With our young people heading back to school, college and training following the summer holidays, I hope everyone enjoyed their time off and is feeling ready for a new academic year. We had some great results over the past fortnight and you can all be proud of your achievements.
I know that the summer can however be a tough time for some families, with extra financial pressures when they are already feeling the squeeze. I was pleased the council was able to support 63 summer holiday clubs across Croydon this year, providing free activities and healthy meals for thousands of children.
I had the pleasure of visiting a number of our school holiday offerings and was very impressed by the work being done by the staff and volunteers, and the positive impact it was having on so many young people’s lives. My thanks go out to everyone working hard in our community to support our young people.
In South Norwood tomorrow, our regeneration team will be hosting a stall at the Clock Tower Market, unveiling new plans to boost and revitalise the local town centre. The council will be displaying community-led designs for improvements on the High Street, Station Road and Portland Road, including new lighting, murals, and signage, plus plans to support the market’s continued growth. If you are in the area, pop by and give your feedback on which designs you think will have most impact on the high street.
Finally, it was a privilege to join the congregation at Christ Church earlier this week as the parish marked 170 years at the heart of Broad Green. The celebratory sermon highlighted how faith, hope and love had seen this diverse community through both good times and bad. It is exactly that spirit, that epitomises all that is great about our borough.
Have a good weekend.
Jason Perry
Executive Mayor of Croydon
