It will take million of pounds to restore the damage caused in affected boroughs such as mine.
It is the 21st-century equivalent of the pre-1832 "rotten boroughs" with their handfuls of voters, a political elite of Westminster insiders saddled with outdated ideas.
There was no agreement on what those solutions might be, but some said Croydon had declined in recent years as neighbouring boroughs had become gentrified, and was in desperate need of regeneration.
In total, there are 161 councils in England holding elections on Thursday - this involves 19 unitary authorities, 36 metropolitan authorities, 32 London boroughs and 74 non-metropolitan districts.
It affects more than our universities, as only one of the sites of free speech in our public sphere, but not the only one – and certainly not more precious than our boroughs, schools, or other national civic institutions as protected democratic space.
If this legislation affecting any sector of our society – our schools, boroughs and civic space as well as our universities – is passed, the core of what unites this country will be lost.
This action followed the "ads on vans" in six London boroughs: Home Office-funded mobile hoardings picturing handcuffs and urging illegal immigrants to "go home".
And Croydon has given Lambeth three options: buy Croydon's half-share of assets and take responsibility for the library lease Croydon's half-share in the premises and take responsibility for the library agree to the library being sold with the profit being equally divided between the two boroughs.
The regional performance tables were heavily dominated by London boroughs.
A new campaign group called Renters' Rights London, funded by Trust for London, has named Labour-run Islington, Newham and Hackney the capital's best among the 18 boroughs where private renters make up at least a quarter of the population.
Related: Tessa Jowell: 'I'm most proud of setting up Sure Start' Jowell said she was concerned that too many children's centres had reduced the amount of services on offer to parents and babies, and wanted boroughs to improve prenatal services such as breastfeeding and responsive parenting, as well as support for new parents including fathers.
