The Croydon Council Cabinet met on Wednesday 25 March 2026, making several key decisions that will impact residents across the borough. Most significantly, the Cabinet agreed to implement new property licensing schemes aimed at improving standards in the private rented sector, designating a large portion of the borough for selective licensing and introducing a borough-wide additional licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The Cabinet also approved the Highways Capital Programme for 2026/27, allocating £17.580 million for essential maintenance and improvements to roads and footways, and agreed to commence public consultation on Croydon's draft Electric Vehicle Charging Point Strategy.

Scrutiny Stage 2 Responses to Recommendations

The Cabinet agreed to approve the responses and action plans attached to the report in Appendices 1, 2, and 3, which address recommendations arising from the Homes Sub-Committee. Authority was delegated to identified officers to report back to the Scrutiny and Overview Committee or relevant Sub-Committee on the progress made in implementing any action plans.

Private Sector Property Licensing Scheme

The Cabinet agreed to designate the entire London Borough of Croydon as an additional HMO licensing area from 1 September 2026 for a five-year period. Alongside this, a new selective licensing area was designated in 14 wards for the same five-year period. The specific wards included in the selective licensing area are Addiscombe East, Addiscombe West, Bensham Manor, Broad Green, Fairfield, Norbury and Pollards Hill, Norbury Park, Selhurst, South Croydon, South Norwood, Thornton Heath, Waddon, West Thornton, and Woodside. The Cabinet also approved the proposed licensing conditions and objectives for both schemes, as well as the proposed fee structure for license applications. Authority was delegated to the Corporate Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Homes, to issue the required statutory notifications and ensure compliance with all relevant procedures and formalities.

Connect to Work - Greater London Authority Grant Funding Agreement

The Cabinet agreed to approve Greater London Authority (GLA) funding of £14,412,242 from April 2026 to March 2029 for the South London Partnership Connect to Work programme. They also approved the revised funding arrangements, whereby funding will be received via the GLA under the integrated settlement from 1 April 2026. The Cabinet approved the managed transition from the current Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Grant Funding Agreement to the GLA arrangements, including authority to submit final claims for allowable costs incurred up to 31 March 2026 and to agree extensions to termination dates if required to maintain funding continuity. Authority was delegated to the Corporate Director of Sustainable Communities, Regeneration & Economic Recovery, in consultation with the Executive Mayor and Cabinet Member for Streets and Environment, to negotiate and enter into the necessary funding agreements with the GLA and any associated documentation. They also delegated authority to agree any necessary contractual variations with the commissioned provider to reflect the change in funder and accountability, without altering core service design, key performance indicators or target cohorts. It was noted that the Connect to Work programme remains fully externally funded.

Croydon's Electric Vehicle Charging Point Strategy

The Cabinet agreed to commence a public consultation on the draft Electric Vehicle Charging Point strategy during Spring-Summer 2026. Authority was delegated to the Corporate Director of Sustainable Communities, Regeneration & Economic Recovery, in consultation with the Executive Mayor and the Cabinet Member for Streets and Environment, to consider the outcome of the consultation, have due regard to relevant equalities and other implications, and thereafter update and approve the Croydon's Electric Vehicle Charging Point Strategy in late 2026 for publication and implementation.

Highways Capital Programme - 2026/27

The Cabinet agreed to approve the capital expenditure of £17.580 million for the delivery of the 2026/27 Work Programme. This programme includes carriageway and footway renewal works, patching, flood management and drainage works, bridges and structures work, and other associated work as identified in Appendices A, B, and C, subject to the overall budget not being exceeded. Authority was delegated to the Corporate Director for Sustainable Communities, Regeneration & Economic Recovery, in consultation with the Executive Mayor and Cabinet Member for Streets and Environment, to approve changes to the programme within the budgetary envelope.

2025-26 Period 9 Financial Performance Report

The Cabinet noted the General Fund revenue budget outturn forecast at Period 9 to underspend by £26.2 million at the financial year end, contributing to the target required by the Stabilisation Plan. This underspend would reduce the necessary level of capitalisation directions from £136 million to £109.8 million. They also noted that service directorates have been asked to reduce their net expenditure below their budgets to balance the annual budget with reduced use of capitalisation directions, including achieving the £27.3 million Stabilisation Plan target. The Cabinet noted the unfunded local government cost pressures nationally, regionally, and locally, and noted the progress in Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) savings achievement of £21.9 million (87.3%) against a total savings target of £25.1 million. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) revenue budget forecast outturn was noted as a breakeven position, and the General Fund capital programme 2025-26 forecast underspend of £3.1 million (1.4%) against the revised budget of £214.5 million was also noted. The Cabinet noted the Council's historic borrowing and subsequent debt burden and ongoing service pressures continue to be critical to the non-sustainability of the Council's revenue budget. Finally, they noted that the Council continues to operate Spend Control Panels, having tightened the criteria from July 2024, to ensure stringent financial control and assurance oversight are maintained, and that current forecasts are based on the best available information and will be subject to review and change during the financial year.

The meeting concluded the Cabinet's business for the civic cycle, with the Executive Mayor reflecting on the achievements of the term and thanking officers, Cabinet colleagues, and the opposition for their contributions. Councillor Maria Gatland, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, was acknowledged for her retirement and her determination to raise the profile of corporate parents and the life chances of care-experienced young people. Councillor Callton Young was also noted as retiring.