The Cabinet of Croydon Council met on Wednesday 25 March 2026 to discuss a range of important issues affecting the borough. Key decisions included the approval of a new private sector property licensing scheme aimed at improving housing standards, the adoption of Croydon's draft electric vehicle charging point strategy, and the allocation of £17.6 million for the Highways Capital Programme in 2026-27.

Private Sector Property Licensing Scheme

The Cabinet approved the implementation of a new selective licensing scheme across 14 wards in Croydon, alongside a borough-wide additional licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). This decision aims to improve standards, strengthen enforcement, and protect residents within Croydon's private rented sector, which now accounts for 31% of housing in the borough. The schemes will be self-funded through licence fees and will run for five years. Councillor Stuart King, Leader of the Opposition, expressed concerns that the proposals felt rushed and incomplete, questioning whether 28% of PRS properties would be covered by the selective scheme and highlighting the situation in Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood. Councillor Lynne Hale, Cabinet Member for Homes, assured that wards not included in the current proposal would be kept under review, and statutory powers would continue to be used to support tenants. Beatriz Cinco-Taylor, Director of Homelessness and Accommodation, explained that the designation was based on poor housing conditions and the proportion of properties with Category 1 hazards, noting that Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood had a lower rate of these hazards compared to the national average.

Connect to Work Greater London Authority Grant Funding Agreement

The Cabinet unanimously agreed to update the funding arrangements for the South London Partnership's Connect to Work programme, with Croydon acting as the lead authority. Funding responsibility will transfer from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to the Greater London Authority (GLA) from April 2026, with £14.4 million confirmed until March 2029. Councillor Chris Clarke, Shadow Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, welcomed the significant government funding but sought confirmation that data on participation and outcomes would be published and how success would be measured. Officers confirmed that a governance procedure is in place, with data being compiled quarterly, and that transparency principles would apply.

Croydon's Electric Vehicle Charging Point Strategy

The Cabinet unanimously agreed to commence a public consultation on the draft Electric Vehicle Charging Point (EVCP) Strategy. This strategy sets out a plan to expand the borough-wide EV charging network, aiming for approximately 4,500 charging points by 2035. The strategy prioritises fair and accessible provision across all wards and addresses the reality that around half of Croydon's households do not have off-street parking. Councillor Herrmann, from the opposition, questioned the criteria for ensuring equitable distribution of charging points in less commercially attractive areas. Councillor Scott Roche, Cabinet Member for Streets and Environment, stated that public funding would allow influence over locations, and that decisions would be based on consultation and resident requests, not solely on operator profits.

Highways Capital Programme 2026-27

The Cabinet unanimously approved the £17.6 million Highways Capital Programme for 2026-27, which is £5 million more than the previous year. This programme focuses on planned maintenance to improve roads, footways, bridges, and flood management across the borough. Councillor Herrmann questioned what specific improvements had been made to guarantee Croydon secures the maximum possible allocation from the Department for Transport incentive fund. Officers confirmed that innovation, new materials, and transparency in reporting were being utilised to meet the DFT's criteria.

2025-26 Period 9 Financial Performance Report

The Cabinet unanimously noted the Period 9 financial performance report, which forecasts a General Fund underspend of £26.2 million against the 2025-26 budget, an improvement of £0.5 million since Period 8. This positive position is in contrast to many other London boroughs forecasting overspends. The report also confirmed a forecast underspend of £3.1 million in the General Fund capital programme and a breakeven position in the Housing Revenue Account. Councillor Stuart King, Leader of the Opposition, expressed disappointment regarding the two-sentence reference to the High Court judgment on low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) and sought clarification on how the estimated £7.5 million in refunds would be technically recorded. Councillor Jason Cummings, Cabinet Member for Finance, explained that the P9 report was a look back and that more information would come forward as the LTN decision's impact solidified. He also addressed concerns about council comparisons, unfunded commitments, and the stabilisation plan, noting that while some savings targets had been delayed, the overall stabilisation plan performance had mitigated these. Conrad Hall, Corporate Director of Resources, added technical detail regarding the estimation of refunds and the accounting treatment.

Recommendations from Scrutiny

The Cabinet unanimously agreed to the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Committee. Councillor Ben Hassell, Chair of Scrutiny, highlighted concerns regarding the financial impact of the Mayor's decision not to appeal the High Court judgment on low traffic neighbourhoods, the robustness of legal advice, and the need for additional resources for the refund process. Councillor Hassell also noted the improving trajectory of the council's in-year budget delivery but sought reassurances on corporate saving items and cross-cutting risk trends. Councillor Lynne Hale, Deputy Executive Mayor and Cabinet Member for Homes, stated she would cover some of the scrutiny points when introducing the cabinet report.

The meeting concluded with Mayor Jason Perry reflecting on the end of the civic cycle, thanking Cabinet colleagues, officers, and the opposition for their contributions over the past four years. He particularly thanked Councillor Maria Gatland, who will be retiring at the election, for her work on corporate parenting and improving life chances for care-experienced young people. Mayor Perry also acknowledged Councillor Young's retirement and expressed his hope to be back after the election, highlighting the progress made in stabilising finances and improving the borough's appearance.