Earlier this week, the council set out its proposed budget for 2023/24. As a Croydonian born and bred, I care deeply about our borough and like many residents I am both saddened and angry at the mess that the council’s finances are in.
When I was elected, I promised that I would get a grip on the council’s finances and ensure that fixing them would be the top priority. This was always going to involve tough decisions, which cannot be kicked down the road any longer.
Unfortunately, as long as Croydon is burdened with £1.6bn debt, it is simply not sustainable – currently the council is spending so much on repayments it can’t afford to properly fund services for residents.
Croydon needs a new solution and with that in mind we are currently negotiating a package of support from government, including asking them to write off some or all of the council’s debt.
We also need to take some tough decisions locally so that we can provide and protect everyday services the people of Croydon rely on.
The budget we are proposing will help us protect vulnerable children and adults, collect the bins and keep the streets clean and safe, whilst we get the finances back on track, transforming Croydon into a council that can deliver quality services and value for money and deliver for you, as residents.
The budget plans also include support options for low-income households, with the council tax support scheme as well as a new £2m hardship fund for those who are struggling.
You can read more about our budget proposals here.
The Coronation Big Lunch
In May we will celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III. If you want to hold a street party, you can apply to the council now for a temporary road closure, free of charge.
It was great to see so many families, friends and neighbours across Croydon come together to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee last year, with more than 140 Big Lunch street parties held in our borough over the bank holiday weekend. I look forward to seeing similar celebrations in May. Find out more, including how to apply, on our coronation webpages.
Croydon Music Heritage Trail
Finally, there is still time to cast your vote for people and places to be included in the new Croydon Music Heritage Trail – a community-led project from the Museum of Croydon, funded by National Lottery for our year as London Borough of Culture. The trail will showcase Croydon’s music heritage – something we can all take pride in – while capturing the stories and voices of our communities as we record residents’ memories. If you haven’t already, please do get involved – visit the Museum of Croydon webpage.
Jason Perry
Executive Mayor of Croydon
