Category Archives: Woodside

Election countdown: splintered voting could see Davis win

Less than one month until election day, our Political Editor, WALTER CRONXITE, looks at the latest polls and by-elections to assess – or guess – how the Croydon electorate will vote for executive Mayor on May 7 While the government … Continue reading

Posted in 2026 council elections, 2026 Croydon Mayor election, Ben Flook, Council Tax, Croydon Greens, Croydon South, London-wide issues, Merton, Peter Underwood, Richard Howard, Rick Howard, Shirley North, Sutton Council, Tony Newman, Zack Polanski | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

43 days to go and desperation is appearing in election leaflets

After all the calamities inflicted on Croydon by Tory Mayor Jason Perry, from his 33% Council Tax hikes to his unlawful LTN fines, has Labour fallen into their old trap of over-promising before under-delivering? WALTER CRONXITE, Political Editor, sifts through … Continue reading

Posted in 2026 council elections, 2026 Croydon Mayor election, Addiscombe East, Chris Clark, Claire Bonham, Council Tax, Croydon Greens, Croydon South, Croydon West, Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood, Esther Sutton, Fairfield, Jeet Bains, London-wide issues, New Addington, New Addington North, Old Coulsdon, Paul Scott, Ria Patel, Richard Howard, Shirley North, Shirley South, Tony Newman | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

No cover-up over £12m SEND overspend, claims council chief

CROYDON IN CRISIS: Town Hall bosses have been forced to accept 23 recommendations from external accountants after IT problems saw them lose track of thousands of payments, in the latest council cock-up that was described by a veteran Tory councillor … Continue reading

Posted in Amy Foster, Commissioners, Conrad Hall, Croydon Council, Dr Ola Olasode, Education, General Purposes and Audit Committee, Ian Parker, Katherine Kerswell, Report in the Public Interest, SEND | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

‘Red v Blue’ at Town Hall elections could suffer a Green-wash

Polling day in Croydon’s local elections, including its second mayoral vote, is on May 7. WALTER CRONXITE, Political Editor, sifts through recent opinion polls and by-election results, but has a warning from history of how ‘challenger parties’ can be swept … Continue reading

Posted in 2026 council elections, 2026 Croydon Mayor election, Addiscombe East, Chris Clark, Chris Philp MP, Claire Bonham, Council Tax, Croydon Greens, Croydon South, Croydon West, Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood, Esther Sutton, Fairfield, Jeet Bains, London-wide issues, New Addington, New Addington North, Old Coulsdon, Paul Scott, Peter Underwood, Ria Patel, Sarah Jones MP, Shirley North, Shirley South, Steve Reed MP, Streatham and Croydon North, Tony Newman | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Royal Fail: MP Philp calls on business secretary to intervene

Last year, only 7-in-10 first-class post items arrived the next day in Croydon. Now, iC readers from Coulsdon to South Norwood say that their postal service has got even worse Royal Mail’s third-class service in delivering the post to Croydon … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Chris Philp MP, Community associations, Coulsdon, Coulsdon East, Croydon South, East Coulsdon Residents' Association, South Croydon, South Norwood, Woodside | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Dangerous driver does a runner after crash on Woodside Green

Residents in Woodside Green were both terrified and relieved last night, after a car that was racing through their neighbourhood crashed into roadside barriers and ended up on its roof in the middle of the public open space. They were … Continue reading

Posted in Amy Foster, Crime, Croydon Council, Policing, Transport, Woodside | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Reed’s loyal Streatham SPAD gets transferred into No10

Political Editor WALTER CRONXITE on a Whitehall transfer which may have considerable significance Steve Reed, the MP for Streatham (and Croydon North if he can be bothered), who has been implicated in spying on his colleague councillors in Lambeth and … Continue reading

Posted in 2026 council elections, Mike Bonello, Steve Reed MP, Streatham and Croydon North, Tony Newman, Woodside | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Snapchat drug dealers in the dock following Norwood shooting

A man from Norwood has been sentenced for 24 years following a Met investigation into gang gun crime in south London which also led to another man, from Woodside, appearing in court for dealing in cannabis after recruiting smugglers with … Continue reading

Posted in Crime, Woodside | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Kerswell Affair: Croydon is worse off after CEO’s five years

CROYDON IN CRISIS: The £204,000 per year council chief exec who gave orders to block staff from reading Inside Croydon has been attracting adverse headlines for 30 years. By STEVEN DOWNES Katherine Kerswell’s 30-year career in local government will probably … Continue reading

Posted in Commissioners, Croydon Council, Elaine Jackson, Ged Curran, Jo Negrini, Katherine Kerswell, Mayor Jason Perry, Section 114 notice, Tony Newman | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Kerswell takes another pay-off as she quits as council’s CEO

CROYDON IN CRISIS: Mayor Jason Perry makes another massive ‘reward for failure’ from public money as his chief executive joins the stampede for the exit at Fisher’s Folly. EXCLUSIVE by STEVEN DOWNES Katherine Kerswell has resigned from her £204,000 per … Continue reading

Posted in Commissioners, Croydon Council, Elaine Jackson, Ged Curran, Improvement Board, Jane West, Jo Negrini, Karen Agbabiaka, Katherine Kerswell, Mayor Jason Perry, Nazeya Hussain, Section 114 notice, Tony Newman | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

The Fraud: how Reed’s Labour spied on Croydon councillors

Three years ago, Al Jazeera broadcast a series of films, called The Labour Files, based on information gleaned from one of the biggest data leaks in history. One episode was devoted to events that took place in Croydon in early … Continue reading

Posted in 2017 General Election, 2024 General Election, Alison Butler, Clive Fraser, David Evans, Hamida Ali, Inside Croydon, Paul Scott, Steve Reed MP, Streatham and Croydon North, Tony Newman | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

We have been betrayed by broken promises, deceit and scandal

EXCLUSIVE: One of the first journalists to be given access to the book which has been sending shockwaves along Downing Street and making headlines on Fleet Street, Inside Croydon columnist ANDREW FISHER reviews The Fraud Lots of books are written … Continue reading

Posted in 2017 General Election, 2024 General Election, Andrew Fisher, David Evans, Inside Croydon, Paul Scott, Steve Reed MP, Streatham and Croydon North, Tony Newman | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Council lied about risk assessments for axed lollipop patrols

CROYDON IN CRISIS: First, they failed to hold a public consultation over the ending of school street patrols. Then, they failed to inform the affected schools. Now, following an investigation by this website, it is confirmed that the council deliberately … Continue reading

Posted in Children's Services, Croydon Council, Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood, Katherine Kerswell, Mayor Jason Perry, Oasis Academy, Ryelands Primary and Nursery, Schools, Scott Roche, Selsdon, Shirley North, Shirley South, Transport, Woodside | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Here’s the safety reports your council did not want you to see

EXCLUSIVE: Here are the six road safety assessment reports that Croydon Council lied about, and then tried to withhold from the public After breaking the news that Croydon Council was to axe six primary school road safety patrols – “lollipop … Continue reading

Posted in Children's Services, Croydon Council, Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood, Katherine Kerswell, Mayor Jason Perry, Oasis Academy, Ryelands Primary and Nursery, Schools, Scott Roche, Selsdon, Shirley North, Shirley South, Transport, Woodside | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Labour councillor Clark is forced to seek re-election in Fairfield

With Tamar Barrett’s deselection in Thornton Heath earlier this week, 13 of Labour’s 34 councillors won’t be up for re-election next May. And one shadow cabinet member fears he will lose his Town Hall seat come polling day. By WALTER … Continue reading

Posted in 2026 council elections, Addiscombe West, Brigitte Graham, Chris Clark, Clive Fraser, Croydon Council, Croydon Greens, Esther Sutton, Fairfield, Jose Joseph, Nick Beall, Patricia Hay-Justice, Paul Ainscough, Ria Patel, Rowenna Davis, Sean Fitzsimons, South Croydon, Steve Reed MP, Tamar Barrett (was Nwafor), Thornton Heath | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Councillor has been breaking law on disclosures since 2022

Tamar Barrett, a company director who has been a Labour councillor for almost four years, has never submitted an accurate declaration of interest. Tonight, the councillor is seeking reselection in Thornton Heath. EXCLUSIVE by STEVEN DOWNES A councillor who is … Continue reading

Posted in 2026 council elections, Croydon Council, Rowenna Davis, Scott Roche, Shirley South, Stephen Lawrence-Orumwense, Tamar Barrett (was Nwafor), Thornton Heath, Tony Newman | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Local Labour members angry at ‘travesty’ of selection process

Uncharacteristic ‘openness’ from the Labour Party exposes their latest sham selection process, with candidates for next year’s local elections being named without grassroots members in most wards getting any say at all. EXCLUSIVE by STEVEN DOWNES The fix is in. … Continue reading

Posted in 2026 council elections, 2026 Croydon Mayor election, Addiscombe East, Alisa Flemming, Amy Foster, Appu Srinivasan, Bensham Manor, Brigitte Graham, Catherine Wilson, Chrishni Reshekaron, Christopher Herman, Croydon East, Croydon West, Enid Mollyneaux, Eunice O'Dame, Fairfield, Janet Campbell, Jeet Bains, Jess Hammersley-Rich, John Wentworth, Karen Jewitt, Leila Ben-Hassel, Louis Carserides, Maddie Henson, Matt Griffiths, Mohammed Islam, Natasha Irons, Norbury, Norbury Park, Patsy Cummings, Rowenna Davis, Sarah Jones MP, Selhurst, South Norwood, Stella Nabukeera, Steve Reed MP, Streatham and Croydon North, Stuart King, Thornton Heath, Waddon, West Thornton, Woodside | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Carserides gets new job as a lobbyist offering inside influence

Who does your local councillor really represent? It’s a reasonable question for all residents to ask, particularly those in South Norwood. By WALTER CRONXITE, Political Editor Just who does Labour councillor Louis Carserides represent? It’s not an unreasonable question for … Continue reading

Posted in Croydon Council, Louis Carserides, South Norwood, Stephen Lawrence-Orumwense, Steve Reed MP, Streatham and Croydon North, Stuart King, Tony Newman | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Bromley by-election sees historic first Reform win in London

Political Editor, WALTER CRONXITE, on how Alan Cook’s poll success on the other side of the borough boundary is sending shock waves into Croydon They’re going to need a bigger vote… You know how, early in the original Jaws movie, … Continue reading

Posted in 2026 council elections, 2026 Croydon Mayor election, Addiscombe East, Bromley Council, Coulsdon, Croydon East, Croydon Greens, Croydon West, London-wide issues, Mayor Jason Perry, New Addington, New Addington North, Rowenna Davis, Sarah Jones MP, Steve Reed MP, Streatham and Croydon North, Tony Newman, Waddon, Zack Polanski | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

‘The government was left with no choice’ over Commissioners

The government “was left with no choice” but to appoint Commissioners to take over the running of Croydon’s omnishambles council, a decision which reflects “serious failings on leadership and culture” at the Town Hall. Two of Croydon’s Labour MPs, Sarah … Continue reading

Posted in 'Future Croydon', Chris Philp MP, Commissioners, Council Tax, Croydon Council, Croydon East, Croydon South, Croydon West, Ged Curran, Improvement Board, Katherine Kerswell, Mayor Jason Perry, Natasha Irons, Rowenna Davis, Sarah Jones MP, Section 114 notice, Stabilisation Plan, Steve Reed MP, Streatham and Croydon North, Tony Newman | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Jewitt tops councillor charts for a second successive year

After the brickbats for the work-shy do-littles who populate our Town Hall Chamber, today we celebrate those elected representatives who keep busy by keeping council officials busy They will be dancing down Sauchiehall Street tonight, as proud Scot Karen Jewitt … Continue reading

Posted in Amy Foster, Claire Bonham, Croydon Council, Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood, Fairfield, Gayle Gander, Karen Jewitt, Lynne Hale, Mayor Jason Perry, Ria Patel, Robert Ward, Rowenna Davis, Samir Dwesar, Simon Fox, Stuart King, Thornton Heath, West Thornton, Woodside | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Toss-cars 2025: We name Croydon’s laziest councillors

It’s Inside Croydon’s annual round-up of official figures which show which of our 70 elected councillors have been asking the most questions. And which councillors need to be seriously questioned, after they’ve effectively given a grand ‘up yours’ to the … Continue reading

Posted in Adele Benson, Alisa Flemming, Brigitte Graham, Callton Young, Clive Fraser, Croydon Council, Fatima Zaman, Jason Cummings, Mayor Jason Perry, Norbury Park, Richard Chatterjee, Scott Roche, Sherwan Chowdhury, Shirley North, Shirley South, Tamar Barrett (was Nwafor), Tony Pearson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Minister rules out new mayors – but Croydon’s stuck with ours

Government proposals over the running of local councils will mean more ‘strong leaders’ across the country – like Tony Newman. Or Mike Fisher. WALTER CRONXITE, Political Editor, reports The Labour government wants to “standardise” local council governance so that most … Continue reading

Posted in 2026 council elections, 2026 Croydon Mayor election, Croydon Council, London-wide issues, Mayor Jason Perry, Mayor of London, Mike Fisher, Reigate and Banstead Council, Sadiq Khan, Surrey, Tony Newman | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Labour deputy leaders Young and Collins to stand down in 2026

At least 15% of Croydon’s sitting councillors won’t be seeking election in 2026, while some are doing the ‘chicken run’ to stay on the council gravy train. EXCLUSIVE by WALTER CRONXITE, Political Editor Nearly a dozen of Croydon’s current 70 … Continue reading

Posted in 2026 council elections, 2026 Croydon Mayor election, Addiscombe West, Brigitte Graham, Broad Green, Callton Young, Chris Clark, Claire Bonham, Clive Fraser, Coulsdon Town, Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood, Fairfield, Louis Carserides, Maria Gatland, Mario Creatura, Old Coulsdon, Patricia Hay-Justice, Paul Ainscough, Purley, Ria Patel, Richard Chatterjee, Rowenna Davis, Shirley North, Simon Brew, Simon Fox, South Croydon, South Norwood, Stuart Collins, Sue Bennett, Thornton Heath, Waddon, Woodside | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Perry accused of ‘betrayal’ as he smuggles out more youth cuts

CROYDON IN CRISIS: Local MP and opposition councillors accuse the council of having no clear plan on what will replace an in-house team which works to reduce drugs and knife crime and to engage the borough’s youngsters. By our Town … Continue reading

Posted in Amy Foster, Children's Services, Crime, Croydon Council, Croydon East, CVA, Education, Fieldway, Knife crime, London-wide issues, Mayor Jason Perry, Natasha Irons, New Addington, New Addington North, Policing, Restaurants, Schools | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments