I am pleased to share that our budget was passed this week at the Budget Council meeting. As I explained a few weeks ago when we proposed the budget, we have made considerable progress with our plans to make savings and become more efficient, but we remain in a challenging position.

This budget is about prioritising what is best for residents by modernising our ways of working. This will enable us to provide services in the most cost-effective way, investing in our borough to make Croydon a place that we are all proud to call home.

I have also kept my promise not to raise Council Tax above the 4.99% Government cap for London boroughs.

Blitzing potholes

This morning, I visited King Henry’s Drive in New Addington with our highways teams, repairing potholes raised by residents at a recent casework surgery. Our teams are working around the borough at pace as part of a new schedule. Croydon has 729km of roads – the second longest in London – so wear and tear is a constant challenge.  Since April 2025, we have completed 2,124 pothole repairs. Under our new pothole programme 146 potholes have already been fixed since 13 January, with more scheduled. Please keep reporting issues so we can continue responding in your area.

New Safe Space on Wheels supporting young people in Croydon

Anima Youth, a key partner in Croydon’s Town Centre Taskforce, has launched a new Safe Space on Wheels for young people. The minibus will be in North End, outside Next, every Tuesday from 3-6pm, offering a private and accessible space for girls and young women to seek guidance, safety and support.

The Anima Youth team will be on hand with advice. Boys and young men are also welcome, with the team promoting healthy relationships, respect and positive behaviour as part of their work to prevent Violence Against Women and Girls. Keeping our residents safe remains a priority, and we are pleased to support this service. Read the story.

Surrey Street Market vision launch

Croydon is the proud home to one of the UK’s oldest marketplaces. Surrey Street Market has been trading since the 1200s, and is marking 750 years since it was granted its Royal Charter. To celebrate, we are launching the Amplifying Surrey Street vision at the market on Saturday 7 March, from 11am-3pm.

Working with traders, residents and community partners, the plans include a refreshed look, greener public spaces, cultural uses for empty shop units and a programme of events to help the market thrive for years to come. Find out more.

Out and about in the borough

As always, it has been a varied week – from touring South Norwood Park with our fantastic park ranger and Citizen Zoo to discuss proposals to bring beavers back to the borough, to visiting a workshop at Croydon Clocktower as part of the National Gallery’s Art on Your Doorstep programme.

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus! The St David’s Flag is flying today outside our Town Hall to mark St David’s Day on Sunday, 1 March. I wish all our Welsh residents a wonderful day and hope the daffodils are in full bloom to mark the occasion.

Have a good weekend.

Jason Perry

Executive Mayor of Croydon