·         Cllr Mike Brunt, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Street Cleanliness;

·         Cllr Nick Draper, Cabinet Member for Community and Culture; and

·         Cllr Martin Whelton, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Housing and Transport

Cabinet Members took it in turn to highlight their priorities and answer member questions.

Cllr Brunt, Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Cleanliness: excited about his new role and making a difference for the community. In addition to establishing a successful food recycling system his focus is on Merton’s streets needing to be cleaner. Once the new service is introduced, this will decrease the waste on streets, as this will just be as a result of people dropping litter and fly tipping. On the latter, he aims to improve the functionality of the website for reporting to make this less clunky and more user friendly. However, these reports do go straight into Veolia’s vehicles with tips being addressed within hours. Highlighted the need for tips to be reported quickly and addressed before they attract further rubbish. Noted that he is working on the faster removal of Veolia’s green street sweeping bags as these can attract further waste to be dumped.

In response to member questions, Cllr Brunt clarified:

·         The enhanced call centre supporting the rollout of the new waste service is key. This will be supported with additional resource once the communication of the new service begins;

·         Noted that there is a role for ward councillors in supporting the rollout of the new service. They can use their local knowledge to help officers. For example, notifying where there is no front garden for storage of wheeled bins. This will be the key criteria for determining whether a household will be expected to use a wheeled bin;

·         Those in flats and shops will not be expected to use wheeled bins. Highlighted that the service provided will fit with need;

·         Ward councillors will be provided with a bank of frequently asked questions; and

·         Confirmed he is willing to go out on visits with councillors to look at the environment and street cleaning in their wards.

Cllr Draper, Cabinet Member for Community and Culture: focused on looking at support for those with disabilities and inclusion:

·         Dementia: Working to make the borough dementia friendly. Library and leisure centre staff have been provided with dementia friendly training. The aim is to provide support that is discrete and effective. Looking at how this might also be applied to Merton’s parks;

·         Learning disabled: just awarded the contract to deliver training through Merton’s libraries including life skills, travel training and work skills. Working for Merton to become a disabled confident employer;

·         Diabetes: noted that more advanced cases of diabetes can result in considerable health impacts and disability. Funding has therefore been allocated for a programme across all Merton’s green spaces to encourage healthier lifestyles as a way to prevent and treat Type 2;

·         Mental health: supporting outdoor therapies and support offered through Merton’s libraries; and

·         Physical disabilities: seeking to offer access to sports for those with disabilities including those that are hidden (and for example, may be linked to age). Examples include walking football and water sports. These are not known well enough. To be more inclusive, the new leisure centre will use the highest building standards based on the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act. This will be evaluated with these standards then built into Merton’s other leisure facilities.

In response to member questions, Cllr Draper clarified:

·         It was a joint decision to reinstate the Changing Places adult changing facility in the new Merton Leisure Centre. This happened during the early part of week commencing 18 June 2018. This situation resulted from the process of reconfiguring the leisure centre to remove the plant room off the roof of the building to achieve a half a million pound cost saving. This was a mistake which when it was realised led to the changing facility being reinstated. Reinstating the facility will have cost implications and result in some loss of facilities for staff;

·         In 2019, Merton will become one of the 6 boroughs that were awarded Cultural Impact status and will deliver a cultural programme focusing on  film. The community will lead the delivery of this festival across the borough; and

·         Provision of additional services for disabled residents is achieved in partnership with adult and children’s social care. There are limited resources available to support this work.

Cllr Whelton, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Housing and Transport: this is his third year holding this Cabinet Member brief all be it with a slightly revised portfolio (parking has been added inclusive of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition System and the diesel levy). Will be looking to introduce a 20 mph zone across the borough to fulfil the commitment made in the manifesto. Housing remains one of the biggest issues for the borough and a new housing strategy will be brought forward by the end of the year to address a range of associated issues. Highlighted that the provision of affordable homes remains a priority but this has been frustrated by a loss of central government grants. Regeneration of estates (High Path, Ravensbury and Eastfields) is ongoing and is Clarion’s biggest project. The detailed planning applications are just about to come forward and will be a big focus for the remainder of this municipal year. A new local plan is also emerging for which there has been a call for sites. This will be scrutinised by the Borough Plan Advisory Committee. Noted the desired to provide shared ownership homes linked to Merton’s own need to retain staff. Having undertaken the regeneration of Mitcham town centre, the focus is now on Morden and the appointment of a development partner that will be subject to scrutiny. Already working with Transport for London as key partners in the Morden regeneration.

In response to member questions, Cllr Whelton clarified:

·         As all street management decisions can be subject to call-in, the Street Management Advisory Committee will not be reinstated;

·         The approach taken on the disposal of sites will balance best use against best value on a case-by-case basis. Noted the Council has a fiduciary duty to achieve the best return for residents. Four development sites have been identified for Merantun;

·         The Council is working closely with residents on regeneration for example through the development of the Wimbledon masterplan;

·         Whether the target for completion of the Morden regeneration by 2026 will be achieved will largely depend on the condition of the property market. It had been intended that this regeneration would take place during the last decade but this was impeded by the financial crash. Previously expected housing infrastructure funding did not happen. There is a need for realism and pragmatism. It is a big commitment with support already coming forward from the Mayor or London; and

·         The Council is working closely with Clarion Housing as demonstrated by meetings held with Ruth Cook, Group Chief Executive, and Paul Quinn, Director of the Merton Regeneration. Given the regeneration will cause major upheaval, it is important residents be kept onside. Whilst the regeneration is ongoing, housing needs and repairs must continue to be addressed. Merton’s memorandum of understanding with Clarion including the ten pledges for residents is important in ensuring this happens.