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RICHARD HOWARD FOR CROYDON MAYOR 2026

PRIORITIES
Finances
Croydon Council's finances remain in crisis. The Conservative Mayor inherited a mess from the previous Labour administration, however the situation has got worse under his control due to runaway spending on consultants and temporary staff.

We are now facing a budget deficit of £136m despite raising Council Tax by nearly 27% and slashing key council services. We need a different approach from someone who truly understands the finances and how to fix them.

Click here to see my plan to restore financial sustainability to Croydon.
Housing
Croydon’s planning system must deliver the homes we need, not just the profits developers want. That’s why I will change policy so that affordable housing is required on smaller developments of five homes or more, closing the loophole that lets developers cram nine flats onto sites without giving anything back. I will incentivise sustainable, community-backed development that delivers homes Croydon families can afford, not just luxury flats for investors.
Regeneration
The revival of Croydon Town Centre cannot wait for a Westfield that never arrives. I will deliver a new, realistic regeneration plan that brings independent retail, cultural venues, leisure opportunities, and new homes into the heart of Croydon, creating a thriving mixed-use centre where people want to live, work, and visit.

At the same time, I will support district centres across the borough—from Coulsdon to Norbury—to thrive with better public spaces, small business support, and infrastructure investment.
Communities
I will put power back in the hands of local people by devolving planning decisions and control of developer contributions to neighbourhood forums and town and parish councils.

Local communities, not distant council offices, should decide what kind of developments are right for their area—and they should keep the money that developers pay to improve local infrastructure.

This will allow each neighbourhood to drive regeneration on its own terms, creating vibrant district centres and renewed high streets that reflect the needs and aspirations of local people.
Transport
Croydon has the best-connected transport hub in South London—now we must use it to bring people into Croydon, not just take them away. I will harness our rail, tram, and bus links to make Croydon a destination for shopping, working, dining, and entertainment.

By building on Croydon’s cultural heritage in music and the arts, we will grow a vibrant creative scene and night-time economy that draws people in and gives our borough the buzz and energy it deserves.
Environment
My vision is for Croydon to be an outstanding place to live, work, and play. That means ensuring sustainable growth comes with the infrastructure, green spaces, and transport that people need; protecting and improving our parks and public spaces; creating safer streets with community-led policing; and driving forward climate-friendly policies that secure a greener, healthier Croydon for future generations.
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