OWNERS OF “ABANDONED” HOMES IN CROYDON SET TO PAY DOUBLE COUNCIL TAX – AND EVEN MORE

Owners of private homes in Croydon which have been left empty and disused for years face paying double, triple or even quadruple council tax under cabinet proposals being considered tonight (Monday). Croydon are the second local council to put forward the idea, coming hot on the heels of Lewisham.* Currently, local authorities can charge residents …

MP: “HOSPITAL CONTRACTOR REFUSING WORKERS SICK PAY” – Minister says company’s behaviour could be contempt of Parliament

Croydon North MP Steve Reed has raised the issue of constituents who work at Kingston hospital being denied sick pay. He told fellow MPs during Prime Minister's questions in the House of Commons: ISS is a private contractor that employs some of my constituents as porters and cleaners at Kingston Hospital, but it will not pay them …

SCHOOLS “OFF-ROLLING” PUPILS: MPs QUIZ MINISTERS

Academy schools have been "off-rolling" pupils to help boost exam results, says MP Helen Hayes.  In a House of Commons question the Dulwich and West Norwood MP said: Chief Superintendent Ade Adelekan of the Metropolitan police’s violent crime taskforce has described the factors common to many young people involved in knife crime and gangs, the …

GARDEN BRIDGE TRUST: MP QUIZZES MINISTER

Croydon North MP Steve Reed has asked questions in the House of Commons regarding the Garden Bridge Trust. Steve Reed Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) (Civil Society) To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the performance of the Charity Commission in fulfilling …

“RECALL SYSTEM TO PRISON THRESHOLD TOO LOW” – 1,846 women returned to custody while on licence in just one year

The recall system to prison has too low a threshold with the result that prisoners flip between detention, parole boards and release on licence once more , says Lewisham West and Penge MP Ellie Reeves.   She told fellow MPs: As a member of the justice committee, I have visited a number of prisons, including Downview …

MP SLAMS GOVERNMENT ON SPORTS FUNDING CUTS “Sports are some of the most effective ways to tackle loneliness among young people, yet grassroots sport funding is facing yet more cuts” -Steve Reed

Sport has the power to tackle some of the great challenges of our age, whether loneliness, obesity or mental ill health, yet the Government have chosen to cut sport to the bone, says Croydon North MP Steve Reed. Speaking in a debate on sport, Mr Reed said they had heard much, and rightly so, about …

SOUTHWARK: £20,000 FINE FOR NEGLIGENT LANDLORD – failed to apply for licence

A negligent Southwark landlord has been hit with costs and fines of £20,015 for failing to apply for a landlord licence that would have better protected his tenants.  Southwark council say they prosecuted him for his failure to apply for the licence and to respond to communications concerning properties in Camberwell Church Street. The council …

CROYDON: EVENTS TO CELEBRATE BOROUGH’S YEAR OF BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURS

A lunch to celebrate Croydon’s entrepreneurial community and the work of Croydon Council during the year of business in 2018 takes place at the end of the month. Croydon’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), which make up 99 per cent of the borough’s businesses, are invited to the lunch on 27 February, at Croydon College. …

CROYDON: YOUNG MAYOR’S FUND OPENS FOR BIDS – How to make your ‘pitch’

Young people in Croydon are being given the chance to bid for funding to make their projects helping other young people in the borough a reality. The Croydon Young Mayor’s Fund offers up to £2,000 to groups of young people who live or go to school, college or work in the borough. Croydon Young Mayor …

LAMBETH: GUIDANCE ON STREET PARTIES – Big Lunch and Car Free Day both on the way

Street Parties are a traditional part of community life. Everyone on your street can join in and it’s a great way to get to know your neighbours. Lambeth council are happy to support street parties, but has to ensure they are safe and legal. Spring is in the air and with that is the promise …