Issue - meetings

Officer: Shifa Mustafa

Key decision: yes

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions:

RESOLVED: To

1.     Approve the amended funding profile for projects as summarised in paragraph 3.7 of this report; and

2.     Subject to the requirement to comply with the provisions of Part 4G of the Constitution in taking delegated decisions and the parameters previously approved in the October 2018 Cabinet report ‘Delivering the Growth Zone (specifically Paragraph 3.88) delegate to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer), the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, the Cabinet Members for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (Job Share) and the Cabinet member for Economy and Jobs, authority to make necessary changes to the funding and phasing of the approved Growth Zone projects list. Any such changes will be reported to Cabinet.

Cabinet was provided with a presentation which gave an overview of the Croydon Growth Zone. The Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (voting – Job Share) noted that the Growth Zone looked primarily at the town centre but the regeneration was in the context of the large amount of growth which had been witnessed across the borough since 2012.

The uplift in business rates which had been experienced was helping to fund the transformation of the town centre to create a modern European city. Whilst the transformation had begun it was noted by the Cabinet Member that it would take time before the ambition was fully realised. The town centre was due to be transformed with a large amount of consented and planned developments due to take place, which were delivering new homes and spaces in the town centre.

The Cabinet Member welcomed the redevelopment of East Croydon, however it was noted that this would be dependent upon the work of Network Rail to improve the Brighton Mainline and the associated works. The projects within the Growth Zone project were complex and it was important to continuously review and re-profile to ensure projects were taking place at the most convenient time.

The Cabinet Member highlighted a number of achievements to-date, including award winning meanwhile activities, the enterprise zone, plans for a creative campus and projects which looked to transform the subways. Social infrastructure continued to be key to the Growth Zone plans as it recognised that the regeneration of the town centre would impact communities across the borough.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Jobs spoke on Croydon Works, a job brokerage service which had supported over 1,000 people to start their careers, with particular success in introducing people to opportunities within construction. The opportunities of the Growth Zone were highlighted as they enabled the creation of new jobs in the borough which supported residents into employment.

The 100 Apprentices in 100 Days initiative was noted by the Cabinet Member for Economy & Jobs as having further supported residents. Additionally, it was noted that the council in partnership with Croydon College had been successful in being awarded £393,000 of GLA funding for a project which would support employers to recruit apprentices in creative, digital and health and social care.

The Smart City workstream was highlighted by the Cabinet Member for Economy & Jobs as being integral to ensure the best of technology in the borough. The council continued to support new digital companies being set up in the borough.

Between January and March 2020 it was anticipated that 1,700 young people would have accessed digital workshops at the 14 roadshows which were due to be held in schools in the borough, further supporting residents to have good technology skills.

The Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure & Sport informed Members that culture remained at the heart of regeneration. In recent years Croydon had enhanced its profile as a cultural hub with a broad programme of events and exciting activities. The success of this focus on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20