This week in Croydon:

Council Grapples with Financial Sustainability Amidst Transformation Delays

Croydon Council faces ongoing financial challenges, with commissioners highlighting delays in the Future Croydon Transformation Plan¹ and concerns about the delivery of savings. The Scrutiny & Overview Committee and the Cabinet discussed these issues, along with safeguarding reports and housing strategy progress.

Transformation Programme Faces Scrutiny

The Scrutiny & Overview Committee reviewed the 2026-30 Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) Update, noting that it's still in draft form due to uncertainties. Councillor Leila Ben-Hassel, Chair of the Scrutiny & Overview Committee, highlighted concerns raised by the commissioners regarding transformation and delivery of savings:

We have also noted that there will never be a support from government with regards to the council's debt until the council can demonstrate it has driven as many efficiencies as far as possible. And therefore, the situation is still a very fragile for the sustainability long term of the council. And therefore, the focus and the importance of the transformation program is key to the future sustainability of the council.

The committee also noted risks arising from limited capacity within the HR and organisational development teams, which they see as a major risk to the delivery of the program at pace.

Financial Performance Shows Slight Improvement

The committee also reviewed the 2025-2026 Period 5 Financial Performance Report, noting a slight improvement in the overall projected outturn. However, the projected outturn is still short of the £27 million stabilisation plan target.

Cabinet Considers Financial Strategy and Safeguarding

The Cabinet also discussed the MTFS Update and the Financial Performance Report. The report pack indicates that the MTFS modelling includes estimates relating to inflation impacts, growth pressures, savings proposals, borrowing costs and funding.

The Cabinet also considered the Croydon Safeguarding Annual Reports 2024/25, including those from the Croydon Safeguarding Adults Board (CSAB) and the Croydon Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP). These reports highlight the work done to protect vulnerable residents and what still needs to be done.

Housing Strategy Progress and Regina Road Update

The Cabinet considered a Housing Strategy review 2024-2029, providing an assessment of progress over the first 18 months of Croydon's five-year Housing Strategy. They also received an update on the Regina Road redevelopment project, informing of latest progress and key considerations.

Other Matters

• The Scrutiny & Overview Committee approved recommendations made by its sub-committees, including publishing details on road cleansing and exploring AI implementation in the 'Love Clean Streets' app.
• The Cabinet considered recommendations from scrutiny committees, including those related to street cleansing, the Stabilisation Plan, and housing actions.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Audit & Governance Committee on Thursday 27 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Licensing Committee on Tuesday 02 December 2025. Link to meeting
• The Cabinet on Wednesday 03 December 2025. Link to meeting
• The Planning Committee on Thursday 04 December 2025. Link to meeting
• The Planning Sub-Committee on Thursday 04 December 2025. Link to meeting
• The Appointments & Disciplinary Committee on Monday 01 December 2025. Link to meeting
• The South London Waste Partnership Joint Committee on Wednesday 26 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Corporate Parenting Board on Wednesday 26 November 2025. Link to meeting

This week in Croydon:

Wandle Café Licensing Sparks Noise and Nuisance Fears

The Licensing Sub-Committee met this week to consider a premises licence application for Wandle Café in Wandle Park, igniting concerns about potential noise, public nuisance, and the café's true purpose. Residents fear the licence, which includes permission for alcohol sales and regulated entertainment until 6 PM daily, could transform the community space into a party venue.

Backdoor Way of Having a Change of Use

Several representations were received, with one resident stating:

As a resident of All and the final state of the cafe, I object to anything going on until 11pm, at any time of year.

This building was a changing room and park keeper's accommodation, followed by a park cafe. This license is just a backdoor way of having a change of use as a party venue.

This sentiment reflects a broader concern that the licence could fundamentally alter the character of the café and its relationship with the park.

Concerns About the Applicant

Another representation raised concerns about the applicant, Glenard Patnelli, citing his background in music production and questioning his interest in running a café:

I see that the sole director of the applicant, Joal Miez Holdings Limited, is Glenard Patnelli, who is described online as a key figure in Team Salut, a creative group known for their contributions to music production and their influence in the industry. This doesn't, on paper, sound like a person who is interested in running a café. This makes me believe even more that the focus will be on music, which we can potentially be subjected to 15 hours a day, every day. No comeback, no legal recourse to peace and quiet. Lots of potential for public nuisance and a mental health crisis.

The sub-committee was reminded of its duty under Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.

The sub-committee had the option to grant the application, vary it with or without further conditions, or refuse it.

Ethics Committee Discusses Councillor Safety and Gifts

The Ethics Committee met this week to discuss recent developments in ethical standards, including the safety of councillors, ethics complaints, and member gifts and hospitality. The meeting highlighted the challenges faced by councillors in maintaining ethical conduct and ensuring their own safety in an increasingly polarized political climate.

Rising Abuse and Intimidation

The committee discussed a Local Government Association (LGA) survey revealing that over half of councillors (52%) reported having untrue or misleading information about their political or personal conduct publicly published. The survey also revealed that the rate of reported abuse and intimidation continues to be high, with seven in 10 councillors reporting experiencing issues in the last 12 months.

The report included a comment from the Monitoring Officer, reminding members of the council's Members' Handbook, which contains advice and relevant contacts relating to members keeping and feeling safe. The handbook includes a table with quick reference steps for members, should they need it.

Gifts and Hospitality

The committee also discussed member gifts and hospitality, noting the requirements on members with regards to declaring gifts and hospitality, and noting gifts and hospitality declarations made by members since 1 June 2025.

Appendix A of the report detailed gifts and hospitality declarations made by members between 1 June 2025 and 4 November 2025. These included:

• Councillor Ria Patel: an orchid from Tamworth Residents Association (estimated value: £10) and a bracelet with the map of Palestine from a resident (value: £2).
• Mayor Jason Perry: a gift set from Be Different 365 Foundation (value: under £10), a VIP guest gift from Purley Mosque (estimated value: £25), a guest ticket and dinner from Newtons LGC Awards (value: £350 - £400), a goody bag from Superdrug at Croydon Pride (value: under £10), a book and dinner from ISKCON South London (value: under £20), lunch for guests from Coco and Nut London (value: under £10), lunch for guests, an African print sash, 3 books and a frame from Goldcrest Ghana (value: £50 - £100), lunch for all guests from Norbury Baptist Church (value: under £10), 2 books from House of Judah Praise Ministries (value: £20), lunch from South East London Chamber (estimated value: £50), and a bag, mug, stress ball, pad and pen from KAPS London (estimated value: £10).
• Councillor Lynne Hale: dinner at Gatwick Region Delegation (value: under £50) and dinner at Wates Residential, hosted by Tim Wates (value: under £50).
• Councillor Richard Chatterjee: hospitality from the Mayor of Arnhem for the Civic Mayor & Civic Mayoress, arising from attendance at Arnhem for the 81st Anniversary Commemorations of Operation Market Garden (hotel accommodation (2 nights) £425; Transportation between Arnhem and sites visited estimated at £270; Refreshments in & around Arnhem estimated at £33. Estimated total: £728).

Pension Fund Shows Surplus, Contribution Rates Could Fall

The Pension Board met this week to discuss the 2025 valuation of the Croydon Pension Fund, revealing a significant improvement in its financial position. The fund's actuary has recommended that contribution rates for Croydon Council could be reduced immediately by 3% from 23.2% of pay pa to 20.2% of pay pa.

Funding Level Jumps to 132%

As at 31 March 2025, the past service funding position had improved from a funding level of 97% at the last valuation to 132%, based on assumed future investment returns of 5.9% pa.

Breaches of the Law

The Pension Board also reviewed the current Breaches of the Law log extract. The extract of the current Breaches Log includes 18 items, and since the Board last reviewed the log extract 3 new entries have been added regarding the August 2025 Annual Benefit Statements and failure to pay refunds within regulatory deadlines.

Other Matters

• The Bandon Hill Cemetery Joint Committee met this week. No transcript or video was provided.
• The Scrutiny Health & Social Care Sub-Committee met this week to discuss winter contingency plans, the Adult Social Care and Health (ASCH) budget, and the outcome of a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection. No transcript or video was provided.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Corporate Parenting Board on Wednesday 26 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Audit & Governance Committee on Thursday 27 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Scrutiny & Overview Committee on Tuesday 18 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Cabinet on Wednesday 19 November 2025. Link to meeting

This week in Croydon:

Council Approves Councillor Allowance Increase Amidst Budget Concerns

The General Purposes Committee voted this week to recommend a 3.2% increase in allowances for councillors, backdated to April 2025. This decision, made during a time of significant financial challenges for the council, has sparked debate about priorities and responsible spending.

Inflation-Linked Rise

The increase is based on the annual headline rate agreed by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services Staff, following recommendations from the Independent Panel on the Remuneration of Councillors in London. Adrian May, Senior Democratic Services Officer, explained that the Members' Allowance Scheme has a provision to rise by effectively inflation, using the local government staff settlement as the benchmark.

Budgeted but Still Sensitive

While the £1.6 million annual cost of the Members' Allowance Scheme, including national insurance contributions, has been budgeted for, the timing of the decision raises eyebrows. Councillor Karen Jewitt acknowledged the historical context, noting that councillors used to claim bus fares, but questioned whether such claims were still common.

Calendar Clashes and Meeting Access Debated

The committee also reviewed the proposed Council Calendar of meetings for the 2026-27 Municipal Year. Concerns were raised about meetings clashing with school holidays, potentially impacting both councillors and staff with childcare responsibilities. Councillor Cameron Jewitt suggested exploring online meetings as an alternative, but was reminded that the council's constitution currently requires in-person attendance for participation and voting.

Planning Committee Approves Flats Despite Objections

The Planning Committee approved a planning application this week for a two-storey development comprising five flats at 233 Hayes Lane, Kenley, despite strong objections from local residents and Councillor Ola Kolade.

Out of Keeping Concerns

Objectors argued that the development was out of keeping with the prevailing bungalow character of the area, representing overdevelopment and a loss of privacy. Councillor Kolade emphasized that this part of Hayes Lane is defined by its spacious single-storey bungalows and soft green frontages, which the Croydon Local Plan seeks to preserve.

Officer Rebuttal and Committee Support

Planning officers countered that the proposed development complied with minimum space standards and that the design addressed previous concerns raised by the inspectorate. They also noted that the level of hard standing was comparable to a previously approved scheme. Despite reservations expressed by some councillors, the committee ultimately voted to grant planning permission.

Planning Sub-Committee Grapples With Backland Development

The Planning Sub-Committee faced a difficult decision this week regarding a proposal for a new dwelling at 1 Blenheim Crescent, South Croydon. The application sought to replace an existing garage with a two-storey, three-bedroom house, sparking concerns about its impact on the character of the area and neighbouring amenities.

Dominance and Overbearing Concerns

Residents and Councillor Danielle Denton argued that the development would be out of keeping with the street scene, creating a dominating and overbearing presence for neighbouring gardens. Councillor Michael Neill echoed these concerns, noting the lack of backland developments in the area.

Self-Build Support and Policy Compliance

Supporters of the application highlighted the need for family homes in Croydon and praised the applicant's initiative to undertake a self-build project. Councillor Clive Fraser applauded anyone with the initiative to do self-build, arguing that it should be encouraged.

Vote Tied and Application Refused

Ultimately, the committee was split on the application, with the initial vote tied. Councillor Neill used his casting vote to reject the officer's recommendation to grant permission. A subsequent motion to refuse the application on grounds of visual intrusion, overbearing impact, and impact on the character of the local area was approved.

Street Lighting Performance Praised Amidst LED Upgrade Plans

The Croydon & Lewisham Street Lighting Joint Committee received a positive update this week on the performance of the Joint Street Lighting Private Finance Initiative (PFI). The committee noted the service provider's strong performance across various standards, including lights on, maintenance, and health and safety.

LED Upgrade on the Horizon

The committee also discussed plans to begin installing new LED lanterns in August 2026, a project aimed at reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency. Councillor Scott Roche, Chair of the Committee, expressed a desire to prioritize certain areas for the upgrade, potentially focusing on town centres or high-traffic routes.

Reporting and Safety Commended

The committee commended the service provider's health and safety record, with Councillor Louise Krupski noting that the lack of serious incidents was an incredible result. The committee also discussed reporting mechanisms for issues such as doors off on lampposts, clarifying the process for emergency call-outs and online reporting.

Social Landlords Face Scrutiny Over Repairs and ASB

The Scrutiny Homes Sub-Committee met this week to review the performance of Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) operating in Croydon. The committee examined data on development, allocations, evictions, repairs, anti-social behaviour (ASB), and communication.

Mixed Performance on Repairs

The responses from the housing associations revealed a mixed picture regarding repairs and maintenance. While some RSLs reported high completion rates within target timescales, others struggled to meet those targets. For example, Southern Housing reported an average completion time of 22.46 working days for repairs, with only 56% completed within the 20-day target.

Varying Approaches to ASB

The data also highlighted varying approaches to managing ASB. Wandle Housing Association opened 25 ASB cases in Croydon, while Hyde Housing Association opened 181 cases. The reasons for these differences and the effectiveness of the different approaches will likely be areas of further scrutiny.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Bandon Hill Cemetery Joint Committee on Monday 10 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Licensing Sub-Committee on Monday 10 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Scrutiny Health & Social Care Sub-Committee on Tuesday 11 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Ethics Committee on Wednesday 12 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Pension Board on Thursday 13 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Scrutiny & Overview Committee on Tuesday 18 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Cabinet on Wednesday 19 November 2025. Link to meeting

This week in Croydon:

Director Roles Filled Amidst Scrutiny of Recruitment Process

The Appointments & Disciplinary Committee has been busy this week, holding meetings on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to progress interviews for key Director positions, including Director of Property, Procurement and Capital and Director of Streets and Environment. These roles are crucial for the council's ongoing transformation and financial recovery, but the fact that the interviews were held in closed sessions, excluding the public and press, raises questions about transparency and accountability.

Interim Corporate Director Appointed

The committee met on Monday to discuss the recruitment of an Interim Corporate Director of Sustainable Communities, Regeneration & Economic Recovery. The committee agreed on a salary package for the role, which is evaluated under the Hay job evaluation scheme¹ at Grade 5, with a salary range of £159,866 to £169,403, including the 3.2% national pay award applicable from 1 April 2025. Alternatively, the role can be compensated at a day rate set by the council's pay policy of £800 to £900.

Dean Shoesmith, Chief People Officer, advised that it would be good to try and appoint the candidate to a fixed-term contract role as opposed to a day rate role, but that it would depend on the candidate and the market conditions.

Director of Streets and Environment Interviewed

The committee met again on Wednesday to progress full panel interviews of shortlisted candidates for the Director of Streets and Environment position. All the details of the role and salary are provided in the agenda pack from the Appointments & Disciplinary Committee meeting held on 1 October 2025.

Councillor Lynne Hale, Vice Chair of the Committee and Chair for the meeting, stated that:

As interviews for the position will be held in part B privately, I would now like to move us to Agenda Item 5.

Transparency Concerns Remain

As in previous weeks, the decision to exclude the press and public from these crucial appointment discussions raises concerns about transparency. Residents are left unaware of the candidates' qualifications, the interview process, and the reasons behind the final selections. This lack of transparency can erode public trust in the council's decision-making processes.

Audit & Governance Committee Discusses Cyber Security and Financial Risks

The Audit & Governance Committee met on Thursday to discuss a range of critical issues, including external audit progress, cyber security, information governance, and internal audit updates. These discussions are particularly important given Croydon's recent financial difficulties and the increasing threat of cyber attacks on local authorities.

External Audit Progress Behind Schedule

The committee received an update from Grant Thornton UK LLP, the council's external auditors, on the 2024-25 annual accounts. The report revealed that work was behind schedule in several key areas, including:

• Short-term debtors and creditors
• Long-term deferred capital creditors
• Capital grants receipts in advance
• Earmarked reserves
• Usable reserves
• Unusable reserves
• Leases/IFRS16²

These delays could potentially impact the council's ability to accurately assess its financial position and make informed decisions.

Cyber Risk Deep Dive

The committee also discussed cyber risk, receiving a presentation on the council's current cybersecurity posture. The presentation included a summary of the true current risk position, the cyber attack surface, immediate measurable progress, and a tactical improvement plan. It also included a detailed risk register, with information on cyber team resources, Windows 7 machines in the post room, incident management, people - identity and access, people - training and awareness, physical security, tech - external testing and fixes, tech - workstations, tech - servers (platforms), tech - networks, tech - data systems (products), and vendors and third parties.

Given the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, it is crucial that the council takes proactive steps to protect its systems and data.

Information Governance Improvement Plan

The committee received an update on the Information Governance Improvement Plan, following a request from the committee for assurance. The presentation was to provide a summary highlighting the council's current position in terms of information governance compliance and practice, and how the improvement plan would seek to improve compliance and introduce a more robust council-wide approach.

The presentation covered the information governance framework, reasons for the improvement plan, a DPO statement, investment outcome to date, risks and mitigation, the service-led model, and the information team. It also included an action plan, with information on the information governance service, accountability and key roles, standards, compliance and policy, data governance, data breach management, records management, data protection and privacy by design, data quality, and information security.

Other Matters

• The Appointments & Disciplinary Committee met on Tuesday to progress interviews for the role of Director of Property, Procurement and Capital. No transcript or video was provided.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Scrutiny Homes Sub-Committee on Wednesday 05 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The General Purposes Committee on Tuesday 04 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Croydon & Lewisham Street Lighting Joint Committee on Tuesday 04 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Planning Committee on Thursday 06 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Planning Sub-Committee on Thursday 06 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Bandon Hill Cemetery Joint Committee on Monday 10 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Licensing Sub-Committee on Monday 10 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Scrutiny Health & Social Care Sub-Committee on Tuesday 11 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Ethics Committee on Wednesday 12 November 2025. Link to meeting
• The Pension Board on Thursday 13 November 2025. Link to meeting