ISSUE 66 - DECEMBER 2014 /FEBRUARY 2015

Your primary source of community information www..gov.uk

Croydon’s time is now – government designates Croydon a “growth zone” Page 3

Ambition Festival launched by council Page 6

Your services over Christmas Pages 12 to 15 2 yourcroydon December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon

Frozen Highlights Let me start by taking this opportunity to wish everyone in Croydon a happy Christmas and a peaceful new year. Ambitious for culture . . . 5 Now, it is not that often these days that politicians are in The council unveils its plans for a four-day a position to bring any good financial news, but, for once, festival of the arts to be staged I am able to bring a little. next summer. I am genuinely pleased, particularly at this time of year, to confirm that next year’s council tax bills will remain frozen at their current levels. This was one of our key Win West End tickets ...... 9 pledges as a newly elected Labour administration, back in June, and something we have been determined to A pair of tickets is up for grabs for one of the West deliver on. End’s most dynamic musicals. Having said that, I am acutely aware that the council tax bill is still a significant part of the annual family budget, so we are working hard to maximise the value you get Christmas schedules ...... 10 for the money you pay. We are doing this despite central Four pages of vital seasonal information, including government cutting a staggering £90m from Croydon when your bins will be collected, when your local Council’s budget. library is open and when you can park for free. So, how are we achieving better value for money? Well, one example is that more and more council services will be accessible online. But, despite the government The 12 Saves of Christmas . . . . 14 cuts, they will still be available. So, whether it’s renewing a library book, booking your bulky waste collection, Top cost-saving tips to get you and the family choosing a school place or reporting fly-tipping, you through the festive financial minefield. will still get the services – either online or by using your council My Account app. Online contact with the council is a more efficient way Plastic fantastic ...... 16 for us to provide you with the same services, and I Time was when plastic was... well, plastic. Things promise you that every penny saved on admin costs will are a little more complicated these days. Follow our be directly spent on key frontline services such as street guide to learn what can be recycled. cleaning, cracking down on fly-tipping or keeping our local neighbourhoods safe. Finally, I’d like to thank all who have signed up as “street Holding back the champions” to support the council’s renewed commitment to keeping our streets clean and ending the blight of fly-tipping. floods . . . . . 18 We are making real progress, but the task is even greater The council has been busy than we could have imagined. However, prosecutions for working to put measures fly-tipping have increased dramatically and our streets in place that will help are starting to look a little cleaner. reduce the impact if last As I have said, there is a long way to go winter’s severe rainfall is but, with your continued help, we will repeated. get there. Once again – Seasons Greetings. To keep up to date with what’s going on, subscribe to Your Croydon and receive a free weekly email that’s full of news and information about your borough, go to www .croydon .gov .uk/subscribe and visit Councillor Tony Newman /ilovecroydon @yourcroydon Leader of the council www.croydon.gov.uk yourregeneration 3 Croydon’s time is now A successful lobbying of the government has resulted in Croydon being designated a “growth zone” in the chancellor’s Autumn Statement. The council is delighted that the chancellor of the exchequer has given the green light for Croydon to become a “growth zone”, recognising the borough’s importance to London and the south-east. Additionally, the council has thrown its support behind Gatwick’s campaign to expand the airport and build a second runway. In his Autumn Statement, George Osborne announced the government would begin discussions on launching this in Croydon, to ensure that residents benefit from the borough’s growth. The announcement followed a visit to Westminster leader Tony Newman and Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate by a delegation of councillors, MPs, officers and business signed a “memorandum of understanding” to formally representatives in late November to make the case for Croydon’s announce the partnership between the council and airport. being granted a greater say in how the borough is run. It means the two will work together to maximise the The growth zone proposed in the “Our Time Is Now” economic growth and regeneration opportunities that an initiative would see locally generated taxes rapidly bring expanded Gatwick would bring to the region. forward the delivery of a £5.25bn regeneration programme, With Croydon on the brink of Olympic-scale including 23,500 new jobs and 8,000-plus homes in the town transformation, and just 15 minutes away by train, Gatwick centre by 2031. can make a really important contribution to the regeneration Cross-party support was shown for Croydon’s devolution and investment already underway in the borough. case in speeches that recognised how devolved powers could A second runway would bring huge benefits to residents catalyse the transformation of Croydon. and businesses, as well as the wider region, creating To see council leader Councillor Tony Newman’s thousands of new jobs, boosting businesses including Westminster speech, click here. Croydon’s growing tech city, and seeing further investment For more information about the plans visit www . in the transport network. croydonnow .co uk. For more information and to show your support for the At last month’s Develop Croydon Conference, council campaign visit www gatwickobviously. com. Funding will revitalise Thornton Heath Cash injection of £3m set to provide refurbished gateway to district centre. Thornton Heath is to benefit from £3m of investment that providing an improved setting for the recently refurbished will transform what is one of the borough’s major district library, and a new gateway entrance to the station, while centres. linking different spaces and improving junctions. The funding award follows the council’s bid to the GLA’s Prior to receipt of the funds in April, the council will London Enterprise Panel, and will bring about a series of consult with the community and businesses about the major improvements to the area. proposals. In addition to upgrades to public spaces, the cash injection Work is scheduled to be completed by 2017/18. will finance work to building and shop frontages, as well as support for new and existing businesses. Croydon’s Growth Plan, approved by cabinet in September, pledges to revitalise the borough’s district centres, with Thornton Heath a priority area. The proposed project focuses on 1km of Brigstock Road and High Street, stretching from Thornton Heath Library to the Whitehorse Lane roundabout, taking in the railway station and leisure centre.

It aims to create a sense of arrival in Thornton Heath, Left to right: Councillor Toni Letts (cabinet member for economic development), Councillor Alison Butler (cabinet member for homes and regeneration) and Councillor Tony Newman (leader of the council) 4 yourregeneration December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon East Croydon upgrade plans on track More capacity and two new platforms planned for town’s principal railway station. Plans for a major upgrade for have The proposals been welcomed by the council. complement Network Rail has said it will make significant existing plans improvements, with two new platforms and an increase in to improve East passenger capacity proposed. Croydon and the The announcement follows the launch of the Sussex council’s Growth Route Study consultation, covering lines running through Plan, which outlines the borough from London Victoria and London Bridge to how regeneration Brighton via Gatwick Airport. will be delivered for East Croydon, one of the busiest and most congested the borough. sections on the line, is a key focus of the study. As well as an enhanced Proposals include two new platforms at East Croydon, station, they will provide quicker and raising the railway line at Windmill Bridge junction, and more reliable connections to central London and beyond. where trains to London Bridge and Victoria from the The draft Sussex Route Study, open for consultation Brighton mainline currently cross each other on the same until 13 January, can be viewed at www .networkrail . level. co uk/long-term-planning-process/south-east-route-. The study says that within a decade, demand for rail sussex-area-route-study-draft-for-consultation travel into London Bridge is set to grow by more than The final document will be published in the spring and 60%, and looks at ways that bottlenecks in and around the will set out options detailing how Network Rail can capital can be tackled. improve the railway in the next 30 years. Honouring the DV pledge Council launches an anti-domestic violence petition and introduces improved services for victims. An extra £400k, increased staffing levels and a community- support, will move to new premises next year, focusing its focused approach are integral features of plans to crack down work at more local levels. on domestic violence and sexual abuse in the borough. The council aims to work more closely with communities The funding is coming on tap as the council launches a and faith groups to change attitudes and beliefs, and to drive petition requesting the government to create a national home its key message – Croydon says “no” to domestic register of domestic abuse offenders. violence. A total of 100,000 signatures are required for the issue to The council’s plans to tackle domestic violence are outlined be debated in the House of Commons. in a three-year strategy, announced earlier this month. The council feels that a national register of offenders would Its focus will be on working with community groups, help the council and police tackle both the symptoms and businesses, sports organisations, schools and residents, to change causes of domestic violence far more effectively. attitudes toward domestic abuse and tackle its root causes. The new money, over three years, will help tackle the issue, To sign the council’s petition to create a national register of with proposals to appoint five domestic violence advisers to offenders, click here work exclusively in communities. And there are plans to increase operating times beyond core business hours, increasing victims’ opportunities to get support via an online service. New community-based services are already a part of improvements to care provision, with independent domestic violence advisers based at the police custody suite in Windmill Road, , and at Croydon University Hospital – sites chosen as they offer easier access to support at the point of need. A specialist anti-DV youth advocate, based at the town’s Family Justice Centre (FJC), works specifically with young adults. The centrally based FJC, where victims currently receive subscribe to Your Croydon at www .croydon .gov .uk/subscribe yourregeneration 5

Ambitious for Ambition Billed as the new festival on the fringe of London, Ambition promises to make July buzz. The centre of Croydon will burst into life next July as a rooftops or inside old and disused buildings. There will be major new festival, Ambition, takes over the town for four other free-entry shows in open spaces and smaller venues days of music, comedy, theatre, spoken word, dance and throughout the town. art. One early booking for the festival is Brit School The festival, running from 23 to 26 July, is to be largely student and multi-award winning singer/ curated and programmed by a diverse range of promoters songwriter, Natalie Shay (right). and arts groups. Headline acts will be announced in the Natalie was the youth category spring. winner for the Londonwide “Gigs” Already on board to run stages are dub and reggae competitions in 2012 and 2014. innovators Ariwa Sounds, street performance champions She said: “It’s great to be Busk in London, comedy experts Heroes of Fringe, specialist asked to play at Ambition band booking agency GastroPub Live, spoken-word Festival – Croydon has some promoter BoxedIn, and local live music club nights, Stand fantastic venues just crying out and Beats and Eats. for more to be done with them.” Alongside the ticketed parts of the programme, expect More information can be found at intimate performances in unusual locations, including www ambitionfest. com. Shaping our cultural future Complete the council’s survey and help direct the borough’s cultural offering. Recognising that culture is a great driver of investment, job The council is confident that, through an online survey creation, visitor footfall and resident satisfaction, Croydon running until the end of the year, it will learn what people Council is keen to learn people’s feelings on how the borough’s think of the area’s cinemas, theatres, music and dance events, cultural offering should develop. exhibitions, museums, festivals, and anything similar that goes The council is inviting people who live and work in Croydon, to make Croydon a great place to live, work and visit. along with those who visit, to make known their ambitions for The online survey closes on 31 December. Go to all aspects of the borough’s cultural life. www .surveymonkey com/s/ambitiousforculture. 6 yourtravel December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon Croydon schools are travel Stars Awards show that borough pupils are safer on the roads thanks to schools’ initiatives. Helping children travel more safely, and their work in tackling road safety issues, has seen more than a quarter of Croydon’s schools gain official recognition. At a recent central London ceremony, TfL Stars awards (Sustainable Travel, Active, Responsible, Safe) were presented to 42 schools. Singled out for special praise were two Croydon teachers, Pamela Jacques of Atwood Primary School in South Croydon, and Annette Johnson of David Livingstone Academy in Thornton Heath. They received the school travel plan champions special recognition award. Both schools, along with Rockmount Primary in Upper Norwood, were also awarded gold level Stars awards. Two schools from Croydon took silver and the remaining 37 received bronze awards. The number of schools accredited has more than doubled from two years ago when Croydon had 20 schools awarded Stars status. It’s Freedom Pass renewal time With many passes set to expire in the spring, holders are being asked to renew online. Holders of the older person’s Freedom Pass are being urged to travel on local bus services throughout England, at certain to ensure they remember to renew their pass so that they can times, and is Europe’s most comprehensive free travel scheme. continue to enjoy free travel across the capital. Croydon has 43,794 pass holders, and they are being Letters explaining the renewal process are being sent to encouraged to renew online. The process is straightforward, older people in Croydon whose Freedom Pass expires on 31 taking only a few minutes, and helping to reduce costs to the March next year. council, which contributes to funding for the Freedom Pass. In addition to free cross-London travel on public transport, Libraries staff, and advisers with Age UK and Advice the Freedom Pass allows older adults, of national pension age, Services Croydon will support older residents who would like to renew online but do not have access to their own computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. Library computers can be used, but holders should book in advance to be sure of availability. Additionally, the computer terminals in Access Croydon can be used, with no need to book in advance. Anybody unable to renew online can return the form enclosed with their letter by post. Please note, Freedom Passes cannot be renewed at post office branches. Anyone who has not yet received their letter but knows someone who has shouldn’t panic – it’s on its way and will be with you by the end of December. For more information, visit www .freedompass org. subscribe to Your Croydon at www .croydon .gov .uk/subscribe yourregeneration 7 Look west

Major injection of funds sees wide-ranging improvements for people and business in West Croydon. Millions of pounds of investment is of 40 Safer Croydon Radios have Other major projects taking place in benefiting residents and traders as been rolled out to local traders, the area include a new Harris Academy massive transformation – including enabling them to share intelligence on the former Croydon General support for business, job creation and on safety issues, along with 100 Hospital site in London Road, and the the building of new homes – sweeps the ultraviolet counterfeit banknote redevelopment of West Croydon bus West Croydon area. detectors. station. London Road is seeing £2m • The Root & Branch Project has Significant investment from the investment to improve street scenery, brought 120 youngsters aged private sector will see £20m spent on build new shop fronts, and provide new 14 to 16 through a mentoring building 99 new homes at the former signage. programme, culminating in a major Bedford House site, and 37 new Refurbishments are being made at reception at the capital’s City Hall. homes following the redevelopment the West Croydon Interchange to the • More than 60 “community of the adjacent former Half Moon junctions of North End with Station connectors” created through the pub site. Road and Poplar Walk. Community Connectors project, The Interchange building has also And the West Croydon Investment with Croydon being seen as a seen the regeneration of 180,000 sq Programme has seen £1.5m spent on leader in Europe in its approach to ft of office space directly next to West six projects specifically to address key building community links. Croydon station. social and economic issues in the area. These include: See a time-lapse video from West Croydon here • A new enterprise hub, which has supported 58 businesses, created 44 jobs and enabled 41 start-up businesses. • The Entrepreneurs of the Future programme, which has supported nearly 100 young entrepreneurs and led to 14 start-ups or people in employment. • A local employment-creation project that has helped 48 people find employment, with a further 31 job opportunities identified. • A Safer Cleaner project that has provided a dedicated coordinator to work with local traders. A total 8 yourregeneration December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon Ground broken on site Work begins to transform derelict nine-acre town-centre site. Ruskin Square, the area adjoining East Croydon station which has been derelict for more than 40 years, came to life with a ground-breaking ceremony during November. The ceremony marked the start of work on the first phase of residential development of 161 homes. In September, Schroder UK Property Fund and development partner Stanhope, through the Croydon Gateway Limited Partnership, completed an agreement with development company Places for People to deliver and manage the first phase of residential property at Ruskin Square. The building, designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, is in the form of a plinth and 22-storey tower. The building will comprise private sales, shared ownerships and rental units, with penthouses, a roof garden and a private communal open space at ground level. A sales launch of the apartments is planned for early next year. The homes will benefit from a superb location next to East Croydon station, just 13 minutes from London Bridge. Confidence in Croydon’s future is underlined by Stanhope Schroders commitment to start construction of a speculative office development on the site in the second quarter of 2015. Winning the fly-tipping battle The council’s Don’t Mess With Croydon campaign is bearing fruit as fly-tip clearance figures multiply and offenders feel the weight of the law. Fly-tipping is being cleared more quickly, with more than 80% The My Croydon smartphone app of fly-tips removed within the target time of 48 hours. allows people to take a picture of a Latest figures for July to September also reveal the council’s fly-tip, provide a few basic details contractor Veolia has cleared 4,894 fly-tips – an average of such as location, and then send 50 a day – leading to 135 fines being issued and a further 30 to the council so that action investigations under way for environmental offences. can be taken straightaway. The numbers reflect progress being made as part of the An email address flytip@ council’s Don’t Mess With Croydon campaign to crack down croydon gov. uk. is also on fly-tipping and clean up the borough. available for the reporting of More and more residents are also coming forward to get fly-tipping. behind the campaign. The council is able to take Street promotions in various locations across the action only against fly-tipping on borough have seen more than 120 people sign up to become council-owned land. community champions in the past three months, where they You can report fly-tipping by act as ambassadors for the campaign in their area and report downloading the My Croydon app, emailing any fly-tipping incidents to the council. flytip@croydon gov. uk. , or by calling the fly-tip hotline on It has also become much easier to report fly-tipping. 020 8604 7000. subscribe to Your Croydon at www .croydon .gov .uk/subscribe yourcommunity 9 The place for great streatery food A new food hub has opened and is giving budding street-food traders the chance to make their dreams a reality. Anybody walking along Croydon’s historic Surrey Street to help promote the area as a destination for lovers of quality Market cannot fail to notice that an innovative business has street food. started trading in a formerly vacant shop unit. The aim is to create at least 12 new jobs, from supporting Budding street-food traders have been given the chance to these enterprises. make their dreams a reality at the new Surrey StrEatery. Visit http://surreystreatery.wordpress.com for more With funding from the Mayor of London’s Regeneration information. Fund and Croydon Council, the buzzing, lively project is an exciting addition to the market scene. Running until March, Surrey StrEatery is open throughout the day serving breakfast and lunch, while the evening will feature cookery demonstrations, pop-up restaurants and community events. In the demonstration kitchen, chefs and local food sellers will cook dishes using ingredients sourced, where possible, from the market outside its front doors. The regeneration fund has given traders grants of up to £3,000 toward their costs, and for running a demo area for teaching, cooking demonstrations and workshops. They will also be given six months’ support to help them build their businesses. Training and mentoring is also included, as well as the offer of a professional marketing campaign

Win tickets to see The Scottsboro Boys Following its sell-out, award-winning run at the Young Vic, The Scottsboro Boys is now taking the West End by storm with a season at the Garrick Theatre, in Charing Cross Road. The critics are unanimous; The Scottsboro Boys is the West End musical to see this season. From the creators of Cabaret and Chicago, this “radical musical” (The Guardian) brings to life the extraordinary true story of nine teenagers, subjects of a groundbreaking legal case in America’s south. Terms and conditions: Tickets valid for Monday to Winner of the Critics’ Circle Best Musical Award 2013 Thursday performances from 5 to 29 January, subject to and nominated for six Olivier Awards, including Best New availability. Exclusions apply and the editor’s decision is Musical, The Scottsboro Boys features “electrifying” (The final. There is no cash alternative to the prizes, which are Guardian) choreography and direction by five-time Tony non-refundable, non-transferable, and not for resale. Award-winner Susan Stroman (The Producers). Email your answer, along with name, postal and Learn more at www.scottsboromusicallondon.com email addresses, and daytime telephone number, to Your Croydon is offering a pair of tickets to see this all- yourcroydon@croydon gov. uk. to arrive not later singing, all-dancing production. To win, tell us who wrote than Monday, 29 December, 2014. The winner will be the the music and lyrics for The Scottsboro Boys. sender of the first correct answer selected at random. 10 yourchristmasschedules December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon Bin collection timetable Refuse and recycling collection date changes Over the Christmas holiday period, the council’s refuse and With no collections on Thursday 25 December, Friday 26 recycling services will be operating on a slightly revised collection December and Thursday 1 January, there are some changes to schedule. the days when you need to put out your bins and boxes. The table below shows the days on which your collection will Calendars will be distributed with further details of the date occur during the week beginning Monday 22 December. changes and which box needs to be put out for collection. Normal collection date Revised collection date Monday 22 December No change Tuesday 23 December No change Wednesday 24 December No change Thursday 25 December Saturday 27 December Friday 26 December Sunday 28 December Monday 29 December No change Tuesday 30 December No change Wednesday 31 January No change Thursday 1 January Friday 2 January Friday 2 January Saturday 3 January

To report missed collections, or to order any extra recycling boxes you may need over the festive period, log on to MyAccount at www croydon. gov. uk/account. or call 020 8726 6200.

Missed collections can be reported via your MyAccount at www croydon. gov. uk/account. or call 020 8726 6200.

Croydon libraries Croydon Council call centre Monday 22 December Usual hours Monday 22 December Open as normal Tuesday 23 December Usual hours Tuesday 23 December Open as normal Wednesday 24 December Where open, close at 1pm Wednesday 24 December Open as normal Thursday 25 December Closed Thursday 25 December Closed Friday 26 December Closed Friday 26 December Closed Saturday 27 December Closed Monday 29 December Open as normal Monday 29 December Usual hours Tuesday 30 December Open as normal Tuesday 30 December Usual hours Wednesday 31 December Open as normal Wednesday 31 December Where open, close at 4pm Thursday 1 January Closed Thursday 1 January Closed Friday 2 January Closed Friday 2 January Check local times Croydon leisure centres For full details, go to www .croydonlibraries .com Monday 22 December Open as normal Tuesday 23 December Open as normal Access Croydon, Wednesday 24 December Closed Monday 22 December Open as normal Thursday 25 December Closed Tuesday 23 December Open as normal Friday 26 December Closed Wednesday 24 December Open as normal Saturday 27 December Open as normal Thursday 25 December Closed Sunday 28 December Open as normal Friday 26 December Closed Monday 29 December Check local times Monday 29 December Open as normal Tuesday 30 December Check local times Tuesday 30 December Open as normal Wednesday 31 December Check local times Wednesday 31 December Open as normal Thursday 1 January Closed Thursday 1 January Closed Friday 2 January Open as normal Friday 2 January Closed For leisure centres’ details, go to www .croydon .gov .uk/leisure/sports/spsc subscribe to Your Croydon at www .croydon .gov .uk/subscribe yourchristmasschedules 11

Real Christmas tree? Be sure to recycle Whether opting for artificial or real, give consideration to what will happen to your Christmas tree after the holiday. Natural or artificial? That’s the question that faces many year in London alone – and fewer than households at this time of year. 10% of those being recycled – it is We’re talking about Christmas trees, of course, and the important that we remember the decision as to which path to take when it comes to your recycling option. purchase can be influenced by many factors. If you opt for a real Christmas Be it a Norwegian spruce or an artificial model complete tree this year, do not forget to take with built-in tinsel, baubles and fairy lights, a Christmas tree is it to one of the council’s designated a must for many, come the festive season. recycling collection points between Buy a UK-grown real tree with roots, and, come the time to Friday 2 and Saturday 10 January. take down the decorations, you can plant it in your garden or At other times, Christmas trees keep it in a pot for next year. can be taken to any of the council’s For some, though, artificial trees are the only option as they reuse and recycling centres – but can be used many, many times, and, with care, will last forever. please remember to remove all tinsel and With almost one million Christmas trees thrown away each decorations before taking it to be recycled.

Christmas tree collection points Shirley Monks Orchard green Ashburton Ashburton Park, access from Tenterden Road Shirley Shirley Park RA, Green Court Gardens green Coulsdon Lion Green Road car park Sainsbury’s, Whitehorse Lane Coulsdon East Grange Park, Canon’s Hill Upper Norwood Secret Garden, Westow Street Fairfield Oaks Road/Coombe Road car park Waddon Wyevale Garden Centre, Waddon Way Heathfield Addington Park car park, Gravel Hill Waddon Factory Lane reuse and recycling centre, Factory Lane Kenley Kenley Residents’ Association, Oaks Road green Waddon Morrisons car park, New Addington Central Parade car park New Addington Fisher’s Farm reuse and recycling centre, Christmas tree collections North Downs Road There will be only two collections from the listed points – on Sunday 4 and Sunday 11 January – so please do not leave Norbury Granville Gardens car park Christmas trees at the collection points after Saturday 10 Purley Upper Woodcote Village RA, Woodcote Village green January. Purley Purley Oaks reuse and recycling centre, Brighton Road Trees needing to be disposed of after this date can be Sanderstead Occasionally Yours, Limpsfield Road taken to one of the borough’s three reuse and recycling Selsdon Selsdon Recreation Ground, access from Woodlands Gardens centres . Putting the spark back into electricals It may seem a WEEE thing to consider but recycling electrical goods is a big deal. It will come as no surprise inside, which can be used to bulbs in these new banks. recycling centres. that the Christmas period make new products. Larger electrical equipment Please note that these is the peak time for the Another reason not to – such as televisions, fridges centres will be closed on purchase of electrical goods. send old electricals to landfill, and freezers – must be taken Christmas Day, Boxing Day Be it battery-driven is that they can contaminate to your local reuse and and New Year’s Day. toys for tots, mp3 players, soil and water – making hairdriers, toasters, or the recycling doubly important. WEEE recycling banks must-have tablet computers, Mindful of these facts, and Ashburton car park, Pagehurst Road, CR0 6NR more will be sold at this time to make it easier for you to of year than any other. recycle such appliances, the Central Parade, New Addington CR9 1HS Any appliance that has council is providing recycling Co-op, Limpsfield Road, Sanderstead CR2 9DQ a plug or uses a battery is banks, in time for Christmas, at Forestdale car park, Selsdon Park Road, CR0 9AS classed as a WEEE (Waste nine neighbourhood recycling Kenley station, Kenley Lane, CR8 5DF Electrical and Electronic centres (see adjacent box). Lion Green Road car park, Coulsdon CR5 2NL Equipment) product and can As well as small electrical be recycled. goods, you will be able to Lloyd Park Recreation Ground, Coombe Road CR0 5RB Many electrical items have recycle domestic batteries Tesco car park, Brighton Road, Purley CR8 2HA valuable plastics and metals and energy-efficient light Waitrose car park, Limpsfield Road, Sanderstead CR2 9LE 12 yourchristmasschedules December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon Ready for the winter The council’s gritting teams are tooled up and ready to go if this winter sees a return of the Arctic conditions of recent years. The workers tasked with keeping Croydon moving during the winter weather are gearing up for their busiest period. One of their principal weapons is salt, and Croydon’s roadside bins are a key element when the borough is hit by heavy winter snowfall. Across the borough, there are almost 600 roadside bins, containing more than 145 tonnes of salt, located near particularly hilly roads or junctions. A contract for delivery of more salt is in place with a guarantee from the supplier that 10,000 tonnes will be kept in reserve for the exclusive use of Croydon and two neighbouring boroughs. Croydon has a sophisticated system for planning and monitoring gritting routes to ensure as many people as possible are able to safely use their cars and that buses can continue to run throughout periods of snow or ice. Despite topping up all of the bins every autumn, snowfall leads to an increase in complaints to the council that the bins are all-too-quickly emptied. This is often with no evidence that the salt has been used on nearby roads or footpaths. Theft is a growing problem, and the council is aware that some people help themselves to keep their own drives and private paths clear. Steve Iles, the council’s head of highways, said: “The salt bins are provided in order that drivers and local residents can help to kept as free as possible, continues to provide services to the most clear roads and footpaths in the vicinity of the bin. vulnerable, and carries on gritting roads and, where necessary, “What many people don’t fully appreciate is that, by taking the footpaths. salt for use on their own land, they’re potentially contributing to But the council cannot do everything. road accidents and pedestrian injuries. It needs the support of residents and businesses to keep the “I’d ask that the salt is not removed from bins except to be borough moving by promoting community resilience. used to aid motorists and pedestrians.” Whether it is looking out for elderly and vulnerable neighbours In preparation for possible Arctic-like conditions this winter, or helping in other ways, if people get involved, this winter will be the council has made robust plans to ensure the road network is easier for everyone. The same is true when it comes to water leaks. The two water companies serving Croydon ask that anybody who sees a leak as they go about their daily business, report it as the earliest opportunity. A leak is more easily fixed before a freeze sets in. To report a leak, visit • Thames Water • Sutton and East Surrey Water For further information and advice, visit www croydon. gov. uk. During an emergency, the latest information will be broadcast on local radio and TV.

Useful links • Information about council winter services – www .croydon .gov .uk/subscribe • Follow us on Twitter – @yourcroydon – and keep an eye on the council website for regular updates – www .croydon .gov .uk • “About your area” provides information on gritting routes across the borough – www .croydon .gov .uk/aya subscribe to Your Croydon at www .croydon .gov .uk/subscribe yourchristmasschedules 13

Would you like a little salt with that? The council, at present, has a stock of 3,036 tonnes of road salt, with a further 1,000 being delivered in the lead-up to Christmas . A fleet of 12 winter-service lorries and their crews will be on 24-hour call, ready to get out and keep 150 miles of the borough’s main roads clear and the traffic moving . Maps showing each ward’s treated roads can be found on the council’s website . Christmas parking in Croydon Relaxation of rules spreads a little festive cheer for motorists. The now almost traditional practice of enforcement of the usual parking And until 1 January at: the relaxation of regulations in council regulations in pay-and-display bays • 3pm onward car parks, and in the borough’s on-street within the central zone. • surface car park bays, on specific days over the Christmas The regulations will be relaxed in all 3-7pm and New Year period, is going ahead other zones after 5pm. For further information visit www . again this year. Yellow-line restrictions, however, croydonbid .com/news/park And, helping to spread the festive will remain in place on these two cheer even further, shoppers in the town days, and motorists are advised to centre are being offered super cut-price park in a reasonable manner, showing parking on Thursdays over the Christmas consideration for other road users and period. pedestrians. The easing of parking regulations will Normal parking enforcement will help people visiting shops, enjoying the resume on Friday 2 January. displays of festive illuminations or simply Those looking to take advantage of dropping in on relatives to share the the town centre’s variety of shopping seasonal cheer. opportunities will be pleased to learn The whole borough will be free of they can park for only £1 every Thursday parking enforcement on Christmas Day, until 31 December, at the indicated Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. times, in the following council car parks: And parking in council-run car parks • Wandle Road 4-7pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve • West Croydon 3-7pm will be free. • Jubilee Bridge 3-7pm Those two days will also see no • Spices Yard 3-7pm 14 yourvalueformoney December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon The 12 saves The Christmas period can be a difficult time and may be something that people end up paying for well into the new year.

The desire to meet family expectations over in financial difficulty as a result of the Christmas and the New Year can prove seasonal spending and high fuel bills, irresistible. Croydon Council offers some handy cost- Aware that many could find themselves saving tips.

1 Review and set your budget – and keep to it 4 Best-value gifts • What is Christmas really going to cost you? Think about: What can you really afford? • reconditioned electrical items and accessories, including • Don’t forget the everyday bills. Remember that your rent, DVDs and computer games and consoles; mortgage, utility bills, food and other existing debts need to • hand-making personalised Christmas gifts; be paid – and the consequences can be severe if they’re not. • an offer to cook dinner, look after the kids, or help elderly Even though it’s Christmas, get your priorities right. relatives or friends with shopping or household chores in the • Check the Money Advice Service website coming weeks or months; (www moneyadviceservice. org. uk). for help with • new or nearly new items from charity shops; making a budget. • bargains from the internet – but beware of scams • Remember that overspending can make for an anxious • free stuff on uk .freecycle org. Christmas and an unhappy new year. • A budget is something that most people would benefit from, and many never get round to doing. It will provide benefits 5 Budget-conscious Christmas food throughout 2015, and beyond. If you would like help and advice with your budget contact the Welfare Team on • Christmas is about friends and family, and a lot of the money 0208 667 8250 spent on food could often have been spent more wisely. • Have a look at recipes and make some things with friends or family, rather than buy expensive, commercially produced 2 Sharing the load alternatives. • Transform leftover turkey, ham and anything else still • Go shopping with a friend to take advantage of buy-one/ sitting in the fridge after the Christmas rush, into a range of get-one-free deals or, perhaps, to save by buying in bulk. delicious dishes; for ideas, visit www .lovefoodhatewaste . • Remember, lots of trips to a small local shop may be more com expensive than one bigger shop. • As with everything else at Christmas, produce a budget and stick to what you can afford. Think twice before borrowing money • For bargain opportunities, find out if your local supermarket 3 to pay for Christmas has a particular discount time.

Consider the following: 6 Little and often • Never borrow from an unlicensed money lender. If approached by a loan shark, don’t take a loan, but call the • Rather than doing all your gift shopping in one go, start a Illegal Money Lending Team on 0300 555 2222. Christmas cupboard and put things in it week by week. • Payday and doorstep loans have a very high rate of interest, • This will give you the chance to take advantage of bargains as often leaving lenders repaying for a long time. you see them. • Store cards generally charge a much higher interest rate than • Along with your Christmas list, it will make you think about credit cards. what you actually need, rather than buying what you think • If borrowing gets out of control, it could affect your relationship, you want (but don’t actually need) in one big, expensive health and job, and your ability to keep your home. splurge. • Instead of getting less and paying more, consider saving for Christmas in the future, meaning you pay less and get more. Visit the Croydon credit union site at www .croydonsavers .co uk. • Email the debt clinic at dept@swllc org. subscribe to Your Croydon at www .croydon .gov .uk/subscribe yourvalueformoney 15 of Christmas

7 Support to find work 11 Check your energy bills – gas and electricity prices often go up before Christmas • More jobs often become available before Christmas, don’t wait for the new year. Look online and in local newspapers • Check that you are on the best energy tariff and consider for upcoming vacancies. switching supplier. Information on switching can be found at • The council and Jobcentre Plus can offer help in finding work. the Money Advice Service site via www croydon. gov. uk. (www gov. uk/contact-jobcentre-. http://tinyurl com/pvz9nga. plus). • Check that your bill is showing actual use and not an estimate. Provide your energy supplier with regular meter 8 Improve your skills readings. • Check that you are using energy efficiently; get tips at www . • Change your life in 2015 – think about getting a new job; now energysavingtrust org. uk. or call 0300 123 1234 . is the perfect time to sign up for training. See what’s on offer • If you have energy bill arrears, get help from the Debt Clinic at www calat. ac. uk. at SWLLC on 020 8767 2777, or by emailing • Some training is free if you are on benefits, and help is dept@swllc org. available with childcare and transport in many cases. • Ask Croydon CAB about Energy Best Extra for further • If you are looking for career-specific training, it may be information and help. worth contacting the Skills and Development Agency on 020 • Be part of a collective energy switch auction and save 8603 7221 or checking online at http://s-da co. uk/sda/. for money. Visit www croydon. gov. uk/energyswitch. or phone further details. 0800 048 8112. • Ask your energy supplier about insulation opportunities. Are your housing costs affordable • Information on reducing costs can be found at www . 9 moneyadviceservice org. uk/en/articles/save-energy-. • Many people think about making big changes in the new year, save-money but a good decision prior to Christmas could leave you with • Visit www gov. uk/energy-grants-calculator. to see if you more money over the holiday period. are entitled to any energy grants or additional help with your • For those struggling to meet high rent and council tax costs, a heating costs. move to a more affordable property could be a very sensible choice. 12 Homelessness does not stop at Christmas • Help is available with finding a new home, including, in certain circumstances, financial support with moving and setting up If you, or someone you know, is going to be homeless at this home. time, contact: • Council or housing association tenants can sign up to • Croydon Reach: 0870 383 3333 HomeSwapper at www .homeswapper co. uk. to view their • London Street Rescue: www streetlink. org. uk. options. • Homeless link: www .homeless org. uk. • Shelter: 0808 800 4444 10 Get help if your relationship is in trouble • Crisis at Christmas: www crisis. .org .uk • www .missingpeople org. uk. Call 116 000 or Text 116 000 • The strain of having to “have a great time” and “spend lots (You can text us even if you have no credit left on your mobile of money” can make Christmas a difficult time for couples. If phone.) your relationship is in trouble, get help from Relate, on 0300 003 3225, or another trusted source. • Remember, family breakdown is a major cause of stress and money problems.

Working in partnership with “ I want to be a picnic bench when I’m recycled ”

Pledge to recycle your plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays and give them the chance to be reborn Make your pledge using

or by visiting

plastic bottles plastic pots plastic tubs plastic trays 140807 subscribe to Your Croydon at www .croydon .gov .uk/subscribe yourenvironment 17 Now is the time to make your

The need to recycle remains a priority for the residents of Croydon but the plethora of plastics can be confusing. Let us help... What is Pledge 4 Plastics? • cutting landfill costs and saving the council money, which helps to avoid future increases in council tax; Pledge 4 Plastics is a nationwide initiative, supported by • decreasing the need for raw materials and saving energy; Croydon Council, to encourage every UK household to recycle • leading to job creation; and more plastic. • recycling one tonne of plastic bottles saves one tonne of Recycling plastic saves valuable resources from heading to carbon. landfill. In Croydon we are lucky enough to be able to recycle a A plastic bottle could be reborn as a football shirt, garden huge range of plastic packaging, including bottles, pots, tubs furniture, kids’ toys, kitchen utensils, pens and even into and trays. building products such as fencing and pipes. So the council is calling on residents to make the pledge and Plastic bottles from every room in the house can be recycle as much plastic as possible. collected for recycling, regardless of colour, shape or size. Plastic packaging makes up 11% of household waste and 40% of that is plastic bottles. What can you do? The five billion plastic bottles thrown away in 2012 were The council is asking residents to recycle as much of their worth around £25m to the recycling industry, and it cost £19m plastics as they can. to dispose of them in landfill. • Make your pledge at www .pledge4plastics com. Overall, the average UK household uses more than 440 • Take a look at the graphic below for the full range of plastic bottles per year, but recycles only just over 250 of plastics which can be recycled in the domestic green box them – and that’s a number that really should be improved. or communal recycling bin – are there any items which you’re not currently recycling which you could? Why should you support Pledge 4 Plastics? • Let the council know if you need any additional green recycling boxes. They can be delivered free of charge, Recycling more plastic has lots of advantages, such as: and putting more plastics in your box means more space • freeing up space in your landfill bin, and fewer in your landfill bin. The boxes can be ordered via the My overflowing landfill bins mean cleaner streets; Account facility at www .croydon gov. uk. or by calling 020 8726 6200.

Plastic bottles Plastic pots Plastic tubs Plastic trays

Fizzy drink, squash and Yoghurt, jelly and Cream, custard and Plastic meat and water bottles porridge pots sauce tubs poultry trays Sauces, cooking oil and Pre-prepared fruit pots Margerine and spread tubs Plastic containers for other plastic bottles Cosmetic product pots Baby and toddler meal tubs baked and other foods Shampoo and Pot noodle and ready- Plastic ready-meal trays conditioner bottles meal pots Fruit and vegetable trays Washing-up liquid, Gravy and stockpots and punnets bleach, conditioner and detergent bottles Green recycling box or your communal recycling bin 18 yourenvironment December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon Flood defences ramped up Council and contractors working to avoid repeat of last winter’s flooding chaos. A reservoir offering residents improved protection from future flooding is now as big as three Olympic swimming pools thanks to an £850,000 council emergency fund. As part of the investment, Croydon Council has completed the £250,000 deepening of the Purley Oaks depot reservoir, increasing its capacity to 8,250 cubic metres of water. Other progress since approval of the emergency fund includes: • appointing contractors to map future Caterham Bourne flooding hotspots; • starting a £45,000 project to improve drainage in Kenley; and • planning new backup floodwater storage areas off the A22 Godstone Road and the A235 Brighton Road. The job of mapping flooding hotspots from the Caterham Bourne has gone to specialist contractor Atkins, and is funded by Croydon and Surrey councils and the Environment Agency. The large-bore hoses and pipes needed to carry the The Kenley project includes looking at adding more pumped water away meant Godstone Road could not be drains, clearing ditches in residential areas and designing a fully reopened for many days. permanent flood storage area in the Welcomes Road/Kenley Through it all, council officers and staff of partner station area. agencies and contractors worked tirelessly to protect the The backup A235 floodwater storage area will be installed area’s homes and businesses. between the town centre and Purley Cross, with the exact Thousands of leaflets offering advice and information location and size to be decided in the coming weeks. were delivered to homes in the area; officers visited For more information, residents of properties near a households to reassure residents; the council’s website was watercourse should visit the council website’s flooding regularly updated with the current situation; daily meetings pages. were conducted pooling information gathered by the Last winter, hundreds of households in the Purley and council, fire brigade, police, water companies, contractors Kenley areas were affected after the Caterham Bourne and engineers; and the weather and water conditions were overflowed, flooding homes and closing Godstone Road. constantly monitored. The council put in emergency measures to limit the The situation was made worse by the fact that freak flooding impact, including preventing the closure of Kenley weather in January had left the ground saturated and water treatment works, serving 46,000 local properties. unable to deal with what, at times, seemed to be non-stop Unlike other flooded areas, that saw rivers rising and falling rainfall. in fairly quick succession, the Bourne presented an ongoing The area’s water table, usually sitting some 25 metres situation that required round-the-clock pumping even after below ground level, rose to within one metre, effectively the worst of the rainfall had stopped. disabling the land’s ability to soak up any more. subscribe to Your Croydon at www .croydon .gov .uk/subscribe yourhealth 19 Keep warm, keep well this winter Looking after your own health is important but it’s just as important for us all to get involved in improving the health and well-being of all Croydon people. Croydon’s public health team is encouraging everybody • Try new activities for the whole family – regular in the borough to keep warm during the winter months to exercise helps control weight and boosts the immune help prevent colds, flu or more serious health conditions system. such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression. • Have a hearty breakfast – winter is the perfect season The chances of these problems are higher among those for porridge. It’s a delicious way to start your day and vulnerable to cold-related illnesses if they: it helps boost intake of starchy foods and fibre. • are over 65; People aged 40 to 74 might be eligible for a free NHS • are on a low income and unable to afford heating; health check. • have a long-term health condition, such as heart, The check is an opportunity to have a free MoT check lung or kidney disease; or to make sure everything’s running properly. • are disabled. The health check usually takes 30 to 45 minutes and The NHS choices website offers simple advice to keep involves a few simple questions about lifestyle and medical everybody feeling at their best. history. Height, weight and blood pressure are measured • Eliminate sleep debt – get a good night’s sleep. and a finger-prick blood test measures cholesterol. • Drink more milk – this can reduce the likelihood of Find out your eligibility for a health check at getting a cold in winter by 80%, so making sure the www croydon. gov. uk/nhshealthchecks. or email immune system is in tip-top condition is important. CROCCG .healthchecks@nhs .net • Eat more fruit and veg – eat a healthy diet and For a full list of GP surgeries and pharmacies offering include five portions of fruit and veg each day. the checks in Croydon, visit www croydon. gov. uk/healthchecklist.

Sign up to the Dry January challenge Can you stay off alcohol for 31 days? adults by rolling out a training programme to help more services help more people to make changes to their That’s the Dry January challenge and it’s your chance to lose drinking behaviour. weight, feel better, save money and make a difference. • Partnership and communication: to develop a The council’s public health team is supporting the month campaign, in partnership with all agencies, to raise to get people thinking about their health after the excesses of awareness of the harm caused by heavy drinking and to the festive season. promote sensible drinking The move is part of ongoing work with borough colleagues and the support that is from licensing, schools, the police, alcohol support and available for people to cut treatment teams – and those representing pubs and down their alcohol intake. breweries – to help tackle alcohol-related problems and to • Data sharing: to reduce promote sensible drinking. alcohol-related violent Croydon is one of 20 areas in the UK selected by the Home crime by more effective Office to be a designated local alcohol action area (LAAA). data-sharing across During the coming months, there will be a coordinated health, enforcement and approach to deal with the harm caused by those drinking too licensing initiatives. much. For more information The priorities of the LAAA programme for Croydon are: about Dry January visit www . • Prevention: to encourage sensible drinking habits for dryjanuary org. uk. 20 yoursafety December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon

The year of safer Croydon

Good news – crime is had 315 fewer victims streets and on your estates more, and I need your help. significantly down in Croydon than last year. to deal with your local Please contact us if you see and we have more police I also know how much concerns and local problems. anything suspicious and officers in the borough than nuisance and disorder in Neighbourhood policing support us in our seasonal ever before. your local areas impacts is the cornerstone of policing campaign. If you are going Croydon is getting safer. upon your quality of life, in Croydon and I am keen out, please leave a light and In the past 12 months, there and calls about antisocial to increase the numbers your radio on. This simple have been 2,030 fewer behaviour are down by of officers working in act does deter burglars from victims of the seven most more than 4,000 this year. communities. I am acutely breaking into your home serious offences that most This is outstanding success aware that improving the because they think you are in! matter to you; including and has been achieved, not police presence reduces the Please also secure your mugging, house breaking and just by Croydon police, but fear of crime and ultimately car, moped or van; the best theft of/from vehicles. by all partners in the Safer builds confidence in Croydon way is by a “crook look” or • Mugging has seen 926 Croydon Partnership working police. similar; the thicker the chain fewer victims when successfully together. Domestic violence or lock the better! compared with last year. In addition to there continues to be a challenge, I would like to wish you • House breaking, the being more police officers in but the outstanding success a merry Christmas and a offence that I think Croydon than before – an that we have achieved in happy new year, and I look causes most harm extra 117 since 2011 – we reducing crime has allowed forward to reducing crime to victims because it have increased the number me to increase the size of the yet further in 2015. involves a person’s of officers policing your local specialist unit that deals with home being invaded, neighbourhoods. In 2011, we such crimes. This means that had 649 fewer victims had only 73 officers working I can offer a better service Andy Tarrant when compared to 12 in neighbourhoods, and to victims and arrest more Chief Supt Andy Tarrant months ago. now we have 175; an extra offenders. Croydon borough commander • Theft from a person 100 officers working in your However, we could do Give a gift to a child in care Appeal launched by Croydon police to give children in care a gift for Christmas. Two special Christmas trees will be standing in central Croydon this year – trees that will help make this festive season memorable for 300 children. As part of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Give A Gift Christmas Tree Appeal, local officers have arranged the setting up of the two trees and hope residents and businesses will support the campaign. Officers have teamed up with Croydon Council, Centrale shopping centre and Croydon Business Improvement District to promote the scheme in the borough and see gifts collected for children in care. The council and Croydon Bid each donated £500, and local shops, including the Early Learning Centre and Toy Barnhaus, offered gifts and discounts. Anybody wishing to give a gift – with a suggested spend of up to £20 – was asked to collect a tag ribbon from either of the trees, situated outside Croydon police station and in Centrale shopping centre (near the grotto outside the House of Fraser store). Staff of Croydon Council’s children’s services delivered gifts to those children who were unable to attend two special presentations at Santa’s Grotto in Centrale. Details of the London-wide appeal can be found at www .met .police .uk/christmas-tree-appeal/ subscribe to Your Croydon at www .croydon .gov .uk/subscribe yoursafety 21

Enjoy the magic of Christmas – but beware seasonal scams Christmas is a magical time of the year, but don’t let unscrupulous traders take advantage of your seasonal good will. Conmen, rogue traders, cold callers – they are unwelcome at any time of year, and their attention is even less warmly received over the festive period. To help you stay safe this Christmas, the following tips from Croydon’s trading standards team could help you avoid these festive scams.

Give cold callers the cold shoulder Hang up on callers offering • Avoid doing business with people who turn up, “incredible deals” unannounced, on the doorstep. • Telephone cold callers target large numbers of people • If household repairs are needed, visit www.trustmark. across the UK, offering everything from plots of land to org.uk or get recommendations from family or friends. wine investments. By the time the fraud comes to light, • Bargain prices offered by traders can spiral upward. the company has vanished. Work is often unnecessary or shoddy, and sometimes • Avoid entering discussions with cold callers trying to sell you doesn’t get done investments. It’s easiest and simplest to hang up the phone. at all. • Potential investors • Victims of this should obtain type of fraud often independent find themselves financial advice repeatedly from a trusted targeted by source. conmen.

Watch out for loan scams Be wary of letters about lottery and • Christmas can put a strain on any budget, and other prize wins unscrupulous credit businesses will try to cash in. • Won a foreign lottery or about to have millions paid into • Advice on debt problems can be obtained from a number your bank account in return for a small administration of organisations, including: Croydon Council’s debt fee? Forget it! It’s a scam. advice service on 020 8726 6000 ext 63696, and South • Always remember – if it sounds too good to be true, the West London Law Centre on 020 8767 2777. chances are that it probably is.

If you, or somebody you know, has fallen victim to any of these sorts of scam, report the matter to Croydon’s trading standards department via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506. 22 yourdiary December 2014/February 2015 | Your Croydon

Council meeting dates Useful contacts Deadlines for public questions for the forthcoming full council For police, fire brigade, ambulance, meetings (starting at 6.30pm) – noon on the relevant deadline date. call: 999 or 112, Text phone 1800

Meeting: Monday, 26 Jan Deadline: Monday, 12 Jan Croydon Council general enquiries Monday, 23 Feb No public questions 020 8726 6000

To submit a question (maximum number of words: 50) for Croydon NHS Walk-in Centre consideration at a full council meeting, email it to council . 020 3040 0800 questions@croydon gov. uk. ; or print and complete the form at www croydon. gov. uk/councilquestion. and post it to Non-emergency urgent care - 111 Questions for the council, Democratic and legal services, 4th Croydon University Hospital floor, Zone G, Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon 020 8401 3000 CR0 1EA; or call 020 8726 6000 extn 63876.

Unless otherwise stated, scrutiny meetings start at 6.30pm, in Get in touch the Council Chamber of the Town Hall. To get in touch with the Your Croydon editorial Meeting: 20 Jan Streets and environment scrutiny team, email: yourcroydon@croydon .gov .uk sub-committee or call 020 8760 5644 27 Jan Health, social care and housing If anybody you know isn't receiving the online scrutiny sub-committee version of Your Croydon, tell them that they can Venue: Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Shirley ensure delivery by subscribing at www .croydon . gov .uk/subscribe 3 Feb Children and young people scrutiny sub-committee 10 Feb Scrutiny and strategic overview Central Library and committee Katharine Street, Croydon CR9 1ET For information on scrutiny, visit www croydon. gov. uk/. Open: Monday to Saturday (see website for daily hours) scrutiny or email scrutiny@croydon gov. uk. . Library – www.croydon.gov.uk/central-library Meetings of the Safer Neighbourhood Board are held in Telephone: 020 8726 6900 the venues indicated. For further information, go to Email: [email protected] www croydononline. org/safer-neighbourhood-board. Museum – www.museumofcroydon.com Forthcoming public meeting dates are: Telephone: 020 8253 1022 Email: [email protected] Wednesday 14 Jan at 6.30pm – Venue to be confirmed Wednesday 13 Mar at 6.30pm – Venue to be confirmed Fairfield Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG

Details of all Croydon Council meetings can be found on the Details: www.fairfield.co.uk Telephone: 020 8688 9291 council website at www croydon. gov. uk/democracy/. Email: [email protected] dande/minutes

Sunday 25 January hotel to help keep our critters comfy Get involved in Whyteleafe and warm. All equipment and tools Guided Walks Recreation Ground provided. Charge of £2 per home. For Join us from 10am to give nature a more information, call the Sanderstead- For full details, visit: www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/ helping hand at Whyteleafe Recreation to-Whyteleafe area warden on 07771 Ground, clearing scrub and ash to 715812. parksandopenspaces/walks encourage the return of important chalk Sunday 15 February flora. Come for an hour or stay all day. Train: Coulsdon South, walk one mile Come coppicing in Happy Valley December Tools, equipment and refreshments along Downs Road and Ditches Lane Another chance to try your hand at provided. For more information call Sunday 21 December coppicing. Learn about this ancient 07771 715812. Happy Valley winter solstice walk January form of woodland management, Forget Christmas shopping for a while. Saturday 10 January now used to provide a habitat for Wrap up warm to discover the myths February Winter trees in Selsdon Wood woodland butterflies, birds and the and folklore behind our native trees and Meet the Friends at 1pm by the bear in Sunday 15 February rare dormouse. Phone the countryside learn how to name them when they are the Selsdon Wood car park for a stroll Build mini-beast hotels or beetle warden on 07966 113413 for details, as without their leaves. Meet at Farthing through the woods and learn how to bungalows numbers are limited. All tools and drinks Downs car park at 2pm. identify trees without their leaves. Get creative and try your hand at will be provided, but it is recommended Bus: 60, 404 Bus: T33 building a beetle bungalow or an insect to bring lunch if staying all day. subscribe to Your Croydon at www .croydon .gov .uk/subscribe yourservices 23 Your A to Z of council services The council provides a comprehensive range of services designed to offer help and advice to residents. Below is only a small selection of those services – for the full list, visit www .croydon .gov .uk and follow the “A-Z” link at the top of the home page.

Adult education Extended schools Leisure centres Information on the courses available Providing a range of services and Links and information on all the to older students. activities to help meet the needs of borough’s leisure centres. pupils, their families and the wider Blocked drains community. Lottery registration Information on how to deal with Running a lottery to raise funds for Recycling drain problems. Fly-tipping a charity or an organisation such How to report it, your as a sports club, church or school, Bulky waste collection responsibilities as a landowner, requires registration. Road gritting What it is, how to book it and how and how the council prosecutes Details on which roads, and why, much it will cost. fly-tippers. Mice and rats will be gritted if there is a repeat Information on the telltale signs and of last year’s Arctic weather CCTV how to get help eradicating them. conditions. Helping to ensure the safety of people in Croydon. Neighbourhood wardens Safer Croydon Partnership Fly-tipping Offering help and support to local Working to make the borough safer Croydon Careline communities. for all who live, work and visit here. Providing a home safety and personal security system, helping Out-of-school activities Trading standards people to live independently within Gambling After-school clubs, breakfast clubs, Dealing with doorstep crime and their own homes. The different types of licences – and holiday play schemes – they’re all rogue traders, and offering advice how to apply for them. here. to residents and businesses. Direct payments Giving a person the choice to buy Home safety advice Planning applications Voluntary organisations and arrange their own social care See if you are eligible for a free Advice on all aspects of the planning Details on available funding. services. home safety check. process. Welfare benefit advice Disabled parking Instrument tuition Recycling Know what you’re entitled to and Providing parking bays throughout Service for children and young What to recycle, how to recycle and claim it. Croydon for vehicles used by the people. where to recycle. holders of blue badges. Youth projects Job search All you need to know about Emergency planning Find the latest vacancies for Croydon’s youth provision. Keeping Croydon running in the positions within the council. Zoo licence event of serious incidents. You need to apply for a licence to Gritting run a zoo – should you really want to!

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