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Issue 62 - December 2013 – March 2014
Your primary source of community information www.croydon.gov.uk
The litter, my friend, isn’t blowin’ in the wind –meet Bobby Dhillon, West Croydon’s cleaner safer coordinatorSee page 4
Helping you manage your money over ChristmasSee pages 8 and 9
Your services over ChristmasSee pages 12 and 13
to take the opportunity to enjoy the Christmas and New Year break by spending time with our nearest and dearest. Sadly, for many, this Christmas will prove to be a worry as the pressures of expectation and a desire to please can stretch the purse strings – sometimes to breaking point.
I – like all my fellow councillors – am well aware that the current economic climate has left many unable to spend as much as they might wish at Christmas. To that end, we’ve compiled a helpful list of 12 points, on pages eight and nine, that can be borne in mind over the next few weeks to help ease you into 2014.
In this edition, on page three, I am very pleased to be able to confirm that the council has approved the planning application that will change the face of the town centre for years to come. The Croydon Partnership's plans will see the transformation of the Whitgift Shopping Centre into the premier retail destination for the south-east.
We also take a look at what the council is doing to encourage business in the town. A flourishing business community is the soil in which the prosperity of the borough will flower, and we’ve planted the seeds by offering businesses a unique level of rate discount if they set up shop in the town centre (page seven), and by establishing a pop-up shop programme designed to give up-and-coming entrepreneurs the start they need to prosper and grow (page four).
We’re on your side and understand the difficulties many of you are facing. To that end, we produced a special one-off publication in the summer detailing the many ways we’ve been working to help those most affected by this year’s benefits changes. And we’ll continue to offer a helping hand in the months to come.
You won’t need telling that winter is all but upon us. Across pages 11 to 13 you can read about how we’re prepared to keep the borough moving over the winter,
and our services’ opening times over the holiday period. And, if it does snow,
make sure to check that the elderly or frail are coping.
I’ll wind up this last column of 2013 by wishing each of you the best possible Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous 2014.
ContentsOn the road to a job . . . . . . .5The launch of the Pathways to Employment initiative promises the creation of 16,000 new jobs for local people over the next five years.
Avoid a debt hangover . . . . . . . . . .8Coming out of the other side of Christmas with a pile of debt is no fun – follow our pointers and get your new year off to a good start.
My Account is your account . . . . .10The council has created My Account to simplify the way you can contact the services you use.
Christmas schedules . . . . . . . . . .11Three pages of vital seasonal information, including when your bins will be collected, when your library is open and when you can park for free.
Keeping the streets clean . . . . . .14A look at how the council is targeting fly-tippers and seeking your views on the introduction of the environmental enforcement team.
Fairfield’s Peter Panto . . . . . . . . . .21Your chance to win a family ticket to this year’s top Christmas draw – and boo the EastEnders bad guy.
’Tis the season . . .
Councillor Mike Fisher Leader of the council
2 yourcroydon December 2013 – March 2014 | Your Croydon
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A major development that will change the face of the town centre for years to come has moved closer to final approval.
A unanimous vote of approval from the council’s planning committee has given the green light to the outline planning application that will see the redevelopment of the Whitgift Shopping Centre.
In planning for the transformation of the retail heart of the town, the council has been working with The Croydon Partnership, a joint venture bringing together retail development giants Westfield Shoppingtowns Ltd and Hammerson plc.
The £1bn scheme is set to create 5,000 permanent jobs, as well as providing thousands of openings during construction.
When complete, the development will bring 1.5m square feet of retail and leisure provision, 300 shops, between 400 and 600 homes, new restaurants, a multi-screen cinema and a bowling alley.
It will help make Croydon the largest retail and commercial centre in south London.
Central Croydon will become a more vibrant place in which to live, work and spend leisure time, with new retail and residential premises, both through conversion of existing properties and the building of new stock.
Following approval by the council, the application got the nod from the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.
The scheme has now been referred to Eric Pickles, the secretary of state for Local Government and Communities who is expected to give the final seal of approval to the plans. After that, the council can issue the planning permission that it has supported.
It is hoped the ribbon will be cut on the newly completed shopping mega-centre in mid-2018.
Green light for new town centre
4 yourregeneration December 2013 – March 2014 | Your Croydon
The times, they are a’changingThere’s a new kid on the West Croydon station-to-Broad Green block looking after safety and cleanliness – and his name’s Bobby Dhillon.
Improving community safety and tackling fly-tipping and littering are the main tasks of the new West Croydon safer cleaner coordinator, Bobby Dhillon.
Bobby’s patch is London Road, and he’s to be found encouraging residents and traders to help combat crime and antisocial behaviour.
His role also sees him providing local businesses with crime prevention advice and offering practical support, such as helping with applications for small grants to improve their security.
Ensuring businesses feel safer is also part of his role, as is the rolling out of the Safer Croydon Radio scheme to the area. Already established in the town centre, the scheme enables traders to talk to each other, providing an early warning system of any criminal activity, and helping to boost security confidence.
Bobby said: “My work is so varied – from encouraging people to report fly-tipping, to building relationships with traders to ensure they have the correct business waste agreements.
“Trade waste can have a big impact, and ensuring it is properly disposed of will improve the look, feel and general cleanliness of the area.
“My future work will also include talking to local schools and community groups about how they can improve community safety.”
Bobby’s job is part of the wider West Croydon Investment Package, designed to support the area’s economic regeneration and growth.
He has been seconded to the job from his council role as an area enforcement officer. The GLA-funded post will run until 31 March 2015.
Bobby Dhillon: coordinating cleanliness and safety
Pop-up shop scheme launchedThe doors have opened on a new scheme offering business start-ups invaluable early help.
Budding entrepreneurs looking to establish a new business in central Croydon are being offered a valuable leg-up.
Launched by the council in partnership with the Portas Town team, the first of the programme of pop-up shops was opened in a Church Street unit that had been empty for more than a year.
The programme’s success has seen it move to larger premises, also in Church Street, accommodating up to five businesses at a time.
The pop-up shop programme is part of the council’s retail support scheme, funded by the Mayor of London’s Regeneration Fund.
Nisar Ahmed, owner of Ex Chain Store Outlet, selling clothing for babies and young children, said: “I'm really delighted to have this opportunity to try to expand my business.
“By selling reduced-price clothing, I believe we’re offering something unique that the high street doesn’t have at present.”
The council is keen to hear from start-up businesses, social enterprises, designers and entrepreneurs interested in a short-term tenancy at the pop-up shop.
Contact Dayo Ogunmuyiwa on 020 8604 7092 or email popupshop@croydon .gov .uk
Delighted: Nisar Ahmed, owner of the scheme’s first shop
Get on the right pathwww.croydon.gov.uk yourregeneration 5
Council joint initiative aims to place thousands in employment.Thousands of local people are getting into work thanks to the launch of a new programme that will see 16,000 jobs created over the next five years.
Pathways to Employment will continue recent success stories which have seen hundreds of people finding work or getting into training.
It will be run in partnership by the council and Jobcentre Plus, along with private-sector companies and charities.
As part of the programme, a recruitment and training scheme will be set up for jobs created in construction, retail and leisure as a result of the proposed Whitgift Shopping Centre redevelopment.
The £1bn redevelopment is set to create an estimated 8,000 jobs, while growth in other areas such as health, social care, financial services, IT and construction will provide another 8,000 posts.
The council and Jobcentre Plus also plan to provide more than 3,000 apprenticeships over the next two years.
Those figures are underpinned by the drop in the number of Croydon unemployed in the year to October.
Croydon is in the top three London boroughs for the fall in jobless numbers, with 7,840 claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance, compared to 10,295 in October 2012, a drop of 2,455.
Croydon Adult Learning and Training (Calat) will be supporting a series of events, aimed at helping people find work, in the borough’s 10 wards with the highest unemployment rate. For information call Calat on 020 8726 7777
Key landmarks • 320 jobs offered to
Croydon residents following the opening of Morrisons supermarket in Purley Way. Morrisons and Jobcentre Plus teamed up with the council to arrange interviews at Braithwaite Hall.
• 15 Croydon youngsters were found work with insurance broker Aon.
• 1,300 adults will take courses at Calat following its moved into Croydon Clocktower, equipping them with key skills to boost job prospects.
• 1,000 youngsters aged 16 to 24 will be targeted by Backr, a new work-finding social network promoted by the council in partnership with financial services company JP Morgan.
• 20 apprenticeships secured as a result of the Croydon Council Urban Regeneration Vehicle (Ccurv), which is working with John Laing, Sir Robert McAlpine and Wates Construction to provide apprenticeships and training programmes in construction.
• 15 people found jobs thanks to the Ccurv ex-offenders project funded by Wates and John Laing.
6 yourregeneration December 2013 – March 2014 | Your Croydon
Connecting CroydonOpening of new East Croydon footbridge and improved town-centre access mark major step forward in council’s ambitious Connected Croydon programme.
Residents, workers and visitors joined the celebrations for a landmark date in Croydon’s history as the new western entrance to East Croydon station was officially opened.
The completion of the £22m project includes a new footbridge with a pathway to Lansdowne Road, which has been revamped with new paving and improved pedestrian crossings to help people get quickly across the town.
Hundreds of thousands of people every year will benefit from being able to use the new route, which will be finished next year when another crossing is installed across Wellesley Road
The opening celebrations, on 5 December, featured a lively Christmas fair stretching from the newly-opened station entrance on Lansdowne Road to the Whitgift Shopping Centre.
Dozens of seasonal stalls lined the improved route between Croydon’s two main stations and a host of local musicians performed on impromptu stages.
The area is part of the council’s £50m Connected Croydon upgrade of the town and district centres. This includes £23m from the London Mayor's Regeneration Fund, which is helping make Croydon the perfect choice for new shops, homes and businesses.
The council is successfully attracting investment and jobs and is supporting development by making the planning process as quick and straightforward as possible. Discounted business rates deals are available for new and expanding businesses.
The Connected Croydon blog (http://connectedcroydon .tumblr .com) provides updates on how the council is working with the local community and businesses to transform Croydon’s public spaces.
The story so farAlready completed are:• New surface-level pedestrian crossings on Park Lane – linking
Fairfield with The Queen’s Gardens and the council’s civic centre – and across the eastern end of Croydon Flyover. Road layout and junction improvements have eased traffic flow to and from Park Lane, Croydon Flyover and Barclay Road.
• Safer cycle routes are now in place between central Croydon’s major green spaces Lloyd Park, Park Hill Recreation Ground and Wandle Park, which itself has undergone a multi-million pound renovation.
• At Reeves’ Corner, in Old Town, the site previously occupied by the furniture store has been given a facelift while plans for the long-term future of the site are developed.
• In Addiscombe, the junction of Blackhorse Lane and Lower Addiscombe Road has undergone a major makeover providing a public space overlooked by a new village sign.
Have your say on the town’s futureThe next phases of improvements to London Road, Old Town and High Street are in the planning stage.
Anyone interested in adding their ideas to these plans has until the middle of December to submit opinions. Details of how to take part are to be found at http://connectedcroydon .tumblr .com/
A design competition is also open that will enable a budding young urban designer to work closely with the project team. Similarly, details can be found at http://connectedcroydon .tumblr .com/
Stepping out: Park Lane improvements
Sign of the times: Lower Addiscombe Road public space
Bridge to the future: East Croydon station's latest addition (left)
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The council’s rate-relief scheme is doing just what it said on the tin – attracting new businesses to the town.
New businesses in Croydon have been given a head start thanks to the council’s rate-relief scheme.
A total of 66 new jobs are to be created from the four latest businesses to move to the town centre and sign up to the scheme.
The four are:• Just Falafel, a new vegetarian restaurant based in Norfolk
House, Wellesley Road, Croydon.• Gelatos, a family-run dessert/ice cream parlour, run by
Homecroft Trading in Centrale that has expanded from its current branch in Lewisham to Centrale
• Chickidee Homeware, a gift/homeware shop in the Whitgift Shopping Centre, with branches in Crawley and Woking.
• Sweet Patisserie, which has moved from Kensington & Chelsea to George Street.This brings the total number of businesses on the rate-
relief scheme to eight, with a further three in the pipeline.The scheme sees the council offering eligible small and
medium-sized businesses discounts to their business rates of up to 65%, enabling them to offset one of the biggest costs of running a shop or office.
With an initial budget of £1.14m, the scheme is being funded by the Mayor of London’s £23m Regeneration Fund for Croydon.
Eligible businesses moving into premises in central Croydon with an annual rateable value of £12,500 or above, stand to save tens of thousands of pounds on their business rates for a period of up to two years.
To learn if your business is eligible for inclusion in the scheme, go to www .croydon .gov .uk/business/businessrates/businessratescheme from where you will also be able to download an application form.
Joe Chandler, owner of Chickidee Homeware“The business rate-relief scheme has been unbelievably helpful. “It’s enabled us to not only get into the unit – which would have been stretching us – but it’s enabled us to take on the right amount of staff and get our product mix right straight away, and increase sales.“We’ve gone from having a really low amount of staff to recruiting six new members over the next year as a direct consequence of the scheme. It’s great for providing employment.”
Marcin Niezgoda, director of Sweet Patisserie“Thanks to this scheme, we can expand our business and increase employment levels.“Cost is a concern in any business decision, especially if the present facilities don't serve the needs of the expanding business.“Substantial discounts on business rates has lowered our company cost and improved cash flow. “Croydon has become an important centre for shopping and has a diverse economy with service and retail sectors.”
Salman Alam, director of Homecroft Trading, which runs Gelatos“This scheme has given us a running start and enabled us to open. It’s also meant we’re able to invest more in the store.“The biggest cost for any business is opening. If businesses can open up, in the long run more stores will still be there.”
Ashendra Liyanage, owner of Just Falafel“The business rate-relief scheme is an excellent idea and a big help.“Croydon is a busy commercial town with a diverse mix of people. I could have chosen Leeds or Bradford, and I was offered somewhere in Canary Wharf, but I chose Croydon.“We now have plans to open four more across the borough, which will create 60 jobs.”
Businesses praise unique rate deal
8 yourvalueformoney December 2013 – March 2014 | Your Croydon
Review and set your budget – and keep to it
• What is Christmas really going to cost you? What can you really afford?
• Don’t forget the everyday bills. Remember that your rent, mortgage, utility bills, food and other existing debts need to be paid – and the consequences can be severe if they’re not. Even though it’s Christmas, get your priorities right.
• Check the Money Advice Service website (www .moneyadviceservice .org .uk) for help with making a budget.
• Remember that overspending can make for an anxious 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 throughout 2014, and beyond.
Check your energy bills – gas and electricity prices often go up before Christmas
• Check that you are on the best energy tariff and consider switching supplier. Information on switching can be found at the Money Advice Service site via http://tinyurl .com/pvz9nga
• Check that your bill is showing actual use and not an estimate. Provide your energy supplier with regular meter readings.
• Check that you are using energy efficiently; get tips at www .energysavingtrust .org .uk or call 0300 123 1234 .
• If you have energy bill arrears, get help from the Debt Clinic at SWLLC on 020 8767 2777, or by emailing dept@swllc .org
• Ask Croydon CAB about Energy Best Extra for further information and help.
• Make use of the “uSwitch – send us your bill” service. Visit www .uswitch .com/gas-electricity/guides/send-us-your-bill/ or call 020 3214 8417.
• Ask your energy supplier about insulation opportunities.• Information on reducing costs can be found at www .
moneyadviceservice .org .uk/en/articles/save-energy-save-money
• Visit www .gov .uk/energy-grants-calculator to see if you are entitled to any energy grants or additional help with your heating costs.
Little and often
• Rather than doing all your gift shopping in one go, start a Christmas cupboard and put things in it week by week.
• This will give you the chance to take advantage of bargains as you see them.
• Along with your Christmas list, it will make you think about what you actually need, rather than buying what you think you want (but don’t actually need) in one big, expensive splurge.
Support to find work
• More jobs often become available before Christmas, don’t wait for the new year. Look online and in local newspapers for upcoming vacancies.
• Jobcentre Plus (www .gov .uk/contact-jobcentre-plus) and the council can offer help in finding work.
Improve your skills
• Change your life in 2014 – think about getting a new job; now is the perfect time to sign up for training. See what’s on offer at www .calat .ac .uk
• Some training is free if you are on benefits, and help is available with childcare and transport in many cases.
• If you are looking for career-specific training, it may be worth contacting the Skills and Development Agency on 020 8603 7221 or checking online at http://s-da .co .uk/sda/ for further details.
Are your housing costs affordable
• Many people think about making big changes in the new year, but a good decision prior to Christmas could leave you with more money over the holiday period.
• For those struggling to meet high rent and council tax costs, a move to a more affordable property could be a very sensible choice.
• Help is available with finding a new home, including, in certain circumstances, financial support with moving and setting up home.
• Council or housing association tenants can sign up to HomeSwapper at www .homeswapper .co .uk to view their options.
The 12 savesThe Christmas period can be a difficult time and may be something that people end up paying for well into the new year.
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The desire to meet family expectations over Christmas and the New Year can prove irresistible.
Aware that many could find themselves
in financial difficulty as a result of the seasonal spending and high fuel bills, Croydon Council offers some handy cost-saving tips.
www.croydon.gov.uk yourvalueformoney 9
Sharing the load
• Go shopping with a friend to take advantage of buy-one/ get-one-free deals or, perhaps, to save by buying in bulk.
• Remember, lots of trips to a small local shop may be more expensive than one bigger shop.
Get help if your relationship is in trouble
• The strain of having to “have a great time” and “spend lots of money” can make Christmas a difficult time for couples. If your relationship is in trouble, get help from Relate, on 020 8680 9551, or another trusted source.
• Remember, family breakdown is a major cause of stress and money problems.
Best-value gifts
Think about:• reconditioned electrical items and accessories, including
DVDs and computer games and consoles;• hand-making personalised Christmas gifts;• an offer to cook dinner, look after the kids, or help elderly
relatives or friends with shopping or household chores in the coming weeks or months;
• new or nearly new items from charity shops;• bargains from the internet – but beware of scams; and• free stuff on uk .freecycle .org
Budget-conscious Christmas food
• Christmas is about friends and family, and a lot of the money 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 alternatives.
• Transform leftover turkey, ham and anything else still sitting in the fridge after the Christmas rush,
into a range of delicious dishes; for ideas, visit www .lovefoodhatewaste .com
• As with everything else at Christmas, produce a budget and stick to what you can afford.
• For bargain opportunities, find out if your local supermarket has a particular discount time.
Homelessness does not stop at Christmas
If you, or someone you know, is going to be homeless at this time, contact:• Croydon Reach: 0870 383 3333• Porchlight 24-hour helpline: 0800 567 7699 • Homeless link: www .homeless .org .uk • Shelter: 0808 800 4444• Crisis at Christmas: www .crisis .org .uk • Runaway Helpline (for 17-year-olds or under): 116 000
www .runawayhelpline .org .uk
Think twice before borrowing money to pay for Christmas
Consider the following:• Never borrow from an unlicensed money lender. If
approached by a loan shark, don’t take a loan, but call the Illegal Money Lending Team on 0300 555 2222.
• Payday and doorstep loans have a very high rate of interest, often leaving lenders repaying for a long time.
• Store cards generally charge a much higher interest rate than credit cards.
• If borrowing gets out of control, it could affect your relationship, health and job, and your ability to keep your home.
• 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
The 12 saves of Christmas
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yourvalueformoney December 2013 – March 2014 | Your Croydon610
My Account – your easy accessGetting in touch with the council has never been easier.
Aware that everybody today leads a busy life, the council realises the importance of making it as easy as possible for residents to get in touch.
That is why My Account has been created, simplifying the way residents can contact the services they use.
Part of the council’s Faster, Smarter, Better programme (FSB), My Account couldn’t be easier to set up. Just go to www .croydon .gov .uk/myaccount click on the ‘Create account’ button and complete the online form.
FSB enables residents to make that contact from the comfort of their home or portable device – and without the need of a journey to the council’s civic centre.
If, for example, you want to set up a council tax direct debit, you can do it online. To do so, follow these simple steps.
Go to the council’s website at www .croydon .gov .uk, find the “Save time, do it online” field near the top right-hand corner of the home page and click on the “Do it online” button.
Scrolling down the “Pay for it” page will take you to the “Council tax direct debit instruction” link which, when clicked, will open a page showing, in simple terms, how to go about
setting up the instruction.These steps can be followed to pay for a number of services,
to make applications for a range of forms, requests or licences, or to report antisocial acts – such as dog fouling and graffiti – as well as matters as varied as building control complaints and street lighting problems.
Recently added to the growing number of services that can be dealt with online via My Account are:
• how to report a missed bin collection;• how to report housing issues;• how to book an appointment (eg; planning, benefits etc); and• information on school admissions.
More information is available at www .croydon .gov .uk/faster
Customer-focused councilNew building emphasises the council’s policy of transparency and honesty.
The tape on Croydon’s new civic centre complex has been cut, officially marking a bold and exciting new era for Croydon Council.
Bernard Weatherill House opened its doors in September, with 75 services from the council – along with the NHS, Jobcentre Plus, Croydon Credit Union and Citizens Advice Bureau – moving into the building.
The new “one-stop shop” brings together council services previously spread across 11 different buildings, the closure of which saves more than £2m a year.
BWH represents the final piece in Croydon’s civic centre jigsaw, with the remainder made up of the Town Hall and Braithwaite Hall.
The new Access Croydon means residents are benefiting from an improved layout and more comfortable waiting areas.
It is a large, modern public space offering easy, quick access to a wide variety of public services, with visitors met by staff and shown where they need to go.
People are able to book and check in for appointments using self-service terminals, with staff onhand to help.
It will also be much easier and quicker to drop off or photocopy forms, and complete tasks online such as paying council tax or ordering parking permits.
There are several comfortable waiting areas, including one especially for people with young children.
The ground-floor open plan layout is centred around the base of an atrium, allowing the public to see the mechanics of the council behind the scenes.
BWH also offers a community space available for hire. To book, or for information, email community .space@croydon .gov .uk or call 020 8726 6000 ext 60886.
One of the first uses of this exciting space was a recent celebration of Diwali, which saw attendees enjoying the excellent facilities and praising the decision to make the space available.
Easy Access Croydon: a bright, airy space to welcome customers
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Christmas parking in CroydonCouncil spreads a little festive cheer for motorists with relaxation of rules.The practice of recent years is being followed once again with the council easing the regulations in its car parks, and in the borough’s on-street bays, on specific days over the Christmas and New Year period.
Helping to spread a little festive cheer, the relaxation of parking regulations will help people visiting shops, enjoying the displays of festive illuminations or simply dropping in on relatives to share the seasonal cheer.
The whole borough will be free of parking enforcement on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day .
And parking in council-run car
parks on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve will be free .
Those two days will also see no enforcement of the usual parking regulations in pay-and-display bays within the central zone .
The regulations will be relaxed in all other zones after 5pm .
Yellow-line restrictions, however, will remain in place on these two days, and motorists are advised to park in a reasonable manner, showing consideration for other road users and pedestrians.
Normal parking enforcement will resume on Thursday 2 January.
Salt is the premier weapon in the fight against icy roads when winter takes its grip – stealing it from roadside bins can put lives at risk.
Salt in Croydon’s roadside bins is one of the frontline weapons when the borough is hit by heavy winter snowfall.
Across the borough, there are nearly 600 roadside bins, containing more than 145 tonnes of salt, located near particularly hilly roads or junctions.
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 clear roads and footpaths in the vicinity of the bin.
“What many people don’t fully appreciate is that, by taking the salt for use on their own land, they’re potentially contributing to road accidents and pedestrian injuries.
“I’d ask that the salt is not removed from bins except to be used to aid motorists and pedestrians.”
Ready for the winter
Road salt – the factsThe council, at present, has a stock of 3,600 tonnes of road salt, with an agreement with suppliers to quickly add more in the event of heavy snowfall .
Should that snow arrive, the 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 .
In addition to the lorries, the contractor also has a heavy-duty digger on standby .
yourchristmasschedules December 2013 – March 2014 | Your Croydon612
Access Croydon, Bernard Weatherill House Monday 23 December Open as normalTuesday 24 December Open as normalWednesday 25 December ClosedThursday 26 December ClosedFriday 27 December ClosedMonday 30 December Open as normalTuesday 31 December Open as normalWednesday 1 January Closed
Thursday 2 January Open as normal
Croydon leisure centresMonday 23 December Open as normalTuesday 24 December ClosedWednesday 25 December ClosedThursday 26 December ClosedFriday 27 December Check local timesSaturday 28 December Check local timesSunday 29 December Check local timesMonday 30 December Check local timesTuesday 31 December Check local timesWednesday 1 January ClosedThursday 2 January Open as normal
Croydon Council call centre Monday 23 December Open as normalTuesday 24 December Open as normalWednesday 25 December ClosedThursday 26 December ClosedFriday 27 December ClosedMonday 30 December Open as normalTuesday 31 December Open as normalWednesday 1 January Closed
Thursday 2 January Open as normal
Croydon librariesMonday 23 December Open as normalTuesday 24 December Close at 1pmWednesday 25 December ClosedThursday 26 December ClosedFriday 27 December ClosedSaturday 28 December Open as normalMonday 30 December Open as normalTuesday 31 December Close at 4pmWednesday 1 January ClosedThursday 2 January Open as normal
Refuse and recycling collection date changesBin collection timetableOver the Christmas holiday period, the council’s refuse and recycling services will be operating on a slightly revised collection schedule.
The table below shows the days on which your collection will occur during the week beginning Monday 23 December.
With no collections on Wednesday 25 December, Thursday 26 December and Wednesday 1 January, there are some changes to the days when you need to put out your bins and boxes.
Calendars will be distributed with further details of the date changes and which box needs to be put out for collection.
Missed collections can be reported via your MyAccount at www .croydon .gov .uk/account or call 020 8726 6200.
Normal collection date Revised collection date
Monday 23 December No changeTuesday 24 December No changeWednesday 25 December Friday 27 DecemberThursday 26 December Saturday 28 DecemberFriday 27 December Sunday 29 DecemberMonday 30 December No changeTuesday 31 December No change Wednesday 1 January Thursday 2 January Thursday 2 January Friday 3 JanuaryFriday 3 January Saturday 4 January
Recycle those electricals this ChristmasWEEE have ways of convincing you that those old electrical goods should be recycled.It will come as no surprise that Christmas, and the run-up to it, is the peak period for the purchase of electrical goods.
Be it battery-driven toys for tots, mp3 players, hairdriers, toasters, or the must-have tablet computers, more will be sold at this time of year than any other.
Any appliance that has a plug or uses a battery is classed as a WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) product and can be recycled.
Many electrical items have valuable plastics and metals inside, which can be used to make new products.
Another reason not to send old electricals to landfill, is that they can contaminate soil and water – making recycling doubly important.
Mindful of these facts, and to make it easier for you to recycle such appliances, the council is providing recycling banks, in time for Christmas, at 10 neighbourhood recycling centres (see adjacent box).
As well as small electrical goods, you will be able to recycle domestic batteries and energy-efficient light bulbs in these new banks.
Larger electrical equipment – such as
televisions, fridges and freezers – must be taken to your local reuse and recycling centres.
Please note that these centres will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Treecycling – it’s a Christmas thingIf you’re opting for a real tree this Christmas, think about what will happen to it after the holiday.With almost one million Christmas trees thrown away each year in London alone – and fewer than 10% of those being recycled – it is important that we remember to recycle our tree.
If you opt for a real Christmas tree this year, do not forget to take it to one of the council’s designated recycling collection points between Thursday 2 and Sunday 12 January.
At other times, Christmas trees can be taken to any of the council’s reuse and recycling centres – but please remember to remove all tinsel and decorations before taking it to be recycled.
www.croydon.gov.uk yourchristmasschedules 13
WEEE recycling banks
Ashburton car park, Pagehurst Road, CR0 6NR
Central Parade, New Addington CR9 1HS
Clocktower, Parchmore Road, Thornton Heath CR7 8YT
Co-op, Limpsfield Road, Sanderstead CR2 9DQ
Forestdale car park, Selsdon Park Road, CR0 9AS
Kenley station, Kenley Lane, CR8 5DF
Lion Green Road car park, Coulsdon CR5 2NL
Lloyd Park Recreation Ground, Coombe Road, CR0 5RB
Tesco car park, Brighton Road, Purley CR8 2HA
Waitrose car park, Limpsfield Road, Sanderstead CR2 9LE
Christmas tree collection points
Ashburton Ashburton Park, access from Tenterden Road
Addiscombe Co-op Supermarket car park, Lower Addiscombe Road
Broad Green Homebase, Purley Way
Coulsdon Lion Green Road car park
Coulsdon East Grange Park, Canon’s Hill
Fairfield Oaks Road/Coombe Road car park
Heathfield Addington Park car park, Gravel Hill
Kenley Kenley Residents’ Association, Oaks Road green
New Addington Central Parade car park
New Addington Fisher’s Farm reuse and recycling centre,
North Downs Road
Norbury Granville Gardens car park
Purley Upper Woodcote Village RA, Woodcote Village green
Purley Purley Oaks reuse and recycling centre, Brighton Road
Sanderstead Occasionally Yours, Limpsfield Road
Selsdon Selsdon Recreation Ground, access from Woodlands Gardens
Shirley Monks Orchard green
Shirley Shirley Park RA, Green Court Gardens green
South Norwood Sainsbury’s, Whitehorse Lane
Upper Norwood Secret Garden, Westow Street
Waddon Wyevale Garden Centre, Waddon Way
Waddon Factory Lane reuse and recycling centre, Factory Lane
Waddon Morrisons car park, Purley Way
Christmas tree collectionsThere will be only two collections from the listed points – on Sunday 5 and Sunday 12 January – so please do not leave Christmas trees at the collection points after Sunday 12 January.
Trees needing to be disposed of after this date can be taken to one of the borough’s three reuse and recycling centres .
yourenvironment December 2013 – March 2014 | Your Croydon14
Fly-tipping–it's all our responsibilityBoth antisocial and an environmental crime, fly-tipping can now be reported using a new smartphone app developed by the council.Dumped waste creates problems for the local environment and encourages others to leave their rubbish. The app – Keeping the borough’s streets clean has been identified as a priority by residents when it comes to putting their council tax to work, and that is why the council has developed a new smartphone app that will make reporting the crime simplicity itself (illustrated below).
Initially aimed at Apple and Android-based phones, the app is newly available via the usual online stores or by clicking on the appropriate link at www .croydon .gov .uk/appCouncil's investment – The council is also calling for renewed support for its Keep it Clean campaign as it invests almost £100k of additional funding for prevention and enforcement work.Your responsibility – A criminal offence attracting an unlimited fine and/or imprisonment of up to five years, the antisocial act of fly-tipping is noted as being particularly distressing.
It is the duty of householders paying to have their rubbish
removed to take all reasonable measures to ensure they are using a registered waste carrier.
They should get full details of the carrier, and the vehicle used, as well as a receipt detailing the transaction and the names, addresses and contact numbers of the parties involved.
The householder should ask for a copy of the carrier’s registration document and check it by visiting www .environment-agency .gov .uk and following the home page public registers link to the waste carriers’ register.
Alternatively, call the Environment Agency on 03708 506506.If enough people check who is taking their waste, fly-tipping by rogue traders will be reduced. And, as disposal of fly-tipped waste is charged by weight when cleared by the council, all householders pay in the end as the cost has to be met from the council tax.
To report environmental crime, use the council’s new app, or go to www .croydon .gov .uk and follow the ‘Save time, do it online’ link.
Environmental crime doesn’t payLitter dropping and dog fouling is costing people dear as the council’s Keep it Clean campaign hits more than 1,000 pockets.
The message that dropping litter can cost offenders a hefty fine is hitting home as the council’s environmental enforcement officers continue their crackdown.
And, now, the council is keen to learn what residents and traders feel about the work being done by the EEOs (environmental enforcement officers) during the scheme’s pilot, and its impact on the town.
As part of the council’s Keep it Clean campaign, during their first two months’ patrolling the town centre, the EEOs issued more than 1,000 fixed-penalty notices (FPNs) to people they caught dropping litter or who failed to clear up after their dog.
Each of these environmental crimes draws an on-the-spot fine of £75, so anybody caught once is unlikely to want to see
their wallet clobbered again.The council employed the team
following increasing demands from local residents and businesses for streets to be litter-free.
The annual cost of street cleaning in the borough is in the region of £5.6m, and it is hoped that the council’s tough stance will reduce the volume of litter dropped.
Costly: dropping litter can be expensive
What is your opinion of the job being done by the EEOs?
You have until 23 December to give us your views on the pilot scheme by completing the survey at www .surveymonkey .com/s/FPNsurvey
The information gathered will help the council decide on the adoption of its environmental enforcement policy, with the decision likely to be made in the spring or early summer of next year.
15subscribe to the Your Croydon eBulletin at www .croydon .gov .uk/subscribe yoursafety
Ready for Christmas We are now two months into
the new local policing model and it has been a positive change for us here in Croydon.
This is about putting neighbourhood policing at the heart of what we do and we’ve invested more than ever in our neighbourhood teams to get more officers out on the streets dealing with the issues that local people are most concerned about.
We constantly strive to improve what we do, and the early indications are that this approach is working, but I would welcome your views on policing in the borough over the past two months to hear whether you feel these changes have led to improvements*.
It will probably not have escaped your notice that Christmas is fast approaching and, of course, for many it is a time of celebration with family and friends.
Over the next few weeks, Croydon town centre will be alive with people visiting the various pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants on offer. We will have officers out on patrol to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time, but I can assure anyone looking to cause trouble that they can expect to be dealt with robustly by my officers.
Our advice is always to drink responsibly when you’re going for a night and it is a good idea to plan your journey home, either booking taxis in advance or checking train, bus or tram times to get home safely.
Please also be careful with your possessions when you are out enjoying yourself – particularly with your mobile phones, which are always a tempting target for thieves.
For some, sadly, Christmas can also be a fairly unhappy time, and nationally there
tends to be an increase in instances of domestic violence. Our community safety unit has specialist officers dedicated to investigating and dealing with cases of domestic violence.
My message is that, if you are suffering from domestic violence, or believe that a friend or neighbour is suffering, please pick up the phone and let us know**.
We will take action to put a stop to it and we can also put victims in touch with the right support services to help them lead a life free of intimidation and violence.
This is also a good time to reflect on the work we’ve been doing over the past six months to tackle antisocial behaviour in and around the town centre.
We began our campaign, working with the council and other agencies, to tackle street drinking and begging in Croydon and saw some
great results over the summer with a large number of arrests for begging and hundreds of alcohol seizures made.
The message is sinking in with the individuals responsible that this sort of antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated here in Croydon. Our patrols will continue through the winter, as we look to keep on top of this issue.
It just remains for me to wish you all a safe and merry Christmas and a happy New Year.* To contact us, visit www.met.police.uk/croydon ** If you suspect somebody is a victim of domestic violence or abuse, call police on 101. In an emergency, or if you think that an incident is happening, always dial 999.
Chief Supt Dave Musker
Croydon borough commander
Dave Musker
Campaign cracks down on crime Council joins forces with police and business to show criminals they are not welcome.
A joint campaign that tackled street drinking and begging in the town centre resulted in 32 arrests, 347 alcohol seizures and 34 fixed-penalty notices issued.
The campaign, run by the Safer Croydon Partnership and Croydon Business Improvement District (Bid), saw action taken against offenders who harassed the public for money, or acted antisocially by making a drunken disturbance.
The work in the town centre resulted in a 6% reduction in theft, 9% reduction in shoplifting and 8% reduction in robbery, compared with the previous year.
But the work has not stopped. Those who continue to offend will be targeted for further action, with applications for asbos for the worst offenders.
Croydon police operation lead, acting Chief Inspector Pete McGarry, said: "My officers worked extremely hard over the summer, tackling the issues of street drinking and begging in the town centre.
“We saw some really encouraging results in terms of arrests and alcohol seizures, and, perhaps most importantly, we sent a strong message to those responsible, in no uncertain terms, that their behaviour will not be tolerated by the people and my officers here in Croydon.
“I look forward to working with our partners over the coming weeks and months to look at how we can build on what we've already achieved and put in place long-term solutions to tackle this problem."
The numbersAlcohol seizures 347
Arrests 32
Fixed-penalty notices 34
Theft reduction 6%
Shoplifting drop 9%
Robbery fall 8%
Rallying her troops: Chief Inspector Caroline Trevithick
Youngsters hail this year’s second question time a great success.The second Young People’s Question Time, held recently under the banner Youth Voice, gave scores of teenagers the opportunity to grill the borough’s most senior councillors, council staff and police officers.
With Croydon’s youth population being the largest in London – and growing fast – the council recognises how important it is to develop young people’s interest in civic affairs.
And the question time format is one that young people enjoy, are happy with, use effectively and would like to see used more often.
Zain Afzal, 16, an active member
of Croydon Youth Council, writes: “This year’s event was a great success, with a large turnout from all ages and backgrounds coming together to discuss what was on their minds.
“Questions ranged from funding for the arts – of particular interest to pupils from the Brit School – to how the resources going into education are affected by more schools becoming academies.
“Lots of people were interested in how council services will be advertised and promoted in the future, as there was a feeling that many more young people want to participate in positive activities.”
Feedback revealed that 85% of the attendees would choose sessions like Question Time as their preferred way of communicating with the council in future.
Questions concerning schools, employment and young people were the most frequently asked, followed by culture and leisure, and regeneration and planning.
When asked which of a number of town qualities was most important to them, 64% said “a safe town”; while, on the importance of environmental matters, 33% voted for “clean streets”, and 29% “green spaces”.
youreducation December 2013 – March 2014 | Your Croydon16
Youth hasits voice
heard
Council rises to challenge of growing number of children with exciting programme of school building.School-building in Croydon continues to be big news as the council keeps up its commitment to provide a place for every child who needs one.
The borough’s steady increase in the number of school-age children is unmatched in the UK – a fact that has been recognised by the government, which has awarded the council a bigger cash grant than any other authority.
In 2013 alone, Croydon has been awarded £110m toward its £170m school-construction programme.
In September 2014 Croydon will have a new primary school opening in Haling Road, South Croydon, and the expansion of four other primary schools.
Others in the pipeline include Aberdeen Road, Katharine Street and Westways in Broad Green, and the consultation on the proposed expansion of West Thornton, in Canterbury Road, is expected to begin shortly.
Between 2013 and 2015, an additional 5,220 permanent primary places will be provided, and there is also a programme of increasing the number of fixed-term temporary pupil places across the borough.
In the same timeframe, 117 primary and 296 secondary places will be provided for pupils with special educational needs.
All of which means the borough will be able to continue meeting the rapidly-growing demand from its expanding population.
Last year’s programme of building work at 20 schools provided some 600 additional permanent and temporary classroom places, including nearly 100 for children with special educational needs.
This meant that every parent who applied on time for a place for their child received an offer of a suitable school.
Coupled with continuing year-on-year
improvements in GCSE results, this means the borough’s pupils have every possible chance of meeting their full potential.
More children, more schools
Get your child on the path to educationA child going to school for the first time is often as traumatic for the parents as the child – ensuring the application is made in a correct and timely fashion can ease the stress.For families with boys or girls who are four years old, or approaching their fourth birthday, now is the time for a decision that will have a major impact on their little one’s life.
Those families should now be starting to apply for primary school places in 2014. The closing date for applications is 15 January.
If your child was born between 1 September 2009 and 31 August 2010, your application must be completed by this date.
Details of the application process, with step-by-step instruction, can be found on the council’s website, and in the Starting Primary School 2014 brochure.
Be sure to use all six preferences, and consider them carefully before submitting your form.
To be offered a place, your child must meet the admissions criteria of the school.
If you do not get your first or second choices the council needs to know which schools would be your other choices. Without this information, you could be offered a school that you would not have selected.
Paul Greenhalgh, the council’s executive director of children, families and learning, said: “For most children, primary school is their first experience of full-time education and it’s important they get all they can from it.
“We want to provide children with the best opportunities in life through a great start to their education. Parents can play a huge role in achieving this by making sure that their application is properly completed, reasonable in its expectations and submitted on time.”
For further information, visit www .croydon .gov .uk/admissions
17www.croydon.gov.uk youreducation
Case study – what not to doMr and Mrs X lived reasonably close to the primary school that they wished their child to attend.
Mr and Mrs X checked the distance between their home and the school using software available on the internet and found that the distance fell well within those described in the school’s published admission criteria.
On this basis, they submitted their application and expressed only one preference, with the expectation it would be successful.
To their great surprise, it was not. The reason was that the child lived further away than the last successful applicant.
Mr and Mrs X were offered their nearest school with available places, a school they had not considered and that was further away from their home than some other schools.
Had they listed their allowed six preferences, an offer of one closer, and suiting their needs, could have been made.
The parents subsequently appealed for their only preference, but were unsuccessful.
• While every effort has been made to ensure that the case study provides guidance, it is impossible to predict all the circumstances in which it may be used. The local authority cannot be held liable for any actual or alleged loss caused by the information contained in, or omitted from, the case study.
Improve your job opportunities or just try something newMaster Japanese. Landscape the garden. Enter the Great British Bake Off. Fix the shower. Banish the love handles. Maybe, even, change career.If you’ve started thinking about your New Year’s resolutions for 2014, Croydon Adult Learning and Training (Calat), the council’s award-winning adult education service, may be able to help you see your plans through.
For more than 60 years, Calat has been helping people in the borough achieve their goals, whether it’s in gaining a qualification, developing a new skill or simply learning something for pleasure.
January sees the start of the spring term, with classes beginning in a range of subjects, from book-keeping to art appreciation, plumbing to cake decorating, Arabic to Zumba.
Susan Arscott trained in fitness instruction through Calat: “I enjoyed the course and all the support and encouragement I received. I’m now qualified as a gym instructor, thanks to Calat.”
This academic year saw Calat’s central Croydon centre take up residence at the Clocktower in Katharine Street, providing a more convenient location for Croydon workers to access affordable learning.
Keep your resolutions in 2014 – enrol with Calat.For more information, visit www .calat .ac .uk, pick up a
Spring Course Directory from a library or Calat centre, or call 020 8726 7777.
You can also find Calat on Twitter and Facebook by searching for Calat Croydon.
One-day taster courses taking place in December .
Cookery – Christmas treats
Introduction to sculpture
Stained glass – funky mirrors
Enamelling
Papermaking
Print your own cards
Singing
Digital camera DIY
Brand new STEM Academy:Croydon Gateway
Planned to open September 2015 in the Croydon area
(subject to DfE approval)
Register your interest now Phone: 020 8603 7221
or email: [email protected]
OPEN DAY for STEM Academy Tech City Wednesday 27th November 2013 5-7pmCome along, meet the staff, build a robot and see the facilities for yourselfTo book a place please email: [email protected] or ring us on 020 3301 3620 stemacademy.org.uk
Training: Programmes Employment Support
unemployed and
• Job matching• Work placement• Mentoring and signposting services• Information, advice and guidance• Help with CVs, interview technique and job search• Employability support
Be creative with crimson and help the fight against killer condition.
Families, individuals, groups, local organisations and businesses in Croydon will be asked to “ramp up the red” and help fight heart disease during National Heart Month.
The February campaign raises the profile of Britain’s biggest killer disease.
In the summer, Croydon became a Heart Town, with
the aim of helping people who live and work in the borough to lead healthier and longer lives.
On 7 February, people are asked to dress in red for the day, and to organise a fundraising event during the month with proceeds going to the BritishHeart Foundation.
To help people organise
their events – whether at work, in a local community space or for family and friends – packs will be available to
download from the charity’s website at www .bhf .org .uk/red where more information is also available.
subscribe to the Your Croydon eBulletin at www .croydon .gov .uk/subscribe yourhealth 19
Ramp up the red
Smoker quit for Stoptober and now says:
“I’ve never felt better”More than 1,500 people in Croydon signed up for the Stoptober quit smoking challenge.
Latest figures show a total of 1,562 smokers from the borough pledged to kick the habit following a campaign led by the council’s public health team.
During October, the council’s stop smoking specialists, Solutions 4 Health, were in the town centre offering information, advice and the chance for members of the public to make their pledge to take part and go smoke-free.
The campaign is an important fixture in the council’s Heart Town programme, set up to tackle and raise awareness of heart disease.
Sharif Ishaque, a life-long asthma sufferer and smoker of 10 years, pledged to quit for Stoptober.
The 27-year-old, who lives in West Croydon, said: “I’ve tried to stop smoking numerous times. I was walking through the town centre and noticed the stop smoking service and decided it was worth a try.
“The confidence and support I was given left me feeling I wasn’t alone in my fight against the dreaded cigarette.
“I was put on a six-week course, and I’m extremely happy to report that I’m now officially a non-smoker!
“I’ve never felt better, my asthma is improving week on week and I feel so much more active.”
For help and advice on giving up smoking, call 0800 019 8570 .
Five-year Heart Town planHeart health is now top of everyone’s agenda after Croydon’s Heart Town programme is extended from two to five years.Clearer results on improvements to residents’ health and well-being will result as Croydon extends its commitment to the British Heart Foundation’s Heart Town programme.
The aim of the programme, to which Croydon signed up in July, is to put “heart health” at the centre of everything the council does.
With the council coming into direct contact with thousands of people every day, this presents a great opportunity to raise awareness of heart health.
Heart disease is Britain’s biggest killer and is responsible for around a third of deaths in the borough.
The main objectives of being a Heart Town are to raise awareness of heart disease, encourage businesses and the community to get involved in fundraising, and provide education, advice and support on improving heart health.
The success of the programme will be determined by the number of people who take action to reduce the risk of heart and circulatory diseases.
The key areas to be measured include people achieving a healthy weight, increasing physical activity and stopping smoking. Over the course of the programme, there will be a series of campaigns taking place to promote Heart Town.
Stoptober encouraged smokers to quit for 28 days and beyond, while upcoming events include National Heart Month in February and Know Your Numbers week later on in the year in September, which raises awareness of high blood pressure.
A full programme of local events for National Heart Month will be published in January. For more information, go to www .croydon .gov .uk/heart-town
Sharif Ishaque
yourcommunity December 2013 – March 2014 | Your Croydon20
Council’s new Community Space to be the setting for a number of events marking key dates in the faith calendar.
Joined in faithA series of events, open to all, is being staged by the council in partnership with Faiths Together in Croydon.
The first two, scheduled to take place in the new Community Space in Bernard Weatherill House, Mint Walk, are: • Christmas
Thursday 12 December, 6pm to 7.30pm
• Vaisakhi Thursday 3 April, 6pm to 7.30pm
In addition, Holocaust Memorial Day will be marked with a public candle-lighting ceremony in the foyer of Croydon Town Hall at noon on Monday 27 January. This year’s theme will be “Journeys”.
The day is an international event marking the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945, and is a time to:
• remember those murdered in the Holocaust and under Nazi persecution, and during subsequent genocides; and
• hope for a safer, inclusive society where the differences between us are respected as reality today and in the future.
Visit Holocaust Memorial Day Trust at www .hmd .org .uk or Croydon Faith Resource Centre www .cferinfo .org .uk to find resources for schools and the wider community.
Celebrating major faiths and events together helps us to understand each other’s customs and traditions and develop a culture of mutual respect.
For further information about these events, email shujah .iqbal@croydon .gov .uk or call 020 8726 6000 extn 63311.
www.croydon.gov.uk yourcommunity 21
Take the second star to the right, and straight on ’til morning.It’s off to Neverland for this year’s Christmas panto spectacular, Peter Pan, at Fairfield’s Ashcroft Theatre from Friday 6 December to Sunday 5 January.
Steve McFadden, best known as EastEnders’ Phil Mitchell, the UK’s most popular TV baddie, stars as Captain Hook in this much-loved adventure pantomime based on the novel by JM Barrie.
Croydon’s favourite Dame, the hilarious Quinn Patrick, returns as Mrs Smee, along with Kelly Chinery and Nathaniel Morrison, as Big Chief and Maxi Ha Ha.
David Ribi plays the title role of Peter Pan, with Elizabeth Carter as Wendy.
Packed with swashbuckling fun, great music and dancing, stunning sets and fantastic flying – not forgetting audience participation and a hungry crocodile – Peter Pan promises a magical treat for all the family.
Tickets are on sale from the Fairfield box office on 020 8688 9291 or online at www .fairfield .co .uk
All tickets for performances from Friday 6 to Friday 13 December are £17. Performances thereafter
are priced £28, £24.50 & £20 adults, and £24, £21, £20 children and senior citizens; family ticket (two adults and two children) £87.
Concessions are available for groups, schools, Brownies and Cubs, and there is no booking fee.
From East End to Neverland
Win a family ticket to see Peter PanCries of “He’s behind you” will once again be filling the air when Fairfield hosts this year’s Christmas panto.
Albert Square will be firmly behind EastEnders’ Steve McFadden as he adopts another bad-boy persona, that of Captain Hook in the Evolution Pantomimes production of Peter Pan, in the Ashcroft Theatre.
And one lucky family will be able to join the fun, thanks to Your Croydon and Fairfield.
Peter Pan promises a riotous mix of all the ingredients that go to make for a great family night out – heroes, a villainous pirate, spectacular costumes, great dancing, music and songs, an outlandish panto dame and plenty of rib-tickling gags.
Peter Pan offers great value, with tickets – all with no booking fee – priced at just £17 from 6 to 13 December, and with following performances at £20, £24.50 and £28.
Concessions are available for children, senior citizens, schools, groups and families.
Tickets are available from the Fairfield box office 020 8688 9291 or online at www .fairfield .co .uk
To win a family ticket of four seats for Peter Pan, tell us the name of Steve McFadden’s character in EastEnders.Terms and conditions: Prize is a family ticket for four for the 5.30pm performance of Peter Pan, at Fairfield’s Ashcroft Theatre on Friday, 3 January. The editor’s decision is final and there is no cash or performance alternative to the prize, which is non-refundable and not for resale.
Answer ...............................................................................................
Name ..................................................................................................
Daytime tel no . ...............................................................................
Address ..............................................................................................
Email address ...................................................................................
Please post to: Your Croydon reader competition, 10A Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon CR0 1EA to arrive not later than Friday, 20 December, 2013. The winner will be the sender of the first correct answer drawn at random.
Fairfield Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG
Details: www.fairfield.co.uk Telephone: 020 8688 9291Email: [email protected]
Deadlines for public questions for the forthcoming full council meetings (starting at 6.30pm) – noon on the relevant deadline date.
Meeting: Monday, 2 Dec Deadline: Monday 18 Nov
Monday, 27 Jan Monday, 13 Jan
Monday, 24 Mar Monday, 10 Mar
To submit a question (maximum number of words: 50) for consideration at a full council meeting, email it to council .questions@croydon .gov .uk ; or print and complete the form at www .croydon .gov .uk/councilquestion and post it to Questions for the council, Democratic and legal services, 4th floor, Zone G, Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon CR0 1EA; or call 020 8726 6000 extn 63876.
Croydon Question Time
Thursday, 30 Jan Waddon Leisure Centre, Purley Way, CR0 4RG
Thursday, 13 Feb New Addington Community Centre, Central Parade, CR0 0JB
Events run from 7.30 to 9pm. Register to attend by emailing communications@croydon .gov .uk or turn up on the night; first-come/first-served. Visit www .croydon .gov .uk/questiontime for more information as events may be subject to change.
Scrutiny meetings (start at 6.30pm in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall, unless where stated)
Meeting: 28 Jan Health, social care and housing scrutiny sub-committee
4 Feb Scrutiny and strategic overview committee
11 Feb Children and young people scrutiny sub-committee
For information on scrutiny, visit www .croydon .gov .uk/scrutiny or email scrutiny@croydon .gov .uk.
Meetings of the Croydon Community Police Consultative Group are held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall. All are open to the public and begin at 6.30pm. For further information, go to www .croydononline .org/ccpcg
Forthcoming meeting dates are:
Wednesday, 15 January; Wednesday, 12 March
Details of all Croydon Council meetings can be found on the council website at www .croydon .gov .uk/meetingsofthecouncil
Council meeting dates
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yourdiary December 2013 – March 2014 | Your Croydon22
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Central Library and Museum of CroydonKatharine Street, Croydon CR9 1ET
Open: Monday to Saturday (see website for daily hours)Library – www.croydon.gov.uk/central-library Telephone: 020 8726 6900Email: [email protected] – www.museumofcroydon.comTelephone: 020 8253 1022 Email: [email protected]
www.croydon.gov.uk/atoz
Adult educationInformation on the courses available to older students.
Blocked drainsInformation on how to deal with drain problems.
Bulky waste collectionWhat it is, how to book it and how much it will cost.
CCTVHelping to ensure the safety of people in Croydon.
Croydon CarelineProviding a home safety and personal security system, helping people to live independently within their own homes. Direct paymentsGiving a person the choice to buy and arrange their own social care services.
Disabled parkingProviding parking bays throughout Croydon for vehicles used by the holders of blue badges.
Emergency planningKeeping Croydon running in the event of serious incidents.
Extended schoolsProviding a range of services and activities to help meet the needs of pupils, their families and the wider community
Fly-tippingHow to report it, your responsibilities as a landowner, and how the council prosecutes fly-tippers.
GamblingThe different types of licences – and how to apply for them.
Home safety adviceSee if you are eligible for a free home safety check.
Instrument tuitionService for children and young people.
Job searchFind the latest vacancies for positions within the council.
Leisure centresLinks and information on all the borough’s leisure centres.
Lottery registrationRunning a lottery to raise funds for a charity or an organisation such as a sports club, church or school, requires registration.
Mice and ratsInformation on the telltale signs and how to get help eradicating them.
Neighbourhood wardensOffering help and support to local communities.
Out-of-school activitiesAfter-school clubs, breakfast clubs, holiday play schemes – they’re all here.
Planning applicationsAdvice on all aspects of the planning process.
RecyclingWhat to recycle, how to recycle and where to recycle.
Out-of-school activitiesAfter-school clubs, breakfast clubs, holiday play schemes – they’re all here.
Planning applicationsAdvice on all aspects of the planning process.
RecyclingWhat to recycle, how to recycle and where to recycle.
Register officeGerneral information about Croydon Register office
Road grittingDetails on which roads, and why, will be gritted if there is a repeat of last year’s Arctic weather conditions.
Safer Croydon PartnershipWorking to make the borough safer for all who live, work and visit here.
Trading standardsDealing with doorstep crime and rogue traders, and offering advice to residents and businesses.
Trees and landscapeFind out about trees and related issues, including tree preservation orders, trees in conservation areas and on development sites, and problems with neighbours' hedges.
Voluntary organisationsDetails on available funding.
Welfare benefit adviceKnow what you’re entitled to and claim it.
Wheeled binsInformation about your wheeled bin, household waste collection and reporting a missed collection.
Youth projectsAll you need to know about Croydon’s youth provision.
Zoo licenceYou need to apply for a licence to run a zoo – should you really want to!
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.
Your A to Z of council services
Recycling
Road
gritting
Fly-tipping
Disabled parking
subscribe to the Your Croydon eBulletin at www .croydon .gov .uk/subscribe yourservices 23
Foster a Croydon child
www.croydon.gov.uk/fosteringFreephone: 0800 389 0129
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