The Merton Council meeting of 19 November 2025 included discussion of conferring the Honorary Freedom of the Borough to Allan Barley and Stephen Hammond. The council was scheduled to consider and vote on resolutions for each individual, recognising their contributions to the borough.

Freedom of the Borough

The meeting included a proposal to bestow the Honorary Freedom of the Borough to Allan Barley and Stephen Hammond.

Allan Barley

The council was scheduled to consider a motion to admit Allan Barley as Freeman of the London Borough of Merton. The report pack stated that this honour would recognise Mr Barley's:

substantial contribution he has made to the Borough through his military service, his work as a member of the Royal British Legion for over 60 years, Chair of the Mitcham Branch of the Royal British Legion for over 25 years, and as a Local Campaign Organiser for the Poppy Appeal for almost thirty years.

Stephen Hammond

The council was scheduled to consider a motion to admit Stephen Hammond as Freeman of the London Borough of Merton. The report pack stated that this honour would recognise Mr Hammond's service as a Councillor for Village Ward from 2002-2006 and as Member of Parliament for Wimbledon from 2005-2024, including his time holding Ministerial positions in the Departments of Health and Transport, and membership of parliamentary committees, including the Treasury Select Committee¹. To grant either honour, the council needed to pass a resolution with a vote of at least two-thirds of the members present, as required by Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972².