The Croydon Council is scheduled to meet on 10 December 2025 to discuss a range of issues, including the approval of the Youth Justice Plan 2025-26, the Equality Strategy 2023-27 annual report, and a proposal to increase members' allowances. The council will also consider a motion supporting fair funding for Croydon.

Here are the topics scheduled for discussion:

Youth Justice Plan 2025-26

The council is scheduled to consider the Youth Justice Plan 2025-26, which is a statutory requirement under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. The plan outlines the strategic and operational objectives of the local Youth Justice Team for the next 12 months, aiming to prevent and reduce offending behaviour in children aged 10-18.

The report pack states that Croydon's re-offending rates are currently lower than both the regional and national averages, with the latest data from the Youth Justice Board indicating a rate of 29.1% compared to the London average of 30.4% and the national average of 32.1%.

The plan includes several objectives for 2025/26, including addressing the disproportionate representation of children from minority ethnic groups, children looked after, and girls within the youth justice system. According to the report pack, a 'Disproportionality Action Plan' has been created to challenge and influence over-representation.

The foreword to the plan includes a statement from Councillor Maria Gatland, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, who notes that the plan details the partnerships continued efforts to:

• Reduce first-time entrants through early intervention and support
• To explore, address and challenge disproportionately and overrepresentation of certain groups.
• Ensuring the safety of children and the wider public
• Reducing re-offending of children resident in the borough
• To gain a fuller understanding and response to violence against women and girls.
• To enhance our offer to victims, hearing their voices and responding to their wishes.

Equality Strategy 2023-27 - Annual Report

The council is scheduled to note the annual report on the Equality Strategy 2023-27, which is required under the Equality Act 2010. The report will outline the progress made against the strategy's action plan at year two of the four-year strategy.

The report pack highlights key achievements, including 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. It also notes that the council has maintained a 0% gender and disability pay gap, expanded staff networks, and invested in development pathways.

The report pack also identifies ongoing areas for improvement, including leadership representation, succession planning, data and insight, inclusive culture and leadership practice, service design, EQIA quality, and youth inclusion and opportunity.

Consideration of Local Government Staff Settlement Increase for the Members' Allowance Scheme 2025/26

The council is scheduled to consider a report on increasing members' allowances in line with the Local Government Staff Settlement (LGSS). The report pack notes that the Independent Panel on the Remuneration of Councillors in London recommended that all allowances should be updated annually in line with the percentage pay award agreed by the National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Government Services Staff.

The report pack recommends that the council agree to an uplift in members' allowances of 3.2% for the financial year 2025/26, backdated to April 2025. It also recommends that the council authorise the Director of Legal Services to publicise the amended Members' Allowances Scheme.

Council Debate Motions

The council is scheduled to debate a joint motion supporting fair funding for Croydon.

Public Questions

The council is scheduled to answer questions from residents on a variety of topics, including:

• The council's climate scorecards rating for waste and food
• Graffiti and fly-tipping in West Croydon
• Fly-tipping on private land
• The publication of the Veolia contract
• A sewage leak in an alleyway near Norwood Junction
• Anti-social behaviour on George Street, East Croydon
• Safety in neighbourhoods like Bensham Manor
• The state of streets and fly-tipping in Bensham Manor
• The Climate Action Forum
• A Mansion tax on properties valued over 2 million pounds
• The latest Government Budget
• The time it takes the council to repair potholes
• The cancellation of funding for the Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme
• The pension fund's investments in arms companies
• Climate risk within the Corporate Risk Register

Other Matters

Other matters scheduled for discussion include:

• Delegation of Recruitment, Appointment and related matters in respect of the Independent Chair and Members of Local Pension Board
• Report on the Use of Special Urgency for Key Decisions for the Third and Fourth Quarter of 2025 (up to and including 30 November 2025) and Exemption from Call-in for the Period
• Council Calendar 2026-27
• Appointment of the Interim Chief Executive
• Treasury Management Annual Review for 2024-25
• Treasury Management 2025-26 Mid-Year Review
• Ethics Committee - Independent Person Term Extension
• Questions to the Mayor and Executive
• Questions to the Mayor and Executive from Councillors