The Cabinet of Merton Council met on Monday 4 November 2024 to discuss several key items, approving the award of contracts for the Merton Adult Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service and Corporate Cleaning Services, and agreeing to the proposed revisions for the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26. A significant decision was made to recommend the adoption of Merton's new Local Plan, which will replace previous planning strategies and guide future development in the borough.

Adoption of Merton's Local Plan

The Cabinet recommended that the full council adopt Merton's new Local Plan and Policies Map, replacing the Merton's Core Planning Strategy 2011 and Merton's Sites and Policies Plan 2014. This comprehensive plan, developed over several years with extensive public consultation and independent examination, will guide future planning decisions across the borough. Key aspects of the new Local Plan include policies aimed at increasing the number of socially rented homes, reducing carbon emissions from new developments, and supporting the regeneration of Morden town centre. The plan also introduces new policies for tall buildings, aiming for high-quality design and effective use of land, and strengthens environmental protections, including policies on biodiversity and flood risk management. The adoption of this plan is considered crucial for Merton to meet its statutory requirement of having an up-to-date local plan.

Council Tax Support Scheme 2025/26

The Cabinet agreed to the proposed revisions for the 2025/26 Council Tax Support Scheme. This update aims to maintain low council tax charges for residents on lower incomes and other vulnerable individuals, ensuring they are not worse off compared to the previous Council Tax Benefit scheme. The revisions will incorporate any changes made by the government to the prescribed Council Tax Support scheme for pension-age residents and will be uprated in line with these changes. The decision will be finalised at the Full Council meeting on 22 January 2025.

Award of Contract for the Merton Adult Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service

The Cabinet approved the award of a five-year contract, from 2025 to 2030, for the Merton Integrated Adult Substance Misuse Prevention and Treatment Service to Via, the incumbent provider. This decision follows a Provider Selection Regime Direct Award Option C process. Via scored 72.25% in the evaluation and committed to delivering the service within the current funding envelope, including social value commitments such as targeted employment opportunities and training for local residents.

Award of Corporate Cleaning Services Contract

A new corporate cleaning services contract was agreed to be awarded to Tenderer A. This contract will run for an initial two-year period from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2027, with an option to extend for a further four years, making a maximum of six years until 31st March 2031. The cost for the two-year period is £1,487,623, with a potential six-year cost of approximately £4,462,868. Tenderer A scored highest in the evaluation, with a weighting of 60% for price and 40% for quality, including social value. The contract will ensure the continued cleanliness of council premises and will support Merton's Net Zero and sustainability targets.

JMC/Riverside Redevelopment Project

The Cabinet noted an increase in funding for the JMC/Riverside Redevelopment Project, to be progressed as part of the September 2024 Monitoring Report. They also noted the VAT position and that additional specialised work is being commissioned to optimise Merton's financial status regarding this project. This project aims to deliver a new day centre with 21 supported living homes and approximately 60 general needs homes, in partnership with Wandle Housing Association. The estimated total cost for the project has increased to £19.34 million.

The meeting was held in public session, with no items requiring the exclusion of the public.