Croydon team combat credit crunch

Published by Chris M for Croydon Economic Development Company Ltd in Communities and also in Local Government

Croydon Council and its partners from the public, business and voluntary sectors have developed plans to help residents and businesses through the recession.
Support for debt and housing advice has been strengthened, and a mortgage rescue scheme implemented.

The rescue scheme offers those on the brink of repossession the chance of an affordable way of staying in their own homes.

A new website http://www.croydoncrunch.org/ has been set up to help those seeking practical advice on how to deal with the recession.

An Economic Recovery Action Plan has also been developed, which will ensure local agencies work together to help minimise the recession's impact - and to ensure Croydon benefits from the next economic upturn.

The plan includes:

• Support for local people
• Support for businesses
• Promoting Croydon as a business location.

Councillor Steve O Connell cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said: "The Local Government Association claims London could lose nine per cent of its jobs by 2010 - with the impact on residents being highest in Croydon.

"We have put together these plans to help the community cope with the economic downtown and to help support the local economy."

The council is also working with Croydon Adult Learning and Training (CALAT) to set up ‘Broadening Horizons', a project to tackle long-term unemployment and help people improve their life chances.

The aim is to increase housing and employment prospects by replying quickly to concerns and providing a one-stop shop that combines education and employment advice with housing options and support services.

Further plans include a freeze on pay and display parking charges and continuing to provide one million pounds of capital funding each year to help local community projects

Download the Economic Recovery Action Plan here: www.croydonenterprise.com