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ISSUE 72 - NOVEMBER 2005 ReportsReports
How Fairfield will figure in - Croydon’s Cultural Quarter SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION
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LEADER’S Report TAKE advantage Creating a more cultured Croydon OF OUR NEW Ambitious plans that we on the council have of developing a cultural quarter in Croydon into a buzzing reality are now closer than ever. ADVERTISING RATES They are plans that I, as the Leader, am personally committed to, a fact I made clear in a recent meeting with Croydon’s Cultural Partnership, a body that is doing much excellent FULL page from £799 work as a group and with the council. 297 x 210mm Proposals worth more than £2 billion are in the pipeline – schemes that will continue the modernisation of the town centre and equip it with a vibrancy that appeals to residents HALF page from £350 and visitors of all ages. Horizontal- 148.5 x 210mm Much of Croydon’s transformation in recent years has been inspired by the council’s Vision 2020 master plan – a blueprint for the town’s urban renaissance, produced to QUARTER page from £175 acclaim in 1998. It was this forward-thinking document that first identified the potential Vertical - 148.5 x 105mm for developing a distinctive cultural quarter in which leisure, entertainment and creative businesses could flourish. If you would like your business to benefit Since then, we, along with our partners through Croydon’s Cultural Partnership, have from advertising in one of the country’s developed a strategy to enhance the existing cultural offer and establish Croydon as a leading community magazines and would like significant cultural destination. more information, a copy of our rate card or a Concentrating cultural activities housed within historic buildings, attractive open space booking form, please call Paula Howell on: along with restaurants, cafes, bars and shops is seen as a way of reinforcing Croydon’s popular appeal – balancing commercial and architectural progress 020 8760 5644 with entertainment and public participation. A dynamic cultural destination is already taking shape, with the Grants building thriving after its rescue from years of decay, the Clocktower established as a leading arts venue, old favourites including Fairfield and the Warehouse Theatre looking forward to bright futures, new hotels PROVIDING YOU WITH EASY constructed and many more new homes built ACCESS TO SERVICES within the town centre. Our special 12-page section of Croydon Reports, Did you know that you can receive starting on page 7, sets out how far plans for the free help and information at a number cultural quarter have developed and highlights what is of advice surgeries throughout the still to come. I think you will find it a thought-provoking borough? The sessions cover general read, full of exciting ideas designed to make Croydon enquiries, tax matters, pensions, a cultural destination for people who live beyond our housing and council tax benefits, borough boundaries as well as Croydon residents. help from social services and more. We have also included a questionnaire that gives you the opportunity to tell us what you think Available on a drop-in or appointment- of the approach to broaden Croydon’s only basis in: Broad Green, Coulsdon, cultural offer. Fieldway & New Addington, Norbury, Purley, Selsdon, Shirley, South Norwood, Thornton Heath and Upper Norwood
Go to www.croydon.gov.uk Tony Newman - Leader, and click on the words: Get Local Advice. You will be taken to a page which lists the surgeries taking place, along with full contact details.
This magazine is printed on environmentally friendly, TCF (Totally Chlorine Free) paper, produced from a sustainable source. When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it.
2 Cleaner Safer Greener Designed by croydondesign the in-house business within Croydon Council [email protected] 50729/150M/10 2 & 3 11/10/05 14:07 Page 2 contents 4 4 Rewarding excellence Find out who you voted as the council’s most friendly and helpful members of staff. 6 Contacting the council Got a question? Paying a bill? Need an appointment? Any of the above will be 6 dealt with by the council’s contact centre. Learn how it works. 7 Croydon’s cultural future 7 A 12-page pull-out detailing the council’s blueprint for the establishment of a cultural centre in the town. 15 Acting its age The borough’s leading youth theatre group celebrates its 40th anniversary with its own Ruby. 16 Continuing centuries of tradition 16 Read how the manor’s Fair Field became the town’s Fairfield and south London’s centre for entertainment and the arts.
CROYDON Reports - your local community magazine, full of news, views and information. To contact Croydon Council: 020 8726 6000 Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 3JS email: [email protected] Council website: www.croydon.gov.uk Community website: www.croydononline.org Cover photo by To contact the editor of Croydon Reports: 020 8760 5644 John Nunn Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 3JS email: [email protected] The next issue will be published on Wednesday, 26 October 2005. Commercial advertising is welcome, but inclusion of an advertisement does not indicate council endorsement of any products or services mentioned. Please ask if you require a translation in a community language, in large print, on tape or in Braille. Cleaner Safer Greener 3 4 & 5 10/10/05 10:49 Page 1
excellenceexcellence People in Croydon have said a big “Thank you” to staff working for the council to mark the hard work and commitment to service they have shown
Earlier this year we asked you to nominate staff members who you he represents and an inspiration to those who are fortunate to felt went that little bit further when delivering the service you meet him.” expected from them. We’re glad to say that virtually all areas of the Vanessa Pain, from housing, was nominated by several council were represented among the nomination forms we received. customers for her persistence and professional care. Customers After carefully sifting through the completed forms, the list of finalists said: “She really put her heart into this case”, and “It’s such a was whittled down to 32, competing treat to see people doing work across nine categories. The category with enthusiasm”. winners were presented with their Outstanding Customer Service Winner Tim Newman was awards at a ceremony in Fairfield in commended by a customer for In the Contact Centre Anita Haylock early October. They were: the support given during a contaminated-land issue and Arti Singh, an environmental In a face-to-face environment Vanessa Pain health officer from the housing Angie Brown for her professional department, was nominated by a On the phone (non-contact centre) Arti Singh customer approach at the Victoria customer with a large family, House pupil-referral unit. including young children, after their In a customer service support role George Fillery Chris Fretwell, a horticultural central heating went off a few days assistant at Greenlawn Memorial In the community Chris Fretwell before Christmas. She was most Park, in Warlingham, was nominated by a colleague. “He impressed with the same-day In particular circumstances Tim Newman delivery of electric heaters to her always goes the extra mile . . . home as no help had been offered In providing a consistently provides an excellent example to by her landlady. outstanding customer service model Angie Brown others . . . he has received many Ken Whittick nominated Pam customer compliments.” Pilcher, leisure manager at Purley In commitment to developing Our finalists came from all swimming pool, after her efforts to customer service delivery corners of the council and all the stabilise the water temperature for and standards Katie O’Donnell staff nominated thank you for a swimathon. He praised her taking the time to recognise their In addressing equalities and “initiative, willingness to keep me outstanding contributions. accessibility issues Pam Pilcher informed, following through, all The Customer Service with a human touch and no Excellence Awards scheme runs defensive red-tape talk. Brilliant.” throughout the year and you can Mr Austin nominated George Fillery, from social services, for complete a nomination on line at his sensitive professionalism with a close relative. “He always had www.croydon.gov.uk/csawards or pick up a form from any time to listen, was compassionate, caring, dependable and a major borough library or the One-Stop reception at Taberner House. Please source of hope and strength throughout a very difficult time . . . an help us to ensure that our staff are recognised for when they deliver outstanding and exceptional individual who is a credit to the people outstanding customer service to you.
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Nicky Bartlett Sonia Isaacs Victor Davey Yasemin Aray
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