John Scarborough
Council: Merton
Activity Timeline
Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.
50 meetings · Page 1 of 10
Governance Standards and Audit Committee - Wednesday 11 February 2026 7.15 pm
The Governance Standards and Audit Committee of Merton Council met on Wednesday 11 February 2026 to review updates on fraud, internal audit progress, and the council's statement of accounts for 2024/25. The committee also discussed the council's plan for internal audits in the upcoming year and the use of contingent workers.
Governance Standards and Audit Committee - Thursday 13 November 2025 7.15 pm
The Governance Standards and Audit Committee of Merton Council was scheduled to discuss a range of important governance and financial matters. Key topics included a review of polling places, progress reports on external and internal audits, an update on fraud investigations, and a review of the council's key strategic risks. The committee was also set to consider plans for member induction and the appointment of an independent person.
Cabinet - Monday 20 October 2025 7.15 pm
The Cabinet of Merton Council met on Monday 20 October 2025 to discuss the Merton Legacy Fund, the budget for 2026/27 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2026-2030, amendments to revenue budgets and the capital programme, and the school meals catering contract for 2026-2029. Key decisions included the approval of recommendations for the Merton Legacy Fund, the budget and MTFS, and the school meals catering contract.
Cabinet - Monday 22 September 2025 7.15 pm
The Merton Council cabinet met to discuss financial monitoring, regeneration projects, and strategies for electric vehicle charging and sexual health services. They approved recommendations for the 2026-30 budget, the Morden regeneration programme, and the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy, among other items. The cabinet also considered a recommendation from the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel regarding Clarion Housing[^2] and addressed concerns about land use at Cannizaro Park.
Governance Standards and Audit Committee - Thursday 18 September 2025 7.15 pm
The Merton Council Governance Standards and Audit Committee met on 18 September 2025, to discuss corporate complaints, human resources, gifts and hospitality, and the nomination for Freeperson of the Borough status. The committee reviewed and noted the Council's complaints and compliments reports, covering the period of 2024-25, and also the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO)^[1] annual letter. The committee also agreed to recommend the nomination of individuals for Freeperson of the Borough status to the council for approval.
Decisions from Meetings
62 decisions · Page 1 of 13
School Meals Catering Contract 2026-29
From: Cabinet - Monday 20 October 2025 7.15 pm - October 20, 2025
The Cabinet of Merton Council approved the procurement of a central school meals catering contract for primary, secondary, and special schools for an initial term of three years from 1 August 2026, with an option for a further two-year extension. The Cabinet also agreed to delegate the authority to award the contract and exercise extension options to the Executive Director for Children Lifelong Learning and Families, in consultation with the Lead Member for Jobs, Skills & Education. The new contract will require all catering staff to be paid the London Living Wage.
Recommendations Approved
Merton Legacy Fund
From: Cabinet - Monday 20 October 2025 7.15 pm - October 20, 2025
The Cabinet of Merton Council decided to approve recommendations on 20/10/2025. They noted the establishment of a Merton Legacy Fund Board and recommended to Full Council the approval of £15m for the fund. The Cabinet will delegate the distribution of these funds to chosen capital projects on the advice of the Legacy Fund Advisory Board.
Recommendations Approved
Budget 2026/27 and MTFS 2026-30
From: Cabinet - Monday 20 October 2025 7.15 pm - October 20, 2025
The Cabinet of Merton Council decided to approve recommendations on 20/10/2025. They agreed to consider new savings proposals for 2026/27 to 2029/30 and emerging draft Equalities Impact Assessments, referring both to Overview and Scrutiny panels and the Commission for comment.
Recommendations Approved
Amendments to Revenue Budgets and the Capital Programme Requiring Cabinet Approval - Period 5
From: Cabinet - Monday 20 October 2025 7.15 pm - October 20, 2025
Merton's Cabinet approved adjustments to the Capital Programme in Appendix 1 and noted that a new scheme for Sir Joseph Hood Recreation Ground's artificial pitch would require Council Approval. The decision was made on 20/10/2025.
Recommendations Approved
Budget 2026/27 and MTFS 2026-30
From: Cabinet - Monday 22 September 2025 7.15 pm - September 22, 2025
...that Cabinet noted the approach to rolling forward the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2026-30, agreed the timetable for the Financial Management cycle 2026-30 including the revenue budget 2025627, the MTFS 2026-30 and the Capital Programme for 2026-30, and noted the council’s response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation paper.
Recommendations Approved
Summary
Meetings Attended: 50
Average per Month: 1.6
Decisions Recorded: 62 Not all decisions are recorded, so this may significantly underestimate the number of decisions actually made.