The Merton Council meeting scheduled for 17 September 2025 included discussion of motions relating to the future of Mitcham and Wimbledon police stations, and housing affordability. Councillors were also scheduled to discuss the annual reports from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and the Governance, Standards and Audit Committee, as well as changes to committee membership and the appointment of an independent member to the Governance, Standards and Audit Committee.

Keep Mitcham and Wimbledon Police Stations Open

A Labour Motion September 2025 recognised that the Mitcham and Wimbledon Police Stations have been under threat of closure for many years. The motion stated that shutting either station would undermine the police's ability to provide strong neighbourhood policing. It also noted with concern the Metropolitan Police's plans to close the front desks at both stations, meaning the nearest 24-hour front desk to Merton would be in neighbouring Sutton.

The council was asked to share its response to the New Met for London: Phase 2 consultation with the Deputy Mayor of London for Policing and Crime, and for the cabinet to write to the Deputy Mayor and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, to reiterate the importance of keeping both Mitcham and Wimbledon Police Stations open with operational front desk services.

Councillor Anthony Fairclough and Councillor Victoria Wilson proposed a Liberal Democrat Council Motion 17.9.25 to amend the Labour motion, requesting that the council's response to the New Met for London: Phase 2 consultation be shared with all Merton councillors, and that the letter to the Mayor of London, the Deputy Mayor of London for Policing and Crime, and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police be written on behalf of all political parties represented on Merton Council, to show unified support for keeping the police stations open and protecting their front desk services.

Councillor Nick McLean, Councillor Daniel Holden, Councillor Max Austin, Councillor Thomas Barlow, Councillor Eleanor Cox, Councillor Andrew Howard and Councillor Michael Paterson proposed a Conservative Amendment Labour Motion that the council notes that the Mitcham and Wimbledon Police Stations have been under threat of closure for many years because of the Labour Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who has failed to properly fund the Met. The amendment also stated that Mayor Khan has presided over a shocking rise in crime in London, and has consistently failed to prioritise funding the Met Police, instead wasting millions of pounds of taxpayers' money on unnecessary staffing increases at City Hall and other unnecessary spending.

A Place We Choose to Call Home

A Liberal Democrat Council Motion 17.9.25 noted that relative child poverty rates in the borough are broadly static, with 4 in 10 children in Mitcham and Morden living in relative poverty. The motion stated that housing costs represent the most significant and impactful factor on poverty and material deprivation, and that the Local Plan requires that 50% of all new housing in Merton must be affordable, but the current Labour administration has failed to consistently reach the previous target of 40%.

The council was asked to consider employing an Affordable Housing Officer to help maximise opportunities presented by policy to increase affordable housing in new developments, and simplifying the method for residents to engage with the council's planning and enforcement services by developing a 'one-stop shop' phone and email service with sufficient resource to triage residents' queries relating to all planning and enforcement matters, and introducing scheduled updates to residents on enforcement matters, which detail expected timeframes.

The council was also asked to consider enhancing the Tenant's Champion service with appropriate officer provision, simplifying the multiple licensing schemes Merton uses by extending the selective licensing scheme across the borough, helping to produce better quality housing in the private rented sector including HMOs¹, how the council's influence might be most effectively used to support housing association tenants and leaseholders, and reviewing the effectiveness of Merton's Statement of Community Involvement for development planning purposes, last produced in 2020.

Councillor Nick McLean, Councillor Daniel Holden and Councillor Thomas Barlow proposed a Conservative amendment to Lib Dem motion Sept 25 to the Liberal Democrat motion, requesting that the council enhance the online planning portal to show residents representations, ensure clearer outcomes on planning enforcement cases and strong retrospective action taken by officers, use public communications to highlight enforcement breaches, ensure senior planning officers review the outcome of development following completion to ensure that greening measures have been implemented, especially tree planting, and ensure stronger protection of existing trees via greater use of Tree Protection Orders.

Annual Scrutiny Report

The council was scheduled to receive the Council Scrutiny Annual report September 2425v2, outlining the work of the overview and scrutiny function over the course of the municipal year. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee was required to produce an annual report outlining the work of the overview and scrutiny function over the course of the municipal year. The committee used the report as an opportunity to draw attention to some of the outcomes achieved during the year.

The report noted that the committee has continued to examine crime data and was pleased that crime rates continue to remain low in Merton. The varied work of the Safer Merton team, including the extensive partnership response to violence against women and girls were presented to the committee, alongside attendance and additional input from the Borough Commander.

The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel scrutinised and supported the Mini Musicians project, designed to enhance music education in Merton's primary schools. Corporate parenting and examining the work to protect children from misogynistic content online were also high on the agenda.

Improving services at St Helier Hospital has been a key focus of the Healthier Communities and Older People Overview and Scrutiny Panel this year, including repairs and maintenance, waiting times, and performance.

Scrutinising external partners, such as Clarion and Thames Water, while fostering positive working relationships, has been a key priority for the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel. The panel also had discussions on town centre regeneration, as well as reviewing the Air Quality Action Plans that tackle air pollution and support Merton to be a champion for clean air.

The draft business plan, medium term financial strategy and proposed budget savings proposals were examined in detail by each scrutiny panel, alongside equality impact assessments for each of the savings. The financial monitoring task group has continued to monitor quarterly reports, and also took a deep dive into other issues such as homelessness and temporary accommodation finance, Council Tax recovery, and debt and arrears.

Councillor Edward Foley, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, noted that the report outlines challenges including housing shortages, infrastructure upgrades, public service demands, environmental sustainability and economic stability, and provides strategic recommendations to address them.

Governance, Standards and Audit Committee Annual Report

The council was scheduled to note the Council- Covering report September 2025 1 of the Governance, Standards and Audit Committee for 2024/25. The purpose of this annual report is to demonstrate to stakeholders the work undertaken by the Governance, Standards and Audit Committee over the previous 12 months in promoting good governance and fulfilling its terms of reference.

The report stated that the Governance, Standards and Audit Committee is a key part of Merton Council's overall governance framework, and provides an independent and high-level focus on the adequacy of the council's governance, risk and control arrangements. The external auditor considers the effectiveness of the Audit Committee when evaluating the council's governance arrangements.

The annual report outlines the activity of the committee during the year 2024-25. This included the external audit submissions, internal audit updates, fraud updates, HR reports and regular reports on complaints made to the council through its general complaint's procedure, and its procedures for adult social services and children's social care. The annual report also sets out proposed reports for 2025-26, as a work plan for the committee.

Appointment of Independent Member

The council was asked to agree the appointment of Alexa Downie-Ngini as the Independent Member for a period of four years as recommended by the Governance Standards and Audit Committee in accordance with the cross-party interview panel's decision, according to the 250917 Council - Appointment of Independent Member.

Changes to Membership of Committees

The council was asked to note the Memberships Report Sept 2025, detailing changes to the membership of committees that were approved under delegated authority since the last meeting of the council. These included:

• Councillor Matthew Willis replaced by Councillor Tony Reiss on the Overview & Scrutiny Committee from 3 July 2025
• Councillor Jil Hall replaced by Councillor Victoria Wilson on the Sustainable Communities Overview & Scrutiny Panel from 8 July 2025
• Councillor Anthony Fairclough replaced by Councillor Tony Reiss on the Appointments Committee from 5 August 2025
• Councillor Kirsten Galea replaced by Councillor John Braithwaite on the Appointments Committee from 5 August 2025
• Councillor Mike Brunt replaced by Councillor Brenda Fraser on the Sustainable Communities Overview & Scrutiny Panel from 8 September 2025

Petitions

The council was asked to receive petitions in accordance with Part 4A, paragraph 18.1 of the Council's Constitution and to note the response to a petition received to the previous meeting, according to the Supplementary Agenda 1 - Item 13 - Petitions Report Wednesday 17-Sep-2025 19.15 Council.

At the meeting held on 9 July 2025, Councillor John Oliver submitted a petition which stated We the undersigned are customers of Shannon Corner Service Centre ltd and we vehemently oppose the proposed demolition of the garage. We believe that the garage is a valuable community asset that should be preserved . The petition relates to a Planning Application.

The officer response stated that the submitted petition has been received and uploaded to the application (Reference 22/P3479) and is currently under consideration as this application remains live, and that details of the Petition will be reported in the Officer report when the application is determined in due course.

Public Questions to Cabinet Members

Members of the public submitted questions to cabinet members on a range of topics, including:

• The appearance of flags on public lamp posts in Merton
• Divesting funds from Israel
• The removal of Union and St George cross flags on public lampposts across Merton
• The installation of a Changing Places Toilet in the Civic Centre
• Weeds on pavements
• Land covenants
• Progress with implementing the recommendations in the scrutiny report into public toilet provision in Merton
• Fines or enforcement actions issued for parking outside of marked or virtual bays by e-bike providers
• The Fulham Foundation and Merton building on the crazy golf area at Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields (SJHMPF)
• A biodiversity officer job/role with local knowledge and responsibility for assessing BNG² implications of developments in Merton
• Protecting and enhancing all its greenspace and greenspaces as set out in Chapter 15 of the local plan
• Considering the Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields for an artificial pitch
• The financial impact of the Fair Funding Review on Merton Council
• Responsibility for the maintenance of the pond on Cannon Hill Common
• Actions being taken by Merton Council following the fire at the Burn Bullock to restore and secure a long term future for the listed building and safeguard the future of Mitcham cricket pavilion
• Enforcing the Highway Code on the railway path between Wimbledon and Raynes Park
• Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) liabilities for homeowners making administrative errors
• Alternative pitch provision for Raynes Park Little League, Motspur Park Community Football Club, and Wimbledon Hawks Australian Rules Football
• Plans for the proposed Mawson Close pocket park
• Whether the council is trying to 'relocate' events to parks and recs, rather than 'common land', such as Wimbledon Common
• Whether the council will review its policy on cross pavement charging solutions
• Whether the council will support Liberal Democrat calls for a Benefits Boost Campaign, to unlock up to £8m of unclaimed Pension Credit in Merton

Councillor Questions to Cabinet Members

Councillors also submitted questions to cabinet members, including:

• How schools and their pupils have fared in this year's exam results
• Which sites the Cabinet Member intends to produce SPDs³ for
• Whether the Cabinet Member believes the Mayor of London when he says that he won't introduce a pay per mile scheme in London
• How Merton Council will be providing support to residents with energy costs
• How many of the 400 new homes Labour stated they would build by May 2026 are expected to be completed by that date, and the latest average cost per home
• What measures will the Cabinet Member implement in the planning department to ensure genuine concerns are addressed and resolved, in order to prevent ugly future developments being created by unscrupulous developers
• What the Cabinet Member regards as the key messages to emerge from the CQC⁴ report
• Why the Council allows cowboy builders who ignore the terms of their planning permission to get away with it
• How the almost doubling of inflation will impact the council's finances
• What impact the Safer Streets Team have made in Merton so far
• Whether the Cabinet Member can confirm the current exposure of Merton's pension scheme investments to companies on the United Nations Human Rights Office A/HRC/37/39 Report, the WhoProfits database, and the AFSC (Investigate) watchlist
• How the Council is supporting residents to get and stay active throughout the year after they have attended the Big Sports Day
• Whether the Cabinet Member will commit to adopting the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's (LGSCO) new Complaint Handling Code
• What the key improvements have been that have been delivered across the Borough since the launch of the new waste collection contract
• How many fines or enforcement actions the Safer Streets Team have issued so far this year, and what measurable impact they have had on reducing crime and antisocial behaviour
• How Merton's parks fared during the most recent Green Flag awards
• How many Civic Pride Fund projects have been delivered in Abbey since its launch, and how the local community has shaped the delivery of this investment
• Whether the Cabinet Member can confirm that Council's being granted the power to sell off allotments will not be happening in Merton
• What the Cabinet Member regards as the key messages to emerge from the report on children's services receiving an outstanding rating
• What the Final Management Order on 18 homes in Councillor Linda Kirby MBE's ward against a rogue landlord will mean for the households concerned