Apologies were received from Councillors Attawar and Williscroft.

Councillor Braithwaite attended online.

There were no declarations of interest received.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2025 are agreed as an accurate record.

The Leader of the Council spoke to congratulate those within Merton who had received honours from His Majesty the King including Councillor Hina Bokhari, having been awarded an OBE. The Leader also provided an update on the Wandle diesel spill, the four new Merton Labour pledges and Merton’s 60^th anniversary celebrations.

The Mayor then provided an update on recent events.

The questions and written responses will be circulated at the meeting.

The responses to the written public questions were circulated prior to the meeting.  The Mayor then invited each of the questioners in turn to ask (if they wished) a further question to the Cabinet Member.  A copy of the supplementary questions and responses will be included in the ‘public questions to Cabinet Members’ published document.

The questions and written responses will be circulated at the meeting

The responses to the written member ordinary priority questions were circulated prior to the meeting.  The Mayor then invited each of the members in turn to ask (if they wished) a further question to the Cabinet Member.  A copy of the supplementary questions and responses will be included in the ‘member ordinary priority questions to Cabinet Members’ published document.

During the course of questions, Councillor Oliver raised a point of personal explanation that the information he had cited was from the DWP website. This was noted.

The Strategic Theme Report on Building a Sustainable Future was moved by Councillor Stringer and seconded by Councillor Alambritis.

Councillor Fairclough requested to raise a point of order, however when the Mayor addressed the Councillor, Councillor Fairclough advised that it had been dealt with by prior comments by the Mayor.

The Liberal Democrat Amendment as set out in agenda item 17 was moved by Councillor Gould and seconded by Councillor Oliver.

Councillors Hall, Charles, Mercer and Willis also spoke on the item.

The Amendment was put to the vote and fell: Votes For – 23, Against – 28, Not Voting – 3.

RESOLVED: That the Strategic Theme Report is agreed.

The questions and written responses will be circulated at the meeting.

The responses to the written member strategic theme priority questions were circulated prior to the meeting.  The Mayor then invited each of the members in turn to ask (if they wished) a further question to the Cabinet Member.  A copy of the supplementary questions and responses will be included in the ‘member strategic theme priority questions to Cabinet Members’ published document.

It was also noted that a copy of the remaining Member questions and responses will be published after the meeting, in line with Constitutional requirements.

There were no Strategic Theme Motions submitted to the meeting.

Councillor Henry presented the update which was received by the Council.

Councillor Henry presented the update which was received by the Council.

Councillor Reiss presented the update which was received by the Council.

The Motion was moved by Councillor McGrath and seconded by Councillor Bokhari.

Councillors MacArthur, Charles and Christie also spoke on the item.

The motion was put to the vote and fell: Votes For – 19, Against – 28, Not Voting – 7

The Motion was moved by Councillor Austin and seconded by Councillor Howard.

The Labour Amendment as set out in Agenda Item 20 was moved by Councillor Kenny and seconded by Councillor Kaweesa.

Councillors Fairclough and Charles also spoke on the item.

The amendment was put to the vote and was carried: Votes For – 46, Against – 7, Not Voting – 1.

The motion as amended was put to the vote and was carried: Votes For – 46, Against – 7 Not Voting – 1.

RESOLVED:

Council notes:

• The Academy Programme, which was introduced by the New Labour government in 2000, has contributed significantly to raising educational standards in Merton.

• Dame Siobhain McDonagh’s comments on 8th January 2025 detailing the significant improvement in secondary education in Merton’s since 1997.

• All schools in Merton are now rated ‘Good’ or better by Ofsted – making the London Borough of Merton one of just five London boroughs and eight local authorities nationwide to reach this achievement.

• The significant contribution of Academies in Merton in achieving this feat.

• Providing high-quality education is central to this administration’s mission to make the borough a place where children and young people feel a sense of belonging, remain safe, and have the opportunity to thrive.

Council congratulates:

• All teachers, school staff, Council Officers, and the Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills, and Education for their tireless work in ensuring Merton is a fantastic place for children and young people to live, learn, and grow.

Council resolves:

- That the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Education write to the Secretary of State for Education to ask them to consider the implications of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill on Merton’s local Academy Schools.

The report was moved by Councillor Whelton and seconded by Council Stringer.

The cross-party amendment to the report as set out in agenda item 20 was moved by Councillor Page and seconded by Councillor McLean.

Councillors Charles and Fairclough also spoke on the item.

Councillor McLean raised a point of order that as part of the debate it had been stated that he had not raised certain points in the Constitution Discussion Group. Councillor McLean stated these were raised and queried what was being referred to. Councillor Stringer responded that this was referring to the change of name of the Committee, which had been named after its’ functions.

Councillor Fairclough then raised a point of personal explanation to advise that the comments about the request to change the name of the Committee was a personal opinion and not an insult.

The amendment was put to the vote and fell: Votes For – 26, Against – 28, Not Voting – 0.

Atleast 6 members of the Council then stood to requested a recorded vote on the report recommendations. The votes were as follows:

For – Councillors Akyigyina, Alambritis, Bhim, Brunt, Butcher, Christie, Cooper-Marbiah, Garrod, Hayes, Henry, Johnston, Judge, Kaweesa, Kenny, Kirby, Macauley, Manly, McCabe, Mundy, Neaverson, Ofeimu, Pearce, Skeete, Stringer, Syeda, Whelton, Deputy Mayor Councillor Fraser and Mayor Councillor Szczepanski (28)

Against – Councillors Austin, Barlow, Bokhari, Charles, Cox, Dresselaers, Fairclough, Flack, Foley, Galea, Gould, Hall, Hicks, Holden, Howard, Kohler, MacArthur, McGrath, McLean, Mercer, Oliver, Page, Paterson, Reiss, Willis and Wilson (26)

Not Voting – (0)

RESOLVED:

A. That Council approve the amendments to the Constitution as detailed in Appendix A and summarised at para 4.3 below.

B. That Council approve that the Monitoring Officer is authorised to carry out any consequential changes to the Constitution arising from these amendments

The report was moved by Councillor Bhim and seconded by Councillor Garrod.

RESOLVED:

A. That Council notes the changes to the membership of Committees that were approved under delegated authority since the last meeting of the Council

B. That Council appoint Councillor Syeda to the Council of Governors for St George’s Hospital

To receive any petitions presented to the meeting. There is no written report for this item.

There were no petitions submitted to the meeting.

As the changes to the Constitution were agreed earlier in the meeting, the Mayor advised that this item would not be required and closed the meeting.