Despite improvements in recent years, validated by independent external bodies such as the Local Government Association (LGA), Ofsted and the Housing Regulator, the Government has decided to appoint commissioners at Croydon Council. The commissioners will be in post for a period of two years, with a 12-month review.

In a Written Ministerial Statement published today, the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon has confirmed the appointments as Gerard Curran (lead commissioner), Debra Warren (commissioner), Jackie Belton (commissioner), and Councillor Abi Brown OBE (commissioner, political and governance).

The Minister of State has said that he expects, ‘the Council to drive its own improvement with the support, challenge and advice from the commissioners. Most decisions should continue to be made by the authority, but with the oversight of the commissioners: they will uphold proper standards and due process and recommend action to the authority.’

This follows the Government’s announcement last month, that it was ‘minded to’ appoint commissioners at Croydon because the Council was not meeting its Best Value Duty.

In response to today’s announcement, Executive Mayor of Croydon Jason Perry said: “We feel that the introduction of commissioners is the wrong decision for Croydon and its residents. It does not feel fair and consistent in line with the lower levels of intervention placed on other councils.

“Since I was elected in 2022, we have worked relentlessly to bring stability to the Council’s finances following the catastrophic financial and governance collapse in 2020. We have made major strides in improving and rebuilding this organisation, and that progress has been clearly recognised by external partners.

“In response to the Government’s ‘minded to’ decision we submitted serious, credible proposals to address Croydon’s challenges. It is deeply disappointing that neither these nor the Council’s substantial progress, including significant improvements to leadership, governance and culture, have been recognised.

“We will engage with the Government-appointed team constructively, just as we have engaged with all Government intervention over the last four years. We welcome their advice, challenge, and support, and we will continue to put Croydon’s residents at the heart of every decision we make. Our commitment remains the same: to do everything in our power to overcome the challenges facing Croydon.

“However, let me be absolutely clear, I will not allow our residents to carry the cost of historic failure. I will not support any proposals that would destroy vital local services or impose further Council Tax increases above the Government cap.”

The Council submitted formal representations in response to the Government’s ‘minded to’ announcement, including a proposal for an alternative model for providing the Government with assurance. Local partners submitted representations in support of the Council’s position.

Read the WMS (and directions) here.

More information is available on the Council website.