NEW RESIDENT'S INFORMATION

If you are moving into the Coulsdon Area you will need to let the London Borough of Croydon know the date and address as soon as possible so that we can make sure you are only charged from the day that you take occupancy of your new home. You also need to register with Electoral Services to ensure that you are able to vote. There might be other services or areas you would like to be advised of your move into the borough; for example, you might want to let the Schools Admissions team know the details of your children who will be requiring education at a local school. Just follow this link http://www.croydon.gov.uk/movinghome

Buying a home can be a stressful experience. To help facilitate the process your solicitor can now apply online for a Croydon Local Authority Search. The search protects you from nasty surprises after you've moved into your new home such as extensions without Building Regulations Approval or plans which may affect your new home. Just follow this link for more information and how to apply. http://www.croydon.gov.uk/housing/landandpremises/llcu/localsearch.

COUNCIL INFORMATION

Council Information – The London Borough of Croydon is at Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon, CR0 3JS, Telephone number 020 8686 4433. Follow the link for further information http://www.croydon.gov.uk/. Or LBC Service Information on this website

COUNCILLORS - MEP - MP

You can contact your local councillors who are Councillors Terry Lenton, Brian Udell and Chris Wright for the East Coulsdon Ward and Councillors Gavin Barwell, Brian Cakebread and David Osland for Coulsdon West Ward.,. If you would like to contact Richard Ottaway MP you can write to him at the House of Commons, Westminster SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 6392. The local Conservative Party Office is at 36 Brighton Road, Purley CR8 2LG. Tel: 020 8660 0491. You can also email him at ottawayrgj@parliament.uk He even has his own website www.richardottaway.com or follow the links from Councillors on this site.

FRIENDS OF FARTHING DOWNS

The Friends work in partnership with the City of London, and in addition to helping shape projects like the new proposed visitor facilities and organising talks and guided walks, there are many other ways the Friends can help protect and enhance this unique site.

They can work as an independent group to campaign to protect the Downs from possible development or actions which may affect its value as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or its ancient archaeology. Friends can raise funds for community projects on the Downs and acquisition of land adjacent to the Downs. A fund raising campaign by the Coulsdon Green Belt Action Group helped the acquisition of Woodplace Farm Fields, now managed by the City as a local open space.

In 2006 the Friends won funding to support an archaeological survey on the Downs carried out by volunteers organised by English Heritage.

They currently have contact with local schools with a view to organising a programme of walks for children which will complement their school work. They also organise other activities, including walks, for all age groups.

Pauline Payne, ECRA Committee Member and the Editor of ‘The Review’ is a founder member of the Friends of Farthing Downs. If you would like details about guided walks, more information about the Friends or both please contact Pauline Payne on 01737 554449 or email fofd@btinternet.com

GUILDED WALKS

For information about guided walks, Friends of Parks, environmental education for schools and groups or how to get involved in caring for Croydon's green open spaces follow this link. http://www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/parksandopenspaces/guide or follow Diary Dates on this site for walks through Friends of Farthing Downs.

HOUSE IMPROVEMENT GRANTS

Discretionary grants may be available for owner occupiers, private tenants and private landlords for essential repairs and other works but are all subject to means tests. Follow this link for more information. http://www.croydon.gov.uk/housing/improvements/higrants/info

PARKING

If you are moving or have moved to an area with parking restrictions you can apply for a dispensation from the Council. The charge varies dependant on the type of parking restrictions which are in force but will in any case, need to be made at least 3 days before the event. Just follow this link. http://www.croydon.gov.uk/transportandstreets/parking/howtogetparkingrestrictionss to find out more or contact - Streets & Transport. Telephone - 020 8726 7100. E- mail - parking@croydon.gov.uk. Address - Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 3BT

You can find out where you can park in Croydon, how to obtain all kinds of parking permits, be these for residents, business, visitors or disabled by following this link. http://www.croydon.gov.uk/transportandstreets/parking/permits/ Parks and Green Spaces – Croydon has an astonishingly large amount of green, open spaces. Many of them have playgrounds or playing fields. For Coulsdon we have Farthing Downs and Happy Valley which are the beginning of the North Downs and owned by the City of London. Find out where the Parks are and what’s available at each location follow this link - http://www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/parksandopenspaces/pksandops/pos

RECYCLING, RUBBISH AND WASTE

To find out how to dispose of all types of rubbish in Croydon and the collection schedule for your road.

Follow this link for Household Waste http://www.croydon.gov.uk/environment/rrandw/householdwaste/index.

To find the collection schedule for your road follow this link. http://www.croydon.gov.uk/refuse/

REGISTER TO VOTE

In order to register to vote you must be eligible to appear on the Electoral Register. Follow this link to find out more. http://www.croydon.gov.uk/democracy/dande/elections/regvote/eligibility

SCHOOLS AND NURSERIES

School and Nurseries – For a list of Croydon schools and nurseries and to apply on-line should you wish just follow this link. https://eduinfo.croydon.gov.uk/CMS/GUI/Bases/index.php - Local information or alternatively you can find out about local schols by following the link 'Local Info' on this site.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Useful Council Information – can be found under 'LBC Services' on this site or for the full list follow this link of Council On-Line services follow this link - http://www.croydon.gov.uk/doitonline/?WT.svl=rhmdio