Hannah Cretney
Council: Croydon
Committees:
Activity Timeline
Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.
10 meetings · Page 1 of 2
Cabinet - Wednesday, 11th February, 2026 6.30 pm
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.
Cabinet - Wednesday, 28 January 2026 - 6.30 pm
The Cabinet meeting on 28 January 2026 saw the approval of several key strategies and plans, including the Adult Social Care and Health Strategy 2026-30, the Education Estates Strategy, and the Family Hubs Model. The Cabinet also noted the Corporate Risk Register and approved responses to scrutiny recommendations.
Cabinet - Wednesday, 3rd December, 2025 6.30 pm
At a meeting on 3 December 2025, Croydon Council's Cabinet approved recommendations concerning financial performance, environmental enforcement, transport, and potential new conservation areas. Councillor Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, highlighted the importance of these initiatives in making Croydon a safer, healthier, and more prosperous borough.
Cabinet - Wednesday, 19th November, 2025 6.30 pm
The Croydon Council cabinet met to discuss the 2026-30 medium term financial strategy, safeguarding, social care, housing and financial performance, and agreed to implement recommendations regarding scrutiny, safeguarding, social work and housing. The cabinet approved recommendations to keep the Council Tax Support scheme unchanged, and to review it in 2026-27. They also approved the Regina Road regeneration project, and noted progress on the housing strategy.
Decisions from Meetings
59 decisions · Page 6 of 12
SCRUTINY STAGE 2: Responses to Recommendations arising from: Homes Sub-Committee on 19 June 2025, Streets & Environment Sub-Committee on 24 June 2025, and the Children & Young People Sub-Committee on 1 July 2025
From: Cabinet - Wednesday, 19th November, 2025 6.30 pm - November 19, 2025
This report invited Cabinet to approve its response to the Scrutiny recommendations originally presented in the Stage 1 report to the Cabinet meeting held on the 24 September 2025. This response includes: - Action plans for the implementation of agreed recommendations, or; Indicating where a recommendation is already in progress, or; Reasons for rejecting the recommendations. Following approval by Cabinet, the response to the scrutiny recommendations will be reported back to the next meeting of either the Scrutiny and Overview Committee or the relevant Sub-Committees. The Constitution requires that in accepting a recommendation, with or without amendment, from a Scrutiny and Overview Committee or Sub-Committee, Cabinet shall agree an action plan for the implementation of the agreed recommendations and shall delegate responsibility to an identified officer to report back to the Scrutiny and Overview Committee or Sub-Committee, within a specified period, on the progress made in implementing the action plan. Scrutiny’s recommendations highlight potential opportunities for reinforcing performance management, strengthening governance, and increasing transparency for residents. They are presented for consideration, focusing on options that may improve oversight of performance, and service delivery. Should these recommendations be taken forward, they could help deliver the priorities in the Mayor’s Business Plan—embedding good governance (Outcome 1, Priorities 1 & 4), ensuring that Croydon is a cleaner, safer and healthier (Outcome 4, Priorities 3 & 5), and that children and young people in Croydon have the chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential (Outcome 3, Priority 3).
Recommendations Approved
SCRUTINY STAGE 1: RECOMMENDATIONS ARISING FROM SCRUTINY
From: Cabinet - Wednesday, 19th November, 2025 6.30 pm - November 19, 2025
This report sets out recommendations from Scrutiny for the consideration of Cabinet. These recommendations originate from the meetings of the Streets & Environment Sub-Committee on 16 September 2025, and the Scrutiny & Overview Committee on 23 September 2025. Scrutiny’s recommendations highlight potential opportunities for the Council to enhance monitoring and evaluation of delivered work, and to find more equitable funding solutions. Should these recommendations be taken forward, they could help deliver on the priorities in the Executive Mayor’s Business Plan, including balancing the Council’s 2. books, delivering sustainable services, and promoting good governance (Outcome 1, Priorities 1 and 4).
Recommendations Approved
Principal Social Worker Annual Report 2024 – 2025
From: Cabinet - Wednesday, 19th November, 2025 6.30 pm - November 19, 2025
2024–2025 has been a transformational and energising period for Croydon’s Adult and Children’s Social Care services. Both services are rated as ‘Good’ by their respective national inspectorates, the Care Quality Commission (adults) and Ofsted (children’s). The annual Principal Social Worker (PSW) reports (appendix A for adults, appendix B for children’s) are an opportunity to review, reflect and celebrate the achievements of what the roles have delivered. In particular, how their achievements have supported the inspection outcomes, which at their core reflect the quality of practice delivered for our residents. These reports are focused on the professional practice of Croydon’s social care workforce rather than direct impact on residents. However, by its nature, if social care practice can be demonstrated to be of a high quality, the positive impact on working with and taking decisions with our residents will be the outcome. Key areas of strength include: - The successful delivery ranging from the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme, to the expansion of Practice Educators and Social Work Apprenticeships; meaning Croydon has cultivated a resilient, skilled, and future-ready workforce. - The introduction of Practice Leads, robust Continuous Professional Development (CPD) policies, and innovative learning spaces such as the adults Practice Library and systemic practice workshops that have elevated the quality and consistency of social work practice. - The Families First initiative and Social Work Reforms offer a unique opportunity to redesign services and embed trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based practice across the system. - A vibrant culture of recognition has been fostered through events like Social Work Day, the PSW newsletter, and the Recognition and Excellence Awards, reinforcing a positive and proud professional identity. Key areas for continuing oversight include: - The ongoing challenge of delivering high-quality services at lower cost, requiring continued innovation in practice and commissioning. - The need to balance transformation with fiscal responsibility will require careful navigation and strong leadership. - The need for sustained recruitment and retention strategies remains a priority, particularly in the context of national workforce pressures. - External policy shifts and inspection frameworks may introduce new demands, requiring agility and sustained investment in quality assurance and workforce resilience. It is, however, also critical to note that children’s and adults’ social care duties are not solely the responsibility of the dedicated care teams. They are a collective duty shared across all council services. From legal and housing to education, finance, and community safety. Every service plays a vital role in safeguarding and promoting wellbeing. Effective social care relies on integrated working, where services collaborate to address complex needs, uphold statutory responsibilities, and deliver person-centered outcomes. Embedding this shared accountability ensures that vulnerable individuals receive holistic support, and that the Council as a whole meets its obligations to protect and empower its residents. This collective duty will be achieved through substantial programmes of change, including our financial model, market management and social care practice; as well as delivering statutory duties. They are underpinned by the Executive Mayor’s Business Plan, the Future Croydon Transformation Plan, and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy, It means that over the next few years, the Directorates will: - Maintain statutory services and safeguard Croydon’s most vulnerable residents. - Deliver a good service at a lower cost. - Ensure that social work practice continues to align with the key aims of both Helping Families Thrive and the Adults Living Independently transformation programmes. The aim is to put adult and children’s social care in Croydon on a sustainable footing whilst ensuring that people who need services receive them.
Recommendations Approved
Croydon Safeguarding Annual Reports 2024/25 (Adults Board (CSAB) and Children’s Partnership (CSCP))
From: Cabinet - Wednesday, 19th November, 2025 6.30 pm - November 19, 2025
As London’s largest borough, with nearly a quarter of our residents under 18 and a growing elderly community, the Council has a responsibility to safeguard and care for both children and adults. The Annual Reports for the Croydon Safeguarding Adult Board (CSAB) and the Croydon Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP) underscore the commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of the community and tell a powerful story of progress, resilience, and partnership. Despite a year marked by significant financial pressures and increased scrutiny from national inspection regimes, both Boards have delivered real impact. From tackling serious youth violence and reducing anti-social behaviour, to strengthening our learning culture and embedding the voice of residents, including children in everything we do — the achievements are substantial and worth celebrating. We’ve seen stronger governance, more inclusive engagement, and a growing culture of transparency and challenge. The CSCP has delivered 86% of its Business Plan, introduced new tools to improve multi-agency practice, and embedded learning from previous reviews. It is justifiably proud of its appointment of a Young Scrutineer. The CSAB has made real strides in areas like homelessness, self-neglect, and transitional safeguarding, whilst also strengthening its relationships with community groups and statutory partners. The Local Authority key partners (Adult Social Care & Health and Children's Social Care) have both received 'Good' gradings from CQC and Ofsted. Both Boards are taking an innovative approach to working more closely together — and with the Safer Croydon Partnership — to tackle cross-cutting issues like exploitation, suicide prevention, and violence against women and girls. This 'One Council' approach is not just efficient — it’s effective, and it’s helping us deliver better outcomes for Croydon’s most vulnerable residents. There has been significant support and challenge of the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS) to evidence their safeguarding arrangements which has led to new collaborations and positive impact for some of our most vulnerable residents. Challenges remain such as persistent funding inequalities, and the sustainability of some partnership functions is under pressure. However, the commitment from partners, the creativity of our workforce, and the voices of children, adults and families continue to drive us forward. These annual reports are not just a statutory requirement — it’s a reflection of a borough that is determined to safeguard its residents, learn from experience, and keep improving. We are proud of what has been achieved - and clear about what still needs to be done.
Recommendations Approved
2025-26 Period 5 Financial Performance Report
From: Cabinet - Wednesday, 19th November, 2025 6.30 pm - November 19, 2025
This report provides the Council’s financial performance as at Period 5 (August 2025) for the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and the Capital Programme. The report forms part of the Council’s financial management process for publicly reporting financial performance and supports the Executive Mayor’s Business Plan 2022-2026 objective one “The council balances its books, listens to residents and delivers good sustainable services”.
Recommendations Approved
Summary
Meetings Attended: 10
Average per Month: 0.4
Decisions Recorded: 59