60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 13:53 Page 1 YourCroydon ISSUE 3 - DECEMBER 2006

How to have a healthy christmas & how to tidy up when it’s done Living independently Page 11 in later years Page 6

Boosting the borough’s enterprise culture Page 8

Don’t let Christmas leave you homeless Page 15 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 13:55 Page 2

TAKEadvantage OF OUR COMPETITIVE contents ADVERTISING RATES FULL page from £799 8 Assault on batteries 297 x 210mm What to do with your old power cells when they've died. HALF page from £350 Horizontal- 148.5 x 210mm 10 Mind the gap QUARTER page from £175 Keep warm - and your fuels bills down - this Vertical - 148.5 x 105mm winter.

If you would like your business to benefit 14 Don't hit the skids from advertising in one of the country’s How to stay mobile this winter - and how the leading community magazines and would council's helping. like more information, a copy of our rate card or a booking form, please call: Paula Howell ☎ 020 8760 5644 16 Show your appreciation It's time to vote if you've received good council service. 17 Switch off and save Help the environment and your wallet by hitting "Off" instead of "Standby".

This magazine is printed on environmentally 19 Giving something back friendly, TCF (Totally Chlorine Free) paper, It's Payback time for the borough's young produced from a sustainable source. When offenders. you have finished with this magazine please recycle it.

extras To contact Council ☎ 020 8726 6000 go on top Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 3JS email: [email protected] Council website: www.croydon.gov.uk cans Community website: www.croydononline.org paper To contact the editor ☎ 020 8760 5644 glass Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 3JS email: [email protected] clothes The next edition of Your Croydon will be published on Wednesday 31 January 2007. Commercial advertising is welcome, but inclusion of an advertisement 020 8726 6200 www.croydon.gov.uk 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.

2 YOURCROYDON ISSUE 3 - DECEMBER 2006 Designed by croydondesign the in-house business within Croydon Council [email protected] 60909/150M/11 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 13:55 Page 3

news All going swimmingly Get in contact for improved for pool refit level of service

The number of services available to callers to Croydon Council’s telephone contact centre has recently increased with parking enquiries now being handled by the 120-strong team of customer service advisers.

Images of the plans for the refurbishment of a disability; a larger, 70-station gym; South Norwood Leisure Centre will reassure improved toilets; dedicated disabled and The new arrangement means that callers will local people of the council’s intention of family parking; and improved security. benefit from more effective handling of the providing a first-class facility for the area. following services: Extensive landscaping is planned for the The proposed near-£4 million refurbishment prominent corner site in Portland Road, and • Applying for resident and business programme will see the restoration of people’s involvement in the public art to be parking permits services much more quickly than if a new included at the Enmore Road side of the • Penalty Charge Notice enquiries, disputes / centre had had to be built. building is being sought. complaints, and methods of payment The major modifications and modernisation Also, still to come is the confirmation of • Enquiries following correspondence from work are expected to get under way later this designs for refreshing the building’s exterior, the bailiff month. while residents’ views on details such as the • Vehicle clamping and removals colouring of the building’s façade are also Among a comprehensive list of planned • Reporting an abandoned vehicle being obtained through consultation. improvements are: full access for visitors with • Parking restrictions and car parks in Croydon • Shop-mobility scheme (assistance for people Jobcentre Plus working with Croydon Council with disabilities) • Travel services – blue badges and disabled People receiving informally to one of the team’s specialist parking permits and bays health-related advisers, one of whom is pictured, left. The contact centre was established in January benefits can now talk They can provide information, help and 2004, replacing an outdated switchboard with Jobcentre Plus guidance on taking steps on job search, system that often proved frustrating for callers disability advisers at and finding and keeping paid work, as well and council staff alike. Croydon Council’s as associated benefits and working tax In those days, the switchboard operators were One-Stop reception credits advice. able to complete only about 10% of calls. Today’s to help them take customer service advisers, thanks to the that vital first step toward employment. Alternatively, people can telephone 020 8218 4856 between 8.30am and 4.30pm, Monday adoption of modern technology and training The Jobcentre Plus disability team provides a to Friday. methods, are able to answer 60% of customer drop-in surgery in the One-Stop at Taberner enquiries directly. House, Park Lane, on the last Wednesday of Jobcentre Plus can help in several ways. Those that are not answered directly are now every month between 9.30am and 3.30pm People already looking for work can visit more efficiently connected to the correct (no appointment necessary). www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk to search online, or telephone Jobseeker Direct on member of staff equipped to deal with that People claiming health-related benefits who 0845 6060 234 (Textphone 0845 6055 255) particular enquiry. are interested in getting back to full-, part- between 9am and 6pm weekdays, and 9am The answer to many queries can be found on time or voluntary work can drop in and speak and 1pm Saturdays. the council's website at www.croydon.gov.uk

3 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 13:55 Page 4

news International Grand plans for improved recycling

conference on The equivalent of a grand a day for a year – improved to ease movement on the site and family for Croydon that’s how much Croydon Council is help encourage more recycling. spending to help boost the borough’s Factory Lane is set to see the greatest recycling rates. The Countess of Wessex visited the FJC earlier this year number of changes, including a separation The £365,000 investment will see a raft of of traffic between the domestic and trade improvements carried out across the three sites, which will result in improved safety and civic amenity sites, mainly over the course of movement on the site. Scheduled for May, the next few months. the work will increase the range of materials collected for recycling. Each of the sites – at Fishers Farm, ; Purley Oaks, ; and Factory Lane, – will benefit from larger, clearer signs informing users of what can be left and where. Enhanced facilities at Purley Oaks will include new compactors for specific non-recyclable waste and cardboard, as well as a Croydon, home to Europe's only Family dedicated shredded paper bank. Justice Centre (FJC), is to host an international New signs will help overcome concerns conference on 29 November, to examine, for about depositing household waste that can’t the first time, how the FJC model is working be recycled. outside of America. Capacity at Fishers Farm will expand in The pioneering, multi-partner centre in February to take most of the materials Croydon will have been open for a little accepted at Purley Oaks. The layout will be under a year by the time top international figures meet. In that time, it will have helped more than 3,000 families. Get involved in planning the borough By examining how the centre is working in Croydon, and specifically looking at what Are you interested in how the borough Completion and submission of the form on families say they want and need, the will look in the future? that page will ensure inclusion on the list of conference aims to develop the model contacts and consultees for planning. before it is rolled out to other areas across Croydon Council has recently submitted to the UK. the Government a statement of how and Completed forms can be sent by post to: when it intends to involve everybody in the Allan Webber, Head of Policy & Strategy, Before Croydon's centre opened, services planning of the borough and in considering FREEPOST RLYG - JCCY-UELK, Planning LDF, designed to help victims of domestic and planning applications. Policy & Strategy, Croydon Council, Taberner family violence (adults, children and House, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1JT. extended family) were scattered throughout The Statement of Community Involvement in the community. Planning gives residents the opportunity to Alternatively, they can be faxed to: 020 8760 have their say about how the council intends 5408; handed in at: One-Stop reception; Now, victims and their relatives have easy to involve the community in planning of the or emailed to: [email protected] access to comprehensive medical and legal borough by making representations about services, police officers, probation officers, the statement. doctors, counsellors, advocates, social workers, housing providers, benefit advice, Anybody wishing to register an interest in education providers, children’s services, being involved in planning for the borough adult education groups, and others working can complete and return a form which is from just one location, coordinated by a available on the planning section of the single body. council's website at www.croydon.gov.uk/consulteedatabase While the conference is not open to the public, anyone wanting more information Scroll down the page and click on the about the Family Justice Centre should call document called “Become involved: join the 020 8688 0100. LDF consultee database”.

4 YOURCROYDON ISSUE 3 - DECEMBER 2006 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 13:56 Page 5

news Old teachers learn new tricks

Former teachers will get the opportunity The 10-week course included group sessions to go back to school in January as part and workshops, individual tutorials and a of a course designed to get them up to 10-day placement in a local school. Support speed with the latest developments in the in finding jobs was offered and most of teaching profession. the group were successful in securing posts for September. Called Croydon Return to Primary Teaching, Happy birthday the innovative school-based programme has Sharon Greenwood, one of the returning been developed by staff at Parish Church teachers, said: “This is an excellent course The Great Giveaway website – Croydon’s Nursery and Infant School and the council’s which has been challenging and practical own online swap shop – is three years old education department. with a strong personal element. this Christmas. It targets qualified teachers who have taken “It’s been flexible throughout, catering for our The Great Giveaway offers Croydon residents a break but who now want to go back to many questions as they arise, and being the chance to give, take or swap items that teaching, and aims to refresh their responsive to our various situations.” they no longer need – and the service is knowledge and understanding before they If you would like to receive information about completely free. return to the classroom. the next course at Parish Church Nursery and It’s a great way to clear out your attic or to Eighteen participants signed up for a course Infant School in January 2007, please email give away items that you no longer need. earlier in the year and spent two days a [email protected] week getting to grips with the latest This Christmas, why not see if there is technology, such as interactive anything you would like on the website for whiteboards. They also learnt friends, family or for yourself? Previous items about recent focuses on gifted have included pianos, furniture, books, bikes, and talented pupils and toys, exercise machines – even a car. took part in a mini- Alternatively, why not give away that enterprise week. unwanted gift to someone who really does like it? Or swap if for something in return – remember, one person’s rubbish is another’s bounty. The Great Giveaway is at Respecting www.croydononline.org/giveaway/ the dignity Cooking for of difference Surrey Street With the bicentenary of the abolition of slavery Are you a bit of a kitchen whiz? only a matter of months away, in March, Croydon’ s annual Holocaust Memorial As part of the planned re-energising of Surrey The Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Janet Ceremony will have a particular resonance. Street Market, local people can take part in a Marshall, will be leading a ceremony great competition. The ceremony, to be held on Monday, 29 celebrating the diversity of the borough’s January, will be based around the themes of community through music, poetry, Residents’ original recipes are being sought freedom, equality and dignity. presentations and testimony. for inclusion in a Surrey Street Cookbook, and the best ones printed will win their The event will offer an opportunity to reflect on Following a candle-lighting ceremony in creators a £50 voucher for one of a dozen the lives of those who have been lost, or the Town Hall foyer at 1pm, there will be time local restaurants. irrevocably altered, through genocide, for a light buffet lunch before proceedings persecution, racism and other forms of hatred. resume at 2pm in the Braithwaite Hall. Recipes should be original, seasonal and able to be made largely from produce found It will also provide a platform for consideration A particular feature of the 2007 ceremony will in the market. Full details are available on on how people can stand together to counter be remembrance of the victims of slavery. The www.surreystreetmarket.com intolerance and exclusion in today’s society. ceremony is free and open to all.

5 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 13:56 Page 6

A STATE OF independence

Despite being 95 years old and suffering Norman lives about six miles away, in neighbouring from dementia, Mabel continues to live Lambeth, and drives a licensed black cab. His flexible independently in her own home, which is working pattern has enabled him to call in to see his Mum frequently to provide the support and care that exactly where she wants to be, thanks to she needs. Telecare. When Croydon Council, working in partnership with Norman feared that his Mum may have to move in to a South & Maudsley Mental Health Trust, asked “...if Mabel has not care home as her condition worsened. A prospect that whether he and Mabel would be interested in trying been moving Norman, Mabel’s main carer dreaded. Telecare, they were keen to do so. around her home He said: “While it’s true to say that I needed extra Known as “electronic assistive technology” a Telecare for more than 90 support as a carer, Mum’s state of dementia is such that package supports people to remain living at home by minutes, she could it’s important she doesn’t receive shocks, and that we managing many of the risks facing them in everyday have fallen. This keep her in familiar surroundings.” situations. lack of movement will be identified by For example, during the day, if Mabel has not been the system, raising moving around her home for more than 90 minutes, an automatic alert she could have fallen. This lack of movement will be to the centre.” identified by the system, raising an automatic alert to the centre. At night, if she leaves her bed to go to the toilet or make a cup of tea, and doesn’t return within 20 minutes, an automatic alert will also be raised at the centre and they, in turn, call Norman, or Croydon Careline response team, if he is not available for any reason. More often than not, all is well but there was one instance when Norman found his mum on the floor – she had fallen and couldn’t get up. Because of the Telecare alarm, she hadn’t been there for long. Without it, the outcome could have been very different. Each Telecare package is centred on a person’s individual needs, using a range of passive sensors installed in the home. These can monitor falls,

6 YOURCROYDON ISSUE 3 - DECEMBER 2006 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 13:56 Page 7

Removing the cause for alarm Croydon’s more vulnerable residents can feel safer in their homes thanks to a joint initiative by the council and London Fire Brigade. The partnership agreement will help save lives as smoke alarms are fitted in the homes of customers of Croydon Careline, the council's in-house community alarm service. The new alarms are a first for the fire brigade as they will be remotely monitored by a control centre and do not require any action by the resident. If smoke is detected, an automatic alarm call will be raised to a control centre, which will immediately alert the fire brigade. Although free, the smoke alarm is programmed to a wandering, periods of inactivity, floods, fire, gas community alarm unit, which is provided, for a small escapes, extreme variation in temperatures and the weekly charge, by Croydon Careline to anyone living in presence of carbon monoxide. the borough. The sensors are individually programmed to a base The unit, installed by the Careline team, has to be in unit, which raises a call via the home phone line to the place before advantage can be taken of the smoke control-monitoring centre when an alarm is activated. alarm. Trained operators receive the call and follow previously The added benefit is that Careline staff have received If smoke is agreed actions to deal with the emergency, which training from London Fire Brigade officers, so that, detected, an would include contacting a relative, neighbour, the when installing the smoke alarm, they can also carry automatic alarm Croydon Careline response team and/or the emergency out a free home fire-risk assessment and offer basic services as appropriate. fire-prevention advice to householders. call will be raised to a control centre, The system gives an opportunity to manage a situation The smoke alarm will be provided, installed and which will before a crisis point is reached, which often results in an monitored free of charge to Careline customers and it immediately alert emergency admission to hospital or placement in is expected that 250 of these smoke detectors will be the fire brigade. residential care. installed in the homes of vulnerable people during the A suitable Telecare system is, essentially, a preventative first year of service. system that helps people who want to continue living in If the project proves to be successful, further free their home, do so. smoke alarms will be made available for Careline Norman is grateful for Telecare and the extra time he customers. now has to himself. He no longer has to sit for long To apply for a Careline community alarm or to obtain periods with his Mum in case of an accident, as he now further information, call 020 8726 6501 or feels confident that he will receive a call if something is 020 8654 7166 amiss. “I used to go without a social life because always I had to be near Mum. And, although I still visit two or three times a day, I can go out and leave her for longer periods of time because she’s being monitored and I know that she’s safe." Norman has a message for anyone finding themselves in a similar position to his: “I’d strongly recommend calling the Croydon Careline Telecare service on 020 8726 6500 – it’s been a lifeline for me."

7 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 13:56 Page 8

When I grow up I want to be… Singer? Dentist? Firefighter?

The sky’s the limit for today’s children, but Soon district-centre managers will start work in these Croydon Enterprise wants to make sure areas as one of the visible fruits of this enterprise “entrepreneur” is also on the list. programme, which will invest £77m over its 10-year life. The programme has also begun a survey of 4,000 The organisation aims to have enterprise on the businesses to see what anti-crime measures will help curriculum of Croydon’s schools within three years, so their trade. Specialist planning experts will be recruited that enterprise, or self-employment, becomes a valid to work with businesses at an early stage. career choice. But the big thrust now is to find organisations to deliver Of course, a lot depends on getting training and support the core projects in the first three years of the to ensure that the opportunities are there when children programme. These include: leave school or college. • Coordinating enterprise information in colleges This is why the Croydon Enterprise programme also includes a range of other initiatives to boost enterprise in • Providing a beauty and complimentary-therapy Boosting the the borough and sweep away the obstacles to creating training centre in north-west Croydon new businesses. local economy, • Helping local communities and businesses benefit particularly in the Other initiatives under the programme, which uses the from public-sector purchasing target areas of slogan Connecting to Opportunity, include providing • Delivering a package of activities to support new and north-west Croydon quality enterprise information in colleges and getting growing businesses. and Fieldway-New that advice and support to the community to reach Addington, is at the people who previously missed out on this kind of help. All the information an organisation needs to bid for these projects is on the new Croydon Enterprise website heart of the Boosting the local economy, particularly in the target at www.croydonenterprise.com programme. areas of north-west Croydon and Fieldway-New Addington, is at the heart of the programme. Call Croydon Enterprise on 020 8090 1685

A helping hand across the road

Striding up to a pedestrian crossing, • in addition to the green man signal, most single pushing the button and stepping out when pelican crossings emit a clearly heard beep sound, the little green man appears is something indicating when it is safe to cross? most of us give little thought to. • at two-stage pelican crossings – those broken by a traffic island – and some junction signals, a small For those with a disability, however, crossing a busy ridged cone is situated on the underside of the push- road is far from a straightforward affair. button box? The cone That is why most crossings in the borough have one or rotates when the green more aids to help people with disabilities – and the man is displayed, A small ridged chances are that others have never even realised those indicating which part of cone tells when aids are there. the crossing or junction is it’s safe to cross For instance, did you know that: safe to cross. • to give blind or sight-impaired people advanced More details on pedestrian warning of changes in pavement level, all new zebra facilities can be found by and pelican crossings use tactile paving – recognised following the Transport & by the sense of touch? This is different from the usual Streets link in the left-hand smooth paving as it features raised bumps that can column at be felt underfoot. www.croydon.gov.uk

8 YOURCROYDON ISSUE 3 - DECEMBER 2006 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 13:57 Page 9

Assault on batteries Digital cameras, MP3 players, radios, This service is costly but the council recognises the Rechargeables environmental benefits of recycling household torches and 101 other gadgets rely on Nickel cadmium (NiCad) batteries to power them. batteries and of beginning to provide a service so that such recycling can become more widespread in the batteries represent one of With the number of such items in use today being future. the fastest-growing sectors almost beyond imagination, it is obvious that the in the battery market. Used Using rechargeable batteries reduces the number of number of batteries running them is truly colossal. for cordless power tools, batteries requiring disposal, but 80% contain nickel- personal stereos, portable Problems arise, however, when the last spark cadmium, known to cause cancer, and therefore need telephones, lap-top of power is used and all that’s left is something to be disposed of safely. computers, shavers, that has to be disposed of. Sadly, the council cannot accept nickel-cadmium motorised toys, etc, with a In the past, it was simply a matter of throwing the spent batteries as the UK has no facilities for their recycling. life of four to five years. Running such a service would be uneconomical as batteries into the rubbish bin, along with all the other Nickel metal hydride collected NiCads would have to be sent to France, the household waste. Things today, though, are different (NiMH) batteries are a less nearest available facility. It is a situation that is being and the public is beginning to realise that thoughtless environmentally harmful monitored, and the council will develop a service disposal just will not do. alternative to NiCad and when it becomes feasible. In addition to the fact that landfill sites are almost at tend to have a longer life. More information about battery recycling can be found overspill, old batteries cast into the ground pose the Lithium ion (Li-Ion) at www.wasteonline.org.uk very real threat of leaking poisons into the ground, batteries have agreater contaminating both the earth itself and, possibly, All three of Croydon’s reuse and recycling centres energy storage capacity nearby sources of water. collect car batteries for recycling. than NiCad and NiMH Croydon Council is doing its bit to minimise this batteries. ecological damage by giving residents the chance to dispose of their old power cells in a responsible manner Using rechargeable at Purley Oaks Reuse and Recycling Centre. batteries reduces Alkaline batteries can now be recharged, increasing the number of their product life, and most batteries, particularly lead- batteries requiring zinc, can be completely recycled. The materials disposal, but 80% extracted from batteries during the recycling process contain nickel- include cadmium (a component used in new batteries), cadmium, known to plastics and even tiny amounts of gold and copper, cause cancer, and materials that would go to waste if the battery were therefore need to be not recycled. disposed of safely.

9 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 13:57 Page 10

Well seasoned Historically, all it took to keep the doctor away was an apple a day. While it remains true to say that the humble apple is a great addition to any diet, it is now accepted that, to eat healthy to be healthy, your Granny Smith or Cox should be but one of at least five fruits or vegetables eaten every day. But the real trick is to not fall into the trap of eating the If your regular five-a-day comprises, say, green beans same five fruit and veg day in, day out. and apples all year round, you could be depriving yourself of the host of goodies available in any given As well as limiting the intake of vitamins and nutrients season. available from the huge range of fresh produce that is available, this strategy could see you paying over the A wonderful source of fresh seasonal fruit and veg is odds by not buying goods that are in season. markets. Croydon boasts at least two well-established street markets – in Surrey Street and New Addington’s Seasonal eating means that, in addition to being more Central Parade. tasty, the food has not travelled from some far-flung corner of the Earth to reach your taste buds. December’s seasonal produce includes Brussels sprouts, cabbage, apples, leeks, onions, turnips and pears. That means its journey has made less of an impact on the environment – it hasn’t had to travel by aeroplane, for For a more comprehensive list and some mouth- instance – and, being fresher, will taste so much better. watering recipes visit www.thefoody.com Mind the gap – and help the environment

You might be wasting at least £200 a year on your In a bid to save householders money – and help protect heating costs. Find out how to save it… and to get £50 the environment – Croydon Council has joined forces off your next council tax bill! with British Gas to offer a home-insulation scheme that could benefit the borough’s homeowners by Lower heating bills and a council-tax discount could be dramatically cutting their heating bills. It also rewards yours – just by filling a gap. them with £50 toward their council tax if they have the The gap in question is the cavity that exists in the walls energy-efficient measures installed. of a great number of homes in Croydon and which, if left The initiative includes: unfilled, can be responsible for the loss of valuable – and expensive – heat. • Insulation, for cavity walls or lofts, by British Gas at a discounted price; Similarly, if lofts are not insulated with 270mm of loft insulation (almost one foot), winter heat will leak away • £50 credited to residents’ council-tax accounts by through the ceiling. British Gas if the company installs cavity-wall insulation. The average cost of having cavity-wall British Gas funds the council-tax payment, but insulation installed homeowners do not need to be a customer of the by British Gas is company to benefit. £250. That outlay is The average cost of having cavity-wall insulation offset by a installed by British Gas is £250. That outlay is offset by a household saving of household saving of about £200 a year through having about £200 a year the insulation fitted. through having the And the savings on your heating fuel will help to reduce insulation fitted. climate change! Anyone interested in taking up the offer can arrange for a free home-energy survey by calling 0845 971 7731 and quoting reference CCCT. Lines are open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 1pm on Saturday.

10 YOURCROYDON ISSUE 3 - DECEMBER 2006 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 13:58 Page 11

This Christmas keep food poisoning at bay

Food hygiene is an important issue at any Useful tips include: time of the year – but at Christmas it takes on even more significance. • Don’t buy more food than you have fridge Croydon Council is urging local people to take extra care or freezer space for. during the Christmas and New Year festivities to avoid • Use a suitable thermometer to check that the risk of food poisoning. your fridge is operating at below 5ºC. The council’s environmental health service is highlighting • Prepare raw and cooked food separately, the potential dangers in storing and cooking poultry, and and cover and store cooked foods above giving tips to ensure everybody enjoys a non-queasy time. raw products in the fridge. • Check the weight of the bird and follow the • Eat cooked food immediately. recommended times for defrosting and cooking Cool leftovers quickly, then refrigerate (if using foil, add 30 to 60 minutes to cooking time). or freeze. Use leftovers from the fridge To check the meat is cooked, insert a clean skewer into within three days and, if you must reheat, Other foods, such as the thickest part of the bird to see if the juices run clear. ensure the food is piping hot. paté, ham and If they run pink, return the bird to the oven for a further shellfish, also need 15 minutes before repeating the test. • Use oldest food first and observe proper care and expiry dates. treatment to reduce • Ensure poultry is fully defrosted before cooking, the risk of food checking that legs are flexible and no ice crystals • If in doubt, throw it out. poisoning. remain inside the body cavity. • Stuff the neck end only and cook extra stuffing separately. For more information or advice about food hygiene, visit the council’s website at • Always wash your hands before preparing food, and www.croydon.gov.uk/abande/advice/480032 wash hands and kitchen utensils, including cutting or contact the environmental health service on boards, after touching raw poultry. 020 8726 6700 Other foods, such as paté, ham and shellfish, also need proper care and treatment to reduce the risk of food poisoning.

11 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 13:59 Page 12

Keeping Christmas

greenAs usual, Croydon Council will be doing its bit this year to help lessen the impact on the environment of the excesses of Christmas. The largest element of the council’s annual Christmas There will be no kerbside collection of trees this year refuse-collection operation is the disposal of thousands but, wherever you live in the borough, you won’t be too of Christmas trees from right across the borough. far from a collection point. Please remember, though, to remove tinsel and decorations from trees left out.

COLLECTIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED ON SATURDAY 6 AND SUNDAY 7 JANUARY AT THE FOLLOWING POINTS:

Addiscombe Co-op, Lower Road Broad Green Sainsbury’s Homebase, Lion Green Car Park Coulsdon East Canon’s Hill, Grange Park Recreation Ground Fairfield Oaks Road/Coombe Road Car Park Heathfield Gravel Hill Car Park, Recreation Ground Oaks Road Green, Kenley Residents’ Association New Addington Central Parade Car Park Granville Gardens Car Park Purley Woodcote Village Green, Upper Woodcote Village Residents’ Association Occasionally Yours, Limpsfield Road Shirley Green Court Garden Green, Shirley Parks Residents’ Association Shirley Green South Norwood Sainsbury’s, Whitehorse Lane Secret Garden, Westow Street Waddon Sainsbury’s Homebase, Five Ways, Purley Way Waddon Wyevale Garden Centre, Waddon Way The largest element of the council’s CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR PERIOD REFUSE AND RECYCLING COLLECTIONS annual Christmas refuse-collection USUAL Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday Tuesday operation is the disposal collection day 25 Dec 26 Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 1 Jan 2 Jan of thousands of Altered Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Christmas trees from collection day 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan right across the borough.

The seasonal fortnightly kerbside collection of household green garden waste finished at the end of November. It is anticipated that the service will resume in March 2007 – affected households will receive a notice nearer the time.

12 YOURCROYDON ISSUE 3 - DECEMBER 2006 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 13:59 Page 13

Trees and green garden waste can be taken to any of OPENING HOURS our three main reuse and recycling centres at any time of the year. The One-Stop reception in Taberner House will close for the Christmas and New Year break at 4.45pm Factory Lane Civic Amenity Site on Friday, 22 December, and reopen at 8.30am on Factory Lane, Waddon. Tel: 020 8288 8700. Tuesday, 2 January. Fishers Farm Waste and Recycling Centre Borough libraries will close at 5pm on Saturday, 23 North Downs Road, New Addington. Tel: 01689 849312. December, and reopen at 9am on Tuesday, 2 January. Purley Oaks Reuse and Recycling Centre But don't forget that many library facilities, including loan Brighton Road, South Croydon. Tel: 020 8668 2086. renewals, are available on the library pages at www.croydon.gov.uk For information on recycling and waste call the council on 020 8726 6200. All councillors and staff at Croydon Council wish everybody a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

There will be no kerbside collection of trees this year but, wherever you live in the borough, you won’t be too far from a collection point.

Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan

Friday Saturday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 5 Jan 6 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan

All councillors and staff at Croydon Council wish everybody a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

13 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 13:59 Page 14

Keeping the roads clear Four new multi-purpose vehicles will be doing their bit over the coming months to keep Croydon’s roads as free as possible from the worst effects of winter weather.

Mindful of the need to get the most from each pound of council tax-payers’ money, Croydon Council has opted for a new design of truck which allows use throughout the year on conventional road maintenance work yet be readily available for gritting duties. Additionally, they carry more grit than the trucks they have replaced, reducing the number of trips needed going The council will be back and forth to the depot for refilling. receiving detailed weather forecasts The council will be receiving detailed weather forecasts four times each day, four times each day, ensuring timely decisions can be ensuring timely made as to when to send the gritting trucks out. decisions can be Over the summer months, salt-stock levels have been made as to when to replenished and Croydon now has 2,100 tonnes of the send the gritting stuff ready to be put to use. And grit bins around the trucks out. borough have been replaced and topped up. Winter driving tips

The warm days of last summer, and even the autumn, are well and truly past and once again motorists face the possibility of snow- and ice-covered roads, freezing fog and all the other conditions that make winter driving so challenging.

Check lights are If you must drive in wintry conditions clean and working, ensure that you: and use dipped Before the bad weather really gets a grip, however, take • Clear steamy or frozen windows and mirrors so that headlights in a few minutes to assess the condition of your vehicle you can see clearly poor visibility and its contents to make sure that, if the worst comes to the worst, you’re equipped to deal with the situation. • Carry spare bulbs and fuses, a warning triangle and a shovel Before winter really sets in: • Check lights are clean and working, and use dipped • Make sure your vehicle is serviced headlights in poor visibility and properly maintained • Leave a safe gap between you and the vehicle in front • Check tyres have plenty of tread, are in good condition and are correctly inflated • Watch the road and expect slippery patches • Check the antifreeze level • Keep a careful eye on other road users • Check battery and charging systems • Watch out for pedestrians and playing children • Make sure windscreen wipers and washer are • Above all, watch your speed working and that the washer bottle is full and contains For more information, visit winter non-freezing wash solution www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/advice/winterdriving.htm

14 YOURCROYDON ISSUE 3 - DECEMBER 2006 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 14:00 Page 15

Put the mortgage before presents

As most know only too well, Christmas is probably the most expensive time of the year for families. House repossessions usually peak in the Peer pressure and ever-present advertising lead to Croydon Council currently has 11,500 people on its early months of the children asking for this year’s latest must-have toy, game, housing waiting list. In contrast, about 1,200 council year and Croydon item of clothing, mobile phone, electronic gizmo – the list homes become available for rent each year, showing Council is warning is almost endless. the huge gap between supply and demand. homeowners to give festive-season And it’s precisely parents’ desire to please the kids that The council dealt with 39 applicants threatened by mortgage payments can put their family’s future security at jeopardy by homelessness as the result of repossessions during the priority they thinking that it will not hurt to miss a month’s mortgage the first six months of this year. should always enjoy. repayment in order to buy that longed-for gift. People who are in mortgage arrears can seek advice House repossessions usually peak in the early months of and assistance from Housing Advice, the Citizens’ the year and Croydon Council is warning homeowners to Advice Bureau or the Council of Mortgage Lenders. give festive-season mortgage payments the priority they Croydon Council is also reminding tenants to keep on should always enjoy. top of rent payments, especially in the New Year when More than 200 properties were repossessed between credit card bills start landing on the doormat. July and September 2006 and the knock-on effect of For more information, ring Croydon Council people becoming homeless is putting an increasing on 020 8726 6000. strain on the council’s housing department.

15 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 14:00 Page 16

Attention full-time students Thankfully, death while in service as Croydon’s Mayor is a rare event – in fact, in more than 100 years, it’s happened only twice. Shortly after the first, the Frank Denning Memorial Charity was established to honour his service and to give assistance to young people. Alderman Denning died in office during the First World War, in February, 1916, and the charity bearing his name was set up to help engineering students as, at that time, no public grants were available. Recent successful The work of the charity has broadened over the years applicants have and it now helps full-time students from any discipline, undertaken between the ages of 19 and 25, who live (or whose Recent successful applicants have undertaken architectural studies, parents/guardians live) within the borough. teaching, conservation architectural studies, teaching, conservation work, work, medical Any student keen to be considered for a grant of up to medical electives, voluntary work, youth work, language electives, voluntary £800 from the charity needs to apply by Friday, 9 March. studies, veterinary work and many other varied, work, youth work, The charity’s trustees will interview short-listed applicants worthwhile projects. language studies, during the Easter holiday period for any foreign travel For more information, or to obtain an application form, veterinary work and scheduled to begin after 1 May 2007 but before 30 April please email the charity’s assistant honorary secretary, many other varied, 2008. No support can be given to journeys started or Gerry Hudson, at [email protected] or call worthwhile projects. completed before 1 May; similarly, holidays are exempt. 020 8726 6000 ext. 62812 Customer Service Excellence Awards 2006/7 Would you like to nominate someone who Simply fill in the form on the council’s website at works on behalf of Croydon Council and has www.croydon.gov.uk/csawards being sure to given you outstanding customer service? If so, provide the details necessary for us to be able to let us know! judge the nomination. We hope you will want to recognise the outstanding If you are unable to use the council’s electronic form, we service you received by making a nomination for a can arrange for a nomination form to be sent to you or call Customer Service Excellence Award. you at home so you can give us the details. You choose how you would prefer to nominate – just let us know! How can we help you to make a nomination if you are unable to use the form on our website?

Telephone me (tick box) on: or Post me a nomination form (tick box) Name Address:

Postcode Please return this slip to: Customer Service Development Team, Croydon Council, 5th Floor, Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 3JS or call us on: 020 8604 7124

16 YOURCROYDON ISSUE 3 - DECEMBER 2006 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 14:01 Page 17

Appliances on standby waste a million

Televisions left on standby waste £50 million a year in the UK. For videos the figure is even higher, so reach for the Off button rather than the remote control.

Leaving appliances on standby creates This wasted electricity would also power nearly one million tonnes of greenhouse gases 400,000 homes for a whole year – that’s nearly each year. as much as Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Sutton and Richmond combined. Wasting the electricity equivalent of all the UK’s street “Switching off unused appliances saves an awful lot of lighting for over four years is quite a sobering thought money, too,” said Tracey Mills, of South West London but we can all do something about it. Energy Efficiency Advice Centre. This is the message from South West London Energy “Televisions left on standby waste £50 million a year in Efficiency Advice Centre. the UK. For videos the figure is even higher, so reach for Who would have thought that something so convenient the Off button rather than the remote control.” and seemingly innocent as leaving your TV, video or For more details on how to save energy and money at DVD player on standby would waste so much electricity home, simply call South West London Energy Efficiency or cause so much environmental damage? Appliances Advice Centre FREE on ☎ 0800 512 012 or visit left on standby (with the little red light on) produce www.est.org.uk/myhome/swlondon enough carbon dioxide – the main greenhouse gas contributing to climate change – to fill more than Centre staff can provide free and impartial advice on 20 million double-decker buses or more than 730 saving energy. million hot-air balloons. By curbing your energy wastage, you will bring your bills down – a welcome relief in these times of ever-rising gas and electricity prices.

Leaving appliances on standby creates Who would have thought that something so convenient and seemingly one million tonnes of greenhouse innocent as leaving your TV, video or DVD player on standby would gases each year. waste so much electricity or cause so much environmental damage?

17 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 14:01 Page 18

Home-improvement wishes granted

Winter is the time of year when cold, wet weather can lead people to realise their home is not in quite the good shape they thought it was. This is an excellent scheme, which provides residents on low income with a helping hand to get the job done professionally and with the minimum of fuss.

The council’s home improvement team ensured that the work at his property was put right and he is now the proud owner of a new kitchen, bathroom and leak-free roof. Whether it’s fixing out-of-date wiring, mending a leaking roof, sorting out a damp problem, or minor repairs – such as replacing leaky gutters, replastering and minor plumbing jobs – funds and assistance are available from the Home Improvement Agency within the council’s housing department. Not everybody, however, is in a position to be able to fund Our officers are If you can answer “yes” to any of the following work that requires urgent attention. just a phone call questions, you may be eligible for a grant toward the away and are ready Help, however, is at hand for homeowners who cost of works to your home: and willing to help. desperately need to make repairs to their properties but • Have you been a homeowner of an older-style property are finding it difficult to afford to get the work done. for three years or more? Croydon Council makes grants available to homeowners • Are you a first-time buyer of an older-style property? who are on low income, are receiving benefit or are over • Are you buying an older-style property that has been retirement age with little or no savings. empty for six months or more? For those who are eligible, the council is able to help with • Are you receiving benefit or on a low income? home improvement works such as rewiring, reroofing, • Are you over retirement age with little or no savings? installation of a damp-proof course and providing an internal toilet. Councillor Dudley Mead, the cabinet member for housing, said: “If you've put off getting home improvement works Croydon’s Home Improvement Agency officers can done because you can't afford it, think again. provide advice and help to complete grant application forms, obtain estimates from reliable builders and ensure “This is an excellent scheme, which provides residents on the work is carried out to a satisfactory standard and they low income with a helping hand to get the job done will even handle the payments to the contractor. professionally and with the minimum of fuss. A South Norwood pensioner benefited from the scheme “Our officers are just a phone call away and are ready after contacting the council for help. He was left distraught and willing to help.” and not knowing what to do after cowboy builders had For more information, contact Croydon Home botched a job to repair his roof and fit a new bathroom Improvement Agency on: and kitchen – then fled with his cash and his ladders. 020 8407 1337 or 020 8760 5549.

18 YOURCROYDON ISSUE 3 - DECEMBER 2006 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 14:01 Page 19

Young offenders learn it’s payback time Young offenders will have to roll up their sleeves and help clean up the borough as part of a joint rehabilitation initiative by Croydon Council, London Probation and the police. West Thornton Safer Community payback puts offenders to work cleaning Neighbourhood team with up their own mess and began with eight young people Supt Chris Bourlet Croydon clearing a large area of fly-tipped material at the Police, Chief Inspector Phil Humdard Centre, Mayfield Road, . Willis Croydon Police and Councillor Steve O'Connell The centre has been burgled twice in recent months Deputy Leader of Croydon and proved an ideal location for the first Payback team Council with Mike Wells to launch the scheme, with some much-needed Senior Probation Officer One of the offenders chopping down the trees outside and Community Payback clearance work. the Humdard Centre in Mayfield Rd, Thornton Heath. Project Manager. Offenders are given unpaid community sentences by the courts and sent to clean up areas worst hit “It has proved a great success elsewhere in London and by graffiti and vandalism. I’m confident it will have a positive impact here, too.” As well as providing environmental improvements Croydon’s borough commander, Chief Superintendent to local areas, Payback provides the youngsters Mark Gore, said: “Community Payback is a joint initiative with essential life skills, aimed at preventing them which will see offenders making a real difference. becoming involved in further offences. “We also hope the scheme will show them Offenders are given Councillor Steve O’Connell, deputy leader and cabinet consequences of their criminal actions and of making unpaid community member for public protection and crime reduction, said: the wrong choices in life. sentences by the “Community Payback is a first-class scheme that allows “We wish to emphasise the importance and value of courts and sent to offenders to give back to the community by contributing being a responsible member of the community, with a clean up areas worst to the local community in a positive way and improving clear message that they’re also paying something back hit by graffiti and people’s quality of life. for some of the harm they’ve caused.” vandalism. Planning on reducing crime Crime, and reducing its level and the impact By following the advice and guidelines of the SPD, all new it has on people, is the main thrust of a development in the borough should help toward this aim, planning initiative that has gone out to reducing the fear of crime, opportunities for crime, and the number of incidents of antisocial behaviour. The aim of the SPD is public consultation. to provide guidelines The council recognises the importance of the on how to approach the The new draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is involvement of local communities in the planning design of safe and open for comment until 18 December. of Croydon’s future and welcomes comments and successful communities The SPD is accompanied by another document – responses on these documents. to make the borough a Sustainability Appraisal on Designing for Community You can see the SPD on the council's website at safer and better place Safety – providing additional guidance for policies in www.croydon.gov.uk/environment/dcande/ptconsultations/ in which to live, work Croydon’s Unitary Development Plan. and play. Copies of the draft SPD and the Sustainability Appraisal The aim of the SPD is to provide guidelines on how to can be viewed at all borough libraries and are available approach the design of safe and successful communities from One-Stop Reception, Taberner House, Park Lane, to make the borough a safer and better place in which to Croydon CR9 3JS. live, work and play. Comments should be sent to the address at the end Croydon’s Crime Reduction Strategy 2005-2008 identified of both documents, or emailed to: that residents’ main priority is the reduction of crime. [email protected] or [email protected]

19 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 14:02 Page 20

Fending off the winter blues Don’t let the cold, dark winter months take • If you were 60 before 20 September, make sure you get their toll on you. your cold-weather payment of £200 per household from the Government – you’re entitled to it and it’s there to Every winter more than 20,000 people aged over 65 die in help with the costs of keeping warm. England and Wales from cold-related illnesses. Call 0845 915 1515 Many of those deaths could be avoided – following our Age Concern Croydon provides advice, support simple tips could be a help. and information on the above and many other Croydon’s director of social services, Hannah Miller, says areas to ensure older people stay warm and well it is imperative that older people get the help they need. through the winter. “People who live alone are particularly vulnerable and For more information visit it’s important that family, friends and neighbours look www.ageconcerncroydon.org.uk out for them. l If you were 60 before email: [email protected] 20 September, make “It takes only a minute or two to knock on their front door or call 020 8680 5450. sure you get your cold- to find out if they’re all right. Pop in for a cup of tea and a weather payment of chat – a lot of the time they’ll probably be grateful for the Stuart Routledge, chief executive, Age Concern Croydon, £200 per household company.” said: "There are many different services that older people from the Government – can access. you’re entitled to it and Here are some tips on how to beat the cold this winter: “It’s important that they or their carers contact the above it’s there to help with the services if they feel in any way at risk.” • Have regular hot meals and drinks. costs of keeping warm. • Get a flu jab – it’s free to the over-65s. For more information on grants to make your home warmer, call the Warm Front Scheme on 0800 072 0151. • Avoid sitting down for long periods. • Stock up on basic foods and medicines. For information on winter fuel payments, call 0845 915 1515. • Wrap up indoors and out. Wear warm clothing in bed and use a hot-water bottle or electric blanket. To contact Croydon social services, call 020 8726 6500 • Keep your home warm, especially your living room and bedroom. You may be eligible for a grant for central heating or insulation – call your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512012. If heating bills are a great problem, consider living and sleeping in one room. • Keep a thermometer handy. The recommended Age Concern Croydon provides temperature for all rooms is 21ºC (70ºF) but you may advice, support and information on be comfortable at a higher temperature. Below 16ºC the above and many other areas to (61ºF) and you will be at risk of hypothermia, heart ensure older people stay warm and attack and stroke. well through the winter.

20 YOURCROYDON ISSUE 3 - DECEMBER 2006 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 14:02 Page 21

There are a number of badger setts on Riddlesdown. Badgers are usually only seen in the early evening and at night. They feed on insects, berries and small mammals. At this time of year they spend a lot of time sleeping. December

Did you know that they mate earlier in the year, in the warmer weather, but the foetus doesn’t start to grow until December? The young badgers are born in February. In the 18th century, people were very suspicious about badgers, thinking it was bad luck if one crossed the path in front of them, and good luck if one crossed the path behind them! December’s damp weather usually signals the appearance of a lot of toadstools. A number of different types of fungi can be found, including the common puffball, which I’ve seen in Ragged Grove woods. The spores of toadstools were, for some time, used as a medicine to stop bleeding in small cuts. Other species of toadstool I have seen include the orange navel-cap and the shaggy parasol. And, on a tree stump in a meadow, I found a many-zoned polypore, Beware: while some sorts which is a fairly common type of bracket fungus. Its appearance of fungi are edible, many doesn’t change much when dried and, in the past, was often used are poisonous. Always seek as jewellery. professional advice. Local advertising has never been so effective

Your Croydon, the magazine for your borough, provides local businesses with the opportunity to target all potential customers in all areas of Croydon. Six good reasons to advertise in Your Croydon: • Blanket coverage of the borough • Official publication of Croydon Council • Strong editorial environment – higher reader uptake • High production values • Bespoke articles and photography • A longer shelf life – your advertisement keeps on working

To advertise, call Your Croydon on: 020 8760 5644 or email [email protected]

21 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 14:02 Page 22

Council

Deadlines for public questions for forthcoming full council meetings (all start at 6.30pm) Noon on each relevant deadline date. Meeting Deadline I Monday, 22 Jan, 2007 Monday, 8 Jan, 2007 I Monday, 23 Apr, 2007 Monday, 9 Apr, 2007

To submit a question for consideration at a full council meeting, email it to [email protected]; fax it to ☎ 020 8760 5657; print and complete the form at www.croydon.gov.uk/councilquestion and post it to Ms Wriotheseleynn Rehill, Democratic and Legal Services, Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 3JS; or call ☎ 020 8726 6000 ext 62327

Scrutiny Sub-committee

Deadlines for forthcoming Scrutiny Sub-committee public question sessions. Noon on each relevant deadline date Meeting Deadline Cabinet member 5 Dec Education and lifelong learning n/a n/a 12 Dec Safer communities 27 Nov Cllr Enley Taylor (community cohesion) I 19 Dec Scrutiny and overview committee n/a n/a 9 Jan Clean and green Croydon 22 Dec Cllr Chris Wright (planning and environment) 23 Jan Working, living and leisure in Croydon 8 Jan Cllr Steve Hollands (culture and sport) 30 Jan Health and social care n/a n/a

To submit a question to a cabinet member at a Scrutiny Sub-committee Q&A session, email it to [email protected]; fax it to ☎ 020 8760 5657; print and complete the form at www.croydon.gov.uk/scrutinyquestion and post it to Scrutiny Public Questions, Democratic and Legal Services, Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 3JS; or call ☎ 020 8726 6000 ext 62529 or 62315

Neighbourhood Partnership

Neighbourhood partnership meetings (all start at 7.30pm) Meeting Group and venue I 5 Dec Purley and Kenley, Christ Church Hall, Brighton Road, Purley (opposite Rotary Field) 17 Jan South Norwood and , (venue TBA) 24 Jan Sanderstead, Croham & and Ballards, (venue TBA) 31 Jan Addiscombe, Woodside & Ashburton, (venue TBA)

For information on Neighbourhood Partnerships, visit the website at www.croydon.gov.uk/neighbourhood, email [email protected], write to Neighbourhood Partnerships, Democratic and Legal Services, Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 3JS or call ☎ 020 8726 6000 ext 62564 or 62396

Croydon Community Police Consultative Group

Meetings of the Croydon Community Police Consultative Group are held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall. All begin at 6.30pm and are open to the public. For further information, go to www.croydononline.org/ccpcg Forthcoming meeting dates are: Wednesday 31 January, Wednesday 21 March

I These meetings are to be transmitted using webcasting. They can be viewed at www.croydon.gov.uk/meetingsofthecouncil Details of all Croydon Council meetings can be found on the same page.

22 YOURCROYDON ISSUE 3 - DECEMBER 2006 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 16:05 Page 23

What’s On December 06 www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure LIVE EVENTS AT THE CLOCKTOWER GUIDED WALKS & Ticket office: 020 8253 1030 WILDLIFE EVENTS

The Impossibles Thursday 7 December see something impossible this Christmas. midweek meander The Impossibles guarantee an unforgettable show of circus Sunday 10 December skills which will amaze the whole family this Christmas. Sunday morning stroll on Mitcham Common Wednesday 13 to Saturday 23 December, 8pm. Matinees: Thursday 14 and 21 at 1.30pm, Saturday 16 and 23 at 3pm Sunday 3 December £11.50 (£7.80 concessions) Pre-Christmas energizer Matinees £7.80 (£5.50 concessions) Sunday 17 December Special Christmas offer – Two adults and two children: Happy Valley winter tree ID & folklore £30. Suitable for ages 5-plus For information go to www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/events Upfront Comedy Club or call the community partnership Tojo, John Simmit & Victor Daniel officer on ☎ 020 8726 6900 ext 64952 Thursday 7 December, 8pm, on stage 8.30pm £10 (£7 concessions) The Active Lifestyles section runs weekly Featuring Tojo, John Simmit and Victor Daniel scorching subjects from celebrity airheads health walks, lasting about one hour. They to kung-fu film dubbing, hustling on London estates and ghetto kiss chase… are a great way to start exercising while enjoying Croydon's green open spaces. Exhibitions Monday Sunshine in Suburbia , tram stop, at 11am and 1pm. Until Saturday 24 February 2007 Mondays - Saturdays, 11am - 5pm Tuesday (Late-night opening on Mondays and Thursdays until 8pm) Kings Wood or Riddlesdown, meet at Exploring the lives of Croydon's first suburban dwellers in the at 11 am 1920s and ’30s. Wednesday £1.50 (50p concessions) South Norwood Country Park, at 11am Deco Decorations Thursday Thursday 21 December, 10 to 11am and 2 to 3pm at 10.30am Come and make Christmas decorations inspired by the Norbury, station at 1.30pm 1920s and ’30s. We will hang the best ones inside the Sunshine in Suburbia exhibition for our visitors to see. FREE, Friday but please get a ticket in advance from the Ticket Office , car park at 1.30pm

FILMS AT THE

The Chronicles of Narnia The History Boys 15 Casino Royale 12A tbc The Page Turner 15 Hoodwinked U

Rebecca (PG) Stormbreaker PG

The Queen 12A Open Season PG

Marie Antoinette 12A The Chronicles of Narnia PG Red Road 18 March of the Penguins U The Stepford Wives 15 23 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 14:03 Page 24

Calling Croydon Council We’re making it easier for you to contact us Most of the work we do for you can be grouped in to just a dozen areas. So we’ve set up 12 distinct phone numbers – each of which will be answered by staff with specialist knowledge. From now on you can get straight through to someone who really understands your specific needs. This will make calling the council quicker, simpler and more efficient. If you’re not sure who you need to speak to, call our new general enquiries number – 020 8726 6000.

Housing 020 8726 6100 For all council tenancy issues, housing options and private sector housing enquiries.

Environmental Reporting 020 8726 6200 For reporting pests, dead animals, litter, dog mess, leaves, graffiti, noise,

✁ missed rubbish collection and fly-tipping, to arrange bulky waste collections and get information about trade waste and recycling.

Registration Services 020 8726 6300 To notify change of address, arrange for the registration of births, marriages and deaths, find out about Croydon crematorium and cemeteries, arrange to attend a citizenship ceremony and get information about election matters.

Children, Youth, Families 020 8726 6400 For information and assistance concerning child protection, drug and alcohol Schools services, adoption and fostering, children with a disability and other family social services issues. For information about school places, Early Years and childcare, special needs education, general education enquiries, bullying and harassment, student loans, youth services and making complaints about education. Social Services for Adults 020 8726 6500 For information and assistance concerning homecare, residential care, drug and alcohol services, mental health, domestic violence, learning disabilities and physical disabilities (including sensory impairment). Business Advice & 020 8726 6600 For business advice (for rates contact Revenues and Benefits) and working in Council Partners partnership with the council. Life in the Community 020 8726 6700 For consumer advice, health and safety, crime and disorder, antisocial behaviour and harassment issues. Planning & 020 8726 6800 For advice and application information on planning and building control issues. Building Control

Leisure & 020 8726 6900 For information and assistance concerning libraries, parks, sports and leisure Continuing Education centres, leisure events, continuing education training services (CETS) and further education. Revenues & Benefits 020 8726 7000 For advice and applications on housing and council tax benefits, business rates and other benefits, payment of council tax. Streets & Transport 020 8726 7100 For reporting street lighting, street cleaning issues, road damage and safety, trees, abandoned vehicles and parking issues; and advice on supported travel services.

General Enquiries 020 8726 6000 For ‘Who do I contact?’ enquiries, asking for someone by name, general information requests, council job vacancies, council and community meetings information, language support services and Minicom communication.