This week in Merton:

Council Committee Flags Concerns Over Internal Controls and Governance

The Merton Council Governance Standards and Audit Committee met this week, raising concerns about the council's internal controls and governance arrangements. The committee reviewed the Internal Audit Annual Report, which highlighted areas needing improvement, including procurement cards, agency contracts, and cyber governance.

• The Stakes: Weak internal controls can lead to financial mismanagement, fraud, and non-compliance with regulations, potentially impacting the delivery of essential services to residents.
• Key Findings: The Internal Audit Annual Report revealed that while 81% of assurance work resulted in a positive audit opinion, there were still 15 priority 1 actions outstanding from a total of 202 recommended improvement actions.
• Specific Concerns: The report pointed to issues with procurement card usage, approval processes for agency workers, and the retention of documentation for grants to voluntary groups.
• Cybersecurity: The committee emphasized the need for a robust incident response process and regular incident response scenarios to protect the council's data and systems.
• Transition to Adult Care: The report also highlighted the importance of ensuring meaningful transition planning for young people with Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans¹ as they move from children's to adult care and support.

The committee also reviewed the Annual Governance Statement, which identified areas for improvement such as updating departmental schemes of management, responding to the climate emergency, and addressing financial pressures.

Councillor Martin Whelton, Chair of the Committee, introduced a report on changes to the constitution. The Deputy Monitoring Officer noted that the consultation group had reached general consensus on the changes to the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules and the Member/Officer Protocol, albeit an issue was raised after the meeting and all objections were referenced in the report.

Read more about the meeting

Electric Vehicle Strategy Prioritizes Residential Charging, Faces Scrutiny Over Cable Trials

The Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel discussed the draft Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Strategy 2025-2030, which aims to create a comprehensive, sustainable, affordable, and accessible charging network in Merton. The Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel report noted that the strategy was developed with consideration to a community engagement survey and recommendations from the EV task group.

• Focus on Residential Charging: The strategy prioritizes supporting the provision of slow to standard power (up to 7kW) residential charging infrastructure for residents without off-street parking.
• Sustainable Approach: The strategy emphasizes a sustainable approach that prioritizes walking, cycling, and public transport, ensuring that EV infrastructure does not compromise these objectives.
• Accessibility: The strategy aims to ensure that EV charging infrastructure is accessible to all residents, including those with disabilities.
• Cable Channel Trials: The panel discussed the council's decision not to run trials of cable channels or gullies, due to concerns about safety, liability, and maintenance costs. The report stated that the council will continue to monitor trials in other local authorities and may review this policy if further evidence and guidance is published.

The panel also received a progress update on the Sports Facilities Assessment and Playing Pitch Strategy, which aims to make Merton the Borough of Sport. The strategy provides a framework for the prioritisation, provision, and development of sports facilities across the public, private, and independent sectors.

Read more about the meeting

Scrutiny Panel Examines Crime and Policing, Leader's Priorities

The Overview and Scrutiny Commission met to discuss crime and policing in Merton, priorities and challenges for the year ahead, and the committee's work programme.

• Crime and Policing: The committee was scheduled to receive a report from the BCU Commander on crime and policing in Merton, with the intention of holding the BCU Commander to account on crime and disorder.
• Leader's Priorities: The committee was scheduled to hear from Councillor Ross Garrod, Leader of the Council, about the priorities and challenges for the year ahead. This was intended to help the panel understand current priorities in relation to their work programme.

Read more about the meeting

Upcoming Meetings

• Council on Wednesday 09 July 2025 will discuss changes to abortion law, youth mental health, and the council's capital programme. View the agenda

This week in Merton:

Council to Purchase Properties for Temporary Housing Amidst Rising Homelessness

Merton Council is set to expand its temporary accommodation portfolio by purchasing 27 properties, a move approved by the Cabinet using £7.1 million from the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF). ¹ This decision comes as the number of homeless households in Merton has doubled in the last two years, placing significant financial strain on the council.

• The Stakes: Councillor Andrew Judge, Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development, emphasized the council's legal duty under the Housing Act 1996 to provide suitable temporary accommodation.
• The Impact: The rising costs of temporary accommodation, which have surged from £1.9 million in 2022/23 to over £7.6 million in 2024/25, are putting a strain on the council's resources. Purchasing properties is seen as a more sustainable solution.
• A Human Perspective: Councillor Peter McCabe, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, supported the initiative, highlighting the importance of providing stability for children's education.
• Financial Details: The council will borrow £12.884 million to support the programme.

Read more about the decision

McDonald's Wimbledon Seeks 24/7 Licence, Faces Community Pushback

A licensing application from ILS Operations Limited, seeking to extend the opening hours of the McDonald's restaurant at 1-3 The Broadway, Wimbledon, to 24/7, is facing opposition from local residents. The Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to hear the application.

• The Proposal: The application requests permission for late-night refreshment from 23:00 to 05:00 every day for in-store access, takeaways, and deliveries.
• Community Concerns: Dick Bower, Chair of Friends of Wimbledon Town, has lodged an objection, citing concerns about crime, public safety, public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The group fears the extended hours could attract late-night drinkers and drug dealers, leading to increased noise, litter, and potential disturbances.
• Possible Conditions: The report pack includes possible conditions extracted from the application operating schedule, which could be included if the sub-committee decides to grant the application. These include displaying notices requesting patrons to respect local residents and leave the area quietly, and a condition relating to CCTV cameras.

Read the Licensing Sub-Committee agenda for 26 June 2025

Merton and Sutton Joint Cemetery Board Reviews Accounts and Governance

The Merton and Sutton Joint Cemetery Board (MSJCB) met to discuss the Merton and Sutton Joint Cemetery (MSJC)'s abstract of accounts and annual governance statement.

• Financial Performance: The cemetery reported a surplus of £254,111 for the year. Underspending on special projects, including bearer beams, front railings, and the toilet block, contributed significantly to this surplus.
• Governance Assurance: The board reviewed and agreed to the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2024/25, which assures stakeholders that MSJC business is conducted lawfully and ethically. The statement aligns with the seven principles of the CIPFA/SOLACE Framework Delivering Good Governance in Local Government (2016).
• Improvement Plan: The board also discussed an improvement plan for 2025-26, focusing on areas such as pandemic risk management, operational service delivery, and VAT claim entitlement.

Read the Merton and Sutton Joint Cemetery Board agenda for 24 June 2025

Other Matters

• Parks and Green Spaces: The Cabinet agreed to seek competitive tenders for a new grounds maintenance contract for parks and green spaces, commencing in November 2026. Read the Cabinet agenda for 23 June 2025
• Voluntary Sector Support: The Cabinet agreed to adopt interim strategies for the voluntary and community sector and volunteering for 2025-27, aiming to support the voluntary sector and encourage volunteering. Read the Cabinet agenda for 23 June 2025
• Financial Outturn: The Cabinet noted the financial outturn position for 2024/25, which showed a £2.5 million overspend, an improvement from the previously reported position. Read the Cabinet agenda for 23 June 2025
• Health and Wellbeing Board: The Health and Wellbeing Board discussed the Better Care Fund (BCF) plan for 2025/26, the ICB update, the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment, the Merton Story, and a review of the Health and Wellbeing Board's terms of reference. Read the Health and Wellbeing Board agenda for 24 June 2025
• Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel: The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel discussed updates on departmental activities, performance monitoring, and a review of the panel's work programme. Read the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel agenda for 25 June 2025
• Healthier Communities and Older People Overview and Scrutiny Panel: The Healthier Communities and Older People Overview and Scrutiny Panel discussed the panel's work programme, priorities for the cabinet member, and updates on local hospitals. Read the Healthier Communities and Older People Overview and Scrutiny Panel agenda for 26 June 2025
• Pensions Committee: The Pensions Committee reviewed the fund's performance, updates from the London CIV, and discussed the Merton Pension Fund's administration performance. Read the Pensions Committee agenda for 26 June 2025

Upcoming Meetings

• Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Tuesday 01 July 2025 will discuss a recommendation relating to Clarion, receive updates on the Sports Facilities Assessment and Playing Pitch Strategy, and review the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy. View the agenda
• Overview and Scrutiny Commission on Wednesday 02 July 2025. View the agenda
• Standards and General Purposes Committee on Thursday 03 July 2025. View the agenda
• Council on Wednesday 09 July 2025. View the agenda

This week in Merton:

Council Grapples with Rising Homelessness

Merton Council is facing a growing crisis in temporary accommodation, with the number of households needing support doubling in two years, from 350 in 2023 to 700 in 2025. The council is legally obliged under the Housing Act 1996 to provide suitable temporary accommodation to some homeless households. To address this, the Cabinet is scheduled to discuss a plan to purchase properties within the borough, using a £7.1 million grant from the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF). This would allow residents to maintain connections with their community.

The financial strain of temporary accommodation is significant, with costs rising from £1.9 million in 2022/23 to over £7.6 million in 2024/25. The Cabinet will consider delegating authority to the Executive Directors of Housing & Sustainable Development and Finance and Digital to acquire properties and manage the LAHF funding. They will also undertake a procurement exercise to secure managing agents and a repair and maintenance operator for the properties.

Read the Cabinet agenda for 23 June 2025

Street Names Project Sparks Debate

The Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations was scheduled to discuss the Merton Street Names Project, which has identified street names with links to the transatlantic slave trade. This has ignited national debates and local reflection. The council has launched an initial engagement and consultation, guided by an advisory group established in early 2024. The advisory group is now moving into the delivery phase, focusing on values, community engagement, and historical reflection.

Read the Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations agenda for 17 June 2025

Bowel Cancer Screening Rates Lagging Behind National Average

The Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations was also scheduled to discuss bowel cancer screening, with a presentation from Jennifer Murphy, Health Improvement Specialist from St George's University Hospital ¹. Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, but 54% of cases are preventable.

Merton's bowel cancer screening coverage is 65.4%, below the national average of 71.8%. The council aims to improve this by providing training to primary care and community organisations, sharing health promotion materials in multiple languages, and delivering community awareness sessions targeted at ethnic minority groups, East Merton, and Graveney.

Read the Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations agenda for 17 June 2025

Wimbledon House Demolition Sparks Resident Objections

The Development and Planning Applications Committee was scheduled to consider a planning application for the demolition of a house at 18 West Place, Wimbledon, SW19 4UJ and the erection of a new, larger dwelling. The planning officer recommended refusal.

The proposed two-storey house would include 4 bedrooms, a gym, a lift, study rooms, and a sky garden. The site is locally listed, adjoins a group of locally listed cottages, is within the Wimbledon West Conservation Area, and falls within an Archaeological Priority Area.

The council received 23 objections, including one from 28 residents of the Almshouses in Camp Road. Concerns included the impact on the character of the conservation area, the height and massing of the proposed dwelling, noise and light pollution, and the loss of trees.

Read the Development and Planning Applications Committee agenda for 19 June 2025

Other Matters

• Disability Forum: The Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations was scheduled to discuss the Merton Disability Forum, which aims to embed lived experience in council decision-making and champion equity and inclusive design. Read the Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations agenda for 17 June 2025
• Planning Appeals: The Development and Planning Applications Committee was scheduled to note recent planning appeal decisions, including the dismissal of an appeal against the refusal of a lawful development certificate for a house of multiple occupation at 56 New Barns Avenue, Mitcham CR4 1LF. Read the Development and Planning Applications Committee agenda for 19 June 2025
• Planning Enforcement: The Development and Planning Applications Committee was scheduled to review current planning enforcement cases, including untidy land notices served to properties at 1 Edenvale Road, Mitcham, CR4 2DP and 27 Wilton Crescent. Read the Development and Planning Applications Committee agenda for 19 June 2025

Upcoming Meetings

• Cabinet on Monday 23 June 2025 will discuss temporary accommodation, parks and green spaces, the voluntary sector, the council's financial outturn position, and a variation report relating to the Environmental Infrastructure Asset Management and Street Works Solution Contract. View the agenda
• Merton and Sutton Joint Cemetery Board on Tuesday 24 June 2025 will discuss the MSJCB's abstract of accounts for 2024-25, review the annual governance statement, and discuss client and contractor reports. View the agenda
• Health and Wellbeing Board on Tuesday 24 June 2025 will discuss an update from the Integrated Care Board (ICB) on planned restructures, a review of the Better Care Fund, discussion of the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment, an overview of the Merton Story, and a review of the Health and Wellbeing Board's terms of reference and strategy outcome monitoring. View the agenda
• Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Wednesday 25 June 2025 will discuss updates on departmental activities, performance monitoring, and a review of the panel's work programme. View the agenda
• Healthier Communities and Older People Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Thursday 26 June 2025 will discuss the panel's work programme, priorities for the cabinet member, and updates on local hospitals. View the agenda
• Licensing Sub-Committee on Thursday 26 June 2025 will consider a licensing application for the McDonald's restaurant at 1-3 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1PS. View the agenda
• Pensions Committee on Thursday 26 June 2025 will review the fund's performance, updates from the London CIV, and discuss the Merton Pension Fund's administration performance. View the agenda

This week, the Merton Council held several important meetings, with significant discussions and decisions impacting the community. Here's a summary of the key points and decisions made.

Pensions Committee - Thursday 27 June 2024

The Pensions Committee convened to review the performance of the Merton Pension Fund and scrutinise the audit plan for the coming year. The committee noted the content of both presentations.

Audit Planning

The committee received a presentation on the proposed audit plan for the Merton Pension Fund by the external auditor, BDO. This plan included a review of the fund's financial statements and an assessment of its risk management processes.

During the meeting, Councillor Simon McGrath raised concerns about the valuation of unlisted assets, referencing issues experienced by other funds, notably the Universities Superannuation Scheme. BDO clarified their approach, stating:

We have procedures to assess the valuation of illiquid assets, which is normally undertaken by an external valuer... We review the methodologies used by the valuer, challenge their assumptions, and assess the sensitivity of the valuation to changes in key assumptions.

This response highlights the rigorous process in place to ensure accurate valuation and risk management of the pension fund's assets.

Investment Performance

The committee also reviewed the investment performance of the Merton Pension Fund for the first quarter of 2024. The fund outperformed its benchmark, returning 2.2% against a target of 1.8%. This positive performance was primarily due to strong returns across various asset classes, particularly global equities.

Councillor John Dehaney enquired about the impact of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine on the Fund's investments. The fund manager responded:

The Fund has limited direct exposure to Russia and Ukraine. However, the conflict has had indirect impacts on global markets, particularly in the energy and commodity sectors.

This insight underscores the broader market implications of geopolitical events and their influence on investment strategies.

Cancelled Meetings

Two scheduled meetings were cancelled this week:

• Health and Wellbeing Board on Tuesday 25 June 2024.
• Wimbledon Community Forum on Wednesday 26 June 2024.

No further information was provided regarding these cancellations.

This concludes the summary of this week's council activities. For more detailed information, you can visit the respective meeting links provided above.