

Ashburton

Ashburton Park

New Addington

New Addington and Fieldway

Milne Park

Norbury

Norbury Park

Purley

Purley and Kenley

High Street, Purley

Sanderstead North

Sanderstead and Croham

Outside Sanderstead Station

Sanderstead and Selsdon

Selsdon and Ballards

Sanderstead Pond

Shirley

Shirley and Heathfield

Library, Wickham Road

South Norwood

Norwood Junction station

Thornton Heath

Clocktower, Parchmore Road

Upper Norwood

Upper Norwood Recreation Ground

Waddon

Waddon Leisure Centre

West Thornton

Thornton Heath pond

Whitehorse Manor

Selhurst

Heavers Meadow

Woodcote and Coulsdon West

Coulsdon West and Purley

Library, Brighton Road

Woodside

Woodside Green

The project complements the Moving to London exhibition running until 31 October in the Museum of Croydon.

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August/September 2015

Ambition realised EAT FESTIVAL CROYDON HOSTS A GR

Culture and the arts crashed back onto the Croydon scene when the council staged the first Ambition Festival over four days in July, showing there’s a healthy appetite among residents and visitors for such a major event. OK – so the weather might not have been exactly typical of what would be expected for late July, but that didn’t stop Croydon having a fabulous Ambition Festival. Staged over four days and a number of venues, Ambition more than lived up to its name with acts and performances spanning music, theatre and comedy keeping the crowds entertained – even when conditions were less than ideal. The four-day weekend kicked off on Thursday (23) with reggae legend Lee “Scratch” Perry and desert rockers Tinariwen at Fairfield and a live dubstep orchestra in Croydon Minster. Friday saw 1980s hit veterans Soul ll Soul hitting a groove and cranking up the excitement in Fairfield’s concert hall followed by a jazz/swing hootenanny across the foyer in the Arnhem Gallery. Across town, in the Minster, Hyde & Beast and Nick Harper filled the ancient space with a different kind of music than is ordinarily heard therein.

For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news

Weather-wise, Saturday was the pick of the crop, with the sunshine seeing crowds gather in The Queen’s Gardens, on the Fairfield forecourt and on the adjacent College Green. Centre of attention in The Queen’s Gardens was the Fountain Stage, which saw half a dozen bands and solo artists filling the summer air with music. The gardens also hosted a large tepee bar, children’s zone, food stalls and plenty of seating and tables for sitting back and soaking up the vibes. Across the road, the Fairfield forecourt and College Green were buzzing with a range of kids’ events, including the everpopular Colourscape installation in which families could lose themselves in a series of dazzlingly coloured rooms. Sunday’s persistent rainfall necessitated some rearranging of the outdoor attractions, but the indoor venues proved popular. The Spreadeagle Theatre staged a Beatrix Potter production; Friends Meeting House came alive with dance and music; and venues such as The Oval Tavern, The Green Dragon, Matthews Yard and Scream Lounge catered for all tastes with a range of musical offerings – most of them free of charge. For more pictures go to www.flickr.com/yourcroydon

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August/September 2015

s t e e r t s e Racing in th

There were thrills a’plenty when the town centre took on the guise of a professional cycling track one early-summer evening. Tram services may have been suspended, roads closed and buses rerouted but, for one evening in June, the spotlight shone on Croydon as the cream of international cyclists came to race around its streets. The town centre hosted one of the biggest cycling events in Britain when the Pearl Izumi Men’s Tour Series, and the Matrix Fitness Women’s Grand Prix – two of the country’s main professional cycling events and the backbone of the UK pro-cycling scene – brought their lycra-clad razzle-dazzle to a one-kilometre loop centred on North End. Britain’s top cycling teams were in the starting line-up, including the new Team Wiggins, formed by 2012 Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins, and the One Pro Cycling team of England cricketer Matt Prior, which grabbed team and individual wins on the night. The women’s race saw Team Giordana Triton rider Nikki Juniper winning the individual and sprints jerseys after finishing second to Team WNT’s Commonwealth Games medallist Charline Joiner. But it wasn’t only the pros that shone on the track. The main events were preceded by an afternoon of children’s races that saw pupils from borough primary schools pedalling furiously up and down the North End stretch to the cheers and shouted encouragement of shoppers (right).

For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news

It’s a win-win

as table tennis takes a hold

The Ping! table tennis festival has seen an upsurge in interest – and participation – as free tables spring up across the borough. Croydon has gone ping-pongtastic as people have picked up a table tennis paddle – many for the first time in years – to have a game on the tables installed across the borough. Ping!, the free, council-backed table tennis festival, saw 17 tables, with associated equipment, installed in locations including parks, cafés and shopping centres. Running until 21 August, the aim of the festival is to get residents, workers and visitors to play impromptu matches – and help increase the amount of exercise they are taking. And the festival has proved incredibly popular, with hundreds of people loosening their collars, rolling up their sleeves and working up a bit of a sweat as they strive to beat their opponent. In addition to free play, Ping! has included master classes for those wishing to hone their skills, a weekly competition at Platform, Ruskin Square, and another competition to mark National Table Tennis Day in the Centrale shopping centre. But it isn’t only those used to handling a table tennis bat that are benefiting. Our picture (right) shows four-year-old Dylan, from Addiscombe, parries a return ball from Tristan, six, of Kenley. And, though the festival is scheduled to end later this month, the tables will remain; installed in parks and estates on a permanent basis or donated to organisations for the benefit of the community. For more information, visit www.pingcroydon.co.uk

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August/September 2015

r fo t e s le b a t e im t k r o W Taberner House site

Hundreds of new homes, one-third of which will be social, timetabled for former council HQ site. Construction work on the Taberner House site is expected to begin early next year, with new plans due to be submitted in the coming months. The scheme, on land

that previously housed the council’s headquarters building, will provide 418 homes in four blocks, with 30% affordable housing – double that of the previous proposals. The revised proposal replaces the previous scheme of five blocks and will provide significantly more green space in The Queen’s Gardens, immediately adjacent the site. It will be the first scheme

delivered by the council’s newly launched development company, in partnership with a developer. The council is already working with developers to bring 9,500 new homes forward in the next five years, but setting up a development company will enable the council to build even more and ensure it is ready to quickly respond to new opportunities.

This will give the council greater control of the scheme and is expected to more than double its forecast financial return. The council will be able to reinvest this in other schemes and essential public services. It also gives the council a greater say over the quality and tenure of housing schemes and enables the provision of more affordable homes.

New tech hub set to open next year Centre’s top-end facilities mark new dawn for town’s burgeoning tech sector. Croydon’s rapidly expanding tech sector is set to get its own £2m new-business and start-up space in the town centre. The project has backing from the council and the Greater London Authority for a new industry-leading 21,000 sq ft tech space in Davis House in Robert Street, Croydon. Set for launch early next year, in addition to providing flexible office and working areas for tech businesses, it will host training, courses and events, and investor and demo days at which budding businesses can meet potential investors, industrial partners and growth specialists. Croydon is London’s fastest growing tech cluster, having seen a 49% increase in new tech, digital and creative businesses set

up in the area since 2011. The new centre will also house Digital Art Central, the UK’s first digital art and media specialist hub, providing the leading digital artists and art entrepreneurs the same high-level facilities and businessbuilding tools usually reserved for tech entrepreneurs. Jonny Rose (left), founder of Croydon Tech City, said: “This workspace will be a welcome addition to Croydon Tech City’s burgeoning tech ecosystem and a boon for the hundreds of entrepreneurs, developers and creatives who live and work in the borough. “Croydon has seen a huge amount of growth in the telecommunications, media and technology sector over the past few years and physical hubs like this will play a key role in continuing the ecosystem’s success.”

For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news

Handing power to the community Do you have an idea for a project in your community? It could be anything from an event such as a fun day or Big Lunch, to a community clean-up day or improving a local park. Residents are being invited to get involved in the council’s new community ward budgets programme, which is about taking decision-making out of the Town Hall and devolving it into local areas. The programme sees councillors for each ward in Croydon given funding to help make a reality your ideas to improve your community. Each ward will receive a total of £6,000 – £2,000 per councillor in most wards, but £3,000 for each member in New Addington and Fieldway – with the potential to pool resources and work on joint projects. Each ward will have a dedicated web page for members to use for the promotion of the scheme and how people can get involved.

What kind of projects could be funded? Among the many different projects that could be funded from the community ward budgets programme are: • hosting a Big Lunch-type event; • refurbishing a community space; • new equipment for a local sports team; • park benches for a local street; • fliers for a community event; or • hiring a musician or speaker for a community event. More information and how to get involved will soon be available from here.

Get involved in local issues New council website gives residents the chance to get involved in issues that directly affect them and their community. Getting involved and having your say about what’s happening in your area has just got easier. This comes after the council launched a new online website called Get Involved for residents to share their views and help shape decision-making in their community. The digital consultation and engagement platform is a user-friendly website that can be easily accessed via PC, tablet and smartphone. The site allows residents to search for any consultations, surveys and events that are relevant to their interests and their area. Residents can log in using their My Account details and create a personalised profile based on their interests and where they live. Those who haven’t registered for My

Find out what consultations and engagements are coming up

Find out what people Find out future have told us and what consultation has happened dates as a result

Account can do so at www.croydon.gov.uk/myaccount In keeping with the council’s committment to openness and transparency, a registered user’s profile page will also display feedback from any engagement activities they have taken part in. At the click of a button, you can find out about, and get your voice heard on, initiatives in the area you in which you live. Your feedback can then be used in helping shape council services for the future. Get involved now at https://getinvolved.croydon.gov. uk – and don’t forget to have your say on what you think of the new site.

Get involved!

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August/September 2015

Majority support 20mph Plans for speed-limit cuts on residential streets in north Croydon have moved a step closer after most respondents to a council consultation voted yes. Fewer accidents, reduced pollution and less congestion are all on the cards as proposals to cut speed limits on residential roads gets the thumbs-up in the north of the borough. Residents, businesses and local groups were asked to give their views about introducing 20mph limit streets in parts of South Norwood, Selhurst, Bensham Manor, Thornton Heath and Upper Norwood. The council announced the results of the consultation on 13 July, revealing that 52.5% of respondents were in favour of reduced speed limits. Of the 2,320 responses, 46.4% opposed the proposal and 1.1% were undecided. The council is now carrying out a detailed analysis of residents’ feedback with a view to progressing to a

formal consultation period. If approved, the scheme could be implemented over the winter months and be operational by April next year. Cabinet decided in March to ask people across the borough if they want the new speed limits, with the north being consulted first before other areas of Croydon are approached next year. Extensive 20mph speed limits help cut the risk of accidents, congestion and pollution levels, encourage less car use and discourage ratrunning in quieter streets. The plans do not include Transport for London red routes, such as London Road, or busy through roads such as Beulah Hill and Whitehorse Lane. Croydon Council launched its consultation on 13 May.

20 THE REMAINDER OF THE BOROUGH TO BE CONSULTED FOR 20MPH AS SEPARATE AREAS /PROPOSALS UNDER A ROLLING PROGRAMME BY 2018.

Creating a stronger, fairer Croydon for all Three core values and a continuing drive for greater autonomy will shape the future of our borough and its residents. Growth, independence and a pleasant place to live lie at the heart of Croydon’s vision for the next three years. These are the aspirations set out by the council as part of its corporate plan for 2015-18, which is, in turn, shaped by the administration’s Ambitious for Croydon manifesto. The plan pledges to: • create growth in the Croydon economy; • help Croydon residents live as independently as possible; and • make Croydon a pleasant place, in which people want to live. Central to this vision will be the lobbying of government

for a fairer funding settlement, and to take up any offer to devolve powers to councils for the benefit of residents. It aims to tackle inequalities, and ensure people in deprived areas of the borough are supported to achieve better results at school, and access training, education and new job opportunities in Croydon. With the borough on the brink of huge transformation, the corporate plan promises to ensure all residents benefit, and that no community is held back, thus creating a stronger and fairer borough.

For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news

Car-park transformation steps up a gear

Work on Coulsdon’s Lion Green Road car park is now under way but there are plenty of places for residents and visitors to park in and around the town. Work has begun in Coulsdon on transforming Lion Green Road car park into a site for a new Waitrose supermarket and community space, as part of a major regeneration programme. It will also provide 190 short-stay car parking spaces – free for up to two hours – and a storage facility for the 1st Coulsdon Scouts. An archaeological survey of the site, currently taking place before the main construction works can start, involves

a number of “trial pits” being dug for investigation of any historical remains. Other works taking place include clearance of lampposts and pay-anddisplay ticket machines. Alternative parking There is currently short-stay on-street parking in Coulsdon town centre, free 90-minute parking at the Aldi supermarket in Brighton Road, and long-stay parking at Coulsdon South station, which has 71 parking bays with two disabled spaces.

The closest council car parks with longstay parking available are: • Reedham station, offering 54 long-stay parking spaces; and • Purley multi-storey car park, with a total of 412 parking bays. The council is also looking at using the existing Calat car park in Chipstead Valley Road for temporary medium-stay parking. For more information about the redevelopment visit www.croydon.gov.uk/ liongreen

Social enterprise community lands top gong for borough Higher profile for Croydon as it becomes the capital’s first holder of social enterprise status. Croydon is officially a social enterprise borough – the first in London. National campaign body Social Enterprise UK awarded Croydon the status in May, in recognition of the high number of businesses in the borough that are social enterprises – run for the benefit of the community. Croydon joins 11 other towns and cities in the country with social enterprise status. There are more than 120 registered social

enterprise businesses in the borough with hundreds more operating in the wider voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. National well-known examples of social enterprises include The Big Issue, the Eden Project and Jamie Oliver’s restaurant Fifteen. Croydon’s own include the Beanies café and crèche, MyOutSpace, Caysh, Mum’s the Chef, and PJ’s Community Services.

Yuliana Topazly (above), director of MyOutSpace, a Croydon business centre that supports women entrepreneurs, said: “It’s great news that Croydon has won social enterprise place status.

“This status will help to create awareness about support available for social enterprises, celebrate the success of the amazing work Croydon-based social enterprises already deliver and provide a reference point for everyone who is interested in setting up and developing a social enterprise in their own community. “I believe it will also help to bridge the gap between local authorities and community-based enterprises in Croydon.”

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August/September 2015

Crowdfunded artists launch town-centre workspace Borough’s first successful Spacehive project. An artist-led community initiative has transformed an empty town-centre shop into a dedicated workspace for use as a gallery and exhibition space – by raising money through crowdfunding. Crowdfunding sees a large number of people come together via the internet to donate money toward a project or venture. The group of artists, Turf Projects, launched their idea on crowdfunding website Spacehive, which is geared toward communities raising money for civic projects. In what is Croydon’s first successful Spacehive project, they raised nearly £23,000 to take over premises in Keeley Road on a permanent basis. Part of the crowdfunding came from the council and the Mayor of London’s High Street fund. Alice Cretney, founder and creative director, said: “Turf Projects has been working since 2013 to curate arts projects for the public realm in Croydon. “It has made a massive difference to us as a charity to reach our fundraising target and to receive this sum of money, which has enabled us, this year, to open a gallery and workspace on Keeley Road to provide a base for our activities. “This money will help us support artists locally and nationally by providing exhibition and employment opportunities for them; while presenting the Croydon community with a great opportunity to experience and become involved with contemporary art in their locality through free events and workshops.”

Co-director Isabelle Southwood

How the money was crowdfunded Mayor of London’s High Street Fund

£15,950

Turf Projects co-directors

£2,963

Croydon Council’s Meanwhile Use competition

£1,800

Kickstarter campaign

£1,050

Individuals £1,167

Are you looking for support for your own Spacehive project? The council is keen to support other community groups looking to launch civic projects through Spacehive. Email shujah.iqbal@croydon.gov.uk for details.

Topping the national jobs table The borough has topped the polls in ensuring that more than 90% of school leavers are in continuing education, jobs or training. The number of youngsters in training, jobs or education has risen by more than 10% in Croydon – the highest rise nationally. The latest Department for Education figures show that 8,343 of the borough’s 9,010 youngsters aged 16 and 17 were in education, jobs or training (92.6%) in March – up 10.2% from 2014. Croydon’s rise comes following council investment in more staff to work on improving its success rate, with planned next steps to include the setting up of a link between local businesses and youngsters wanting to know what skills they need to succeed in their chosen career. The Department for Education figures are available here.

For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news

Taking their first step into work A recently introduced scheme has seen 69 borough pupils filling work experience posts across a number of council departments. Getting that first taste of the work environment can be vitally important for youngsters considering where their future might take them. Croydon Council realises that and has extended a helping hand to older borough school pupils. A total of 69 youngsters will have completed placements at Bernard Weatherill House, the council’s HQ, and the Town Hall by September. This follows the First Step Croydon review into how the council can develop a high-quality education-to-employment brokerage and employability support service for young people. The review looks at how the council can respond to the job opportunities that will be created as a result of the borough’s growth and regeneration. Your Croydon spoke to Sherelle Patrick, aged 15, who spent two weeks on a placement in the council’s housing department. The Harris Academy South Norwood student (right) said: “I really enjoyed it. Before I came to the council I assumed it wouldn’t help me in choosing my preferred career; however, I found it very helpful. “Instead of being stuck in the office all the time, I was organised a timetable of different tasks to do every day. “From the whole experience, I found working in an office the most useful since it gave me a realistic idea of what

working with others in a proper work environment is like. “This will help me when choosing my future career as it made me realise how much I enjoy working with people.” Sherelle, who lives in Croydon, added: “I think it’s extremely important for large organisations to provide work experience for young people. “It will provide young people with a few ideas for their chosen career. From this experience I will take away with me how important teamwork is, as it’s key to making businesses successful.” To watch a video about First Step Croydon, click here.

On path to success Council event steering youngsters toward further education or a fulfilling job. Young people considering where their future path might take them should make the Steps to Success event their first port of call. Billed as an opportunity to speak to employers, colleges and training providers about current vacancies, it will be held in the community space in Bernard Weatherill House, Mint Walk, between 1 and 5pm on Monday 7 September. Steps to Success is aimed at teenagers aged 16 to 19 who either live in Croydon or attend a borough school or college. Anybody aged up to 25 with a physical or learning disability or difficulty could also benefit. If you meet those criteria and are looking for a college or sixth-form course, a job with training, an apprenticeship, or simple advice and support about your future options, be sure to take this first step to success. For more information, email rpacroydon@croydon.gov.uk or call 020 8726 7485.

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August/September 2015

Landlords snap up licence discount The owners of hundreds of privately rented homes have signed up to the council’s licensing scheme aimed at improving conditions for renters. More than 1,500 rented homes are now registered with Croydon Council’s licensing scheme as private landlords take advantage of the scheme’s early discount. The council launched a discounted £350 landlord licence on 1 July, with the cost rising to £750 per private rented property when the borough-wide scheme goes live on 1 October. There are about 30,000 private rented properties in

the borough, and the council is introducing the scheme to raise housing standards and tackle dodgy landlords who undercut their competitors on quality and price. All applicants must prove they are fit and proper – and from October any Croydon private landlord who breaks, or does not have, a licence faces a heavy fine or prosecution. A typical licence lasts five

years, so landlords qualifying for the £350 early-bird discount will pay the equivalent of 19p a day. Most landlords applying from October will pay a one-off £750, but those failing to meet their licence conditions may have to pay £750 each year. From October, any private landlord caught letting a property without a licence will face fines of up to £20,000, while anyone breaking licence

conditions can be prosecuted and fined up to £5,000. The council’s cabinet approved the scheme in March in response to a rise in the number of privately-rented properties with negative consequences, including antisocial behaviour and poor-quality homes. For more information, visit: www.croydon.gov. uk/betterplacetorent

Make sure you’re registered Council prepares to send 150,000 homes registration form that will enable them to vote – and help shape the political map. Are you registered to vote? This summer is the time to make sure that you are. The right to vote for Members of Parliament is a principle for which many have laid down their lives, so it is important that the right is not squandered. But the manner in which people can register is changing, and the results of this year’s canvass will reach further than usual. Due to be published on 1 December, the list will be used by the Boundary Commission when the map of constituencies is redrawn in 2018. Over the coming weeks, the council will be sending residents a household enquiry form on which they should provide details of all registered occupants of the property. If there are no changes to be made, the details can be confirmed online at www.registerbyinternet.com/croydon, or by post, Freephone or text. If details need to be changed – for example, to request a name to be included – new information can be provided at the same online address, or by posting the amended form. Anybody asking to be included on the voters list will be sent an invitation to register form as they are now required to register individually. However, individual registration is quicker and easier online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote Nathan Elvery, Croydon’s electoral registration officer, said: “We’re offering an extensive range of cost-effective options for residents to use and it has never been easier to register. “Residents should look out for the form as it will provide all the information required, and tell them exactly what they need to do.” For more information visit www.gov.uk/yourvotematters If you do not receive a letter, email electoral.services@ croydon.gov.uk

For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news

More to the job than crime Crime is continuing to fall in Croydon but I would like to talk about some of the stories behind these figures. Only 40% of police time is taken up with dealing with actual crime; the rest of it is spent on dealing with missing people, mental health issues and other work. Two recent cases provide excellent examples of this kind of work. The first saw three officers save the life of a man who suffered a heart attack in West Croydon. They were on foot patrol when called on to provide first aid to resuscitate the victim. Thankfully, they brought the man round, and I have no

doubt that they saved his life. The other case saw us drop everything to find a 10-year-old, suffering from a life-threatening health condition, who went missing from Thornton Heath. We devoted lots of officers and staff to looking for the boy, a case which attracted national media attention and, thankfully, he was found by an off-duty police officer 40 miles away. I think these cases perfectly illustrate the primary duty of Croydon police, which is to keep you, the

borough’s residents, safe. I have made it my goal over the next 12 months to try to reduce the fear of crime in Croydon, and, to that end, I have been asking residents how much crime they think there is. I had some interesting answers. Someone thought that we investigated at least 12 muggings a day; the reality is that, on average, we get five a week! Another member of the public thought that Croydon suffered from about a 1,000 house break-ins a month,

when actually that would be the six monthly total. Clearly, we need to inform you more, which is why I am going “walkabout” in the district centres to meet and greet as many people as possible. So, I will be coming soon, to a high street near you! Thanks for reading.

Andy Tarrant

Chief Supt Andy Tarrant Croydon borough commander

d a e r p s s t n e Stud c i t s e m o d i t n a e g a s s e m e c n e viol Croydon Congress sees young people and local organisations pledge their support for council’s White Ribbon Campaign. Students from Croydon College have pledged to put their weight behind the White Ribbon Campaign to stop domestic abuse. The recent Croydon Congress heard council leader Councillor Tony Newman call on everyone to make a commitment to change attitudes and behaviours toward domestic abuse and sexual violence in Croydon. Heeding the rallying cry, the students made their pledge to support the campaign – encouraging men to take more responsibility for reducing the level of violence against women – within the college

and the wider community. They plan to create a student network of domestic abuse youth ambassadors that will work in local schools to deliver an awareness programme about safe relationships. A-level student Rosie Coggins said: “We’re committed to taking a stand against domestic violence, and want our network to help the early identification of children and young people who are living with domestic abuse.” The ambassadors’ training is already under way with students working with the Family Justice Centre staff and the Cassandra Learning Centre team as part of their volunteer projects.

Croydon Business Improvement District (Bid) pledged to introduce a domestic violence and sexual violence HR policy to support its staff members, and will be calling on its 580 member companies across the town centre to consider adopting a similar policy. Working with its partners, the Bid will also support the White Ribbon Campaign, working toward 25 November, the international day for the eradication of violence against women. Chief executive Matthew Sims said: “After what can only be described as a truly

enlightening Croydon Congress, we were committed to taking action against domestic abuse, and introducing this policy felt like a good place to start.” Croydon Health Services also committed to developing a domestic abuse and sexual violence HR policy to cover its 4,000 employees. Other pledges included a mosque committing to organise sessions on domestic abuse and sexual violence; a housing association offering to develop training courses for younger residents; and innovative activity involving working with local artists and victims of domestic abuse.

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August/September 2015

The most important meal of the day A nutritious breakfast is the best start to the day, and that’s especially true for children – that’s why the borough’s school kitchens are opening early. Breakfast clubs, offering healthy food followed by exercise, are setting Croydon’s school kids up for a productive day in the classroom. And the breakfast club ethos is spreading as the council’s Food Flagship Borough programme helps schools with the setting up of the earlymorning facilities.

More than 80% of local schools are supporting kids to have a healthy and happy start to their school day by offering an in-school breakfast club. The clubs provide a choice of food and activities, and are a valuable way of ensuring that pupils start their day physically and mentally ready to learn. The club at Upper Norwood’s Rockmount Primary School, one of the borough’s Food Flagship schools, welcomes more than 40 pupils daily with healthy food and outdoor sports.

And the school is sharing the great work it is doing by hosting training sessions for breakfast club leaders from neighbouring schools.

At Fairchildes Primary, in New Addington, another Food Flagship school, a daily breakfast club runs for both pupils and parents/carers. Families attending can sample the daily specials, spend time in the school garden (left), or engage in activities such as smoothie making, giving them a valuable insight to the school’s values and methods. To learn more about the council’s healthy schools work and how to take part in Food Flagship projects, go to www. croydon.gov.uk/publichealth

Improving life prospects

for the over-65s The launch of a new initiative will bring longer, more fulfilling and independent lives to the elderly. A long, healthy and independent life is surely the hope of all of us, and a new programme is working to help older people achieve that hope. The programme, jointly run by the council and the Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will transform the way both organisations buy health and social care services for the over-65s. Dubbed outcomes-based commissioning, the new approach helps health and social care providers to achieve results and provide experiences that are important to local people. It can significantly improve the health and well-being of over-65s and help to ensure health and social care services work together. People have already identified the issues that matter most as: • staying healthy, active and independent for as long as possible; • getting access to the best quality care, enabling them to live as they choose;

• having support from professionals with specialist knowledge to understand how health and social care affects individuals; • getting more care and support tailored to individuals’ needs; and • being supported to manage long-term conditions. The council and CCG intend to commission a 10-year contract for all services for over-65s from an alliance of health and social care providers that will be expected to work with other organisations to deliver services for local people. The team is happy to attend meetings of any organisations that feel its members would benefit. For more information, or to get involved, contact the engagement team by emailing getinvolved@croydonccg.nhs.uk

For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news

Health report aims to combat deep-rooted problems New look makes health report easier to understand and shows borough still has health issues. A major design shake-up, making it easier for readers to digest information, is one of the more immediate features of this year’s Annual Public Health Report. Published by the council in partnership with the Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group, the report outlines plans to help reduce health inequalities across the borough. Proposals include a voluntary ban on smoking in children’s playgrounds, the reduction of child poverty, and getting more people back to work and remaining in employment. Giving a snapshot of 10 key areas – including weight, drug and alcohol misuse, poverty, and mental health – the report demonstrates the importance of health and well-being, their impact on the local economy and the potential for

improvement across residents’ lives. It also outlines what the council and its partners are doing to make further improvements in the future. The findings reveal that one in eight of the borough’s two-year-olds and a quarter of five-year-olds are not receiving the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) injection to protect them against these highly infectious diseases. A quarter of Croydon’s children (17,000) are living in poverty, and child poverty is expected to rise to 27% in the next four years. There are fewer smokers in the borough, but evidence shows prevalence is highest in Fieldway (29.3%) and lowest in Sanderstead (11.2%), and a 20-a-day smoker sees, on average, £2,900 per year going up in smoke. One in six adults (52,000) drink at

Getting to grips with a weighty issue

risky levels, and obesity rates are concerning with 66% of adults (181,000) and 40% (1,300) of 10- to 11-yearolds identified with this condition. Residents can submit their ideas on improving health and well-being across the borough, as well as how this report can be developed in the future, by emailing aphr2015@croydon.gov.uk, or by speaking directly to their ward councillor. The report can be downloaded from www.croydon.gov.uk/aphr

Success Stories Before…

…and after!

Adults and children face an unhealthy future if checks aren’t applied to their waistlines – the council’s here to help. Obesity is one of today’s biggest health issues, and with increasing numbers of Croydon adults and children adding to the statistics, the council is offering a lifeline to a healthier weight. One in three Croydon children aged 10 to 11 are overweight or obese, and for adults the situation is more serious as more than half are overweight or obese. Shockingly, these numbers equate to more than 170,000 residents. Seeking a shrinking of the numbers, the council is supporting residents to improve their health through a free weightmanagement programme provided by Weight Watchers. Lasting 12 weeks, the programme is open to eligible residents. When selected, they learn how easy it is to follow low-carb, gluten-free or highercarb diets, whichever best suits their body. Or, if they don’t want to measure and

count everything, they can try smaller portions of filling and healthy foods. People who qualify for the Weight Watchers referral scheme attend weekly meetings with a trained leader and have access to online support. Ask your GP or practice nurse for a referral to the programme, and find your local meeting at www. weightwatcherslocal.co.uk For children, Alive’n’Kicking provides a free weight-management service for four- to 12-year-olds, encouraging healthy eating and physical activity for all the family. The sessions take place at leisure centres, community centres, children’s centres and in schools. Workshops cover such topics as reading food labels, portion sizes, sugary drinks, healthy school foods, snacking, fast foods, and five-a-day taste testing. Email whyweight.croydon@nhs.net or call 020 3757 6598 if you know a child who

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August/September 2015

Rifles return for third town-centre parade

Flags waved and crowds cheered as the borough’s home battalion marked its safe return from Afghanistan with a homecoming parade. The streets of central Croydon once again reverberated to the sound of an Army band and marching feet when The Rifles staged a homecoming parade. Just as they had with The Rifles’ two previous Croydon parades, residents and shoppers cheered and lined the route as the soldiers made their way from North End to the Town Hall in Katharine Street.

B Company 2nd Battalion The Rifles’ third deployment to Afghanistan was between August 2014 and February, when it was tasked with protecting the remaining British military mission in the capital Kabul. Working as part of the Nato force, the troops enabled the development of the Afghan National Army Officer Academy and offered high-level advice

and mentoring to Afghan government departments. Many of the Riflemen on parade were employed as escorting troops on patrols across the city. Represented on parade were drivers, gunners, commanders, communicators, vehicle maintainers and logisticians from recent operations. Commanding officer Major Mark Shercliff, said: “We were extremely pleased to return to

Croydon where we’ve always been very warmly welcomed. “This latest tour of duty was another tough call but, fortunately, we sustained only one serious, but non-fatal, casualty. “Uppermost in the minds of the parading troops were two brother Riflemen and sons of Croydon who did not make it home, namely Rifleman Danny Simpson and Rifleman Peter Aldridge.”

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For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news

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Changes to the council’s online offering make it even easier for residents to access the services they need. apply apply When do you go online? On the bus? During the TV ads? When feeding the baby or during your lunch break? Knowing that everyone today leads a really busy life, the council is making it easier for you to get in touch at a time that suits you. Improvements to the website – www.croydon. gov.uk – ensure that it is as easy to use on a smartphone or tablet as it is via a PC. We are also reviewing the everyday things that you need to do, and moving

more of them online, making them available 24/7. The most recent of those is residential parking permit applications, found at www.croydon.gov.uk/ transportandstreets Before going online, be sure to have scanned or taken a photo of your vehicle’s V5 document (the log book) so that it can be uploaded, and have your payment card handy. Allow 14 days processing time for your permit, bearing in mind that if it

expires before the renewal is posted, you will have to park elsewhere or pay to park. So, renew as soon as your reminder arrives. Changes have also been made to My Account following residents’ views that the sign-up process was too long. It has been simplified to the point that you need supply only your name and your email address. Additional details are required only when accessing a service that requires

them – for example: the housing register or booking a collection of bulky goods. The homepage has been redesigned with the addition of ‘report it’ ‘apply for it’ and ‘pay for it’ fields, making it easier to find the service you need. Please remember, if you do not have online access at home, you can use the public PC at your local library or in Access Croydon to sign up for and use your My Account – www.croydon. gov.uk/myaccount

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August/September 2015

e h t g in y fl e u in t n o c s k r a P n o d y o r C r fo g la F n e Gre Eight Croydon parks have yet again scooped the national Green Flag accolade. Coulsdon Memorial Ground, Coombe Wood in Selsdon & Ballards, Happy Valley in Coulsdon, Haling Grove in South Croydon, South Norwood Lake, Wettern Tree Garden in Sanderstead, Wandle Park in Broad Green and Lloyd Park in Fairfield all retained the Green Flag status they won last year.

The scheme, which is run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, named the eight Croydon winners among just 1,582 open spaces nationwide, ranging from parks and cemeteries to community gardens. Each year, 700 expert judges decide which parks and open spaces meet eight tough tests, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement. Judges’ comments on Wandle Park, which was redeveloped in 2012 with money from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the London Mayor’s Help a London Park fund and Barratt Homes, included that it was “welcoming”, “secure” and “clean”,

and its community garden was hailed as having “potential to become a great local success”. International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, both staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.” A full list of Green Flag Award and Green Flag Community Award winners is available via: http://www.keepbritaintidy. org/greenflagawards2015/2334

Bridging the Tennison gap Local schoolchildren join cabinet member to open new railway bridge. Months of traffic diversions around Addiscombe and South Norwood have come to an end with the opening of a £10m railway bridge. In January last year, the original Tennison Road bridge was closed to road traffic to enable Network Rail to replace the outdated structure, which was opened in 1922. In December, Network Rail contractors used new technology to extend the replacement bridge across the tracks without needing to shut the main line between London Bridge and East Croydon – believed to be the first time this has been done in the capital. The new bridge is around 3.5 metres wider than the old,

making it bigger and safer, both for drivers and pedestrians. Cutting the ribbon were Rafaela Stanciu Martinez and Jamie Kasongo, head boy and girl of nearby Heavers Farm Primary School, aided by Councillor Kathy Bee, the council’s cabinet member for transport and the environment (right). Councillor Bee said: “I’m delighted that the council has played a part in delivering this impressive first in rail engineering, and I’d like to thank local people for bearing with disruption caused by the building programme. “This new and wider bridge will last for decades and make a real difference to everyone who uses Tennison Road.”

For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news

Council meeting dates

Useful contacts

Deadlines for public questions for the forthcoming full council meeting (starting at 6.30pm) – noon on the relevant deadline date.

For police, fire brigade, ambulance, call: 999 or 112, Text phone 1800

Meeting: Monday, 19 October Deadline: Monday, 5 October Questions (maximum number of words: 50) for consideration at a full council meeting, can be sent by email; alternatively, print and complete the form here 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, cabinet meetings start at 6.30pm, in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall. Meeting: 21 September For information on meetings, minutes and agendas, click here. For information on cabinet and shadow cabinet members, click here. Unless otherwise stated, scrutiny meetings start at 6.30pm, in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall. Meeting: 8 Sept

Scrutiny and overview committee

Meeting: 15 Sept Health, social care and housing scrutiny sub-committee (6.30pm at Christ Church, Brighton Road, Purley) Meeting: 22 Sept Children and young people scrutiny sub-committee Meeting: 29 Sept Streets and environment scrutiny sub-committee For information on scrutiny, click here or email. Meetings of the Safer Neighbourhood Board are held in the venues indicated. For further information, look here. Forthcoming public meeting dates are: Meeting:16 September at 6.30pm Council Chamber, Croydon Town Hall Details of all Croydon Council meetings can be found on the council website here.

Guided Walks For full details, visit: www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/ parksandopenspaces/walks August Friday 21 August – Bats over Croydon town Evening stroll through Wandle Park and Waddon Ponds in search of the only flying mammal – bats. Start 8pm. Wednesday 19 August – Mini beasts in Selsdon Wood Meet 2pm by the bear in the Selsdon wood car park, off Old Farleigh Road, for this family-friendly event, getting close to critters, beetles and spiders.

Friday 28 August – International bat night, South Norwood Lake Join millions of other people as they watch the skies for bats. Start 8pm. Saturday 29 August – Evening picnic at Haling Grove Join the Friends of Haling Grove from 5pm for an atmospheric evening in the walled garden, bring a blanket and food. Information, email friends@haling-grove.org.uk

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 Fairfield Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG Details: www.fairfield.co.uk Telephone: 020 8688 9291 Email: boxoffice@fairfield.co.uk

September Friday 4 September – Creatures of the night at South Norwood Country Park Night-time ramble through the park in search of bats. Start 7.45pm. Saturday 5 September – Great galls of fire on the Sanderstead to Whyteleafe Area Come and take a look at the weird and wonderful growths to be found on plants and trees. Start 11am. Saturday 12 September – Search for seeds in Littleheath Woods A 90-minute walk in search of autumn seeds – how many will we find? Start 10am. Sunday 13 September – Selsdon Wood Open Day The Friends of Selsdon Wood invite you to

their annual open day, noon to 4pm, for fun and activities for all the family. Information, visit www.friendsofselsdonwood.co.uk Friday 18 September – Addington’s Heathland Habitat Enjoy varied woodlands and discover oak pollards, visible now that the surrounding holly scrub has been removed. Start 10am. Sunday 20 September – Happy Valley and beyond… Explore the beautiful meadows and woodlands of Happy. Start 2pm. Friday 25 September – Bats over Shirley A wander through Spring Park Wood and, possibly, Miller’s Pond in search of bats. Start 7pm.

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August/September 2015

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. Adult education Information on the courses available to older students. Blocked drains Information on how to deal with drain problems. Bulky waste collection What it is, how to book it and how much it will cost. CCTV Helping to ensure the safety of people in Croydon.

CCTV

Careline Providing a home safety and personal security system, helping people to live independently within their own homes. Direct payments Giving a person the choice to buy and arrange their own social care services.

Disabled parking Providing parking bays throughout Croydon for vehicles used by the holders of blue badges. Emergency planning Keeping Croydon running in the event of serious incidents. Energy advice Details on the Green Deal that enables householders to pay for some or all of the cost of energysaving improvements through savings on their fuel bills. Fly-tipping How to report it, your responsibilities as a landowner, and how the council prosecutes fly-tippers.

Fly-tipping

Freedom Pass How to apply, what you need to provide and when it can be used.

Gambling The different types of licences – and how to apply for them.

Planning applications Advice on all aspects of the planning process.

Home safety advice See if you are eligible for a free home safety check.

Recycling What to recycle, how to recycle and where to recycle.

Instrument tuition Service for children and young people. Leisure centres Links and information on all the borough’s leisure centres. Lottery registration Running a lottery to raise funds for a charity or an organisation such as a sports club, church or school, requires registration. Mice and rats Information on the telltale signs and how to get help eradicating them. My Croydon app Download the council’s app for easy reporting of a number of issues. Neighbourhood wardens Offering help and support to local communities across the borough.

Recycling

Safer Croydon Working to make the borough safer for all who live, work and visit here. Trading standards Dealing with doorstep crime and rogue traders, and offering advice to residents and businesses. Voluntary organisations Details on available funding. Welfare benefit advice Know what you’re entitled to and claim it. Youth projects All you need to know about Croydon’s youth provision. Zoo licence You need to apply for a licence to run a zoo – should you really want to!