Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 26^th February 2025 as an accurate record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26^th February 2025 were agreed as an accurate record.

Disclosure of Interests Members and co-opted Members of the Council are reminded that, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct and the statutory provisions of the Localism Act 2011, they are required to consider in advance of each meeting whether they have a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI), some other registrable interest (ORI) or a non-registrable interest (NRI) in relation to any matter on the agenda. If advice is needed, Members should contact the Monitoring Officer in good time before the meeting. If any Member or co-opted Member of the Council identifies a DPI or ORI which they have not already registered on the Council’s register of interests or which requires updating, they must urgently complete the disclosure form which can be obtained from Democratic Services at any time, copies of which will be available at the meeting for return to the Monitoring Officer.

Members and co-opted Members are required in general to disclose any relevant DPIs, ORIs or NRIs at the meeting –

• Where the matter relates to a DPI they may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must not stay in the room unless granted a dispensation.
• Where the matter directly relates to the financial interest or wellbeing of an ORI they may not vote on the matter unless granted a dispensation.
• Where a Member or co-opted Member has an NRI which directly relates to or affects their or a relevant person’s financial interest or wellbeing, whether they can participate in any discussion or vote on the matter or stay in the room depends on the detailed rules in paragraphs 7 of Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

The Chair will invite Members to make their disclosure of interests orally at the meeting and they will also be recorded in the minutes.

It was noted that the Monitoring Officer had granted a dispensation to all Members who would otherwise have been required to declare an interest in Item 11 – the Conservative Group Motion – thereby allowing them to participate in and vote on the matter. Members were reminded that any further declarations of interest should be made verbally prior to consideration of the relevant agenda item. No additional declarations were made.

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.

The Chair informed the Council that he had authorised the inclusion of a valid public petition as Item 7 on the agenda. The petition had been submitted before the deadline but had not been received due to the Council’s email filter. He noted that the petition had already been published as part of a supplementary agenda and would be debated prior to the Member's petition.

To receive announcements, if any, from the Civic Mayor, the Executive Mayor, Head of Paid Service and Returning Officer.

The Chair stated that, in the interest of conducting Council business efficiently, he was moving that paragraph 3.73 of the Council Procedure Rules be waived in relation to Item 8 – Independent Person: Audit and Governance Committee – Term Extension – in order to allow the recommendations to be put to a vote immediately during consideration of that item.

The motion was seconded by Councillor Luke Shortland and agreed.

The Chair then proceeded to update the Council on a series of successful events that had taken place since the last meeting and announced several forthcoming events:

Civic Events:

• VE Day was to be marked on Thursday 8 May 2025 with a flag raising and beacon lighting.

Flag Raisings:

• Solidarity with Ukraine was marked by flying the Ukrainian flag on Monday 24 February 2025 (no ceremony).
• St David’s Day was marked by a flag raising on Friday 28 February 2025.
• Ghanaian Independence Day was marked by a flag raising and reception on Thursday 6 March 2025.
• Commonwealth Day was marked by a flag raising on Monday 10 March 2025 (no ceremony).
• St Patrick’s Day was marked by a flag raising on Monday 17 March 2025.
• Bangladesh Independence Day was marked by a flag raising on Wednesday 24 March 2025.
• Autism Flag Raising was marked by a flag raising on Friday 4 April 2025.
• St George’s Day was to be marked by a flag raising on Wednesday 23 April 2025.
• Sierra Leone’s Independence Day was to be marked on Monday 28 April 2025.

Charity Events:

• The Gala Dinner was scheduled for Friday 25 April 2025 and was already sold out.

Mayoral Events:

• International Language Day took place on Tuesday 25 February 2025 in Braithwaite Hall.
• The Covid-19 Day of Reflection took place on Thursday 6 March 2025 in Braithwaite Hall.
• An Iftar Reception was held on Thursday 27 March 2025 in the Civic Mayor’s Reception Area.
• An Eid Reception was held on Monday 7 April 2025 in the Civic Mayor’s Reception Area.
• The Vaisakhi Day of Celebration was scheduled for Tuesday 15 April 2025 in Braithwaite Hall.
• The Tamil New Year Reception was scheduled for Thursday 17 April 2025 in the Civic Mayor’s Reception Area.
• The Easter Reception was scheduled for Thursday 1 May 2025 in the Civic Mayor’s Reception Area.
• The Civic Mayor Awards 2024–25 were scheduled for Tuesday 6 May 2025 in the Civic Mayor’s Reception Area.

Mayor Jason Perry during his announcements expressed his condolences regarding the recent tragic murder of Sarah Reynolds, noting that the incident had deeply shocked the community.

He extended thoughts and prayers to Sarah’s family and friends. He shared that a 57-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the murder, and that a police investigation was ongoing. As legal proceedings were now active, he emphasised that little could be said publicly at this stage.

There were no announcements from the Chief Executive.

Public Questions (30 minutes)

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

1. When can we expect detailed plans and a start date for the refurbishment and redevelopment of Ashburton Park?

2. Can Croydon Council build on its existing climate and health initiatives, such as the Croydon Food Flagship Programme, by endorsing the Plant-Based Treaty, joining 35 other councils worldwide, expanding public education campaigns, and exploring ways to increase the availability of plant-based options, in order to inspire other councils globally to take similar action?

3. Why is there continuing fly-tipping in hotspots in Croydon? Yes, I agree that it get cleared within 24 hours, however at the cost of our Croydon council tax which is not fair on taxpayers.

4. 16-11-24 - Question submitted for basic information on 10 key elements of Council finances – income, expenditure, debt and interest.

19-11-24 - Council said as the Question asked for detailed facts, it would be stated and written answer provided.

4-12-25 - One week before meeting, so too late to amend, the question was rejected, saying it should be answered under FOI.

The Council then refused to provide the information under FOI, claiming it would cost too much. Internal Review request is now a month overdue.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/croydon_council_finance_income_e

Please explain why basic information about council finances is simply not available, including how £1.5B debt has arisen.

5. When the council declared a climate and ecological emergency 6 years ago, it recognised the urgency of addressing climate change. Three years later a Carbon Neutral Action Plan was published but most tasks are out of date with no updates since. The enormous economic and social benefits of enacting climate resilience policies are well known. 2024 was the first year to pass 1.5C rise globally. Given all this, I respectfully request a clear explanation for continuous delays in publishing and implementing a Climate Action Plan, including a definitive timeline for which residents can expect publication and execution of the plan.

6. Croydon Community Energy works to deliver cheap clean energy to community buildings. As national policy progresses, we were keen to work with the council on our first share offer. Unfortunately, the Council was unwilling to facilitate this. Despite our proactive engagement and business plan, we were asked to pay thousands in rent for roof space, an unprecedented request for Community Energy organisations. We’ve raised over £120,000 - a massive win, but without Council support. How are the Council proposing to decarbonise schools without cost to taxpayers, if they won’t take advantage of CCE who can do it for free?

7. This question may be published later as a Supplementary Agenda.

8. On the proposed closure of the New Addington Youth Engagement team. Can you explain what consultation and engagement was conducted with New Addington residents, young people, and stakeholders before making the decision. How will the Council measure the impact of the closure and ensure that vulnerable young people in New Addington continue to receive support and services in their  ...  view the full agenda text for item 181/24

The Chair informed the Council that 11 questions had been received by the deadline, of which two were rejected for not meeting constitutional requirements. The remaining nine were accepted and included in the main and supplementary agendas. He added that any questions not answered due to time constraints would be published in the agenda and made available online.

Question 1: The questioner was unable to attend the meeting, and the Chair asked that the written response to the question published in the agenda be sent to the questioner by email and published in the minutes. 

Question 2: The questioner asked about Croydon Council endorsing the Plant-Based Treaty, joining global efforts to promote plant-based diets. Councillor Scott Roche responded that Croydon Council has been considering plant-based options as part of its climate action strategy. He elaborated on the Council's ongoing climate action efforts, including a food strategy and local biodiversity initiatives. The supplementary question emphasised the urgency of adopting plant-based food to mitigate climate change and urged the Council to lead by example. Councillor Roche acknowledged the importance of the issue and reiterated that while Croydon was exploring related areas in its climate action plan, the specific plant-based treaty pledges set by central government were not directly applicable to Croydon.

Question 3: The questioner asked about the ongoing issue of fly-tipping in Croydon and its costs to the taxpayer. He expressed frustration with the lack of control over fly-tipping, particularly in hotspots. Councillor Scott Roche addressed the question, explaining the measures in place to remove fly-tips swiftly, with improvements seen in removal times. He also highlighted a new proactive compliance team and penalty system being implemented to tackle offenders. The supplementary question expressed doubts about the effectiveness of these measures, noting that fly-tippers often avoid identification. Councillor Roche responded by providing statistics on the Council's fly-tipping enforcement actions and reiterated the importance of community collaboration in addressing the issue.

Question 4: The questioner raised concerns about the transparency of Croydon Council's finances, particularly regarding significant borrowing and the allocation of funds. Mayor Jason Perry explained that extensive financial information had already been provided online, including various financial reports and budgets. The supplementary question sought further clarification on how future borrowings would be used, specifically regarding housing and infrastructure investments. Mayor Perry responded that the borrowing would be directed towards improving housing standards, particularly for Croydon’s residents, and other local infrastructure projects.

Question 5: The questioner queried the continuous delays in the Council's climate action plan, which had been published in 2021 but lacked updates. She asked for a definitive timeline for when residents could expect the plan's execution. Councillor Scott Roche explained that the climate action plan was being revised and would be presented to the Cabinet in June. He also shared some of the actions taken so far, including energy-saving programs and the creation of permanent healthy neighbourhoods. Tracy Hague's supplementary question emphasised the need for a clearer explanation and timeline. Councillor Roche acknowledged the delays and invited further engagement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 181/24

For Members to debate the following Member Petitions:

1.    Can Croydon Council take urgent action to tackle road safety concerns near St David’s School on Woodcote Valley Road, Purley? This includes the implementation of a zebra crossing as well as consideration of other measures, including chicanes, new speed awareness signage, speed sensors for data collection and width restrictors.

At present, pupils, staff and parents of St David’s School do not feel safe crossing outside the school as a result of traffic. The location of the school fields also means that multiple classes must walk across each day. Sadly, injuries have already occurred and the current situation disincentivises active travel to school.

The existing traffic calming measures are insufficient and in the interest of road safety, we urge the Council to take swift and appropriate action.

2.     We are writing to present you with a petition from the residents of Waddon who desperately want to see Wandle Park café reopened for the community.

As you know, the park has been closed since the pandemic, which has been a great loss to local people. Its shuttered front is bleak, there is nowhere to rest, change a baby, go to the bathroom or buy a hot drink in the winter.

At the end of December, residents gathered to turn this round. They ran their own ‘Pop Up’ café in the park, decorating stalls outside the café with fairy lights and offering hot drinks and home-baked muffins to passers-by.

In just two hours, we managed to collect almost 100 signatures from people calling to have the park reopened, proving that there is wonderful demand for a local business there.

A café would provide sustenance and community to local people, particularly during our fantastic festivals in the summer, as well as a source of employment and business rates. Local police have also said they believe reopening the café would deter the anti-social behaviour that has been growing in the park.

We know you have committed to the café reopening this spring. But please understand this is hard to trust after years of being let down. We were originally told that the café would reopen – at the latest – in spring 2023. Delays, failed bids and poor communication have been our experience here. 

Residents were also disappointed to hear that, in the last bidding round you set up, only established café providers in the borough were allowed to bid to run the café. This has let down local people, many of whom had ideas for regenerating the café themselves.

It may be that experienced providers could win the contract, but not even giving local people the chance to have their bids considered and compared seems oddly unjust.

So, in presenting this petition, we have two requests:

1.  Keep your promise to open Wandle Park café this spring.

2.  Allow individuals and community groups to bid for contracts like these.

Thank you for your time and consideration for our treasured café in our beloved park.

PUBLIC PETITION

Ms. Rebecca Atterton presented a petition signed by 2,400 residents, urging the Council to halt any form of sale of Heathfield House and to hold meaningful community consultations regarding its future. She clarified that the petition opposed the sale or long-term lease of the house itself, not the surrounding gardens. She described the property’s historic value and deterioration due to years of vacancy and neglect. Ms. Atterton said her arts charity had submitted a fully costed, grant-funded proposal—requiring no Council expenditure—to repurpose the house for public benefit. She claimed the Council rejected this in favour of transferring the building to a private landlord and later listing a 125-year leasehold for sale, including surrounding land and disabled parking, contrary to ministerial advice against disposing of community heritage assets. She called for a transparent public consultation on the building’s future.

Mayor Jason Perry responded that Heathfield House remained in Council ownership and was not for sale. He acknowledged an erroneous online listing had caused confusion but confirmed it had been promptly removed. He emphasised the Council’s commitment to preserving heritage assets and explained the Council sought a long-term lease—not a sale—as a financially sustainable way to restore the building. He noted that Heathfield House was purchased by the Council, not gifted, and had previously served as a training and educational site. He said the building’s deterioration was due to vandalism and underuse, and affirmed that any lease would protect public access to the grounds.

Councillor Patricia Hay-Justice thanked the petitioner and praised the community effort behind the proposal. She criticised disregarding a viable, locally rooted plan in favour of offering opportunities to private, non-local actors. She expressed frustration that trusted local organisations had been overlooked, while private guardians were reportedly profiting from the site.

Councillor Robert Ward, representing the ward containing Heathfield House, confirmed its local value and reiterated that the property had been purchased by the Council. He noted the legal covenants were often misinterpreted and shared his own observations of the building before and after it was squatted. While some damage had occurred, he reported it was limited. He stressed the need for substantial investment, which the Council could not currently afford, and supported leasing as a way to retain public ownership while enabling restoration.

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Stuart King, commended the petitioners’ determination and criticised the lack of engagement with residents. He argued the issue reflected broader failures in transparency and accountability. He stated that he had written to the Minister, raising concerns over the handling of the building and calling for clear commitments to protect heritage assets and involve the public in decision-making.

In closing, Ms. Atterton reiterated that the petition addressed only the building itself, not the grounds. She criticised the inconsistent actions—ranging from rental listings to private agreements—despite available, fully funded community alternatives. She renewed her call for a transparent public consultation to clarify the building’s future.

In his final response, Mayor Perry reaffirmed that Heathfield House was not for sale  ...  view the full minutes text for item 182/24

To approve the extension of term for the Independent Member, Audit and Governance Committee.

The Chair moved the recommendations as contained in the report.

The motion was seconded by the Vice-Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee, Councillor Matt Griffiths.

The Council RESOLVED to:

1.    Support the recommendation of the Audit and Governance Committee for the tenure of David Clarke, as an independent co-opted non-voting member of the Audit and Governance Committee be extended for a further year; and,

2.    Agree that the tenure of David Clarke be extended for a further year and that said appointment be subject to standards of conduct which encompass the Nolan Principles.

To receive questions from Councillors.

Mayor Jason Perry used the first three minutes of this section to make announcements highlighting the following:

He stated that the Council had self-referred to the Regulator of Social Housing in 2021 following national coverage of poor housing conditions at Regina Road. Since then, the Council had invested £30 million in council homes, improved repair services, enhanced training, and begun regeneration work at Regina Road. The Regulator confirmed that the regulatory notice on Croydon Council would be removed effective 30 April, a milestone Perry attributed to staff, residents, and the Housing Improvement Board.

He further announced that Croydon Council had become the first in England to be awarded the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s (CIPD) “People Development Partner” status, recognising improvements in workforce development through investment in leadership, training, and diversity initiatives.

After the announcements, Mayor Jason Perry provided the following responses to Questions from Members:

1.    Waste Contract with Veolia:

Mayor Perry acknowledged the absence of a published road-sweeping schedule but stressed it would be available soon. He noted the previous Labour administration had no sweeping schedule and claimed the new contract was significantly enhanced, including night-time economy cleans, graffiti removal, and increased waste pickups. He attributed current issues to the early transition phase and blamed systemic problems on past mismanagement and budget cuts under Labour.

2.    Family Hubs:

Mayor Perry confirmed a second Family Hub would open in South Norwood, providing services such as early years support, mental health advice, infant feeding, and adolescent programmes, with a third hub planned. He acknowledged the central government funding for hubs ends in 2026 but stated a sustainability plan is being developed and would be presented to Cabinet.

3.    Facial Recognition Technology:

Mayor Perry supported permanent facial recognition in Croydon, citing over 200 arrests and claimed high accuracy. He refuted concerns about racial profiling and emphasised the technology only stores data on wanted individuals, with non-matches deleted instantly.

4.    Welfare Cuts:

Mayor Perry expressed concern about the impact of government cuts to welfare benefits, particularly for young residents. He said the Council was using grants like the Household Support Fund (despite recent reductions) to support those affected. He committed to providing data on local benefit claimants and noted the Council's effort to guide residents to available support through updated online resources and dedicated schemes.

5.    Council’s Financial Stabilisation Plan:

Mayor Perry confirmed that the plan required by the government’s Improvement and Assurance Panel was being finalised beyond the 31 March deadline. He emphasised the importance of ensuring the plan is sound and deliverable. The plan would focus on reducing service demand, increasing early intervention, and reducing temporary accommodation costs.

6.    Cabinet Governance:

Mayor Perry confirmed only one Cabinet meeting had been cancelled and reassured that Cabinet meetings would continue regularly to ensure transparency and good governance.

7.    Purley Blitz Clean Initiative:

Mayor Perry announced the Blitz Clean programme would soon reach Purley. Expected improvements include graffiti removal, gully and paving repairs, and railings repainting. The initiative also supports Purley’s entry  ...  view the full minutes text for item 184/24

To agree any in-year changes to appointments.

There were no announcements of changes to appointments by the Chief Whips of the various groups.

To debate the following motions submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rules:

Conservative Group Motion

This Council NOTES…

·       that retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses right across Croydon are seeing their business rates increase by a large amount. For example, one sushi restaurant’s business rates bill is rising from £1,871 to £4,491.

·       that business rates are set by the Government.

·       that the rise in Business Rates is happening at the same time as a rise in energy prices and Employer National Insurance rates.

This Council BELIEVES…

·       that our businesses are one of our greatest strengths, and vibrant district centres with diverse options for eating and shopping are vital to Croydon’s communities.

·       that more-than-doubling taxes on businesses will hurt Croydon’s district centres.

This Council RESOLVES…

·       that we oppose the Government’s rise in Business Rates at a time when local businesses and High Streets need support.

·       that Mayor Jason Perry has our support in lobbying for help from the Government for Croydon’s small businesses.

Labour Group Motion

This Council is embarrassed that under the Croydon Conservative administration, our town has become the fly tip capital of the UK.

This Council calls on the Executive Mayor to proactively deal with fly tipping through tougher enforcement and not simply clean up after those who dump rubbish on our streets.

The Council should:

1.    Resume the practice of confiscating and crushing of vehicles used for fly tipping.

2.    Publish on the council's website the number of fly tipping incidents each month.

3.    Publish the details of enforcement cases where the fly-tipper receives a fine, so residents can see whether fly-tippers are being held to account.

4.    Publish on the council’s website all street cleansing dates for residential roads so that residents know the dates their streets are due to be swept.

This council believes these measures will ensure that Croydon is no longer considered an easy place to fly tip. It will ensure that Croydon is a cleaner, safer, and healthier place for all Croydon residents and businesses.

It was noted that the accurate version of the Conservative Group Motion was as published in the agenda and on the Council website.

Conservative Group Motion

Mayor Jason Perry opened the debate, stating that business rate increases were devastating Croydon’s small businesses, citing a case where one sushi restaurant’s rates rose from £1,871 to £4,491. He emphasised that rates are set nationally, not by the Council, and criticised the removal of transitional relief and reduction of retail discounts. He called on members to support the motion and his campaign for reinstated support.

Councillor Chris Clark responded that the Labour Group would not support the motion as it was opportunistic. He said the previous government had 14 years to act but did not and highlighted the current 40% business rate relief and future reforms, including permanent lower rates and increased employment allowance.

Councillor Jeet Bains argued that Croydon’s businesses were facing compounded burdens from rate hikes, energy prices, and NI increases. She praised the Council’s lobbying efforts and criticised failure to support local enterprise.

Councillor Appu Srinivasan spoke as both a councillor and small business owner. He described the cumulative impact of Brexit, COVID-19, and unfavourable policies. He welcomed the recent reforms, including a fairer, permanent business rate system and low-interest loans for SMEs.

Mayor Perry exercised his right of last reply, highlighting worsening conditions for SMEs through tax increases and ending reliefs. He criticised the government’s lack of support for Croydon traders and urged members to show leadership by backing the motion.

The Motion was put to the vote and with 31 votes For, 32 Against, and 3 abstained it was declared LOST.

Labour Group Motion

Councillor Chris Herman introduced the motion, expressing shame that Croydon had become known as the UK’s fly-tipping capital. He said despite promises, the problem had worsened. The motion proposed enforcement measures including vehicle seizures, monthly fly-tip data publication, and public access to street sweeping schedules. He urged cross-party support.

Councillor Rowenna Davis seconded the motion and reserved her right to speak later.

Councillor Scott Roche opposed the motion, defending the Council’s recent efforts. and blamed cuts and poor contracts. Councillor Roche highlighted new enforcement teams, improved KPIs, and better waste management contracts stating progress was underway despite inherited financial challenges.

Councillor Rowenna Davis highlighted the failure to adequately address fly-tipping. Cited Croydon’s 35,000 fly-tipping cases compared to Islington’s 1,300, attributing the disparity to a lack of enforcement. She criticised the proposed deployment of only 4 officers for a borough of 400,000 residents as inadequate. Described repeated instances of ignored reports and highlighted resident frustration, citing examples such as persistent tipping on Pampersford Road. She argued that prioritises optics had been prioritised (e.g. “blitz cleans”) over sustainable action. She proposed exploring measures from other councils such as Southwark’s use of private firms and Wolverhampton’s naming-and-shaming approach.

Councillor Simon Fox acknowledged the seriousness of cleanliness issues but expressed concern over the hyperbole in the opposition motion, specifically rejecting the label of Croydon as the “fly-tipping capital  ...  view the full minutes text for item 186/24