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🌞WEATHER
Croydon today: 16°C, sunny with light cloud building through the afternoon. A good day to be out and about.
📰MORNING PULSE
1. 22 Days to Go — Croydon's Most Important Election in Years
On Thursday 7 May 2026, Croydon residents will elect a new Mayor AND 70 ward councillors across all 28 wards. Conservative Mayor Jason Perry is seeking re-election, with Labour's Rowenna Davis and Lib Dem Richard Howard among the challengers. With the borough still carrying £1.4bn in debt, the stakes couldn't be higher. Who's on your ballot? Check whocanivotefor.co.uk for your ward.
Source: My London – Full Candidate List
2. "Croydon Has Effectively Lost a Decade" — Lib Dem Candidate
Richard Howard, the Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate and ex-army bomb disposal officer, has come out swinging — saying the borough's mismanagement has cost residents years of progress. His campaign centres on financial accountability and rebuilding trust in local government.
Source: London Now – Meet Richard Howard
3. Could Splintered Voting Hand It to Rowenna Davis?
Political analysts are watching Croydon closely. With votes potentially splitting across Labour, Conservatives, Greens, and Reform UK (standing in 25 of 28 wards), Labour's Rowenna Davis could benefit from a fragmented field. The race is genuinely wide open.
Source: Inside Croydon – Splintered Voting Analysis
4. Council Rushes £200k Finance Director Hire Before Elections
Croydon Council and government-appointed Commissioners are fast-tracking a new Section 151 finance officer at £200,000/year — plus a £30,000 "special occupational scarcity allowance" — during the pre-election purdah period. Critics say major hires shouldn't happen before a new administration is in place.
Source: Inside Croydon – Finance Director Hire
💛 WEDNESDAY FOCUS: POLITICS
Your Election Cheat Sheet — Thursday 7 May 2026
› What you're voting for: Mayor of Croydon + your local ward councillors (70 seats across 28 wards)
› Voter registration deadline: Sunday 19 April 2026 — check you're registered at gov.uk/register-to-vote
› Postal vote deadline: Monday 20 April 2026
› 8 mayoral candidates — full list at whocanivotefor.co.uk
› Tonight (Wed 15 April): South Croydon Action Day — meet outside Sainsbury's, 130 Addington Rd, Selsdon CR2 8LA at 6pm. Doorstep canvassing across South Croydon.
Source: Action Network – South Croydon Action Day
The big question: Will Croydon's financial crisis be the defining issue of this election — or will local ward issues dominate?
⚡ PULSE POINTS
› Voter registration closes Sunday 19 April 2026 — register here
› Postal vote deadline: Monday 20 April 2026
› SNCK Teatime Get Together — every Wednesday at Socco Cheta Community Hub
› River Revive at Norbury Brook, Thornton Heath Rec — Saturday 25 April 2026
› Croydon Pride 2026 confirmed at Boxpark — Saturday 15 August 2026, free entry
🚌 466 bus cuts — Caterham to Addington Village route reduced by TfL
🛣️ Road resurfacing list 2026/27 — check if your street is included
🎉 Croydon Pride 2026 — free event confirmed at BOXPARK, register now
🏘️ SNCK Community Forum — tomorrow (Wed April 15) at Socco Cheta, all welcome
🌿 River Revive at Norbury Brook — Sat April 25, Thornton Heath Rec
🧠 COMMUNITY KNOW-HOW
Croydon Means Business — Free Support for Local Entrepreneurs
Croydon Council's £500,000 initiative offers empty unit activation grants (£10k), shop improvement grants (£5k), business rates relief, and a free concierge service to help local businesses start and grow. No fees, no barriers.
Source: Croydon Council – Croydon Means Business
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💎 Hidden Local Gems
Croydon Minster, Old Town
Tucked away on the edge of Croydon's Old Town, the Minster dates back to at least AD 810 — one of the borough's most overlooked treasures. Free to visit, peaceful inside, and full of local history. Worth 20 minutes of your Wednesday.
Source: Inside Croydon – Croydon Heritage
🏪 LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
East Croydon Cool (@eastcroydoncool)
Not a shop — but one of Croydon's best community voices. East Croydon Cool has been championing independent businesses, local stories, and neighbourhood pride since 2016. Their "Raving Reporters" series celebrates what makes Croydon great. If you're not following them, you should be.
Source: East Croydon Cool – About
Croydon Local Pulse — keeping it local, keeping it real.
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