The Council of Croydon Council was scheduled to consider a range of public questions and written questions posed by councillors to the Executive Mayor and Cabinet. The meeting agenda also included discussions on the Council's Business Plan, the review of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging schedule, and recommendations from the General Purposes Committee.

Croydon Question Time

The Council was scheduled to address public questions on various matters. One question was scheduled to concern the handling of an Environmental Information Request (FOI/14384), specifically regarding the Council's adherence to the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and whether all parts of a request were properly considered within the statutory framework. The response was expected to acknowledge that the handling of the request did not meet the expected standard and that the case was being reviewed to reinforce the requirement for completeness checks before final responses are issued.

Another public question was scheduled to address the restoration of direct London Victoria train stops at South Croydon, following the integration of GTR and Southern into Great British Railways. The Council was scheduled to confirm its intention to write to Southern and DfT Operator Limited to make the case for restoring these services, while noting that the decision ultimately rests with the operator and national government.

The implementation of CCTV cameras in fly-tipping hotspots, such as Gurney Crescent alleyway, was also scheduled to be a topic of discussion. The Council was expected to state that CCTV cameras are already operating at fly-tipping hotspots across Croydon, with 21 cameras in use, including 15 deployable cameras that are moved between locations based on intelligence. Gurney Crescent was to be considered alongside other known hotspots.

Concerns regarding the lack of bins in New Addington ward, particularly along Central Parade and within parks, were scheduled to be raised. The Council was expected to state that officers would assess current provision to determine if additional litter bins could be installed and if their servicing frequency could be increased. A deep cleanse of the pavement along Central Parade was also to be considered.

A question was scheduled regarding the route for council leaseholders to engage with the Council's building teams about freeholder property issues. The Council was expected to highlight recent updates to the Leaseholder section of its website, providing relevant team details and contact information. The Leasehold Services Team was to remain the primary point of contact for leaseholders.

The Council was also scheduled to consider the introduction of a Croydon De-paving Challenge, inspired by initiatives in the Netherlands and other UK councils, to encourage residents, schools, and community groups to replace hard surfacing with planting, trees, rain gardens, or permeable surfaces. The possibility of piloting this in Woodside in spring 2027 was to be explored.

Safeguards concerning formal planning enforcement action against residents' homes were scheduled to be discussed, focusing on senior oversight and documented assessments of proportionality. This was to include considerations of actual planning harm, remedial works underway, resident cooperation, financial consequences, impacts on family welfare, and the potential for less onerous measures.

The remediation of combustible cladding at Bridge House, 6 Waterworks Yard, was scheduled to be addressed, with questions about when the Council would decide on serving a formal notice with a binding timetable and whether residents would be informed of this date. The Council was expected to state that officers had met with building owners to follow up on remediation progress and that a further inspection was being arranged, after which appropriate enforcement notices would be issued.

The reduction in glyphosate pesticide use on Croydon's streets since the new Veolia contract came into force in April 2025 was scheduled to be a topic. The Council was expected to confirm that 52% less glyphosate was applied in the first year of the contract compared to 2024, although an anecdotal increase in weed growth had led to more complaints.

Progress on the Council's pension fund divesting from fossil fuels in favour of investment in renewables was scheduled for discussion. The Council was expected to report that around 5% of Fund assets are invested in renewable energy infrastructure and that climate change considerations are embedded within the Fund's investment and responsible investment policies.

Concerns regarding the decline of football facilities in Croydon parks were scheduled to be raised, with questions about the Council's commitment to providing proper facilities and working with local clubs to find solutions. The Council was expected to acknowledge the vital importance of grassroots football and confirm its commitment to providing safe, sustainable facilities.

The number of councillors and senior managers who have undertaken climate awareness training, such as Climate Fresk, was scheduled to be discussed. The Council was expected to provide data indicating that 71 staff, including 6 senior managers, and 14 councillors had undertaken Climate Fresk training.

The scale of fly-tipping in areas like Clifton Road and the perceived ineffectiveness of the Love Clean Streets reporting system were scheduled to be discussed. The Council was expected to reiterate its zero-tolerance approach, including the use of deployable CCTV cameras and increased enforcement.

The Council's proposal to increase residential Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) rates in central Croydon and for developments of nine homes or fewer was scheduled for consideration. Questions were to be raised about the justification for these increases, particularly in light of challenges in attracting investment, and the potential impact on marginal schemes, affordable housing, and overall home delivery. The Council was expected to present evidence from an independent review and public consultation supporting the proposed rates.

Finally, the enforcement of restrictions on the Whitgift pedestrian walkway, signed as 'Pedestrian and Cycle Zone', was scheduled to be discussed, with questions about who enforces this restriction and the number of penalty notices, vehicle seizures, or prosecutions in the last 12 months. The Council was expected to state that enforcement is primarily the responsibility of the Metropolitan Police and that it is investing in public realm improvements which may address concerns about vehicle use.

The Croydon Debate

The Council was scheduled to debate three Member Petitions. Councillor Tom Bowell was scheduled to present a petition concerning pedestrian safety at the junction of Featherbed Lane and Pixton Way, highlighting concerns from Selsdon School Council students about the safety of crossing the road. The petition was to call for a meeting with students, a site visit, and the design of solutions to slow traffic and create a safer crossing.

Councillor Laura Bradnam was scheduled to present a petition regarding the Woodside War Memorial, requesting the renewal of the faded inscription and the addition of a new inscription to honour those who lost their lives in World War 2 and subsequent conflicts.

Councillor Ria Patel was scheduled to present a petition calling for the reinstatement of cycle training in Croydon, which had reportedly been cancelled since August 2026. The petition was to seek an explanation for the cancellation, the reversal of a 75% pay cut for instructors, and a contract that ensures fair working conditions and appropriate remuneration.

Interim Chief Executive Appointment

The Council was scheduled to consider the interim appointment of Mike Jackson as Chief Executive, following the resignation of the acting Chief Executive. The appointment was to be for a period up to 31 January 2027, and would also confirm Mike Jackson as Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer.

Audit & Governance Committee Annual Reports 2024/25 & 2025/26

The Council was scheduled to receive the Annual Reports of the Audit and Governance Committee for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 municipal years. These reports were expected to highlight the Committee's work, including its oversight of budget monitoring, risk management, anti-fraud measures, governance and internal control, internal audit and compliance, financial management, external audit, financial recovery and sustainability, and scrutiny and challenge.

The Executive Mayor of Croydon's Business Plan, 2026-2030

The Council was scheduled to consider the adoption of the Executive Mayor of Croydon's Business Plan for 2026-2030. This plan was expected to set out the Council's strategic direction and priorities for the next four years, focusing on delivery of improvements in areas such as cleaner streets, safer neighbourhoods, stronger communities, better housing, and thriving town centres.

Review of the Borough's Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule - Approval to Adopt

The Council was scheduled to consider the adoption of a revised Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule. This review was undertaken to reflect economic changes since 2013 and aimed to introduce CIL charges for residential development in the Croydon Metropolitan Centre, increase residential rates elsewhere, and include additional development types. The proposals were supported by a viability study and had undergone independent examination.

Recommendations of General Purposes Committee Referred to Full Council for Decision

The Council was scheduled to consider recommendations from the General Purposes Committee concerning proposed changes to the Council's Constitution. These changes were related to the national scheme of delegation for planning functions and pension governance reforms.

Questions to the Executive Mayor and Cabinet

The Council was scheduled to hear oral questions from members of each political group to the Executive Mayor and Cabinet. Additionally, written questions submitted by councillors were to be addressed, covering a range of topics including community safety, support for Friends of groups, responsibilities for TfL roads, social value policy, landlord licensing schemes, tenancy fraud investigations, the impact of Adult Social Care and Health Strategy Neighbourhood Grants, fly-tipping, traffic calming measures on Grange Road, traffic management on Luna Road, issues at Norwood Grove park, Public Space Protection Orders in Addiscombe West, parking stress in Waddon, access to CALAT courses, enforcement at Ederline Avenue and Norbury Crescent, concerns for businesses in Purley, family-sized homes granted planning permission, the assessment of costs for early help and community services, fly-tipping and cleanliness in South Norwood, mental health support and inequalities, parking controls in Waddon, review of 20mph speed limits, noise pollution services, waste collection arrangements in South Norwood, cross-borough boundary issues, park amenities at South Norwood Country Park, and visitor numbers at Purley Pool.

Council Debate Motions

The Council was scheduled to debate two motions. The Conservative Group motion was to support Mayor Jason Perry's campaign for the Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme, tackling a rail bottleneck and supporting economic growth, and to call on the Government to fund its development. The Labour Group motion was to welcome investment delivered by the Labour Government since July 2024, highlighting specific funding for areas like New Addington and West Croydon, crisis resilience, families, knife crime, and a community-based mental health centre. It was also to call on the Mayor to work constructively with the Labour government and crack down on waste.