The Croydon Council Cabinet met to discuss financial performance, community safety, regeneration, and support for young people and families in the borough. They approved the renewal and expansion of the Public Space Protection Order for Croydon Town Centre, and also approved a Youth Justice Plan for 2025-26. The cabinet also discussed and approved the Period 2 Financial Performance Report, which showed a forecast underspend, and agreed to accept funding from the Mayor of London to continue providing free school meals to all primary school pupils.

Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)

The Cabinet voted to renew the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Croydon Town Centre for another three years, and to expand its boundaries. The new boundaries will include areas to the east of the current limit, such as Oval Road and Park Hill Park, to the north-west covering more of London Road, to the west including Wondall Park and to the south-west incorporating Tanfield Road. The decision was made after a consultation found that nearly 80% of respondents supported renewing the PSPO, and over 85% had witnessed issues first-hand.

The cabinet also voted to introduce a new restriction on amplified sound, responding to public concerns about megaphones, loudspeakers, microphones and other amplification equipment. Councillor Stuart King, Leader of the Opposition, asked how the council would authorise the use of amplified sound systems. Christian Aspinall, Director of Culture and Community Safety, said that the process would be very simple, mirroring the current busking process, and would not involve any financial payment.

The PSPO was first introduced in 2022, and since then there has been a 24% reduction in antisocial behaviour within the PSPO area. Chief Inspector James Weston said that the PSPO is a vital tool for police officers, allowing them to engage directly with people who are street drinking or causing antisocial behaviour. He added that the PSPO allows the police to pass the details of offenders to charities who can work with them to address their addictions.

Councillor King welcomed the renewal and expansion of the PSPO, particularly the inclusion of Oval Road, which he said had been strongly supported by a number of individuals, including Natasha Irons. He also raised concerns about the continuing problems around West Croydon Station, which is covered by the PSPO. He asked about the plans for PSPOs in Thornton Heath and New Addington, which had been promised when the PSPO was first introduced. Mayor Jason Perry said that the Thornton Heath PSPO is in place, but the New Addington PSPO has not gone ahead because the data does not support it.

Councillor King also asked why e-scooters were not included in the PSPO. Christian Aspinall said that while the issue was raised in the consultation, it was a fairly low-ranked area of concern compared to the use of unamplified sound. He added that the use of e-scooters may change as a result of the town centre regeneration, but that the council would keep the issue under review.

Financial Performance Report

The Cabinet discussed the Period 2 Financial Performance Report, which showed that the general fund revenue outturn is forecast to underspend by £16.5 million. If realised, this would reduce the required capitalisation direction¹ from £136 million to £119.5 million. Councillor Jason Cummings, Cabinet Member for Finance, said that the underspend was a positive sign, and that the steps the council is taking through the stabilisation plan are having an impact. He added that the council has made early progress towards the £27.3 million stabilisation plan target, with £17.2 million already evidenced to date.

Councillor Cummings also clarified that the allocation of the non-pay inflation budget is unrelated to the stabilisation plan, and is a standard procedure that the council goes through every year. He said that the allocation of the growth budgets relates to the £25 million that was budgeted to be held back from the predicted growth that the departments would need as a part of the budget-setting process. He said that this has been superseded by the stabilisation plan, which is now the savings target that the council is operating to.

Councillor Stuart King acknowledged the £16.5 million underspend was a positive report, but cautioned that it was only at Period 2, and that Period 7 was approaching. He also raised concerns about the continuing growth in spend in adults' and children's services, and temporary accommodation. He said that the outturn figures for last year and the forecast for this year suggest that demand is continuing to rise.

Councillor Cummings responded that the costs are going up in those areas because they are demand-led departments, and that this is happening right across London. He said that the stabilisation plan will show how effective the departments are being in terms of mitigating both that demand and the cost of that demand against the forecast growth.

Councillor Young asked about the decision to allocate the £25 million growth funding to services, and whether the Improvement and Insurance Panel² had endorsed the decision. Jane West, corporate director for resources and Section 151 officer, said that the £25 million was included expenditure within the budget, and that the decision to spend it was a decision for the executive. She added that there is no requirement under the constitution or local government legislation to return to full council to gain authorisation to allocate or spend money that was included in the original budget envelope.

The Cabinet agreed to note the report.

Youth Justice Plan 2025-26

The Cabinet voted to approve the Youth Justice Plan 2025-26, which sets out the strategic and operational objectives for the Youth Justice Service for the next 12 months. The plan details both statutory and non-statutory interventions that have helped reduce re-offending rates and seen a steady decline in the use of custody.

Councillor Maria Gatland, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said that the Youth Justice Service worked with 289 children this year, and that the average age of those known to the service is 16 to 17-year-olds. She added that data shows that there is over-representation for certain groups, such as black and mixed-race children and looked-after children.

Councillor Ola Kolade, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, welcomed the plan's strong focus on prevention and diversion. She said that the projects and plans outlined in the plan will not just reduce crime, but will give young people safe spaces, positive role models, and a real chance to thrive.

Councillor Amy Foster, Shadow Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said that it was positive to see the focus on how the plan can reduce violence against women and girls over the next year. She asked if there was any local insight into the link between girls in the system and persistent absence from school. She also asked for the executive summary to be corrected to recognise that the national government is a partner in the Million Hours funding.

Councillor Eden Mullaney, Shadowcat with Men for Community Safety, asked how the plan will ensure that children from homes affected by domestic abuse are effectively identified within the system.

The Cabinet agreed to approve the plan and recommend that it be referred to Full Council with a recommendation for approval.

Growth and Regeneration Update

The Cabinet received an update on the council’s Growth Plan, Town Centre Vision and Town Centre Regeneration Programme. Councillor Jeet Bains, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, said that Croydon is delivering on its promise to be London's biggest regeneration opportunity, backed by nearly £40 million in funding. He added that visible progress is already underway, such as the new Wellesley Road crossing and improvements to North End and Surrey Street.

Councillor Chris Clarke, Shadow Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, asked about the strategy for stalled construction sites like the Neste Tower and St George's Walk. Mayor Jason Perry said that the council is working very closely with those sites through the planning department and the regeneration team. He added that the council is in contact with most of the owners, and is working with partners such as London and Partners and Opportunity London to advertise the sites to a wider and international audience.

The Cabinet agreed to note the ongoing promotion and dissemination of the Croydon Growth Plan, and the progress with delivery of the Town Centre Regeneration Programme.

Mayor of London Free School Meals Offer

The Cabinet voted to accept the reduced base allocation from the Greater London Authority (GLA) of £6,111,967.50 to enable all primary school pupils across Croydon to receive free school meals throughout the 2025-2026 academic year. They also agreed that the Universal Free School Meal allowance for pupils in Year’s 3-6 be funded at a cost of £3.00 per pupil covering 190 days with a take up estimated percentage of 87% as set out by the GLA.

Councillor Maria Gatland said that the allocation from the GLA has been reduced, and that the allowance for free school meals is recommended to be funded at £3 per pupil. She added that schools with higher levels of take-up can apply to the GLA for top-up funding.

Councillor Amy Foster asked if there had been a proactive approach to contacting schools about the change around the universal offer in Croydon. Mayor Jason Perry said that all communication with schools is proactive in relation to any government funding, and that any updates are sent out to schools through a weekly newsletter.

The Cabinet agreed to accept the reduced base allocation from the GLA, and to agree that the Universal Free School Meal allowance for pupils in Year’s 3-6 be funded at a cost of £3.00 per pupil.

Scrutiny Recommendations

The Cabinet received recommendations arising from the meetings of the Homes Sub Committee on 19 June 2025, Streets & Environment Sub-Committee on 24 June 2025 and the Children & Young People Sub-Committee on 1 July 2025. They also received the Scrutiny Stage 2 Responses to Recommendations arising from: Children & Young People Sub-Committee on 18 March 2025, the Scrutiny & Overview Committee on 25 March 2025 and the Streets & Environment Sub-Committee on 1 April 2025.

The Cabinet agreed to receive the recommendations and provide a substantive response at the Cabinet meeting on 19 November 2025. They also approved the responses and action plans attached to the report, and delegated authority to the officers identified in the appendices to report back to the Scrutiny and Overview Committee, or relevant Sub-Committee, within the periods specified in the agreed responses and action plans.