This week saw the launch of the London Growth Plan – which will boost the local economy in Croydon by backing businesses, addressing skills gaps, building houses and infrastructure and investing in our high streets. The plan has been launched by the Greater London Authority (GLA) and London Councils. I continue to work closely with Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth, Howard Dawber, who has rightly recognised Croydon as London’s biggest single opportunity borough and I will make every endeavour to ensure that Croydon benefits from these opportunities for growth.

Town centre regeneration

Croydon has so much potential and the regeneration of our town centre is crucial to maximising this, putting our borough back on the map and restoring pride. I have been working with a huge range of external partners to drive forward a vision for our town centre, including Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW). This week, Croydon’s planning committee endorsed URW’s masterplan framework for the Whitgift and Centrale shopping centres and the surrounding area in North End. Town centres are changing across the nation and their plans for a mixed use development promises to meet the needs of our communities and to help local businesses to thrive. Find out more. 

Budget 2025-26

At Full Council on Wednesday we set the budget for the coming year, which will help to stabilise council finances, whilst protecting vital services. I’m also delivering on my pledge not to raise Council Tax above the cap. I’ve spoken in my message in recent weeks about the financial challenge all councils are facing owing to increased, unsustainable demand for our services and costs. But we are responding to these unprecedented challenges and have set a budget that will help Croydon to become more cost effective and efficient. Whilst services are not being cut, they may be delivered differently, so that we may deliver better outcomes for residents, customers and partners. Find out more.

Purley Pool

I’m delighted to report that the proposals for a new leisure centre and later living residential development were given the go-ahead at Planning Committee on Thursday. We have been working with Polaska on their proposal and listening to the views of our residents to make sure that the proposals are right for the Purley community. The revised plans reflect this, with more parking and 10% of affordable homes. I welcome this decision by the Planning Committee, which brings us a step closer to seeing a new leisure centre and the associated regeneration benefits delivered in Purley.

The holy month of Ramadan begins this weekend and I would like to say Ramadan Mubarak to Croydon’s Muslim community who are observing with spiritual reflection and fasting throughout March.

Finally, Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus! (Happy St David’s Day!) to Croydon’s Welsh community for Saturday 1 March. We are flying the Welsh flag outside the town hall to celebrate the day.

Have a good weekend.

Jason Perry

Executive Mayor of Croydon