Recent Comments
Ken Towl on We need new election system wh… Barry on Report calls urban sprawl… Denise Fonseca on Report calls urban sprawl… Jim Bush on Roll up! Roll up! Enjoy Croydo… insidecroydon on Leslie Arms timeline: sad 25-y… Steve Whiteside on How Labour-Tory marriage of co…
Category Archives: Libraries
Closing libraries is a sign of ‘failed administration’ – say Tories
Education correspondent GENE BRODIE on the ever-present threat to the borough’s public libraries, with a doom-laden, long-delayed council report expected next week At the council cabinet meeting to be held on September 25 (the first such meeting held by our … Continue reading
Posted in Broad Green, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Education, Libraries, Manju Shahul Hameed, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South, Stuart Collins
Tagged Bradmore Green Library, Broad Green, Broad Green Library, Chris Philp MP, Conservative, Croydon, Croydon Council, Croydon Libraries, Croydon South, London Borough of Croydon, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Purley, Purley Library, Sanderstead, Sanderstead Library, Save Croydon Libraries, Selsdon, Selsdon Library, Shirley, Shirley Library, Tory
10 Comments
Dear Angela: It’s time for you to act and fund Croydon fairly
Last month, the Croydon Mayor wrote to the Deputy Prime Minister begging for an urgent meeting to resolve the council’s long-standing financial problems after 14 years of Tory austerity. Angela Rayner did not reply. So now ANDREW FISHER, pictured right, … Continue reading
Posted in Adult Social Care, Andrew Fisher, Children's Services, Council Tax, Croydon Council, Improvement Board, Katherine Kerswell, Libraries, Section 114 notice, Steve Reed MP, Streatham and Croydon North
Tagged Adult Social Care, Andrew Fisher, Angela Rayner, Children's Services, Conservative, Council Tax, Croydon, Croydon Council, Fund Croydon Fairly, Labour, London Borough of Croydon, Mayor Jason Perry, Public libraries, Section 114, Section 114 Notice, Steve Reed OBE, Streatham and Croydon North, Tory
16 Comments
£500m difference in audit figures is looking like a Brum deal
COUNCILS IN CRISIS: A report from forensic auditors has raised questions about one council’s bankruptcy that could persuade others, including cash-strapped Croydon, to ask whether they are getting proper analysis of their struggling finances An academic report into the parlous … Continue reading
Posted in Council Tax, Croydon Council, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, Report in the Public Interest, Section 114 notice
Tagged Birmingham, Birmingham City Council, Conservative, Council Tax, Croydon, Croydon Council, Department for Levelling Up, Financial Times, Grant Thornton, Labour, Mayor Jason Perry, Michael Gove, Section 114 Notice, Tory, William Wallis
3 Comments
Selling off borough’s public libraries is act of social vandalism
In his latest column, ANDREW FISHER, pictured right, looks for the real reasons behind closure plans and suggests that the Labour Government should be doing more to help struggling local authorities One of my favourite songs from the 1990s begins … Continue reading
Posted in Andrew Fisher, Broad Green, Croydon Council, Education, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South
Tagged Andrew Fisher, Bradmore Green, Bradmore Green Library, Broad Green, Broad Green Library, Chris Philp MP, Conservative, Coulsdon, Council Tax, Croydon, Croydon Council, Croydon Public Libraries, Labour, London Borough of Croydon, Manic Street Preachers, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Pillgwenlly, Public libraries, Sanderstead, Sanderstead Library, Shirley, Shirley Library, Tory
9 Comments
Comic Kumar’s message for Mayor over Shirley library closure
The likely closure of Shirley Library would be “a devastating blow” for local residents, according to comic and television presenter Nish Kumar. Kumar grew up in Shirley and used its public library, where borrowing books “fostered a lifelong love of … Continue reading
Posted in Community associations, Croydon Council, Education, Jason Cummings, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South
Tagged Bradmore Green, Bradmore Green Library, Broad Green, Broad Green Library, Conservative, Croydon, Croydon Council, Jason Cummings, Nish Kumar, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Sanderstead Library, Shirley, Shirley Library, Shirley South, Tory
5 Comments
£603,000: the soaring costs of Croydon’s ‘improvement’ panel
CROYDON IN CRISIS: Three years since Tony McArdle and his government-appointed team of troubleshooters were parachuted into the council, there are mounting questions about what they have achieved. EXCLUSIVE by STEVEN DOWNES The Government-appointed chair of Croydon Council’s “improvement and … Continue reading
Posted in Adult Social Care, Children's Services, Council Tax, Croydon Council, Improvement Board, Katherine Kerswell, Libraries, Section 114 notice, SEND, Tony McArdle
Tagged Bankrupt, Chrildren's Services, Conservative, Council Tax, Croydon, Croydon Council, Eleanor Brazil, Jo Negrini, Katherine Kerswell, Levelling, LGC, Local Government Chronicle, London Borough of Croydon, Mayor Jason Perry, Phil Brookes, S114, S114 notice, Section 114, Section 114 Notice, Tony McArdle, Tory
12 Comments
More than 2,500 sign petition to save Sanderstead Library
A petition to keep Sanderstead Library open has attracted more than 2,500 signatures. Sanderstead is one of four libraries earmarked for closure as part of Mayor Jason Perry’s plans to “reorganise” Croydon’s library service. The petition demands that Croydon Council … Continue reading
Posted in Broad Green, Community associations, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Libraries, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Sanderstead Residents Association, Shirley North, Shirley South
Tagged 15% Council Tax hike, Bradmore Green, Bradmore Green Library, Broad Green Library, Conservative, Coulsdon, Croydon, Croydon Council, London Borough of Croydon, Old Coulsdon, Richard Pacitti, Sanderstead, Sanderstead Library, Sanderstead Residents' Association, Shirley, Shirley Library, Tory
Leave a comment
Time is running out to help save our threatened public libraries
CROYDON COMMENTARY: As the deadline approaches for the consultation on Tory plans to close or downgrade half the borough’s libraries, ELAINE GARROD seeks your support in responding to the council consultation I have always believed that having a local library … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon Council, Croydon South, Elaine Garrod, Libraries
Tagged Bradmore Green Library, Broad Green Library, Conservative, Coulsdon, Croydon, Croydon Council, Croydon Libraries, Croydon Public Libraries, Croydon South, Elaine Garrod, Green Party, Libraries, Libraries consultation, London Borough of Croydon, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Public libraries, Sanderstead Library, Shirley, Shirley Library, Tory
2 Comments
£51,000pa saved on library won’t touch council’s £1.6bn debt
Three years ago, RICHARD PACITTI, pictured left, explained how to save the borough’s libraries. With half of Croydon’s public libraries once again under threat of closure or being down-graded, he’s back to make the case for a properly funded, essential … Continue reading
Posted in Broad Green, Broad Green Residents' Association, Community associations, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Education, Libraries, New Addington South, Old Coulsdon, Old Coulsdon Residents' Association, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South, South Norwood
Tagged Bradmore Green, Bradmore Green Library, Broad Green, Broad Green Library, Conservative, Coulsdon, Croydon, Croydon Council, Friend of Sandersted Library, Labour, London Borough of Croydon, New Addington, New Addington Library, Old Coulsdon, Richard Pacitti, Sanderstead, Sanderstead Library, Sanderstead Residents' Association, Shirley, Shirley Library, South Norwood, South Norwood Library, Tory
8 Comments
‘Appalling’ GLL is facing strike by library workers in Bromley
Library workers in Bromley are to take strike action over “low pay and shoddy working practices”, according to their union, Unite. Bromley operates 14 public libraries (more than in bigger borough Croydon), plus a volunteer-run mobile library service, all managed … Continue reading
Authors talk about pirates, pigeons and patchwork unicorns
Our latest Under The Flyover podcast is a World Book Day Special, where we meet three local authors who have helped to inspire thousands of local schoolchildren from Croydon primary schools through their books and their readings at Waterstones bookstore … Continue reading
Cash-strapped council to splash out £4.8m on new laptops
CROYDON IN CRISIS: No money for adult services, half the borough’s libraries facing closure or down-grading, and Council Tax hiked by 21% in just 12 months. But Mayor Perry has found the cash to buy 3,700 new computers. By KEN … Continue reading
Posted in Business, Council Tax, Croydon Council, Elaine Jackson, Ian Golland, Katherine Kerswell, Libraries, Marie Snelling, Mayor Jason Perry
Tagged Conservative, Council Tax, Croydon, Croydon Council, Ian Golland, Katherine Kerswell, Laptop refresh, Marie Snelling, Mayor Jason Perry, Tory
11 Comments
2,000 primary pupils inspired by star authors at Waterstones
Almost 2,000 pupils from Croydon primary schools have this week come with their classes to Waterstones in the Whitgift Centre to celebrate World Book Day in an impressive and inspiring series of talks and events featuring locally-based authors. The youngsters … Continue reading
Raye’s Coulsdon primary school pleads: ‘Save Our Library!’
There was a huge turn out on World Book Day at Bradmore Green Library in Old Coulsdon this morning to protest against the Tory Mayor’s proposals to close the library. Residents and children are really upset at the threat to … Continue reading
‘The council is dismantling our borough, service by service’
CROYDON COMMENTARY: The latest sham consultation over the closure of some of the borough’s libraries – with half under threat of being downgraded or shut forever – looks like the end-game to ALISON HUNT So there’s yet another consultation over … Continue reading
Posted in Broad Green, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Education, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Schools, Shirley North, Shirley South, South Norwood
Tagged Alison Hunt, Bradmore Green, Bradmore Green Library, Broad Green, Broad Green Library, Conservative, Council Tax, Croydon, Croydon Council, Libraries, Libraries consultation, New Addington, Old Coulsdon, Public libraries, Sanderstead, Sanderstead Library, Shirley, Shirley Library, South Norwood, Tory
6 Comments
Angry Purley and Sanderstead residents to confront Mayor
Dodgy fines on motorists, rubber-stamping LTNs, £5 charges for replacement bins, public library closures and now delays over a long-promised Coulsdon healthcentre are likely to be some of the awkward questions tonight for out-of-his-depth Jason Perry Jason Perry, Croydon’s £82,000 … Continue reading
Posted in Community associations, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, East Coulsdon Residents' Association, Libraries, Mario Creatura, Mayor Jason Perry, New Addington South, Parking, Purley, Purley Pool, Sanderstead
Tagged 15% Council Tax hike, Conservative, Coulsdon, Coulsdon health centre, Croydon, Croydon Council, Mayor Jason Perry, Polaska Assets BVI, Purley, Purley Pool, Sanderstead, Sanderstead Library, Say No To 15%, Tory
3 Comments
21% Council Tax hike but Perry has a pay rise for his mates
There’s a protest planned outside Croydon Town Hall tomorrow for the first of two council budget meetings You pay more. You get less. Long-suffering residents will be protesting outside Croydon Town Hall tomorrow evening, and again the following Wednesday, March … Continue reading
Posted in Adult Social Care, Callton Young, Community associations, Council Tax, Croydon Council, David White, Esther Sutton, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, Ria Patel, Stuart King
Tagged 15% Council Tax hike, Conservative, Council Tax, Croydon, Croydon Assembly, Croydon Council, David White, Labour, London Borough of Croydon, Mayor Jason Perry, Say No To 15%, Tory
3 Comments
Local community ‘partnerships’ meeting, Norbury, Mar 13
Posted in Activities, Community associations, Libraries, Norbury
Tagged Norbury, Norbury Library
Leave a comment
Short-notice Old Coulsdon library webinar betrays council plan
Plans to close or downgrade half the borough’s public libraries are being rushed through, as just three days’ notice of an event for Old Coulsdon residents demonstrates Croydon Council gave Old Coulsdon residents just three weekdays’ notice of a “webinar” … Continue reading
Posted in Broad Green, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, New Addington South, Old Coulsdon, Old Coulsdon Residents' Association, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South, South Norwood
Tagged Andy Stranack, Bradmore Green, Bradmore Green Library, Broad Green, Broad Green Library, Conservative, Council Tax, Croydon, Croydon Council, Kristian Aspinall, London Borough of Croydon, Mayor Jason Perry, New Addington, New Addington Library, Purley, Purley Library, Sanderstead, Sanderstead Library, Shirley, Shirley Library, South Norwood, South Norwood Library, Tory
1 Comment
Sanderstead among four public libraries under threat of closure
CROYDON IN CRISIS: Up to seven of the borough’s libraries will close or be down-graded under Tory-run council’s plans – a decade after they last made similar proposals to flog off public assets. By STEVEN DOWNES Croydon’s Tory Mayor, Jason … Continue reading
Posted in Broad Green, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Education, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, New Addington South, Old Coulsdon, Property, Purley, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South, South Norwood
Tagged Bradmore Green, Bradmore Green Library, Broad Green Library, Conservative, Council Tax, Croydon, Croydon Council, Croydon Libraries, London Borough of Croydon, Mayor Jason Perry, Sanderstead, Sanderstead Library, Shirley, Shirley Library, South Norwood, Tory
13 Comments
Welcome to the House of Fun! Squatters claim court victory
The squatter activist group, Reclaim Croydon, was claiming a victory today after a judge threw out an application to have them evicted from the long-vacant “Fun House” site, under the Croydon Flyover. Reclaim Croydon have turned the unused premises into … Continue reading
Posted in Charity, Church and religions, Community associations, Croydon Council, Housing, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, Reclaim Croydon, Socco Cheta Community Hub, South Norwood Community Kitchen
Tagged Altyre Road, Conservative, Croydon, Croydon Council, Croydon Crown Court, Croydon Flyover, Croydon High Street, House of Fun, London, Mayor Jason Perry, Reclaim Croydon, South Norwood Community Kitchen, Tory
3 Comments
Everything really is political on a stroll around South Norwood
SUNDAY SUPPLEMENT: This week, KEN TOWL wanders off on a tour of South Norwood, helped with a guide map that is available from one of Croydon’s libraries that is closed for five days of the week… The modern dictum that … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Ken Towl, Libraries, South Norwood, Walks
Tagged 20th Century Society, architecture, Art, Ken Towl, Selhurst Park, South Norwood, South Norwood Library, Wilfried Zaha
1 Comment
Consultants’ year-long study looks to close four public libraries
EXCLUSIVE By STEVEN DOWNES Croydon’s Conservative-run council has a secret plan to close at least four of the borough’s public libraries, Inside Croydon has discovered. The Tories have had a firm of consultants working on a libraries report for most … Continue reading
Posted in Broad Green, Croydon Council, Libraries, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Shirley North, South Norwood
Tagged Bradmore Green Library, Broad Green, Broad Green Library, Conservative, Coulsdon, Council Tax, Croydon, Croydon Council, Croydon Public Libraries, Jason Cummings, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Sanderstead Library, Shirley, Shirley Library, South Norwood, South Norwood Library, Tory
13 Comments
Croydon’s urban heritage, free talk, Ashburton Library, Nov 20
Posted in Ashburton, History, Libraries
Tagged Ashburton Library, Dawn Perreira, Little Manhattan
Leave a comment
Open+’s CCTV gives Norbury Library few extra opening hours
Croydon, London’s Borough of Culture 2023, can afford to buy CCTV cameras and pay security guards, but it cannot afford the wages for trained librarians to open its public libraries for more than three days a week. The council has … Continue reading
