The Cabinet of Croydon Council met on Wednesday, 25 September 2024, to discuss a range of significant issues including the council's financial performance, the future of its waste and street cleansing services, and a new investment plan for the borough. Key decisions made included the approval of recommendations within the Period 3 Financial Performance Report, the award of a new eight-year contract for waste and street cleansing services, and the adoption of the Croydon Investment Plan.

Financial Performance Report 2024-25 (Period 3)

The Cabinet noted that the General Fund revenue budget is forecast to overspend by £23.9 million at the financial year-end, even after utilising £38 million in capitalisation directions requested from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), £5 million from the risk contingency budget, and £13 million from corporate earmarked reserves. Service directorates have been instructed to reduce net expenditure to balance the annual budget, a challenging task given rising demand and market prices across local government. A Financial Recovery Plan is in place to address these pressures. The Cabinet also approved budget changes to the General Fund capital programme, totalling a net increase of £8.5 million, which includes funding for the Reconnecting Croydon initiative and the Oracle Improvement Programme. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) revenue budget is forecast to overspend by £2.0 million. Despite these challenges, dialogue with MHCLG continues regarding potential government financial support for the council's significant debt burden.

Procurement of Waste and Street Cleansing Service

The Cabinet approved the appointment of a preferred bidder for the delivery of waste and recycling collection, street cleansing, and vehicle maintenance services for an eight-year term from April 2025 to 2033, with an option to extend for two further eight-year periods. This new service aims to improve upon the current provision by including a graffiti removal service, enhanced contract management, increased waste collection frequency for flats above shops, and the introduction of a nighttime economy collection. A more targeted, data-driven street cleaning service, annual reviews, and a commitment to sustainability are also key features. Resident feedback regarding collection frequency and street cleansing improvements has been incorporated into the contract. The Corporate Director of Sustainable Communities, Regeneration and Economic Recovery, in consultation with the Executive Mayor and Cabinet Member for Streets & Environment, has been authorised to agree the final contract terms.

Croydon Investment Plan - Unlocking Croydon's Potential

The Cabinet agreed to adopt the Croydon Investment Plan, a three-year strategic framework designed to foster long-term economic growth and regeneration in the borough. A key element of this plan is the establishment of a Partnership Board, which will bring together key partners to drive investment and action across Croydon. Authority has been delegated to the Corporate Director of Sustainable Communities, Regeneration and Economic Recovery, in consultation with the Mayor and the Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, to agree the structure, membership, constitution, and Terms of Reference for this Partnership Board. The plan aims to position Croydon as a place of opportunity, address the needs of its diverse areas, and enable its communities, partnerships, and economy to realise their full potential.

Whitgift Indemnity and Land Transfer Agreement Remedy - Update

The Cabinet agreed to enter into new agreements to facilitate the regeneration of the town centre. These include a Deed of Release and Replacement of Guarantor for the CPO Indemnity & Land Transfer Agreement (ILTA), releasing Hammerson UK Properties Limited as a guarantor and appointing Unibail-Rodamco TH B.V. as the replacement. A fourth Supplemental Agreement to the ILTA will also be entered into for general updating and to introduce revised remedy provisions. Authority has been delegated to the Corporate Director of Sustainable Communities, Regeneration and Economic Recovery to negotiate and enter into a Conditional Land Sale Agreement concerning the freehold of the former Allders Car Park, the leasehold of the Whitgift Car Park, and subsoil of land in Poplar Walk and Dingwall Avenue.

Public Health Peer Review

The Cabinet noted the key findings of the Public Health Peer Review, which took place in March 2024 and assessed the Council's Public Health function in areas of Vision and Strategy, Use of Resources, and Partnership Working. The review commended the operational achievements of the team and identified opportunities to strengthen corporate leadership, partnerships, and resource utilisation. An action plan has been created to address the review's recommendations, with task and finish groups established to lead change in four key areas: finance and governance, corporate leadership and visibility, system partnerships, and evidence-based practice. The Cabinet endorsed the publication of the peer review report.

Scrutiny Stage One and Stage Two

The Cabinet received recommendations arising from the Children & Young People Sub-Committee and the Streets & Environment Sub-Committee meetings. A substantive response to these recommendations, in the form of a Scrutiny Stage 2 Report, will be provided at the Cabinet meeting on 20 November 2024. The Cabinet also approved the responses and action plans attached to the Scrutiny Stage Two report and delegated authority to officers to report back to the relevant Scrutiny committees on progress made.

Libraries Review

The Cabinet resolved to adopt a proposed new model for the Library Service. This decision follows an extensive review process, including needs assessments and public consultation. The new model will see four libraries – Bradmore Green, Broad Green, Sanderstead, and Shirley – close from 8 November 2024. The resources from these closures will be reinvested into the remaining nine libraries, which will see increased opening hours, including staffed Saturdays, and enhanced digital and outreach offers. Measures to mitigate the impact of the closures include a weekly accessible bus shuttle service for residents with access needs, the development of an outreach service with community book collections and events, and improved marketing of the library offer. The Council also committed to commencing a process to consider community operation for the sites no longer required for statutory library services.

The meeting concluded at 8:17 pm.