Croydon Council has approved new rules designed to make its meetings more efficient and inclusive, particularly in the lead-up to local elections. The changes, which were unanimously passed at a Council meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, aim to streamline discussions and provide greater opportunities for all councillors, especially backbenchers, to hold the Executive Mayor and Cabinet to account.
Key amendments to the Council Procedure Rules, detailed in the Proposed Changes to Council Procedure Rules, include modifications to petition requirements, speaking rights on public petitions, and a reduction in the number of speakers for debated reports. The overall aim of these changes is to make meetings sharper, more to the point, and give great opportunities for all councillors, and especially backbenchers, time to hold the Elected Mayor and Executive to account.
For the first time, public questions will be permitted at Budget and Council Tax setting meetings. This, alongside new speaking rights for the public on public petitions, is intended to enhance inclusivity. Extended time will also be allocated for councillors to question the Executive Mayor and Cabinet members at the final Council Tax meeting.
The report outlining these changes also noted that the rules would be updated to use more neutral language, moving away from specific party political references. This involves removing dimensions of political parties and replaces them with more neutral descriptions.
Councillor Sean Fitzsimons, Chair of the General Purposes Committee, commended the proposals, expressing hope that they would lead to more engaging council meetings.
Councillor Fitzsimons highlighted that the changes to petition requirements, referred to as signal requirements for petitions,
are intended to streamline discussions. Similarly, the reduction in the number of speakers for debated reports is also part of the effort to make meetings more focused and efficient.