I hope you have all been enjoying the good weather and making the most of Croydon’s parks and green spaces this week. Getting these cleaned up and in better shape for summer is a priority, with council teams continuing to tackle the backlog in grass cutting and graffiti removal. We have increased the number of seasonal staff working on grass cutting – we are hoping to catch up on last year’s work by the end of the month and will then be returning to a regular six to eight-week-cycle, so please bear with us. We also want to start working with friends groups so that we can involve them in agreeing the grass cutting regime for their local parks and open spaces. I want our parks and public spaces to be clean, safe places for everyone to enjoy.
In my first cabinet meeting next week, I’ll be progressing some of my manifesto pledges, including a recommendation to scrap the planning guidance which I know has caused concern for many. This sends a clear message that Croydon wants to grow but in a way that protects our local character and benefits our local communities.
I am also taking forward another manifesto commitment, with the introduction of a Residents’ Charter that sets out the high standard of service I want our tenants and leaseholders to receive. I am grateful to the tenants and leaseholders who have helped to develop this important piece of work and hope to hear from many more before we finalise the charter. I will also be looking at plans for a new and improved housing repairs service – which I know from listening to tenants is much-needed. I look forward to working with our communities and partners as we look to the future – and ensure that we are providing homes people can be proud of and a service that treats them with respect.
Jason Perry
Executive Mayor of Croydon
