AGM 2002

President, Ladies and Gentlemen

I am going to keep my annual report fairly brief this year largely due to the fact that
regular reporting in the last 5 issues of our new Journal has, I hope, kept members
reasonably well informed already.

Starting therefore with the Journal, as you are no doubt aware this was launched
about 15 months ago. From the various comments I have received the Journal is
indeed meeting the success we had hoped for - not only financially but in being
able to promote local businesses and sharing our thoughts + actions with you all.

The circulation of the Journal is basically restricted to our members, but 3 out of the
last 5 issues were in fact circulated to all he households in the area covered by
the Association i.e. some 4500 households. This is quite a major undertaking but as
a direct result, our membership has increased to over a 1000 members. The journal
is well supported by local advertisers which keep our costs fairly well balanced.

Those who have attended these meetings must be well aware of the active role this
Association is playing. As a result of this effective contribution, the council has
agreed and selected Purley District Centre for its pilot study. A special whole day
meeting/workshop/seminar will be taking place on Saturday the 25^th May at Purley
Baptist Church starting at 10.30 am. It is hoped that this meeting will give us the
ammunition for further action.

The most important aim is to achieve an integrated and sustainable District Centre.
To fulfil this aim we need

Integrated, Sustainable, Piecemeal, Traffic impact (not traffic flow)

Pedestrian friendly, Safe, Easy accessibility

The attendance (at future Neighbourhood Partnership meetings) of those who are able to contribute to an effective and intelligent debate on the future of Purley would be appreciated.

Moving on……. Purley's needs are greater than just putting new life into the
District Centre

What do I mean by that?

All of us have different reasons as to why we live in Purley - but one common denominator is its mature tree cover and decent environment, making it   a very attractive residential area. But that beauty is rapidly disappearing!!   Every community has in it….The good, the bad and the ugly.

The 'Ugly' I would say are the 'trespassers' in Purley who come into the town taking undue advantage of the large properties, buy, develop, sell, and then leave, caring very little about the place, as long as they make lot of money.

The 'Bad' are those who have lived all their lives in Purley, enjoyed its peaceful environment and then sell off to speculative developer before moving elsewhere -I can cite many examples of this in Purley.

I have no authority to blame them or indeed criticise them - simply to suggest that one should give due consideration to the future generations who may also seek  peace and quite in this place. I leave this subject with some food for thought.

This Association is also concerned with the relatively very high proportion of Care Homes in Purley. We are asking the council to produce a strategic policy to ensure that Purley is not unreasonably saturated with such homes. At present we have some 25% of all such homes in the entire
Borough, whilst the population of Purley is less than 5 % of Croydon's population.

One of the new members of our Committee, Gabriel Batki-Braun,   is spearheading an anti-litter campaign in Purley and Coulsdon. Negotiations with the Council have already started on this - we have for example learnt that some roads like A23 are cleaned only once a month. This regime needs to be improved.

The Dust Survey around Day Aggregates, carried out by a private company, has not produced the expected results. This is unfortunate as nearby residents continue to suffer. I am grateful to Terry Tobin and Steve Merlin for keeping up the pressure against the nuisance caused by dust and large
lorries using residential roads.

The Purley Hospital and adjacent sites are now scheduled for redevelopment. Consultation meetings will be held enable residents to see the latest proposals, including a new hospital.

The Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, re-launched apparently some time ago, is  particularly effective as far as Purley is concerned. It is neither managed properly or indeed funded adequately to make it an effective deterrent, in my opinion.

Crime and robbery continue to increase. I have concluded that in my view
it is not just a police matter. Political red tape on law and order needs to
be removed. Parental care and responsibility and cultural change offering
substantial freedom to children and society must take some of the blame.

You will also have noticed headlines in the recent Advertiser 'MP calls for a break away from Croydon Council' I wonder how many of you are likely to support this move, if it is taken further?

CONCLUSION

I have a very resourceful committee who for one make me work very hard, and I am truly thankful for their
commitment and dedication.

Thanks also go to the many road representatives who help to distribute our Journals. Special thanks also need to go to Tony Foxton for launching and editing the first three issues of the Journal and to Phil Reed, the current editor for continuing to maintaining the high standard. Ann Horne has also done a sterling job in securing advertisers.

I would also particularly like to acknowledge the hard work put in by our membership secretary Pat Hewitt and Paul Sandford for maintaining the membership data base and now taking on the role of secretary managing at the same time this PWRA web site.

I also remain grateful to Terry Hewitt for auditing our annual accounts.

Thanks also go to our President and other councillors for their continuous help and guidance .I must not forget to mention Cllr Andrew Pelling our GLA member and Cllr Millard chairing the Forums and whose whose assistance over the past year has been invaluable.

Lastly thank you for your support and contributions both at our AGMs and the Purley Forum Meetings.

Tarsem Flora  (Chairman)

 Photographic displays and Advertiser cuttings at the AGM featured the doomed Purley Council Offices and an update on the graffiti problem in the town, only partly tackled so far by voluntary action.

The past year has been one of the busiest years for me and for the Association, and indeed a very significant one in that we have seen the birth of three major initiatives.

The decision to launch the new Journal was not taken lightly. It was vigorously discussed, debated and argued about within the Executive as a result of which an Editorial Panel was set up with 6 members to guide it into fruition. The most important factor in its favour was the desire of PWRA to keep the residents informed of the activities of the Association and indeed to involve you the local community in the 'well being' of our area and of course to encourage and promote local business and talent.

The Journal is intended to be self-financing and I am pleased to see that we have had great deal of demand for the advertising pages. The success can be attributed to the Executive, and the Editorial Panel. However, two members of the Panel deserve particular mention. The first is Tony Foxton, the architect of the concept and editor in charge for the first year's issues, and second Anne Home, who has worked very hard indeed to seek advertisers.

• Be an umbrella group for the residents of the area covered by each partnership, facilitating the exchange of information and consultation on all matters affecting the area.

• Encourage the development of local projects that will contribute to the regeneration of the area covered by each Partnership.

• Play an active part in the development and implementation of the community Strategy

• Make collective representations to any statutory local agencies, government department, or any other institutions, whose actions will affect the people living and working in the area.

• Encourage member groups either independently or jointly with similar groups to initiate and progress projects that will aid the regeneration of all or part of the area covered by the partnership

These aims as you will see are pretty ambitious, and offer an excellent opportunity for this community to participate in the future of Purley.

Three meetings have taken place so far, very ably chaired by Cllr Derek Millard. The latest forum attracted some 200 local residents and members of the business community. May I encourage you to attend future meetings and express your views? The next meeting is to be held on

5 September at Christ Church Hall commencing at 7.30 p.m.

We have also had 2 walkabouts with the leader of the Council- Cllr Hugh Malyan pinpointing the various 'action points' in the town centre. I am pleased to say that all these have been noted and some already dealt with but of course there are some problems which keep persisting such as graffiti, litter and crime,empty shops, etc. [The meeting was told that Cllr Thomas with a band of some 50 residents were tackling town centre graffiti that very evening of our AGM]

As expected, this year appears to have attracted some major applications for backland development, the largest being in Russell Hill. We continue to monitor all the major applications and make representations on behalf of the residents. As a rule we do not, and indeed we cannot, object to all the applications - some which come to our notice are discussed in the committee and action taken as deemed appropriate.

One of the major sources of nuisance in Purley Town Centre remains the old industrial complex of Day Aggregates. The complex is continuing to expand, although we are told that it is all done to make the site more environmentally friendly. However, as has been noted, the dust problem remains, the complex remains visually intrusive although the fake 'signal box' (disguising the concrete batcher) does bring a little smile on your face when approaching the station from Croydon. The Association through the serious efforts of Terry Tobin is pressing for an independent dust/environment survey, which has been promised but not yet carried out, apparently as Council has not yet been able to fund it! [The meeting was informed that funding for the dust survey has at last been earmarked]

Whether we will ever succeed in getting rid of this facility remains uncertain but I for one will continue to press for improvements in its visual impact by tree screening, and of course dust reduction at source. Heavy lorries using quiet narrow residential roads also remain unacceptable.

Lastly but not least I must say a big thank you to all the members of the Executive Committee, the Editorial Panel, the road representatives who assist with the distribution of the Journal meet and collect subscriptions from residents, committee reps who sit on a variety of outside bodies such as police, road safety, FOSCRA, CROG (Croydon Railway Opposition Group) - and of course our auditor Terry Hewitt

Quite honestly when I see the dedication and commitment given by all these volunteers to assist in the well being of all the local community, it surprises me as to see that only some 30 % of households are members. [Time for another awareness and recruitment campaign!]

Thank you.

Tarsem Flora, Chairman of PWRA

For the benefit of new residents, here follows  summaries of the main issues in recent years taken from the 1999 and 1998 AGM Chairman's Reports:

1. Metropol Night Club: As a consequence of objections made by local residents, by the Association and by the Police to the Metropol 's entertainment licence when it came up for renewal in October 1997, this late night entertainment nuisance has been closed for over a year. The Rileys American Pool and snooker club, which was to have replaced the Metropol disco, never materialised, and the lease has been on offer for a few months. The agents state they are not attempting to place it with another night club operator, but are actively pursuing a Health & Fitness operator - which we are sure will be welcomed by local residents.

2. Purley Station Yard - Day Aggregates: The 'improvements' to the Warren Road, Downscourt Road junction with the A22 Godstone Road have essentially been completed, so lorry movements to this site have increased substantially. Dust pollution is causing or aggravating respiratory conditions in local residents, and the Association has supported a survey to confirm this, seeking the co-operation of Public Health officials and local GPs. The Department of Health too has been approached for a policy statement on this issue. A planning application for a 'permanent' rock and concrete crusher has recently attracted objections from the Association. The concrete batching plant is much bigger than anticipated, and ideas have been floated to disguise it as a rather outsized signal box! Liaison between Days, Cllr Bass, Croydon's Environmental Health officers and the Association are to continue, in order to reduce the adverse impact of this inappropriate activity in a residential area.

3. Residential Homes: Planning Officers had produced last year a report which recommended that Supplementary Planning Guidance should be drafted to clarify the Unitary Development Plan with respect to the density of residential care homes in the area. We still await these changes to the UDP.

An apparent tightening of regulations on the facilities required in such homes has contributed to the closure of Browside, one of the older established residential home for the elderly in Purley. The Association has expressed concern at the way at which assurances made in 1997 to the previous trustees have been ignored.

A new nursing home in Downlands Road, Amberley Lodge, has transformed a derelict carpark at the rear of the former Metropol night spot. However, excessive lighting on the building has concerned some local residents.

4. Planning applications: With the buoyancy of the housing market and the economy generally it is not surprising that the number of planning applications has increased over the past year. All are scrutinised by the Executive Committee and appropriate action taken if there are objections by neighbouring residents or the proposed development is likely to adversely affect the amenities of the district. Members are strongly advised to let the Association know if they object to a planning application and also to alert their Ward Councillors so that individual objections can be supported if appropriate to do so.

Major planning applications this past year include a proposal to demolish five houses at the foot of Manor Way at Woodcote Valley Road and to erect 19 houses. The Association objected on the grounds of density, traffic and the wholly out of character to the neighbourhood aspect of the proposal. We are pleased that the Council supported local objectors, and turned down the original proposal. However, we must remain vigilant for an Appeal.

Other proposals for infill developments in Purley Hill, Selcroft Road and Manor Wood Road have received objections from residents and PWRA. We are particularly concerned at the way trees are being felled on some of these sites, in advance of any planning approval. The Association is seeking ways to have tighter controls on the removal of trees in the area, as is in place for the Webb Estate and other conservation areas.

5. Purley District Centre: Some two years ago, the Council allocated £250,0O0 for general improvements to the town centre over a period of time. As we reported at the 1998 AGM, these improvements have been slow to materialise. The Council's intention to replace free 20min parking in the High Street with Pay and display has not been met with much pleasure. Grants for improved shop fronts are on offer, but traders despair over the tide of vandalism and crime in Purley's shopping area.

6.Traffic calming: The traffic calming measures introduced in 1997 notably in Highfield Road and Woodcote Valley Road, have been a mixed blessing. Tailbacks at Highfield Road to the Purley Way have been caused by a constricture, which we regard a wholly unnecessary. The mini roundabouts in Woodcote Valley Road and speed cushions in nearby roads have had some success in curbing excessive speed. However, it is possible for many motorists to straddle these obstructions with ease, maintaining a steady speed. On balance these measures seem still to have the support of the majority of residents in those roads. At least PWRA have not been approached recently to campaign for their removal.

We look to digital cameras to provide an adequate deterrent to speeding in residential roads.

7.Central Railway plc: Central Railway, which proposed to construct a new freight line through the district as part of a scheme to run a service between the Midlands and the Channel Tunnel, is known to be lobbying Government ministers with a plan to build a longer 400 mile freight and passenger service from Liverpool with new sections between London and the Channel Tunnel. Although the original scheme was decisively defeated in the House of Commons_, there are fears that it might be considered again as part of the Government's transport policy.

The Central Railway Opposition Group (CROG) of which the Association is a member is monitoring the situation and warns interested parties to be ready for a new battle. However, we are confident that Croydon Council with cross-party support will vehemently oppose any revival of this scheme. Residents living near the railway line, who are approached by Central Rail are urged to contact the Association or CROG.

8. Ward Boundary Changes: The Local Government Commission has recommended boundary changes affecting our area, in order to equalise the number of electors in each ward. Our wards are populated some 15% above the Borough average, so proposals include the transfer of part of Purley Ward to Kenley Ward. Some 11 roads in Purley Ward which already come under Kenley & District RA should, we contend, be substituted for the 7 roads in the proposal already in the PWRA area. The Association is offering a counter proposal regarding a proposed transfer of parts of the Webb estate to Purley Ward from Woodcote & Coulsdon West. We contend that roads from Woodcote Valley Road to the Brighton Road fall more naturally in Purley Ward. Full details are on display in local libraries, and representations can be made until May 17. Ward boundary changes do not necessarily mean changes to RA areas, but this issue will be reviewed by PWRA in consultation with our neighbours in the Federation once the final boundaries are established.

9. Policing and Neighbourhood Watch: We welcomed the revival of Neighbourhood Watch, through WPC Fiona baker, following the retirement of Andy Allen who had been liaison officer for 10 years. Many of our members and Road Reps have been involved with the Watch since its launch. We also welcome plans to deploy proactively managed CCTV in the town centre, as an effective deterrent is vital to stemming the tide of crime experienced by traders and residents. It is regrettable that one magnet for crime - the Metropol disco - has been replaced by other targets in the town centre. With young offenders on the increase, we await eagerly for more effective measures resulting from dialogue between magistrates, police, youth workers, school heads and parents. Rumours of closure of Kenley police station surfaced again during the year. Our representatives on the Sector Consultative committee have played a significant part in putting forward the concerns of residents over threats to close Kenley Police Station.

10. The Bigger Picture: The Association, through its involvement and participation in the work of outside bodies, attempts to learn from the experiences of others, and in turn make a contribution to wider debates on transport policy, green field vs brown field development, public order issues, etc. We hope to form strategic alliances over the Internet, and establish email links with like-minded bodies. In turn, we have started to monitor the website activities of unsympathetic bodies such as Central Railways. The Newsletter and our own website will feature links to these information sources.

11. The Association: We welcome new members who have joined us during the year, particularly as a result of our support for local issues. We hope that they will help the Association by coming forward as Road Representatives and Committee members. Michael and I thank the committee for the magnificent support received over the past year, both at meetings and as Association representatives on other representative bodies. I have enjoyed producing and editing the Newsletter as well as bringing the Association on to the Internet and computerising our Road Representatives database. However, as Michael pointed out last year, computers cannot replace dedicated people and for this I am indebted to Pat Hewitt our membership secretary and her team of Road Representatives.

We have been well supported by our Ward Councillors who between them attend Executive Committee meetings and report on many matters from behind the scenes, explaining how the Council works and how we can best meet the challenges thrown up before us in the course of the year. We are fortunate in having the very active Cllrs Bass and Osland as the Association's President and Vice president respectively.

Last, but certainly not least, I thank our Hon. Secretary, Tarsem Flora, for all the work he undertakes for the Association and for his professional advice regarding planning matters, Anne McKendrick who has been an effective and patient minute secretary at our monthly meetings, and Ken Addison & Pat Hewitt who have hosted our committee meetings over the year.

Paul Sandford (Vice Chairman)

The past year has again been a busy one for the Association and particularly for its Officers and Executive Committee. I will briefly summarise the main events in a minute but first may I mention the considerable part played by our Newsletters - four a year - and by the weekly Coulsdon and Purley Advertiser in keeping our members and the population at large up-to-date with local issues. The latest Newsletter has been distributed throughout our area as part of our annual recruiting drive.

A brief summary follows of the main issues affecting our area during 1997-98:

1. Metropol Night Club: I think that we were all disappointed that the Metropol failed to live up to its promises to screen its patrons and to do its best to prevent vandalism and other misconduct which so distressed local residents. As a consequence, objections were made by local residents, by the Association and by the Police to the Metropol 's entertainment licence when it came up for renewal last October. The objections were upheld by the Licensing sub-Committee of Croydon Council which unanimously refused to renew the licence. Subsequently, its owner European Leisure appealed against the decision but then announced its intention to close down the Night Club and to convert it into an American Pool Bar. Hopefully a Pool bar will attract a more responsible type of person but we must remain vigilant in the meantime in case the plan is not proceeded with.

2. Purley Station Yard - Day Aggregates The latest development in this long running saga are that lorry movements in surrounding roads are being monitored by the Council to clamp down on illegal movements and the size and appearance of a structure on the concrete mixing site has been challenged on planning grounds. The improvements to the Warren Road, Downscourt Road junction with the A22 Godstone Road will be completed this summer, partly thanks to a four- fold increase in the contribution from Days. Although good for traffic, it may bring the return of the crusher and an increase in lorry movements.

3. Residential Homes: The Association welcomes the Council's decision to review planning policy which has allowed residential homes to multiply in the area. Planning Officers have produced a report which recommends that Supplementary Planning Guidance should be drafted to clarify the Unitary Development Plan.

4.Planning applications. With the buoyancy of the housing market and the economy generally it is not surprising that the number of planning applications has increased over the past year. All are scrutinised by the Executive Committee and appropriate action taken if there are objections by neighbouring residents or the proposed development is likely to adversely affect the amenities of the district. Members are strongly advised to let the Association know if they object to a planning application and also to alert their Ward Councillors so that individual objections can be supported if appropriate to do so.

Major planning applications this past year include a proposal to demolish five houses at the foot of Pampisford Road and to erect sheltered accommodation for elderly people comprising 43 flats and communal facilities. The Association objected on the grounds of density and appearance of the flats and negotiations proceed between planning officers and the applicant on these points.

Another proposal to demolish a property in Plough Lane and replace it with luxury flats was withdrawn following local objections.

5. Purley District Centre: As reported last year, the Council allocated £250,0O0 for general improvements to the town centre over a period of time. All I can say to day is that these improvements have been slow to materialise.

On the plus side, several additional parking bays are planned, mainly on the east side of the High Street while leaving room for private cars and mini-cabs to pick up passengers using the swimming pool and Sainsburys. The not-so-good news is that the present 20-minute free parking will be replaced by Pay and Display costing lOp for 15 minutes with a maximum of one hour. The Association expressed its disappointment at this decision which is, basically, to bring Purley into line with Thornton Heath and Norbury. The operation needs a Traffic Management Order which was delayed pending the local elections last week

6.Traffic calming: More traffic calming measures were introduced last year notably in Highfield Road and Woodcote Valley Road. All have the support of the majority of residents in those roads. It is a pity that such measures have to be introduced but too many motorists speed along these rat runs causing worry and stress to residents particularly elderly people and parents of young children.

Perhaps in a few years time some of the humps and cushions can be removed in favour of cameras digitally linked with central computers, which will issue speeding tickets without the intervention of costly human resources.

7.Central Railway plc: Central Railway, which proposed to construct a new freight line through the district as part of a scheme to run a service between the Midlands and the Channel Tunnel, is known to be lobbying Government ministers with a plan to build a longer 400 mile freight and passenger service from Liverpool with new sections between London and the Channel Tunnel. Although the original scheme was decisively defeated in the House of Commons₃ there are fears that it might be considered again as part of the flew Government's transport policy due to be announced in a White Paper this summer.

The Central Railway Opposition Group (CROG) of which the Association is a member is monitoring the situation and warns interested parties to be ready for a new battle.

8. The Association: A number of new members have joined us during the year Particularly as a result of our support for local issues around the Metropol and elsewhere. We welcome all new members and hope that they will help the Association by coming forward as Road Representatives and Committee members. I am really very touched by the magnificent support I have received over the past year from the Hon. Officers and other members of the Executive Committee both at meetings and as Association representatives on other representative bodies. Inevitably some have to drop out and others come forward to take their places. Paul Sandford, our vice -chairman, edits the Newsletters as well as bringing the Association on to the Internet and computerising our Road Representatives database. However computers cannot replace the human touch and for this I am indebted to Pat Hewitt our membership secretary and her team of Road Representatives.

We have been well supported by our Ward Councillors who between them attend Executive Committee meetings. All of them were re-elected on May 7th in the Borough Elections.

Last, but certainly not least, I thank our indefatigable Hon. Secretary, Tarsem Flora, for the considerable amount of work he undertakes for the Association and for his professional advice regarding planning matters. I am glad that we have now found an assistant secretary, Anne McKendrick, to help him.