Merton Council approved its budget for the upcoming financial year, which includes a Council Tax increase below 5% and a commitment to building the first council homes in a generation. The Council also made changes to its Constitution to update working practices and ensure legal compliance.

Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy Approved

The Council approved its budget for 2025-26 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2025-29. This includes a Band D Council Tax of £1,598.05, representing an increase of below 5%, incorporating a 2% flexibility for adult social care. The budget aims to support residents, ensure a cleaner, greener, and healthier borough, and maintain Merton as a desirable place to live. Key commitments within the budget include cutting Council Tax for 10,000 households, building new council homes, and investing in high streets and shopping parades. The Council also pledged to bring back weekly street cleaning and boost its CCTV network.

The budget was approved with 31 votes in favour and 21 against. Three Liberal Democrat amendments and one Conservative amendment to the budget were all defeated.

Changes to the Council Constitution Approved

The Council approved amendments to its Constitution, aiming to update sections with current best working practices and ensure legal compliance. These changes affect the Council Procedure Rules, Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, and the Member/Officer Protocol.

Key changes include:

• Removal of Strategic Theme Reports: Reporting on strategic themes at full Council meetings will cease, with oversight integrated into the work programmes of the Scrutiny Commission and panels.
• Motion Limits: A cap will be placed on the number of motions per meeting, allocated proportionately among political groups, with no party allowed more than two motions.
• Public Question Time Extended: The time allocated for public questions will be extended from 15 to 30 minutes.
• Call-In Procedure Simplified: The process for calling in decisions for review has been simplified and restricted to key decisions only.
• Member/Officer Protocol Rewritten: The protocol has been extensively revised to clarify roles, responsibilities, and expected conduct between councillors and officers, incorporating the Nolan Principles and guidance on complaints and breaches.

The amendments were approved with 30 votes in favour, 21 against, and 1 abstention. A cross-party amendment was defeated.

Committee Membership Changes Noted

The Council noted changes to the membership of various committees and outside bodies that had been approved under delegated authority since the last meeting. This included appointments to the Sustainable Communities Overview & Scrutiny Panel, Appointments Committee, Standards and General Purposes Committee, Development and Planning Applications Committee, Licensing Committee, Children and Young People Overview & Scrutiny Panel, and the Governance, Standards and Audit Committee. Additionally, Councillor Shuile Syeda was appointed to the Council of Governors for St George's Hospital.

Public Questions Addressed

Several public questions were addressed to Cabinet members, covering a range of topics:

• Soft Plastic Recycling: Merton Council is legally required to include flexible plastic items in household recycling by March 2027, in line with Simpler Recycling legislation. Discussions are ongoing with contractors regarding cost implications, with a potential for earlier introduction if operationally and financially viable.
• Step-Free Access at Wimbledon Chase Station: The Council is committed to improving access and is working with stakeholders to deliver a development that future-proofs the ability to introduce step-free access at Wimbledon Chase Station.
• Disability Forum: Progress is being made towards establishing a Disability Forum, with an initial workshop planned for May 16th to help shape its development and operational plan.
• Tree Replacement on Rowan Road: At least five new street trees are planned for Rowan Road in the next planting season, as part of a pledge to plant 1,000 new street trees in low canopy areas over the next year.
• Donation of Model Train Layout: The Council expressed interest in a proposal to donate a historical model train layout for the disused Wimbledon Signal Box, offering assistance in contacting Network Rail for approval.
• Planning Enforcement at 13 Crown Lane: Planning officers are investigating concerns about a scaffolding structure at 13 Crown Lane. A new retrospective planning application has been received, and formal public consultation has begun. Enforcement action would resume if planning permission is not granted.
• Abbey Road Experimental Road Closure: The experimental road closure was implemented under an Experimental Traffic Management Order (ETMO) following resident representations about traffic and rat-running issues. A statutory six-month consultation period is underway to gather feedback before any permanent decisions are made. Scheme options considered included maintaining existing width restrictions and implementing ANPR CCTV enforced road closures. The scheme will be measured against traffic flow, environmental impact, and community feedback. The closure is designed for traffic management and safety, with any income from fines reinvested into transport projects.
• ULEZ Vehicle Scrappage Scheme: Approximately £498,000 remains from the local scrappage scheme. The balance will be reallocated to the Strategic Priorities Reserve for other initiatives.

Councillor Questions and Motions

• Climate Change Mitigation: Councillor Syeda asked about the Council's partnership work to mitigate climate change. The Council highlighted its Climate Strategy and Action Plan, Merton's Climate Action Group, Merton's Green Schools Network, and the Merton Faith & Climate Action Group. Initiatives include the Home Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme, the Community Climate Action Fund, and the Business Energy Efficiency Support Scheme.
• Oil Spill in River Wandle: Councillor Kohler inquired about support for an independent inquiry into the oil spill. The Council stated that the Environment Agency is investigating and that a decision on further inquiries will be made after the investigation concludes.
• Blue Flag Status for Rivers: Councillor Bokhari asked about support for a new Blue Flag status to protect rivers. The Council expressed support for initiatives to improve water quality and noted the Mayor of London's commitment to cleaning London's rivers, including the River Wandle.
• Parks and Greenspaces Investment: Councillor Butcher asked how resident views inform investment in parks. The Council highlighted public consultation on strategic park investments and the work with community groups and Friends of Parks groups.
• Safe Pedestrian Crossings on West Barnes Lane: Councillor Page proposed safe pedestrian crossings on West Barnes Lane. Officers will investigate the feasibility, and if deemed feasible and subject to funding, it will be added to future works programmes.
• Sustainable Travel Investment: Councillor Brunt asked about investment in local infrastructure for sustainable travel. The Council is developing a Sustainable Transport Strategy, Walking & Cycling Strategy, and Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy. Initiatives include doubling the number of bike hangars and introducing a mandatory bay-only parking model for hire bikes.
• Cycle Hire Bay Location Selection: Councillor Hall asked about the consultation process for selecting cycle hire bay locations. Council officers evaluated usage data, reviewed research on bay density, and noted that all road locations are subject to statutory consultation, with feedback from elected members and the community being reviewed.
• Food, Waste, and Recycling Collections: Councillor Manly asked about steps to protect the environment through waste and recycling collections. The Council is planning trials for a weekly food waste recycling service for flats above shops and aims to accommodate a wider array of recyclables, such as flexible plastics, by April 2027. The popular Pop-up Tip service will also be expanded.
• Liberal Democrat Motion on Welfare Changes: The Liberal Democrats proposed a motion urging the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to reconsider changes to Personal Independence Payments and Universal Credit, and for Merton's MPs to oppose these changes. They also called for a 'Benefits Boost Strategy' to maximise benefit uptake.
• Conservative Motion on Academy Schools: The Conservative Group proposed a motion calling on the Council to urge the Secretary of State for Education to drop plans to remove the freedoms of academy schools, citing improvements in educational standards under the academy model.

The meeting also included reports from community forums in Mitcham and Wimbledon, providing updates on local issues and resident feedback.