The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel of Merton Council met on Thursday 25 January 2024 to discuss the council's budget for 2024/25 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2024-28. The panel also received an update on childhood immunisation uptake and a report on local playgrounds.

The panel reviewed the draft savings and growth proposals for the upcoming financial years, noting the challenging budget environment with pressures in social care and housing. They were informed that the provisional local government finance settlement indicated a 5.8% increase in core spending power, but this was largely due to assumptions about council tax increases and ring-fenced grants for social care. The panel also discussed the council's capital programme, which includes significant investment in affordable housing, special educational needs places, and environmental initiatives. A report on childhood immunisation uptake highlighted areas of concern, particularly in the north of the borough, and the challenges of combating misinformation. The panel was also updated on plans to upgrade local playgrounds, with a focus on community feedback and durability of materials. Finally, the panel received a report from the Youth Task Group recommending the establishment of a Young People's Foundation to improve access to funding and enhance local youth services.