Listening to residents is a top priority for me and I want to encourage local people to give their views on our budget plans for 2023/24.
I have been open about the fact that the council’s serious financial challenges mean we must make savings. We have put forward a range of proposals for doing this, but ultimately Croydon will need to become a smaller council that does less, so that it can do it well.
It is going to mean us stopping some services. So, it is important that we hear from you about the impact of any changes, as well as hear your views on what you think the council could change or stop doing. At a time of extremely limited choices, your feedback will inform our decisions when we set our budget in March next year. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey – it’s open now until 8 January.
While Croydon has some tough choices to make, I want to reassure you once again that our financial challenges won’t stop us being there for local people when they need us, delivering essential services and support. We’ve just announced our plans to distribute a further £3m of vital support for households in need this winter. This includes food vouchers for families who are struggling, in addition to free holiday clubs offering warm spaces, a hot meal and activities for children in receipt of free school meals over the Christmas break.
Tomorrow, 3 December, will be Small Business Saturday – an opportunity to ‘shop local’ and support our wonderful small businesses who are the backbone of our local economy and communities here in Croydon.
It was fantastic to see local rapper Still Shadey win Best Gospel Act at this year’s MOBO awards, in the same week that Olympian Donna Fraser was named Woman of the Year in the World Athletics Awards. Both are not only incredibly talented but have also demonstrated real commitment to making our society a better place – Still Shadey through his work with ReNA (Renew Addington) and Ment4, and Donna as a powerful advocate for gender equality and inclusion in sport.
At the end of last week it was also a great privilege to attend an event to celebrate our wonderful Croydon foster carers for all they do for our children and young people. They not only open their homes but also their hearts and provide real change and opportunity for our young people.
Whether you’re a foster carer, MOBO winner, Olympian, or unsung hero helping out in our community you are a source of immense pride to Croydon – thank you from us all.
Have a good weekend
Jason Perry
Executive Mayor of Croydon
