The Merton Council meeting on Wednesday 20 November 2024 saw the adoption of the borough's new Local Plan, which will guide planning decisions and replace previous core strategies. The Council also approved amendments to its Contract Standing Orders to align with the Procurement Act 2023 and adopted its Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005, including a resolution to continue its 'no casino' policy. Additionally, the Council approved an increase to the capital programme and its funding totaling £27.87m for the Affordable Housing Programme, which will deliver 93 new affordable homes across four sites.

Adoption of Merton's Local Plan

Merton Council officially adopted its 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. The plan incorporates new policies aimed at increasing the borough-wide affordable housing target to 50%, with 70% of these being socially rented homes. It also introduces stricter carbon reduction targets for new developments, requiring minimum fabric energy efficiency standards and increasing on-site carbon reduction targets. The plan also allocates sites for new homes, sports, healthcare, and business uses, aligning with the Council's three strategic priorities: Nurturing Civic Pride, Building a Sustainable Future, and Creating a Borough of Sport.

Amendments to Contract Standing Orders

The Council approved amendments to its Contract Standing Orders (CSOs) to ensure compliance with the forthcoming Procurement Act 2023. These changes include updating references to reflect new legislation, streamlining internal procurement governance, and increasing internal thresholds. Notably, the amendments will allow for the use of email for quotes under £5,000 and raise the threshold for when procurement projects must be supported by Commercial Services from £100,000 to £170,000. A new provision will also be included requiring quotes under £170,000 to include, where possible, a quote from a local provider or SME. Furthermore, procurement strategies for contracts over £3 million will now require Cabinet approval, while contract awards over £3 million will be delegated to Executive Directors in consultation with relevant Lead Members, with the right to call-in decisions remaining. The threshold for procurement reports going to Cabinet will also increase from £2 million to £3 million.

Affordable Housing Programme

The Council noted the progress on its affordable housing programme, which aims to deliver 93 new affordable social rent homes across four sites: Elm Nursery Car Park, Raleigh Gardens Car Park, Land at Canons, and Farm Road Church. These homes will be built to Passive House principles, enhancing their environmental performance. Due to increased construction costs, an additional £27.87 million is required to fund the programme, with some of this increase covered by GLA grant funding and the remainder to be met through internal borrowing. The Council will continue to explore further external funding opportunities. The procurement process for construction packages is underway, with contracts expected to be awarded in early 2025.

Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005

The Council adopted its Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005 for the period 2025-2028. This triennial review, following consultation with various stakeholders including the police, trade associations, and residents' groups, saw broad support for the existing principles. Crucially, the Council resolved to continue its 'no casino' policy, meaning no applications for casino premises licences will be considered in the borough. This decision aligns with the Council's aim to nurture civic pride and maintain a safer community, reflecting the predominantly residential nature of Merton and the desire to avoid a casino being out of character with the area.

Strategic Theme: Nurturing Civic Pride

The Council received a report on the progress made towards the strategic priority of Nurturing Civic Pride. This included updates on the Council's communications approach, which has seen a significant increase in social media reach and engagement, and a modernisation of its output. The report highlighted the expansion of email newsletters and the relaunch of the InMerton magazine, which now breaks even on print and distribution costs. The Council's engagement strategy is also being enhanced with a new corporate Engagement and Consultation Service, a central calendar for engagement activities, and a commitment to holding events in community settings. Specific initiatives in Mitcham and Morden town centres, such as the Mitcham Matters consultation and the Remaking Morden project, were detailed, showcasing resident involvement in shaping local improvements. The report also outlined strategies for promoting inward investment and supporting residents in accessing employment and better job opportunities, including initiatives through the South London Partnership and the development of an 'Employ Merton' service.

Chief Officer Recruitment

The Council approved the salary package for the Director of Digital Innovation role, agreeing to the salary range of £111,510 - £119,229 per annum, plus a market supplement of up to £23,681 per annum, bringing the total maximum salary package to £142,910 per annum. This decision was made in accordance with the Council's Pay Policy Statement and is intended to attract a candidate with the necessary expertise to lead the Council's digital transformation and modernisation efforts. The permanent replacement is required as the current postholder's fixed-term contract expires in March 2025.

Councillor Priority Questions

Several priority questions were addressed to Cabinet Members. These included concerns about housing supply and demand in Merton, confirmation regarding local government's exemption from employer's National Insurance contribution rises (which was deferred to the Chancellor), and an update on DBS checks for staff. The Cabinet Member for Civic Pride and Climate Change explained the success and profitability of the Council's fireworks displays, attributing it to effective management and planning. The Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services confirmed the legality of the government's decision to scrap the Winter Fuel Allowance. Regarding tennis coaching, it was clarified that while a new operator, Tennis in Merton, has been appointed, existing coaches have been invited to work with them to improve the quality and consistency of the coaching offer. The Leader of the Council outlined the Council's Major Incident Plan and its alignment with the London Resilience Partnership for large-scale emergencies, noting the absence of specific underground shelter plans for residents. The Cabinet Member for Sport and Heritage explained how the new sports club database will enhance understanding of participation levels by being integrated with existing resources like the Activity Finder. The Cabinet Member for Transport and Cleaner Streets acknowledged resident frustration over e-bike parking and outlined plans to establish designated parking bays and negotiate formal agreements with operators, while also noting the Council's inability to directly enforce without such an agreement. The Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development provided an update on Biodiversity Gain Plans, stating that none have been approved yet, and detailed the commitment to public toilet provision at Morden Tube Station, with funding anticipated in the next financial year.

Liberal Democrat Amendments

Two Liberal Democrat amendments were proposed. The first, concerning the Adoption of Merton's Local Plan, sought to note that the plan requires design guides for tall buildings and asked Cabinet to consider bringing forward a timetable for their preparation. It also requested Cabinet to consider resourcing the Biodiversity Net Gain Group, reviewing the Wimbledon Park Policy N8.1, and reviewing the Statement of Community Involvement to increase information sharing with residents. The second amendment, relating to the Affordable Housing Programme, requested Cabinet to consider bringing revised cost increases back to Council for approval if they exceed 10% of the approved budget. Both amendments were put to a vote and fell.