Victory for Citiscape residents
20/04/2018 16:48:00.......Posted by Philip Smith

As a resident of the Citiscape building, it is very welcome news that Barratt Developments have been persuaded to pay for the fire safety related costs thus relieving Citiscape's leaseholders of the burden of paying and, most importantly, ensuring their homes will be made safe.

This would not have happened without the huge collective efforts of everyone in the building, those leading the Residents’ Group and local representatives. I would personally like to thank them for their tireless campaigning and dedication.

The other local Council candidates and I have been raising the issues of Citiscape safety with the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff and the Secretary of State as we sought to achieve the right result for all concerned.

We have been clear from the beginning that building owners in the private sector should not pass on the costs of essential cladding replacement to leaseholders. Labour representatives have called on the Government to fund the works using taxpayer money, ultimately still our money - we have always disagreed with this approach.

As someone who lives in the building, I am well aware of the stress that this ordeal has caused. If elected to represent Fairfiedl on May 3rd I will continue to champion matters impacting the building namely intercom issues and lift work that continues to have an effect on residents.

Thank you again for all those who worked to raise the profile on this issue, particularly to the Residents Association – it really wouldn’t have happened without them.

BARRATT DEVELOPMENTS AGREE TO PAY FIRE SAFETY COSTS

Housing Secretary, Sajid Javid, today (Thursday 19 April) welcomed the decision from property developers Barratt Developments to pay for fire safety related costs in a building they developed, relieving the building’s leaseholders of this burden and ensuring that the building will be made safe.

Leaseholders living in the Citiscape development in Croydon were told at a residents’ meeting tonight (Thursday 19 April) of Barratt Developments’ decision. The company have said they will cover future and backdated costs relating to employing a fire warden and the removal and replacement of unsafe cladding from this building.

Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, Government acted swiftly to establish a comprehensive Building Safety Programme. This included identifying buildings with unsafe cladding and providing guidance to building owners. 

From the outset Sajid Javid has been clear that building owners in the private sector should follow the lead of the social housing sector and not pass on the costs of essential cladding replacement to leaseholders. 

Government has been in discussions with private sector landlords and developers directly, including Barratt Developments, regarding this matter.

Sajid Javid, said:

“I applaud Barratt Developments’ decision to cover the costs of fire safety works. They have listened to the concerns of Citiscape residents, engaged with Government and have done the right thing.

“Other building owners and developers in the private sector should follow the example set by Barratt Developments to protect leaseholders from costs and begin essential fire safety works. I want to see all leaseholders in this position get the peace of mind they deserve and I am keeping this under review.”

Chatsworth Road
10/04/2018 17:34:00.......Posted by Helen Pollard

Spent a pleasant evening meeting the residents of the Chatsworth Road area.  They have concerns about council tax, insensitive building and the lack of progress with the redevelopment of our town centre.

Park Hill Park and Lloyd Park
09/04/2018 17:30:00.......Posted by Helen Pollard

Met with senior council officers and representatives from the Friends of Park Hill Park to discuss how the masterplan for the park will be implemented.  I have been asking the council to refurbish the toilets in the park for four years, and they still have not done anything about it.  I hope they are now on track to make this happen.  We also dicsussed the maintenance of the pavillion and other park improvements.

The Council officers will also meet with the Friends of Lloyd Park to discuss how they will implement the Lloyd Park masterplan.  

Labour's lost parks
01/04/2018 09:01:00.......Posted by Helen Pollard

One of the parks that Labour has failed to protect in the Local Plan is St James Memorial Garden on Sydenham Road.  It is a shame that our precious green spaces are now vulnerable to development.  Even in the overcast weather yesterday, it is still an oasis of calm in our busy town.

Resident victory over club in Q-Park basement
29/03/2018 20:44:00.......Posted by Ben Joce

As you may be aware the Croydon Council recently received a licensing application to open a pop-up bar and live music venue under residential block, Bridge House, in the basement area of the Q-Park, off Charles Street. Many of you wrote to the Council expressing your opposition to this application which would have meant the venue opening at 9pm and will closing at 11pm on most weekdays and 4am on weekends.

I would firstly like to say thank you to the over 100 local residents who signed the petition. Many residents were rightly concerned about the impact this would have on their lives and were thankful for the support that was received.

The application was recently heard by the Councils licensing committee, which many of you attended and spoke at. Cllr Vidhi Mohan and I were also at the meeting to oppose the application on behalf of residents. Though the applicant was granted a licence, we are pleased to announce that the plans have been significantly modified to reduce the adverse impact on local residents. These include:

• No DJ-led events or live music performances will take place at the venue.
• The venue will close at 11pm on all nights, with no extended opening times on weekends.

The operators articulated the function of the venue based on the changes that they have submitted to the licencing application. We welcomed the changes that they put forward and whole-heartedly encourage the use of venue community and cultural initiatives which they outlined. Croydon town centre needs such venues that enhance the local community but take into account any impact on local residents.  

Once the venue opens, we will monitor the situation to ensure it has no adverse impacts and they adhere to the restrictions as set out in the granted licence. Local residents should please feel free to contact us if they want to discuss any concerns they may still have with this or any other issues in the local area.

High Street
27/03/2018 08:54:00.......Posted by Helen Pollard

Attended a meeting with a council officer and my colleague, Vidhi Mohan, to learn about plans for the newly pedestrianised are of the High Street outside Grants Cinema.  As far as I can work out, there are no plans!  The area was pedestrianised to improve air quality, reduce traffic and allow restaurants more space for tables and chairs.  That is the extent of the plans. 

The Council is now asking peoiple to come up with ideas for what they should do with the space.  I am disappointed with the lack of ambition for this area. It presents an opportunity to really enhance our town and yet, there is no direction coming from the current Labour administration. 

I have plenty of ideas for the space, and I shared them with the Council officer.  

Edridge Road Building Proposal
26/03/2018 08:51:00.......Posted by Helen Pollard

Attended the meeting of the Council in the Town Hall.  Took the opportunity to ask a question on behalf of a resident who lives in Edridge Road.  He is very unhappy about the proposal to build a dense development of flats at the end of his road on the mini-park which is a precious area of grass with a bench, trees and flowers.

The response from Labour was typical.  They don't care what residents think.  They are going to build there regardless.  

New Signs for Chatsworth Road
24/03/2018 18:52:00.......Posted by Helen Pollard

Went to see the new signs that have been put up in the Chatsworth Road Conservation Area.  The road signs all now include the Conservation Area name, there are welcome signs, and an infoboard near the Police Station.  Really pleased that Fairfield Councillors have been able to provide the funding for this project.  Hope the area can keep its character in the face of all the demands from developers and this Labour Council.

Helping anti-social behaviour on Lansdowne Road
21/03/2018 20:39:00.......Posted by Philip Smith

Over the last months we have been meeting residents in Lansdowne Road. During our visits it became clear, after speaking with residents, that there is an issue with antisocial behaviour in the area.

This is an ongoing issue and is connected with the number of hostels in the area including Palmer House on Lansdowne Road which caters for single homeless people, including rough sleepers who have complex needs. Many residents have substance misuse issues and/or mental health issues. The hostels in the area do excellent work in supporting some of our most vulnerable residents as they try to overcome these difficulties.

Following the concerns raised by residents, we met the manager of Palmer House to find out what is being done to prevent the antisocial behaviour and street drinking that residents find intimidating and makes them feel unsafe.

Staff are well aware of the impact the hostels have on the surrounding areas. They have assured us that they work hard with their own residents, and the people that visit the residents to ensure they do not cause a nuisance in the surrounding area. Recently they have implemented a system whereby they carry out hourly patrols around the hostel to monitor the local area and there are consequences for residents who do not comply with rules about behaviour in and around Palmer House.

We are also in touch with the local Safer Neighbourhood Police team and have asked that they carry out regular patrols of the area. They have confirmed that they are and will continue to do so. It has been suggested that your Conservative councillors, the policing team and the management of the hostels meet to discuss a strategy of how best we can collectively tackle the issues in future.

If anyone local residents have any further concerns relating to the above or would like to discuss anything else with us then please contact us.

Help save Matthews Yard from destruction
16/03/2018 20:50:00.......Posted by Elizabeth Agyepong

We are writing to you today to ask you to help us fight a local campaign that is very close to our hearts - the continued success and prosperity of iconic local cultural hub Matthews Yard.

Croydon Council recently received a planning application for the demolition and subsequent construction of a residential block of flats for the building (5-9 Surrey Street) in which Matthews Yard is based. We, as your local Conservative team, are opposing this planning application along with the owners of Matthews Yard and thousands of other concerned local residents who fear the loss of this fantastic social and cultural hub.

As many of you are aware we have long supported the campaign to save Matthews Yard. Back in October we wrote to Labour Council Leader Cllr Tony Newman to ask him to do all he can to save our precious Matthews Yard from demolition – we have yet to receive a reply and his Council has done next to nothing to help keep this local gem protected for future generations.

Recently the owners of Matthews Yard started a petition for local politicians of all colours to sign and support them in their quest to remain open and at the heart of Croydon’s cultural centre. At the time of writing this letter over 30 Conservative councillors and candidates have signed the petition - unfortunately no one from Labour has.

We will continue to do all we can to stop the destruction of Matthews Yard, but we need your help to stop it.

You can join the campaign by:

1. Writing in and objecting to the plans – visit http://www.matthewsyard.com/support/object-to-the-demolition-of-5-9-surrey-street/ for an easy guide to how to do that.
2. Join the more than 6,000 residents who have already signed the petition to save Matthews Yard: https://www.change.org/p/save-matthews-yard

Please make your voice heard by objecting before the deadline of 28th March.

If you have any questions about this or any other local issues then please do not hesitate to contact us,