Tag Archives: Taberner House
“No service will be untouched” in further cuts, says CEO
Maybe it is the “interim” element of the title that gives Nathan Elvery a touch of impermanence as Croydon’s chief executive, a bit like Rafa Benitez, the unloved and unappreciated “interim” manager at Chelsea football club. Or maybe, as a … Continue reading
Investigation called for over councillor’s planning interests
Julie Belvir, the Borough Solicitor, Croydon Council‘s senior legal officer, is expected to investigate the conduct of Waddon councillor Clare Hilley. Last month, Inside Croydon published an email from Hilley in which she offered her “planning expertise” to a leading … Continue reading
Council silent as HR chief Parkes heads for the exit
Croydon’s Council Tax-payers look to be facing another expensive six-figure pay-off, after an internal announcement yesterday confirmed that the borough’s human resources director, Pam Parkes, one of the council’s five most senior officers, is to leave with immediate effect. There … Continue reading
£3.1m on HQ’s furniture is “value for money” in Croydon
Lewis Carroll couldn’t have made this up. There is a proposal going before Croydon Council’s corporate services committee on Wednesday that suggests spending £3.14 million of public money on new furniture and fittings for Bernard Weatherill House, the council headquarters … Continue reading
Trebles all round? Croydon return pot-less from awards
Four tables booked at a five-star West End hotel. Around 40 councillors and council staff attending. Something like £28,000 spent on a night’s gala dinner, booze and jollity. And not a single award won. That is the summary of this … Continue reading
Council to get glitzy slap on the back from its contractors again
The leadership at Croydon Council – motto “Proud to Swerve” – has so little to celebrate in its mismanagement of the borough that it all-too-often goes out of its way to boast about often bogus accolades. Inside Croydon has highlighted … Continue reading
Council’s Ministry of Truth spends record amounts on staff
Hayley Lewis, the trained psychologist who Croydon employs as its “Head of customer communications and strategy”, once suggested that a council communications department is “an unnecessary burden”. How prescient. On her personal blog, Lewis added a convenient “?” to present … Continue reading
Jon Rouse: an alchemist who turned property into debts
CROYDON COMMENTARY: Former councillor ANDREW PELLING reviews the career of the borough CEO, who last week announced his resignation after almost six years in the job, and suggests that his promised financial wizardry was all a bit Mickey Mouse Since … Continue reading
In to the Valley: Croydon’s wrong turn on road to future
CROYDON COMMENTARY: So a massive retail-based regeneration scheme in the centre of town will go ahead. DAVID CALLAM says it may yet prove to be yesterday’s solution for tomorrow’s problems Behold Boris Johnson, Croydon’s saviour, appearing in person at the … Continue reading
Laings give up on URV schemes due to lack of interest
Croydon Council’s “innovative” £450 million urban regeneration vehicle will not be copied by any other local authority any time soon, as their partners in the scheme, John Laing, have announced that they will not be bidding for any more such … Continue reading
Why did Croydon CEO Jon Rouse take a £100k pay cut?
Amid all the hoopla of the £1 billion “Hammerfield” announcement this morning at Fairfield Halls, with the usual dollop of Boris buffoonery as the London Mayor proclaimed the marriage of the two property developers, there stood a figure who went … Continue reading
£248,000 CEO Rouse quits Croydon for Health Dept job
Just after 5pm today, proof positive came through that Croydon Council’s press office routinely dissembles, misleads and lies. Because that is when a press release was issued to confirm that Jon Rouse, Croydon Council’s £248,000 chief executive, had quit his … Continue reading
Twelve hours to try to save what’s left of Croydon culture
Today sees the deadline for submissions to a Croydon Council consultation on spending cuts over the next two years. What do you mean, you were not aware of Croydon Council running such a consultation? After all, our council – motto: … Continue reading
Taberner House lights up Croydon for one final time
An email from Michael Buckley, who describes himself as “a very long-term Addiscombe resident”, whizzes in to Inside Croydon Towers to praise Croydon Council for illuminating windows around Taberner House to fashion a seasonal Christmas tree. “Surely this must be … Continue reading
