Purpose

Under the leadership of the
Executive Mayor of Croydon, the Council has continued its progress
towards becoming a more financially stable, efficient and resident
focused organisation. The Executive Mayor’s emphasis on
fairness, accountability and value for money has supported
improvements across neighbourhoods, service accessibility and
community engagement. This approach has helped maintain a clear
focus on equality, inclusion and transparency in decision-making,
ensuring the Equality Strategy 2023–2027 remains aligned with
the Council’s wider aspiration to rebuild trust, strengthen
organisational practice and deliver sustainable services for all.
Whilst progress has been made, the Council recognises that
achieving full and long term financial sustainability will require
continued discipline, careful prioritisation and ongoing
transformation.
 
Residents and businesses across
the borough are seeing tangible benefits from this approach.
Improved translation and accessibility support, more inclusive
service design, stronger partnership working with Voluntary,
Community and Faith (VCFS)organisations, and targeted programmes,
such as the Work & Health Programme, have helped more residents
into employment, widened opportunities for young people and made
services easier to navigate. Investment in safer, more connected
neighbourhoods and a renewed commitment to listening to lived
experience are improving residents’ sense of belonging and
civic pride, whilst ensuring local businesses and workers benefit
from a fairer, more inclusive local economy.
 
Internally, Croydon’s
workforce is becoming more representative, skilled and engaged. The
Council has maintained a 0% gender and disability pay gap, expanded
staff networks, improved leadership diversity, and invested in
development pathways that reflect the borough’s values of
fairness and inclusion. Through strengthened governance, leadership
accountability and a culture shift supported by the ‘Future
Croydon’ transformation, employees are increasingly empowered
to deliver high-quality, resident-focused services. Together, these
efforts demonstrate a Council steadily rebuilding confidence,
showing the positive impact on the daily lives of Croydon’s
residents, workers, busines

Content

For the reasons set out in the
report and appendix, the Executive Mayor and Cabinet AGREED
to:
 
Consider and note Appendix 1,
(Annual Report 2024-25), which sets out progress in delivering the
Equality Strategy 2023-27.
 
Note the key achievements
outlined in section six and endorse the proposed actions for
ongoing areas for improvement as set out in section
seven.
 
Agree that the report and
update be presented at Council for noting.