Agenda item

Public Questions (30 minutes)

To receive questions from the public gallery and questions submitted by residents in advance of the meeting.

1.           Can you please explain why you have not funded new footpaths around Selhurst shops and the top of Gloucester road. The footpaths here are in total disrepair, awful looking, are uneven, are a health and safety trip risk, water lingers and rubbish collates. For decades blotched jobs of very poor quality have been done. The pavements rightly should have been replaced 20 years ago, but have disintegrated to disrepair and health and safety danger. Why has Selhurst pavements been neglected to total disrepair and when will you fund new footpaths?

2.           Community energy is thriving up and down the country facilitating cost savings for thousands of public sector and public serving buildings. So why, unlike most other London councils that are benefitting from having solar and other energy upgrades fitted at no costs to themselves, does the council seek to charge rent for projects discussed with Croydon Community Energy, putting them at risk of not being financially viable to progress with the projects. Can the council outline its stance on supporting such projects, commit to 3-month timeline to resolve differences and discuss potential avenues for increasing support in the future?

3.           What is being done to stop drug dealing and antisocial behaviour caused by drugs? On my road there is no CCTV there is frequent graffiti, I have been harassed by people on drugs making inappropriate comments, my neighbours frequently spot drug dealing taking place in broad daylight.

4.           Parking Controls changes - please explain Croydon Council’s actions. PayPoint is worse - less convenient, slower, more difficult than systems elsewhere.  Croydon Council consulted on parking - then did something wholly different. How Croydon consulted public over making all free time-limited parking two-hour Pay-by-phone only. Formal consultation starting next day not mentioned at last Public Questions despite question. Croydon defying Equality Act - Pay-by-phone only parking schemes - discriminatory against older + disabled people. Croydon unable to operate free time-limited parking with no proof of arrival, although standard across London, including TFL. Parking times not related to location – as normal elsewhere.

5.           In Ireland, all public libraries are funded by the State in the interests of literacy and levelling up. Is the Council prepared to seek a similar support from the incoming Government?

6.           Given that our Shirley library is the only local amenity within walking distance, easily accessible for older residents and young mothers, and serves as a vital meeting place for various community groups, what specific factors and data are driving the decision to close it given that Shirley actually has increasing visitor numbers compared to other libraries? Considering the growing demand for local groups to use the library and the impracticality of expecting people to walk long distances or wait for buses to visit another library at their expense, what alternatives are being proposed to meet these diverse community needs?

7.           In regard to the closure of Shirley Library can you explain why it is deemed essential to keep the library open at New Addington and not provide an easy to reach library that is well advertised with weekend opening for the residents of Shrublands estate.

8.           Closure of a local library reduces opportunities for local residents to experience social contact in a learning environment, especially the young and the elderly population. Has the council considered the negative effect of this, despite being charged the same council tax as residents in other parts of the borough?

9.           Shirley Library is in danger of closure. There are restrictive covenants on Shirley Library and the beneficiaries of these are residents whose original property registration number is higher than SY7794 (the library's registration number) and form part of Wickham Road Estate. There are at least a hundred of these beneficiaries. My question is Has the Council held a meeting with the beneficiaries (as they must by law) to see what they want - either to keep the library or negotiate financial compensation.

10.       Will you support keeping Shirley Library open?

11.       How much council tax revenue does Croydon Council receive from properties in Shirley?

12.       I have lived in Mill Lane for over 25 years, and 4 years ago the residents of our road applied for permit parking due to the further concerns about the creation and expansion of Purley Cross Shopping centre and the added problems this would bring to existing parking issues. Whilst we understand that finances are tight, this would have brought an increase in rates and rents payable, more jobs, which is good for the borough. We in return have received nothing, a large increase in traffic, noise, rubbish and pollution. We would be grateful of if you please look at our request for permit parking from June 2020 for the 12 houses on our road, and grant this.

The Council received twelve questions from residents. The following responses were given to supplementary questions based on the answers given and published in the agenda.

1.    It was noted that the questioner was not present as was expected online and the Chair in accordance with the Constitution asked that the response be sent to the questioner via email and published in the Minutes.

2.    It was noted that the questioner was not present and the Chair in accordance with the Constitution asked that the response be sent to the questioner via email and published in the Minutes.

3.    In response to a supplementary question on how the Council planned to address the addiction issues at the root of much of the antisocial behaviour, and how this was linked to knife crime. Councillor Ola Kolade acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and highlighted the introduction of a Town Centre Task Force, which brings together key agencies, including the police and homelessness services, to quickly respond to such problems. He encouraged reporting crimes through the police website or Crime Stoppers, especially if anonymity was a concern, as this data was crucial for the police's response. He also mentioned the implementation of Public Safety Protection Orders (PSPOs) in Croydon, including one in Thornton Heath, as part of the Council’s approach to both supporting people with substance misuse issues and enforcing actions when antisocial behaviour was persistent. He also invited the questioner to attend the quarterly police ward panels, which bring together councillors, safer neighbourhood officers, and other key organisations to set priorities for tackling local issues. He reiterated his willingness to meet with the questioner to further understand the situation and what the police were doing to help. He hoped his response had been helpful and looked forward to further discussions.

4.    In response to a supplementary question about the about omission of parts of the original response, Councillor Scott Roche noted that a more detailed answer had been published on the Council’s website and encouraged questioner to reach out for any further clarifications. In response to the specific point raised about the availability of a PayPoint machine in South Croydon, Councillor Roche said that officers would investigate the matter further and explained that PayPoint was one option among several available for making payments, particularly for those without access to a smartphone or who prefer not to use a landline or mobile. The Council aims to offer a broad range of payment options to Croydon residents while also supporting local businesses and promoting the local economy.

5.    In response to a supplementary question if any of the new MPs were prepared to discuss with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) the possibility of amending the Act to apply it as a national service rather than a bureaucratic one, Councillor Andy Stranack stated that while he could not answer on behalf of the local MPs, the current legislation was believed to be sufficient to provide an effective and efficient library service for all residents in Croydon.

6.    In response to a supplementary question about how outreach services and potential transport options would replace the benefits of having a local library, particularly for working parents like himself who walk to the library with their children, Councillor Andy Stranack stated that there had been an excellent consultation process, with thousands of responses being analysed. A full report on the future of library services would be presented to the Full Council in September. He emphasised that both the Council and the Mayor desire to establish community hubs in areas where library buildings might be closed, and these hubs would include some of the activities mentioned, such as book clubs and craft clubs.

7.    The Chair informed Council that Question 8 had been withdrawn by the questionnaire.

8.    In response to a supplementary question reminding the Council of the democratic purpose of libraries, referencing the first library in Manchester, which was founded with the intent of serving the public democratically. The questioner expressed concern about how closing libraries might make access more difficult for some residents, questioning how such actions align with the Council’s commitment to providing a democratic service. Councillor Andy Stranack acknowledged the concern, noting that currently less than 10% of the population are using library buildings. The proposals being developed aim to increase access to library services across Croydon, with three key objectives: reaching more residents, improving public services, and making the library system more efficient and effective. A full report on the review and consultation would be provided in September.

9.    The questioner was experiencing IT issues, so a member of the Democratic services team asked the question on her behalf. The response from Councillor Andy Stranack was published on the Council website before the meeting

10.In response to a supplementary question regarding the consultation process referenced in Councillor Andy Stranack's published response. The questioner, representing the Friends of Shirley Library Group, highlighted concerns about the submission of additional evidence. Given these concerns, requested an extension of the consultation period to the end of August, noting that this could restore confidence among library groups. Councillor Andy Stranack acknowledged the additional evidence submitted by the Shirley Group. Although the evidence was beyond the original consultation deadline, he confirmed that it was currently being reviewed within the mayor's system, and officers would respond through that channel in due course.

11.it was noted that the questioner for Question 11 was not present at the meeting. As per the Constitution, the response will be sent via email and published in the Minutes.

12.In response to a supplementary question regarding the responsibility for cleaning up rubbish at Pearly Cross, with the questioner suggesting that local business owners, who contribute significantly to the waste, should bear responsibility rather than ratepayers. The questioner also informed the Council about a letter received from Thames Water, stating that their road would be closed, except for emergency vehicles, from the end of July until mid-November, raising concerns about parking availability during this period. Councillor Scott Roche acknowledged the concerns about Purley Cross and committed to discussing the issue with the local team. He also mentioned that meetings had already taken place with Purley Barbers to address general issues in the area, and a blitz clean-up would be conducted in the Purley area in the coming months to improve the situation. Regarding the road closure by Thames Water, Councillor Roche stated that he was not fully informed about the issue but would ask officers to investigate and provide further information.

The session concluded with thanks to all who submitted questions and attended the meeting