- 4 November 2021
- Posted by: Cllr Sean Fitzsimons
- Category: Councillors, Ward Councillors
Long-serving Addiscombe councillor Jerry Fitzpatrick has announced that he will not be standing at the 2022 local elections.
Jerry served as Labour and Co-operative councillor for the old Addiscombe ward between 1986 and 2002, and has represented Addiscombe West since 2018. In the earlier period, he was Labour spokesperson on Education for seven years before becoming Deputy Leader of Croydon’s first Labour Council in 1994. He was Chair of Governors of the former Oval Primary School for 16 years, and was Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Sir Phillip Game Centre during the period that it was rebuilt.
Since 2018, Jerry has been Chair of Croydon’s Autism Partnership Board, introducing the borough’s first Autism Strategy. He was Chief Whip of the Council’s Labour Group from March to October 2021.
“The decision to retire has been a difficult one for me,” Jerry said. “But next year the borough will have a new mayoral system of governance, and I will reach the age of 70, so it seems like a good time to hand over to a younger person.
“There are many important and ongoing local issues for my successor. In Addiscombe – as in many other parts of London – we have too many families who are unsuitably housed. There are too many examples of both private and social landlords falling down on their responsibilities.
“I hope that in the next four years we shall see some investment in our local Addiscombe shopping centre. We have many new residents in the area. Those who invest in our local community will not only be benefiting Addiscombe but can expect a reasonable financial return.
“I thank my brilliant colleagues Cllr Sean Fitzsimons and Cllr Patricia Hay-Justice. We have worked as a team, and I shall continue to support the work which they are undertaking, and the dedicated leadership which they are providing.
“Finally, but not least, I warmly thank those whom I have the honour of representing. Addiscombe is a wonderful local community. It is my community, and I shall continue to play my part in keeping it strong for as long as I can.”