This week I have been out on the streets tackling fly-tipping head on. During a pre-walkabout ahead of our Thornton Heath Pond blitz clean, we uncovered a shameless fly-tip at Gala Court – with residents’ personal correspondence amongst the rubbish. I even rang the suspected culprit directly, leaving a clear message that this lawlessness will not be tolerated.

I also spoke with businesses on London Road about signing up to our Croydon Council Blitz Business Pledge, ahead of next month’s clean-up, which is a voluntary commitment for businesses to partner with the Council to help maintain street standards, tackle issues like graffiti and fly-tipping, and improve pride in the community. In return, businesses receive support such as free graffiti removal and trading standards advice – all whilst helping to keep local areas clean and inviting.

Today I joined one of our new compliance officers, Ken Thompson, on a walkabout and in Cotford Road, Thornton Heath, we found another fly-tip – this time on private land with correspondence from multiple addresses. Like the earlier case, this is now being investigated, with enforcement action to follow.

At the same time, I want to thank the many residents and businesses who are working with us to restore pride in our borough. Together, through blitz cleans, pledges, and enforcement, we are cleaning up Croydon – one street at a time and restoring pride.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to all our borough’s students who received their results this week for their GCSEs and vocational qualifications. It is my priority to make sure that all children and young people in Croydon have access to opportunities to further their education and careers. Thank you to all the teachers and families who supported them through their studies – I wish you the very best in your next steps. Support is available from Croydon’s Post 16 Participation Team for students considering their options. Find out more. 

Celebrating community and charitable groups

Croydon works very closely with the borough’s community and voluntary organisations who provide amazing support to our residents. This week I was delighted to visit ‘My Child Has a Speech Delay CIC’ in Broad Green, founded and co-directed by SEND (Special Educational Needs) parents Alicia Douglas and Melissa Shaw. From peer support to a music therapy bar, the group helps families connect, play and communicate. With support from Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) and Croydon Voluntary Action, they are building a strong community where families feel less isolated. Find out more.

I also met members of Brigstock Community Hub, run by the Asian Resource Centre of Croydon, which provides an important space for support, advice and community events. I will be returning to hold a Mayoral casework surgery at the hub in Thornton Heath, giving residents the chance to raise issues with me directly.

Feeling Gladi Gladi

Croydon town centre came alive last weekend with an incredible programme of live music, arts and play, to mark the 150th anniversary of legendary composer, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. A huge thank you to all the artists and performers and to all our residents who took part.

Have a great bank holiday weekend.

Jason Perry

Executive Mayor of Croydon