Croydon residents, businesses and partners are being invited to give their views on the council’s budget proposals for 2024/25.
A short online survey is available for six weeks until 19 December – read more and take part here. Residents who cannot access the survey online or would like help filling out the survey can call the council on 020 8726 6000.
Among the questions: Is there anything that we currently spend money on that you think we shouldn’t, or anything that you think we could do differently?
From Croydon council: Croydon council provides hundreds of essential services for its communities, from protecting vulnerable children and caring for older adults, to bin collections, street cleaning and looking after leisure centres and libraries.
In 2024/25, Croydon are proposing a budget that will see the council spend around £400 million providing the services that people rely on, while making £31 million savings to get the council’s finances back on track. Croydon are also investing in transforming the way it provides services, so that the council become more efficient and provides value for money.
For 2024/25, Croydon is proposing a 2.99 per cent increase in council tax which, combined with the two pc the government expects all councils to raise for adult social care, makes a total increase of 4.99pc.
This works out to £1.73 a week for a Band D property and the proposed increase is in line with the government cap for all London boroughs. Croydon’s Executive Mayor Jason Perry (pictured above) has said he will not support any increase over the cap in 2024/25 or in future years.
Mayor Perry has said he wants to listen to local people before making any decisions on the council’s budget. The survey is an opportunity for them to share their priorities, their views on the budget proposals and any comments or ideas.
He says: “When I was elected in May 2022 I promised I would fix the council’s finances, get Croydon back on track and restore pride in our borough. “The government have said we are making strong progress and are heading in the right direction.
“The council’s budget proposals for next year build on this progress, with £31 million of efficiencies to help the council live within its means and provide residents with value for money. “Our plans set out how we will achieve these necessary savings, while continuing to provide hundreds of everyday services for our local residents.
“The scale of Croydon’s financial challenges – in particular the levels of debt I inherited – mean that there are difficult choices. “Put simply, Croydon has to make savings if we are to become sustainable.
“Before we make any decisions I want to listen to local people, to understand their priorities and any comments or ideas on the council’s proposals. “Please get involved today.”
The survey also gives residents a raft of council finance documents to peruse:
The council will set its budget and council tax levels at a meeting of the Full Council in March. We have put together some proposals and before we make any decisions, we want to hear what you think. You can read about them and the council’s financial situation in the medium-term financial strategy – here (External link).
- MTFS Report Final, item 7.
PDF 221 KB - Appendix A = MTFS Summary, item 7. PDF 42 KB
- App B – Growth and Savings – FINAL COPY, item 7. PDF 219 KB
- Appendix B1 – Details on new savings and growth proposals, item 7. PDF 228 KB
- App C – 2024-28 Government Grants and Funding Forecast, item 7. PDF 377 KB
- Appendix D – Business Rates Forecast, item 7. PDF 369 KB
- App E – Budget Setting Timetable, item 7. PDF 211 KB
- App F – Unfunded Burdens, item 7. PDF 112 KB
- App G – Best and Worst, item 7. PDF 142 KB
- Appendix H – Transformation Projects, item 7. PDF 234 KB
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…and on Croydon town centre’s future
Everyone who lives, works, studies and visits Croydon is being asked to get involved and share their ideas to help shape the sustainable future regeneration of the North End Quarter and wider town centre.
A new Urban Room, in a digital space and a physical place in Croydon, will host conversations, exhibitions and events, encouraging residents to give their views and get involved.
A Croydon council spokesperson says: “Their ideas will help to shape a plan to steer the town centre’s recovery in line with what people want and restore a sense of local pride.
“Residents, businesses, developers and visitors are encouraged to have their say, ask questions and join activities through the online Croydon Urban Room, on Instagram, and by visiting the shop in the Whitgift Centre when it opens later this year.
“The council are working with partners, such as the Croydon Partnership (CLP), to create the new vision for the town centre. The programme is part of the council’s Growth Zone – a partnership between Croydon Council, the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) – to support sustainable growth in the town centre and projects to deliver regeneration.
Executive Mayor of Croydon Jason Perry says: “While we want the town to be a vibrant shopping destination and workplace for the many businesses here, Croydon’s offer needs to be more than just shopping and offices, it also needs restaurants, cultural and entertainment venues, education and housing, to offer a unique experience for locals and to draw visitors in.
“It is vital that residents, businesses and visitors are listened to and involved in developing plans for the area and I’d encourage all to get involved – there’s never been a more important time for us all to get behind our town centre.” (Sources: Croydon.gov press releases)
NEWS FROM CRYSTAL PALACE 