"Kitted out in a hard hat and hi-viz jacket, Perry explained: "When I came into office we had people living here in absolutely terrible conditions with damp and mould and it was famously across all our TV screens. "We're now in the process of demolishing the first block and we're delivering 225 new council homes. I think it really shows the transformation of Croydon.""
"As well as the council's "good" rating for children's services from Ofsted are signs, according to Perry, that the borough is doing better and he has called the government decision to bring in commissioners "unfair". "There seems to be different treatment for Labour and Conservative-controlled councils," he told BBC London. "[Labour-controlled] Warrington Council is in a worse position than Croydon right now, but they got envoys and here in Croydon we got commissioners despite the journey of improvement we've been on.""
Croydon's directly elected Conservative mayor Jason Perry criticized the government's decision to send commissioners into the debt-ridden council, suggesting political motivation ahead of next spring's local elections and calling instead for a partial bailout. Perry highlighted improvements such as the social housing regulator lifting a regulatory notice, an Ofsted "good" rating for children's services, demolition of a block at Regina Road, and delivery of 225 new council homes as evidence of progress. Local Labour politicians disputed Perry's characterisation and urged focus on securing a deal with government. The government said commissioners will provide a "short and sharp reset" to shift the council's recovery.
Read at www.bbc.com
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