Croydon Council is set to invest in upskilling its workforce in risk management, a move aimed at bolstering its ability to navigate financial challenges and improve service delivery. The decision was discussed at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 25 June 2025, where councillors considered recommendations arising from the Scrutiny & Overview Committee.
The upskilling initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the council's financial stability and improve its overall performance. This comes as the council grapples with significant financial pressures, including rising demand for services and the burden of historical debt. The council's Stabilisation Plan, a key focus of the meeting, outlines actions to manage demand, reduce costs, increase income, and improve productivity, with a target of £27.3 million in savings for 2025/26.
The Stabilisation Plan is a response to conditions set by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for Exceptional Financial Support (EFS). It acknowledges that the plan is not intended to replace the need for EFS or balance the overall Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) but aims to demonstrate the council's commitment to addressing its financial sustainability.
In addition to upskilling the workforce, the Cabinet also discussed a range of other issues, including scrutiny recommendations, a climate action plan, and a report from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. The meeting also covered the Family Hubs Model and Children's Centres, including the opening of the Samuel Coleridge Taylor Centre (SCTC), and considered a public consultation on realigning the current Children Centre Model into the Family Hub Locality Model.
The 2024-25 Period 10 Financial Performance Report forecasts a year-end overspend of £34.2m before mitigations, with demand-led services, particularly in housing, driving financial challenges. The council hopes that by investing in its workforce and implementing strategic plans, it can mitigate these challenges and deliver better services to residents.