Purpose

The Council has been allocated £1.5 million through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) Pride in Place Impact Fund to deliver a programme of physical improvements across the borough. The funding is to be spent by March 2027, and the programme will be delivered in the 2026/27 financial year.  

The proposed programme has been shaped by community engagement carried out through a number of existing Council programmes, including the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The Council has also worked with all four of Croydon's Members of Parliament. Projects have been identified on the basis of initial feasibility and a borough-wide spread, so that residents across all areas of Croydon will benefit from the investment.  

The programme focuses on three themes - community spaces, public spaces, and high street and town centre revitalisation - and includes improvements to parks and playgrounds, support for community groups, enhancements to public spaces, and targeted high street improvements. The report will seek the Executive Mayor's approval to proceed with the programme as the Council is the responsible body.

Dratf Recommendation:

To agree the programme of projects to be funded by the Pride in Place – Impact Fund.

Decision

For the reasons set out in this report and its appendices, the Executive Mayor AGREED:

1. 2.1.1    To approve the Pride in Place Impact Fund programme of projects as set out in this report and Appendix A, with a total budget of £1.5 million to be spent by March 2027.
2. 2.1.2    To delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Sustainable Communities, Regeneration & Economic Recovery in consultation with the Corporate Director of Resources and S151 Officer, to take all necessary steps to procure, deliver, budget manage (within the value of the grant) and programme manage the programme of projects in accordance with the Council's Scheme of Delegation, Contract Standing Orders and relevant procurement legislation.
3. 2.1.3    To note that the programme will be delivered within the 2026/27 financial year.

Reasons for the decision

The Pride in Place Impact Fund presents a significant opportunity to deliver tangible, lasting improvements to communities across Croydon. The funding of £1.5 million is a Government grant with a fixed deadline of March 2027 to spend the grant.

The proposed programme, within the Government’s parameters of the funding, directly reflects the priorities and aspirations of local communities, having been developed through a range of established engagement processes rather than identified in isolation. All four of the borough's MPs have been consulted on the proposed programme. Projects have been selected on the basis of initial feasibility, borough-wide reach, and the ability to be delivered within the Government’s deadline to spend the Impact Fund.

The programme will deliver improvements across community spaces, public spaces, and high street environments, supporting the long-term health and vitality of Croydon's neighbourhoods and contributing to the Executive Mayor's Business Plan 2022-26 priorities.

Alternative options considered

Decline the offer of funding. This would mean Croydon residents losing the benefit of £1.5 million of investment in their communities. This option is not recommended.