ISSUE 66 - DECEMBER 2014 /FEBRUARY 2015
Your primary source of community information
www.croydon.gov.uk
Croydon’s time is now – government designates Croydon a “growth zone” Page 3
Ambition Festival launched by council Page 6
Your services over Christmas Pages 12 to 15
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yourcroydon
December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon
Frozen Let me start by taking this opportunity to wish everyone in Croydon a happy Christmas and a peaceful new year. Now, it is not that often these days that politicians are in a position to bring any good financial news, but, for once, I am able to bring a little. I am genuinely pleased, particularly at this time of year, to confirm that next year’s council tax bills will remain frozen at their current levels. This was one of our key pledges as a newly elected Labour administration, back in June, and something we have been determined to deliver on. Having said that, I am acutely aware that the council tax bill is still a significant part of the annual family budget, so we are working hard to maximise the value you get for the money you pay. We are doing this despite central government cutting a staggering £90m from Croydon Council’s budget. So, how are we achieving better value for money? Well, one example is that more and more council services will be accessible online. But, despite the government cuts, they will still be available. So, whether it’s renewing a library book, booking your bulky waste collection, choosing a school place or reporting fly-tipping, you will still get the services – either online or by using your council My Account app. Online contact with the council is a more efficient way for us to provide you with the same services, and I promise you that every penny saved on admin costs will be directly spent on key frontline services such as street cleaning, cracking down on fly-tipping or keeping our local neighbourhoods safe.
Highlights Ambitious for culture . . . 5 The council unveils its plans for a four-day festival of the arts to be staged next summer.
Win West End tickets . . . . . . . . . . 9 A pair of tickets is up for grabs for one of the West End’s most dynamic musicals.
Christmas schedules . . . . . . . . . . 10 Four pages of vital seasonal information, including when your bins will be collected, when your local library is open and when you can park for free.
The 12 Saves of Christmas . . . . . 14 Top cost-saving tips to get you and the family through the festive financial minefield.
Plastic fantastic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Time was when plastic was... well, plastic. Things are a little more complicated these days. Follow our guide to learn what can be recycled.
Finally, I’d like to thank all who have signed up as “street champions” to support the council’s renewed commitment to keeping our streets clean and ending the blight of fly-tipping.
Holding back the floods . . . . . . 18
We are making real progress, but the task is even greater than we could have imagined. However, prosecutions for fly-tipping have increased dramatically and our streets are starting to look a little cleaner.
The council has been busy working to put measures in place that will help reduce the impact if last winter’s severe rainfall is repeated.
As I have said, there is a long way to go but, with your continued help, we will get there. Once again – Seasons Greetings.
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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Croydon’s time is now A successful lobbying of the government has resulted in Croydon being designated a “growth zone” in the chancellor’s Autumn Statement. The council is delighted that the chancellor of the exchequer has given the green light for Croydon to become a “growth zone”, recognising the borough’s importance to London and the south-east. Additionally, the council has thrown its support behind Gatwick’s campaign to expand the airport and build a second runway. In his Autumn Statement, George Osborne announced the government would begin discussions on launching this in Croydon, to ensure that residents benefit from the borough’s growth. The announcement followed a visit to Westminster by a delegation of councillors, MPs, officers and business representatives in late November to make the case for Croydon’s being granted a greater say in how the borough is run. The growth zone proposed in the “Our Time Is Now” initiative would see locally generated taxes rapidly bring forward the delivery of a £5.25bn regeneration programme, including 23,500 new jobs and 8,000-plus homes in the town centre by 2031. Cross-party support was shown for Croydon’s devolution case in speeches that recognised how devolved powers could catalyse the transformation of Croydon. To see council leader Councillor Tony Newman’s Westminster speech, click here. For more information about the plans visit www. croydonnow.co.uk At last month’s Develop Croydon Conference, council
leader Tony Newman and Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate signed a “memorandum of understanding” to formally announce the partnership between the council and airport. It means the two will work together to maximise the economic growth and regeneration opportunities that an expanded Gatwick would bring to the region. With Croydon on the brink of Olympic-scale transformation, and just 15 minutes away by train, Gatwick can make a really important contribution to the regeneration and investment already underway in the borough. A second runway would bring huge benefits to residents and businesses, as well as the wider region, creating thousands of new jobs, boosting businesses including Croydon’s growing tech city, and seeing further investment in the transport network. For more information and to show your support for the campaign visit www.gatwickobviously.com
Funding will revitalise Thornton Heath Cash injection of £3m set to provide refurbished gateway to district centre. Thornton Heath is to benefit from £3m of investment that will transform what is one of the borough’s major district centres. The funding award follows the council’s bid to the GLA’s London Enterprise Panel, and will bring about a series of major improvements to the area. In addition to upgrades to public spaces, the cash injection will finance work to building and shop frontages, as well as support for new and existing businesses. Croydon’s Growth Plan, approved by cabinet in September, pledges to revitalise the borough’s district centres, with Thornton Heath a priority area. The proposed project focuses on 1km of Brigstock Road and High Street, stretching from Thornton Heath Library to the Whitehorse Lane roundabout, taking in the railway station and leisure centre. It aims to create a sense of arrival in Thornton Heath,
providing an improved setting for the recently refurbished library, and a new gateway entrance to the station, while linking different spaces and improving junctions. Prior to receipt of the funds in April, the council will consult with the community and businesses about the proposals. Work is scheduled to be completed by 2017/18.
Left to right: Councillor Toni Letts (cabinet member for economic development), Councillor Alison Butler (cabinet member for homes and regeneration) and Councillor Tony Newman (leader of the council)
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yourregeneration
December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon
East Croydon upgrade plans on track More capacity and two new platforms planned for town’s principal railway station. Plans for a major upgrade for East Croydon station have been welcomed by the council. Network Rail has said it will make significant improvements, with two new platforms and an increase in passenger capacity proposed. The announcement follows the launch of the Sussex Route Study consultation, covering lines running through the borough from London Victoria and London Bridge to Brighton via Gatwick Airport. East Croydon, one of the busiest and most congested sections on the line, is a key focus of the study. Proposals include two new platforms at East Croydon, and raising the railway line at Windmill Bridge junction, where trains to London Bridge and Victoria from the Brighton mainline currently cross each other on the same level. The study says that within a decade, demand for rail travel into London Bridge is set to grow by more than 60%, and looks at ways that bottlenecks in and around the capital can be tackled.
The proposals complement existing plans to improve East Croydon and the council’s Growth Plan, which outlines how regeneration will be delivered for the borough. As well as an enhanced station, they will provide quicker and more reliable connections to central London and beyond. The draft Sussex Route Study, open for consultation until 13 January, can be viewed at www.networkrail. co.uk/long-term-planning-process/south-east-routesussex-area-route-study-draft-for-consultation The final document will be published in the spring and will set out options detailing how Network Rail can improve the railway in the next 30 years.
Honouring the DV pledge Council launches an anti-domestic violence petition and introduces improved services for victims. An extra £400k, increased staffing levels and a communityfocused approach are integral features of plans to crack down on domestic violence and sexual abuse in the borough. The funding is coming on tap as the council launches a petition requesting the government to create a national register of domestic abuse offenders. A total of 100,000 signatures are required for the issue to be debated in the House of Commons. The council feels that a national register of offenders would help the council and police tackle both the symptoms and causes of domestic violence far more effectively. The new money, over three years, will help tackle the issue, with proposals to appoint five domestic violence advisers to work exclusively in communities. And there are plans to increase operating times beyond core business hours, increasing victims’ opportunities to get support via an online service. New community-based services are already a part of improvements to care provision, with independent domestic violence advisers based at the police custody suite in Windmill Road, Selhurst, and at Croydon University Hospital – sites chosen as they offer easier access to support at the point of need. A specialist anti-DV youth advocate, based at the town’s Family Justice Centre (FJC), works specifically with young adults. The centrally based FJC, where victims currently receive
support, will move to new premises next year, focusing its work at more local levels. The council aims to work more closely with communities and faith groups to change attitudes and beliefs, and to drive home its key message – Croydon says “no” to domestic violence. The council’s plans to tackle domestic violence are outlined in a three-year strategy, announced earlier this month. Its focus will be on working with community groups, businesses, sports organisations, schools and residents, to change attitudes toward domestic abuse and tackle its root causes. To sign the council’s petition to create a national register of offenders, click here
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Ambitious for Ambition Billed as the new festival on the fringe of London, Ambition promises to make July buzz. The centre of Croydon will burst into life next July as a major new festival, Ambition, takes over the town for four days of music, comedy, theatre, spoken word, dance and art. The festival, running from 23 to 26 July, is to be largely curated and programmed by a diverse range of promoters and arts groups. Headline acts will be announced in the spring. Already on board to run stages are dub and reggae innovators Ariwa Sounds, street performance champions Busk in London, comedy experts Heroes of Fringe, specialist band booking agency GastroPub Live, spoken-word promoter BoxedIn, and local live music club nights, Stand and Beats and Eats. Alongside the ticketed parts of the programme, expect intimate performances in unusual locations, including
rooftops or inside old and disused buildings. There will be other free-entry shows in open spaces and smaller venues throughout the town. One early booking for the festival is Brit School student and multi-award winning singer/ songwriter, Natalie Shay (right). Natalie was the youth category winner for the Londonwide “Gigs” competitions in 2012 and 2014. She said: “It’s great to be asked to play at Ambition Festival – Croydon has some fantastic venues just crying out for more to be done with them.” More information can be found at www.ambitionfest.com
Shaping our cultural future Complete the council’s survey and help direct the borough’s cultural offering. Recognising that culture is a great driver of investment, job creation, visitor footfall and resident satisfaction, Croydon Council is keen to learn people’s feelings on how the borough’s cultural offering should develop. The council is inviting people who live and work in Croydon, along with those who visit, to make known their ambitions for all aspects of the borough’s cultural life.
The council is confident that, through an online survey running until the end of the year, it will learn what people think of the area’s cinemas, theatres, music and dance events, exhibitions, museums, festivals, and anything similar that goes to make Croydon a great place to live, work and visit. The online survey closes on 31 December. Go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/ambitiousforculture
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yourtravel
December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon
Croydon schools are travel Stars Awards show that borough pupils are safer on the roads thanks to schools’ initiatives. Helping children travel more safely, and their work in tackling road safety issues, has seen more than a quarter of Croydon’s schools gain official recognition. At a recent central London ceremony, TfL Stars awards (Sustainable Travel, Active, Responsible, Safe) were presented to 42 schools. Singled out for special praise were two Croydon teachers, Pamela Jacques of Atwood Primary School in South Croydon, and Annette Johnson of David Livingstone Academy in Thornton Heath. They received the school travel plan champions special recognition award. Both schools, along with Rockmount Primary in Upper Norwood, were also awarded gold level Stars awards. Two schools from Croydon took silver and the remaining 37 received bronze awards. The number of schools accredited has more than doubled from two years ago when Croydon had 20 schools awarded Stars status.
It’s Freedom Pass renewal time With many passes set to expire in the spring, holders are being asked to renew online. Holders of the older person’s Freedom Pass are being urged to ensure they remember to renew their pass so that they can continue to enjoy free travel across the capital. Letters explaining the renewal process are being sent to older people in Croydon whose Freedom Pass expires on 31 March next year. In addition to free cross-London travel on public transport, the Freedom Pass allows older adults, of national pension age,
to travel on local bus services throughout England, at certain times, and is Europe’s most comprehensive free travel scheme. Croydon has 43,794 pass holders, and they are being encouraged to renew online. The process is straightforward, taking only a few minutes, and helping to reduce costs to the council, which contributes to funding for the Freedom Pass. Libraries staff, and advisers with Age UK and Advice Services Croydon will support older residents who would like to renew online but do not have access to their own computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. Library computers can be used, but holders should book in advance to be sure of availability. Additionally, the computer terminals in Access Croydon can be used, with no need to book in advance. Anybody unable to renew online can return the form enclosed with their letter by post. Please note, Freedom Passes cannot be renewed at post office branches. Anyone who has not yet received their letter but knows someone who has shouldn’t panic – it’s on its way and will be with you by the end of December. For more information, visit www.freedompass.org
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Look west Major injection of funds sees wide-ranging improvements for people and business in West Croydon. Millions of pounds of investment is benefiting residents and traders as massive transformation – including support for business, job creation and the building of new homes – sweeps the West Croydon area. London Road is seeing £2m investment to improve street scenery, build new shop fronts, and provide new signage. Refurbishments are being made at the West Croydon Interchange to the junctions of North End with Station Road and Poplar Walk. And the West Croydon Investment Programme has seen £1.5m spent on six projects specifically to address key social and economic issues in the area. These include: • A new enterprise hub, which has supported 58 businesses, created 44 jobs and enabled 41 start-up businesses. • The Entrepreneurs of the Future programme, which has supported nearly 100 young entrepreneurs and led to 14 start-ups or people in employment. • A local employment-creation project that has helped 48 people find employment, with a further 31 job opportunities identified. • A Safer Cleaner project that has provided a dedicated coordinator to work with local traders. A total
of 40 Safer Croydon Radios have been rolled out to local traders, enabling them to share intelligence on safety issues, along with 100 ultraviolet counterfeit banknote detectors. • The Root & Branch Project has brought 120 youngsters aged 14 to 16 through a mentoring programme, culminating in a major reception at the capital’s City Hall. • More than 60 “community connectors” created through the Community Connectors project, with Croydon being seen as a leader in Europe in its approach to building community links.
Other major projects taking place in the area include a new Harris Academy on the former Croydon General Hospital site in London Road, and the redevelopment of West Croydon bus station. Significant investment from the private sector will see £20m spent on building 99 new homes at the former Bedford House site, and 37 new homes following the redevelopment of the adjacent former Half Moon pub site. The Interchange building has also seen the regeneration of 180,000 sq ft of office space directly next to West Croydon station.
See a time-lapse video from West Croydon here
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yourregeneration
December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon
Ground broken on Ruskin Square site Work begins to transform derelict nine-acre town-centre site. Ruskin Square, the area adjoining East Croydon station which has been derelict for more than 40 years, came to life with a ground-breaking ceremony during November. The ceremony marked the start of work on the first phase of residential development of 161 homes. In September, Schroder UK Property Fund and development partner Stanhope, through the Croydon Gateway Limited Partnership, completed an agreement with development company Places for People to deliver and manage the first phase of residential property at Ruskin Square. The building, designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, is in the form of a plinth and 22-storey tower. The building will comprise private sales, shared ownerships and rental units, with penthouses, a roof garden and a private communal open space at ground level. A sales launch of the apartments is planned for early next year. The homes will benefit from a superb location next to East Croydon station, just 13 minutes from London Bridge. Confidence in Croydon’s future is underlined by Stanhope Schroders commitment to start construction of a speculative office development on the site in the second quarter of 2015.
Winning the fly-tipping battle The council’s Don’t Mess With Croydon campaign is bearing fruit as fly-tip clearance figures multiply and offenders feel the weight of the law. Fly-tipping is being cleared more quickly, with more than 80% of fly-tips removed within the target time of 48 hours. Latest figures for July to September also reveal the council’s contractor Veolia has cleared 4,894 fly-tips – an average of 50 a day – leading to 135 fines being issued and a further 30 investigations under way for environmental offences. The numbers reflect progress being made as part of the council’s Don’t Mess With Croydon campaign to crack down on fly-tipping and clean up the borough. More and more residents are also coming forward to get behind the campaign. Street promotions in various locations across the borough have seen more than 120 people sign up to become community champions in the past three months, where they act as ambassadors for the campaign in their area and report any fly-tipping incidents to the council. It has also become much easier to report fly-tipping.
The My Croydon smartphone app allows people to take a picture of a fly-tip, provide a few basic details such as location, and then send to the council so that action can be taken straightaway. An email address flytip@ croydon.gov.uk is also available for the reporting of fly-tipping. The council is able to take action only against fly-tipping on council-owned land. You can report fly-tipping by downloading the My Croydon app, emailing flytip@croydon.gov.uk, or by calling the fly-tip hotline on 020 8604 7000.
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yourcommunity
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The place for great streatery food A new food hub has opened and is giving budding street-food traders the chance to make their dreams a reality. Anybody walking along Croydon’s historic Surrey Street Market cannot fail to notice that an innovative business has started trading in a formerly vacant shop unit. Budding street-food traders have been given the chance to make their dreams a reality at the new Surrey StrEatery. With funding from the Mayor of London’s Regeneration Fund and Croydon Council, the buzzing, lively project is an exciting addition to the market scene. Running until March, Surrey StrEatery is open throughout the day serving breakfast and lunch, while the evening will feature cookery demonstrations, pop-up restaurants and community events. In the demonstration kitchen, chefs and local food sellers will cook dishes using ingredients sourced, where possible, from the market outside its front doors. The regeneration fund has given traders grants of up to £3,000 toward their costs, and for running a demo area for teaching, cooking demonstrations and workshops. They will also be given six months’ support to help them build their businesses. Training and mentoring is also included, as well as the offer of a professional marketing campaign
to help promote the area as a destination for lovers of quality street food. The aim is to create at least 12 new jobs, from supporting these enterprises. Visit http://surreystreatery.wordpress.com for more information.
Win tickets to see The Scottsboro Boys Following its sell-out, award-winning run at the Young Vic, The Scottsboro Boys is now taking the West End by storm with a season at the Garrick Theatre, in Charing Cross Road. The critics are unanimous; The Scottsboro Boys is the West End musical to see this season. From the creators of Cabaret and Chicago, this “radical musical” (The Guardian) brings to life the extraordinary true story of nine teenagers, subjects of a groundbreaking legal case in America’s south. Winner of the Critics’ Circle Best Musical Award 2013 and nominated for six Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, The Scottsboro Boys features “electrifying” (The Guardian) choreography and direction by five-time Tony Award-winner Susan Stroman (The Producers). Learn more at www.scottsboromusicallondon.com Your Croydon is offering a pair of tickets to see this allsinging, all-dancing production. To win, tell us who wrote the music and lyrics for The Scottsboro Boys.
Terms and conditions: Tickets valid for Monday to Thursday performances from 5 to 29 January, subject to availability. Exclusions apply and the editor’s decision is final. There is no cash alternative to the prizes, which are non-refundable, non-transferable, and not for resale. Email your answer, along with name, postal and email addresses, and daytime telephone number, to yourcroydon@croydon.gov.uk to arrive not later than Monday, 29 December, 2014. The winner will be the sender of the first correct answer selected at random.
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December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon
Bin collection timetable
Refuse and recycling collection date changes Over the Christmas holiday period, the council’s refuse and recycling services will be operating on a slightly revised collection schedule. The table below shows the days on which your collection will occur during the week beginning Monday 22 December.
Normal collection date Monday 22 December Tuesday 23 December Wednesday 24 December Thursday 25 December Friday 26 December Monday 29 December Tuesday 30 December Wednesday 31 January Thursday 1 January Friday 2 January
With no collections on Thursday 25 December, Friday 26 December and Thursday 1 January, there are some changes to the days when you need to put out your bins and boxes. Calendars will be distributed with further details of the date changes and which box needs to be put out for collection.
Revised collection date No change No change No change Saturday 27 December Sunday 28 December No change No change No change Friday 2 January Saturday 3 January
To report missed collections, or to order any extra recycling boxes you may need over the festive period, log on to MyAccount at www.croydon.gov.uk/account or call 020 8726 6200.
Missed collections can be reported via your MyAccount at www.croydon.gov.uk/account or call 020 8726 6200.
Croydon libraries
Croydon Council call centre
Monday 22 December Usual hours Tuesday 23 December Usual hours Wednesday 24 December Where open, close at 1pm Thursday 25 December Closed Friday 26 December Closed Saturday 27 December Closed Monday 29 December Usual hours Tuesday 30 December Usual hours Wednesday 31 December Where open, close at 4pm Closed Thursday 1 January Check local times Friday 2 January For full details, go to www.croydonlibraries.com
Monday 22 December Tuesday 23 December Wednesday 24 December Thursday 25 December Friday 26 December Monday 29 December Tuesday 30 December Wednesday 31 December Thursday 1 January Friday 2 January
Access Croydon, Bernard Weatherill House Monday 22 December Tuesday 23 December Wednesday 24 December Thursday 25 December Friday 26 December Monday 29 December Tuesday 30 December Wednesday 31 December Thursday 1 January Friday 2 January
Open as normal Open as normal Open as normal Closed Closed Open as normal Open as normal Open as normal Closed Closed
Open as normal Open as normal Open as normal Closed Closed Open as normal Open as normal Open as normal Closed Closed
Croydon leisure centres Monday 22 December Open as normal Tuesday 23 December Open as normal Wednesday 24 December Closed Thursday 25 December Closed Friday 26 December Closed Saturday 27 December Open as normal Sunday 28 December Open as normal Check local times Monday 29 December Tuesday 30 December Check local times Wednesday 31 December Check local times Thursday 1 January Closed Open as normal Friday 2 January For leisure centres’ details, go to www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/sports/spsc
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yourchristmasschedules 11
Real Christmas tree? Be sure to recycle Whether opting for artificial or real, give consideration to what will happen to your Christmas tree after the holiday. Natural or artificial? That’s the question that faces many households at this time of year. We’re talking about Christmas trees, of course, and the decision as to which path to take when it comes to your purchase can be influenced by many factors. Be it a Norwegian spruce or an artificial model complete with built-in tinsel, baubles and fairy lights, a Christmas tree is a must for many, come the festive season. Buy a UK-grown real tree with roots, and, come the time to take down the decorations, you can plant it in your garden or keep it in a pot for next year. For some, though, artificial trees are the only option as they can be used many, many times, and, with care, will last forever. With almost one million Christmas trees thrown away each
year in London alone – and fewer than 10% of those being recycled – it is important that we remember the recycling option. If you opt for a real Christmas tree this year, do not forget to take it to one of the council’s designated recycling collection points between Friday 2 and Saturday 10 January. At other times, Christmas trees can be taken to any of the council’s reuse and recycling centres – but please remember to remove all tinsel and decorations before taking it to be recycled.
Christmas tree collection points
Shirley Monks Orchard green
Ashburton Ashburton Park, access from Tenterden Road
Shirley Shirley Park RA, Green Court Gardens green
Coulsdon Lion Green Road car park
South Norwood Sainsbury’s, Whitehorse Lane
Coulsdon East Grange Park, Canon’s Hill
Upper Norwood Secret Garden, Westow Street
Fairfield Oaks Road/Coombe Road car park
Waddon Wyevale Garden Centre, Waddon Way
Heathfield Addington Park car park, Gravel Hill
Waddon Factory Lane reuse and recycling centre, Factory Lane
Kenley Kenley Residents’ Association, Oaks Road green
Waddon Morrisons car park, Purley Way
New Addington Central Parade car park New Addington Fisher’s Farm reuse and recycling centre, North Downs Road Norbury Granville Gardens car park Purley Upper Woodcote Village RA, Woodcote Village green Purley Purley Oaks reuse and recycling centre, Brighton Road Sanderstead Occasionally Yours, Limpsfield Road Selsdon Selsdon Recreation Ground, access from Woodlands Gardens
Christmas tree collections There will be only two collections from the listed points – on Sunday 4 and Sunday 11 January – so please do not leave Christmas trees at the collection points after Saturday 10 January. Trees needing to be disposed of after this date can be taken to one of the borough’s three reuse and recycling centres.
Putting the spark back into electricals It may seem a WEEE thing to consider but recycling electrical goods is a big deal. It will come as no surprise that the Christmas period is the peak time for the purchase of electrical goods. Be it battery-driven toys for tots, mp3 players, hairdriers, toasters, or the must-have tablet computers, more will be sold at this time of year than any other. Any appliance that has a plug or uses a battery is classed as a WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) product and can be recycled. Many electrical items have valuable plastics and metals
inside, which can be used to make new products. Another reason not to send old electricals to landfill, is that they can contaminate soil and water – making recycling doubly important. Mindful of these facts, and to make it easier for you to recycle such appliances, the council is providing recycling banks, in time for Christmas, at nine neighbourhood recycling centres (see adjacent box). As well as small electrical goods, you will be able to recycle domestic batteries and energy-efficient light
bulbs in these new banks. Larger electrical equipment – such as televisions, fridges and freezers – must be taken to your local reuse and
recycling centres. Please note that these centres will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
WEEE recycling banks Ashburton car park, Pagehurst Road, CR0 6NR Central Parade, New Addington CR9 1HS Co-op, Limpsfield Road, Sanderstead CR2 9DQ Forestdale car park, Selsdon Park Road, CR0 9AS Kenley station, Kenley Lane, CR8 5DF Lion Green Road car park, Coulsdon CR5 2NL Lloyd Park Recreation Ground, Coombe Road CR0 5RB Tesco car park, Brighton Road, Purley CR8 2HA Waitrose car park, Limpsfield Road, Sanderstead CR2 9LE
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December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon
Ready for the winter The council’s gritting teams are tooled up and ready to go if this winter sees a return of the Arctic conditions of recent years. The workers tasked with keeping Croydon moving during the winter weather are gearing up for their busiest period. One of their principal weapons is salt, and Croydon’s roadside bins are a key element when the borough is hit by heavy winter snowfall. Across the borough, there are almost 600 roadside bins, containing more than 145 tonnes of salt, located near particularly hilly roads or junctions. A contract for delivery of more salt is in place with a guarantee from the supplier that 10,000 tonnes will be kept in reserve for the exclusive use of Croydon and two neighbouring boroughs. Croydon has a sophisticated system for planning and monitoring gritting routes to ensure as many people as possible are able to safely use their cars and that buses can continue to run throughout periods of snow or ice. Despite topping up all of the bins every autumn, snowfall leads to an increase in complaints to the council that the bins are all-too-quickly emptied. This is often with no evidence that the salt has been used on nearby roads or footpaths. Theft is a growing problem, and the council is aware that some people help themselves to keep their own drives and private paths clear. Steve Iles, the council’s head of highways, said: “The salt bins are provided in order that drivers and local residents can help to clear roads and footpaths in the vicinity of the bin. “What many people don’t fully appreciate is that, by taking the salt for use on their own land, they’re potentially contributing to road accidents and pedestrian injuries. “I’d ask that the salt is not removed from bins except to be used to aid motorists and pedestrians.” In preparation for possible Arctic-like conditions this winter, the council has made robust plans to ensure the road network is
kept as free as possible, continues to provide services to the most vulnerable, and carries on gritting roads and, where necessary, footpaths. But the council cannot do everything. It needs the support of residents and businesses to keep the borough moving by promoting community resilience. Whether it is looking out for elderly and vulnerable neighbours or helping in other ways, if people get involved, this winter will be easier for everyone. The same is true when it comes to water leaks. The two water companies serving Croydon ask that anybody who sees a leak as they go about their daily business, report it as the earliest opportunity. A leak is more easily fixed before a freeze sets in. To report a leak, visit • T hames Water • Sutton and East Surrey Water For further information and advice, visit www.croydon.gov.uk During an emergency, the latest information will be broadcast on local radio and TV.
Useful links • Information about council winter services – www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe • Follow us on Twitter – @yourcroydon – and keep an eye on the council website for regular updates – www.croydon.gov.uk • “About your area” provides information on gritting routes across the borough – www.croydon.gov.uk/aya
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Would you like a little salt with that? The council, at present, has a stock of 3,036 tonnes of road salt, with a further 1,000 being delivered in the lead-up to Christmas. A fleet of 12 winter-service lorries and their crews will be on 24-hour call, ready to get out and keep 150 miles of the borough’s main roads clear and the traffic moving. Maps showing each ward’s treated roads can be found on the council’s website.
Christmas parking in Croydon Relaxation of rules spreads a little festive cheer for motorists. The now almost traditional practice of the relaxation of regulations in council car parks, and in the borough’s on-street bays, on specific days over the Christmas and New Year period, is going ahead again this year. And, helping to spread the festive cheer even further, shoppers in the town centre are being offered super cut-price parking on Thursdays over the Christmas period. The easing of parking regulations will help people visiting shops, enjoying the displays of festive illuminations or simply dropping in on relatives to share the seasonal cheer. The whole borough will be free of parking enforcement on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. And parking in council-run car parks on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve will be free. Those two days will also see no
enforcement of the usual parking And until 1 January at: regulations in pay-and-display bays • Centrale 3pm onward within the central zone. • Whitgift Centre surface car park The regulations will be relaxed in all 3-7pm other zones after 5pm. For further information visit www. Yellow-line restrictions, however, croydonbid.com/news/park will remain in place on these two days, and motorists are advised to park in a reasonable manner, showing consideration for other road users and pedestrians. Normal parking enforcement will resume on Friday 2 January. Those looking to take advantage of the town centre’s variety of shopping opportunities will be pleased to learn they can park for only £1 every Thursday until 31 December, at the indicated times, in the following council car parks: • Wandle Road 4-7pm • West Croydon 3-7pm • Jubilee Bridge 3-7pm • Spices Yard 3-7pm
14 yourvalueformoney
December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon
The 12 saves The Christmas period can be a difficult time and may be something that people end up paying for well into the new year. The desire to meet family expectations over Christmas and the New Year can prove irresistible. Aware that many could find themselves
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Review and set your budget – and keep to it • What is Christmas really going to cost you? What can you really afford? • Don’t forget the everyday bills. Remember that your rent, mortgage, utility bills, food and other existing debts need to be paid – and the consequences can be severe if they’re not. Even though it’s Christmas, get your priorities right. • Check the Money Advice Service website (www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk) for help with making a budget. • Remember that overspending can make for an anxious Christmas and an unhappy new year. • A budget is something that most people would benefit from, and many never get round to doing. It will provide benefits throughout 2015, and beyond. If you would like help and advice with your budget contact the Welfare Team on 0208 667 8250
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Budget-conscious Christmas food • Christmas is about friends and family, and a lot of the money spent on food could often have been spent more wisely. • Have a look at recipes and make some things with friends or family, rather than buy expensive, commercially produced alternatives. • Transform leftover turkey, ham and anything else still sitting in the fridge after the Christmas rush, into a range of delicious dishes; for ideas, visit www.lovefoodhatewaste. com • As with everything else at Christmas, produce a budget and stick to what you can afford. • For bargain opportunities, find out if your local supermarket has a particular discount time.
Sharing the load
Think twice before borrowing money to pay for Christmas Consider the following: • Never borrow from an unlicensed money lender. If approached by a loan shark, don’t take a loan, but call the Illegal Money Lending Team on 0300 555 2222. • Payday and doorstep loans have a very high rate of interest, often leaving lenders repaying for a long time. • Store cards generally charge a much higher interest rate than credit cards. • If borrowing gets out of control, it could affect your relationship, health and job, and your ability to keep your home. • Instead of getting less and paying more, consider saving for Christmas in the future, meaning you pay less and get more. Visit the Croydon credit union site at www.croydonsavers.co.uk • Email the debt clinic at dept@swllc.org
Best-value gifts Think about: • reconditioned electrical items and accessories, including DVDs and computer games and consoles; • hand-making personalised Christmas gifts; • an offer to cook dinner, look after the kids, or help elderly relatives or friends with shopping or household chores in the coming weeks or months; • new or nearly new items from charity shops; • bargains from the internet – but beware of scams • free stuff on uk.freecycle.org
• Go shopping with a friend to take advantage of buy-one/ get-one-free deals or, perhaps, to save by buying in bulk. • Remember, lots of trips to a small local shop may be more expensive than one bigger shop.
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in financial difficulty as a result of the seasonal spending and high fuel bills, Croydon Council offers some handy costsaving tips.
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Little and often • Rather than doing all your gift shopping in one go, start a Christmas cupboard and put things in it week by week. • This will give you the chance to take advantage of bargains as you see them. • Along with your Christmas list, it will make you think about what you actually need, rather than buying what you think you want (but don’t actually need) in one big, expensive splurge.
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yourvalueformoney 15
of Christmas 7
Support to find work
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• More jobs often become available before Christmas, don’t wait for the new year. Look online and in local newspapers for upcoming vacancies. • The council and Jobcentre Plus can offer help in finding work. www.croydon.gov.uk (www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentreplus).
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• Check that you are on the best energy tariff and consider switching supplier. Information on switching can be found at the Money Advice Service site via http://tinyurl.com/pvz9nga • Check that your bill is showing actual use and not an estimate. Provide your energy supplier with regular meter readings. • Check that you are using energy efficiently; get tips at www. energysavingtrust.org.uk or call 0300 123 1234. • If you have energy bill arrears, get help from the Debt Clinic at SWLLC on 020 8767 2777, or by emailing dept@swllc.org • Ask Croydon CAB about Energy Best Extra for further information and help. • Be part of a collective energy switch auction and save money. Visit www.croydon.gov.uk/energyswitch or phone 0800 048 8112. • Ask your energy supplier about insulation opportunities. • Information on reducing costs can be found at www. moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/save-energysave-money • Visit www.gov.uk/energy-grants-calculator to see if you are entitled to any energy grants or additional help with your heating costs.
Improve your skills • Change your life in 2015 – think about getting a new job; now is the perfect time to sign up for training. See what’s on offer at www.calat.ac.uk • Some training is free if you are on benefits, and help is available with childcare and transport in many cases. • If you are looking for career-specific training, it may be worth contacting the Skills and Development Agency on 020 8603 7221 or checking online at http://s-da.co.uk/sda/ for further details.
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Are your housing costs affordable • Many people think about making big changes in the new year, but a good decision prior to Christmas could leave you with more money over the holiday period. • For those struggling to meet high rent and council tax costs, a move to a more affordable property could be a very sensible choice. • Help is available with finding a new home, including, in certain circumstances, financial support with moving and setting up home. • Council or housing association tenants can sign up to HomeSwapper at www.homeswapper.co.uk to view their options.
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Get help if your relationship is in trouble • The strain of having to “have a great time” and “spend lots of money” can make Christmas a difficult time for couples. If your relationship is in trouble, get help from Relate, on 0300 003 3225, or another trusted source. • Remember, family breakdown is a major cause of stress and money problems.
Working in partnership with
Check your energy bills – gas and electricity prices often go up before Christmas
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Homelessness does not stop at Christmas If you, or someone you know, is going to be homeless at this time, contact: • Croydon Reach: 0870 383 3333 • London Street Rescue: www.streetlink.org.uk • Homeless link: www.homeless.org.uk • Shelter: 0808 800 4444 • Crisis at Christmas: www.crisis.org.uk • www.missingpeople.org.uk Call 116 000 or Text 116 000 (You can text us even if you have no credit left on your mobile phone.)
“ I want to be a picnic bench when I’m recycled ”
Pledge to recycle your plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays and give them the chance to be reborn Make your pledge using or by visiting
plastic bottles plastic pots plastic tubs
140807
plastic trays
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yourenvironment 17
Now is the time to make your The need to recycle remains a priority for the residents of Croydon but the plethora of plastics can be confusing. Let us help... What is Pledge 4 Plastics? Pledge 4 Plastics is a nationwide initiative, supported by Croydon Council, to encourage every UK household to recycle more plastic. Recycling plastic saves valuable resources from heading to landfill. A plastic bottle could be reborn as a football shirt, garden furniture, kids’ toys, kitchen utensils, pens and even into building products such as fencing and pipes. Plastic bottles from every room in the house can be collected for recycling, regardless of colour, shape or size. Plastic packaging makes up 11% of household waste and 40% of that is plastic bottles. The five billion plastic bottles thrown away in 2012 were worth around £25m to the recycling industry, and it cost £19m to dispose of them in landfill. Overall, the average UK household uses more than 440 plastic bottles per year, but recycles only just over 250 of them – and that’s a number that really should be improved.
Why should you support Pledge 4 Plastics? Recycling more plastic has lots of advantages, such as: • freeing up space in your landfill bin, and fewer overflowing landfill bins mean cleaner streets;
Plastic bottles
F izzy drink, squash and water bottles Sauces, cooking oil and other plastic bottles Shampoo and conditioner bottles Washing-up liquid, bleach, conditioner and detergent bottles
• c utting landfill costs and saving the council money, which helps to avoid future increases in council tax; • d ecreasing the need for raw materials and saving energy; • leading to job creation; and • r ecycling one tonne of plastic bottles saves one tonne of carbon. In Croydon we are lucky enough to be able to recycle a huge range of plastic packaging, including bottles, pots, tubs and trays. So the council is calling on residents to make the pledge and recycle as much plastic as possible.
What can you do? The council is asking residents to recycle as much of their plastics as they can. • Make your pledge at www.pledge4plastics.com • Take a look at the graphic below for the full range of plastics which can be recycled in the domestic green box or communal recycling bin – are there any items which you’re not currently recycling which you could? • Let the council know if you need any additional green recycling boxes. They can be delivered free of charge, and putting more plastics in your box means more space in your landfill bin. The boxes can be ordered via the My Account facility at www.croydon.gov.uk or by calling 020 8726 6200.
Plastic pots
Yoghurt, jelly and porridge pots Pre-prepared fruit pots Cosmetic product pots Pot noodle and readymeal pots Gravy and stockpots
Green recycling box or your communal recycling bin
Plastic tubs
Cream, custard and sauce tubs Margerine and spread tubs Baby and toddler meal tubs
Plastic trays
Plastic meat and poultry trays Plastic containers for baked and other foods Plastic ready-meal trays Fruit and vegetable trays and punnets
18 yourenvironment
December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon
Flood defences ramped up Council and contractors working to avoid repeat of last winter’s flooding chaos. A reservoir offering residents improved protection from future flooding is now as big as three Olympic swimming pools thanks to an £850,000 council emergency fund. As part of the investment, Croydon Council has completed the £250,000 deepening of the Purley Oaks depot reservoir, increasing its capacity to 8,250 cubic metres of water. Other progress since approval of the emergency fund includes: • appointing contractors to map future Caterham Bourne flooding hotspots; • starting a £45,000 project to improve drainage in Kenley; and • planning new backup floodwater storage areas off the A22 Godstone Road and the A235 Brighton Road. The job of mapping flooding hotspots from the Caterham Bourne has gone to specialist contractor Atkins, and is funded by Croydon and Surrey councils and the Environment Agency. The Kenley project includes looking at adding more drains, clearing ditches in residential areas and designing a permanent flood storage area in the Welcomes Road/Kenley station area. The backup A235 floodwater storage area will be installed between the town centre and Purley Cross, with the exact location and size to be decided in the coming weeks. For more information, residents of properties near a watercourse should visit the council website’s flooding pages. Last winter, hundreds of households in the Purley and Kenley areas were affected after the Caterham Bourne overflowed, flooding homes and closing Godstone Road. The council put in emergency measures to limit the flooding impact, including preventing the closure of Kenley water treatment works, serving 46,000 local properties. Unlike other flooded areas, that saw rivers rising and falling in fairly quick succession, the Bourne presented an ongoing situation that required round-the-clock pumping even after the worst of the rainfall had stopped.
The large-bore hoses and pipes needed to carry the pumped water away meant Godstone Road could not be fully reopened for many days. Through it all, council officers and staff of partner agencies and contractors worked tirelessly to protect the area’s homes and businesses. Thousands of leaflets offering advice and information were delivered to homes in the area; officers visited households to reassure residents; the council’s website was regularly updated with the current situation; daily meetings were conducted pooling information gathered by the council, fire brigade, police, water companies, contractors and engineers; and the weather and water conditions were constantly monitored. The situation was made worse by the fact that freak weather in January had left the ground saturated and unable to deal with what, at times, seemed to be non-stop rainfall. The area’s water table, usually sitting some 25 metres below ground level, rose to within one metre, effectively disabling the land’s ability to soak up any more.
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yourhealth 19
Keep warm, keep well this winter Looking after your own health is important but it’s just as important for us all to get involved in improving the health and well-being of all Croydon people. Croydon’s public health team is encouraging everybody in the borough to keep warm during the winter months to help prevent colds, flu or more serious health conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression. The chances of these problems are higher among those vulnerable to cold-related illnesses if they: • are over 65; • are on a low income and unable to afford heating; • have a long-term health condition, such as heart, lung or kidney disease; or • are disabled. The NHS choices website offers simple advice to keep everybody feeling at their best. • Eliminate sleep debt – get a good night’s sleep. • Drink more milk – this can reduce the likelihood of getting a cold in winter by 80%, so making sure the immune system is in tip-top condition is important. • Eat more fruit and veg – eat a healthy diet and include five portions of fruit and veg each day.
• Try new activities for the whole family – regular exercise helps control weight and boosts the immune system. • Have a hearty breakfast – winter is the perfect season for porridge. It’s a delicious way to start your day and it helps boost intake of starchy foods and fibre. People aged 40 to 74 might be eligible for a free NHS health check. The check is an opportunity to have a free MoT check to make sure everything’s running properly. The health check usually takes 30 to 45 minutes and involves a few simple questions about lifestyle and medical history. Height, weight and blood pressure are measured and a finger-prick blood test measures cholesterol. Find out your eligibility for a health check at www.croydon.gov.uk/nhshealthchecks or email CROCCG.healthchecks@nhs.net For a full list of GP surgeries and pharmacies offering the checks in Croydon, visit www.croydon.gov.uk/healthchecklist
Sign up to the Dry January challenge Can you stay off alcohol for 31 days? That’s the Dry January challenge and it’s your chance to lose weight, feel better, save money and make a difference. The council’s public health team is supporting the month to get people thinking about their health after the excesses of the festive season. The move is part of ongoing work with borough colleagues from licensing, schools, the police, alcohol support and treatment teams – and those representing pubs and breweries – to help tackle alcohol-related problems and to promote sensible drinking. Croydon is one of 20 areas in the UK selected by the Home Office to be a designated local alcohol action area (LAAA). During the coming months, there will be a coordinated approach to deal with the harm caused by those drinking too much. The priorities of the LAAA programme for Croydon are: • Prevention: to encourage sensible drinking habits for
adults by rolling out a training programme to help more services help more people to make changes to their drinking behaviour. • Partnership and communication: to develop a campaign, in partnership with all agencies, to raise awareness of the harm caused by heavy drinking and to promote sensible drinking and the support that is available for people to cut down their alcohol intake. • Data sharing: to reduce alcohol-related violent crime by more effective data-sharing across health, enforcement and licensing initiatives. For more information about Dry January visit www. dryjanuary.org.uk
20 yoursafety
December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon
The year of safer Croydon Good news – crime is significantly down in Croydon and we have more police officers in the borough than ever before. Croydon is getting safer. In the past 12 months, there have been 2,030 fewer victims of the seven most serious offences that most matter to you; including mugging, house breaking and theft of/from vehicles. • Mugging has seen 926 fewer victims when compared with last year. • House breaking, the offence that I think causes most harm to victims because it involves a person’s home being invaded, had 649 fewer victims when compared to 12 months ago. • Theft from a person
had 315 fewer victims than last year. I also know how much nuisance and disorder in your local areas impacts upon your quality of life, and calls about antisocial behaviour are down by more than 4,000 this year. This is outstanding success and has been achieved, not just by Croydon police, but by all partners in the Safer Croydon Partnership working successfully together. In addition to there being more police officers in Croydon than before – an extra 117 since 2011 – we have increased the number of officers policing your local neighbourhoods. In 2011, we had only 73 officers working in neighbourhoods, and now we have 175; an extra 100 officers working in your
streets and on your estates to deal with your local concerns and local problems. Neighbourhood policing is the cornerstone of policing in Croydon and I am keen to increase the numbers of officers working in communities. I am acutely aware that improving the police presence reduces the fear of crime and ultimately builds confidence in Croydon police. Domestic violence continues to be a challenge, but the outstanding success that we have achieved in reducing crime has allowed me to increase the size of the specialist unit that deals with such crimes. This means that I can offer a better service to victims and arrest more offenders. However, we could do
more, and I need your help. Please contact us if you see anything suspicious and support us in our seasonal campaign. If you are going out, please leave a light and your radio on. This simple act does deter burglars from breaking into your home because they think you are in! Please also secure your car, moped or van; the best way is by a “crook look” or similar; the thicker the chain or lock the better! I would like to wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year, and I look forward to reducing crime yet further in 2015.
Andy Tarrant
Chief Supt Andy Tarrant Croydon borough commander
Give a gift to a child in care Appeal launched by Croydon police to give children in care a gift for Christmas. Two special Christmas trees will be standing in central Croydon this year – trees that will help make this festive season memorable for 300 children. As part of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Give A Gift Christmas Tree Appeal, local officers have arranged the setting up of the two trees and hope residents and businesses will support the campaign. Officers have teamed up with Croydon Council, Centrale shopping centre and Croydon Business Improvement District to promote the scheme in the borough and see gifts collected for children in care. The council and Croydon Bid each donated £500, and local shops, including the Early Learning Centre and Toy Barnhaus, offered gifts and discounts. Anybody wishing to give a gift – with a suggested spend of up to £20 – was asked to collect a tag ribbon from either of the trees, situated outside Croydon police station and in Centrale shopping centre (near the grotto outside the House of Fraser store). Staff of Croydon Council’s children’s services delivered gifts to those children who were unable to attend two special presentations at Santa’s Grotto in Centrale. Details of the London-wide appeal can be found at www.met.police.uk/christmas-tree-appeal/
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yoursafety 21
Enjoy the magic of Christmas – but beware seasonal scams Christmas is a magical time of the year, but don’t let unscrupulous traders take advantage of your seasonal good will. Conmen, rogue traders, cold callers – they are unwelcome at any time of year, and their attention is even less warmly received over the festive period. To help you stay safe this Christmas, the following tips from Croydon’s trading standards team could help you avoid these festive scams.
Give cold callers the cold shoulder • A void doing business with people who turn up, unannounced, on the doorstep. • If household repairs are needed, visit www.trustmark. org.uk or get recommendations from family or friends. • Bargain prices offered by traders can spiral upward. Work is often unnecessary or shoddy, and sometimes doesn’t get done at all. • Victims of this type of fraud often find themselves repeatedly targeted by conmen.
Watch out for loan scams • C hristmas can put a strain on any budget, and unscrupulous credit businesses will try to cash in. • Advice on debt problems can be obtained from a number of organisations, including: Croydon Council’s debt advice service on 020 8726 6000 ext 63696, and South West London Law Centre on 020 8767 2777.
Hang up on callers offering “incredible deals” • T elephone cold callers target large numbers of people across the UK, offering everything from plots of land to wine investments. By the time the fraud comes to light, the company has vanished. • A void entering discussions with cold callers trying to sell you investments. It’s easiest and simplest to hang up the phone. • Potential investors should obtain independent financial advice from a trusted source.
Be wary of letters about lottery and other prize wins • W on a foreign lottery or about to have millions paid into your bank account in return for a small administration fee? Forget it! It’s a scam. • Always remember – if it sounds too good to be true, the chances are that it probably is.
If you, or somebody you know, has fallen victim to any of these sorts of scam, report the matter to Croydon’s trading standards department via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.
22 yourdiary
December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon
Council meeting dates
Useful contacts
Deadlines for public questions for the forthcoming full council meetings (starting at 6.30pm) – noon on the relevant deadline date.
For police, fire brigade, ambulance, call: 999 or 112, Text phone 1800
Meeting: Monday, 26 Jan Deadline: Monday, 12 Jan Monday, 23 Feb No public questions 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:
20 Jan Streets and environment scrutiny sub-committee 27 Jan Health, social care and housing scrutiny sub-committee Venue: Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Shirley 3 Feb Children and young people scrutiny sub-committee 10 Feb 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:
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 14 Jan at 6.30pm – Venue to be confirmed
Fairfield Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG
Wednesday 13 Mar at 6.30pm – Venue to be confirmed 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 December Sunday 21 December Happy Valley winter solstice walk Forget Christmas shopping for a while. Wrap up warm to discover the myths and folklore behind our native trees and learn how to name them when they are without their leaves. Meet at Farthing Downs car park at 2pm. Bus: 60, 404
Train: Coulsdon South, walk one mile along Downs Road and Ditches Lane
January Saturday 10 January Winter trees in Selsdon Wood Meet the Friends at 1pm by the bear in the Selsdon Wood car park for a stroll through the woods and learn how to identify trees without their leaves. Bus: T33
Details: www.fairfield.co.uk Telephone: 020 8688 9291 Email: boxoffice@fairfield.co.uk Sunday 25 January Get involved in Whyteleafe Recreation Ground Join us from 10am to give nature a helping hand at Whyteleafe Recreation Ground, clearing scrub and ash to encourage the return of important chalk flora. Come for an hour or stay all day. Tools, equipment and refreshments provided. For more information call 07771 715812.
February Sunday 15 February Build mini-beast hotels or beetle bungalows Get creative and try your hand at building a beetle bungalow or an insect
hotel to help keep our critters comfy and warm. All equipment and tools provided. Charge of £2 per home. For more information, call the Sandersteadto-Whyteleafe area warden on 07771 715812. Sunday 15 February Come coppicing in Happy Valley Another chance to try your hand at coppicing. Learn about this ancient form of woodland management, now used to provide a habitat for woodland butterflies, birds and the rare dormouse. Phone the countryside warden on 07966 113413 for details, as numbers are limited. All tools and drinks will be provided, but it is recommended to bring lunch if staying all day.
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yourservices 23
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.
Extended schools Providing a range of services and activities to help meet the needs of pupils, their families and the wider community. Fly-tipping How to report it, your responsibilities as a landowner, and how the council prosecutes fly-tippers.
CCTV Helping to ensure the safety of people in Croydon.
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.
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. Neighbourhood wardens
Fly-tipping
Croydon Careline Providing a home safety and personal security system, helping people to live independently within their own homes.
Leisure centres Links and information on all the borough’s leisure centres.
Offering help and support to local communities. Out-of-school activities
Recycling
Road gritting Details on which roads, and why, will be gritted if there is a repeat of last year’s Arctic weather conditions. Safer Croydon Partnership Working to make the borough safer for all who live, work and visit here.
Gambling The different types of licences – and how to apply for them.
After-school clubs, breakfast clubs, holiday play schemes – they’re all here.
Trading standards Dealing with doorstep crime and rogue traders, and offering advice to residents and businesses.
Home safety advice See if you are eligible for a free home safety check.
Planning applications Advice on all aspects of the planning process.
Voluntary organisations Details on available funding.
Instrument tuition Service for children and young people.
Recycling What to recycle, how to recycle and where to recycle.
Welfare benefit advice
Know what you’re entitled to and claim it. Youth projects
All you need to know about Croydon’s youth provision.
Job search Find the latest vacancies for positions within the council.
Zoo licence Gritting
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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