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THORNTON HEATH Community Meeting
July 17, St Andrews Church
Key learnings
What do your neighbours love about Thornton Heath?
• The people and the community! Residents loved other locals who they said are friendly, diverse and hardworking.
• Local businesses, the diverse mix of great local shops and restaurants, the culture and heritage of the place – including the churches and the rugby club are muchappreciated.
• Transport was also a huge plus – people love feeling so connected.
What do your neighbours want to see change in Thornton Heath?
• Crime and anti-social behaviour. Muggings and drug dealing mean people can feel scared to use local parks. People want more police on the streets.
• Cleanliness and tidiness. Whilst people say they love their neighbours, they report a growing minority letting the neighbourhood down with litter, fly-tipping and neglected gardens.
• The town centre and local high street. People wanted a greater diversity of shops (not just phone and vape shops!)
Next Steps:
What can Rowenna do to make Thornton Heath safer?
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We need more police officers. I have already spoken to the head of police in Croydon about getting more police on the streets. Right now, many of our officers are pulled into central London to deal with protests and events in the capital. We need them here.
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More support services going out to meet street drinkers, drug users and rough sleepers.Groups like Thamesreach are trained to go out and offer people the help they need so they don’t just get moved on and return later with the same problems.
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More and better activities for young people to keep them safe off the streets and make the most of their talents. I want to introduce a Croydon Baccalaureate which will give young people proper apprentices in our businesses and industries, from technology to sport.
What can Rowenna do to make Thornton Heath clean and beautiful?
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We need CCTV, fines and prosecutions for disgusting behaviour. Croydon has become the fly-tipping capital of England because we don’t do enough to catch the criminals who repeatedly offend.
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Big Skip Days, where residents are given a giant skip once or twice a year, can give people a safe and accessible way to get rid of bulky items responsibly. Merton does this!
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A landlord licensing scheme would help hold landlords to a higher standard when it comes to cleanliness and garden management.
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I like the idea of building out Best Garden competitions across the area to encourage and celebrate people bringing beauty into the area!
What can Rowenna do to help Thornton Heath high street?
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Fixing Croydon town centre is a real priority for me, but local high streets are too. I want to work with local businesses to bring more external investment into Thornton Heath.
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A banking hub for Thornton Heath could be a real asset. Coulsdon has already got one. These hubs let you do everything you’d normally do in a bank in one place. It would help residents and businesses as well as increasing footfall. I would be happy to support and campaign for one for Thornton Heath.
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Pop up shops in dead or abandoned buildings with low rents could really help local people try starting a business idea for the first time with low risk, promoting local talent and improve the high street.
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More festivals like the Thornton Heath food festival can really help build community, including civic and cultural events, street parties and volunteering opportunities.