Response from Rowenna Davis (Labour and Co-operative Party):

Dear Léonie,

Many thanks for your email. My answers to your questions are set out below.

1. Deliver the step change needed to tackle the climate and ecological crisis as it impacts on people in Croydon? 

Yes. In my manifesto - https://www.rowennadavis.co.uk/mymanifesto - I am very clear about how we need to make the Climate Action Plan far more ambitious and introduce real targets.

The last four years of inaction under Conservative Mayor Perry have been an unforgivable waste of time on the climate emergency. Mayor Perry hides behind ‘lack of funding’ arguments, when in fact millions of pounds of available funding have gone unused both through incompetence and a simple lack of will. It’s unforgivable.

I am particularly keen to prioritise work where tackling climate change works in tandem with helping with the cost of living – for example, allowing access to the roofs of Croydon’s public buildings so Croydon Community Energy can fit solar panels. This will generate revenue savings and bring new green jobs and skills into the borough - delivered through the likes of LSBU, which already has a green skills hub.

I would also focus urgently on supporting the River Wandle, an incredibly rare and delicate chalk stream ecosystem which for me is a critical part of our local infrastructure. As Mayor, I can’t directly fix what Thames Water do (although I will lobby hard!) but I can and will use local powers to ensure planning permission is tied to Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and river buffer zones. I will also, wherever possible and subject to securing external funding, improve council-controlled land within the Wandle’s catchment with features like rain gardens and small wetlands.

2. Work together with a diverse range of groups and stakeholders across the borough to deliver the step change?

Absolutely, yes - no Mayor can achieve anything on their own!

I’m really grateful to those groups who have already engaged with me, such as Croydon Cyclists, Croydon Climate Action and Croydon Community Energy – I've learned a lot, and I marvel at the energy and enthusiasm of all the volunteers I’ve seen in action. So many of our parks are already nurtured by ‘Friends’ groups – as Mayor I will champion these, and support the establishment of more groups in parks that currently don’t have them.

We also need to work more effectively with developers, making sure we get changes to our built environment - including new buildings - ‘right first time’. And we need to support education about the environment far better – the Croydon Ecology Centre at Heathfield

should be a jewel in Croydon’s crown, but is currently shamefully neglected.

I want to introduce the ‘Croydon Way’ - an ambitious but achievable infrastructure project that will better link our parks with our stations, shops and architecture, encouraging walking and cycling.

If I’m elected Mayor, then I’m in pole position to work effectively in partnership with the national Labour government and the GLA. I am also committed to instilling a more collaborative mindset within the council, thereby growing significantly our ability to work along with environmental charities and other groups to deliver genuine change.

3. Ensure that residents' differing social vulnerabilities to the climate and ecological crisis are embedded in focused policy solutions that reflect the demographic, social, and environmental contexts of Croydon?

Yes. I am very conscious that Croydon faces huge inequalities, often seen in disparities between our north and south and within geography, class and race. It’s often the poorest who will be hit hardest; this is especially true of the north where we have a lot of overcrowded and temporary accommodation that will increasingly become dangerously hot. We have to do everything we can to make sure these communities are safe and protected, as well as doing our best to prevent emissions. We also need to reach out to stakeholders who might not yet be engaged with the climate debate, but will certainly be impacted by it.

Finally, one issue that’s close to my heart is how currently unequal our access to green space is. I was a teacher in a deprived part of West Croydon, where tree cover can be as low as 4% compared to over 25% in other parts of the borough – so I really want to prioritise re-investment in areas like Canterbury Road Recreation Ground, a rare and precious green space in that part of west Croydon that has been left to rot.

With very best wishes,

Rowenna