FIFTY FOURTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE CROHAM VALLEY RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
Minutes of the meeting held at 8pm on Thursday 3rd November 2022 at St Pauls Church Hall
The meeting commenced at 8.p.m.
The meeting was initiated by the President of the Association, His Honour William Barnett Q.C.. Our local MP, Chris Philp, sent his apologies. Councillor Jason Perry provided a local update.
Committee officers present:
David Rutherford
Jeremy Gill
Jaffer Kapasi
Wendy Love
Sara Pevsner
Linda Oram
Welcome
His Honour William Barnett addressed the meeting. He welcomed all attendees, announced apologies.
Minutes
The minutes of the A.G.M. held on Wednesday 20th October 2021 were approved and adopted as an accurate record.
Matters Arising
There were no matters arising from the minutes.
Treasurer’s Report
The honorary treasurer, Wendy Love, presented her report with the Statement of Accounts for 2021/2022 duly audited and signed. Copies were distributed to those present and will be available on the website. Wendy’s report was approved and she was thanked for her work. The Chairman pointed out that Wendy puts in more work for the association than any other officer and it was appreciated.
Election of Honorary Auditor for 2022/2023
Mr Peter Knight was elected. Mr Gill proposed his appointment, which was seconded by Mr Rutherford.
Chair’s Report for 2021/2022
The Chairman updated the meeting. Please see the Chairman’s report at https://cvra.org.uk/chairmans-report-2022/.
Mr. Gill’s report was approved.
At this point Mr Barnett stood down from the chair and Mr Gill took over.
Election of the President of the Association and up to 4 vice-presidents for 2022/2023
Mr Jaffer A. Kapasi OBE FFA was proposed and seconded as President for 2022/2023 and the meeting approved his appointment.
Having been elected Mr Kapasi presided.
Election of offices of the Association for 2022/2023
Mr. Jeremy Gill being the only nominee was proposed and seconded as Chair for 2022/2023.
There was no nominee for the office of Vice-Chair. It therefore remains vacant.
Mrs. Wendy Love being the only nominee was proposed and seconded as Honorary Treasurer for 2022/2023.
There was no nominee for the office of Honorary secretary. It therefore remains vacant.
Election of (no more than 9) executive committee members of the Association for 2022/2023
David Rutherford, Sara Pevsner, Elizabeth Thomas and Michael Somers were the only nominees. Therefore, all four were proposed and seconded as committee members for 2022/2023.
There was no other business so Mr. Kapasi thanked the meeting for their attendance and input. Thanking those present for attending and sharing their concerns the President brought the meeting to a close at 9.30pm.
Mr Barnett and Linda Oram were stepping down. They were thanked for her work over the many years they served the CVRA.
Guest Speaker – Mayor Jason Perry
We thank Jason and Maria and Danielle for attending our AGM. Here is a write up of Jason’s talk.
Jason said he had come from a production at the Fairfield Halls reminding us that it is open!
Jason told us that it is a privilege to be Mayor. The Council is in a “no overall control” status but the Mayor is in charge of everything except for the quasi-judicial aspects of planning and licensing. The Planning Committee is split 50:50 but in addition with a Concervative Chair
A brief overview of the current issues were:
The debt is still there at £1.5bn. Interest costs are £50m per year.
The main short term priority is to clean up the Borough. Jason is talking to Viola whereas no-one from the previous regime had talked to them for over 6 months. In addition Jason has given the police additional powers to deal with anti-social behaviour issues.
Jason is also concentrating on Regeneration both in terms of encouraging inward investment and and applying for every type of development grant available.
In terms of planning policy the new new emphasis is on design rather than density.
Jason took questions from the audience.
Q1: Was Jason worried that despite Planning Committee rejection of various proposals the developers will win on appeal to the inspectorate especially as the Planning Department have been recommending acceptance.
Jason replied that most recent appeals have been won. Twelve recently. This has given Jason the opportunity to nudge the Planning Department towards interpreting the current guidelines in light of the “design rather than density” objectives of Jason’s regime.
Q2: Funding for Community Groups has been reduced.
Jason agreed but referred to the debt levels. He said that they are encouraging community groups to work together. Previously there was some overlap.
Q3: What is Jason’s view on the Borough’s social responsibilities in terms of providing housing and helping the homeless
Jason replied that there were over 1,000 refugees in Croydon’s hotels – which was more than their share. In terms of other homeless he was trying to promote a more holistic strategy as many homeless have not previously wanted to engage with the help offered. In terms of Social Housing, Croydon’s stock was in a bad way from actions from the last regime.
Q4: Jason was asked about the lack of bus shelters for over 18 months
Jason replied that the supplier – Valo Smart City is having problems fulfilling the contract. This is potentially a legal issue.
Q5: There were complaints regarding blocked drains at the bottom of Croham Manor Road. The resident complained that she was fed up with repeatedly pulling leaves out of the drains.
Maria mentioned she would report to the relevant department.
Q6: There was a report of a dangerous dog in Lloyd Park.
Maria said she would work with Fairfield Councillors and the Dog team to deal with.
Q7: There were complaints that the Coombe Farm site in the middle of the park was in poor condition and continued to be an eyesore.
Jason indicated that it was a difficult issue as it is privately owned but was being looked at.
Q8: Jason was asked when there would be full recognition that “wrong had been done” by the previous regime.
Jason talked about the Penn report (on the how of what happened) and the Kroll report (possible illegal actions in the redevelopment of Fairfield Halls) and said they would be published in due course.
It was agreed that the electors had recognised wrong had been done because if not he would not be Mayor.
Lastly Jason pointed out that most of the current regime’s efforts were trying to help provide better services going forward.
Q9: The cycle lane on the Brighton Road has harming local businesses
Jason and Maria agreed and said it would be looked at.
Q10: What was the Council’s response to the Cost of Living Crisis.
Jason said they were doing what they could but there were not additional C.O.L.C. funds available from the Government.
Jason and Maria and Danielle were thanked for their time and their competent and considerate replies.