Social Value Ideas for Crawley Borough Council

22 homes approved at London Road

The committee approved a redevelopment at 48 London Road for 22 dwellings, with associated access, landscaping and parking, plus section 106 obligations and a late-stage viability review. Officers sai…

“This application relates to 48 London Road in Northgate. It's for the demolition of 48 London Road and the erection of 22 dwellings with associated ac…”

Housing decarbonisation rollout

The council confirmed a further wave of housing decarbonisation funding worth £5.735 million will be used in 2026 to improve insulation and heating systems for around 600 more homes, including flats i…

“I'm thoroughly delighted by the decision made at the cabinet meeting which in 2026 will see a further 600 homes benefit from the grant funding for wav…”

High demand for affordable housing

Members repeatedly cited thousands on the housing waiting list and the need for more council homes. This is a clear service pressure driving support for the Tilgate scheme and broader housing delivery…

“It will provide homes to local couples and small families who are currently waiting for suitable accommodation on our lists in our burough. We want an…”

Temporary accommodation cost pressure

Quarter 1 budget monitoring showed temporary accommodation remains the main unplanned cost pressure, with the council holding some of the highest ever numbers of households in temporary accommodation.…

“temporary accommodation continues to be the main area of service expenditure over which of course the council has no Direct Control I believe I'm corr…”

Approval of six affordable homes

The committee approved redevelopment of the former Tilgate Youth Centre site into six affordable flats. The decision supports housing supply, reuses a vacant brownfield site, and accepts the loss of t…

“The principle of residential development is considered acceptable with the proposal delivering six affordable homes in a sustainable location within t…”

Perryfield Road flats approved

The committee approved the conversion and rear extension at 5 Perryfield Road to create four affordable flats. Officers said the scheme was 100% affordable housing, met space standards and sustainabil…

“The development is 100% affordable housing. And so, overall, it's it is a slightly more intensive use of the site. We're up to 58 dwellings per hectar…”

Budget uses 2.99% council tax rise

The budget and council tax report proposes a 2.99% council tax increase for 2026/27, equivalent to a £75.17 rise for Band D. Officers said this is part of a balanced budget approach alongside increase…

“the balance budget as I said recommend council tax increase of uh 2.99% which represents a£75 pound 17.15 p rise for band D um which um which which uh…”

2025/26 budget and council tax

The council approved its 2025/26 budget, setting a 2.99% increase in Crawley’s council tax share and balancing the budget after major savings. The report says the council must find savings of around £…

“I will now move recommendation one on the 2025 2026 budget and council tax including the technical Amendment contained within the order paper on page …”

Treasury income outperforming

The council's investment income was £816,000 better than expected because of higher interest rates and larger balances, partly from capital slippage. Officers praised the internal treasury team and sa…

“the largest positive variation shair is is that we're $816,000 um better off I think on interests on investments and we we we anticipated um this is p…”

Accounts approved with fixes

Members agreed to approve the 2023/24 accounts and sign the letter of representation, with authority for minor non-material amendments delegated to officers. The committee also agreed the annual gover…

“all committee members have had the opportunity to speak is everyone happy for us to take one combined vote on the recommendations as set out on paragr…”

Support Armed Forces panel appointments

The commission ratified the membership of the Support for Armed Forces Scrutiny Panel and appointed the HASC representative. This is governance rather than procurement, but it confirms the scrutiny st…

“First, the support for the Armed Forces Scrutiny Panel that the commission agrees with the membership of the support for Armed Forces Scrutiny Panel w…”

Reappoint Independent Person

Council agreed to reappoint Peter Nicholson as an independent person for complaints/standards work, maintaining continuity of governance until the council ceases to exist. Members highlighted his 19 y…

“Peter Nicholson started as a member of our standards committee 19 years ago and has served as an independent person ever since, which is an incredible…”

Second consultation approved

The committee approved a combined motion covering the consultation findings, draft recommendations, second consultation, and the five principles. This authorises officers to proceed to the next stage …

“So if are councilors first of all happy to take a combined vote on the four. >> Yes. >> Wonderful. Thank you. Um secondly uh are you happy to second? …”