Today marks 100 days into my second term. Lots done. Lots more to do. We’ve launched Pothole Patrol, announced new playgrounds and outdoor gyms, stepped up zero-tolerance enforcement and driven forward major regeneration. Croydon’s on the up. Find out more here: jasonperry.uk/First100Days

Great to see Shirley Community Library and Hub becoming a real hive of activity at the heart of the local community. One of our four former libraries now operating as community bases, Shirley is going from strength to strength thanks to the fantastic work of Play Place Innov8 CIC and its dedicated volunteers. With 1,500 visitors a month, the hub offers everything from children’s activities and exercise classes to a popular Memory Café, live music and community events. I was also pleased to allocate £25,000 from the Pride in Place Impact Fund to provide new accessible toilet facilities. Rather than sell these buildings, I wanted to keep them at the heart of our communities, providing valued local services and activities, whilst enabling our nine remaining libraries to open six days a week. A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this such a success.

As Black History Month continues, it has been fantastic to celebrate some of the incredible talent and creativity we have here in Croydon. Ten years after filming her iconic Skwod music video in Surrey Street Market, Croydon-born MOBO Award-winning rapper Nadia Rose is giving local young people the opportunity to recreate it this weekend. I had the pleasure of meeting Nadia at the Rewind exhibition, and it is great to see her continuing to inspire the next generation. I also thoroughly enjoyed attending the opening of Church, an immersive theatre production at The Front Room in St George’s Walk. The production tells the story of how front rooms became places of worship for the Windrush generation when they first arrived in Britain, as many churches were closed to them. From music and theatre to celebrating our Caribbean heritage, Croydon has so much talent, creativity and culture to be proud of.

I welcome yesterday’s announcement that 92.8% of town centre businesses voted in favour of Croydon BID continuing for another five-year term. This strong result demonstrates a shared commitment to Croydon’s future and a business community united in wanting to see progress and positive change. Supporting local businesses, attracting investment and regenerating our town centre remain key priorities for me. Partnerships are vital to achieving this, and I look forward to continuing to work with Croydon BID to support businesses, drive investment and create a town centre where people want to live, work, visit and do business. Photo credit: Glenn Foster

At Full Council last night, I announced the dates and locations of our first three Community Collection Days, giving residents the opportunity to dispose of unwanted bulky household items. This was a commitment in my manifesto and 100-day plan to help tackle fly-tipping and keep Croydon clean. It was also one of the priorities raised at the first meeting of my Residents’ Associations Forum. I am delighted that, working in partnership with Veolia and three local Residents’ Associations - Spring Park (SPRA), The Elm Park Estate (TEPERA) and Tamworth Estate (TERA) - we are now putting that commitment into action. These pilot events will make it easier for residents to dispose of unwanted items responsibly, with a focus on reuse and recycling. If successful, I want to see Community Collection Days rolled out to more neighbourhoods across Croydon. This is about listening to residents, taking action and working together to make Croydon a cleaner borough we are proud to call home.

As part of my Croydon Means Business initiative, we are bringing local businesses without a permanent shopfront into Centrale Shopping Centre on Small Business Saturday, 5 December. We are giving 10 local entrepreneurs the chance to showcase their products, attract new customers and boost sales at our Christmas pop-up market. Croydon already has more small and medium-sized businesses than Birmingham or Manchester, and I want to build on that success by helping even more local businesses start, grow and thrive. This is a fantastic opportunity to test the high street, reach new customers and take that next step. There are just 10 spaces available, so do not miss out! 📅 Deadline: Friday 30 October 📧 Register your interest: [email protected]

Attracting investment and working with developers to unlock Croydon’s potential is a key part of my commitment to regenerating our borough. Earlier this week, I welcomed Ed Mayes and Nick Watson from Lendlease, alongside Alice Bramston from Opportunity London to Croydon, taking them on a tour of the town centre and Purley Way to showcase the exciting opportunities we have to offer. From major regeneration sites to new homes, jobs and opportunities for local people, Croydon has enormous potential. Building relationships with investors and developers is vital to turning that potential into reality. I hope this marks the beginning of a productive partnership and further investment in Croydon’s future.

Today I joined Cabinet colleagues for a tour of the fantastic new facilities at Cavendish House in Croydon’s South End Restaurant Quarter. From Wednesday 21 October, our Housing Needs service will be based here, with improved waiting areas, more private interview spaces and better facilities for families. This is the first step in our plans to bring more key Council services together under one roof, making it easier for residents to find the help and support they need in one place. It’s about making better use of our buildings and resources whilst improving services for Croydon residents.

Last night at Cabinet we approved a consultation on renewing the Thornton Heath Public Spaces Protection Order for a further three years. Our existing PSPOs in Thornton Heath and the town centre give our enforcement teams extra powers to tackle anti-social behaviour, and I want to build on that progress. We also approved consultation on introducing PSPOs in Crystal Palace, Norbury, Addiscombe, Purley, Coulsdon, Selsdon, New Addington and South Norwood, as well as across our parks and open spaces. Alongside visible Parkguard patrols, these proposed new powers would help us tackle anti-social behaviour wherever it occurs - whether on our streets or in our parks - making our public spaces safer and more welcoming for everyone. It is all part of my zero-tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour, helping residents and communities reclaim their public spaces and restore pride in Croydon. Take part in the Thornton Heath consultation here 👉 tinyurl.com/yzncmn3w

🎥There is simply no justification for the Mayor of London’s plans to build 5,600 homes on Croydon’s Green Belt when we have sufficient brownfield opportunities to meet our housing targets. We will not sacrifice Croydon’s precious Green Belt. Have your say on the London Plan before 5pm tomorrow, Thursday 15 October. 👉 consult.london.gov.uk/london…

Good to see representatives from Croydon’s Residents’ Associations and Friends of Parks Groups at last night’s briefing to discuss the London Plan, Croydon’s Local Plan and the Government’s new National Scheme of Delegation. From 1 November, new Government rules will remove important rights for residents and councillors to refer planning applications to committee, including HMOs and smaller developments. This terrible piece of legislation and flies in the face of the Government’s talk of devolution. Meanwhile, the Mayor of London is proposing 5,600 homes on Croydon’s greenfield land, including our precious Green Belt around New Addington and Coulsdon. There is simply no justification for this and we will NOT sacrifice our Green Belt when we have sufficient brownfield opportunities. We know our borough best, and we will fight to protect its future. Have your say on the draft London Plan by 5pm Thursday 15 October. consult.london.gov.uk/london…

🎉Happy 10th Birthday to @BoxparkCroydon Since opening in October 2016, BOXPARK has become a much-loved part of our town centre, welcoming more than 1.3 million visitors every year. From fantastic street food and live music to Crystal Palace match screenings and community events, including the I Love Croydon event earlier this year, BOXPARK has been bringing people together for a decade whilst supporting more than 150 small businesses. As part of the celebrations there is a free family event on Saturday 31 October, with live music and entertainment. 🎟️ Get your free tickets here 👉 tinyurl.com/brauftm6

Fantastic to see plans progressing for Rocket Padel’s new venue next to East Croydon station. The development will transform the long-vacant former Royal Mail delivery office site, with nine padel courts, a café, bar and flexible social spaces. Another welcome investment in Croydon and a great example of the confidence businesses are showing in our borough. Looking forward to seeing it open in 2027! cityam.com/rocket-padel-rais…

Pleased to see action being taken against Croydon businesses employing illegal workers. We have zero tolerance for those who break the law, exploit vulnerable people and undercut honest businesses. Those responsible are not welcome in Croydon. I fully support tough enforcement. yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news…

Restoring pride in Croydon means helping residents get on in life. Proposals for CALAT aim to improve learning opportunities, with the Council retaining oversight. Cabinet will consider consultation next week. We’ll listen before any final decision. jasonperry.uk/news/mayor-jas…

Good to see the long-awaited clearance of Hythe Road footpath in Thornton Heath under way. Our Grounds Maintenance team and Veolia have started removing overgrown vegetation and dumped rubbish. There’s more to do, but already a noticeable difference. Following intervention by our enforcement team, a neighbouring garden has also been cleared by the managing agent of discarded mattresses and waste that posed a potential fire risk. Once the footpath is fully cleared, we’ll be working to prevent further fly-tipping as part of my zero-tolerance approach to environmental crime. Thank you to everyone involved.