Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bokhari and Williscroft.

Councillor Page declared an interest in relation to Item 13 and stated that he would not vote on that item.

Councillor Reiss declared an interest in relation to Item 7c and stated that he had a tennis lesson booked.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2024 are agreed as an accurate record.

The Leader spoke to thank the outgoing Deputy Lieutenant Chris Cotton for his service to Merton and the Borough would welcome the new Deputy Lieutenant in the coming weeks. The Leader also spoke to wish residents the best for 2025, on the Borough of Sport, on street cleansing service changes, tree planting, council homes and warm spaces.

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.

The Strategic Theme Report on Borough of Sport was moved by Councillor Cooper-Marbiah and seconded by Councillor McCabe.

The Conservative Amendment as set out in agenda item 19 was moved by Councillor McLean and seconded by Councillor Paterson.

The Liberal Democrat Amendment as set out in agenda item 19 was moved by Councillor MacArthur and seconded by Councillor Willis.

Councillors Garrod, Fairclough, Ofeimu, Charles and Kirby also spoke on the item.

The Conservative Amendment was put to the vote and fell: Votes For – 26, Against – 29, Not Voting – 0.

The Liberal Democrat Amendment was put to the vote and fell: Votes For – 25, Against – 29, Not Voting – 1.

The substantive report was put to the vote and carried: Votes For – 36, Against – 16, Not Voting- 0.

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.

The motion was moved by Councillor Butcher and seconded by Councillor Neaverson.

The Liberal Democrat amendment as set out in agenda item 20 was moved by Councillor Kohler and seconded by Councillor Reiss.

Councillor Fairclough also spoke on the item.

The Liberal Democrat Amendment was put to the vote and fell: Votes For – 23, Against – 29, Not Voting – 3.

The substantive motion was then put to the vote and carried: Votes for – 32, Against – 23, Not Voting – 0.

RESOLVED:

Council notes:

·       The London Borough of Merton’s deep-rooted sporting heritage.

·       The importance of ensuring that all residents in Merton can access opportunities to play sport, and the role of the Council in breaking down barriers to accessibility by providing free and low-cost activities, as part of this Council’s ambitions to be the London Borough of Sport.

·       Tennis participation is growing locally and nationally, and the Council’s Borough of Sport mission and rich tennis heritage means Merton is in pole position to harness this enthusiasm.

·       The Labour-run Council’s renovation of 47 tennis courts across 11 parks across the borough.

·       The Council’s work in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association to deliver nearly £1 million of upgrades to the borough’s public tennis and multi-use courts.

Council welcomes:

·       The decision to award the Tennis Maintenance and Coaching Operator contract to Tennis in Merton.

·       The enshrinement of free court access as part of this contract, enabling all Merton residents to be able to play tennis for free, no matter their background or the barriers they may face to participation.

·       The protection of the long-term future of our borough’s tennis courts by retaining council court accessibility, ensuring that all courts are maintained to a high standard, and that the Council has an experienced, professional operator to run the courts day-to-day.

Council further notes:

·       The open and competitive process to find the best company to award the Tennis Maintenance and Coaching Operator contract to.

·       The prioritisation of coaching quality, price and highest safeguarding standards during the Council’s evaluation of tender bids.

·       The new initiatives and opportunities that will be delivered as part of this award.

·       The work of Emma Wells to engage with and bring existing coaches who operate on Council courts under Tennis in Merton.

·       Due to the cuts to Council budgets made in Westminster by the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats between 2010-2024, the Council must continue to manage revenues prudently and with care, including with the maintenance of our local sporting facilities.

·       In order to ensure Council courts are maintained and refurbished to the Lawn Tennis Association’s requirements, a sinking fund is both the most sustainable and effective option to ensure court users do not pay for using Council courts and our Council courts remain some of the highest quality courts in the country.

·       The open letter from the MP for Wimbledon, setting out his opposition to the awarding of the Maintenance and Coaching Operator contract to Tennis in Merton, and the clarifications provided by the Cabinet Member  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7c

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

The Motion was moved by Councillor Kohler and seconded by Councillor Flack.

Councillors Macauley and Cox also spoke on the item.

The motion was put to the vote and fell: Votes For – 26, Against – 29, Not Voting – 0

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

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

The motion was put to the vote and fell: Votes For – 25, Against – 30, Not Voting – 0.

The Motion was moved by Councillor MacArthur and seconded by Councillor Wilson.

Councillors Kaweesa and Charles also spoke on the item.

The motion was put to the vote and fell: Votes For – 26, Against – 29, Not Voting – 0.

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

The Conservative amendment as set out in agenda item 20 was moved by Councillor McLean and seconded by Councillor Holden.

Councillor Oliver also spoke on the item.

The amendment was put to the vote and fell: Votes For – 9, Against – 45, Not Voting – 1

The report was put to the vote and agreed: Votes For – 48, Against – 7, Not Voting – 0.

RESOLVED:

A.    That the updating for the 2025/26 council tax support scheme detailed in the report be agreed by Council, in order to maintain low council tax charges for those on lower incomes and other vulnerable residents.

B. That Council agrees the proposed revisions to the 2025/26 scheme.

At the commencement of the item, the Mayor moved that the meeting be extended by thirty minutes to enable all business to be considered and this was agreed by the room.

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

Councillors McLean and Oliver also spoke on the item.

The report was put to the vote and agreed. Votes For – 47, Against – 7, Not Voting – 0. Councillor Page did not vote on this item due to an interest declared earlier in the meeting.

RESOLVED:

A. That Council note the update on Treasury Management performance for the half year to 30 September 2024

The report was moved by Councillor Alambritis and seconded by Councillor Stringer.

RESOLVED:

A. Council approves the dissolution of the Joint Regulatory Service Committee

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

RESOLVED:

A.    That Council consider and, if thought fit, approve the reason for Councillor James Williscroft’s absence from meetings of the Council up to and including 22 January 2025.

B.    To note that, if approved, Councillor Williscroft will have until 22 July 2025 to attend a meeting of the Council or seek another dispensation prior to that time.

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

There were no petitions submitted to the meeting.

That the Strategic Theme for the next ordinary meeting of the Council being held on 2 April 2025 shall be Building a Sustainable Future.