Around 50 people attended the inaugural meeting of a new community forum last week.

The West Croydon Community Forum aims to bring together residents, businesses and other stakeholders to provide a strong collective voice for West Croydon.

During the meeting held at the CVA Resource Centre, in London Road, Tim Naylor, Head of Spatial Planning at Croydon Council, outlined ways in which the £23 million received following last summer's riots could be used to improve the borough's infrastructure.

The group heard how over £7 million has been earmarked for Croydon's High Streets, yet the Council were unable to confirm how much will spent specifically on the London Road area.

Mr Naylor invited the West Croydon Community Forum to work alongside the council to agree how best to spend the funds allocated to West Croydon.

A public consultation exercise is expected to begin in June 2012.

The meeting was also attended by Croydon Council Chief Executive Jon Rouse, who supported the formation of the group.

Speaking after the meeting, Cathy Aitchison of Broad Green Residents Association, said: "There is a real opportunity here for people in West Croydon to influence change and decide how money for our area, is spent for the benefit of people in our area."

An interim steering group will be set up to take the West Croydon Community Forum forward.

To join or for more information contact Bhupendra.solanki@cvalive.org.uk.