your www..gov.uk

ISSUE 72 – MARCH – MAY 2016 Your primary source of community information

Exciting Fairfield plans revealed See page 5

£500,000 cash injection for Surrey Street See page 4 Running the numbers: how this year’s council tax measures up Pages 12 – 15 2 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe March – May 2016 Continuing to deliver

It is the time of year when, as a council, we get Highlights to set Croydon’s budget for the next 12 months. Our aim, even in tough economic times, is to ensure that we Fairfield plans continue to deliver the services you have told us matter most to you. revealed...... 5 The money we spend as a council comes, in part, from The future for Fairfield, the collection of council tax, while the rest is essentially and College government grant directly from Westminster, and, as you Green are laid out for the site’s £750m regeneration. might have read in the local media, Croydon Council has been hit hard by government cuts.

To make things worse, when ministers began receiving Central Parade revamp ...... 7 complaints about the damage their cuts were doing, they introduced something called a ‘transitional fund’, Shoppers, traders and visitors will benefit as plans are but that has not gone to the councils most in need. How unveiled for a major development on one side of the can anybody justify Croydon receiving £800k while district centre’s main shopping road. neighbouring Surrey received £24.1m? Utterly indefensible. However, as leader of Croydon Council, I am determined that we will not allow Croydon to become a victim of Garden-waste scheme the government’s cuts, and that we will protect those gets the nod ...... 9 frontline services – such as libraries, leisure centres and improved street cleaning – that you have told us you Borough gardeners opt to pay annual value so much. fee rather than not having green waste As a council, we are doing more with less as we continue collected from their homes. to have to lose staff and some services. One such casualty is the green garden waste-collection service; it has been necessary to introduce a small charge to those Leading our cultural vision . . . . .11 wishing to continue to have the service, amounting to £1.12 per week. The woman behind the success of Brighton’s Royal With regard to the council budget, a council tax increase Pavilion is on her way to Croydon to pick up the of 53p per week (band D property) has been agreed, borough’s cultural reins. following last year’s freeze in council tax bills. This is equivalent to 1.89% on your bill but, I hope you agree, it’s a relatively small price to pay to protect those vital Meeting borough’s needs ...... 12 frontline services from the cuts. Small council tax increase of 1.89% is the price to pay Croydon is on the up – we are now officially ’s to protect and look after our elderly residents. Growth Borough. Companies such as Body Shop are relocating hundreds of their staff and corporate HQs here; Westfield’s new retail centre will soon be on site; and is set for a major £30m refit with a Improving Fiveways ..... 16 new college for Croydon being built alongside it. flyover proposal dropped As you can see, there is much to be excited about, but we in favour of road-widening at also have to ensure that, as our town is transformed, we congestion-prone junction. protect those vital frontline services. That is the job of myself and my colleagues, and we will not let you down.

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 Councillor Tony Newman www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe and visit Leader of the council /ilovecroydon @yourcroydon For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 3 £6m youth zone on the horizon New centre for eight- to 19-year-olds will offer range of activities and better life opportunities. Raised aspirations, enhanced prospects and the charity, with the council and improved health and well-being – also contributing £300,000 per year not to mention lots of fun – are on the toward running costs. cards for the borough’s young with the The facility will replace the existing promise of a new £6m youth zone. community centre, with most of the The result of collaboration between activities currently held there moving the council and youth charity OnSide, to an alternative location nearby. the youth zone will be built in Whitehorse Road, , and offer affordable activities every day of the week in sports, arts, music, employability and mentoring to young people aged between eight and 19, and up to 25 for those with a disability. It will provide 20 different activities during every session for up to 200 young people. Construction costs for the project will be jointly-funded by the council

Grime gets a place in Croydon schools Home-grown music stars thank Croydon by offering borough young a positive direction. Krept x Konan, Croydon’s award-winning mentoring services of a raft of industry A closing graduation ceremony is musical duo, have joined forces with the experts such as Kritikal Media, JC and planned for students to showcase their council on a new venture to harness the Nia to go into schools and provide work and their skills. creative talents of local young people networking opportunities alongside The two-time Mobo award winners aged between 11 and 18. workshops in creative and song writing, recently met and talked with some of the Through their Positive Direction sound engineering, graphic design and students from the first tranche of schools Foundation, the pair have secured the programming. to be selected for the project.

Konan said: “I chose to give something back to Croydon because it made me who I am today. I’ve lost and gained so much over the years, but now, in my position, I want to breathe life back into the community.

Krept added: “We want to give the youth of Croydon a chance that we never had. Paving the way for the next generation is a matter of the heart, and the PD Foundation is in our hearts. 4 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe March – May 2016 Getting creative for Croydon The woman in charge of Brighton’s Royal Pavilion and the city’s 300 annual events is to spearhead Croydon’s cultural ambitions.

Leading the vision for the and using its open spaces as secondment on 1 April, regenerated Fairfield is one of cultural venues. before which she will meet Paula Murray’s prime tasks as She will also work with people and organisations in she takes the role of creative partner organisations such Croydon. director for Croydon. as , She said: “I’m thrilled Currently assistant chief developers and landowners about this opportunity to use executive at Brighton & Hove to embed culture in the my experiences from Brighton City Council, Paula will have borough’s regeneration, as to develop culture in what are the key role of boosting well as attracting people and exciting times for Croydon. Croydon’s position as a businesses to Croydon. “I look forward to working cultural hub for London and Paula, whose overall with the council leadership, the south-east in an initial responsibilities in Brighton other organisations and six-month secondment. include tourism, museums people involved at the In addition to Fairfield, she and outdoor and venue- grassroots to deliver a will have responsibility for based events, plus leading a crucial part of the borough’s developing a new creative revamp of the Royal Pavilion, regeneration and revitalise programme for the borough will be starting her full-time the borough’s cultural offer.”

Half a million reasons to love Surrey Street A £500,000 makeover will breathe new life into the town’s historic market.

Surrey Street, the 700-year- The council wants to use consideration is the possible people can enjoy a meal from old centre of market life in the this unique opportunity to introduction of evening and the growing number of street borough, is to benefit from create a vibrant public space Sunday trading, food traders operating from a half-million pound council and increase footfall, while, As well as new lighting, the market. investment that will spark at the same time, making sure paved areas, archways and Also under consideration excitement, creativity and the market’s unique character signage, improvements could are weekend farmers’ enterprise among traders and and history are protected. include public art and the markets, and pop-up stalls visitors. One innovation under creation of spaces where for new and established traders. And some key shop fronts could be renovated along similar lines to work carried out in London Road and South End. The council is particularly interested in hearing from the growing artistic community who are being drawn to the area thanks to new galleries and workspaces being opened in previously empty shops. It is hoped that their creativity and imagination can be used to make sure that the work carried out has artistic merit as well as being of practical benefit to shops and traders. For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 5

Exciting new future planned for arts and education quarter

Fairfield and College Green are set to be transformed into one of the capital’s leading cultural and educational centres. Pictures: Rick Mather Architects

Exciting plans have been unveiled for the £750m regeneration Park Lane elevation of the Fairfield/College Green area that will see major refurbishments to the popular entertainment complex, a new home for Croydon College and revamped open space. The proposals followed the announcement of a new deal between the council and Fairfield (Croydon) Ltd to work together on a programme that will see the venue close on 15 July. The two-year closure will allow for the £30m Fairfield - College Green transformation of the ageing Fairfield into a spectacular arts and cultural centre, that will include refurbishment of the entire venue, from public spaces, restaurants and bars through to heating, lighting and backstage areas, providing improved facilities for visiting acts. Technical improvements will open the way for more contemporary productions to be staged and fresh experiences for audiences. The venue will also gain new bar areas, a roof-top seating and dining space, and the outside of the building will be reconfigured with improved integration into the surrounding public areas, which will be landscaped, with spaces for public art, cafés and shops, while art-lovers will find 2,000 sq. metres of gallery space in an underground venue. Croydon College will move to a new purpose-built educational complex ensuring that it can offer students the Overview benefits of a state-of-the-art learning environment. The wider regeneration, which takes place over three phases, could provide more than 2,000 new homes – with a significant number of those being affordable – and major improvements along George Street, with new offices and shops planned and proposals to make pedestrian-friendly, step-free through routes from East Croydon into town and across the borough. 6 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe March – May 2016 East meets west with new crossing Long held as the through-route that splits the town centre in two, Wellesley Road is about be breached, for the good of all. Wellesley Road: looking north. Pedestrians and cyclists will facilities along Bedford Park be among those benefiting and Poplar Walk. from a project that will link The project is part of the the eastern, historically £50m Connected Croydon “commercial” side of the programme, funded by town with the western Croydon Council, Transport “retail” core. for London, and The Mayor of Starting later this month London. (March), work on providing a Anybody with questions is surface-level pedestrian and asked to contact the project Wellesley Road: looking south. cycle crossing over Wellesley manager, Tom Sweeney, on Road – between Bedford Park 020 8726 6000 ext 62575 and Poplar Walk – will get Information on traffic under way, lasting about one diversions and road closures year. is available at the council’s In addition to the crossing, road maintenance and proposed improvements closures page. This will include the closure and include any upcoming filling-in of the existing diversions and closures subway; wider, less cluttered affecting Wellesley Road. footways with new paving, Subscribe to regular lighting, signage, seating, and updates, or follow on Twitter planting; and improved cycle @yourcroydon. Thrills in store as pro cyclists return Exciting top-class cycle racing comes back to town-centre streets for second year.

Following hot in the tyre the series, Croydon is set to town at its exciting best. spurring on the international tracks of last year’s town- be a key stage in the overall The first to be held in elite racers as they tore centre pro cycle race, the event. And, like last year, the town centre, the 2015 round a town-centre circuit Pearl Izumi Tour Series is this year’s race, on Tuesday race drew thousands of last June. returning to once again thrill 7 June, will be enjoying spectators to the course, While this year’s route the crowds of Croydon. worldwide TV coverage, with many from beyond Croydon, is yet to be finalised, it is The only London leg in millions of viewers seeing the jamming the route and expected to take in South End’s popular Restaurant Quarter and will offer a boost to retailers and restaurateurs around the town centre. As it did last year, Croydon will host a men’s and a women’s race. Highlights will be screened on ITV4 and via ITV Hub. The series begins on the Isle of Man on Thursday 12 May, visiting cities across the UK, before finishing five weeks later in Portsmouth on Thursday, 9 June. For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 7

New look for Central Parade East side story: new leisure and community centre.

As plans are unveiled for a major development on one side of ’s main shopping road, the other side is undergoing a facelift.

Major change is on the cards is the option of licence for New Addington’s Central applications for booked Parade, as established plans events. A demountable swing into action while others stage will be available for await formal approval. community shows and the Residents recently viewed ever-popular annual panto. exciting new plans that, if The council’s aim is that Makeover: new look for Central Parade approved, will see a £17.5m the centre will be inviting and leisure and community centre exciting, and offer flexible built on the eastern side of the spaces that appeal to, and can road. be used and enjoyed by, all The proposals include a sectors of the community. new multi-level leisure and While some parking community centre, improved provision is planned, the community space and the building’s position on the site facilities for a range of would ensure easy access, by sports to be played, including pedestrians and the disabled, badminton and basketball. both from Central Parade and Local people helped shape Chertsey Crescent. the priorities and told the Proposals for the new council that, in addition to a leisure centre – in addition community centre offering to a 25-metre, six-lane main part of the council and Mayor more litter bins, benches and fresh, modern facilities, they swimming pool – include a of London’s £50m Connected cycle parking. were keen to see a new, learning pool and spectator Croydon street-improvement Also, parking arrangements state-of-the-art leisure centre seating. Other facilities in the project. for blue-badge holders are incorporated into the plans. complex could include a café, The stretch of road being upgraded, the roadway The community centre fitness suite, sport hall, crèche between the Octagon outside the shops resurfaced, proposals feature two and studios. and the Calat building is and brighter, low-energy multi-purpose halls – each Meanwhile, across the benefiting from the widening lighting installed. with kitchen space – a café, road, a 16-week rejuvenation and repaving of footways, The plans were drawn up meeting rooms, offices and project is under way, with creation of level access into following a major consultation dressing rooms, and there £1m-worth of upgrades, as shops, and the installation of with local people in 2014. 8 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe March – May 2016 New-builds see homeless numbers drop First phase of house building programme sees 74 families given new homes.

Homeless family numbers in four-bedroom houses, with Croydon have been reduced 10% of them fully adapted thanks to the council’s for people in wheelchairs or ambitious programme of tenants with other increasing the supply of disabilities. affordable social rented The council is currently properties. drawing up an expanded Of 74 families to move programme of more than into brand new council 700 new homes on about 50 homes in the latest £22m sites across the borough by phase of the house-building 2019. Details will be programme, 34 had been announced later this year. homeless. The 74 most recently built The latest new-build flats, family houses and council properties are in bungalows have been funded Fieldway, East, with the help of a £2.2m Shirley, New Addington, grant from the Greater “It’s great”: Percy and Peggy Gray in their new home. Heathfield, , Waddon, London Authority through Bensham Manor and Broad the Mayor’s 2011-15 be paid for from investment Watch Councillor Green. Affordable Housing sources designed to ensure Alison Butler talking about Most of the new Programme. minimal cost to local the council’s house-building properties are two- to Future development will taxpayers. programme. Going to the polls Looking for a way to have your opinion heard? The council’s weekly poll could be your ideal platform. Since December, the council has been asking people to get involved and take part in weekly quick polls. More than 1,000 votes have been cast on the poll questions, which have looked at a range of topics including green waste, regeneration of the town centre and online digital skills. Designed to provide a snapshot of people’s views, the polls do not replace formal consultations. All results from polls are shared with senior managers and councillors and used to help the council improve services and communications to residents. Thank you to everyone who has taken part so far, however we want to hear from more of you. So don’t be shy – log on and vote. Visit to check out the current poll, and, while there, why not see what other ways you can get involved and have your voice heard by your council? For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 9 Residents choose new garden-waste scheme Borough gardeners feel annual fee is preferable to not having green waste collected.

With thousands of residents households but used by fewer Croydon Council’s decision, Those without a computer saying they want it to than a quarter of them. announced at January’s can either register at their continue, the council is set to In reply, more than 10,000 council meeting and set to local library or with help follow other London boroughs residents said they wanted to begin in April, comes after from the digital champions in in charging for garden-waste keep the fortnightly service other London boroughs – the Digital Zone in Access collection. with an annual fee rather including Sutton, Bexley Croydon. Tight finances led to than end it. and Merton –introduced Once registered and paid, the council engaging with Making the service paid-for similar paid-for green-waste householders will receive a residents last autumn asking will save Croydon taxpayers collection schemes. garden-waste wheeled bin for their input on the future of £1.5m per year amid growing Householders can register and be able to view their the service, currently funded budget pressures and reduced through their My Account collection calendar online in by all 147,000 Croydon funding from government. login at the council’s website. My Account.

Register now

DOES YOUR BUSINESS COMPLY? Firms in Croydon are being told to waste no time if they don’t yet have proper refuse-disposal systems in place. Do you own a business in Croydon? Over the Christmas period, the The council has also encouraged Does it comply with waste-disposal council seized four Ford Transit vans around 270 local residents to become regulations? If it doesn’t, beware, you used to illegally carry rubbish, and, last community champions, and, with could face a hefty fine. May, prosecuted a man who was given contractors, has provided staff and In the past three months, inspections a six-year jail term for fly-tipping 42 equipment to muck in with local have found 82 businesses operating tonnes of waste in Waddon. clear-ups. without a valid waste transfer note or carrier’s licence. Each business was warned that failure to get one within 14 days could result in a sizable fine. More than 1,000 such visits have been carried out since summer 2014 as part of the council’s Don’t Mess with Croydon – Take Pride campaign, targeting fly-tippers, and encouraging community clear-ups. By law, all businesses must dispose of their waste by holding either a valid Environment Agency licence or a waste transfer note. Any resident or business caught fly-tipping or using an unlicensed waste carrier faces unlimited fines and conviction. Since the Don’t Mess campaign began, the council has issued more than 800 fixed-penalty notices and prosecuted in excess of 70 people. 10 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe March – May 2016

offenders ‘Don’t Mess’ Hall of Shame have been caught, and now have list continues prosecuted to grow a criminal record The latest round of Don’t Mess with Croydon prosecutions Hall of Shame newcomers has seen another 15 people get a criminal record for littering. • Krishnakumar Kumaraguru, aged 43, of London Road, Thornton Heath, was ordered to pay a total of £914 for dumping household waste and cardboard in Colliers Magistrates ordered 15 people caught Water Lane on 16 September and giving false personal details. dumping rubbish, littering or spitting in Croydon to pay a total of more than £4,600 • Armando Carriel, of Bolder Way, West Wickham, was ordered to pay a total of in fines and costs in late January. £452 for illegally dumping household waste on the ground in recycling The offences, ranging from illegally centre on 27 September. dumping household rubbish and furniture, • , aged 20, of The Coppins, New Addington, was ordered to pay a to dropping cigarette butts, led to the Jacquadi Heron total of £452 for dumping household waste in The Coppins on 25 August. prosecutions as part of the council’s Don’t Mess with Croydon – Take Pride campaign. • Alpesh Patel, of Bishops Walk, Shirley Hills, was ordered to pay a total of £265 The latest batch of prosecutions at for dumping household waste on the ground at Monks Orchard recycling centre on 3 Croydon Magistrates’ Court means October. that, since launching in summer 2014, the council’s Don’t Mess clampdown has • Aneta Glowacki, aged 21, of Fir Tree Gardens, Shirley, was ordered to pay a total of £245 for dumping household waste and furniture in Fir Tree Gardens on 29 prosecuted more than 70 people and issued September. more than 800 fixed-penalty notices. The campaign combines enforcement • Seyhan Parmak, of Myrtle Road, Shirley, was ordered to pay a total of £100 for action against fly-tippers and littering, with dumping household waste in Myrtle Road on 8 September. a drive encouraging residents to sign up as local champions and arrange council-backed • Claire Gibbs, of Arnhem Drive, New Addington, was ordered to pay a total of £100 clean-ups. for dumping household waste in Milne Park East on 15 September. The 15 latest prosecutions have been • Savalota Rosta, of Zermatt Road, Thornton Heath, was ordered to pay a total of added to the council’s Hall of Shame £452 for spitting in Boswell Road, Thornton Heath, on 9 October. webpage, which can be viewed here. You can report fly-tipping by calling the • Barry Abbott, aged 40, of Portland Road, , was ordered to pay a dedicated fly-tipping hotline on 020 8604 total of £100 for dropping a cigarette end in George Street in Croydon on 6 October. 7000 or sending an email. • , aged 50, of Gipsy Hill, , was ordered to You can also report a problem via the My Lourdita Ablin Tan pay a total of £265 for dropping a cigarette end in Wellesley Road in Croydon on 14 Croydon smartphone app. October. For more information about the campaign, click here. • Janine Rose, aged 46, of Martin Crescent, Waddon, was ordered to pay a total of £100 for dropping a cigarette end in North End in Croydon on 22 July. • Keylee Harwood, aged 26, of Central Parade, New Addington, was ordered to pay a total of £452 for dropping a cigarette end in Central Parade on 12 October. • Stacey Jackson, of Burdett Road, , was ordered to pay a total of £175 for dropping a cigarette end in Park Street on 7 July and giving false personal details. • Justyna Krasicka-Kotula, aged 25, of London Road, Broad Green, was ordered to pay a total of £100 for dropping a cigarette end in North End in Croydon on 1 July. • Jess Cowlard, aged 24, of Portland Road, South Norwood, was ordered to pay a total of £452 for dropping a cigarette end in Mint Walk on 13 July. For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 11 Rejuvenating Croydon’s Restaurant Quarter Competition judges recognise work undertaken in South End and Road. Lively bars, food from all corners of the globe and Work included footpath widening, upgrades to building improvements to the general street scene have contributed frontages, new public spaces and economic help for businesses. to the town centre’s Restaurant Quarter receiving national Judges were impressed with how it had boosted the recognition. economic future of South End, with empty shops being The MacEwen Awards recognise and acknowledge building brought back into use. They stated that it had a “lively and projects that have been delivered to benefit the whole successful future ahead.” community, including local people and businesses. Footways have been widened, road junctions improved, The judging panel has taken note of Croydon Council’s 47 shop fronts upgraded and the area has been made cleaner, improvements to the quarter, in South End and Selsdon Road, greener and more accessible. and shortlisted the project in the new annual awards scheme. One of the judges, award-winning architect Amanda The panel praised the £2.8m works, which are part of the Levete, said: “This project shows how, on a small budget, council’s wider £50m Connected Croydon project. very small interventions can make a difference – that is giving a little attention and respect to the everyday, and understanding that adding a nicely positioned bench, for example, can totally change the way people interact on the street . . . suddenly it becomes a place where you might want to loiter rather than hurry along.” The design team listened to residents of all ages, business owners, and community groups in coming up with plans, and worked with construction students at Croydon College to transform a vacant unit into an “ideas shop” for a month at the start of the project.

Banking for the people, by the people Low interest rates, user-friendly accounts and a great way to help the community – a relaunched credit union offers benefits to all. For too long, cash-strapped the new clients the relaunch is movement that originated their lives in Croydon to have borrowers have been easy expected to attract. in Europe more than 150 a firmer base from which they targets of pay-day loan Operating as a community years ago. can work. companies and, worse, door- bank that is owned by its New member the Rt Revd “A place where they can step loan sharks offering membership, Croydon Plus Jonathan Clark, Bishop of save money, a place where cash with sky-high interest is regulated by the Financial Croydon, said: “I’ve opened a they can start to engage with rates and dubious collection Conduct Authority and Croydon Plus account because the financial economy from methods. overseen by an unpaid it’s committed to enabling which many are completely Things, however, have board that includes Croydon the people of Croydon to disenfranchised, and help changed for people in Croydon councillors and senior council help each other and to help them to a more prosperous, as the relaunch of a long- officers. themselves. more secure life.” established credit union is The relaunch sees the “The credit union enables Watch a clip from offering a safe and cost- introduction of online banking some of the people who really the Croydon Plus launch effective alternative for those and promises members want to make something of event. who might have been tempted competitive interest rates and toward the darker side of the a range of services that sit in personal finance street. line with the council’s financial Keen to see Croydon inclusion strategy that seeks Plus succeed in helping the to enable more people to take community, the council is control of their household backing the venture with a budgeting. ring-fenced, flexible term, Established in 1999 – as secure loan of £100,000 that Croydon, Merton and Sutton will help the union deal with Credit Union – it is part of a 12 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe March – May 2016 Working hard – for you

Dear resident, • becoming a London Living Wage borough, ensuring hard-working people get the wages they As the leader of Croydon deserve to live affordable lives. Council, I am proud to be writing to you after a year Regretfully, there is a small increase to council tax of growing success for our this year, although we have worked hard to hold it borough. to 1.89% – lower than many councils around the country. For a Band D property, this means an extra As a council, we have listened 53p per week – 8p of this goes towards vital local to you and have made clean services and the other 45p to meet the growing and safe streets our priority. In addition, thousands cost of looking after our elderly population, this of new jobs have been created in our town, with additional levy being necessary as the government businesses such as Body Shop, Box Park, Waitrose continues to reduce its funding to our borough and is and HM Revenue & Customs choosing to move to no longer helping to pay for our growing population, Croydon. For those of you fortunate enough to own nor the needs associated with a growing population. your homes, we’ve seen house prices on the up, and As the leader of the local council, I will not see our sustained economic growth in the borough. elderly residents suffer as a consequence of grant- Croydon’s reputation is changing for the better, funding reductions from the government.

forever, with our title of London’s Growth Borough Croydon is a place we can all be proud of. We being a well-deserved one. As a council, we are also want to ensure a fair and equal Croydon, a working hard to ensure the totally refurbished and place where no-one gets left behind. However, our modernised Fairfield Halls will be open in 2018 and biggest challenge is seeing the grant we receive that the Westfield shopping centre will be open in from government being cut by a staggering 50% in 2020. Exciting times indeed! the past six years (see graph). However, success brings with it other challenges, When you consider that around half of our which is why, as a council administration, we overall budget is made up of these grants, you continue to have bold ambitions for the borough. can understand the damaging effect this has had We are working hard to make Croydon a vibrant, and the challenging choices this creates. As we prosperous and safe place to live, work and visit. move more services online, work smarter, work in We’ve already made great headway in delivering partnership with the NHS, local business leaders the manifesto pledges we made to you in 2014, and others, we will continue to work hard for the such as people of Croydon to ensure that any future council tax increases are kept to the minimum possible, • launching our ground-breaking landlord licensing while managing further government grant-funding scheme with more than 25,000 private rental reductions. properties now licensed, and tenants assured a safe, quality place to live; Yours • tackling fly-tipping and littering through our Don’t Mess with Croydon programme, which has seen more than 200 residents become community champions. We issued 1,000 fixed penalty notices in 2015 for offences such as littering, and Councillor Tony Newman successfully prosecuted 79 people for messing with Croydon; and Leader of the Council

YOUR COUNCIL TAX • WORKING HARD – FOR YOU • YOUR COUNCIL TAX • WORKING HARD – FOR YOU • YOUR COUNCIL TAX For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 13 Holding the increase to 53p

Band 2015/16 2015/16 2015/16 2016/17 2016/17 2016/17 2016/17 Croydon GLA Total tax Croydon adult social GLA Total tax council tax precept council tax care levy precept £ £ £ £ £ £ £ A 780.93 196.67 977.60 796.47 15.62 184.00 996.09 B 911.08 229.44 1,140.52 929.21 18.22 214.67 1,162.10 C 1,041.24 262.22 1,303.46 1,061.96 20.83 245.33 1,328.11 D 1,171.39 295.00 1,466.39 1,194.70 23.43 276.00 1,494.13 E 1,431.70 360.56 1,792.26 1,460.19 28.64 337.33 1,826.16 F 1,692.01 426.11 2,118.12 1,725.68 33.84 398.67 2,158.19 G 1,952.32 491.67 2,443.99 1,991.17 39.05 460.00 2,490.22 H 2,342.78 590.00 2,932.78 2,389.40 46.86 552.00 2,988.26

Croydon council tax: 1.99% increase Adult social care levy: 2% increase Greater London Authority: -6.44% decrease

100.0% 90.0%

80.0% 75.7% 70.5% 70.0% 65.3% 60.0% 56.0% 50.0% 43.5% 40.0% 33.0% 30.0% 21.9% 20.0% 18.4% 14.2% 13.2% 11.3% 11.2% 9.6% 10.0% 8.3% 7.1% 7.5% 2.9% 0.0% 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20

Annual govt grant loss Cumulative govt grant Loss

For more information about your council tax bill and the council’s budget go to www.croydon.gov.uk/ctax

YOUR COUNCIL TAX • WORKING HARD – FOR YOU • YOUR COUNCIL TAX • WORKING HARD – FOR YOU • YOUR COUNCIL TAX Engage… 14 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe March 2016 – May 2016 Discover your world online Come to the Go ON Croydon Digital Zone in Access Croydon to get help and support to learn online skills. There is something for everyone online, find out what the internet can do for you! • Be surprised at how much you can save • Keep in touch with family and friends • Explore more of your interests

Drop in to the Digital Zone every Friday from 9am to 4pm in Access Croydon, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon, CR0 1EA. To find out more, visit:www.croydon.gov.uk/go-on-croydon

My CROYDON report /my account Croydon pay

My CROYDONMy CROYDON Be suprised at what you can do online AT /m/myy a accounccount t apply rreporteport www.croydon.gov.uk/MyAccount papayy

For example:

view housing statements apply £ and pay rent Sign up now at apply View your council tax, www.croydon.gov.uk/MyAccount housing benefit and council tax support accounts and make a payment ‘My Croydon’ mobile app Download now from www.croydon.gov.uk/app report a Local issue or your app store. (such as fly-tips)

WWW.CROYDON.GOV.UK YOUR COUNCIL SERVICES ONLINE 24/7 SUPPORTING RESIDENTS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES

YOUR COUNCIL TAX • WORKING HARD – FOR YOU • YOUR COUNCIL TAX • WORKING HARD – FOR YOU • YOUR COUNCIL TAX For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 15

win! Your council tax paid for a year

This year we have two ways for you to win your council tax paid for a year!

Set up a direct debit before 31 May 2016. It’s quick, easy and the most cost effective way to pay. You can do it online www.croydon.gov.uk/doitonline or by calling 0845 940 0160 or by completing and returning the direct debit form enclosed with your bill.

Set up a My Account to access many council services online and sign up to online billing for your council tax, all at a time and place to suit you www.croydon. gov.uk/myaccount

FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS VISIT www.croydon.gov.uk/ctax

YOUR COUNCIL TAX • WORKING HARD – FOR YOU • YOUR COUNCIL TAX • WORKING HARD – FOR YOU • YOUR COUNCIL TAX 16 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe March – May 2016 Green light for Fiveways upgrade

With the threat of a land-gobbling flyover gone, residents can look forward to eased traffic-flow as Fiveways improvement plans take shape. Alan Bristow, TfL’s director of road space management, A flyover will not be part of proposals to improve Purley said: “Our preferred option for the overhaul of Fiveways, as Way’s congestion-prone Fiveways junction at Waddon. part of our £4bn road modernisation plan, will reduce Instead, the council’s preference of widening the junction congestion and improve safety and accessibility for has been approved by Transport for London (TfL). pedestrians and cyclists. Last year, TfL completed a consultation with residents, “We want to transform Fiveways into a more efficient pedestrians and cyclists on transforming Fiveways, with 81% junction and improve the look and feel of the area to of respondents supporting or partially supporting the principle accommodate growth in population and the local economy. of modernising the busy junction and improving access for “The feedback from our initial consultation has helped to pedestrians and cyclists. ensure we’re balancing the needs of everyone. Two options were shortlisted – a flyover or a road- “We’re now working hard, in conjunction with Croydon widening scheme. Council, on the design for a further public consultation in In December, the council declared that it preferred widening the autumn.” of the junction’s east-west approach where the A232 crossed the A23, and widening Epsom Road to accommodate two-way The proposal traffic. The council also asked TfL to ensure that the Waddon Hotel, an important local building, is retained. • Widening and upgrading the Purley Way railway bridge The council had concerns about the impact of a flyover on near Waddon station. residents and Park, which would have lost the • Widening Epsom Road to accommodate two-way traffic. equivalent of one-and-a-half football pitches and 30 mature • Reducing the number of arms at the Fiveways Corner trees. junction and waiting times at traffic lights. TfL, which has responsibility for all major roads in the • New cycle facilities on Epsom Road, with access to capital, has now agreed to back the plans to widen the Waddon station. junction. Its next step will be to consult local residents this autumn on the scheme’s design. • Extra pedestrian crossings on Purley Way and Epsom Road. For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 17 Grant boost for housing clampdown Dodgy landlords beware – council’s innovative database will find you out. House hunters and estate agents across the borough will be the country’s first to benefit from a groundbreaking council database to spot dodgy landlords. Croydon Council is to use a £15,000 government grant to become the first local authority to develop a database that tracks housing fraud in both private and social rented with the new rules and, this month, began preparing the first housing. batch of prosecutions, numbering more than 25. With a couple of mouse clicks, estate agents will be able to Using software called i-Latch, the database will allow check if properties for rent are suitable – and to pass to estate agents to tell if a private rented property does not council investigators if they are not. have the required council landlord licence, or if it is a council The grant has been awarded to the council’s landlord house being illegally sublet. licensing team, set up to raise standards in the local private Any property searches flagged as unlicensed or illegally rented sector. sublet will be sent automatically to council officers to start Since launching in October, the team has registered more enquiries. Estate agents and prospective tenants will also than 24,000 properties, got hundreds of landlords to comply know immediately to avoid using the property. New council contract offers lift for Croydon firms Company wins major contract and promises to dip into local skills pool. Skilled Croydon tradespeople are set for a boost from a council bollards. It will save the council up to £2.5m a year, or £12.5m contractor aiming to use local employees for almost all its work. over five years, that could be spent on other council housing From this April, the borough’s 13,500 council homes and some improvements like better lighting or community facility upgrades. schools will be repaired by Mulalley after it won a five-year Mulalley has more than 10 years’ experience of working as a planned maintenance contract. Croydon Council contractor on redecorating properties, related The deal, with an option to repairs, and upgrading kitchens and extend for nine years, includes a bathrooms. focus on employing Croydon- Bruce Benson, operations director, said: based subcontractors, including “We’re thrilled to have won this significant carpenters, plumbers, bricklayers contract continuing Croydon Council’s and kitchen fitters. transformation of its housing stock. Mulalley plans to give Croydon “I think this win highlights the strength of businesses 60% of its business to our team, our approach to partnering and local firms in the first year, starting the quality and value of the work we’ve with local kitchen supplier Price delivered over the past 10 years. Kitchens, rising to 95% within five “We look forward to using our local years. knowledge and expertise and again providing The contract includes upgrades employment for local supply chains, training to kitchens, bathrooms and roofs, and apprenticeships to make a considerable plus extensions and outdoor difference to the Croydon area over the improvements, such as gates and coming years.” 18 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe March – May 2016 the place for care

HELP AND ADVICE FOR CARERS ARE JUST A MOUSE CLICK AWAY AS COUNCIL LAUNCHES NEW SERVICE.

Carers, and the people they care for, will find it The directory also enables health, care and support easier to get the information and support they providers to market their services directly to need, thanks to a new online directory from borough residents, while Croydon staff can use the the council. Careplace, free to everybody, is website to access services, and signpost customers designed to become an invaluable aid providing to the information they need to make the right information on choices about care and support • care and community services and resources; The directory supports the priorities of Croydon’s and independence strategy, the aim of which is to “enable residents to make informed choices about • details of registered care and support. how to meet their needs, and live healthy lives, through the provision of high-quality information, advice and guidance”. By providing information on care and support The directory will be regularly updated and services, the directory will offer increased improved. Services, organisations and community choice for individuals, their families and carers groups wishing to be listed in the directory can when choosing health, care and support register online. services. This, in turn, will enable individuals to Visit the website here. Watch a user explain the plan and obtain timely care and support. advantages of Careplace.

More than just a kick-about A new scheme aims to offer children with autism regular football coaching – and the chance of opening up their horizons. Do you have a primary school-aged child with autism who loves football but struggles to find anywhere to play? If so, a new scheme masterminded by a Croydon councillor and the Crystal Palace Football Club Foundation could be the answer to your prayers. Councillor Andrew Rendle, Croydon’s autism champion, is working with the foundation to establish a course of autism- friendly football coaching sessions for children aged up to 11. If sufficient interest is expressed, each session of the 10-week course – to be held at Bensham Manor School, Thornton Heath – will last one hour, and be supervised by coaches from the club. It is planned they will start at about 4pm on one weekday evening each week and cost about £5 per session, dependent on the numbers taking part. Councillor Rendle said: “The foundation has a track record of successfully running coaching sessions for people with disabilities and learning difficulties, and we’re confident that this course could be life-changing for children with autism.” If you would like to register, or need more information, email here. For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 19 Children don’t come with a manual New initiative aims to unite a range of services for the good of children and families. For all parents – and first-time parents in particular – the arrival “We’re also widening our Croydon family but putting parents of a new baby is an exciting time. It can also be bewildering and in contact with other parents to share their own experiences and confusing. what has worked for them.” The first 1,001 days of life are crucial as the quality of learning For information contact email. and development in that time dictate where that child’s education and social mobility will place him or her by their mid-20s. That’s why Croydon Best Start, a council and NHS collaboration, is being launched to help boost the social and emotional support given to babies and young children across the borough. It will coordinate the services offered by health visitors, midwives, early learning practitioners, family nurses and children’s services to support families, from pregnancy to the first days at school, and tailor a package of support suited to each family’s individual circumstances. Christina Hickson, associate director of nursing for children’s services at Croydon Health Services, said: “Children don’t come with a manual, and nor should they. “We want to bring all the help and support that’s available in Croydon together in one place, so that children in the borough can grow to be the best they can be. “This means looking after our parents, so that they can concentrate on caring for their families, without the worry of not knowing where to go if they need advice. “Parents told us they get frustrated having to tell their story multiple times, because our services don’t talk to each other. Best Start will bring us together. Dealing with a weighty issue Looking to lose a few pounds? If so, free sessions in Croydon will support you to eat more healthily and be more active. As concern about obesity in children long-term health problems. eat more nutritious food. and adults grows, it is acknowledged Helping provide that support, Commenting on the benefits of that expert help and support at an Weight Watchers is running a referral the service, one parent said: “My son early stage can work toward preventing scheme that includes weekly meetings thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and and online support. Residents can ask looked forward to it every week. their GP if they qualify. “He has achieved so much and I’m With programmes designed to very proud of him. Thanks to you all assist all body types, attendees will be at ANK. motivated by trained leaders at various “I believe he’ll continue to make stages of their weight-loss journey. good progress and keep healthy.” Croydon’s weight-loss service Croydon’s healthy weight services also provides support to children and work alongside other initiatives such as families. the Food Flagship programme, which Anyone concerned about a child’s improves cooking and gardening skills, weight can email Alive ‘N’ Kicking in and the Croydon Heart Town project Croydon. with the British Heart Foundation to The free weight-management fight coronary heart disease. service helps overweight children and Visit the council website for more their families to reach and maintain a information on how to start better healthier weight, improve fitness and looking after your health. 20 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe March – May 2016

Protecting homes with Met Trace

We are continuing to reduce crime provided with Met Trace have been and enter your postcode in the in Croydon, and, over the past broken into, and, over the next ‘Find your local police’ field on three years, have achieved a 22.4% few months, we will be receiving the right-hand side of the page. reduction in those offences that thousands of new kits that we will Over the Christmas and New most affect you, such as house issue to households in Croydon. Year period, we saw a dramatic fall breaking, mugging and thefts from The relatively favourable budget in the number of people assaulted vehicles, equating equates to more settlement that the Met Police in the town centres across Croydon, than 4,100 fewer victims of crime. received at the end of last year targeting areas from Kenley and However, we are keen to reduce means that police officer numbers Purley in the south, to crime even further, which is why in Croydon will be maintained. and Thornton Heath in the north. we are rolling out Met Trace to (As a reminder, we now have 117 Working closely with pubs more than 4,000 homes in the extra police officers in Croydon, and clubs, we deployed officers areas of Croydon that most when compared to 2011.) This will in uniform and plain clothes to suffer from house breaking. enable us to continue to maintain identify those intent on committing Met Trace is a free kit that neighbourhood policing, meaning crime or causing problems, while contains an invisible, traceable liquid that each council ward will retain allowing those who wanted to with a unique forensic code, with its dedicated police officer and celebrate, the opportunity to party. which owners mark their possessions. police community support officer. Please stay safe, should you The code is used to trace the items These staff are not abstracted want to contact me, email andy. should they ever be stolen, and to from their local areas and are link suspects to crime scenes. Each there solely to deal with the issues household also gets warning stickers that matter most to you in your Andy Tarrant to display, designed to deter burglars. local neighbourhood. If you would Chief Supt Andy Tarrant To date, none of the homes like to contact them, click here Croydon borough commander TAKING A UNITED STAND AGAINST DOMESTIC ABUSE

Croydon’s Family Justice Team is keen to talk to groups to alert them to the signs, and warn of the dangers of, domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Do you know the signs of domestic violence in Croydon. to take a stand against domestic abuse abuse and how to spot them? The Family Justice Centre team has and sexual violence. Can you help a loved one/workmate/ run sessions for women “Informative”, employee/community member feel safe within the community, “interesting”, “thought in their home? college students, provoking”, “very Do you know the needs of children schools’ staff and council enlightening” and “excellent and young people affected by this employees covering delivery” are some of crime? facets of domestic abuse the views of delegates These kinds of questions make many relevant to the particular describing their experience of us feel ill-equipped to help those who audience. of the sessions. have experienced, or are experiencing, The team is keen If you would like the team domestic abuse and sexual violence. to engage with people to talk to your community, But it will take all of us playing our – whether resident, contact the Family Justice part to be able to make real progress working in or visiting Centre by email or phone in tackling domestic abuse and sexual Croydon - to equip them on 020 8688 0100. For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 21

Council meeting dates Useful contacts Deadlines for public questions for the forthcoming full council For police, fire brigade, ambulance, meeting (starting at 6.30pm) – noon on the relevant deadline date. call: 999 or 112, Text phone 1800 Meeting: Monday 18 April Deadline: Monday 4 April Croydon Council general enquiries Meeting: Monday 23 May Deadline: No public questions 020 8726 6000 Questions (maximum number of words: 50) for consideration at a full council meeting, can be sent by email; alternatively, Croydon NHS Walk-in Centre print and complete the form here and post it to Questions 020 3040 0800 for the council, Democratic and legal services, 7th floor, Zone G, , 8 Mint Walk, Croydon Non-emergency urgent care - 111 CR0 1EA; or call 020 8726 6000 extn 63876. Croydon University Hospital 020 8401 3000 Unless otherwise stated, cabinet meetings start at 6.30pm, in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall. Meeting: 21 March 25 April Get in touch For information on meetings, minutes and agendas, To get in touch with the Your Croydon editorial click here. For information on cabinet and shadow cabinet members, click here. team, email: [email protected] or call 020 8760 5644 Meeting: 8 Mar Health, social care and housing scrutiny sub-committee (venue: Bethlem Royal If anybody you know isn't receiving the online Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, version of Your Croydon, tell them that they can Beckenham BR3 3BX) ensure delivery by subscribing at www.croydon. Meeting: 15 Mar Children and young people scrutiny gov.uk/subscribe sub-committee Meeting: 22 Mar Scrutiny and overview committee Central Library and Museum of Croydon Meeting: 5 Apr Streets and environment scrutiny Katharine Street, Croydon CR9 1ET sub-committee Meeting: 12 Apr Scrutiny and overview committee Open: Monday to Saturday (see website for daily hours) Meeting: 10 May Health, social care and housing scrutiny Library – www.croydon.gov.uk/central-library sub-committee Telephone: 020 8726 6900 For information on scrutiny, click here or email. Email: [email protected] Museum – www.museumofcroydon.com Meetings of the Safer Neighbourhood Board are held in the venues indicated. For further information, look here. Telephone: 020 8253 1022 Email: [email protected] Forthcoming public meeting dates are: Meeting: Wednesday 9 March at 6.30pm Fairfield Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG Community Space, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon CR0 1EA Details: www.fairfield.co.uk Telephone: 020 8688 9291 Details of all Croydon Council meetings can be found on the council website here. Email: [email protected]

and-spoon races, egg hunts and other Saturday 14 May Easter games from 3 to 5pm in the park. Croydon Outdoor Explorer open day Guided Walks Refreshments provided by the Friends. at Pinewood Scout Centre Every child should play outdoors! Join For full details, visit: www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/ Saturday 23 April the annual open day at Pinewood Scout Spring flowers in Littleheath Woods Centre to promote all things nature play parksandopenspaces/walks Come and see the beautiful bluebells and outdoor exploring. Event for families, and other flowers that appear in spring teachers, early-years staff and youth March Learn how to interpret the clues animals before the trees are in full leaf (about leave behind with tracks, burrows, leaders offering forest school, bushcraft, Sunday 13 March 90 minutes). nature arts and crafts, storytelling, Croydon’s railways droppings and tooth-marks, and make your own animal track plaster-casts. May climbing wall and kayaking. For details, Meet at 2pm by the Wandle Park Café for email [email protected] this 90-minute walk to learn more about Suitable for children and adults. Saturday 7 May the borough’s railway history. Email April Bluebells and birds in Sunday 29 May [email protected] Join the Friends of Selsdon Wood for a Hutchinson’s Bank open day Sunday 3 April spring-time wander through the woods Explore the site with local experts on Sunday 20 March Easter in Haling Grove and fields. Meet at 2pm by the wooden a series of guided walks between Footprints, burrows and bones! Join the Friends of Haling Grove for egg- bear in the Selsdon Wood car park. 11am and 3pm. 22 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe March – May 2016 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 Disabled parking Occupational therapy Information on the courses available Providing parking bays throughout Enabling people with disabilities to to older students. Croydon for vehicles used by the carry out essential activities, with holders of blue badges. the aim of maintaining or improving Blocked drains independence. Information on how to deal with Dropped kerb and crossovers Recycling drain problems. To lower the kerb in front of your Planning applications property and provide vehicle access Instrumental tuition Advice on all aspects of the planning Bulky waste collection to a hard-standing parking area, Service for children and young people. process. What it is, how to book it and how council consent is required. much it will cost. Leisure centres Emergency planning Links and information on all the Connected Croydon Keeping Croydon running in the borough’s leisure centres. The programme of public works to event of serious incidents. improve borough streets, squares Lottery registration Planning and open spaces. Energy advice Running a lottery to raise funds for Advice that could help save a charity or an organisation such Recycling substantial amounts of money on as a sports club, church or school, What to recycle, how to recycle and residents’ energy bills. requires registration. where to recycle. Fly-tipping Mediation service – housing Safer Croydon Connected Croydon How to report it, your A mediation service for housing and Working to make the borough safer responsibilities as a landowner, housing association tenants, and for all who live, work and visit here. Careline and how the council prosecutes others. fly-tippers. Providing a home safety and Trading standards personal security system, helping My Croydon Dealing with doorstep crime and Gambling people to live independently within Download the council’s app for easy rogue traders, and offering advice The different types of licences – and their own homes. reporting of a number of issues. to residents and businesses. how to apply for them. Connected Croydon Neighbourhood wardens Voluntary organisations The programme of public works to Home safety advice Offering help and support to local Details on available funding. improve borough streets, squares See if you are eligible for a free communities. and open spaces. home safety check. Welfare benefit advice Know what you’re entitled to and claim it.

Trading Standards Youth projects All you need to know about Croydon’s youth provision. www. croydo z n.gov.uk/ato 150981