Local Resident Submissions to the London Borough of Croydon Electoral Review

Local resident submissions to the London Borough of Croydon electoral review

This PDF document contains submissions from residents in Croydon.

The submissions from have been collated into one document. They have been sorted alphabetically, by surname. (G-K)

Starkie, Emily

From: Prabhat Garga Sent: 02 May 2017 11:53 To: reviews Subject: Croydon Neighbourhood Boundary Revision

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For the attn. of The Review Officer (Croydon), Local Government Boundary Commission for England

Dear Sir,

I read, with dismay, the recent proposal to merge the current Fairfield ward (Park Hill & Whitgift) with the Addiscome ward to form the 'Addiscombe East' ward. I outline below my close knowledge of the 2 wards and my objections to the merger proposals.

When my wife and I first moved to Croydon some 45 years ago we lived in Canning Road (Addiscombe) and the last 35+ years in Chepstow Road, Saville Gardens and the Fairfield ward. Our children went to local primary schools and both my wife and I have participated in local charitable, social and political groups in support of actions in the Fairfield ward. From our earliest involvement in Croydon, the 2 wards ( Addiscombe and Fairfield ) have had separate needs, acted differently and approached local planning and local government proposals and actions from completely different perspectives. As the rationale for having local leaders is to precisely and fairy represent the views of their residents and their needs, merging of the 2 current wards would represent the denial of two very different sets of residents views and needs an imposition of centralised bureaucratic thinking in local government measures.

The key difference between the two existing wards lies in the nature of the housing and open spaces that reflect the nature and needs of the residents of those two areas. Fairfield ward comprises of large parks and green spaces with largely single dwelling family houses and some low level multiple flats and very few business entreprises. As a result the residents there stay in their houses for a long time and their children go to local primary and secondary schools over long periods. The residents therefore naturally focus on the needs of their area on a long term basis to preserve the amenities available to them while adding to the development and facilities in the whole of Croydon. On the other hand, Addiscombe ward comprises of closely packed smaller houses, often semi‐detatched, large number of flats ( conversions and new high‐ rise) and many small to large businesses. Over the years we have noted that the community living there has become very transitory, with little regard for the longer term local community and social needs. It often seems now that the area north of Addiscombe Road ( the northern dividing line beteween Addiscombe and Fairfield Wards) has become a short‐term rental area with residents and landlords having little interest in wider local government and amenities preservation issues.

I wish to register my strong objection to the creation of the new 'Addiscombe East' ward as proposed as it would submerge our local views and needs with those having completely different needs and objectives.

Yours sincerely,

Prabhat Garga

Starkie, Emily

From: Joan George Sent: 08 May 2017 14:49 To: reviews Subject: Addiscombe boundary review

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Dear Sir/madam,

It has just been brought to my attention that today is the deadline for commenting on the council ward boundary review. I don't think this has been well advertised to local residents.

I live on and my children attend school, one of our geographically closest primary schools. The new boundary would put their school and Ashburton park (which we consider to be our local park and walk through everyday) in separate boroughs. I am currently campaigning for safe pedestrian access to our school, changing the boundaries would make this substantially more difficult as the families I am campaigning with live on my side on the proposed boundary changes whilst the school would be moved to the other. nb. I am struggling to get help from the council so I am not writing this because I blindly follow the local labour councillors.

Addiscombe has a definite community feel which extends towards ashburton park but ends at Addiscombe Rd. As has been pointed out, the set ward boundary has ended at Addiscombe Rd since the 1920s. Residents in the area of Sandilands, Lloyd Park and Park Hill are not in our community‐they attend different schools, churches and use different shops and library facilities. I am worries that a councillor representing that area as well as Addiscombe would have too wide and split area of population to serve either well.

Please review, I support ended the ward at Addiscombe Rd and keeping the Ashburton park and tollgate estate area in our ward as we are the same community.

Yours,

Joan George

Sent from my iPhone

1 Starkie, Emily

From: Jim Gibbons Sent: 02 May 2017 11:21 To: reviews Cc: Subject: London Borough of Croydon - Ward Boundary Proposals

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As a resident of Sanderstead Ward, I support the proposals made by the Local Government Boundary Commission. My address is J. N. Gibbons

Starkie, Emily

From: Bryan Godfrey Sent: 29 April 2017 22:52 To: reviews Subject: Boundary Consultation

The Review Officer (Croydon) Local Government Boundary Commission for Englan 14th Floor Millbank Tower London SW1P 4QP

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: Boundary Consultation

I am responding to a leaflet dropped into my letter box today. I do have a strong preference to be identified with the new South Croydon Ward to be created eventuality. Every service & every amenity within my residential area to which I can easily negotiate & commute (seeing as I am elderly & disabled), is either labelled or, historically connected with & widely known, is either prefixed or, suffixed with South Croydon. Previousl employment, Family & Social Connections & Community based Services upon which I am very dependant, revolved around South Croydon, & still does. I would be obliged if you would kindly take these points into deliberation, when making your decision, however whimsical my proposed reasons might appear to the consultative committee.

Yours Faithfully Bryan Godfrey

The Review Officer (Croydon ) Local Government Boundary Commission for England 14th Floor Millbank Tower Millbank London SW1P 4QP

Dear Review Officer,

I wish to comment and object to some proposals of the changes to be made to the wards and councillors arrangements for Croydon. I have read the proposals and I do not agree with the treatment of Park Hill in the centre of Croydon and its shift from the centre, as Fairfield Ward, a shift which is to change the area totally, and my home being placed in Addiscombe West and Park Hill Ward.

My community has few if any connections with north Addiscombe but is clearly more related to the centre…… but if that is impossible with the predicted rises in people and businesses in the centre of Croydon, I think you need to change the proposed boundaries in relation to the north/south details…… for example, the proposals are for Addiscombe West and Park Hill to unite over the former boundary of Addiscombe Road, rather than accepting the connections between Park Hill and its southern neighbourhoods and putting the boundaries between the Addiscombe and Shirley Wards in a more coherent east west frame with the boundaries between these wards relating to their constructions and population……

My home has been in Fairfield Ward in Croydon since March 1970 when my beloved and I moved into a flat we bought in Maresfield on the corner of Park Hill Road and Chepstow Road. In August 1978 we shifted across the Chepstow Road down the hill a bit, and slightly north to Turnpike Link….. I have been reasonably active in community affairs; in each place for a time I served on the estate committee (Wates had designed each part of the estate to have a small management group to look after communal interests like trees and gardening for shared areas). I have also taken part in many Croydon Education Committees as a Governor of several different Schools in the borough: Westwood High School, Upper Norwood 1989 – 2001 Haling Manor High School, West Croydon 2002 – 2008 Howard Primary School, Dering Place, Croydon 2002 – present.

So I am aware of some planning issues and the effects of increases in local populations. I have also served Croydon in relation to cultural planning, serving as a member of the board of the Warehouse Theatre in Central Croydon from 1994 – 2000. I was an Official Objector at the Planning Inquiry into the proposals for Ruskin Square and its development based on an Arena which met during the autumn of 2007 and decided the next spring to reject the Council’s plan for an Arena. The outcome did help somewhat in the erection of flats and office buildings in Ruskin Square…… though it has taken 10 years for the first people to move in and Boxpark Response to Local Government Boundary Commission for England Review of Wards in the Borough of CROYDON is not exactly a major cultural contributor to the artistic and theatrical resources in Croydon.

I wish to object to the Commission’s draft recommendations for my area, as the boundaries fail to reflect local interests and the identities of my community. I believe a better alternative exists, which more closely reflects local identities while meeting the Commission’s requirements for electoral equality, and effective and convenient local government…… and also pays attention to the transport modes available to the people who live in the area.

The boundaries proposed for the two Addiscombe seats and two Shirley seats ignore the different characters and needs within these areas between the isolated, greener, lower density housing surrounding the parks, and the higher density housing in the neighbourhoods of Shirley and Addiscombe.

Park Hill and the Whitgift Estate aren’t in Addiscombe and never have been, as the community and electoral boundary has always ended at Addiscombe Road. We have our own churches, schools and shopping facilities, consequently the interests and identities of our two separate areas do not overlap.

I am now in my mid 70s and do not choose to walk around the neighbourhoods as much as I did years ago, but I do remember handing out leaflets on behalf of the Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society……. But they were all up the hill in the Park Hill Estate……I am also aware that the local public footway where I would go for a Sunday or weekday afternoon walk went from the northern entry to Park Hill and went up and over the hill to the allotments and then down through Lloyds Park. Shopping for immediate stuff was at the Kiosk or near to East Croydon Station where Waitrose now prospers and not in Addiscombe High Street, and for big stuff to the Whitgift Centre…… there were also festive events sometimes in Lloyd Park or in Park Hill but one would not go to Woodside or South Norwood unless there was something MAJOR.

I had the delight of meeting my husband at the Croydon Centre for Adult Education in Coombe Cliff House in late September 1968, when I was a visiting Lecturer for the University of London Extra Mural Department and he was a member of the Croydon NASUWT who ran a bar in the garden room of the House and I came down with my students for an after class drink and chat….He was the barman that evening and gave me a lift to East Croydon Station so I could take the train north to make my way home to Hampstead…. We married in July 1969 so my knowledge of Croydon takes in a good deal of the locality; I am also a governor in a nearby primary school but that is in Waddon so again a clearly different locale.

I agree with other suggestions, that our community would be better represented by having a two-member ward formed of Park Hill, the Whitgift Estate, Upper Shirley Road and Shirley Avenue. This area would include both sides of Coombe Road as the southern- most boundary, Addiscombe Road as the northern-most boundary with the railway line serving as the boundary to the West. I think the tramroute is a clear indication of the local differences…… with Addiscombe to the north and Park Hill a major community to the south…..the buses that go to Addiscombe show the way up and over the hill then around and east. I do not recall any bus route that comes from

Response to Local Government Boundary Commission for England Review of Wards in the Borough of CROYDON Addiscombe and goes mainly north and south into Park Hill; everything is focussed on East Croydon and the shopping centre and will be even more so as the offices and flats are finally completed. The arrangement of the two Addiscombe wards on an east/ west format is more likely to reflect people’s lives and interests.

The east/ west land divide is better for the Addiscombe residents, including those in the Tollgate Estate, to have their own voice on the council, through having on two- member ward and one three-member ward covering the community to represent their residents’ very different needs and issues.

Croydon has changed markedly since the mid 60s when I first visited a friend of a friend who worked here and came to see the World Cup because the friend’s share of a flat in a house at the top of Park Hill had a proper tv.

As someone who has done some research and publications about the issues of Teacher Supply, I did some intensive interviews and detailed cooperation with Croydon Education in relation to schools, numbers of children and the need for appropriate numbers of teachers, especially those returning to the profession. I am very concerned about the current and coming provision of places in schools for primary children and then some years later for those of secondary age when so many Croydon schools are now in the management of Academy Trusts, and when so many flats are being built in the centre of Croydon with (it seems to me…..) no provision of public facilities like schools, doctors surgeries and any idea of where the skilled and professional people who will work in the schools and medical centres will live…..In contrast, the Wates provision in Park Hill Village (begun in the mid 1960s……and continued over at least 10 years……) at least included a major primary school, with good land for play as well as facilities for public meetings, a large secondary school, and the Church at the top of the Hill whose Hall has been the site of numerous society meetings as well as concerts and other performances which I have enjoyed. As I mentioned before, I have also been a governor of 3 Croydon schools beginning with Westwood High School, Thornton Heath 1989 – 2001, Haling Manor High School 2002- 2008 and Howard Primary School, Waddon 2002 to present.

I have used a draft message to help me to reply in some formal terms but I have also tried to include the detail of my own history and commitment to the political future of the Borough of Croydon, my home for the majority of my life…… 47years out of 76…Boundaries and votes are very important.

Yours faithfully,

Dr Jean M Gooding MBE

Starkie, Emily

From: Dee Goulder Sent: 05 May 2017 23:37 To: reviews Subject: Croydon Boundary Review

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to object to the Boundary Commission recommendations for the Addiscombe area. It is just down the road from where I live, and I have many friends and family there.

The 2 Addiscombe wards that you propose include large areas to the south of the borough that are simply not in Addiscombe, and have no connection to the Addiscombe area. These southern parts can easily be in a separate ward on their own, which better reflects that community.

This leaves the Addiscombe wards to be made up of areas that are traditionally known as Addiscombe. This includes the estates off of Long Lane (Stroud Green, Tollgate off of Longhurst, and Longheath Gardens) which have been included in Shirley but have little to do with that area. If this makes the wards too big, there is an area to the North of the proposed Addiscombe East that really is part of Woodside, the area that I live in.

It is very obvious to residents of the Addiscombe area that I have described above has its own shopping, education, churches and residents’ groups that are entirely separate from the areas in the South of the borough and in Shirley that have nothing to do with Addiscombe.

Yours faithfully Dee Goulder

1 Starkie, Emily

From: goulder steve Sent: 06 May 2017 18:07 To: reviews Subject: Croydon Boundary Review Consultation

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to comment on the proposed boundaries for the borough of Croydon, and to suggest some sensible improvements.

I have lived in the central Croydon area for over 30 years, and have a good knowledge of the area. I find the proposals regarding Addiscombe to be totally out of keeping with my knowledge of the area.

Addiscombe is the fairly high‐density housing areas that starts when you enter the borough of Croydon at Long Lane (which has a signpost stating Addiscombe), and goes all the way into the full length of Lower Addiscombe Road. It also contains the roads to the North and South of Lower Addiscombe Road and the western part of Morland Road before it reaches Woodside.

This means it DOES include the areas off Long Lane that can only be reached from this road (such as the Stroud Green, Tollgate estate (Longhurst/Stockbury Roads and surrounding roads) and Longheath Gardens), but certainly does NOT include the Park Hill Estate or other lower density housing areas to the south of Addiscombe. There is no commonality between Addiscombe and these southern areas, which have separate residents’ associations, shopping facilities, transport links, etc. The Addiscombe Road is generally recognised as a very definitive southern boundary of Addiscombe.

Therefore, it makes far more sense to have a separate ward to the South of Addiscombe Road containing areas such as Park Hill and the Whitgift Estate, and make Addiscombe into 2 wards, with the Eastern extent also running down Long Lane and containing the roads off of it.

This would make things much fairer and in keeping with the Boundary Commision’s ethos.

1 Yours faithfully

Steve Goulder

2 Starkie, Emily

From: Julie Grainger Sent: 07 May 2017 22:27 To: reviews Subject: Croydon Boundary Review Comments

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am objecting to the Boundary Review for Croydon. It appears that the proposals have been largely based on the Conservative Party proposals which have clear flaws and a clear political influence which has led to some areas of Croydon being totally misrepresented.

In particular the boundaries proposed for the 2 Addiscombe wards are very dubious to say the least. Addiscombe has not and never has had any connection with Park Hill, the Whitgift Estate and Shirley, and cramming these areas unnaturally into Addiscombe makes a mockery of the Boundary Commission’s stated objectives.

I used to live and work in Addiscombe, my mother lived there all her life and my daughter now lives there. I live just outside Addiscombe now, but I still walk my dogs in Ashburton Park (home of the Addiscombe Carnival). I know the area very well, and I know that it does not include these alien areas that have been combined with it in your proposals. There is no overlap between the schools, shopping facilities, leisure activities, community centres, places of worship, transport links, etc.

There are also areas that are clearly identified as in Addiscombe (by the long‐standing signpost at the entrance to Long Lane as you enter the borough of Croydon) that have been left out and moved into Shirley. These areas off of Long Lane (which runs into Lower Addiscombe Road) such as Longheath Gardens, Stroud Green and the Tollgate Estate (i.e. Longhurst Road and roads from it) have always been part of the Addiscombe community, residents of these areas definitely do not belong to Shirley. Also Ashburton Park (with its main vehicular entrance under all proposals being in Addiscombe) is clearly part of Addiscombe, not Shirley.

There is a strong natural boundary of Addiscombe Road which would be the best way to split a separate ward to the South of Addiscombe, comprising of Park Hill and the Whitgift Estate and similar areas. This will allow 2 Addiscombe ward boundaries to be better formed on community and natural boundary lines, centred on the length of Lower Addiscombe Road / Long Lane, and including areas which feed off of it.

I hope you take my concerns into consideration to provide a fairer outcome for everyone.

Yours faithfully

Julie Grainger

The Reviewing Officer for London Borough of Croydon Local Government Boundary Commission for England 14th Floor Millbank Tower Millbank London SW1P 4QP By email: [email protected] 8 May 2017 Dear Sir or Madam LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY REVIEW OF THE LONDON BOROUGH OF CROYDON - COMMENTS ON DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS I am writing in my personal capacity. I have separately submitted a response as the Cabinet Member for Finance. I have lived in the borough for some 30 years, including eight years in Park Hill, then two years in the current New Addington ward and, for nearly ten years in the current Fieldway ward where I currently live. I have been active politically for well over 20 years, mainly in Croydon Central constituency. I stood to be a councillor in Fairfield ward in 2002 and have been a councillor for Fieldway ward since 2005. I am concerned that, from my personal knowledge, that the draft recommendations do not provide an appropriate solution, in particular considering the need for communities to be properly grouped and electoral convenience. In terms of New Addington, the area I currently live in and represent part of on the Council, I am supportive of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE)’s overall proposal. I agree that the two wards should be named New Addington North and New Addington South, as the vast majority of people in the area identify themselves as living in New Addington. Also, confusion is created for the c. 60% of residents of the current Fieldway ward who do not live on the Fieldway Estate. The one change I would make to the proposed boundaries is in terms of where boundaries are placed in open land, where having the boundaries where they are proposed can cause practical problems, such as any change to the tram track that follows Lodge Lane or the path by its side technically not being a Fieldway (or soon to be New Addington South) matter, because of where the boundaries are drawn. My suggestion is shown in green in the map below.

I now want to talk about Park Hill. I lived in Park Hill for eight years and have maintained strong links with the area since then, as I have friends there. Park Hill has, certainly the whole time I have lived in Croydon, a really strong sense of identity. It is built around the park of Park Hill (that used to be much bigger, of course) and its iconic water tower and then goes East, between the historic Addiscombe Road and Coombe Road and across to the old ‘Woodside & South Croydon Railway’ line (the tunnel of which is now used by the tram). This clearly defined area has historic elements and then much more recent developments. I remember when I was looking for houses in Central Croydon that Addiscombe and Park Hill were two totally distinct areas. I was talking to different estate agents about the two areas and when I was going around looking at possible roads and houses, the whole style of housing and atmosphere was totally different. This is still the case today. Park Hill has its very strong active and successful residents’ association, the Park Hill Residents Association. Its boundaries are very clear and it does not overlap with any of the many Addiscombe residents’ associations, as all are very clear that the Addiscombe Road is a fundamental boundary. If you live in Park Hill, and you want a local shop, you go to the shops on the corner of Chichester Road, or you go West or South. You simply do not go North. Similarly, those to the North of Addiscombe Road would not go to those shops. This is then carried on with schools (Ark Oval, Robert Fitzroy, Oasis Shirley Park and others for the Addiscombe area, compared with Park Hill Infants and Juniors for Park Hill. In terms of leisure, if you are in Park Hill, you go to Park Hill, with its open spaces, play area, tennis courts, historic walled garden and the like, or you go to the fantastic Lloyd Park (which, via road and also pedestrian pathways away from traffic, you can get to very easily). If you live in Addiscombe, you go to the likes of Addiscombe Railway Park, Ashburton Park and Addiscombe Recreation Ground. I would also point out that the housing on offer in Addiscombe and Park Hill are radically different, both in terms of eras of build, type of accommodation. In terms of demographics, be it age, ethnicity, social class or many other criteria, there is a great difference between Park Hill and Addiscombe. Because Park Hill has been in a much larger three seat Fairfield ward for 40 years, it has not had the community recognition. Thus, a two seat ward that is primarily built around Park Hill allows this community to have the recognition it so clearly deserves. The current proposals would see part of historic Park Hill split out into another ward (Addiscombe East) and Park Hill joined with an area (Addiscombe West) it has nothing really in common with, as stated earlier. To bring it up to the quota, I would strongly propose including the Whitgift Estate, which has been grouped with Park Hill for over 40 years and where the residents’ association for this estate and Park Hill have good links and then to continue East. Lloyd Park rolls into Coombe Park and then into Shirley Hills. It has good connectivity by road (Coombe Road/ Coombe Lane, Addiscombe Road and Oaks Road), as well as pedestrian routes and cycle tracks throughout. This would then see the ward end at the natural break that is Shirley Road/ Upper Shirley Road (effectively cut off other than one or two roads from Shirley proper and with few if any pedestrian routes) and the isolated triangle of roads opposite Trinity School, which again look West not East. I would like to say a few words about the identity of Addiscombe. I wish to state that, from my experience of spending time campaigning in this area and talking to the many friends I have in this area, Addiscombe is defined by the following: • To the West, the main railway line • To the South, Addiscombe Road – in support of this, I have found ward maps dating back to 1922 – an extract of the 1940s map is shown below – and in every case Addiscombe has stopped at Addiscombe Road and an extract of the Council’s Places document shows the difference in types of housing on the two sides of Addiscombe Road

• To the North, the top of Davidson Road and the end of Morland Road (but excluding the Brickfields Estate) and then along the tram line • To the East, the Ashburton Playing Fields and then along the path that leads across to the South Norwood Country Park between the Tollgate Estate and Longheath Gardens Whilst there are some arguments that can be put forward regarding the exact Northern border (e.g. whether both Canal Walk and Towpath Way are included or just one) and the Eastern (e.g. Longheath Gardens), I believe that the most accurate portrail of Addiscombe is as follows:

Furthermore, the local Conservative MP, Gavin Barwell, in his submission to the Commission overseeing the review of Parliamentary boundaries states: “My third point would be that the Addiscombe and Ashburton wards go together because the community of Addiscombe sits between those two wards. The district centre runs along a road called Lower Addiscombe Road and about half of it is in the Addiscombe ward and half of it is in the Ashburton ward. The Addiscombe tram stop, which is about as close as you can get to the centre of that community, actually sits on the ward boundary between those two wards. The Ashburton ward contains the Addiscombe and Shirley Park residents’ association.” As can be seen from our map, our proposal is entirely in keeping with this representation. I now turn to how the Addiscombe area should be split, which has a 2022 electorate that merits five councillors. I would propose the following boundaries:

The logic for the split between the two wards is that: - the Addiscombe Railway Park represents a clear boundary and is impermeable by car and virtually impermeable by foot - it enables ECCO, TACRA and Canning & Clyde Residents Association to be grouped together and they have particularly close links - it enables CHASE, HOME and Blackhorse Residents Association to be grouped together who have particularly close links - it ensures that Tollgate RA and Friends of Ashburton Park, as Ill as Addiscombe Boys & Girls Club are all in an Addiscombe ward - it ensures compact wards with good connectivity around each ward - it ensures that the district centre is in one ward This involves some 600 electors being transferred back into Addiscombe (top of Morland Road) from Woodside Ward, which is where these electors currently live today. This would then allow Woodside ward to be exactly on quota.

I now turn to my proposal for Shirley. The proposed changes to Shirley North here are to: - Take out the areas that are part of Addiscombe (area around Shirley Park Road, Tollgate Estate, Stroud Green Estate), as detailed earlier, which would therefore go into Addiscombe East - Take out the area opposite Trinity School, which is isolated from the rest of Shirley and has, historically been separate from the main part of Shirley and the villages of Shirley and Shirley Oaks. This would go into the new Park Hill, Whitgift & Shirley Hills ward - Transfer the area of Shirley North that, inexplicably, crosses Wickham Road, into Shirley South, which allows Wickham Road to play its clear role as the boundary betIen the two halves of Shirley. The map illustrating this is shown below.

The proposed changes for Shirley South. Illustrated on the map, are: - To transfer from Shirley North the area South of Wickham Road - To transfer to Park Hill, Whitgift & Shirley Hills, which takes the very distinct area of Shirley Hills, including Oaks Road and Upper Shirley Road and the cul-de-sacs off it.

I trust that LGBCE will take on board all of these proposed amendments to the Draft recommendations. Yours faithfully Starkie, Emily

From: yasmeen hanifa Sent: 01 May 2017 17:11 To: reviews Subject: Re: Addiscombe - Croydon neighbourhood boundary consultation

Dear Sir / Madam,

I write regarding the proposal to split Addiscombe between four different wards, which in my opinion will deprive my community of it's own voice. The proposal could influence how the council and police prioritise resources and potentially result in loss of services and investment from Addiscombe.

I have lived in Addiscombe for more than 10 years and use the local GP surgery and shops. The Commission's proposal for Addiscombe doesn't represent Addiscombe, as it extends so far below the traditional boundary of Addiscombe road. The two areas either side of this boundary are very different, and the boundaries should be redrawn so that Addiscombe has its own representation on the council with Addiscombe road as the southern boundary.

Yasmeen Hanifa

Starkie, Emily

From: Colin Hart Sent: 18 March 2017 10:10 To: reviews Subject: LGBCE Ward Boundary Proposals

Having just read through the LGBCE’s report on their proposals for Croydon, I feel I really must congratulate them on producing a masterful piece of work:‐

As long‐time residents of the now aptly‐named “Shirley South” my family and I are particularly gratified to see that it is the intention to maintain the cohesiveness of this distinctive area along with its community identity which means so much to those of us who live within it – Indeed, the LGBCE appears to have achieved this aim insofar as all the other Wards in the Croydon Borough are concerned:‐

Taking into account their naturally identifiable boundaries where practicable, the size of each of the various Wards has nevertheless been kept to a manageable level with either a minimum of two (2) or a maximum of three (3) councillors each representing approximately 4,000 constituents – thus enabling the delivery of effective and responsible local government in the interests of not just the immediate community but also in the context of the whole.

In the circumstances I do hope that the LGBCE will not allow itself to be persuaded to make any significant changes to its current proposals which seem to me to be quite excellent as they stand.

Colin A Hart

Starkie, Emily

From: Mark Henson Sent: 02 May 2017 23:23 To: reviews Subject: Croydon Boundary Review

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am e‐mailing to object to the Croydon boundary review in so far as it relates to the area in which I live (Addiscombe), and the proposed splitting up of this area and merging it with areas of the borough that are nowhere near Addiscombe.

I have lived in the Addiscombe area for several years, and Addiscombe has always been taken to mean from Long Lane (the “Addiscombe” sign‐post on entering the borough of Croydon) through to the areas bounded by Addiscombe Road and Lower Addiscombe Road as far as Cherry Orchard Road, plus side roads to the north of Lower Addiscombe Road that can only generally be reached from Lower Addiscombe Road (due to the tramline and former Addiscombe railway acting as a natural barrier).

So I was shocked that the recent proposals split Addiscombe on an East/West basis and try to create unnatural links to areas to the south of Addiscombe, and fudge a few areas to the north in as well.

In particular:

‐ Adding Park Hill into Addiscombe West, and the Whitgift Estate into Addiscombe East is completely unnatural, and seems to link areas that have no natural affinity with each other. Far better would be to place Park Hill and the Whitgift Estate into one ward, and have 2 smaller Addiscombe wards. There are no public transport links between Addiscombe and these separate areas, and there has never been any overlap between Addiscombe and the areas to the south (Park Hill, the Whitgift Estate, and other roads to the south of Addiscombe Road).

‐ Addiscombe traditionally includes the estates North of Long Lane and Lower Addiscombe Road but South of the tram tracks, and also includes the roads that are generally reached by Stroud Green Way (which is reached from Lower Addiscombe Road). These appear to have been proposed to merge in with Shirley, but these roads have no links or affinity with the Shirley area. The Shirley / Monks Orchard area generally stops at The Glade / Mardell Road, and everything else north and west is in Addiscombe. Residents along Lower Addiscombe Road and Long Lane and the side roads that only go onto these roads will generally do their shopping in Lower Addiscombe Road (or across the Croydon/Bromley border to Elmers End Tesco), whereas other areas from The Glade and Mardell Road southwards will tend to go to Shirley / Wickham Road.

‐ There is a completely abnormal square at the top of the proposed Addiscombe East ward that just divides roads that would consider themselves as being in the same area into 3 separate wards. There is a cut across several roads that puts a small section of houses in Morland Road, Exeter Road, Rymer Road, Edward Road and Davidson Road amongst others into an Addiscombe East ward that stretches all the way from these roads to the south side of Lloyd Park miles away. Residents of these roads cannot even reach most of the rest of the proposed Addiscombe East ward except through a narrow walkway across the old Addiscombe Railway, while having separate wards to both the immediate East and West of them on effectively the same road. And it looks like Canal Walk still manages to be in Addiscombe East under the proposals, which means it is cut‐off totally from its neighbouring Towpath Way (the only road which it can be accessed from, which is proposed to be in Woodside ward). I appreciate that numerically there must be a divide somewhere, but this square is a clear anomaly which cannot be allowed to stand.

I hope you take my comments into consideration, and produce a fairer more accurate model for Addiscombe, by having a true Addiscombe West and a true Addiscombe East ward (extending along Long Lane), along with a 1

Starkie, Emily

From: Patrice Hermenault Sent: 07 May 2017 08:42 To: reviews Subject: Croydon Boundary Changes

Hi,

As I live and work in Croydon, it is my belief that the boundaries changes that have been proposed are not representative of the cultural diversity of the area. Perhaps most importantly, I do not believe that these changes would provide better electoral equality and a more effective local government.

You will find a more detailed explanation of my position below. Its wording is not mine, but I stand behind it nonetheless.

Thank you for your time and attention, and I wish you a lovely week!

Best regards, Patrice Hermenault

Addiscombe/ Park Hill and the Whitgift Estate

The boundaries proposed for the Addiscombe seats ignore the different needs and characteristics of these areas, between the isolated, greener, lower density housing surrounding the parks and higher density housing in Addiscombe and Shirley. Neither Park Hill nor the Whitgift Estate is located within Addiscombe and it’s impossible to claim there’s a common identity across the area when every past review has recognised Addiscombe Road Addiscombe’s definitive southern boundary since at least 1922.

Addiscombe would be better represented by recognising Addiscombe Road as the community’s southern limit and reincorporating the Tollgate Estate to create one two-member ward and one three-member ward. A new ward could then be formed to the south of similar housing types around the parks, taking in Park Hill and the Whitgift Estate, which identify strongly with one another, and the isolated, lower density housing around Shirley Avenue. To make up numbers the area could then include similarly low density properties along Upper Shirley Road, the South Park Hill area delineated by the main railway line and the old Selsdon railway line, or the area west of there to Conduit Lane between Coombe Road and Croham Road, which was incorporated in the past.

Waddon/South Croydon

The current boundaries in Croydon were set in 1999, with the previous review in 1977. The long time between reviews highlights the effective way past reviews have prepared for future population growth. The draft recommendations for the boundary between Waddon and South Croydon puts the boundaries at risk of review soon after 2022.

Waddon is already oversized in the proposals and, while the review has taken into account population growth until 2022, the Croydon Plan sets out 12 developments amounting to a further 2,961 properties by 2036. By compassion, South Croydon is undersized and the plan sets out 3 developments amounting to 80 properties. More lasting electoral equality can be achieved with minor changes to the border of Waddon to 1 transfer into South Croydon the whole of Pampisford Road and roads immediately off that road, and from the south-side of Warham Road downwards.

It is worth bearing in mind that even the council document outlining the ‘Places’ the Commission appears to have based their draft recommendations upon considers these roads to form part of South Croydon and not Waddon.

West Thornton/Bensham Manor

While the draft recommendations propose three two-member seats across West Thornton and Bensham Manor, I believe these changes go further than necessary. Within the external boundaries proposed it’s possible to retain a three-member West Thornton seat and a three-member Bensham Manor seat, this would represent the least change for the area and provide the greatest continuity for residents.

The proposals set out above would enable the Commission’s argument around ‘Places’ and Croydon’s clear natural boundaries to be applied consistently across the borough, producing a set of proposals far more in keeping with the Commission’s three goals.

2 Starkie, Emily

From: Christine Hewitt Sent: 01 May 2017 09:58 To: reviews Subject: Croydon Boundary Review

Hello

I am Christine Hewitt and I have lived in Park Hill, since 1971.

Your proposals for the wards across Croydon and in my area are very interesting and I can see that they have been well thought out.

If I may make a comment about my local ward ‐ Fairfield ‐ I like the fact that the town centre is going to have its own ward. That will mean that the councillors there can focus on the things that matter most to people who live right in the middle of town, and that there will be another ward for those in the surrounding residential areas where issues are inevitably going to be a little bit different.

I think it is a good idea to have another ward which is between the centre and here in Park Hill/Fairfield. I imagine that the people who live in East Croydon are probably commuters. The residents of the new high rise blocks along the railway line are going to align with people who live in the town centre. Further out, where I am, houses are a bit larger, and more spaced out, and the residents are a bit older with lots of families. I believe that our community needs are closer to those of people living on the other side of Addiscombe Road from us, to the north, rather than those of the people who are close to the railway station.

For example, I use West Wickham a lot for shops, restaurants and services.

I think it is probably better to keep three councillors for this area. I can see that in some places you have gone for two and some of the reports talk about one councillor wards. If we have three councillors we have more people we can contact and things won’t fall apart when they go on holiday. Three councillors is definitely best.

So I think what you’ve done is a good arrangement for my area and I hope you stick with it in your final plan.

Many thanks. Kind regards,

Christine Hewitt

Starkie, Emily

From: Mary Hughes Sent: 01 May 2017 23:17 To: reviews Cc: Subject: Objection to new boundary proposals

Dear Boundary Team

The purpose of this e-mail is to state my opposition to the proposed new boundaries.

Yours faithfully

Mary Hughes Croydon Resident

1 Starkie, Emily

From: Lorraine Hunte Sent: 03 May 2017 18:04 To: reviews Subject: Croydon Boundary Review

Dear Boundary Commission review officer,

I hope you are well.

I am emailing you as I wish to object to the Commission’s draft recommendations for my area. The boundaries proposed do not reflect the various local interests and identities of the Croydon Central constituency, in which I live and have worked for many years, as a Croydon Teacher.

The boundaries proposed for the two Shirley seats and two Addiscombe seats ignore the different characters and needs within these areas between the isolated, greener, lower density housing surrounding the parks, and the higher density housing in the neighbourhoods of Shirley and Addiscombe. Park Hill and the Whitgift Estate aren’t even in Addiscombe and never have been, as the community and electoral boundary has always ended at Addiscombe Road.

I believe the interests of these communities would be better served by having a two-member ward formed of Upper Shirley Road, Shirley Avenue, Park Hill and the

Whitgift Estate. This area would include both sides of Coombe Road as the southern most boundary, Addiscombe Road as the northern most boundary with the railway line serving as the boundary to the West.

This would also allow Addiscombe residents, including those in the Tollgate Estate, to have their own voice on the council, through having one two-member ward and one three- member ward covering the community to represent their residents’ very different needs and issues.

I do hope you will consider these suggestions.

Yours Truly

1 Lorraine

Lorraine Hunte

Starkie, Emily

From: Linda Jones Sent: 07 May 2017 16:59 To: reviews Subject: Boundary changes in the London Borough of Croydon - Waddon Ward

I am writing to object to the proposed boundaries set out in the Commission’s draft recommendations for Waddon and South Croydon and to suggest improvements which better meet the stated goals of providing electoral equality, reflecting the identities and interests of local communities, and promoting effective and convenient local government.

I have been a resident of Waddon for nearly 36 years, having previously lived in the neighbouring Fairfield Ward for 3 years. My children attended the Parish Church Infants and Junior Schools (now the Minster Schools) between 1984 and 1996 and I was a Governor at Waddon Infant School in the late 1980s/early 1990s. I have continued to be an active resident, responding to borough consultations on transport and traffic, libraries and green spaces.

Waddon/South Croydon I am aware that the current boundaries in Croydon were set in 1999, with the previous review in 1977. The length of time between reviews shows how these previous reviews have been effective in preparing for the growth of population in the ward and neighbouring wards. Because of intended development within this part of the borough, the current recommendations determining the boundary between Waddon and South Croydon are likely to mean that the boundary will require further review soon after 2022, which would introduce an unnecessary period of unstable local representation.

The proposals, if accepted, would make Waddon an 'oversized' ward in term of population. While I accept that the review has taken in to account poplulation growth until 2022, the Croydon Plan sets out 12 developments in Waddon which will provide a further 2,961 properties by 2036. In comparison to Waddon, the proposals would make South Croydon an 'undersized' ward and the Croydon Plan sets out 3 developments providing a further 80 properties. The constituents of Waddon will therefore be disadvantaged in terms of representation on the Council if these proposals go ahead.

I would suggest that this would not arise if there were minor changes to the proposals, with the whole of Pampisford Road and the roads immediately off it plus the south-side of Warham Road southwards being part of South Croydon. Croydon Council's own document outlining the 'Places' it uses for planning purposes, and upon which the Commission appears to have based their draft recommendations across the borough, considers these roads to form part of South Croydon and not Waddon. I am also sure that the residents of these roads do not consider that they live in Waddon. They are certainly distanced from the transport facilities which support movement through Waddon and link it to other parts of Croydon and neighbouring boroughs.

The proposals set out above would enable the Commission’s own argument around ‘Places’ and Croydon’s clear natural boundaries to be applied consistently across the borough, producing a set of proposals far more in keeping with the Commission’s three goals.

Yours sincerely,

Linda Jones

2 Starkie, Emily

From: Sarah Jones Sent: 03 May 2017 10:09 To: reviews Subject: Local government boundary review Croydon.

Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to object to several of the proposed boundaries set out in the Commission’s draft recommendations for Croydon and to suggest improvements which better meet the stated goals of providing electoral equality, reflecting the identities and interests of local communities, and promoting effective and convenient local government.

Shirley

I believe that Shirley in the current proposal has been extended beyond its natural boundaries. The area to the North and West of Ashburton Park and Trinity School are not a part of the Shirley community.

Addiscombe/ Park Hill and the Whitgift Estate

Waddon/South Croydon

1 The current boundaries in Croydon were set in 1999, with the previous review in 1977. The long time between reviews highlights the effective way past reviews have prepared for future population growth. The draft recommendations for the boundary between Waddon and South Croydon puts the boundaries at risk of review soon after 2022.

Waddon is already oversized in the proposals and, while the review has taken into account population growth until 2022, the Croydon Plan sets out 12 developments amounting to a further 2,961 properties by 2036. By compassion, South Croydon is undersized and the plan sets out 3 developments amounting to 80 properties. More lasting electoral equality can be achieved with minor changes to the border of Waddon to transfer into South Croydon the whole of Pampisford Road and roads immediately off that road, and from the south-side of Warham Road downwards.

Very best wishes,

Sarah Jones

Starkie, Emily

From: ANNE KEELEY Sent: 07 May 2017 13:54 To: reviews Subject: With ref to Addiscombe ward boundaries

Dear Madam/Sir,

With reference to my letter, dated 1st May 2017, I wish to clarify that I support the submission for two new Addiscombe Wards. A two seat Ward, Addiscombe West (8,700 electors), and a three seat Ward, Addiscombe East (12,400 electors). Both Wards are bounded on the south by Addiscombe Road up to the A232.

Yours faithfully,

Anne Keeley

The Review Officer (Croydon) Local Government Boundary Commission for England 14th Florr Millbank Tower Millbank London SW1P 4QP 1st May, 2017

Dear Sir

ELECTORAL REVIEW OF THE LONDON BOROUGH OF CROYDON LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND DRAFT SCHEME

I am writing to state that I believe the proposed draft scheme, which reviews Croydon’s Ward Boundaries, to be most acceptable and to fulfil the statutory criteria.

SOUTH CROYDON/SANDERSTEAD

However, there is a small exception to the above statement. This relates to the area containing Essenden Road, Carlton Road and Sandhurst Way/Close, which under the draft proposal becomes a strangely shaped projection of Sanderstead rather than being part of South Croydon. My family and I have lived in the London Borough of Croydon all our lives, including many years in South Croydon. I believe that most residents in the area mentioned would naturally see themselves as living in South Croydon rather than Sanderstead. The community in this location identifies with being part of the retail and social outlets that Croydon provides. Additionally, public transport routes, including those from South Croydon railway station, are an integral part of the residents of this area’s commuting and general travel arrangements. For these reasons, I believe that in the final scheme this area should be re-incorporated into South Croydon.

SHIRLEY

I welcome the draft proposal’s creation of a three member Shirley North and a two member Shirley South ward.

It is believed that Shirley has been in situ since Neolithic times as traces of hut circles have been found. It was here in Roman times, but it was the Saxons who named it Scyr Leaze (Shirley) from “Scyr” the Anglo- Saxon for boundary (whence shire, shear and share) and “Leah” a meadow or pasture. Thus, the meaning is: “the pasture next to the boundary”. In 871 a Charter mentions Shirley as one of the manors of Croydon and in 1086 the Domesday Book also describes it as a manor near Croydon. Therefore, it is very appropriate that it should stay contained within its own boundaries rather than be included in other neighbouring wards. Both my paternal and maternal grandparents moved to Shirley in the 1930’s and my parents were raised and met each other at a local cycling club. I was born in Shirley and lived here for the first five years of my life until my parents moved to South Croydon. I returned frequently to visit my grandparents and resided for a time with my grandmother when my mother was ill; during that time I attended St John’s C of E School where I was taught by my Godmother. When I married in 1974, we were lucky enough to be able to buy a house in Shirley and have lived here ever since. Our children attended local primary and secondary schools in Shirley and I served as a school governor for twelve years at Monks Orchard Primary School. Additionally, I have been a member of a number of charities and local associations.

It is a result of this long and happy association with the Shirley that I have no hesitation in stating that it is very much a community. The surrounding neighbourhoods have their own characters and attractions, but we, who live in Shirley, have a sense of belonging and take pride and pleasure in what Shirley has to offer.

Therefore, I and I’m sure a great many others are delighted at the proposal to keep Shirley united and within its natural boundaries and sincerely trust that this will not be altered.

Yours faithfully

Mrs E A Kenny

Dear Sirs,

We wish to object to the Commission’s draft recommendations for our area, as the boundaries proposed fail to reflect the local interests and identities of the community in which we have lived for more than 20 years. We believe that a better alternative exists which more closely reflects local identities while meeting the Commission’s requirements for electoral equality and effective and convenient local government.

The boundaries proposed for the two Addiscombe seats and two Shirley seats fail to reflect the significantly different characters and needs within these areas between the greener areas and lower density housing surrounding the parks, and the higher density housing in the neighbourhoods of Shirley and Addiscombe.

Park Hill and the Whitgift Estate have never been considered to be in Addiscombe and the community and electoral boundary has always ended at Addiscombe Road. We have our own church, schools, community organisations and shopping facilities within our community and the interests and identities of the two separate areas do not overlap.

We believe our community would be better represented by having a two-member ward formed of Park Hill, the Whitgift Estate, Upper Shirley Road and Shirley Ave- nue. This area would include both sides of Coombe Road as the southern-most boundary, Addiscombe Road as the northern-most boundary with the railway line serving as the boundary to the West.

This would allow Addiscombe residents, including those in the Tollgate Estate, to have their own voice on the council, through having one two-member ward and one three-member ward covering the community to represent their residents’ very different needs and issues.

Yours faithfully,

Alan Kerr & Tracy Maroske

Starkie, Emily

From: Andrew King Sent: 21 April 2017 18:43 To: reviews Subject: Croydon - Shirley Ward Boundaries

Dear Sirs I am writing to express my objection to the current proposal to move Nursery Close into Shirley North. We live at and being in Shirley South was a significant factor in moving to this address. We do not live in Shirley North. We live in Shirley South. The artificial redrawing of boundaries for political reasons is ridiculous. We object strongly and wish to remain as part of Spring Park and Shirley South. Andrew King

Sent from my iPad

1 Electoral Review Officer: London Borough of Croydon Local Government Boundary Commission for England 14th Floor Millbank Tower Millbank London SW1P 4QP

3 May 2017

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am contacting you because I am aware that you are undertaking a review of the ward boundaries in Croydon and that you are seeking the views of local residents as part of your consultation process.

I am a local resident and a parent of a child at , which is situated on . the local school for the parish of St Gertrudes RC church, which is situated in Purley Road, South Croydon. The school roll draws heavily from South Croydon and the community of Catholics who worship at St Gertrudes. I believe very strongly that the boundary review is an opportunity to locate the school and its parish church into the same local ward so that the interests of the school and the church – which often align and overlap – can be better represented by a single set of locallyelected and accountable councillors. Currently, the school is in Waddon ward and the church is in Croham ward. Under your draft proposals the school would continue to be in Waddon ward and the church in South Croydon ward. The review is a perfect opportunity to bring the school and the church into a single ward, and one which I believe the Commission should embrace.

I have a number of years’ experience of travelling to and from this area as part of the school run and believe that these new boundaries would better reflect the local community as well. I cannot understand why the Commission would want to split the representation of residents living on St Augustine’s Road so that those at the top end of the road are represented by Waddon councillors, but those at the bottom end are represented by South Croydon councillors. The type of tenure at either ends of this road are the same.

I am also concerned that your draft proposals leave Waddon oversized, whilst the neighbouring ward of South Croydon is undersized. So it seems both opportune and sensible to alter the proposed boundary between these two wards to provide better electoral equality between them, as well as ensure more effective representation for the school, the church and the parish community.

My suggestion would be to transfer into South Croydon the whole of Pampisford Road (which would include and roads off it, and properties to the south of Warham Road. This should offer a better equality of representation for the future and avoid the potential need for further change at a subsequent review. I am also writing to object to several of the other proposed boundaries set out in the Commission’s draft recommendations for Croydon and to suggest improvements which I believe will better meet the stated goals of providing electoral equality, reflecting the identities and interests of local communities, and promoting effective and convenient local government.

As someone who regularly visits Addiscombe to see friends I believe that the boundaries proposed for the Addiscombe seats ignore the different needs and characteristics of these areas, between the isolated, greener, lower density housing surrounding the parks and higher density housing in Addiscombe and Shirley. Neither Park Hill nor the Whitgift Estate is located within Addiscombe and it’s impossible to claim there’s a common identity across the area when every previous review has recognised Addiscombe Road Addiscombe’s definitive southern boundary since at least 1922!

Yours faithfully,

Mr S T King

Starkie, Emily

From: Charlotte Kyberd Sent: 01 May 2017 15:19 To: reviews Subject: Croydon Boundary Changes

Monday, 1 May 17

Dear Sir

I wish to object to the Commission’s draft recommendations for my area, as the boundaries proposed fail to reflect the local interests and identities of Addiscombe. I believe a better alternative exists, which more closely reflects local identities while meeting the Commission’s requirements for electoral equality, and effective and convenient local government.

The boundaries proposed for the two Addiscombe wards extend well beyond the Addiscombe neighbourhood. Park Hill and the Whitgift Estate aren’t in Addiscombe and never have been, they do not identify with our area and properties sold in those areas aren’t advertised as being part of Addiscombe. The community boundary, as with the electoral boundary, has always ended at Addiscombe Road.

We have entirely independent facilities for shopping, educating children and practicing religions, consequently the interests and identities of our two separate areas do not overlap. Bundling the two areas together ignores their very different housing types and consequently the differing needs we have for representation on the council. The voice on the council of both areas will be diminished by the draft proposals.

I believe our community would be better represented by having the electoral boundaries overlap with community boundaries. This could be accommodated through one two-member ward and one three- member ward, with the southern boundary remaining at its historic location of Addiscombe Road and taking in the Tollgate Estate to the north, the entrance to which is located on the Addiscombe-side of the signs advertising that drivers are entering Addiscombe.

This would recognise that all the major road, tram and bus routes run through the area, preserve Ashburton Park as a historic part of the community and avoid splitting up the ASPRA residents’ association.

A new two-member ward could then be formed of Park Hill, the Whitgift Estate and the other low density housing around the parks, ensuring the common interests of that community are represented on the council.

Yours truly,

Miss C R Kyberd