The Council meeting saw the appointment of His Honour Judge Edward Connell as the new Honorary Recorder of the London Borough of Croydon. Significant changes to the Council Procedure Rules were also approved, aimed at preparing the council for potential shifts in political composition following the upcoming Mayoral and Local Elections. The meeting also included valedictory speeches from several councillors marking the end of their service.

Appointment of Honorary Recorder

His Honour Judge Edward Connell was appointed as the Honorary Recorder of the London Borough of Croydon. This is a ceremonial title traditionally held by the Resident Judge of Croydon Crown Court, reflecting the close relationship between the borough and the Crown Court. The role, which was restored in Croydon in 2008, serves to maintain the link between the judiciary and the borough. Judge Connell, who became Resident Judge at Croydon Crown Court at the start of 2026, has extensive experience as a criminal barrister and circuit judge. He succeeds His Honour Judge Michael Evans KC. The appointment is for the duration of Judge Connell's tenure as Resident Judge.

Post-Election Preparations: Proposed Changes to Council Procedure Rules

The Council approved significant changes to its Procedure Rules, designed to ensure the council can operate effectively following the May 2026 elections. These changes, developed by the Constitution Working Group (CWG) and recommended by the General Purposes Committee, aim to adapt to potential shifts in the political composition of the council.

Key amendments include:

• Political Proportionality: A political proportionality approach will now be applied to debating reports, considering amendments, referring back reports, and moving and debating motions. This ensures that speaking rights and opportunities are more closely aligned with the size of political groups.
• Questions to the Executive Mayor and Cabinet: The time allocated for questions to the Executive Mayor and Cabinet has been increased. The system for allocating questions will now be based on political proportionality, with a minimum allocation for each group and independent members. A rotational format will be introduced to ensure a variety of groups can ask questions throughout the session.
• Written Questions: A new framework for written questions has been introduced, allowing each Member one written question per meeting, with a total limit of 35 questions per meeting allocated based on political proportionality. Questions must be submitted 15 working days in advance, and responses will be published with the agenda or as supplementary papers.
• Council Tax and Budget Setting Meetings: The rules for these meetings have been updated to allow for public questions and to extend the time for questions to the Executive Mayor and Cabinet Member for Finance. The allocation of speaking slots during the Council Tax debate has also been revised to reflect political proportionality.
• Other Procedural Changes: Amendments have also been made regarding the signature requirements for petitions, speaking rights on public petitions, wording around extraordinary meetings, and the annual reporting of the Scrutiny and Overview Committee.

The Council Procedure Rules will be reviewed again after the first two ordinary Full Council meetings following the elections to assess the impact of these changes.

Valedictory Speeches and Vote of Thanks

The meeting concluded with valedictory speeches from several councillors who were stepping down. These speeches reflected on their time in service, highlighting key achievements, personal experiences, and expressing gratitude to colleagues, residents, and staff.

Notable contributions included:

• Councillor Maria Gatland, who served for 24 years, spoke about her work in Children's Services, including the establishment of family hubs and the Precious House children's home. She also highlighted the success of the Friends of Comhurst Woods, which received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
• Councillor Alisa Flemming reflected on the sacrifices of public life and the importance of unity across the borough. She spoke about her work on equality, justice, and opportunity, referencing achievements such as the London Living Wage Council and the Legacy Youth Zone.
• Councillor Mario Creatura shared reflections on his 12 years of service, from addressing mould at Coulsdon Community Centre to securing a new lease for it. He also spoke about his time as Chief Whip and the importance of focusing on humanity in politics.
• Councillor Sherwin Chowdhury, who served for two decades, including as Civic Mayor, spoke about his commitment to social justice and community support. He highlighted his involvement in lobbying for Norbury Park cricket pitch, organising a peace conference, and securing an office for the Bangladesh Welfare Association.
• Councillor Fatima Zaman thanked colleagues for their support during her nearly four years of service, expressing confidence in the continued thriving of the community.
• Councillor Callton Young OBE spoke about his successful campaign to remove the ban on batsmen music and his work on financial governance as a Cabinet member. He also commended the Pension Committee for its work.
• Councillor Stuart Collins, the longest-serving councillor with 33 years of service, reflected on his time representing Broad Green and his cabinet roles in Culture and Sport, and Clean and Green Croydon. He championed local government and advocated for a fairer funding system. He also made a plea for Captain Sensible to be granted the Freedom of the Borough.

The Executive Mayor, Jason Perry, and the Leader of the Opposition, Stuart King, delivered votes of thanks, acknowledging the significant contributions and decades of service of the departing councillors. They highlighted the experience, knowledge, and local understanding that these individuals brought to the council and the sacrifices made in public service. The Civic Mayor, Councillor Richard Chatterjee, also formally thanked all departing councillors for their valuable service to Croydon.