The 7th October's vote may or may not change how Croydon is governed from the top down, through a Mayoral or Cabinet system. But irrespective of which way the vote goes, Croydon has already started on a journey that will deliver social change from the bottom up, with local communities in the driving seat.

Steve Reed, our local MP and Shadow Minister for Communities, has tracked us on this journey. His interest is in how we empower local people to take a lead, transforming the way plans are drawn up, decisions are made and services are commissioned.

On 5 November at Croydon College, Steve will introduce our plans for a Croydon Community Charter. Informed by our local work, the Charter will speak to nationwide conversations Steve has held with community groups taking frontline responsibility for putting post-pandemic recovery plans into practice.

Community action is at the heartbeat of our democracy and our leaders in local government, the NHS and the Police – including Council Leader Hamida Ali and Borough Commander Dave Stringer - with their fingers on the pulse of local partnership working, will join us on 5 November to explore how we in Croydon are recovering from the traumas of Covid19 and transforming, forever, the way we do business.

Book here.