The Merton Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee convened to discuss the borough's budget and business planning, receive an update on anti-social behaviour initiatives, and review its work programme. The meeting, held in Committee rooms C, D & E at the Merton Civic Centre, was open to the public.

Here's a summary of the key items on the agenda:

Budget and Business Planning

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Budget for 2026/27 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2026-30. Scrutiny panels were asked to consider draft savings proposals and equality impact assessments outlined in the report to the cabinet on 20 October 2025. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee was then expected to provide a response to the cabinet, scheduled to meet on 15 December 2025.

The report highlighted that the cabinet, at its meeting on 20 October 2025, agreed to new savings proposals for 2026/27 to 2029/30 and referred them to the Overview and Scrutiny panels and Commission for consideration. The cabinet also considered emerging draft Equalities Impact Assessments for each saving, where applicable, and referred them to the Overview and Scrutiny panels and Commission.

The report noted that it is a legal requirement that the council sets a balanced budget.

The report also included details of draft departmental savings proposals for 2026-30. For example, the Finance & Digital Department proposed savings of £2.03 million in 2026/27 through additional interest on revenue balances and miscellaneous savings in supplies and services. The Housing and Sustainable Development Department proposed savings of £239,000 in 2026/27 through reduced agency staff in building control, service restructure, local fee setting and increased income from rent reviews and lease renewals. The Environment, Civic Pride and Climate Department proposed savings of £550,000 in 2026/27 through fees and charges inflationary uplift. The Children, Lifelong Learning and Families Department proposed savings of £1.313 million in 2026/27 through participation and engagement, SEN transport efficiencies, joint commissioning, strategic redesign of services and education and early help services. The Adult Social Care, Integrated Care and Public Health Department proposed savings of £2 million in 2026/27 through maximising independence, using predictive technology, reviewing residents receiving Section 117 aftercare¹, streamlining financial assessment processes, transforming commissioning and empowering residents through self-directed support.

The report included a summary of Equalities Impact Assessments for the savings, with ratings for their potential impact.

ASB and Safer Streets Neighbourhood Wardens Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Safer Streets Neighbourhood Wardens team, launched in July 2025 to provide a visible and reassuring presence across all 20 wards in Merton. The wardens play a key role in tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB), supporting police, and working closely with the council's ASB Team.

The report noted that since launching, the wardens had delivered over 2346 community engagements, completed more than 1200 patrol hours, and undertaken 45+ joint patrols with police and partners. They had also carried out 158 Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO)² interventions and 18 formal enforcement actions.

The report also highlighted some examples of the team's positive community impact, including reducing ASB, building community trust, disrupting a drug deal, responding to a knife incident, supporting rough sleepers, and collaborating with businesses to address fly-posting and shopfront cleanliness.

The report recommended that the committee note the progress and effectiveness of the Safer Streets Neighbourhood Wardens Team and recognise the strong joint working between the wardens, the ASB Team, and the police. It also supported continued development and investment in the service beyond 2026.

Work Programme

The committee was expected to review its work programme for 2025/26 to ensure it was responding to issues of concern and requesting focused reports.

The proposed work programme included items such as:

• Questions to the Leader of the Council about priorities and challenges for the year ahead.

• A report from the BCU Commander on crime and policing in Merton.

• A workforce update.

• A report on the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion strategy.

• A review of the Member Survey results.

• A review of the Scrutiny Annual Report.

• Planning the Committees 2026/27 work programme.