Today (May 7), Croydon residents have two important choices to make, unique to few London boroughs. Voters in London’s most populous borough will elect 70 new local councillors to form the council, alongside an Executive Mayor to lead it.
Since 2022, Croydon Council has been led by a slight Conservative majority, with Mayor Jason Perry at the helm. This administration took over from the previous Labour leadership, whose tenure was marred by controversy over the financial handling.
Experts, however, anticipate the upcoming election will remain a two-party race between the Conservatives and Labour. Professor Tony Travers, of the London School of Economics, previously shared his predictions with the BBC.
“It could well be that the Conservative mayor, by bringing together the centre-right vote, holds on, but the council looks as if it will split with four or five parties winning seats. So it will be very ‘no overall control’ indeed,” he said.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and local mayoral candidate Jason Perry
PA
All major parties are standing across Croydon’s 28 wards, with 210 candidates in total. Smaller parties are also represented, including the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, the Equality Party, the Workers Party of Britain, and Your Party.
The Taking the Initiative micro-party will also field 14 candidates in Croydon, having previously stood in the 2022 elections. Only two independents are standing across the borough: Graham Mitchell in Bensham Manor and Michael Castle in New Addington North.
A total of eight candidates are standing in Croydon’s Executive Mayor election on May 7, including the incumbent Jason Perry.
Here is a full breakdown of the manifesto promises being made by the major parties running candidates in Croydon:
Finalise and secure a deal on Croydon’s historic debt
Streets (Safety & Cleanliness)
Enforce zero tolerance on: Fly-tipping, antisocial behaviour, and crimeContinue investing in enforcement and neighbourhood servicesExtend recycling centre hoursReintroduce free “rolling rubbish” collectionsMaintain graffiti removal teamsContinue grass cutting and improve wildflower meadowsContinue town centre “Blitz Cleans”Push Westfield developers to speed up regeneration of Whitgift and CentraleSupport: New shops and leisure spaces and independent businessesImprove shopfrontsIncrease footfall in district centresTackle empty shopsOffer: Shopfront improvement grants and targeted business rate reliefOppose new LTNsConsult on removing 20mph limits where residents do not support themIntroduce “pothole hunters” to identify and fix potholesAllow black cabs access to health school streetsOpen each year: 4 playgrounds and 4 outdoor gymsImprove parks: Paths, lighting, facilitiesOpen cafés in: Waddon Ponds, Addiscombe Recreation Ground and Queen’s GardensDeliver a new local plan for “appropriate development”Complete consultation on new conservation areasOppose building on the green beltEncourage housing for all life stagesContinue housing regeneration at sites like Regina RoadImprove housing standardsIntroduce targeted landlord licensingPrioritise housing for veteransMove more support services into librariesImprove adult and children’s servicesUse AI to reduce staff paperworkSupport: Purley Pool project, Coulsdon Medical CentreSupport: Live facial recognition in the town centre and more CCTVProvide more activities for young peopleSupport park guard officersUse GPS tagging for repeat shopliftersSecure external investmentCap council tax increases at 5%Address council debt with commissionersSupport the cost of living through a co-operative food storeConsider planning changes to speed up development: Local Development Orders to fast track certain types of development and reducing Section 106 requirements to speed up building processSeek external funding for projects (e.g. Westfield)Enforce action on stalled building sitesIntroduce: High street auctions for vacant shops and compulsory Purchase Orders where neededBring investors consortium together for development in town centreCreate “Croydon Way” accesible walking route linking historic sitesImprove: Signage, paving and public artOffer business rate relief for start-upsMake it easier to open pop-up shopsFocus training on: Social workers, train drivers, chefs, creative and digital industriesCreate “Croydon Baccalaureate” with 45-day placementsHold more job fairs for under-30sIntroduce a “ready for work” certificateCampaign to restore pre-COVID rail servicesAddress the Croydon rail bottleneck around East Croydon and Selhurst TriangleLobby for: Free bus travel for under-22s and extended train and tram links to Central LondonOpen East Croydon “Bridge to Nowhere” in the first year of taking officeIntroduce a Culture Pass, giving cheap access to local art spacesLaunch “Croydon Live” to promote eventsPush the Fairfield Halls operator to improve outputFocus on the root causes of crimeUse a “Housing First” approachExpand support services (drug, alcohol and mental health)Expand youth clubsReduce school exclusionsRequire Violence Against Women and Girls trainingDesign safer public spaces (lighting, visibility, road design)Improve noise pollution control by providing night officersOffer doorbell cameras to victims of domestic abuseImprove the Family Justice CentreRemove tenancies from domestic abuse perpetratorsCampaign to keep more police in CroydonUse Respect Orders for: Public drinking, drug use and shopliftingSupport live facial recognition (with safeguards for privacy and equality)Increase fines for fly-tippingSeize or crush vehicles of repeat offendersUse mobile CCTV at hotspotsClear fly-tipping quickly (within a 24-hour priority)Introduce free bulky waste “skip days”Bring 100 new bins to NorburyInclude free bulky waste collection in landlord licensingLaunch the “Alligator Scheme” (community funds for gates to prevent fly-tipping)Reintroduce free dog waste bags in parksTrial frequent and timed waste collections on problem high streetsContinue and expand blitz cleans and litter picksImprove green spaces (especially in the north)Support the climate action plan and carbon offset fundPromote community energyCreate the “Croydon Bloom” gardening competitionCreate a cross-country half marathonSupport festivals: Burger festival, Aviation festival and Croydon Punk festivalSupport: Purley Pool and a new BMX track in New AddingtonAddress Croydon Council’s financial crisisTackle the £136m budget deficitReduce reliance on consultants and temporary staffDeliver a plan to restore financial sustainabilityRequire affordable housing on developments of five homes or moreClose loopholes allowing small developments to avoid contributionsIncentivise: Sustainable development and community-supported housingFocus on homes affordable to local families rather than luxury flatsDeliver a regeneration plan not dependent on WestfieldBring into the town centre: Independent retail, cultural venues, leisure opportunities and new homesCreate a mixed-use centre for living, working and visitingSupport district centres with: Better public spaces, small business support and infrastructure investmentDevolve planning decisions to: Neighbourhood forums and town and parish councilsGive local communities control over developer contributionsAllow communities to: Decide appropriate local development and keep and spend developer funding locallyEnable neighbourhood-led regeneration and high street renewalHarness rail, tram and bus connections to attract people into the boroughSupport sustainable growth with: Infrastructure, green spaces and transportProtect and improve parks and public spacesCreate safer streets with community-led policingPromote climate-friendly policies for a greener, healthier boroughAddress Croydon’s financial crisis and £136m deficitReduce council debtCut wasteful spendingReview council contracts and spending (e.g. agency staff, consultants)Avoid investing council money in property developmentPrioritise basic services before new spendingCap senior staff pay (no one earning more than the Prime Minister)Publish details of staff earning over £100,000Redirect savings to reduce debt and interest payments
Crime & Antisocial Behaviour
Take a zero-tolerance approach to antisocial behaviourUse council powers (e.g. PSPOs, injunctions, Criminal Behaviour Orders)Improve crime prevention through: Better street lighting, cutting overgrowth and improving sight linesSupport police with enforcement of the lawBack the use of stop and searchTarget crime “hotspots”Maintain outreach for at-risk individualsIncrease police visibility and accountabilityFacilitate engagement between police and the publicSupport “sensible” development that works for residentsResist car-free developments where parking is neededPrioritise: Community space and local servicesRequire developers to meet residents’ needsIntroduce a town centre regeneration schemeEncourage redevelopment to improve the town centreProtect: Parks, ponds and natural spacesPush back against further cuts to key servicesMaintain services for elderly and vulnerable residentsOppose closure of community facilities (e.g. libraries)Focus on delivering core services effectivelySupport local NHS services by: Examining council support and holding NHS leadership accountableMaintain services while addressing financial issuesMaintain and protect green spacesEncourage biodiversityTackle fly-tipping by: Introducing heavier penalties, clearing waste quickly and installing CCTV in hotspots (with private sector support)Support economic growth by reducing restrictions on businessWelcome foreign investmentOppose taxes that discourage enterpriseWork with: Businesses, community groupsSupport growth on Croydon high streetsReview and remove unnecessary traffic restrictionsRelax parking restrictionsRemove 20mph limits and return to a 30mph defaultReview: One-way systems, bus lanes and cycle lanesFix potholes and improve road safetyIntroduce a lane rental scheme for roadworks to reduce disruptionConsult on the impact of ULEZ and seek changes to anti-driver policiesPreserve the character of local areasResist inappropriate developmentRestore civic pride across the boroughFocus on community, enterprise and efficient servicesCommit to ongoing policy development with local inputEmphasise transparency and accountability in council decision-makingPublish the Mayor’s diary for transparencyReduce special responsibility allowances for senior councillorsLink councillor pay to the average local salaryUse savings for participatory decision-making (e.g. citizens’ assemblies)Reduce spending on senior officers and consultantsRedirect funds to frontline staffIncrease the number of public council meetingsAllow more time for public questionsReinstate the Croydon Youth CouncilWork with other councils to lobby the Government on debt restrictionsProtect public assets from being soldReopen in-person and telephone council servicesExpand landlord licensing across all private rentalsEnforce safety and quality standardsIssue fines and Rent Repayment Orders to bad landlordsSupport renters’ unions and Right to Manage companiesMaximise the building of council homesSecure national funding to: Buy properties and retrofit homesBring all council homes up to the Decent Homes StandardCreate a public dashboard to track repairsRequire at least 50% affordable housing in new developmentsEmploy more empty homes officersBring vacant homes back into useSupport community-led housing (co-ops, land trusts)Adopt a “Housing First” approachEnd rough sleepingPhase out long-term temporary accommodationBring supported and sheltered housing in-housePublish a public contract registerBreak up large contracts so local businesses can bidBring agency roles in-houseReduce the use of external consultantsPrioritise local businesses over large chainsProtect community assets (pubs, theatres) from conversionInvest in local markets like Surrey StreetRequire local jobs and training via developer agreementsLink businesses with education providersSupport community enterprises managing local assetsCreate a new cultural quarter in the town centreBuild an accessible mid-sized performance spaceIncrease funding for murals and public artCreate a safe and inclusive night-lifeProtect pubs as community spacesEncourage late-opening cafés and social spacesStrengthen the Biodiversity StrategyProtect trees with Tree Preservation OrdersImprove local riversBan development on valued green spacesIntroduce a carbon budget alongside the financial budgetUse developer carbon offset funds for climate actionProvide carbon literacy training for council staffProtect green spaces from developmentPrioritise refurbishment over demolitionRequire food waste recycling in private blocksImprove building safetyFund resident-led “Green Streets” projectsPhase out harmful pesticidesExpand allotments and food-growing networksTackle fly-tipping through: Awareness campaigns and holding landowners accountableIncrease the number of binsRestore free bulky waste collection daysIntroduce a Workplace Parking Levy (for commuters)Use funds for school crossing staffInvest in long-term road resurfacingPursue “Vision Zero” (eliminate road deaths)Support trade unionsImprove workers’ rightsCreate forums for staff to communicate with the MayorReplace the mayoral system with a committee modelDivest the pension fund from weaponsStop using bailiffs for council tax collectionUse early intervention for debt supportChallenge the Government for fairer fundingAdvocate for a wealth tax instead of raising council taxCreate a new SEND Information and Advice ServiceExpand local education provisionEnsure EHCPs are properly deliveredIncrease investment in youth servicesDesign services with young peopleImprove support for carersKeep children in care within the boroughReview cremation and burial services to reflect diverse needsSupport voluntary and community organisations by:Helping them access funding and reducing bureaucracy
Taking the Initiative Party (TTIP)
Lower council tax by cutting wasteful spending without reducing vital servicesReform major council contracts to reduce waste and improve valuePublish accessible council budgetsIntroduce open accounting with independent financial oversightReduce parking restrictions, fines and costsSupport small businesses and start-ups through: Grants, fair rents and low-interest community loansRevive high streets through a “Buy Croydon” campaignReduce parking costs and restrictions to support businessesRequire large corporations and developments to provide: Local jobs, skills and opportunitiesCreate Youth Development Centres for: Mentoring, skills training and creative programmesEstablish a Youth Advisory CouncilProvide mental health support in schools and community hubsBuild new affordable homes using local firms to create jobsLaunch a borough-wide Housing Repair ProgrammeFix unsafe and neglected council homesPartner with ethical builders to deliver affordable housingProtect existing tenants from displacementUpgrade homes with: Insulation and solar panelsStrengthen community policingInstall more CCTV in high-crime areasIntroduce survivor-led initiatives to tackle violence against women and girlsFund early intervention and mentoring to prevent: Knife crime and antisocial behaviourImprove SEND support by: Increasing funding, supporting inclusive school strategies and supporting parents of excluded childrenOverhaul waste collection to reduce fly-tipping and missed collectionsRemove unnecessary roadblocks and LTNs while balancing safetyInvest in reliable public transportProtect green spacesInstall solar lighting and renewable energy in public buildings
Health & Community Engagement
Work with the NHS to improve access for marginalised groupsEnsure culturally informed healthcare servicesLaunch public health campaigns on: Nutrition, mental health and early detectionIncrease resident involvement through: Digital consultations, focus groups and town hallsEstablish a Windrush Support Service with local partnersProvide free help with: Applications and document recoveryCampaign for: Higher compensation and faster processingRecognise impacts on “barrel children”Provide support for: Mental health, delayed benefits and citizenship documentationRequire large businesses and developers to contribute at least 1% of local profits to a Croydon Community FundDistribute funds through a transparent, community-led panelFund: Youth programmes, small businesses, grassroots organisations and public space improvements