Attendance

Chair: Esther Sutton

Facilitators: Angela Vanegas, Tony Skrzypczyk, Dawn Edwards, Tomas Howard-Jones, Fiona Crowe, Sasha Konechni

Estimated participation: 60

1

Introduction

Esther explained that following the last meeting on 7 October 2014 certain themes emerged which we’ve used to frame this meeting. Esther explained that there were tables on those themes to discuss the action required that people were free to choose which one to join. The tables being as below: –

Crime and anti-social behaviour

Supporting each other

Supporting local Business

Improving the natural and built environment

Better streets

2

Recent meetings

Esther talked about two meetings we have attended since we last met on 7 October 2014; a meeting at the Council to select representatives from resident associations to sit on the Stronger Communities Board and a meeting with White Label, an event company hired by Menta to involve the community in the use of a space on the corner of Billington Hill and Cherry Orchard Road. The main outcomes of these two meetings are as below: –

Council – Stronger Communities Partnership residents’ association group

To help improve quality of life in the borough.

To share ideas and experience between residents’ associations.

Other partners not just council but police, businesses, faith groups, voluntary sector and the BME forum.

Giving communities a voice at the highest level so involved with policy-making.

Four representatives of the residents’ association group will attend the partnership board meeting then report back to the wider group.

Menta Community Engagement (White Label)

Esther explained that White Label have been commissioned by Menta Redrow to facilitate engagement with the immediate community before advising the main points as below: –

Cherry Orchard Gardens site will be the site office for the next 5 years, and there is an opportunity for ECCO to put some community-focussed messaging on the hoardings. However, the areas we’ll be asked to fill will be quite small.

There is the proposal to turn part of the development site into ‘Meanwhile Use’ space for the community for 2 years. There was discussion with White Label about possibilities for the space such as a studio space, or a place for the arts or sporting activities, possible test trading area for pop-up businesses. It was also discussed to green up the area and having childrens’ play facilities on there. Esther stressed that suggestions need to come from us so these are welcome.

There was also some discussion around Menta supporting ECCO possibly through sponsorship of a ‘welcome to the area’ pack or a community newsletter. Esther acknowledged this would need to be discussed this in further depth.

Esther said there’s a strong chance that a representative from Menta or Redrow will attend our next public meeting to take questions.

3

Terms of reference

Rod Davies has drafted an Interim Terms of Reference for ECCO with a supply of copies on each table. The intention is that this will frame our organisation until we become a constituted group.

4

Agenda

The meeting then divided into five discussion groups on different topics with groups asked to suggest one action that could be taken forward and who would be responsible: –

Support each other

This group suggested that the action to take forward would be a street party for the whole area– venue in the communal space on the Menta site, to be promoted to the rest of Croydon and be part of the Big Lunch on 7 June, with local businesses providing food. Oval school as the wet weather alternative.

Support local businesses

A number of topics were discussed and issues arose, but no one action was agreed

• have a local business forum

• survey of the needs of local businesses

• poor state of repair in the area highlighted

• need to engage with Menta

• have breakfast meetings

• increase awareness of types of businesses in the area

Post meeting note: the steering group is developing a list of local businesses.

Crime

A number of topics were discussed and issues arose, but no one action was agreed

• a ward team website (anyone can join)

• Bissenden Road floodlight

• There was an attempted mugging on 12 February in Lebanon Road

• Safer Neighbourhood team around tramstop

• the number of burglaries down Lebanon Road

• Alleygators scheme to block alleyways

• poor lighting with a need for rapid response to street light failures

• CCTV

• that communication between residents can help prevent crime

• have a bulletin board to report issues

• the theft and misuse of parking machines in Tunstall Road and Addiscombe Court Road

• the possible drug dealing at Cedar Road/Lebanon Road junction

• it was questioned whether CCTV cameras at tramstops are functional

Post meeting note: Tomas Howard-Jones with attend the Addiscombe Safer Neighbourhood Team ward panel and report relevant information on the ECCO website.

Better Streets

This group suggested that the action to take forward would be to find out how to report flytipping and put it on website. A number of other topics were discussed

• litter pick –the general consensus was that this is a council or education issue for perpetrators

• dog mess stencils – it was suggested these have been used but that the paint wears away

• the roads of main concern were suggested as being Lesley Park Road, Oval Road and the far end of Cedar Road towards Lebanon Road

Natural and built environment

A number of topics were discussed and issues arose. No one action was agreed, bu the environment will be improved if flytipping is reported more regularly

• the need for more recycling bins

• the need to educate litter droppers

• improving Croydon’s image

• responding to Menta

• the environment by Porter and Sorter

• having school involvement in hoardings project

• that communal space could have recycling bins

5

Summing up

Esther summed up: –

• we will report back at our next public meeting in January – date to be advised by email

• in the meanwhile we can be contacted through the website

• a big thank you to everybody for coming and the kind donations towards the costs.

Post meeting note: ECCO finances 0n 24 November

• income: £71.50 (meeting 7 Oct), £23.80 (meeting 10 Nov)

• expenditure: £60 (hall for 7 Oct)) + £3 (laminating posters for 10 Nov)

• balance: £32.30

6

Any other business

• the architects of a development of work/live units on Milton Road are holding a consultation meeting on 18 November.

• Croydon Assembly are holding a meeting on 15 November “Join together to fight inequality”

• there will be Community Carol singing in the Oval Tavern on 23 December

• Addiscombe Safer Neighbourhood Team Ward panel meets quarterly at Croydon Police Station Welcome Page. Tomas Howard-Jones is the secretary and our representative. Contact him on secretary@asntpanel.org.uk if you are interested in joining.