Confusion reigns on the eve of publication of a council-funded report, after leader Tony Newman denied suggestions there had been a commitment made on one of the paper's key recommendations.

The final report of the Croydon Opportunity and Fairness Commission, published this evening, includes proposals to introduce a new "Employment Charter" in the borough that would reward employers paying the London Living Wage with a reduction in business rates.

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At a press briefing on Wednesday, commission chair Rt Revd Jonathan Clark told reporters that Croydon Council had "already committed to take up our recommendation about the employment charter", describing it as a "major change for poorer people living in the borough".

But speaking this afternoon, Coun Newman said the introduction of the charter was "not in set in stone".

He said: "We're looking very closely at the moment at the employment charter and I am sure we will be very supportive.

"The principle I absolutely support. It's going to lead to some exciting stuff - but it isn't signed off."

Mr Newman said that the implications of reducing business rates would have to be carefully scrutinised, to avoid a shortfall in council revenue.

But he did state there would be no possibility of a reduction in business rates for employers who did not pay the London Living Wage, currently £9.40 per hour.

Another tenet of the proposed employment charter would be a requirement for businesses to advertise vacancies through the council's existing job's brokerage scheme.

Revd Clark said: "This will be to their advantage - they will find better, more committed, more qualified candidates if they use this."

After learning of Coun Newman's comments this afternoon, commission support team member David Evans said: "There has been a concrete commitment to sign up to the principle of the employment charter, but nobody has sat down and signed in blood.

"What's in it and the precise levels [of business rate reductions] of course have to be thrashed out. If we gave the impression we could give some precise figures on that tonight, that is confusing. [But] there will be an employment charter."

Mr Evans said he hoped for further details of the charter to be confirmed in time for Croydon Council's next cabinet meeting in February.

Croydon Labour set aside £200,000 for the commission following its victory in the 2014 council election, although the budget was later reduced to £130,000.

Since it began work in January, more than 3,000 people in Croydon have contributed their views to the commission.

The commission published its interim report in October last year.

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