Croydon Council is asking residents, businesses, community groups and partners to give their views on its initial budget proposals for 2022/23.
In the past year, the council has made significant progress in tackling its financial challenges and is on track to achieve a balanced budget next year.
As part of its budget-setting process, the council wants to hear from local people on a range of proposals to offer quality core services and value for money while living within its means.
A survey is now available at www.croydon.gov.uk/budget2022 until 12 January, and feedback will be shared with cabinet members ahead of a decision in February. The budget will be set by Full Council in March.
Croydon Council is now in the second year of its renewal plan – a major transformation programme which will ensure the council becomes financially sustainable by 2024.
To stay on track, the council must find a further £38m savings. Despite this the council will continue to spend over £330m, providing essential services for local residents. Most of the council’s money – 62% – goes on protecting vulnerable older people, and children and families, with the rest on a wide range of services from collecting bins and keeping streets clean, to leisure centres and libraries.
The budget proposals for next year include a range of savings to protect essential services, as well as investment to meet communities’ changing needs. The proposals focus on transforming the way the council delivers services, to increase efficiency and ensure residents get full value from every penny spent.
Savings proposals include renting out space in council buildings and selling unused council properties, reviewing council contracts with providers to ensure best value, and digitalising services.
Plans for investment include support for carers, increasing spend on transport for children with special educational needs, and increasing reserves to ensure the council can be there for residents when they need it the most.
Council resources will be targeted where they make the most difference, with a strong focus on tackling inequalities, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.
“Croydon Council provides essential services to more than 386,000 people, and I hope that as many of them as possible will share their views on our budget proposals for next year.
“We’ve made huge progress in tackling the unprecedented financial challenges we faced last year, and we’re on track to balance our books, but like councils across the country, we still need to make savings. We have put forward proposals that protect the everyday services residents depend on, and invest in our community’s future, while transforming our council to become more efficient and more responsive to the residents we are here to serve.
“We want to hear from our residents before we make any decisions, so please get involved and have your say.”
Councillor Hamida Ali, leader of the council
