Ross Garrod -  for Merton ( Longthornton)

Ross Garrod

 Labour Party  Longthornton  Leader of the Council

Email: leaders.office@merton.gov.uk

Council: Merton

Council Profile: View on council website

Committees: Appointments Committee (Chair) Cabinet (Chair) Council (Committee Member) Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel

Activity Timeline

Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.

41 meetings · Page 2 of 9

Cabinet Chair

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.

September 22, 2025
Council Committee Member

Extraordinary Council Meeting to meet at the conclusion of the previous meeting, Council - Wednesday 17 September 2025 7.15 pm

Merton Council convened an extraordinary meeting to discuss the importance of community policing and the future of police stations in the borough. Councillors debated the need to maintain a visible police presence and ensure public trust in the police. Amendments were proposed by both the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives, but neither was successful, and ultimately, the council agreed to discuss the original motion.

September 17, 2025
Council Committee Member

Council - Wednesday 17 September 2025 7.15 pm

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.

September 17, 2025
Appointments Committee Chair

Appointments Committee - Monday 18 August 2025 2.00 pm

The Merton Council Appointments Committee convened on 18 August 2025, agreeing to recommend that the Full Council approve the salary packages for two chief officer roles: Director of Resources (Deputy Section 151 Officer) and Director of Property and Asset Management. The committee also delegated authority to amend the job descriptions and implement the recruitment process for these positions to the Executive Directors of Finance & Digital, Innovation and Change, and Housing and Sustainable Development, in consultation with the Chair of the Appointments Committee.

August 18, 2025
Cabinet CANCELLED Chair

Cabinet - Monday 14 July 2025 7.15 pm

July 14, 2025

Decisions from Meetings

66 decisions · Page 1 of 14

Planning Peer Challenge Action Plan

From: Cabinet - Monday 24 November 2025 7.15 pm - November 24, 2025

...the Cabinet agreed to the proposed actions and timescales for implementing the Planning Peer Challenge Action Plan, which addresses 15 key recommendations for improving the Development Management service.

Recommendations Approved

Period 6 Financial Monitoring Report

From: Cabinet - Monday 24 November 2025 7.15 pm - November 24, 2025

...Cabinet noted the financial reporting data for period 6, showing a forecast of £4.138m unfavourable, approved proposed adjustments to the programme in Appendix 3, and noted the contents of appendices 3 to 3d.

Recommendations Approved

Merton’s response to the housing crisis - Becoming a stock holding authority, reopening the housing revenue account, and acquiring homes

From: Cabinet - Monday 24 November 2025 7.15 pm - November 24, 2025

...to address the housing crisis, the Cabinet of Merton decided to become a stock holding authority, reopen the housing revenue account, and acquire homes, delegating authority for property acquisition and funding bids to relevant directors, while also noting progress on existing housing developments and plans.

Recommendations Approved

Merton Adult Learning Main Delivery Service

From: Cabinet - Monday 24 November 2025 7.15 pm - November 24, 2025

...to approve the procurement approach for a new three-year contract, with a possible two-year extension, for the Main Service Provider of the Merton Adult Learning Service Delivery, and to delegate authority to award the contract to the Executive Director for Children Lifelong Learning and Families in consultation with the Lead Member for Jobs, Skills and Education.

Recommendations Approved

Summary

Meetings Attended: 41

Average per Month: 1.8

Decisions Recorded: 66