The Scrutiny & Overview Committee was scheduled to review the Council's draft Community Safety Strategy and discuss the proposed budget for 2026-27, including the Medium Term Financial Strategy. The committee was also set to consider the progress of the Future Croydon Transformation Programme and review responses to previous scrutiny recommendations.

Safer Croydon Partnership: Community Safety Strategy

The committee was scheduled to review a draft of the Safer Croydon Partnership's updated Community Safety Strategy. This strategy, intended for adoption by Full Council, outlines priorities for making Croydon safer over the next four years. Key themes identified for focus include tackling violence against women and girls, making Croydon safer for young people, and concentrating resources on high-priority neighbourhoods to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. The draft strategy highlights achievements such as a reduction in total crime, violence against the person, and knife crime, alongside efforts to improve community engagement and partnership working with organisations like the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, and local health partners. The strategy also details statutory requirements for community safety partnerships and includes an equality impact assessment considering potential differential impacts on various protected characteristics.

Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the scrutiny of the proposed budget for 2026-27 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2026-30. The committee was presented with reports detailing the Council's financial position, including projected income from government grants and business rates, and proposed savings and growth across directorates. The budget anticipates a 4.99% increase in Council Tax, including a 2% levy for adult social care. The reports highlight significant financial pressures, including rising demand for social care, temporary accommodation costs, and the ongoing burden of servicing the Council's debt. The Council's reliance on Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from the government was noted, with a request for £119 million in 2026-27. The committee was also to consider the views of the Corporate Director of Resources on the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of reserves, as required by Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003. The reports from the Scrutiny Sub-Committees on Children & Young People, Homes, Streets & Environment, and Health & Social Care, outlining their conclusions and recommendations on specific budget areas, were also scheduled for review.

Scrutiny Recommendations

The committee was scheduled to review the response provided by the Mayor to recommendations previously made by the Scrutiny & Overview Committee. This report, a standing item on the agenda, details the Cabinet's acceptance or rejection of past recommendations and outlines any implementation plans.

Scrutiny Work Programme 2025-26

The committee was asked to note the most recent version of the Scrutiny Work Programme for 2025-26. This programme outlines the key areas of focus for the committee and its sub-committees, including the Council's finances, the Stabilisation Plan, and the Future Croydon Transformation Programme. The committee was also to consider if any new items should be added to the work programme based on discussions during the meeting.

Future Croydon Transformation Programme Update

An update on the delivery of the Future Croydon Transformation Programme was scheduled for discussion. This programme is described as the backbone of the Council's savings strategy and aims to radically change service delivery and resident engagement. The report was expected to provide an overview of progress, challenges, and adjustments made to the programme, including its impact on service delivery and financial targets.

Safer Croydon Partnership: Community Safety Strategy

The committee was scheduled to review a draft version of the Safer Croydon Partnership's updated Community Safety Strategy. This strategy, which requires approval from Full Council, aims to reduce crime and disorder across the borough. The draft strategy details achievements in areas such as reducing violent crime and anti-social behaviour, and outlines priorities for the coming years, including tackling violence against women and girls, improving youth safety, and focusing on high-priority neighbourhoods. The report also includes an equality impact assessment to consider the potential effects of the strategy on different groups.

Budget Scrutiny 2026-27 (Supplementary Agenda)

Further to the main budget discussion, a supplementary agenda item focused on the conclusions and recommendations from the preceding Budget Scrutiny meetings of the Scrutiny Sub-Committees. The Scrutiny & Overview Committee was asked to consider these findings, particularly those from the Children & Young People, Homes, Streets & Environment, and Health & Social Care Sub-Committees, and agree any budget recommendations to be submitted within the final Budget Scrutiny report.