The Croydon Council Cabinet meeting on 11 February 2026 confirmed the Community Safety Strategy for 2026-2029, which aims to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour through a focus on violence against women and girls, youth safety, and targeted neighbourhood interventions. The Cabinet also approved the continuation of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme until 2029, backed by nearly £4.84 million in government funding, ensuring continued support for disadvantaged children and young people through enriching activities and meals.

Community Safety Strategy 2026-2029

The Cabinet agreed to recommend the adoption and implementation of the Safer Croydon Partnership: Community Safety Strategy for 2026-2029 to Full Council. This strategy builds on tangible improvements made over the last four years, including a 4.1% fall in total recorded crime and significant reductions in knife crime and burglary. Key priorities include tackling violence against women and girls, making Croydon safer for young people, and focusing resources on high-priority neighbourhoods to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. The strategy emphasizes partnership working with statutory agencies, the voluntary sector, and communities, with feedback from the Community Safety Engagement Board informing its development.

Holiday Activities and Food Programme 2026-2029

The Cabinet approved the continuation of Croydon's Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme through to 2029, with confirmed government funding of nearly £4.84 million over three years. The programme, which has supported over 30,000 children since 2019, will continue to provide free holiday club places with healthy meals and enriching activities for children eligible for benefits-related free school meals. The programme will focus on increasing engagement among underrepresented groups, enhancing provision quality, and integrating with Family Hubs. A dynamic market approach to commissioning provision is planned from 2027 to ensure flexibility and value for money.

Budget 2026-27 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026-30

The Cabinet agreed to recommend the Council's Budget for 2026-27 and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) through to 2030 to Full Council for approval. The budget proposes a 4.99% Council Tax increase, the maximum allowed without special government direction, and includes £34 million in further savings for 2026-27, rising to £45.7 million by 2029-30, supported by the Future Croydon transformation programme. The Council is projected to deliver over £48 million in savings in 2025-26, meeting its in-year savings target and enabling a £34 million reduction in the request for exceptional financial support from the government. The budget acknowledges significant financial pressures, including rising demand, increasing costs, and a historic £1.4 billion general fund debt burden, but also reflects the positive impact of the government's Fair Funding Review, which will increase Croydon's core spending power by 14.8% over three years. The Cabinet also noted the Council's request for up to £119 million in Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) for 2026-27, decreasing to £69 million by 2029-30.

HRA Rent Setting 2026-27

The Cabinet agreed to a 4.8% increase in social housing rents from April 2026, in line with the Government's Social Housing Rent Policy (CPI + 1%). This increase, estimated to generate an additional £4.35 million in income for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) in 2026-27, is necessary to support ongoing investment in Council homes amidst rising construction costs, inflationary pressures, and tighter regulatory requirements. The increase will also apply to tenant service charges, garage rents, parking spaces, and caravan site plot charges. The report highlighted that approximately 70% of tenants are eligible for Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, meaning the remaining 31% who are self-payers could be financially impacted. To mitigate this, the continuation of the HRA Hardship Fund is recommended, subject to Secretary of State approval.

HRA Business Plan and Budget Update 2026-27

The Cabinet agreed to recommend to Full Council the approval of the HRA budget for 2026-27 and the HRA 30-Year Business Plan. The plan outlines significant capital investment of £109.7 million for 2026-27, funded by a mix of Right to Buy receipts, revenue contributions, grants, and borrowing. This investment will support major repairs, estate improvements, compliance works, and building safety programmes, including targeted action on damp and mould. The plan also supports regeneration, acquisitions, and the delivery of new council homes, such as the continued redevelopment of the Regina Road estate. The HRA is projected to remain sustainable over the 30-year period, with disciplined financial management supporting the Council's wider work on sustaining debt.

Capital Programme 2025-31 and Capital Strategy 2026-27

The Cabinet agreed to recommend the Council's 2025-31 General Fund Capital Programme and the Capital Strategy 2026-27 to Full Council for approval. The General Fund Capital Programme includes planned expenditure of £874.1 million over six years, with £543.1 million related to capitalisation directions and £682.8 million financed through borrowing. The Capital Strategy outlines the framework for capital investment, prioritising statutory compliance, asset safety, value for money, and long-term sustainability. The HRA capital programme includes a planned investment of £572 million between 2025-26 and 2030-31 for major repairs, building safety, acquisitions, and regeneration, including the Regina Road estate redevelopment.

Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy 2026/27

The Cabinet agreed to recommend the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement, and Annual Investment Strategy for 2026/27 to Full Council for approval. These documents provide the framework for managing the Council's borrowing, investment, and risk, ensuring public money is handled prudently and transparently. The strategy reflects a focus on sustaining the Council's debt responsibly and managing risk exposure amidst economic uncertainty and high interest rates. Investment activity will remain cautious, prioritising security and liquidity over yield. The report noted that the Council's capital financing requirement had been impacted by IFRS 16, an accounting treatment for leases, adding £70.2 million to the CFR, but this does not represent new debt.

Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Schools Funding 2026-27 Formula Factors

The Cabinet agreed to approve the provisional funding formula factors for Croydon mainstream schools for the financial year 2026/27, based on recommendations voted on by the Schools Forum. This ensures school funding decisions are made within a stable, transparent, and nationally compliant framework. The Schools Block allocation for 2026/27 is £352 million, with £348 million to be distributed to mainstream schools, an increase of £9.8 million from the previous year. The Cabinet also supported the Schools Forum's approval of a £1.2 million transfer from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block as part of the DSG Deficit Management Plan.

The meeting also included the confirmation of the minutes from the previous Cabinet meeting and disclosures of interest. Councillor Scott Roche provided apologies for late arrival. Councillor Leila Ben-Hassle, Chair of Scrutiny, provided feedback on the proposed budget and the Community Safety Strategy, highlighting concerns about budget sustainability and the need for greater resident consultation. Councillor Jason Cummings, Cabinet Member for Finance, responded to these points, providing his perspective on the budget and the Council's financial position.