Adam Kellett writes about his first impressions as one of the newly elected councillors for Reform in New Addington South ward.
If I thought that I could relax a little after election day then I was sadly mistaken! The induction process started almost immediately and included a full day at the Town Hall with introductions, workshops and stalls about council services. It was also useful to get to know officers and other members.
I am returning to the Council after a 12-year gap. The buildings may be familiar to me and there are some members that I used to work with, but I was very surprised how few officers survive from that time. There really has been a big turnover in staff. Not unexpectedly there has been an increase in the use of technology. Our laptops will carry all the agendas and reports that we need for meetings and some of the training is online.
The casework started arriving as soon as I had a council email address. I was pleased to assist with the Fairchildes Avenue Healthy School Streets scheme and overgrown trees that need attention. Unsurprisingly we have heard about shoplifting on The Parade and youths on motorbikes causing problems. Both of which we will raise with the Safer Neighbourhood Panel.
You can contact Councillor Kellett at adam.kellett@croydon.gov.uk and find out more about their work on Facebook in the New Addington South Councillors group.