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Weekly updates

Merton pension fund exceeds £1bn, up £33m in a quarter

This week in Merton:

Pensions Committee - Wednesday 10 December 2025

The Merton Council Pensions Committee met on Wednesday 10 December 2025 to review the fund's performance, investment strategies, and administration. The committee noted the increase in the fund's total assets to £1.021 billion and reviewed the performance of various investment portfolios and managers. They also agreed the minutes of the previous meeting.

Quarterly Performance Review

The committee reviewed the Merton Pension Fund's performance for the quarter ending September 2025, as detailed in the Merton Pension Fund Performance Report - Sept 2025. The fund's total assets increased by £33 million during the quarter, reaching £1.021 billion.

The fund achieved an absolute return of +4.1%, outperforming its aggregate benchmark by 0.4% for the quarter. However, over longer periods of 12 months and 3 years, the fund's performance lagged behind its benchmark, with relative returns of -0.5% and -2.3% per annum, respectively. Despite this, the fund outperformed the actuarial target over 3 months, 12 months, and 3 years.

Global equities showed strong positive returns, driven by optimism regarding potential US interest rate cuts and easing trade tensions. Growth stocks, particularly in the technology sector, were significant contributors to this positive performance. Emerging Markets & Diversified Growth mandates had positive performance but were slightly below benchmark. Property and social impact investments delivered positive returns but underperformed their benchmarks. Infrastructure and private credit mandates had mixed performance, with Macquarie performing particularly well. The Multi Asset Credit fund with LCIV produced positive returns, outperforming its benchmark by 0.5%.

The Quarterly Performance Review also included an analysis and insights from Hymans Robertson, the fund's investment and performance consultants. According to Hymans Robertson's Q3 2025 Investment Monitoring Report, global equities gained 8.1% due to easing trade tensions, Q2 corporate earnings, AI momentum, resilient growth data and the Federal Reserve's first rate cut of the year. Emerging markets were buoyed by a weaker US dollar and a rebound in Chinese equities.

Most asset classes remained near their target weightings, with global equities being the most overweight class relative to its benchmark. Risk Management Framework (RMF)/Corporate Bonds are currently underweight (-5.5%), but officers are actively working to address this. Preliminary results of the 2025 strategy review were shared with the officers in November 2025.

Minutes of Previous Meetings

The committee approved the minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 September 2025.

Exclusion of the Public

The committee resolved to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the investment review update, the quarterly fund and investment managers performance review, and the pension administration performance report, as these items contained information exempt from disclosure under the Local Government Act 1972.1

Other Matters

The agenda for the meeting also included items such as future meeting dates, an investment review update, an update on pool engagement, and a review of pension administration performance. However, the details of these discussions are not available in the provided transcript, as they were held during the portion of the meeting from which the public was excluded.

Morden Community Forum - Tuesday 09 December 2025

The Morden Community Forum was cancelled.

Development and Planning Applications Committee - Thursday 11 December 2025

The Development and Planning Applications Committee was cancelled.

  1. The Local Government Act 1972 is legislation that defines the structure and functions of local authorities in England and Wales. Schedule 12A of the Act defines categories of information that can be exempt from public disclosure. ↩

Merton Council Consults on Social Care, Mental Health & More

This week in Merton:

Ethnic Minority Groups Consulted on Social Care and Mental Health

The Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations met this week to discuss key issues affecting Merton's diverse communities, including adult social care, mental health support, and the future of council services http://opencouncil.network/meetings/88191. The meeting aimed to gather feedback and ensure that the voices of ethnic minority groups are heard in the planning and delivery of council services.

Co-Producing Adult Social Care: A Fairer System?

The committee discussed the development of a co-production strategy for adult social care services, emphasizing partnership working between the council, service users, carers, and citizens.

  • The Goal: To create a system where professionals and citizens share power in planning, designing, and delivering support together.
  • Key Questions: Participants were asked to consider what matters most to them about adult social care, how the council can work together fairly, and what would help them feel confident in shaping services.
  • When Co-Production Isn't Best: The council acknowledged that co-production isn't always the right approach, suggesting that engagement, consultation, or informing may be more appropriate in certain situations.

The council plans to use the feedback gathered to draft a co-production strategy, which will then be shared with participants for further comment before being finalized. The Care Act 2014 specifically includes the concept of co-production in its statutory guidance, defining it as partnership working between people who draw on care and support, carers and citizens to improve public services.

Improving Mental Health Support for New Parents

The committee received an update on Merton Talking Therapies perinatal support, highlighting the importance of addressing mental health difficulties during pregnancy and the postnatal period.

  • The Need: Approximately 20% of mothers experience depression and/or anxiety during the perinatal period, which can have adverse outcomes for children and families.
  • Merton Talking Therapies Offers: A range of interventions, including Preparing for Parenthood (PfP), Emotional Wellbeing for New Parents Guided Self Help, and individual therapy for more severe cases.
  • Barriers to Access: The council identified barriers to referrals, such as time scarcity, stigma, and fear of social services involvement, and discussed ways to overcome these challenges.

Shaping the Future of Merton: The Big Conversation

The committee discussed the We Are Merton Big Conversation, a consultation aimed at gathering feedback from residents and those who work in Merton to shape future council services.

  • Key Questions: Participants were asked about changes in their local neighborhood, words to describe their neighborhood, and priorities for the council.
  • Wide Range of Priorities: A list of potential priorities was provided, including crime prevention, clean streets, affordable housing, and support for vulnerable adults.

The consultation, which runs until 5 January 2026, aims to ensure that the council's future plans reflect the needs and priorities of the community.

Other Matters

The Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations also met on Tuesday 02 December 2025, but no video was provided http://opencouncil.network/meetings/88186.

Upcoming Meetings

  • The Pensions Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 10 December 2025. View the agenda
  • The Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Monday 15 December 2025. View the agenda

Merton Faces Housing Crunch: Gasworks Plan Sparks Outrage

This week in Merton:

Mitcham Gasworks Development: No Affordable Homes?

A controversial planning application concerning the Mitcham Gasworks Site is set to be decided by the Development and Planning Applications Committee on 27 November 2025. The developer seeks to increase the number of homes from 579 to 626 but eliminate all affordable housing, sparking outrage from local groups.

Abject Abandonment of Social Housing

The original plan included 35% affordable housing, but the developer now claims it's not viable. This has led to strong criticism:

  • Mitcham Cricket Green Community and Heritage: Described the proposals as delivering absolutely no affordable homes and significantly poorer in design terms.
  • The Mitcham Society: Stated that approving the application would be the most abject abandonment of any principles on the provision of social housing.

The planning officer is recommending approval, subject to conditions and a Deed of Variation. This decision will test the council's commitment to affordable housing, especially given its own assessment that Merton requires at least 878 additional affordable homes per year.

View the agenda

Council Tackles Housing Crisis: Will It Be Enough?

Merton Council's Cabinet met on 24 November 2025 to discuss its response to the borough's growing housing crisis. With over 10,000 households on the Housing Register and a rising number in temporary accommodation (TA), the council is under pressure to act.

Key Decisions

The Cabinet approved measures including:

  • Becoming a stock-holding authority1 and re-establishing a Housing Revenue Account (HRA)2.
  • Allocating £500,000 to prepare for the HRA, aiming for it to be operational by 2027/28.
  • Acquiring properties for use as temporary accommodation, both within and outside the borough.
  • Proceeding with the development of 75 homes at Farm Road, Raleigh Gardens and Elm Nursery Car Park.

The number of households in TA has more than doubled since 2023, reaching 751 in September 2025, placing a significant strain on resources. These measures aim to alleviate the financial burden and provide better accommodation for residents in need.

View the agenda

Budget Cuts Loom: Children and Families Face Potential Impact

The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel met on 25 November 2025 to discuss draft savings proposals for 2026/27 to 2029/30. These proposals could affect a wide range of services for children, young people, and families.

Savings Proposals

The draft savings proposals include cuts to:

  • Education and Early Help services.
  • The SEN Transport Team, which provides transport for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The council faces a significant budget gap and claims to be committed to protecting vulnerable residents. However, these cuts could disproportionately impact those who rely on council services, particularly children with SEND and their families.

View the agenda

Safer Streets Wardens: Making a Difference?

The Overview and Scrutiny Commission met on 26 November 2025 and received an update on the Safer Streets Neighbourhood Wardens.

Visible Presence, Positive Impact

The report stated that since launching in July 2025, the wardens have:

  • Delivered over 2346 community engagements.
  • Completed more than 1200 patrol hours.
  • Undertaken 45+ joint patrols with police and partners.

The report highlighted examples of positive community impact, such as reducing ASB in Wimbledon High Street and supporting rough sleepers to access temporary accommodation. Referrals into drug and alcohol treatment also rose significantly, demonstrating the effectiveness of early intervention.

View the agenda

Other Matters

  • The South London Waste Partnership Joint Committee met on 26 November 2025, but no video was provided.
  • The Cabinet reviewed the financial position of the authority for period 6, noting a forecast £4.138m unfavourable variance, which was an improvement of £2.392m since period 3. View the agenda
  • The Cabinet approved the procurement approach for a new contract for the Main Service Provider of the Merton Adult Learning Service Delivery. View the agenda
  • The Cabinet noted the information in the report regarding the response to recommendations from the Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel, regarding Clarion Housing. View the agenda

Upcoming Meetings

  • The Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 02 December 2025. View the agenda
  • The Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 02 December 2025. View the agenda
  • The Pensions Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 10 December 2025. View the agenda
  • The Development and Planning Applications Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday 11 December 2025. View the agenda

  1. A stock holding authority is a local authority that owns and manages its own housing stock. ↩

  2. A Housing Revenue Account (HRA) is a local authority account that ring-fences income and expenditure on council housing. ↩

Mitcham Gasworks: No Affordable Homes? + Housing Crisis Response

This week in Merton:

Mitcham Gasworks Development Sparks Affordable Housing Row

Merton Council is facing criticism over a proposed development at the Mitcham Gasworks Site, where the developer is seeking to increase the number of homes from 579 to 626, but eliminate all affordable housing. The Development and Planning Applications Committee is scheduled to discuss the application on 27 November 2025, and the decision could have significant implications for affordable housing provision in the borough.

No Affordable Homes?

The original plan for the site included 35% affordable housing, but the developer now claims that delivering homes on the site is not viable with the inclusion of affordable homes. This has drawn strong criticism from local groups.

  • Mitcham Cricket Green Community and Heritage: The group commented with incredulity on the proposals, saying that the revised proposals would result in the largest new housing development in Mitcham for generations delivering absolutely no affordable homes under any definition of the term affordable , and that the proposals are also significantly poorer in design terms.
  • The Mitcham Society: The society said that they cannot support the application, nor can they see how it would be possible for Merton Council to approve it, as doing so would be the most abject abandonment of any principles on the provision of social housing within private schemes.

Council's Stance

The planning officer is recommending that the committee grants the variation of conditions, subject to any direction from the Mayor of London, standard conditions, and the completion of a Deed of Variation. The Deed of Variation would secure an updated carbon offset contribution and an updated Open Mosaic Habitat Contribution.

The council's decision on this application will be a key test of its commitment to providing affordable housing in the borough, especially in light of the council's corporate plan, Building a Better Merton Together 2023-26 , which sets out the council's ambition for the borough, with a key priority being the acceleration of the supply of affordable and sustainable homes. The report pack also mentions the council's Housing Delivery Strategy for 2022-2027, which considers the need for new homes and the mechanisms through which they can be delivered, with an emphasis on the need for new affordable housing. The report pack also refers to Merton's Strategic Housing Needs Assessment (SHNA), which found that Merton requires at least 878 additional affordable homes per annum from 2020 to 2038.

The council's decision will have a direct impact on the lives of those in need of affordable housing in Merton.

View the agenda

Council to Consider Housing Crisis Response

Merton Council's Cabinet is scheduled to discuss a report outlining the council's response to the housing crisis on 24 November 2025. With over 10,000 households on the Housing Register and a rising number of households in temporary accommodation, the council is under pressure to find solutions to the borough's housing shortage.

Key Proposals

The report pack says that the Cabinet will consider several recommendations, including:

  • Acquiring property for temporary accommodation
  • Becoming a stock holding authority1
  • Re-establishing a Housing Revenue Account (HRA)2
  • Exploring housing development opportunities on council land

The council's decision on these proposals will have a significant impact on the lives of those in need of affordable housing in Merton.

View the agenda

Budget Cuts Loom: How Will They Affect You?

Merton Council is facing a significant budget gap, and the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel and the Healthier Communities and Older People Overview and Scrutiny Panel met this week to discuss draft savings proposals for 2026/27 to 2029/30. These proposals could affect a wide range of services, from children's social care to adult social care.

Where Will the Axe Fall?

The draft savings proposals include cuts to:

  • Children, Lifelong Learning and Families: including Education and Early Help services, and the SEN Transport Team.
  • Adult Social Care, Integrated Care and Public Health: including Supported Living, and Section 117 aftercare3.
  • Environment, Civic Pride and Climate: including fees and charges inflationary uplift.

The council claims that it is committed to protecting vulnerable residents, but these cuts could have a disproportionate impact on those who rely on council services.

View the agenda View the agenda

Other Matters

  • The Council approved the Statement of Licensing Policy, which will be in effect from 2026 to 2031. The policy aims to balance the needs of residents and businesses while ensuring the responsible sale and consumption of alcohol. View the agenda
  • The Council considered motions regarding a women's health strategy, police station front desks, and a rape gang inquiry. View the agenda
  • The Design Review Panel discussed a pre-application for the land south of Britannia Point, site CW2, in Colliers Wood. View the agenda
  • The Council considered conferring the Honorary Freedom of the Borough to Allan Barley and Stephen Hammond. View the agenda

Upcoming Meetings

  • The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 25 November 2025. View the agenda
  • The Overview and Scrutiny Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 26 November 2025. View the agenda
  • The Development and Planning Applications Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday 27 November 2025. View the agenda
  • The Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 02 December 2025. View the agenda

  1. A stock holding authority is a local authority that owns and manages its own housing stock. ↩

  2. A Housing Revenue Account (HRA) is a local authority account that ring-fences income and expenditure on council housing. ↩

  3. Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 places a duty on local authorities and integrated care boards to provide aftercare services to people who have been detained in hospital for treatment for a mental disorder. ↩

Merton Council Faces Audit Concerns & Financial Risks

This week in Merton:

Council Faces Scrutiny Over Audit Delays and Financial Risks

Merton Council's Standards and General Purposes Committee convened this week amidst growing concerns about the council's financial stability and governance http://opencouncil.network/meetings/85459. Key issues included significant delays in external audits, internal audit findings revealing areas of limited assurance, and a strategic risk register highlighting vulnerabilities in housing supply, climate action, and cybersecurity.

External Audit in Disarray: Disclaimer of Opinion Looms

The committee received an interim audit results report from Ernst & Young LLP (EY), the council's external auditor, revealing a concerning state of affairs.

  • Past Failures: A disclaimer of opinion was issued on the council's 2022/23 and 2023/24 financial statements, indicating a severe lack of confidence in their accuracy.
  • Ongoing Uncertainty: For 2024/25, EY has not yet obtained sufficient evidence to have reasonable assurance over all in-year movements and closing balances and is considering issuing a qualified opinion rather than a disclaimer.
  • Timeline Shift: The audit timeline has been moved from November 2025 to January 2026 due to the timing and quality of supporting documentation and analysis provided by management.
  • Key Focus Areas: EY identified key areas of focus for the audit, including potential misstatements due to fraud or error, incorrect capitalisation of revenue expenditure, and incorrect valuation of land, buildings, and pension liabilities.
  • Significant Misstatements: Uncorrected misstatements of £1.97m were identified, related to extrapolated misstatements on accruals arising from the incorrect re-accrual of expenditures that had already been paid.

These audit delays and concerns raise serious questions about the council's financial management and accountability.

Internal Audits Raise Red Flags

An internal audit progress report revealed that a significant portion of audit assurance reviews undertaken since April 2025 resulted in Limited Assurance opinions.

  • Limited Assurance: 36% of the twenty-five audit assurance reviews undertaken resulted in Limited Assurance opinions, indicating significant weaknesses in internal controls.
  • Priority Recommendations: 13% of the 155 audit recommendations issued to management were classified as Priority 1, requiring immediate attention.

These findings suggest that the council needs to strengthen its internal controls and address critical areas of risk.

Strategic Risks: Housing, Climate, and Cyber Threats

The committee reviewed the council's Key Strategic Risks Register, which highlighted several critical areas of concern.

  • Red Risks: Seven key strategic risks/issues were classified as red, indicating a high level of threat. These included housing supply, the annual savings programme, implementation of the Climate Action Plan, a Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Safety Valve1, the risk of cyber attack, the corporate business plan and balanced budget, and the school budget deficit.
  • Cybersecurity Threat: The score for the risk of cyber attack on the council's IT infrastructure and systems had increased since the last quarterly review, highlighting the growing threat of cybercrime.

These strategic risks pose significant challenges to the council's ability to deliver essential services and achieve its objectives.

Polling Place Changes Proposed

The committee considered recommendations regarding polling places in Hillside and Wandle wards.

These changes aim to ensure accessible and convenient polling places for residents.

Health Board Focuses on Prevention and Safeguarding

The Health and Wellbeing Board met to discuss prevention strategies, safeguarding, and approaches to tackling health risk factors http://opencouncil.network/meetings/85456. The board reviewed updates on actions from the Merton Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030 and considered annual reports from the Merton Safeguarding Children Partnership (MSCP) and the Merton Safeguarding Adults Board (MSAB).

Prevention is Key: Addressing Health Inequalities

The board reviewed progress on actions related to prevention, including:

  • Alignment with Health and Care Plan: Ensuring alignment of the revised Merton Local Health and Care Plan with the Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030.
  • Vaccination Awareness: Raising awareness of the benefits of vaccination, focusing on vulnerable groups and those at higher risk of serious disease or death.
  • Making Every Contact Count: Promoting information, advice, and guidance that supports self-care.
  • Preventing the Need for Adult Social Care: Delivering universal and targeted prevention programmes, such as mid-life interventions.

These efforts aim to reduce health inequalities and improve the overall wellbeing of Merton residents.

Safeguarding Children and Adults: Protecting Vulnerable Individuals

The board discussed the Merton Safeguarding Children Partnership (MSCP) Annual Report, which covers the period April 2024 to March 2025.

  • Priorities: The MSCP focused on domestic abuse, mental health and wellbeing, early intervention, contextual safeguarding, and neglect.

The board also noted the content of the Merton Safeguarding Adults Board (MSAB) Annual Report for the period 2024/25.

  • Focus: The MSAB focused on multi-agency approaches to complex and high-risk cases, including challenges around self-neglect and assessing capacity.

These reports highlight the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals and ensuring their safety and wellbeing.

Addressing Behavioural Risk Factors and Tackling Harm from Drugs and Alcohol

The board discussed approaches to addressing behavioural risk factors like smoking, poor diet, alcohol use, and physical inactivity, while promoting mental wellbeing.

  • Smoking Prevalence: Merton has a lower smoking prevalence rate than London and England overall.
  • Overweight and Obesity: Merton has seen an increase in adults classified as overweight and obese.
  • Physical Activity: 67.6% of Merton's adults are active.

The board also discussed maintaining a multi-agency approach to preventing and tackling the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs.

  • Recommendations: The board considered 15 recommendations for system change from the Annual Public Health Report 2024/25 Tackling Drugs Together.

These discussions highlight the importance of addressing lifestyle factors that contribute to poor health outcomes.

Upcoming Meetings

  • The Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 18 November 2025. View the agenda
  • The Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 19 November 2025. View the agenda
  • The Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 19 November 2025. View the agenda
  • The Design Review Panel is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 19 November 2025. View the agenda
  • The Healthier Communities and Older People Overview and Scrutiny Panel is scheduled to meet on Thursday 20 November 2025. View the agenda
  • The Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Monday 24 November 2025. View the agenda
  • The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 25 November 2025. View the agenda
  • The Overview and Scrutiny Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 26 November 2025. View the agenda
  • The Development and Planning Applications Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday 27 November 2025. View the agenda

  1. A Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Safety Valve agreement is an agreement between the Department for Education and a local authority with a high-needs funding deficit. The agreement typically involves the local authority implementing a plan to reduce the deficit, with the Department for Education providing financial support and oversight. ↩

Development and Planning Applications Committee CANCELLED

Development and Planning Applications Committee - Thursday 11 December 2025 7.15 pm

This meeting has been cancelled.

December 11, 2025
Pensions Committee

Pensions Committee - Wednesday 10 December 2025 7.00 pm

The Merton Council Pensions Committee met on Wednesday 10 December 2025 to review the fund's performance, investment strategies, and administration. The committee noted the increase in the fund's total assets to £1.021 billion and reviewed the performance of various investment portfolios and managers. They also agreed the minutes of the previous meeting.

December 10, 2025
Morden Community Forum CANCELLED

Annual Forum Meeting, Morden Community Forum - Tuesday 9 December 2025 7.15 pm

This meeting has been cancelled.

December 09, 2025
Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations

Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations - Tuesday 2 December 2025 6.00 pm

The Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations was scheduled to discuss co-production strategies, Merton Talking Therapies, and the Big Conversation. The meeting was also scheduled to include updates from JCC members.

December 02, 2025
Committee

North East Surrey Crematorium Board - Tuesday 2 December 2025 10.30 am

We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.

December 02, 2025
Development and Planning Applications Committee

Development and Planning Applications Committee - Thursday 27 November 2025 7.15 pm

The Merton Council's Development and Planning Applications Committee met on 27 November 2025, and approved a variation of conditions for the Mitcham Gasworks site to allow for an increase in housing units, changes to the housing mix, and alterations to the energy strategy, while also hearing a report on planning appeal decisions and a summary of current planning enforcement cases. The committee agreed to grant the Mitcham Gasworks application subject to conditions and a deed of variation, and members noted the reports on planning appeals and enforcement.

November 27, 2025
Overview and Scrutiny Commission

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday 26 November 2025 7.15 pm

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.

November 26, 2025
South London Waste Partnership Joint Committee

South London Waste Partnership Joint Committee - Wednesday 26 November 2025 6.30 pm

We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.

November 26, 2025
Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel

Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel - Tuesday 25 November 2025 7.15 pm

The Merton Council Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel met on 25 November 2025 to discuss a range of topics, including budget and business planning, performance monitoring, and updates on children's services. The panel also planned to review the annual reports from both the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and the Merton Safeguarding Children Partnership (MSCP). Additionally, they were scheduled to discuss special educational needs (SEN) student travel and the 0-19 Healthy Child service.

November 25, 2025
Cabinet

Cabinet - Monday 24 November 2025 7.15 pm

At a recent meeting, Merton Council's cabinet addressed key issues including housing, financial monitoring, and adult learning services, and also approved an action plan responding to a planning peer challenge. The cabinet approved measures to address the housing crisis, including becoming a stock holding authority and re-opening the housing revenue account, and also approved the procurement approach for a new contract for the Merton Adult Learning Main Delivery Service. Additionally, the cabinet noted the financial reporting data for period 6, and approved the proposed actions in the Planning Peer Challenge Action Plan.

November 24, 2025
Cabinet

Cabinet - Monday 15 December 2025 7.15 pm

December 15, 2025