The Cabinet of Merton Council met on Monday 17 June 2024 to discuss several key issues, including the award of a recyclate contract, the expansion of Perseid School, the redevelopment of the Jan Malinowski Centre, and the procurement of integrated sexual health services. Decisions were made on all these topics, with significant implications for the borough's future.

Recyclate Contract Award

The Leader of the Council announced that following the resignation of Councillor Natasha Irons, the Leader would temporarily take on the portfolio for Local Environment, Greenspaces and Climate Change. The Council will procure recyclate handling, haulage, and treatment services collectively with other boroughs in the South London Waste Partnership, with the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames acting as the lead commissioner. The preferred bidders have committed to social value, including community projects. The Cabinet approved the award of the lots detailed in Appendix A and delegated authority to take up optional contract extensions to the Executive Director of Environment, Civic Pride and Climate.

Expansion of Perseid School

The Cabinet approved the expansion of Perseid School to provide an additional 28 places for children aged 3-11, increasing the total capacity from 168 to 196 places. This expansion aims to meet the need for local specialist state-funded places for children with severe and complex learning difficulties, including autism and additional physical or sensory disabilities. The approval is conditional on the capital scheme being granted planning permission by 31 December 2024. The decision to award the construction contract for the expansion works was delegated to the Executive Director of Children, Lifelong Learning and Families in consultation with the Executive Director of Finance and Digital and the Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning. More details can be found in the Cabinet Perseid 17 June 2024 report.

Redevelopment of the Jan Malinowski Centre & Riverside Drive

The Cabinet approved the preferred option to work jointly with Wandle Housing Association to deliver a new state-of-the-art day centre with supported living units and general housing accommodation. This will include a land swap deal with Wandle Housing Association. The Cabinet also approved the continued joint financial feasibility of the preferred option and delegated authority to finalise negotiations and agree the final Heads of Terms to the Director for Housing and Sustainable Development and the Executive Director for Adult Social Care. The full details are available in the Cabinet report - Redevelopment of the JMCRiverside DriveFINAL.

Integrated Sexual Health Services Procurement

The Cabinet approved a procurement approach to use the Direct Award Process under the new Provider Selection Regime to procure a new contract with the incumbent provider for a period of two years. This will continue the joint commissioning arrangements with Wandsworth and Richmond councils. The procurement timeline aims to award the contract by September 2024, with the new contract starting on 1 October 2024. The financial envelope for the contract was also approved, and authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Adult Social Care, Integrated Care and Public Health to approve the award of the contract following all due processes. More information can be found in the Supplementary Agenda - Item 7 ISH Services Procurement Monday 17-Jun-2024 19.15 Cabinet.

Decision to Procure a Technology Solution for Environmental Infrastructure Assets and Street Works

The Cabinet approved the procurement of a modernised technical solution called 'Alloy' to support the delivery of services related to Environmental Infrastructure Asset Management and Street Works. The new solution aims to bring efficiencies such as improved business processes, enhanced communication between teams and external contractors, and better business intelligence. The total cost of this contract is £3,598,187.63 over a 10-year period, with a no-fault break clause from year five onwards. The details are outlined in the EAMS Report Cabinet.

Outturn Report 2023/24

The Cabinet noted the financial outturn position on revenue for 2023/24, showing a net underspend of £549,000, which has been added to the Strategic Priorities Reserve. The outturn position on the Capital Programme was also noted. The full report is available in the Outturn Report 2023-24 - Cabinet including Appendix 3.

For more details, you can refer to the Printed minutes Monday 17-Jun-2024 19.15 Cabinet.