Claire is the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Streatham and Croydon North, and a ward councillor on Croydon Council for Crystal Palace & Upper Norwood.
Claire has lived in the constituency for more than 10 years. As a councillor for the Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood ward, Claire works hard representing her community and knows the people and the issues that affect local residents. Claire is also the Chief Executive of Sculpt, a youth-led charity that works with young Londoners to support them to shape their own futures as they transition to adulthood. Claire has a PhD in International Relations and over 20 years’ experience working across the voluntary sector - championing the causes of children, the elderly and victims of crime, homelessness and poverty. She is also a trustee of Croydon Community Against Trafficking. In her spare time she enjoys singing with the Royal Choral Society and loves making the most of London's parks and green spaces.
Claire says:
"I am delighted to have been selected to stand for election for the Liberal Democrats in Streatham and Croydon North. As a local councillor I am already proud to represent the community I call home, and am committed to working hard for residents and enabling them to have a say in issues that affect them in their local area. I believe that many local residents have been let down by both Lambeth and Croydon councils, and I will be someone who will stand up for their rights to have decent housing, clean air to breathe, green spaces to enjoy, the opportunity to explore and use your creative talents and to feel safe as they live, work, go to school and enjoy everything that this amazing constituency has to offer.”
Claire's surgery is on the second Saturday of each month 10am to 11.30am at Chevening Hub, Chevening Road, SE19 3TE (no appointment necessary). It's a large ward and Claire wants to be as accessible to residents as possible, so additional dates in other parts of the ward will be advertised here periodically.
You can also send Claire an email.
"I am committed to working hard for residents and enabling them to have a say in their local area. One way I do this is through my fortnightly emails, which include information that I think residents might find useful - whether its local events, campaigns, planning applications you may wish to comment on or details of public consultations that impact on our ward."
Sign up to Claire's fortnightly email below.
Veryan Wilkie-Jones is a volunteer with the Friends of Upper Norwood Rec community group which hosts activities and volunteer days to maintain the well-loved green space. The Rec will celebrate its 135th anniversary in June this year.
A planning application for a Nando's restaurant in the Crystal Palace Triangle has been submitted to Croydon Council.
A local councillor is calling for action from Croydon Council after a block of flats in Upper Norwood was left empty following a fire last summer.
A community campaign for a safer crossing in Upper Norwood was backed by Croydon Council last night, as a local councillor and residents put the case for action to be taken.
Last Saturday saw the annual Christmas Fair take place at St John the Evangelist on Sylvan Road, with a big community turnout in spite of the blustery wind and rain.
The Housing Ombudsman has released its latest annual report revealing that Croydon Council paid out over £18K to tenants in compensation during 2023/24 - more than TEN TIMES the amount from the previous year.
