The Cabinet of Croydon Council met on Wednesday 11 February 2026 to discuss and approve a range of significant financial and strategic matters. Key decisions included the adoption of the Safer Croydon Partnership: Community Safety Strategy for 2026-2029, the approval of the process for awarding the Department for Education's Holiday Activities and Food Programme allocation for 2026-2029, and the proposal of a 4.99% increase in the Croydon element of Council Tax for 2026-27. The Cabinet also agreed to a 4.8% increase in Housing Revenue Account (HRA) social rents and associated charges for 2026-27, and recommended the Council's 2025-31 General Fund Capital Programme and Capital Strategy 2026-27 for Full Council approval.

Community Safety Strategy

The Cabinet noted the key themes of the proposed Safer Croydon Partnership: Community Safety Strategy for 2026-2029 and recommended its adoption and implementation to Full Council. This strategy builds on previous achievements, including a 4.1% fall in total recorded crime in the last 12 months, a 1.1% decrease in violence against the person, and a 24% reduction in anti-social behaviour in the town centre over three years. The strategy focuses on three key priorities: tackling violence against women and girls, making Croydon safer for young people, and focusing resources on high-priority neighbourhoods to improve overall safety. The Safer Croydon Partnership, comprising the Council, Police, Fire Services, Probation, and Health Agencies, works to reduce crime, disorder, and reoffending. The strategy complements existing delivery plans for youth safety and tackling violence against women and girls, providing governance for these initiatives.

Holiday Activities and Food Programme 2026-2029

The Cabinet approved the process for awarding Croydon's annual Department for Education (DfE) Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) allocation, expected to be approximately £1.6–£1.7 million per annum across 2026–2029, with £1,655,340 confirmed for 2026–27. This funding, derived from the wider MHCLG Local Government Financial Settlement within the Children, Families and Youth Grant, is ringfenced for the delivery of holiday activities and food provision. Authority was delegated to the Corporate Director for Children, Young People and Education, in consultation with the Executive Mayor, to manage funding allocations, award grant agreements, and make operational decisions relating to the HAF programme. This ensures continuity of provision, compliance with grant requirements, and mitigates the risk of funding delays or underspend, continuing vital support for families and ensuring children benefit from structured holiday provision alongside nutritious meals.

Budget 2026-27 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026-30

The Cabinet agreed to propose to Full Council the budget proposals for 2026-27 and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) up to 2029-30. A key decision was to propose a 4.99% increase in the Croydon element of Council Tax for 2026-27, which includes a 2.00% levy for Adult Social Care. This increase is within the Government's referendum limit. The budget includes £34 million of further savings for 2026-27, with a plan to deliver £30 million annually through to 2029, supported by the Future Croydon Transformation Programme. The report noted the Council's request for Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) of up to £119 million for 2026-27, decreasing to £69 million by 2029-30. The Cabinet also recommended the establishment of a special Council Tax Setting Committee to meet after the Greater London Authority (GLA) precept is agreed, to finalise the Council Tax calculation. The total net expenditure budget for 2026-27 was proposed at £485.401 million.

HRA Rent Setting 2026-27

The Cabinet resolved to agree a social rent increase of 4.8% from April 2026, based on the Government's Social Housing Rent Policy (applying September 2025 CPI 3.8% + 1%). This increase will also apply to tenants' service charges, garage rents, parking spaces, and caravan site plot charges. This decision is necessary to maintain the financial sustainability of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and support ongoing investment in Council homes, particularly in light of rising construction costs, inflation, and regulatory requirements. The Cabinet also agreed to continue the HRA hardship fund, subject to Secretary of State approval, to assist tenants financially impacted by the rent increase who are not in receipt of other benefits. Authority was delegated to the Corporate Director of Housing, in consultation with the Executive Mayor and Cabinet Member for Homes, to make adjustments to service charges and sheltered housing rents and charges.

HRA Business Plan and Budget Update 2026-27

The Executive Mayor and Cabinet agreed to recommend to Full Council the HRA budget for 2026-27, including the HRA capital programme. They also agreed the HRA 30 Year Business Plan based on this budget and noted the assumptions and associated risks within it. This plan outlines how the Council will manage and invest in its housing stock over the coming year and longer term, demonstrating the HRA's sustainability and viability. The plan's capital programme is based on stock condition surveys, with a significant capital investment planned for 2026-27 to address major repairs, building safety, and compliance works.

Capital Programme and Strategy for 2025-31

The Executive Mayor and Cabinet agreed to recommend to Full Council for consideration and approval the Council's 2025-31 General Fund Capital Programme, which includes planned expenditure of £874.1 million (including capitalisation directions of £543.1 million) over six years. This programme is financed through borrowing of £682.8 million and its costs are factored into the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy. The Council's Capital Strategy 2026-27 was also detailed and approved. The programme prioritises statutory compliance, asset safety, value for money, and long-term sustainability, with significant investment planned for town centre regeneration, education infrastructure, and SEND provision.

Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy 2026-27

The Executive Mayor and Cabinet agreed to consider the recommendations from the Audit and Governance Committee regarding the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement, and Annual Investment Strategy for 2026/27. They recommended these documents to Full Council for consideration and approval, including the Prudential Indicators, the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement, the Borrowing Strategy, and the Investment Strategy. This strategy aims to manage the Council's borrowing, investments, and cash flows prudently, transparently, and in line with statutory requirements, prioritising security and liquidity.

Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Schools Funding 2026 2027 Formula Factors

The Executive Mayor and Cabinet agreed to note the funding factor values for 2026/27 schools funding, confirming that most of Croydon's factors already mirror the National Funding Formula (NFF). They approved the provisional funding formula factors for Croydon mainstream schools for 2026/27, in line with Schools Forum recommendations. A statutory spend of £348.07 million of Schools Block DSG funding for 2026/27 was approved for the Schools Budget. Additionally, they supported the Schools Forum's approval of a £1.2 million transfer from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block as part of the DSG Deficit Management Plan.

The meeting concluded with the Executive Mayor thanking all involved.