Home > Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Town Hall, Katharine Street, Croydon CR0 1NX

Contact: Marianna Ritchie, Democratic Services  Email: marianna.ritchie@croydon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

84/21

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 166 KB

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2023 as an accurate record.

 

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2023 were agreed as an accurate record.

 

85/21

Disclosure of Interests

Members are invited to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) they may have in relation to any item(s) of business on today’s agenda.

Minutes:

Mayor Jason Perry and Councillor Alasdair Stewart declared disclosable non- pecuniary interests in Item 10 - Question to the Mayor and Executive - in relation to a question about electric cars as both currently own electric vehicles.

 

86/21

Urgent Business (if any)

To receive notice of any business not on the agenda which in the opinion of the Chair, by reason of special circumstances, be considered as a matter of urgency.

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

 

87/21

Announcements

To receive the Announcements, if any, from the Mayor, the Leader, Head of Paid Service and Returning Officer.

 

Minutes:

 

87/21    

 

Announcements

 

1.       The Chair informed Council of the following additional papers had been published and circulated to Members:

·       Item 6 (Public Questions) and Item 8C (Updated version Appendix 1.A – Housing Strategy and Labour Group Proposed Amendments to the Housing Strategy).

 

2.       The Chair moved to suspend Council Procedure Rules to allow for effective conduct of Council business. This was seconded by Councillor Luke Shortland, put to the vote and;

RESOLVED:

  • To suspend Council Procedure Rules (paragraph 3.82 to 3.90) - Council reforms and members or notice or referring back recommendations in relation to Item 8C - Housing Strategy - to allow Council, consider the Labour Group amendment and the updated version of the Housing Strategy and use agreed debate speaking rules during the consideration of the item.
  • To suspend Council Procedure Rules (paragraph 3.7) - Item 9 - Maiden Speeches to limit the time allocated to each speech to two minutes instead of three minutes to ensure parity with previously delivered speeches by new Members to full Council.

3.       The Chair announced the success of charity events; the Christmas Card Winners and the Civic Mail Christmas Card and highlighted the following forthcoming events in the New Year:

·       Chinese New Year event - 29 January 2024.

·       Hollywood Charity event - 22 February 2024

·       Young Stars of Croydon - 2/3 March 2024

 

The Chair thanked Members for their support and advised that details of the forthcoming charity events would be circulated once confirmed.

 

4.       The Chair expressed his gratitude and thanks to Senior Democratic Services and Governance officer, Marianna Ritchie, who recently left Croydon Council, for her contribution and service in the past four years.

 

5.       Mayor Jason Perry announced the receipt of the £18 .5m levelling up funding. He said that it was fantastic news and represented great investment in Croydon.

 

 

88/21

Croydon Question Time pdf icon PDF 62 KB

Public Questions (30 minutes)

 

To receive questions from the public gallery and questions submitted by residents in advance of the meeting.

 

The following Public Questions will be heard at this meeting, which will be responded to. The questioners will have the opportunity to ask a supplementary question based on the answer received.

 

The questions are as follows:

 

 

1.    As part of the modernisation of Croydon managed bus shelters those in Norbury (and other areas) were removed before the new were available for installation. Residents' are now facing a third winter without shelter. Please could you say when are the new bus shelters likely to be installed?

 

2.    Given the number of incidences of violence against Black women and girls in the borough over recent months resulting in the death of Elianne, what plans do the Council have to safeguard this vulnerable group?

 

3.    In late July 2023, the council issued a 21-page document, which related to the revised decision/plan to dispose of the 157 apartments at Red Clover Gardens. It described, the withdrawal of earlier offer by Notting Hill Genesis. A new offer was to be agreed by the council from Regen Capital (reg number 13389710). This involved sale of a head lease (125 years) and a subsequent issue of a sub lease to Mears Group PLC.  Regen Capital is a recently incorporated, currently dormant business, with £1 issued capital. How can such a counter party, be involved in an investment?

 

4.    Council set to make parking easier to support local businesses” Easiest parking where no payment required No point having lots of vacant spaces if parking expensive and inconvenient. Previous administration introduced One Hour free parking in District Centres – their one car-friendly policy. Why reduce this to half hour? Why make parking by phone only? Why extend hours of control? These bad anti-car policies would each be very unpopular, and each would make parking harder. My Coulsdon Survey shows no meter-feeding problem. Bays heavily occupied. High turnover of spaces. Lots of places for more bays – best way to make parking easier.

 

5.    When can we expect the council to solve the problem of the drug addicts living (by their own choice entirely), in a tent permanently pitched on the corner of Altyre Road who are blighting the lives of hundreds of local residents by : the squalor they create (including human waste), blatant drug taking and dealing, aggressive begging, anti-social behaviour, littering and blocking off of a large section of the pavement to passers-by, as well as being in plain sight of everyone who arrives at East Croydon Railway Station thereby giving an appalling first impression of the town?

 

6.    The Mayor of London is proposing to name the London Overground Lines. The East Surrey Transport Committee have suggested that the Overground line between Highbury and Crystal Palace and West Croydon should be named the Coleridge-Taylor line.

After the 19th century composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor who live in South Norwood and Croydon and was a professor at the  ...  view the full agenda text for item 88/21

Minutes:

Croydon Question Time

 

1.       The answer was given and printed in the agenda. The questioner had no supplementary question.

 

2.       The answer was given and printed in the agenda. In response to a supplementary question regarding the recognition of the work of her organisation Soul Purpose 360, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Councillor Ola Kolade advised that the Council was always seeking to improve pathways to community engagement and would be willing to meet and discuss or attend a meeting at the organisation if invited.

 

3.       The answer was given and printed in the agenda. In response to the supplementary question, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Jason Cummings, advised that he could not say much due to confidentiality but assured the questioner that due diligence was being undertaken on the project and stated that he would be willing to discuss further once the deal was concluded, negating the need for confidentiality as the information would be in the public domain.

 

4.       The answer was given and printed in the agenda. In response to a supplementary question, the Cabinet Member for Streets and Environment, Councillor Scott Roche advised that additional data was needed additional testing was being carried out in other district centres across Britain to understand what this does in other areas. The Council was going through consultation to decide what was the appropriate department parking policy to adopt.

 

5.       The answer was given and printed in the agenda. In response to the supplementary question, Mayor Jason Perry said he appreciated the frustration of residents, but the Council was trying to deal with a variety of issues across the borough regarding homelessness first making use of resources and partners to offering support and then enforcement. He advised that improvements were expected soon.

 

6.       The answer was given and printed in the agenda and in response to a supplementary question, Mayor Jason Perry, explained that the Council was raising the profile as the London borough of Culture.

 

7.       The answer was given and printed in the agenda. The questioner had no supplementary question.

 

8.       The answer was given and printed in the agenda. The questioner had no supplementary question.

 

 

 

 

 

89/21

The Croydon Debate

For Council to receive a Public Petition and / or a Member Petition.

 

One Public Petition has been received. The petition has been verified and is worded as follows:

 

We the undersigned are asking Jason Perry, the mayor of Croydon, to find a solution for the community so that we can continue to access our Asset of Community Value which is Metropolitan Open Land. We believe that all of Croydon's green spaces should be valued for their social and natural worth.  We want to see Love Lane remain open for public use and for the council to commit to keeping Metropolitan Open Land free from development.

 

Two Member Petitions have been received. The Petitions have been verified and are worded as follows:

 

1.    We the undersigned of Ramsey Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 6BX are writing to call on Croydon Council to consider our proposal for new parking restrictions. We are putting forward the following parking restriction times from 09.30 to 15.00. We are also asking that the restrictions would only apply Monday through to Friday. The restrictions that are in place now are too draconian. We have elderly residents on our road who are becoming more and more isolated. We also have a resident that needs home help three-four times throughout the day.

 

2.    We the undersigned request to have a new pedestrian crossing on Park Hill Road, between Brownlow Road. and Stanhope Road.

Minutes:

The Croydon Debate

 

Council received one Public Petition on the use and keeping of Metropolitan Open Land free from development.

 

In response to Mr James Foster, the Lead Petitioner, Mayor Jason Perry, explained that land of Lovely Green was owned by a private individual. The landowner had agreed a license to occupy with the Council, which allowed local residents to set up the community garden on the site whilst it was vacant.

 

Sadly, the landowner issued legal notice to terminate the license to occupy in May 2023, giving the Council, and Friends of Lovely Lane Green, one month to vacate the land. The Landowner suspended the process in order to investigate any possible way forward to maintain community access and space on the side. But disappointingly, in September 2023, the landowner terminated the license to occupy.  Mayor Perry advised he had written to the landowner and urged him to allow that access for the community and was disappointed that he was unwilling to do so. He had met the Friends of Love Lane Green, and assured them that whilst the Council had to respect the legal ownership of the site, he would continue to support the Friends and Wider Communities Campaign to be able to access Love Lane Green. In the meantime, the Council intended to continue to protect Metropolitan Open Land status from future development and within the Local Plan review coming in the new year, the Council intended to uphold the Metropolitan Open Land status of this land.

 

Councillor Chris Clark, the Shadow Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration advised that he had visited Love Lane Green in September and the social, health and environmental benefits had shone through he was also disappointed that the petition had become necessary. He argued that the story of Love Line Green showed what could be achieved by working together in partnership across the borough and hoped that a sensible and enduring resolution could be reached as soon as possible.

 

Councillor Andrew Stranack, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture advised that Croydon had one of the highest number of parks and green spaces of any borough in London that currently worked with nearly 50 friends of group to look after Croydon’s local parks and spaces.  The site of Love Lane was currently designated as Metropolitan Open Land. He stated that the Council was committed to protecting multiple and open land and working with partners and residents and national sporting bodies to invest in our parks and green spaces. The Crime Suburban Design Guide had been withdrawn and the Council was in the process of reviewing and changing the Croydon Local Plan.

 

Councillor Mike Bonello in speaking to the debate, said that Love Lane Green was an open space that had been enjoyed by the people of Woodside for a period of time. The land that had been protected for the use of the residents of Woodside for centuries was now under threat from development. He asked  Mayor Jason Perry to give  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89/21

90/21

Reports to Council

Minutes:

Reports to Council

 

The Chair moved the recommendations on the following items due to the limited time available to conduct the business of the meeting, it was seconded by Councillor Luke Shortland, put to the vote and;

RESOLVED to agree the recommendations as stated in the reports on the following items:

·       Item 8b - Independent Member Appointment to Audit and Governance.

·       Item 8e - Quarterly Report on the Use of Special Urgency and General Exception Procedures

·       Item 8g - Independent Person Appointment – Ethics Committee 

·       Item 8h - Draft Council Calendar 2024-25

(please see the minutes on each item for details of the decision).

 

90/21i

Audit and Governance Committee Annual Report pdf icon PDF 174 KB

To note the annual report for the Audit and Governance Committee.

 

Annual reports shall be received at the Annual Council meeting.

 

The Council procedure rules 3.70 Section 4A, states the overall time which may be devoted to questioning any Annual Reports shall be not more than ten minutes per report. The Chair of the relevant Committee (or in the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair) shall introduce and answer questions on the report. The Chair of the Committee shall not have more than 3 minutes speaking time to introduce the report. 3.71 For the remaining time available, the report will be open to questions. In the event that any recommendation in the report has not been reached when the overall time limit has expired, it shall be put immediately to the vote. 3.72 Any Member, except the seconder of the report, may ask the Chair or Vice-Chair (as appropriate) not more than two questions on each paragraph of the report.

Minutes:

Council received a presentation on the annual report from the Independent Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee, Dr Olu Olasode. The report highlighted the following:

 

·       the work of the Committee over the last year as provided within the   Committee’s ‘Terms of Reference and Scope of Work’.

 

·    a brief forward look into the year ahead on the Committee’s work and developments and specific comments in relation to the Council’s exit strategy and expected outcomes in governance and financial control in the next few years to satisfy the requirements of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities.

 

·    The Audit and Governance Committee continued to provide a robust and independent challenge to the processes, structures and arrangements surrounding the Council’s audit, assurance, risk management, financial control, and governance framework. Significant focus has been given to the latter two in recent times, particularly as it concerned the risks to the Council's underlying financial sustainability, the effectiveness of its governance and assurance arrangements, and the Council’s ability to deliver services to residents.

 

·    The year had been eventful, as the Council issued its third S114 in January 2023, while continuing to work to implement actions arising from the Reports in the Public Interest in January 2022 and October 2020.

 

In closing, Dr Olasode, thanked officers, external auditors, cabinet members, professional advisers, and members of the Audit and Governance Committee for their input and support of the work of the Committee.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Danielle Denton if good progress had been made on returning the Council to good governance systems and controls, Dr Olasode advised that the different governance activities showed progress and this had been stated in the recent annual governance statement.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Bridgette Graham, Dr Olasode advised that there had been a challenge with legacy reports, but the committee was working with officers to ensure pace as there were three years accounts yet to be signed off.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Mario Creatura, if the report showed significant improvement in terms of assurance from internal audits reports and if this was expected to improve in the coming years. Dr Olasode advised That there had been a challenge with long standing actions but the committee had supported the Head of Audit to put together a framework to escalate actions, track progress and ensure delivery.

 

In response to a question to Councillor Rowenna Davis, on the committee would work with the Improvement and Assurance Panel to make sure that transformation was happening as fast as possible. Dr Olasode advised that he had regular meetings and discussions with the Panel but the transformation journey was still two or three years away.

 

In response to Councillor Michael Neal’s question on joint scrutiny and assurance with Lambert Council. Dr Olasode said there was joint working at officer level to share information and aids benchmarking but not a joint committee.

 

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Luke Shortland and put to the vote  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90/21i

90/21ii

Independent Member Appointment - Audit and Governance Committee pdf icon PDF 119 KB

To agree the appointment of an Independent Member of the Audit and Governance Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was MOVED by the Chair, SECONDED by Councillor Luke Shortland, and RESOLVED, unanimously to:

 

·       Support the recommendation of the Audit and Governance Committee for the preferred candidate David Clarke to be appointed as an independent co-opted non-voting member of the Committee; and, 

 

·       Agree that David Clarke be appointed for an initial period of 1 year, to be extended thereafter for another 3 years, and that said appointment be subject to standards of conduct which encompass the Nolan Principles. 

 

 

90/21iii

Housing Strategy pdf icon PDF 102 KB

To agree the Council’s Housing Strategy 2023-28 and its accompanying delivery plan.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In moving the amended recommendation, Mayor Jason Perry, stated that the updated version of the strategy tabled for consideration by Council, reflected the changes following discussions with opposition colleagues. The strategy was based on recent changes and the Housing Transformation Plan agreed last year and it also solidified long, term housing improvement objectives, focused on key priorities, such as keeping neighbourhoods clean, improving the repair service, stamping out anti-social behaviour, enhancing neighbourhood safety and ensured the Council’s compliance with the regulator of social housing consumer standards.

 

Councillor Stuart King, speaking in support of the recommendation, stated that the Labour Group amendment, had sought successfully to strengthen the strategy by setting out explicit and clear commitment to consult on options for the introduction of a landlord license and scheme on either a borough, wide or a selective, targeted area basis. He expressed gratitude to the Liberal Democrat and Green Councillors for their support.

 

Councillor Chrishni Reshekaron welcomed the strategy and advised the Council could review how homelessness and housing applications from survivors of domestic violence could be supported and the quality of services offered improved. She expressed concerns at the lack of engagement from private tenants during the consultation.

 

Councillor Ria Patel stated that although houses in the borough were unaffordable, and efficiency could be improved, that the strategy would help drive forward the transformation that the housing service desperately needed. She argued that the strategy did not deliver a meaningful plan with clear, measurable and scrutinised progress and did not mention how the strategy would be reviewed,

 

She welcomed the inclusion of the climate emergency in the amendment but felt it did not go far enough. She stated that the Greens would have wanted to see the housing strategy layout, the standards for new bills being passive house standard, considering operation energy costs and embodied carbon or new building. And buildings should not be demolished. Refurbishment must be prioritised, and buildings must be brought up to modern standards, reflecting the need for adequate modern fire and safety measures.

 

Demolition should be a truly last resort. The Council should work with housing associations and private animals to ensure that they are also delivering the housing standards required.

 

Councillor Lynne Hale, statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Homesspeaking in support of the recommendations stated that the strategy set out how the Council intended to respond to the challenges of ensuring that existing housing stock in both the private and social housing sector were well managed and safe, and that residents with genuine housing needs were adequately supported. She said that significant progress such as the adoption of a residence Charter, progress with the Regina Road regeneration plans and the launch of a new repair service had been made in closing, she said the process had involved considerable consultation and thanked officers and Members for their hard work and contributions.

 

Mayor Jason Perry, exercising his right of reply stated that the strategy which was a key part of the exit strategy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90/21iii

90/21iv

Youth Justice Plan pdf icon PDF 150 KB

To endorse the Youth Justice plan in line with statutory obligations.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People Councillor Maria Gatland in moving the recommendations in the report informed Council that  the Youth Justice Plan was a national plan which had been approved by the National Crime Board and the process had involved negotiations with the shadow Cabinet Member for Children, Councillor Amy Foster and approval by the Children and Young People Scrutiny Sub-Committees.

 

RESOLVED: to endorse the Youth Justice Plan in line with statutory obligations detailed in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. 

 

 

90/21v

Quarterly Report on the Use of Special Urgency and General Exception Procedures pdf icon PDF 139 KB

To note the use of Special Urgency for the key decisions listed at section 4.4 of this report during the period April to November 2023.

Minutes:

It was MOVED by the Chair, SECONDED by Councillor Luke Shortland, and RESOLVED to:

 

1.   Note the use of Special Urgency for the key decisions listed at section 4.4 of the report during the period April to November 2023.

 

2.   Note the use of Exemption from Call-in for the key decisions listed at section 5.3 of this report during the period April to November 2023.

90/21vi

Proposed Changes to the Constitution pdf icon PDF 129 KB

To approve proposed changes to the Constitution.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was MOVED by the Chair, SECONDED by Councillor Luke Shortland, and RESOLVEDto:

 

1.       Approve the proposed changes to the Constitution as set out in the report and appendices.

 

 

90/21vii

Independent Person Appointment - Ethics Committee pdf icon PDF 120 KB

To approve the appointment of an Independent Person for the Ethics Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was MOVED by the Chair, SECONDED by Councillor Luke Shortland, and RESOLVED to:

 

1.   Agree to appoint Luisa Zingone Independent Person as recommended by the Ethics Committee for the duration of 2 years, with a possible extension of 2 years;

 

2.   Note that another appointment is due to be made by the Ethics Committee in March 2024 as a second vacancy arose after the first application round (due to resignation by an Independent Person).  

 

 

90/21viii

Draft Council Calendar 2024-25 pdf icon PDF 99 KB

To approve the Draft Council Calendar for 2024-25.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was MOVED by the Chair, SECONDED by Councillor Luke Shortland, and RESOLVED to:

 

1.   Agree to appoint Luisa Zingone Independent Person as recommended by the Ethics Committee for the duration of 2 years, with a possible extension of 2 years;

 

2.   Note that another appointment is due to be made by the Ethics Committee in March 2024 as a second vacancy arose after the first application round (due to resignation by an Independent Person).  

 

 

 

 

91/21

Questions to Mayor and Executive

To receive questions from Councillors. The first five minutes of this item may be used by the Mayor to make any announcements.

 

Minutes:

Mayor Jason Perry, supported by members of the Cabinet, invited questions from Council on various topics affecting the borough. The Chair called upon councillors in turn and Mayor Perry responded that:

 

·       Consultation had concluded on the progress, approach and process around maintained nursery schools and was embarking on a three-month program of working with maintained set nursery schools to ensure financial viability in the future.

 

·       Independent Panel Orders or advice notes had not been issued to the Council in the 2023/24 Municipal year.

 

·       Council finances were still challenging, and large cuts and savings would have to be made in the budget next year.

 

·       The program put in place with drawn resources from Violence Reduction Unit to address the increased number of thefts across border targeting Croydon’s young children led to a decline in incidents.

 

·       The Council was holding discussions with the British Transport Police, The Police and Transport For London (TFL) on how to collectively deal with the growing trend around groups targeting school children at the end of the school day, in a holistic approach. Some Arrests had been made.

 

·       Violence against Women and Girls Delivery Plan would be ready in the New Year and the Council worked with housing, Police, and community groups when processing referrals.

 

·       Over 300 people including the Chief Executive participated in a peer challenge facilitated by the Local Government Association to prepare the Council for assessment by the Care Quality Commission.

 

·       The initial findings of the per challenge were good and the Council was looking forward to receiving the formal report and working across the whole sector in order to improve what we've already got in place and deliver for the residents here.

 

·       The number of affordable homes approved by the planning committee in the 2023/24 municipal would be provided by the executive Mayor after the meeting.

 

·       There was going to be an increased police presence in the Town Centre. This would be funded via a specific project work which involved working with the police and the voluntary sector to target specific issues around young women and girls.

 

·       Consultation had begun on the Flood Alleviation Strategy which would be presented at Cabinet January 2024.

 

·       Figures on the current eviction rate in the borough, would be provided after the meeting.

 

·       The Council was working in partnership with the police, charity groups and voluntary sector groups such as Croydon Reach, to support the homeless.

 

·       The restructure of the Housing Department was delivering results as rather than waiting for those evicted from their homes to turn up, they were trying to deal with their issues at a much earlier stage so that people do not end up being evicted in the first place and help those in the private sector stay in their properties. Pan London provision as well. So as a London, a group of councils

 

·       The Council was working across departments to support residents and deal with the anti-social behaviours.

 

·       There had been a huge investment in electric charging points and over 350 street charging  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91/21

92/21

Maiden Speeches

Minutes:

Council heard the Maiden Speeches of the following Councillors:

 

·       Lara Fish, New Addington South Ward

·       Councillor Alasdair Stewart, Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown Ward.

 

93/21

Appointments

For Council to note the following changes to existing appointments to committees and / or sub-committees.

 

CHANGES TO NON-EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

COMMITTEE

 

POSITION

REPLACE

APPOINT

Appeals Committee

Reserve

Jade Appleton

Mario Creatura

Ethics Committee

 

Chair

Vice Chair

Mario Creatura

 

Jade Appleton

Luke Shortland

 

Mario Creatura

Mayoralty and Honorary Freedom Selection Committee

Reserve

Mario Creatura

Jade Appleton

Luke Shortland

Simon Fox

Scrutiny and Overview Committee

Deputy Chair

Reserve

Jade Appleton

 

Sue Bennett

Sue Bennett

 

Mario Creatura

Scrutiny children and Young People Committee

Reserve

 

Luke Shortland

 

Endri Llabuti

Scrutiny Streets Homes and Environment Sub-Committee

Member

 

Luke Shortland

 

Nikhil Sherine Thampil

 

POLITICAL PARTY GROUP OFFICER APPOINTMENTS

 

Conservative Group

 

 

Chief Whip

Deputy Whips

 

Mario Creatura

 

Luke Shortland

Samir Dwesar

 

Luke Shortland

 

Simon Fox

N/A

Appointments to all other Panels, Working Groups and Outside Bodies

Members learning and Development Panel

Member

Jade Appleton

 

Simon Fox

 

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillors Luke Shortland and Leila Ben Hassel and seconded by Councillors Jason cummings and Councillor Luke Shortland  respectively and RESOLVED to unanimously approve the following changes to committees, outside bodies and political groups:

 

COMMITTEE

 

REPLACE

APPOINT

Appeals Committee

Jade Appleton

Mario Creatura

Ethics Committee

Mario Creatura

Jade Appleton

Luke Shortland

 Mario Creatura

Mayoralty and Honorary Freedom Selection Committee

Mario Creatura

Jade Appleton

Luke Shortland

Simon Fox

Scrutiny and Overview Committee

Jade Appleton

Sue Bennett

Sue Bennett

 Mario Creatura

Scrutiny children and Young People Committee

Luke Shortland

Endri Llabuti

Appointments & Disciplinary Committee

RESERVES

Maria Gatland

Yvette Hopley

Jeet Bains

Luke Shortland

Robert Ward

Scott Roche

Janet Campell

Chris Clark

Nina Degrads

Amy Foster

Christopher Herman

Chrishini Reshekaron

Scrutiny Streets Homes and Environment Sub-Committee

Luke Shortland

Nikhil Sherine Thampil

 

POLITICAL PARTY GROUP OFFICER APPOINTMENTS

Conservative Group

Chief Whip

Mario Creatura

 Luke Shortland

Samir Dwesar 

Luke Shortland

Simon Fox

N/A

Appointments to all other Panels, Working Groups and Outside BodieS

Members Learning and Development Panel

Jade Appleton

Simon Fox

 

94/21

Council Debate Motions

To debate any motions submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

 

The following two Motions, one from the Administration and one from the Labour Group, will be debated:

 

CONSERVATIVE GROUP DEBATE MOTION

 

The Council RESOLVES:

 

To note the recent success of our bid for £18.5m in funding from HM Government to transform our town centre. Council notes that the funding will be spent on multiple projects that cover the South End restaurant quarter, East Croydon Station, West Croydon Station, and Old Town & Croydon Minster, as well as a new civic square for the Fairfield cultural complex, connecting Queen’s Gardens and Surrey Street Market. 

 

The success of this bid shows that Croydon is a Borough with a bright future. It also shows what can be achieved by working together in partnership across the Borough - be it the Executive Mayor, Councillors, MPs, Voluntary & Faith sectors and statutory partners such as health and the Police.

 

 

LABOUR GROUP DEBATE MOTION

 

The Council RESOLVES:

 

To condemn the Chancellor's decision not to extend the Household Support Fund when it expires in March 2024.

 

The fund has provided a lifeline to hundreds of Croydon families facing hunger and hardship and its withdrawal during an ongoing cost of living crisis will hit many households hard.  We call on the Executive Mayor to write to the Chancellor to urge him to extend the Household Support Fund for a further year and to publish the chancellor’s reply on the council’s website.

 

Minutes:

94/21               

 

Conservative Group Motion

 

In moving the motion, Mayor Jason Perry stated:

·       the successful bid for 18.5 million pounds from the government's Levelling Up fund was a fantastic achievement for the Council. He informed Council that the Minister had described the bid as high quality and ready to deliver.

·       the investment in the Town Centre would bring funding to a number of wards as the scheme provides for six infrastructure and public, realm projects, which would dramatically improve connections in Town Centre and enable safer and easier travel for residents and visitors.

·       that he was intent on tackling the broken windows effects of the borough, making Town Centre, cleaner, healthier, and safer. The public space Protection order had been reintroduced and the Police had been given the power to tackle and social behaviour. The Council was also delivering on a program outreach providing support for young people at risk of youth violence.

·       In buying out the development partner earlier this year,Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield had showed long, term commitments to Croydon, the development of a master plan and a planning application were eagerly awaited to begin Croydon’s transformation.

Councillor Chris Clark, the Shadow Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration spoke in support of the motion stated:

·       that the success of the bid was welcomed  and the plans had been developed over a number of years, and  showed the ambition to make Croydon a  safer, cleaner borough row through improvements to walking, cycling infrastructure, and the urban environment. 

·       He argued that as the bid was submitted in Summer 2022,  there may be need for a review taking into account inflation and rising costs, to make sure that all the important projects costs were still affordable before the government released the money. 

·       local government needed longer term funding settlements  and as residents wanted a safe, clean Town Centre where they and members of their families could safely go about their business safely, the Council needed to work together with its various partners, if it wanted to bring Town Centre back to life and deliver the change that Croydon communities needed.

·       Councillor Jason Cummings seconded the motion and reserved his right to speak

Councillor Elilly Ponnuthurai spoke in support of the motion and argued that:

·       The Bid had identified air pollution and crime as barriers to a prosperous borough and had outlined key four key objects objectives at its heart.

·       The first objective was economic growth for investors to have confidence in Croydon but more and more business businesses were leaving Croydon.

·       The second key objective was levelling up to include better quality of life outcomes but the quality of life outcomes Croydon’s young people was at an all, time low.

·       The third objective was to revitalize the Town Center and make it vibrant but there was no timeline to the talks with Westfield and though there been speculation of a company takeover yet there seemed to be no concrete alternative plan.

·       The final key objective was decarbonizing transport and adapting to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94/21