At a meeting on 3 December 2025, Croydon Council's Cabinet approved recommendations concerning financial performance, environmental enforcement, transport, and potential new conservation areas. Councillor Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, highlighted the importance of these initiatives in making Croydon a safer, healthier, and more prosperous borough.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics discussed:

• 2025-26 Period 6 Financial Performance Report

  • The Cabinet noted a forecast underspend of £23.8 million in the general fund, reducing the need for capitalisation directions¹ from £136 million to £112.2 million.
  • Councillor Jason Cummings, Cabinet Member for Finance, highlighted that this was an excellent achievement, but not enough to fulfil the target contained within the stabilisation plan.
  • A budget virement² of £3.022 million from Resources to Housing was approved to align with the cost of temporary accommodation management fees.
  • Councillor Young asked about £4 million of savings, by accelerating the target operating model³ and maximising the occupancy for under Retherill House, that are both rag-rated red. Councillor Cummings responded that these are always under review, and that the overall target of 27.3 remains one which the council is confident it will achieve this year.
  • The Cabinet also noted that the presentation of full Financial Performance Reports to Cabinet is being moved to a quarterly basis, with a shortened Financial Performance Summary being published for other months from Period 2 to Period 10 on the Council’s Corporate Performance and Finance Reporting webpage.
  • Councillor Cummings mentioned that Croydon is estimated to benefit to the tune of £51 million per year, in terms of increased funding, from the Fair Funding Review, which is currently due on 18 December.

• Environmental Enforcement Update

  • The Cabinet noted the progress in delivering a strengthened approach to environmental enforcement, including the creation of a new Community Compliance Team.
  • Since September, the team has issued over 100 fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping offences.
  • Councillor Scott Roche, Cabinet Member for Streets and Environment, reported improvements in cleanliness scores and a reduction in complaints in some areas.
  • In response to a question from Councillor Herman about the proportion of fixed penalty notices being paid, it was agreed that the information would be provided to him by the end of the week.
  • The Cabinet agreed that future updates on enforcement performance are reported to Cabinet on an annual basis.

• Transport for London Local Implementation Plan Funding 2026/27 and Transport for London Local Implementation Plan - Section 106 Contributions

  • The Cabinet agreed to submit a request for £3.358 million in Local Implementation Plan (LIP) funding from Transport for London (TfL) for 2026/27.
  • The Delivery Plan aligns with the Executive Mayor's Business Plan, ensuring that every power invested contributes to shared priorities of financial stability, community wellbeing and sustainable development.
  • The Cabinet also agreed to allocate £1.574 million in Section 106 funding to support LIP projects.
  • Councillor Herman asked why school street schemes have been deprioritised in favour of safer crossings, cycle and scooter parking, and behaviour changing measures. Mayor Perry responded that there is still a priority around healthy school streets.

• Potential Future Conservation Area Designations

  • The Cabinet agreed to assess nine potential new conservation areas, including the Whitgift Estate, Crowham Park Estate, and the Fairfield Civic Quarter.
  • Councillor Jeet Baines, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, stated that adding more conservation areas will support and enhance Croydon's historic and architectural character.
  • Councillor Chris Clarke asked what the Council can do to ensure that the protections conferred by these potential future designations can be effectively enforced. Councillor Baines responded that the Council could probably do more on conservation area enforcements, and that this is a function of the resources that we have and the prioritization that takes place.
  • The Cabinet delegated authority to the Corporate Director for Sustainable Communities, Regeneration and Economic Recovery to consult on the draft statements.

• Equality Strategy 2023-27, Annual Report 2024/2025

  • The Cabinet noted the progress in delivering the Equality Strategy 2023-27, with 40 out of 71 actions completed.
  • Councillor Andy Stranack, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, highlighted the zero pay gap between staff who declare they have a disability and other staff, and that 11% of the Croydon workforce are now happy to declare that they have a disability.
  • Councillor Hammersley asked what real on the ground engagement the council is undertaking to understand people's lived experiences, and how the council can credibly claim that the actions outlined in this strategy are making a measurable difference when so many communities still report feeling unsafe and unsupported in Croydon. Mayor Perry responded that this administration has done a huge amount of work to ensure that the voice of the resident is very much part of the work that we do.

• Fees and Charges 2026-27

  • The Cabinet approved the fees and charges for the 2026-27 financial year.
  • Councillor Cummings stated that the only noticeable variances are those where the council is ensuring full cost recovery, or any particular charges move significantly out of kilter with the market.
  • Councillor Young highlighted a proposed 2,400% increase in admin suspension and dispension fees. Alistair Baigent, Director of Finance, clarified that this was a rise from £1 to £25, to ensure full cost recovery.

• Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy Mid-Year Review Report 2025/26

  • The Cabinet considered the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy Mid-Year Review Report 2025/26, noting that the council has operated fully within every Treasury and prudential limit.
  • Councillor Cummings stated that the report had already been through the Audit and Governance Committee, where it had a good extensive questioning session.

• Scrutiny Stage 2 Responses to Recommendations arising from: Scrutiny & Overview Committee

  • The Cabinet approved the responses and action plans attached to the report in Appendix 1, and delegated authority to the officers identified in Appendix 1 to report back to the Scrutiny and Overview Committee, or relevant Sub-Committee, within the periods specified in the agreed responses and action plans, and on progress made in implementing any action plan.
  • Councillor Leila Ben Hassel, Chair of Scrutiny, stated that the recommendations focused on the role of the council to enable residents to be part of the journey of the target operating model.

• Urgent Business

  • Mayor Perry announced that the council had secured £495,000 to invest in the Town Centre and Thornton Heath, to make Croydon safer.