It is my priority to make Croydon cleaner and safer and we have seen really positive results from our blitz cleans in Norbury, Thornton Heath and New Addington, as part of our Cleaner Croydon campaign. Our next stop is Addiscombe – where our cleaning teams will be carrying out targeted work from Monday 27 January, for three weeks. Do look out for our teams and report environmental issues through the Love Clean Streets app or on our website.
New £6.3m GP surgery
I have been working closely with our partners at the NHS to secure a new GP health centre in Coulsdon and I’m pleased to report that we have reached a milestone in this important project. At Cabinet on Wednesday, it was agreed that Croydon should proceed with the next steps to lease a Council-owned car park to the NHS on a long-term basis, for use as a health centre. The scheme is on track to receive £6.3m funding from the Department of Health and will help to address a shortfall of GP places for our Coulsdon residents. The planning application is also now submitted and this scheme is now moving ahead after years of delay.
Investing in emergency housing
Like other London boroughs, Croydon is seeing more people at risk of homelessness. We are working to address this, including investing in temporary housing, to support vulnerable families and individuals facing homelessness. This week Cabinet approved the purchase of the Zodiac House building in Broad Green. The newly refurbished building will provide 73 safe, temporary homes for residents who are waiting for long-term housing. This will improve our supply and reduce spending on hotels or other costly temporary accommodation, whilst providing safe and secure homes.
Tamil Heritage Month
January is Tamil Heritage Month, giving us all the opportunity to celebrate Tamil culture and language and acknowledge the many contributions the Tamil community make in Croydon. I was honoured to be asked to take part in the Thai Pongal festival at Braithwaite Hall last Sunday and to celebrate the traditions of the Tamil community.
Marathon fundraising
Finally I would like to thank Croydon resident Ashok Kumar for his relentless fundraising through charity events and running marathons globally, which have raised £40,000. This year he is fundraising for Action Against Hunger and it was wonderful to see the community come together at Selsdon Community Centre to raise funds for such an important cause.
Holocaust Memorial Day
I will join residents and partners in honouring the victims of the Holocaust and genocide at Croydon’s Holocaust Memorial Day next week. The remembrance event, which is hosted by the Civic Mayor of Croydon Councillor Kola Agboola, will be held in the council chamber on Monday. All are welcome, with spaces allocated on a first come, first served basis. To attend, please contact civicmayor@croydon.gov.uk.
Have a good weekend
Jason Perry
Executive Mayor of Croydon