This article appeared on my website on 25th July 2008. Today 30th December 2009, I am repeating it so that you can see how this constituency is being treated by Croydon Tories. The Fairfield has been left to drift since the Tories won Croydon Council in May 2006.

I will always champion your issues, regardless of what party runs the Council or the country.

*************************

Lack of vision for Fairfield Halls

In todays Croydon Advertiser I am calling on Croydon Council to back the Fairfield Halls and end the last 2 years of uncertainty and delay following the collapse of the regeneration scheme for Fairfield as set out by the last Labour Council and abandoned once the Conservatives

I set out a clear framework of support for the Fairfield including:

• A statement of where the Council wants to take the Fairfield over the next 10 years
• A clear building strategy and agreement on how this will be funded
• An agreement to revenue fund the Fairfield with an annual grant
• A decision on whether the Fairfield is to be handed over to the 'regeneration company' 50% owned by building firm Laing

The current uncertainty for the Fairfield is appalling. This Arts venue needs certainty as well as revenue funding to remain both viable and grow. The Fairfield is a crucial part of what Croydon is and the Council needs to act positively to protect this fantastic facility for the Town.

It is clear that the local council are treating the Fairfield and the Arts in general as the poor relation when it comes to regeneration of the Town Centre.

The Council have spent over a million pounds on setting up and promoting regeneration schemes in the town centre, but as little as possible on the Fairfield Halls. That has to change.