Croydon Mayor Jason Perry has declared gifts and hospitality received with an estimated value of up to £400, according to a report presented at the recent Ethics Committee meeting. The committee met to discuss the re-appointment of an independent person, member gifts and hospitality, ethical standards, complaints, and the committee's work programme.
The declarations, detailed in Appendix A of the Member Gifts and Hospitality Report, cover the period from 1 June 2025 to 4 November 2025. The report was part of the agenda at the Ethics Committee meeting on 12 November 2025. The declarations were made by members since 1 June 2025, as the Ethics Committee was scheduled to note these declarations at the meeting.
The Member Gifts and Hospitality Report reminds members of their obligations under the Members' Code of Conduct. Members must declare gifts and hospitality with an estimated value of at least £50, or multiple gifts and/or instances of hospitality with a cumulative value of £50 or more when received from a single donor within a rolling twelve-month period. Members must also register any significant gift or hospitality that they may have been offered but have refused to accept.
The report also states that Members do not accept gifts or hospitality, irrespective of estimated value, which could give rise to real or substantive personal gain or a reasonable suspicion of influence on their part to show favour from persons seeking to acquire, develop or do business with the local authority or from persons who may apply to the local authority for any permission, license or other significant advantage.
Councillor Ria Patel declared an orchid from the Tamworth Residents Association, valued at approximately £10, and a bracelet with a map of Palestine from a resident, valued at £2.
Mayor Jason Perry's declarations included a gift set from Be Different 365 Foundation (under £10), a VIP guest gift from Purley Mosque (estimated at £25), a guest ticket and dinner from Newtons LGC Awards (£350 - £400), a goody bag from Superdrug at Croydon Pride (under £10), a book and dinner from ISKCON South London (under £20), lunch for guests from Coco and Nut London (under £10), lunch for guests, an African print sash, 3 books and a frame from Goldcrest Ghana (£50 - £100), lunch for all guests from Norbury Baptist Church (under £10), 2 books from House of Judah Praise Ministries (£20), lunch from South East London Chamber (estimated at £50), and a bag, mug, stress ball, pad and pen from KAPS London (estimated at £10).
Councillor Lynne Hale declared dinner at Gatwick Region Delegation (under £50) and dinner at Wates Residential, hosted by Tim Wates (under £50).
Councillor Richard Chatterjee declared hospitality from the Mayor of Arnhem for the Civic Mayor & Civic Mayoress, arising from attendance at Arnhem for the 81st Anniversary Commemorations of Operation Market Garden. This included hotel accommodation (2 nights) valued at £425, transportation between Arnhem and sites visited estimated at £270, and refreshments in & around Arnhem estimated at £33, with an estimated total of £728.
The Ethics Committee was recommended to note the requirements on members with regards to declaring gifts and hospitality and to note the declarations made since 1 June 2025. The Re-appointment of an Independent Person Report states that the council is required to appoint at least one Independent Person, whose views must be sought before the council makes a decision on an allegation that it has decided to investigate. The Independent Person's views can also be sought by the authority at any other stage, or by a member or co-opted member against whom an allegation has been made.
The meeting was due to be held in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall. Members of the public were welcome to attend.
