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The Big Lunch Coronation Street Party

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The Big Lunch was a very simple idea started in 2009 by the Eden Project.

The aim is to get as many people across the UK to have lunch with their neighbours, in a simple act of community, friendship and fun, once a year.

We want to support local communities to ensure that everybody enjoys celebrating the King’s Coronation by throwing a street or park event on the Coronation weekend from Saturday 6 May to Monday 8 May 2023. To aid this, Croydon Council has for these special occasions, committed to covering the cost of the Traffic Management Orders required for road closures.

For further information, read the guidance on organising a street party

If you’re planning to close your road or hold an event in one of the borough’s parks or open spaces for the Big Lunch, there is certain information that we require.

Your completed application form must be submitted by Friday 7 April 2023.

We recommend submitting your application at least one month before the deadline.

The weekend will be running over the 3 day period, however you can only select one day to host a big lunch event.

To apply to hold a street party or an event for the Coronation, click here.

For more information on the Big Lunch Project, click here.

Petition Against Croydon’s 15% Council Tax Rise

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Plans to increase council tax in Croydon by 15% have been approved by the government.

Under current rules, town halls can only increase council tax by 4.99 per cent without a referendum, including a 2 per cent levy to pay for adult social care. But Croydon Council was on Tuesday (7 Feb) given special permission by the government to increase the charge by a “staggering” 15 per cent – two times more than most other local authorities.

The council tax increase will see the average Croydon household pay out about £235 more per year. It means Band D homes will pay over £2,230 a year for their total council tax bill.

Croydon Council sought permission to impose the rise without a referendum after declaring itself bankrupt for the second time in three years in November.

Last November, Croydon council was forced to issue a Section 114 notice after becoming insolvent for a third time – admitting it couldn’t balance its budget for 2023/24. It has also been obliged to commit to £130million spending cuts in the next financial year.

Funding for Croydon Council from central government has been cut dramatically over the past 13 years, and Croydon receives far less funding per person than neighbouring Lambeth.

Council tax is due to rise for all Londoners as of 1 April when the Mayor of London will add £38.55 on yearly council tax bills,

It means the typical household will pay just over £434 to the Greater London Authority, mainly for transport, policing and the fire brigade, as well as the running of City Hall.

A petition created by Steven Downes, Editor of Inside Croydon, will call on the Croydon Mayor to withdraw plans for a 15% hike in Council Tax in the middle of the worst fall in living standards on record.

You can sign the petition against a 15% Council Tax Rise by clicking here.

You can also sign the UK Government Petition by clicking here.

Turkey and Syria Earthquake – How to Donate

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Two powerful earthquakes have struck Turkey and Syria in the space of 12 hours.

The first earthquake measuring 7.8 magnitude hit south-eastern Turkey, near the Syrian border and the second one struck four kilometres outside Ekinozu in central Turkey.

Over 5,000 people have died so far in Turkey and Syria, and more than 20,000 people have been injured and displaced.

Major buildings have collapsed and the numbers are expected to rise as the search for survivors continues in both countries.

Right now, rescuers are racing to save people trapped beneath the rubble, and get shelter and support to those who have lost their homes or are afraid to return inside.

Islamic Relief teams are on the ground right now responding to the disaster in both Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria.

Their teams are providing emergency medical assistance, shelter and cash grants to enable those worst affected to meet their immediate needs. In Syria, their priorities will be providing health and medical supplies to hospitals and clinics, as well as blankets and tents for those made homeless by the quake.

You can donate to Islamic Relief’s Türkiye Syria Earthquake Appeal on their website.

The British Red Cross, part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, is raising funds which will go to its sister charity the Turkish Red Crescent (TRC).

The Turkish Red Crescent has launched a crisis response operation and mobilised teams in more than 10 regions across the country, while the Syrian Arab Red Crescent is delivering assistance and support to those in need in the regions of Hama, Aleppo and Lattakia.

Together, the British Red Cross and Turkish Red Crescent are  providing emergency first aid and evacuating people to safety.

You can donate to the British Red Cross Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal on their website.

Oxfam has launched an appeal to support people affected by this disaster.

Their teams in Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria are working with partner organisations to assess the types of immediate and longer-term support that are needed to help people in the aftermath of Monday’s devastating earthquakes.

The emergency response is expected to include water and sanitation, shelter and food support as well as longer-term rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Any donation, big or small, matters right now.

You can donate to the Oxfam Turkey and Syria Earthquake Appeal on their website.

The DEC are also launching an emergency Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal.

Immediate priorities are medical treatment for the injured, shelter for those who have lost their homes, heating in safe spaces, blankets, warm clothes, and ensuring people have food and clean water.

You can donate to the DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal on their website.

ActionAid will be responding with shelter, food, medical aid, warm clothing, heaters and cash for those who have lost their homes and are out on the streets.

 

You can donate to the ActionAid Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal on their website.

Save The Children’s teams are on the ground in the region and ready to respond.

Homes, buildings and essential infrastructure have been destroyed and children will need urgent support to access food, shelter and warm clothing.

In any crisis, we know that children are always the most at risk. The Children’s Emergency Fund enables Save The Children to respond to crises around the world, whether from conflict, climate change or natural disaster.

You can donate to the Save the Children’s Emergency Fund on their website.

Planning Report – February 2023

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To find out the latest news on what is being planned in your local area, check out our latest Planning Report with up-to-date information on Planning Applications including developments in:

  • Addiscombe Road
  • The Glade
  • Hanbury Mews
  • Orchard Avenue
  • Orchard Rise
  • Orchard Way
  • Shirley Avenue
  • Woodmere Avenue and Woodmere Gardens.

With our contributions to community engagement with the production of the new Croydon Local Plan.

Also, take a look at the MORA Planning App, which gives you an easy way to track all the current and recent planning applications within the MORA area. It’s simple to use and free for you to access.