Warning Croydon's 4.99% council tax rise 'not sustainable’ while funding secured to redevelop notorious South Norwood flats
Croydon Council has approved a 4.99 per cent council tax increase as part of its budget for the upcoming financial year. This increase, approved at a meeting on Wednesday (March 6), means council tax is at its highest-ever level for the borough. Ahead of voting on the budget Croydon Mayor Jason Perry also announced the council had secured a £53.8 million grant to redevelop the notorious Regina Road flats in South Norwood. Despite council-wide concerns around the viability of council tax, the Conservative Council thought it essential to include it to provide a balanced budget. It also forms part of the council’s plan to address the £1.4 billion of debt currently hanging over it. In his speech to the chamber, Mayor Jason Perry said: “Shockingly, we spend £62 million, equivalent to 11 pence in every pound servicing the £1.4 billion debt which was run up by the previous administration. It was their mismanagement, poor investments and overspends, which make it our third largest expenditur...