A minutes’ silence was observed by all present following the death of former Councillor and Mayor Tony Nicholson.

There were no apologies for absence. Councillor Skeete attended remotely.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the following meetings:

5 September 2022 (Special Council)

21 September 2022

21 September 2022 (Exempt Minutes)

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 September, 21 September and the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 21 September were agreed as an accurate record and signed by the Mayor.

The Leader provided an update on the situation at Galpins Road.

There were no announcements from the Chief Executive.

The Mayor then provided a brief update on her recent and upcoming events and activities.

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

The responses to the written public questions were circulated prior to the meeting.  There were no supplementary questions received.

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.

The Strategic Theme report on promoting a dynamic connected and inclusive community; an economy with safe vibrant high streets and jobs for our residents, with a focus on supporting our diverse community by working with Merton’s Voluntary and Community Sector was moved by Councillor Stringer and seconded by Councillor Szczepanski.

The Liberal Democrat Amendment to the report was moved by Councillor Kohler and seconded by Councillor MacArthur.

Councillors Bhim, Hall, Howard and Willis also spoke on the item.

The Liberal Democrat Amendment was put to the vote and fell: Votes For: 26, Votes against: 29, Abstentions: 1.

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.

Councillor Willis presented the report which was received by the Council.

Councillor Kohler presented the report which was received by the Council.

Councillor Mundy presented the report which was received by the Council.

Councillor Kirby presented the report which was received by the Council.

Councillor Charles presented the report which was received by the Council.

The motion was moved by Councillor Holden and seconded by Councillor Barlow.

The Liberal Democrat amendment as set out in agenda item 22 was moved by Councillor Fairclough and seconded by Councillor Braithwaite.

The Liberal Democrat amendment was put to the vote and fell – votes in favour: 26, votes against: 29, abstentions: 1.

The Labour amendment as set out in agenda item 22 was moved by Councillor Irons and seconded by Councillor Johnston.

Councillor Fairclough spoke on the item.

The Labour amendment was put to a vote and was carried– votes in favour: 29, votes against: 26, abstentions: 1.

The substantive motion (as amended) was then put to a vote and was carried – votes in favour: 29, votes against: 9, abstentions: 18.

RESOLVED: 

This Council recognises that despite fortnightly wheeled bin collections driving Merton’s recycling rate to 7th highest in London and improvements delivered through the Labour administration issuing Veolia with a service improvement notice, the current contract has not performed to the standard we want.

This Council believes that residents must have confidence in any new arrangement that the Council enters into. The future contract must deliver:

• A specification that gives clear performance standards that officers, Councillors and our community can hold to account.

 • A waste collection service that responds to the concerns of residents.

• A service that Keeps Merton clean.

• On time collections for all property types.

• Removal of fly tipping within an agreed timeframe.

• Continued increases in recycling rates for all parts of the borough

• The flexibility to deliver a great service for all parts of the borough.

• Digital innovation to make the service more responsive and transparent.

Council notes plans to take proposals for the future waste and street cleaning service to a special pre-decision Scrutiny meeting, where Councillors and members of the public can scrutinise any future plans, and that this special meeting will be live streamed on Merton Council’s You Tube channel.

Therefore, Council calls upon the Cabinet to take account of the outcome of the current resident engagement and consultation in shaping the future waste and street cleaning service.

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

The Liberal Democrat Amendment was moved by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Page.

Councillor McLean also spoke on the item.

The Liberal Democrat amendment was put to the vote and fell: votes in favour: 26, against:29, abstentions: 1.

The report was put to the vote and agreed.

RESOLVED:

1. That the updating revisions for the 2023/24 council tax support scheme detailed in the report be agreed, in order to maintain low council tax charges for those on lower incomes and other vulnerable residents.

2. That Council agrees the proposed revisions to the 2023/24 scheme.

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

Councillor Reiss spoke on the item.

RESOLVED:

A. That Council adopts the South London Waste Plan as part of Merton’s statutory Local Plan and subsequent updating of Merton’s statutory Policies Map, subject to any amendments necessary in order to give effect to any recommendations contained in the Final Report from the Planning Inspectors and that authority to make such amendments be delegated to the Executive Director of Housing and Sustainable Development in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development.

B. That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Housing and Sustainable Development to deal with all the necessary adoption documents and other consequential matters in accordance with the appropriate Regulations.

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

Councillors Oliver and McLean spoke on the item.

The report was put to a vote and agreed – votes in favour: 38, against: 17, abstentions:1.

RESOLVED:

A. That Council note the update on Treasury Management

B. That Council delegates authority to the Executive Director of Finance and Digital (S151 officer) to make short term treasury investment decisions, even if those investments would not currently be in accordance with the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy, based on current market conditions/interest rates movements and funds availability to maximise investment returns. The Annual Treasury Management Strategy for FY2023/24 will be presented to the Council in March 2023.

The report was moved by Councillor Brunt and seconded by Councillor Oliver.

RESOLVED:

A. That Council agrees to appoint Katy Willison for a further three year period as an Independent Person for the purposes of Chapter 7 of the Localism Act. The Independent Person will be invited to attend meetings of the Standards and General Purposes Committee in that capacity.

B. That the appointment is made for a period of three years from 6 February 2023

The report was formally moved by Councillor Garrod and formally seconded by Councillor Stringer.

RESOLVED: 

That the Council:

1. Notes the changes to the membership of Committees that were approved under delegated authority since the last meeting of the Council

The report was formally moved by Councillor Garrod and formally seconded by Councillor Stringer.

RESOLVED

That Council

1.     Notes the update on the petitions received at the last meeting,

2.     Accepts receipt of petitions presented by:

-       Councillor Fairclough entitled “Pesticide use in Merton”

-       Councillor McLean entitled “K5 Bus Shelter Motspur Park Village”

-       Councillor Gould entitled “Crossing to be implemented on Bushey Road”

That the Strategic Theme for the next ordinary meeting of the Council, being held on 1 February 2023, shall be Ensure a clean and environmentally sustainable borough with inclusive open spaces where people can come together and enjoy a variety of natural life.

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