On Wednesday, I launched my new Croydon Growth Plan 2025 and Town Centre Vision – which together will drive regeneration, attract investment and deliver exciting developments across the borough.

It is my priority to restore pride in our borough and I know how much our residents and businesses want a thriving and vibrant town centre. We are driving improvements across five defined areas – the North End Quarter, East Croydon, West Croydon, the Cultural Quarter and the Heritage Quarter.

We have already committed £30 million of funding to 12 projects across these zones; including working with Network Rail on the pedestrian link bridge at East Croydon and creating new green spaces connecting College Green and Fairfield Halls.

These bold plans have already attracted strong backing, including from Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth. As I told our partners, Croydon’s businesses and potential investors this week – Croydon Is Ready. Read Croydon Growth Plan.

Latest on new community bases

I am delighted to be able to share with you the organisations that will be delivering services for residents from four former library buildings. I promised that these buildings would be preserved for use by the local communities and I am delivering on this pledge. Subject to finalising the terms, agreements are being arranged with: Asian Resource Centre at Broad Green; Bluebells Pre School at Bradmore Green; The Story Sanctuary at Sanderstead, and Play Place at Shirley. These partnerships are restoring life to cherished local buildings and will help our residents access the services they need close to home.

Waste contract

I know residents have experienced some disruption with their bin collections during the mobilisation period for our new waste contract, and I want to apologise to those who have been impacted. More than 99% of bins are being collected on time but this is not good enough – I expect all our bins to be picked up on time. I have met with our contractor Veolia this week and made it clear to them that is unacceptable. Our new contract is about providing a better service for everyone in Croydon and I will be holding Veolia to account to ensure they deliver it. We will be monitoring the contract closely and will not hesitate to seek penalties should there continue to be service failures.

School exam season

It is a busy time of year for schools and families as many of Croydon’s teenagers sit their GCSE and A-level exams. I know it can be daunting, but I hope the revision is going well and wish all our pupils the very best of luck.

Come on Eagles!

Croydon is swathed in red and blue this week in the run up to Palace’s historic FA Cup Final! As an Eagles fan, I know what this match means for Croydon and will be cheering them on with my family at Wembley. Croydon is fortunate to have dozens of grassroots football clubs and to be home to a Premier League club. Football is a force for good in our wider community – including the excellent work of the Palace for Life foundation, which creates opportunities for Croydon’s young people. It has been great to see the excitement building this week. Whatever happens on Saturday, Croydon is proud of their achievements, and we are behind them all the way!

Have a good weekend.

Jason Perry

Executive Mayor of Croydon