Croydon is making strides towards reform and recovery and we have been working with our Improvement and Assurance Panel (IAP) to make sure we remain on track. The Panel recently updated the Government on our progress and the Minister for Local Government, Jim McMahon MP, wrote to me yesterday to welcome the panel’s findings. He recognises the Council’s strong progress, particularly in ‘improved governance, leadership and service delivery’.

We still need to secure Croydon’s long-term financial sustainability – a challenge faced by councils nationwide. We are working on this through our Future Croydon programme, which will make us a more efficient and cost effective council, whilst putting residents first. I welcome the encouraging report from the Panel. We will continue to work closely with the Panel and the Government, keeping you informed every step of the way. Find out more.

Accountability in public office

This week the cross-party Appointments and Disciplinary Committee reviewed findings from a Police report into the serious financial mismanagement and governance failures, which led to the Council’s financial collapse in 2020. Whilst the Police agreed that there had been ‘potential wrongdoing, breaches of statutory duty and incompetence’, they were not able to take any further action. It’s hugely disappointing and Croydon is having to live with the consequences. I know our residents are very angry and upset and I share that anger.

The Committee also decided not to seek to recover the settlement payment made to the former Chief Executive. This is owing to the high cost, which would not be in the best interests of Croydon residents. This payment should not have been made in the first place – I was one of only two members of the former Appointments Committee who did not agree to the former Chief Executive’s payment and I stand by that decision.

We have renewed our commitment to lobby the Government for a change in the law, so these mistakes cannot happen to other local authorities. The current powers to prosecute individuals in public office for serious failures and breaches of statutory duty is inadequate, which is why I’m calling for change.

16 days of activism against gender-based violence

Monday was the last day of our 16 days of activism, during which we highlighted some of the work we are doing with our partners to tackle violence against women and girls. I was proud to join the awareness walk through the town centre and appreciate everything our residents did to get involved. Find out more about our delivery plan.

A Very Croydon Christmas

Thank you to everyone who braved the wind and rain last weekend to take part in “A Very Croydon Christmas” – which you might have seen featured on BBC London news. The programme of free events in the town centre was a wonderful celebration of festive traditions from our many communities in Croydon. Thank you to all our partner organisations and volunteers who took part. We will continue to build on the legacy of Croydon’s year as London Borough of Culture, making sure everyone is welcome and helping to restore pride in our borough.

The festivities continue in our town centre this weekend with a Christmas Market and free family workshops, hosted by Centrale and Whitgift. The Elf on a Shelf, organised by Croydon BID, will also be making an appearance at Fairfield Halls, then the Town Hall (16-18 December)!

Have a good weekend.

Jason Perry

Executive Mayor of Croydon