I am writing with reference to your coverage of the official figures highlighting the very low numbers of new businesses in Croydon over the past 12 months (Businesses not keen to move in, Croydon Guardian, January 23).

These figures are hugely disappointing and a cause of great concern.

The Conservative council has had the benefit of a massive £40million windfall of Government funding, awarded to the then Labour council in 2006 for our groundbreaking partnership work with the local business community.

This is known as Local Enterprise Growth Funding (LEGI) and is to be specifically used to generate future enterprise and job opportunities in Croydon. So, what has been going on?

Well - as many in the business community would testify - we have seen a year of dithering from the council and allegations that too much of the LEGI money has been spent on consultants and bureaucracy.

This is yet more council incompetence along the lines of the collapsed parking contract that is again wasting taxpayers' money and nearly led a few weeks ago to the Government withdrawing the LEGI funding.

We cannot afford any more delays. I and my colleagues stand poised with the business and voluntary sectors of our town to play part in turning this potentially disastrous situation around.

However, for that to happen, the Conservative council needs to come out of its ivory tower that is the town hall.

The Conservative council needs to put aside party politics and work in partnership with the rest of us to ensure we dramatically increase both the creation of new jobs and enterprise opportunities within Croydon.

COUNCILLOR TONY NEWMAN, Opposition leader, Croydon Council