The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Merton Council met on Thursday 2 July 2026 to review the work programmes of various scrutiny panels and receive updates from Cabinet Members. The committee was scheduled to discuss priorities related to civic pride, climate change, enforcement, and community safety, as well as the broader work programme for the upcoming year.

Cabinet Member Priorities

The committee was scheduled to receive verbal updates and engage in question-and-answer sessions with two Cabinet Members. Councillor Eleanor Stringer, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Civic Pride and Climate Change, was expected to outline her priorities in this area. Additionally, Councillor Edith Macauley, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, was due to provide an update on her departmental priorities. These discussions were intended to help the committee understand current priorities in relation to their work programme.

Work Programme

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing the committee's work programme for the 2026/27 municipal year. This included considering upcoming items and ensuring that report requests were focused. The committee was also scheduled to consider lines of enquiry for the Borough Commander, which would be discussed in a future meeting in September.

Scrutiny Panel Work Programmes

The committee was set to review the work programmes of its various scrutiny panels:

• Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel: This panel's work programme for 2026/27 was scheduled for discussion. Items included departmental updates, the 2025/26 action log, and future topics such as child poverty, LADO annual reports, school place planning, Merton Safeguarding Children Partnership annual reports, and local SEND reforms. The panel was also to consider topics for departmental updates, including support for young carers and vulnerable children, and the Council's response to national SEND reforms.
• Healthier Communities and Older People Work Programme: The draft work programme for this panel for 2026/27 was to be reviewed. Scheduled discussions included follow-up scrutiny on the St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust CQC report and maternity services, as well as updates on St Helier Hospital, Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, and the Integrated Care Board's strategic commissioning approach. The panel was also to scrutinise the budget, the report of the Health and Wellbeing Board, the Adult Safeguarding Annual Report, and consider topics related to cardiovascular disease and heart health, and breast cancer screening.
• Sustainable Communities Work Programme: The draft work programme for the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel for 2026/27 was to be considered. This included reviewing Cabinet Member priorities related to transport, cleaner streets, housing, and sustainable development. The panel was also scheduled to review the effectiveness of current Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), influence the vision for Morden regeneration, and provide input on the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy. Budget and business planning scrutiny, the Tree Strategy, and economic growth were also on the agenda.

The committee was also scheduled to review the work programmes of the Scrutiny Panels, which covered a wide range of council activities and services. These included discussions on crime and policing, safer Merton, financial monitoring, budget scrutiny, and reviews of services for disabled residents, customer service, and the implementation of the Living Wage.