WHO RUNS? Croydon

1 More information is available online at www.whorunslondon.org.uk

Operation Black Vote 18 Victoria Park Square London E2 9PB T 020 8983 5430 www.obv.org.uk Contents

Introduction p4 Overview p6 Mission statement p8 Local government in Croydon p10 What do Councillors do? p13 How do I make a change to a Council-run service? p19 Greater London Authority (GLA) p21 Your representatives p25

Copyright © October 2010 Operation Black Vote 4 Introduction

The governance of How can ordinary residents effectively interact with and influence the our local authorities kaleidoscope of public bodies and and cities has become institutions that make decisions on a daily basis on our lives? increasingly complex: where does power lie? Central to Operation Black Vote’s (OBV) work has been the Who, at a local level empowerment of Black and minority has responsibility for ethnic (BME) communities so that they can play a full and positive role in our education, litter civic society and thereby have greater collection or indeed control over day to day decisions. A key aspect of empowerment is to have representing our views an increased understanding of key and concerns on the public decision-making bodies such as the local authority, national health Council? trust, and many others.

Operation Black Vote (OBV) in a unique and ground breaking partnership with the London Empowerment Partnership Targeted Support Programme, managed by the London Civic Forum are bringing you a unique set of materials - this booklet and a website - to unlock the decision making process in your local area: Croydon.

5 Overview

341,800 people 33.4 sq miles 73.4 % registered voters

The London Borough Croydon contains London’s third main central business district after of Croydon covers 33.4 Docklands and the City of London. A square miles and a large urban economy in its own right, it is South London’s main business resident population centre. Construction of the first phase of 341,800 (Office of of the East London Line Extension to West Croydon is under way north of the National Statistics Thames, improving Croydon’s public 2008). This is the largest transport connections to central and inner East London. population of any London Borough.

6 One in three people in London describe themselves as Black Minority Ethnic.

Croydon is ranked 125 out of 354 local During the course of this booklet we authorities in England in terms of average will try to explain how the powers and deprivation. (Where 1 is the most responsibilities that affect the borough deprived). There are 220 Super Output are distributed, how democratic Areas (SOAs) in Croydon, and 5 of those structures work, how these can be are in the top 10% most deprived. accessed and also provide you with other useful information. As of May 2010 it has 250,905 registered voters; the Council is led by the Conservatives and the official opposition is the Labour party. Elections were held in May 2010 and take place every four years.

7 Mission Statement

Operation Black OBV recognise that building a future Britain in which African, Asian, Caribbean Vote (OBV) is the first and other minority ethnic communities initiative to focus have a voice is a long term project. There is an entrenched cynicism about politics exclusively on the within the Black community, especially Black democratic amongst young people, which cannot be addressed easily, or overnight. deficit in the UK. We believe that without a In addition, overcoming stereotypical attitudes and institutional racism strong political voice for African, Asian, Caribbean and other ethnic minorities, the ideal of equality of opportunity regardless of race and colour - will remain a dream.

8 Operation Black Vote is a non-party political campaign, supported by a broad coalition of mainly Black organisations. within the dominant cultural and OBV is a non-party political campaign, political establishment will require a supported by a broad coalition of mainly new willingness to communicate and Black organisations. cooperate from both Black and White. Our main objectives are to: OBV has a comprehensive programme —— urge Black people to register to vote that includes political education, —— enable the Black community to claim participation and representation. Our its place in British democracy goal is for a fair, just and inclusive —— demonstrate a collective community democracy, one that allows our creativity, potential that could significantly energy and talent to fulfil it’s potential and influence the outcome in many seats enhance British society. at the General Election —— confront politicians with the reality of what it means to be Black in Britain and force them to address the inequality of opportunity faced by Black people —— encourage them to recognise our unique perspective and positively promote the cultural diversity of British society in the best interests of society as a whole

9 Local Government in Croydon

The London Borough The Council’s responsibilities include: social services; many arts and leisure of Croydon is one of 32 services; street cleaning; roads; and local boroughs in Greater planning. London. Croydon Education Council runs most of the Each London Borough acts as the Local day-to-day services in Education Authority for its area. Each LEA has certain legal responsibilities and the borough. functions which include the provision of suitable education for each child, the improvement of local education, special needs assessment and recruitment of school governors. They also provide services such as educational psychology, school meals, maintenance and out-of- hours facilities. Each LEA is headed by a Councillor with political responsibility for education and learning, and a Chief Education Officer with legal and administrative responsibilities. Each borough has a scrutiny committee which monitors the work of the LEA.

Planning The boroughs are responsible for dealing with all non-strategic planning applications in their area and applicants have the right to appeal against refusals

10 to the Secretary of State. However, the Health Mayor of London must be consulted on The Councils have a range of health planning applications that are considered and social care responsibilities covering to be of potential strategic importance. services for older people, mental He can comment on and support health, occupational therapy, public these applications or, if he considers it and environmental health, often working necessary on strategic planning grounds, in partnership with NHS bodies. The he can direct the borough to refuse Council has an elected councillor planning permission. The Mayor is not with executive responsibility for health able to direct approval of applications. If services. the Mayor issues a direction to refuse an application, he must set out his reasons for the decision and the borough will Waste disposal and the inform the applicant of these reasons. environment Each borough must produce a Unitary In collecting and disposing of waste, Development plan that addresses these they must take into account the Mayor’s issues as well as wider planning points. municipal waste management strategy. They also have a legal responsibility to They are also responsible for promoting provide appropriate housing for all their and co-ordinating local environmental residents. initiatives, in partnership with the Mayor and on their own. Benefits Although they operate within strict Contact the Council national guidelines from the Department Taberner House, Park Lane, for Work and Pensions, Housing Benefit Croydon CR9 3JS and Council Tax Benefit are paid for and T 020 8726 6000 administered by local authorities. www.croydon.gov.uk

11 Local Democracy —— Shirley —— South Norwood Croydon has 70 councillors all elected —— Thornton Heath for a four year term. Elections were —— Upper Norwood held in May 2010 and take place every —— Waddon four years. These are ‘all out’ elections, —— West Thornton when all the seats in each Council are —— Woodside contested. In addition by-elections may be called in a ward during thisfour year Most of these wards elects three term, to replace representatives who councillors except: Fieldway, and New have resigned or who have died. Addington, which elect two councillors. Croydon is divided into 24 smaller Understanding which ward you live in, areas called local wards. These are: is the first step to contacting your local —— Addiscombe councillors. If you don’t know which ward —— Ashburton you live in, then the Council have a web —— Bensham Manor page to help you find out: —— Broad Green —— Coulsdon East www.croydon.gov.uk —— Coulsdon West —— Croham —— Fairfield —— Fieldway —— Heathfield —— Kenley —— New Addington —— Norbury —— Purley —— Sanderstead —— Selhurst —— Selsdon and Ballards

12 What do Councillors do?

It is a councillor’s role They hold regular advice ‘surgeries where you can meet with them privately to help individuals in and discuss your specific issues the local area. They make sure that the How do I vote for a councillor? Council is delivering If you are over 18, live in Croydon and are good services, decide a British, Commonwealth, or a European Union Citizen, then you are eligible to on priority areas that vote in all elections, local, regional, the Council should parliamentary, and European. be working on, sit on The next local elections are due to take committees which place in May 2014. make these decisions, To be able to vote you must register with as well as perform a the local Council. You can register to vote from the age of 16, although you scrutiny role. cannot vote until you are 18. Polling stations are open from 7am until 10pm for all UK elections. You can now take your children with you when you go to vote. If you’re unable to get to the polling station you can apply for a postal vote or arrange for someone else to cast your vote for you (a proxy).

13 Contact The Executive or Cabinet Electoral Services, The Town Hall, Katharine Street, Croydon, CR9 1DE T 020 8726 6300 The Executive is a group of councilors F 020 8407 1308 including the Leader that take most of E [email protected] the decisions on what the Council does. Each member of the Cabinet takes Opening hours responsibility for a policy portfolio and a Monday – Friday (8am – 5pm) department which delivers these policies and the relevant local services. They are Croydon Council’s the formal link between councillors and structure officers in terms of the overall direction in which the Council is working and London boroughs are now all run under performance management. a cabinet system, in which the Executive is drawn from the majority group or The Executive is the body which gives coalition in the full Council, which elects direction to the Chief Executive and the a leader, who then appoints a number of Corporate Management Team, and holds councillors to hold portfolios responsible those employees to account for their for individual departments and functions. performance, and is also responsible for Other councillors, known as ‘back ensuring appropriate links with external benchers’, scrutinise the work of the partners. The Executive pays particular Executive. attention to the effective and appropriate use of the Council’s resources (workforce, finances and assets).

For example it is responsible for: —— Developing policy, budget and Council Tax proposals for agreement by the Assembly —— Making important decisions about the day-to-day work of the Council based on the policies and priorities set by the Assembly —— Ensuring the Council works effectively with its partners on behalf of the community

14 Forward Plan The current Executive members are: The Forward Plan is a document that —— Cllr Mike Fisher sets out the decisions that the Executive, Leader individual Members of the Executive —— Cllr Dudley Mead and sub-groups of the Executive are Deputy Leader (Statutory) and expected to take over the next four Cabinet Member for Housing, months, together with key decisions Finance & Asset Management taken by officers. —— Cllr Tim Pollard Deputy Leader (Communication) The Plan is prepared on a monthly basis and Cabinet Member for Children, and covers a period beginning with the Young People & Learners first day of the second month covered in —— Cllr Sara Bashford the preceding plan. Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture & Sport The plans are published at least 14 days before the start of the first month to which —— Cllr Simon Hoar they relate. Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economic Development You can view the forward plans at: —— Cllr Margaret Mead www.croydon.gov.uk Cabinet Member for Health & Adult Social Care —— Cllr Vidhi Mohan Cabinet Member for Communities —— Cllr Steve O’Connell Cabinet Member for Community Safety —— Cllr Jason Perry Cabinet Member for Planning, Conservation & Climate Change —— Cllr Phil Thomas Cabinet Member for Environment & Highways

15 How are Croydon Council’s Resources and Customer Services services structured? Directorate Each Department of Croydon Council Nathan Elvery is managed by a non elected Council Executive Director and Deputy Chief Executive employee, known as a Director. The most T 020 8726 6000 E [email protected] senior employee of the Council is called the Chief Executive, and is currently Jon Rouse. His contact details are: Planning, Regeneration and Conservation Directorate

Jon Rouse Emma Peters Chief Executive Executive Director T 020 8760 5757 T 020 8726 6000 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Adult Services and Housing Democratic and Legal Services Directorate Julie Belvir Hannah Miller Council Solicitor and Director Deputy Chief Executive T 020 8726 6000 T 020 8760 5490 E [email protected] E [email protected] Human Resources and Organisational Children, Young People and Learners Development Directorate Directorates: Pam Parkes Dave Hill Director Executive Director T 020 8604 7090 T 020 8760 5787 E [email protected] E [email protected] Strategy and Communication Community Services Directorate Directorate

Tom Jeffrey Damian Roberts Executive Director Director T 020 8726 6000 T 020 8604 7008 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Public Health Directorate

Peter Brambleby Director T 020 8726 6000 E [email protected]

16 Scrutiny The three Scrutiny Sub-Committees are: Overview and scrutiny is part of the Council’s arrangements for making —— Children, Learning and Leisure sure decision-making processes —— Community Services are robust and take account of local —— Health & Adult Social Care needs. Scrutiny Committees are made up of ‘back bench’ councillors Each Committee has the power to co-opt and they cover the range of Council expert witnesses and members of the functions. They monitor the work of public who can contribute to the work of Council departments and carry out the Committee. investigations into matters of interest. They usually take evidence in writing Members of the Executive may not be and in public from members of the members of Scrutiny Committees. The Cabinet, officials, residents, interested Scrutiny Committees meet on average groups and experts. seven times a year.

Scrutiny Committees are made up of The Chairs of each committee are ‘back bench’ councillors and they cover appointed in line with the political the range of Council functions. They proportionality of the Council. monitor the work of Council departments and carry out investigations into matters Scrutiny meetings are held in the Town of interest. They usually take evidence in Hall on a Tuesday and start at 6.30pm writing and in public from members of the unless otherwise indicated. Cabinet, officials, residents, interested groups and experts. For more information on the scrutiny process Guy Fiegehen Scrutiny committees influence policy, Scutiny Business Manager produce reports, monitor budgets Democratic & Legal Services, Taberner House, and make recommendations to the Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 3JS Council´s Executive - the body ultimately T 020 8604 7011 ext. 62669 E [email protected] responsible for decision-making within the Council.

Croydon Council has one Scrutiny Overview committee and three Scrutiny sub committees, these consist of non- executive councillors.

17 Croydon Mayor Some London Boroughs have directly elected Mayors with particular powers. Croydon is not one of them.

The Mayor is a serving councillor who is elected to the office for one year at the Council’s AGM, held annually in May.

Councillor Avril Slipper is currently the Mayor of Croydon.

The Mayor is a civic representative of the Council and has no formal power on decision making. Her role is non political.

The Mayor Councillor Avril Slipper The Mayor’s Parlour Town Hall Katharine Street Croydon CR9 1XW T 020 8760 5764 E [email protected]

18 How do I make a change to a Council- run service

One way to help improve the work of Stage 2 the Council is by making use of its If you remain dissatisfied with their complaints procedure. response to your complaint, you can ask for it to be reviewed again under Stage 2 Complaints procedure of the Council’s Corporate Complaints Procedure. Stage 1 To make a Stage 1 complaint you can: All Stage 2 complaints will be reviewed independently by the Corporate Solutions —— Contact the Council in writing or visit Team on behalf of the Chief Executive. the office in person. —— Telephone their customer contact The Council should acknowledge centre and select the service your your Stage 2 complaint within three complaint relates to. working days and respond in full —— Visit www.croydon.gov.uk and follow within 20 working days. If a complaint the links online. is complicated, it may take longer to resolve, but the officer responsible for the Once your complaint is received, by the investigation should keep you updated relevant department they should deal on its progress. with it as quickly as possible. If they cannot resolve your complaint on the All Stage 2 complaints will be signed off spot, they will aim to do so within five by the Chief Executive or a nominated working days. deputy.

However, where the complaint is more complicated, it will be acknowledged and responded to in full within 20 working days. If the complaint takes longer than 20 working days to resolve, the investigating officer will keep you updated on its progress.

19 How Do I make a Stage 2 complaint? What else can I do? —— Contact the Council in writing or visit If you feel you did not receive a the office in person. satisfactory response and there has —— Visit www.croydon.gov.uk and follow been maladministration causing injustice the links online. then you can complain to the Local —— Telephone the Corporate Government Ombudsman.Their service Resolutions Team on 020 8726 6000 is free. ext 12354 Visit www.lgo.org.uk

You can also write to them at: Corporate Resolutions Team, Croydon Council, Alternatively you can complain directly Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 3JS to your MP or councillor (see your E [email protected] representatives section).

20 Greater London Authority (GLA)

Since 2000 London has had a new and regeneration, culture, and a range system of elected citywide government, of environmental issues including comprising a directly elected Mayor and biodiversity, ambient noise, waste a directly elected Assembly. disposal and air quality.

Mayor These individual plans fit together to help deliver the Mayor’s policies. Between The Mayor’s role as the executive of them, these plans must also contribute to the strategic authority for London is to sustainable development and the health promote economic development and of Londoners. wealth creation, social development, and the improvement of the environment. The Mayor sets the annual budget for: The Mayor also has a number of other —— the Greater London Authority; duties in relation to culture and tourism, —— the Metropolitan Police, who provide including responsibility for Trafalgar policing in the capital, under the Square and Parliament Square. oversight of the Metropolitan Police Authority The Mayor has a range of specific —— Transport for London, who provide powers and duties, and a general buses, river services, London power to do anything that will promote Underground, and some light economic and social development, and rail services, maintain London’s environmental improvements ,in London. main roads and regulate London’s Before using many of his powers the licensed taxi service Mayor must consult with Londoners, and —— the London Development Agency, in all cases the Mayor must promote which works with business to sustain equality of opportunity. and improve London’s role as a business centre, while increasing The Mayor sets out plans and policies for economic opportunity for all London covering transport, planning and Londoners development, economic development

21 —— London Fire Brigade, which The London Assembly’s scrutiny responds to fires and promotes committees consult with government, a fire prevention, under the oversight wide range of public and private sector of London Fire and Emergency organisations and members of the public Planning Authority Steve O’Connell the current London The current Mayor is the Conservative, Assembly member represents the Boris Johnson. constituency of Croydon and Sutton for the Conservatives. The Mayor appoints a member of the London Assembly to be Deputy Mayor. His GLA responsibilities are: The current Deputy Mayor is Richard —— Member of the Planning and Barnes – the leader of the Conservative Housing Committee Group. —— Member of Transport Committee —— Management and Appointments The Mayor is elected for a fixed term of Committee four years. The next election of Mayor —— Member of the Metropolitan Police and Assembly will be in May 2012. Authority (MPA)

London Assembly He was elected in May 2008. The London Assembly comprises 25 members, all elected at the same time as the Mayor. 11 members are elected Contact him at on a London wide basis and there are 14 GLA, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk constituency members each representing London SE1 2AA an area of London. T 020 7983 4353 E steve.o’[email protected]

The Assembly examines the Mayors activities and questions him about his decisions. The Assembly is also able to investigate other issues of importance to Londoners, publish its findings and recommendations, and make proposals to the Mayor. The Assembly conducts much of its business through formal public meetings and investigative committees.

22 23 24 Your representatives

Parliament What work does our local MP do for us? Croydon has three Members of Parliament, representing Croydon Central, Croydon MPs represent the interests of their North and Croydon South constituencies. constituents in Parliament by:

These currently are: —— taking part in the scrutiny and passage of new legislation Croydon Central Constituency —— taking part in debates —— holding the Government to account Andrew Pelling MP Independent by asking questions of Ministers House of Commons, London SW1A OAA —— being members of committees T 020 7219 8472 which monitor government E [email protected] departments www.andrewpelling.org.uk —— handling constituency case work about the delivery of public services Croydon North Constituency by central government, for example Malcolm Wicks MP Labour immigration applications, welfare 908 London Road, Thornton Heath, benefits decisions, and NHS Surrey CR7 7PE services T 020 8665 1214 E [email protected] Most MPs hold regular surgeries in their www.malcolmwicks.org.uk constituency - you can find details of when and where these will be held, in Croydon South Constituency your local library or on your MP’s website.

Richard Ottaway MP Conservative 36 Brighton Road, Purley, Surrey CR8 2LG All MPs can also be contacted by writing T 020 8660 0491 to them at the: E [email protected]

www.richardottaway.com Contact House of Commons London SW1A 0AA T 020 7219 3000 Constituents also have the right to ‘lobby’ their MP in person at the House of Commons if he or she is present.

25 Addiscombe The Sean Fitzsimons Labour T 020 8819 5597 Councillors E [email protected] These are your representatives Patricia Hay-Justice Labour T 020 8819 5597 Member Address: E [email protected]

Taberner House Mark Watson Park Lane Labour Croydon CR9 3JS T: N/A E [email protected]

Ashburton

Adam Kellett Conservative T 020 8654 0121 E [email protected]

Avril Slipper (Mayor of Croydon) Conservative T 020 8760 5764 E [email protected]

Eddy Arram Conservative T 020 8405 6701 E [email protected]

26 Bensham Manor Coulsdon West

Alison Butler (Joint Deputy Leader) Jeet Bains Labour Conservative T 020 8689 3451 E [email protected] E [email protected] David Osland Donna Gray Conservative Labour T 020 8405 6742 T 020 8771 3005 E [email protected] E [email protected] Ian James Parker Raj Rajendran Conservative Labour T 020 8404 3468 T 020 8404 3447 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Croham Broad Green Maria Gatland Stuart Collins (Joint Deputy Leader) Conservative Labour T 020 8405 6718 T 084 5377 4104 E [email protected] E [email protected] Michael Neal Mike Selva Conservative Labour T 020 8405 6707 T 020 8684 4224 E [email protected] E [email protected] Jason Perry Manju Shahul-Hameed Conservative Labour T 020 8404 3463 T 020 8404 3458 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Fairfield Coulsdon East David Fitze Justin Cromie Conservative Conservative T 020 8407 2609 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Terry Lenton Vidhi Mohan Conservative Conservative T 020 8660 5152 T 020 8776 2697 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Chris Wright Susan Winborn Conservative Conservative T 017 3755 5581 T 020 8405 6728 E [email protected] E [email protected]

27 Fieldway New Addington

Carole Bonner George Ayres Labour Labour T 020 8404 3456 T 020 8405 6756 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Simon Hall Tony Pearson Labour Conservative T 020 8404 3454 T 020 8404 3467 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Heathfield Norbury

Jason Cummings Sherwan Chowdhury Conservative Labour T 020 8651 2575 T 020 8764 7606 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Margaret Mead Shafi Khan Conservative Labour T 020 8405 6746 T 020 8405 6753 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Helen Pollard Maggie Mansell Conservative Labour T 020 7617 7310 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Purley Kenley Graham Bass Jan Buttinger Conservative Conservative T 020 8660 7013 T 020 8405 6754 E [email protected] E [email protected] Badsha Quadir Steve Hollands Conservative Conservative E [email protected] T 020 8405 6708 E [email protected] Donald Speakman Conservative Steve O’Connell T 020 8405 6752 Conservative E [email protected] T 020 8763 8644 E steve.o’[email protected]

28 Sanderstead Shirley

Lynne Hale Richard Chatterjee Conservative Conservative T 020 8405 6721 T 020 8405 6719 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Yvette Hopley Mike Fisher Conservative Conservative T 020 8404 3462 T 020 8760 5770 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Tim Pollard Janet Marshall Conservative Conservative T 020 8251 8500 T 020 8777 6888 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Selhurst South Norwood

Timothy Godfrey Jane Avis Labour Labour T 020 8405 7993 T 020 8405 6703 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Toni Letts Kathy Bee Labour Labour T 020 8405 6751 T 020 8768 1423 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Gerry Ryan Wayne Lawlor Labour Labour T 020 8763 9561 T 020 8404 3469 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Selsdon and Ballards Thornton Heath

Sara Bashford Pat Clouder Conservative Labour T 020 8405 1850 T 020 8405 6710 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Dudley Mead Matthew Kyeremeh Conservative Labour T 020 8405 6746 T 079 5636 4811 E [email protected] E [email protected]

Phil Thomas Louisa Woodley Conservative Labour T 020 8651 2361 E [email protected] E [email protected]

29 Upper Norwood Woodside

Alisa Flemming Karen Jewitt Labour Labour E [email protected] T 020 8405 6725 E [email protected] Pat Ryan Labour Tony Newman (Leader of the Opposition) T 020 8405 6739 Labour E [email protected] T 020 8726 6000 Ext. 62343 E [email protected] John Wentworth Labour Paul Scott E [email protected] Labour T 020 8405 6758 E [email protected] Waddon

Tony Harris Conservative T 020 8404 3457 E [email protected]

Simon Hoar Conservative T 020 8404 3455 E [email protected]

Clare George-Hilley Conservative T 0208 654 2463 E [email protected]

West Thornton

Humayun Kabir Labour T 020 8665 1586 E [email protected]

Bernadette Khan Labour T 020 8405 6700 E [email protected]

Paul Smith Labour E [email protected]

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More information is available online at www.whorunslondon.org.uk

Operation Black Vote 18 Victoria Park Square London E2 9PB T 020 8983 5430 www.obv.org.uk

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