Croydon Council has at last set a date for a referendum for a Democratically Elected Mayor of Croydon (DEMOC).
Following pressure from central government to accept the referendum petition presented to the council last year, Croydon Council called an Extraordinary Council Meeting on February 8th. Councillors voted to hold a referendum on 7th October 2021. Should the referendum achieve a simple majority in favour of an elected mayor, an election will then be held on 5th May 2022. These dates are dependent on there being no further disruption due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Croydon Council Leader, Hamida Ali said, “Monday’s (Feb 8th) vote means Croydon residents will get to choose how their council is run later this year, and an October referendum means we have more time to make it as safe as possible given the continuing pandemic so as many local people as possible can have their say on this important issue. “
The tone of the current leader is far removed from the bullish and often confrontational style of her predecessor, Tony Newman, who stood down last year. Under Newman’s tenure, Croydon Council ran up debts of £1.5bn, in effect, making it bankrupt.
Why an elected mayor?
Dissatisfaction with the council’s leadership goes well beyond its financial mismanagement. The council has been strongly criticised by Kendra, local MP Chris Philp, and residents across the borough, for its approach to planning. Over 90% of contentious applications are approved. Kenley and its neighbouring wards have been particularly affected by these decisions.
The impetus for a democratically elected mayor is in part due to the perception that the council leadership ignores the concerns and wishes of its residents, particularly those in the south of the borough. A directly elected mayor would be chosen by the electorate, not the majority political party.
But the DEMOC campaign has only cleared its first hurdle – to have a referendum. The next will be to achieve a majority vote in that referendum. DEMOC campaigners will have to convince residents they need an elected mayor to restore democracy to the council. Only then can an election be held.
The DEMOC campaign relies on funds from residents. Kendra has already declared its support and has committed to make a financial contribution. Adequate funding will be key to DEMOC’s success and members are urged to make their own contribution.
More at DEMOC.org.uk