Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Pauline Cowper.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings held on 16 September 2020 are agreed as an accurate record.

The Mayor asked for nominations for the Leader of the Council.

It was moved by Councillor Alambritis and seconded by Councillor Stringer that Councillor Allison be elected Leader of the Council.

The leaders of the opposition and minority groups on the Council paid tribute to the outgoing Leader of the Council and spoke on the nomination of Councillor Allison.

Councillors Cooper-Marbiah, Moulton and Chung paid tribute to the outgoing Leader of the Council.

There not being any other nominations the Mayor put the motion to the meeting and it was

RESOLVED

That Councillor Mark Allison be duly elected Leader of the Council.

Councillor Allison spoke to his election as Leader of the Council and announced his Cabinet.

The Mayor provided a brief update on her activities since the last meeting of the Council.

There were no announcements from the Leader or the Chief Executive.

Councillors Stringer and Ormrod paid tribute to the Director of Children, Schools and Families on her last Council meeting before leaving the Council.

The Mayor paid tribute to the Council’s Air Quality team who had won in the Environmental Services category at the recent LGC awards for their work on the world’s first low emission zone for construction.

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 those who had notified the Council in advance to ask 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.

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.

The Strategic Theme report on Health and Wellbeing with a focus on Healthy Living was moved by Councillor Lanning and seconded by Councillor Pritchard.

Councillors Barlow and Gould also spoke on the item.

RESOLVED:  That the Strategic Theme report is agreed.

The motion was moved by Councillor Kohler and seconded by Councillor McGrath.

The Labour amendment as set out in agenda item 28 was moved by Councillor Lanning and seconded by Councillor Curtin.

Councillor Moulton spoke on the item.

The Labour amendment was put to a vote and was carried – votes in favour: 31, votes against: 10, abstentions: 18.

The substantive motion (as amended) was then put to a vote and was carried – votes in favour: 38, votes against: 3, abstentions: 18.

RESOLVED:

This Council notes:

-       According to nationally reported NHS COVER dataset, Merton has repeatedly had one of the worst records in the country for childhood

-       vaccinations e.g. consistently in the bottom decile for 5 year MMR

-       According to the same NHS data, Merton has a similarly poor record in respect of vaccinations recommended for adults: e.g. flu for over 65s was the 4th worst in London in 2019/20 Q4

-       -The data is well known to be problematic, for instance through families moving and GP registered patients lists often having “ghost” patients that inflate the denominator, with numerous issues including insufficient information being provided and data transfer issues

This Council believes that:

-       the recent improvement at ages 1 and 2 in 2020/21 Q1 is a welcome

-       development from which lessons must be learned;

-       the overall  quality issues with the COVER data remain a cause for serious concern and which might impact negatively on NHS resources in the winter months;

-       if a vaccine for Coronavirus does become available, the take-up will need to be high to ensure residents in Merton are  adequately protected against Covid 19.

This Council therefore resolves to:

Call on the Health and Wellbeing Community Subgroup, which provides oversight of work on the impact of Covid-19 on vulnerable communities, to commit to regularly update Council about this matter without such work taking resources away from the good work they continue to do in keeping residents safe throughout the pandemic.

Councillor Holmes presented the reports which were received by the Council.

In the absence, of Councillor Cowper the reports were received by the Council.

Councillor Chung presented the reports which were received by the Council.

Councillor McGrath presented the reports which were received by the Council.

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

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

The Labour amendment as set out in agenda item 29 was moved by Councillor Whelton and seconded by Councillor Quilliam.

Councillor Fairclough spoke on the item.

The Labour amendment was put to a vote and was carried – votes in favour: 33, votes against: 24, abstentions: 2.

The substantive motion (as amended) was then put to a vote and was carried – votes in favour: 33, votes against: 24, abstentions: 2.

RESOLVED:

This council is deeply concerned by some of the ways the new strategy of emission based parking charges being introduced in Merton have been portrayed. It is clear that this is causing concern that it is a money making scheme that does not improve air quality, and will negatively impact the elderly, the disabled, and those on low incomes.

Council therefore calls on the Cabinet to:

-       Make clear that the scheme is based on the principle of the less polluting your vehicle is, the less you pay, and the more polluting, the more you pay;

-       Make clear that it is based on behavioural analysis of previous schemes, such as the levy on parking for diesel cars, which has been proven to change consumer behaviour and will reduce pollution;

-       Ensure that future air quality measures benefit vulnerable people in Merton by reducing the emissions that harm their health;

-       Produce further evidence that taxing parked cars reduces emissions;

-       Note that measures will impact and benefit all parts of the borough;

-       Continue to look into measures that will reduce emissions across the borough;

-       Consider all the responses to the consultation before a final decision is made on the proposals.

The motion was moved by Councillor Stringer and seconded by Councillor Henry.

The Conservative amendment as set out in agenda item 30 was moved by Councillor Gretton and seconded by Councillor Omar Bush.

Councillor Kohler spoke on the item.

The Conservative amendment was put to a vote and fell – votes in favour: 20, votes against: 38, abstentions: 1.

The original motion was then put to a vote and was carried – votes in favour: 39, votes against: 18, abstentions: 1.

RESOLVED:

Following the Government’s decision not to extend Free School Meals during the recent half term, local authorities, charities and businesses in London and across England were left to plug the gap in providing nutrition for the rising numbers of children in low income households.

Council commends the Labour administration in Merton for stepping in to help with additional funding for all families entitled to Free School Meals to cover the half term holiday, despite the increasing financial burden of responding to the Covid 19 crisis. Without sufficient recompense from the government, despite their commitment to do “whatever it takes”, this financial strain puts Merton’s children at risk of holiday hunger.

Council thanks and commends local charities, businesses and individual residents who also joined together to ensure the borough’s children don’t go hungry.

Council calls on the government to provide funding for families eligible Free School Meals during the upcoming Christmas holidays and other school holidays during the course of the pandemic.

Council resolves to ask the Leader to write to the borough’s MPs and the Secretary of State to demand the government safeguard children’s health and nutrition by extending Free School Meals provision during the holidays.

The report was moved by Councillor Allison and formally seconded by Councillor Pritchard.

Councillor Ormrod also spoke on the item.

RESOLVED:

That the Council:

A.           i)    approves the constitution of committees, sub-committees and scrutiny bodies set out in Appendix A and;

ii)      agrees the allocation of seats, chair and vice-chair positions and the appointment of members to those seats;

B.           i)    approves the constitution of consultative forums and other bodies set out in Appendix B and

ii)      agrees the appointment of members to those seats; 

C.           agrees the allocation of seats and appointment to the outside organisations as detailed in Appendix C.

D.           notes the changes to the appointments to the Cabinet including their respective portfolios (Appendix D);

E.           agrees the Health and Wellbeing Board Community Sub-Group Terms of Reference (Appendix E)

F.           agrees that the Council’s Constitution be amended to incorporate any changes resulting from the approval of recommendations A to E.

The report was moved by Councillor Southgate and formally seconded by Councillor McCabe.

Councillors McLean and Fairclough also spoke on the item.

RESOLVED:

That the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2019-20 be received.

The report was moved by Councillor Allison and formally seconded by Councillor Macauley.

Councillor Janice Howard also spoke on the item.

RESOLVED:

That the new Merton Community Plan 2020-26 as set out at Appendix 1 to the Council report be endorsed.

The report was moved by Councillor Whelton and formally seconded by Councillor Butler.

The Liberal Democrat amendment as set out in agenda item 31 was moved by Councillor McGrath and seconded by Councillor Fairclough.

Councillor Holmes spoke on the item.

The Liberal Democrat amendment was put to a vote and fell – votes in favour: 9, votes against: 32, abstentions: 18.

The original recommendations were then put to a vote and were carried – votes in favour: 32, votes against: 26, abstentions: 1.

RESOLVED:

                   A.        agrees the Consultation Report (Appendix B), including comments, responses and where applicable, amendments to the SPD.

                   B.        notesthe Council has undertaken a screening exercise with relevant statutory bodies to confirm that a Strategic Environmental Assessment is not required to support the SPD.

                   C.        notes that whilst the Council’s constitution permits Cabinet to agree the Adoption of SPDs; in recognition of the cross-party political representation in Wimbledon wards, the decision will be taken byCouncil.

                   D.        That Councilagrees; 

                                      i.        The adoption of the Future Wimbledon Supplementary Planning Document (Appendix A) in accordance with the Town & Country Panning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

                                    ii.        Delegate to the Director of Environment & Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Housing & Transport, the making of minor factual, editorial and image changes to the SPD prior to publication on the council’s website. 

With the agreement of the Council, the Mayor extended the meeting by 15 minutes in order to finish the remaining business on the agenda.

The report was moved by Councillor Whelton and formally seconded by Councillor Irons.

The Liberal Democrat amendment as set out in agenda item 32 was moved by Councillor Gould and seconded by Councillor Fairclough.

Councillor Holden spoke on the item.

The Liberal Democrat amendment was put to a vote and fell – votes in favour: 23, votes against: 34, abstentions: 1.

The original recommendations were then put to a vote and were carried – votes in favour: 58, votes against: 0, abstentions: 1.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Council adopts Merton’s 2020 Climate Strategy and Action Plan (see Appendix 1 to the Council report).

2.    That responsibility for overseeing the delivery of the 2020 Climate Strategy and Action Plan is delegated to Cabinet.

3.       That Council notes the significant cost to the Council and to the residents and businesses of Merton to become zero carbon as well as the need for a national Green recovery programme to shift towards a zero carbon economy and a more sustainable future.

4.    That the Council lobby for further funding and policy changes at national level to support the delivery of the 2020 Climate Strategy and Action Plan.

5.       That delegated authority is given to the Director of Environment and Regeneration, Chris Lee in consultation with Cllr Martin Whelton, the Cabinet member for Regeneration, Housing and Climate Change to make minor amendments before publication.

The report was moved by Councillor Whelton and formally seconded by Councillor Allison.

Councillors Crowe and McGrath also spoke on the item.

RESOLVED:

That the Council:

A.        Approves the proposed additions to Merton Local List, with the exception of The Cast Iron Vent, Southside, Wimbledon Common, which should be referred requiring further consultation and Mitcham Police Station, Cricket Green, which should be reviewed and should also be referred to the next round.

B         Notes the proposal not to add 4-7 Upper Green East and 7-11 Upper Green West to Merton Local List.

C         Notes that at the meeting on 4^th June the Borough Plan Advisory Committee also resolved to add a recommendation to the report:  Cabinet agreed to undertake a review of and consultations on additions to the Local List each year and present the report to the Borough Plan Advisory Committee.

The report was moved by Councillor Draper and formally seconded by Councillor Allison.

Councillors Simpson and Kohler also spoke on the item.

RESOLVED:

That the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy 2021-2026be adopted as required under Section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003, as approved by Members of the Licensing Committee on 15 October 2020.

The report was moved by Councillor Byers and formally seconded by Councillor Whelton.

Councillor Holden also spoke on the item.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the items in the Table below are added to the approved and indicative Capital Programme:

The report was moved by Councillor Byers and formally seconded by Councillor Allison.

Councillors Gretton and Kohler also spoke on the item.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the uprating revisions for the 2021/22 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 adopts the proposed revisions to the 2021/22 scheme.

The report was moved by Councillor Byers and formally seconded by Councillor Allison.

Councillor McLean also spoke on the item.

RESOLVED:

That Council note the taking of urgent key decisions on 17 April and 5 June 2020.

RESOLVED:

That Council accepts receipt of a petition presented by the Conservative Group on behalf of residents objecting to the proposed emission based parking charges and notes that a response would be reported to the next Council meeting.

That the Strategic Theme for the next ordinary meeting of the Council, being held on 3 February 2021, shall be Sustainable Communities, with the focus on Merton's Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.