Industry experts join Croydon’s Design Review Panel

Industry experts have been appointed to Croydon Council’s newly launched Design Review Panel.

The 31 members and four chairs are using their areas of expertise to advise the council on major planning proposals, capital projects, regeneration and development projects in the borough.

The matrix Standard is the Department for Education’s (DfE) standard for ensuring the delivery of high-quality information, advice and guidance.

It helps providers to improve their services by benchmarking against best practice and accredits those that meet the standard.

The matrix Standard, originally introduced in 2002, was revised for 2023 reflecting the evolving landscape of work and career development.

The BBE team is based in Erith High Street and works from other Bexley outreach locations.

Councillor Cafer Munur, Bexley’s Cabinet Member for Growth, said: “This is the first time that the BBE as a stand-alone service has been accredited by the DfE.

“We are delighted with the assessor’s report and the feedback we have received, which all highlights the brilliant work of the entire BBE team and the high standard that they work to.”

Roger Chapman, Head of the matrix Service for The Growth Company, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for BBE and I would like to congratulate the team on their success.

“We believe that at the heart of high-quality advice and support services are strong leadership, excellent service and a focus on continuous improvement, all underpinned by effective use of the resources available.

“The matrix Standard is designed to benchmark organisations against best practice in these areas. With their accreditation success, BBE is working to provide the best possible support to their clients.”

The assessor spoke to BBE clients, partners and staff and heard a detailed outline of how BBE helps Bexley residents into sustainable employment. BBE clients described feeling safe, happy and supported in their feedback.

The council’s employment services have continued to maintain the matrix Standard for many years. The former Resources plus received it prior to 2017 then again when the service was based at the LECB in 2020.

The panel was first formed in 2016 and has been refreshed to include members from different specialisms, while making sure it represents the Croydon community.

It is self-funded, with the cost being met by developers.

Through a rigorous selection process, the council appointed panellists with experience in planning, architecture, urban design, culture, landscape design, green infrastructure and placemaking.

They will meet regularly to review all major development schemes in Croydon, town centre regeneration proposals and Growth Zone and public realm improvement projects, providing impartial advice to the council.

The Design Review Panel will support these priorities by assessing proposals to make sure they enhance the unique character of Croydon’s communities, as part of Executive Mayor Jason Perry’s commitment to restoring pride in the borough.

Among the schemes the panel will be examining are planning applications for major development and regeneration projects, infrastructure and highways, parks, street furniture, public realm and public art projects.

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, said: “This revitalised and enhanced Design Review Panel will play a key role in making sure that major planning, public space, regeneration and development projects being proposed will vastly improve our town and district centres for residents and businesses, while protecting their character.

“We have selected a panel of experts with knowledge and experience from a broad range of disciplines who will be able to support planning application decisions, guide our plans and help our towns and districts to thrive.

“We welcome the new panel members and look forward to hearing their views.”