WITH Coulsdon in the midst of four major developments, there is plenty for the next crop of councillors to make sure they get right.
According to residents, forthcoming homes and supermarkets could either allow the town to thrive or create traffic chaos, depending on how they are handled.
Peter Appleford, of the Coulsdon West Residents' Association (CWRA), said two things the council must get right are parking at the proposed Lion Green Road supermarket and access to the planned Cane Hill housing development.
Developer Barratt Homes has said an access road to the 650-plus houses from the A23 south of the bypass is not necessary, despite residents calling for it.
Mr Appleford said: "We have got up to 600 or 700 homes – that could be up to 1,500 residents.
"It is all very well Barratt [Homes, developers of Cane Hill] saying they don't see a need for it, but I think to see all those cars queuing up is not going to be very good public relations for them. I think they are very short-sighted."
The council is in talks with Transport for London (TfL) about whether it could build the access route if the developers do not, following massive public pressure.
Street-cleaning and overflowing recycling facilities in Lion Green Road are also key concerns, Mr Appleford said.
CWRA chairman Richard Thurbon says councillors will also have their work cut out in winning back residents' confidence with the council.
The CWRA is considering putting forward its own candidates for the local election, out of frustration with local solutions getting stymied by party political politics. Committee members would have to resign in order to stand for political office.
"Over the last year or two, our residents have lost a lot of confidence and trust with the council," Mr Thurbon said.
"Much of what happens in Coulsdon in particular is felt to be decided from afar, without the grassroots knowledge and support for the residents.
"While some of the councillors have shown their aptitude for dealing with local residents concerns, others, like many at the council, have been 'MIA' or blase toward residents concerns."
He added: "Much of this is simply the requirement to toe the party line, which is the crux of the problem.
"How can residents have any faith in a system that serves the party and the party view? While this party political system may work to a degree at national level, it becomes meaningless at local council level."
Vijay Upadhyaya, the owner of Marsh's Stationers in Brighton Road, meanwhile, said safety is one of his biggest concerns.
He has been trying to get CCTV in his area for a long time, and also bemoaned what he felt to be fewer police on the streets. Police numbers are controlled by the London mayor.
"That is the main thing we are lacking," he said.
"Because now again we find some arguments going on the streets and stuff like that.
"There used to be community police officers going up and down, but now you do not see them."
A freeze on business rates, set by the Government, would also be welcome, he said, adding: "Then we could put some money into the business, that would be the best way."
Fresh faces coming whatever the election result ONLY two of the six councillors representing Coulsdon East and Coulsdon West will contest this election. Terry Lenton, Ian Parker and David Osland have all decided to stand down, while Justin Cromie (Coulsdon East) did not reach the interview round for re-selection. Instead, the Conservative candidates are For Coulsdon West: Mario Creatura, parliamentary researcher for Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell Jeet Bains, serving Tory councillor Luke Clancy, former South Norwood councillor from 2010. For Coulsdon East: Chris Wright, serving Tory councillor James Thompson, Chairman of Croydon Conservative Future (for Conservatives under the age of 30), history graduate Margaret Bird, deputy chairman, finance, Conservative Women's Organisation, chairman of Governors, Applegarth Academy, New Addington; governor, Oasis Byron, Coulsdon, and Rowdown Primary, New Addington. Labour says it does plan to field candidates, but has not yet decided who they will be. The Liberal Democrat candidates for Coulsdon East are Gill Hickson (chairman of Coulsdon Lib Dems), Ashley Burridge, and Arfan Bhatti. Ken George, Francis Conn and Judith Earle will be on the ballot for the seat of Coulsdon West. Ukip, the United Kingdom Independence Party, is fielding Danny Fullilove in Coulsdon West and Alan Smith in Coulsdon East. 2010 voting Coulsdon West: Turnout 69.2% David Osland, Conservative, 3,656 Ian Parker, Conservative, 3,473 Jeet Bains, Conservative, 3,421 Avril Bristow, Liberal Democrats, 1,608 Jean Callen, Liberal Democrats, 1,465 Charles King, Labour, 1,268 Brian Glaister, Liberal Democrats, 1,255 Ronald Rowland, Labour, 1,107 Sarah Ward, Labour, 1,073 Jo Parsons, Ukip, 492 Mark Denley, Green Party, 380 Sue Parsons, Green Party, 326 Nick Smith, Green Party, 308 Coulsdon East: Turnout 73.5% Chris Wright, Conservative, 3,609 Justin Cromie, Conservative, 3,431 Terry Lenton, Conservative, 3,347 Ian Atkins, Liberal Democrats, 2,164 Ken George, Liberal Democrats, 1,851 Andy Blake, Liberal Democrats, 1,735 Adrian Dennis, Labour, 775 Moira O'Donnell, Labour, 696 Rae Goonetilleke, Labour, 649 George Simpson, UKIP, 460 Ernest Bullimore, Green Party, 349 Marie McCammon, British National Party, 312 Jay Ginn, Green Party, 267 Brendan Walsh, Green Party, 184