More than 60 people attended the first of the council’s Question Time debates in New Addington.

The debates, which have replaced the neighbourhood partnership meetings, are set to be held all over the borough.

Residents in New Addington spoke to council leader Mike Fisher and other cabinet members about their priorities for the area.

They talked about new streetlights, road improvements and called on the council to protect children’s centres.

The event was the first in the council’s 'Your Croydon, Your Say' campaign, which aims to involve residents more in shaping the borough’s future.

Coun Fisher promised a revised plan for the regeneration of Central Parade within the next 18 months and told residents that poorly lit streets would soon be a thing of the past as the council works on replacing every streetlight in New Addington, with work starting later this year.

Coun Fisher said: “Many councils are shying away from public debate during a time of difficult financial decisions. We’ve opted to do the reverse – and get out there and talk to people before we make tough decisions about how to spend limited council budgets. Residents responded brilliantly – putting over their views constructively and calmly.

“We listened to the thousands of people who responded to recent consultations on parking and libraries, and we listened to the 2,500 people who told us how they wanted their money spent last year. So I’m confident we will also listen to the people that took time to come to the Question Time event last week.”

The next Question Time is being held on Tuesday, June 28, at the Parchmore Community Centre, 53 - 55 Parchmore Road, Thornton Heath, Croydon CR7 8LY.