The meeting was held via Zoom, and chaired by Councillor James Holmes. Five residents and six councillors attended on Zoom with 58 additional views on YouTube. The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained how the meeting would work.

Councillor Eleanor Stringer, Joint Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Education

Cllr Eleanor Stringer, Joint Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Education, provided an update on behalf of the Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Allison. Eleanor Became Deputy in November 2020 but has been attending Forum as a local Cllr for Abbey ward since 2018.

Merton has a great community but still has many challenges. Eleanor said she is passionate about lifting the life changes of disadvantaged residents through measures like improving schools, maintaining Council Tax support and progress on other services like libraries, new a leisure centre in Morden. However, the pandemic has made inequalities worse and emphasised existing issues like the need to address housing shortage.

Merton now has the most diverse cabinet in our history, and in response to the pandemic we launched Merton Together to help bring together communities. Eleanor thanked everyone who got involved in supporting the community including those working with the Foodbank and the Dons Local Action Group.

The Council has been working with NHS colleagues to keep people safe but there has seen been a huge impact on many people’s lives. This has included people spending time at home in Merton rather than commuting so we wanted to listen to residents of experience of the pandemic, so we launched the Your Merton engagement exercise. We are still analysing the results but it is clear that residents in particular value parks and open spaces, and the sense of community. The Leader and Cabinet are still in listening mode which is why we have listened to concerns about the emissions based parking charges which were about to be introduced. The context has changed since the initial proposals so we will not be going ahead with them.

A resident had asked about the latest information on the removal of trees by Trust Ford. Cllr Stringer said an update would be provided. Following the meeting officers confirmed that Merton Council is still exploring possible legal options and will announce any actions we take at an appropriate time.  

Cllr McGrath asked if the PTAL Parking changes will also be reversed and if the Emissions proposals are now on hold how long will this be for. Cllr Stringer said the changes already made will stay, but nothing new will be coming through. Emissions charges plan will be halted.

A resident asked if Merton will build Council Housing. Cllr Stringer explained that Merton does not own any housing, but we are keen to build more social housing. We will be looking to deliver more as part of estates regeneration at Eastfields, High Path and Ravensbury

A resident said that the equipment in Dundonald Rec needs updated Cllr Stringer said she would be happy to look into what could be done.

Cllr Gretton asked about proposed changes to the contract with Clarion Housing. Cllr Stringer said there are ongoing issue with Clarion and getting repairs done but those estates need to be re-built and the Council is pleased to support the regeneration.

A resident asked why Merton Council’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

Dr Navdeep Alg, South West London Clinical Commissioning Group cancer lead gave a presentation on cancer services in the area. The presentation can be found attached to this report. The pandemic has delayed care and diagnosis in some cancers and there is a need to catch up. This is particularly the case for breast, lung, and urological cancers, mainly due to less screening taking place during the pandemic.

South West London CCG is trying to raise awareness through social media, local press, TV, and non-digital advertising. They are working with an organisation called Community Links to target particular communities and offer information in community languages.

The CCG is also attending public engagement events to have face-to-face contacts. This includes a Cancer Awareness Day at Vestry Hall on 6 November. Dr Alg is happy to attend any community events and asked if anyone has any ideas for events he could attend to email Steven.Nzekwue@swlondon.nhs.uk. Dr Alg also asked attendees to help share the message that services are open and we want to see patients who have symptoms.

A resident asked how long it will take to catch up. Dr Alg said in some areas, cervical and urological cancers, they have nearly caught up already but for others, breast and lung cancer for example, this may take six months or even longer.

This update will be provided at the next meeting.

You are welcome to raise issues in advance by email to getinvolved@merton.gov.uk

A resident asked about the condition of the playground in Dundonald Rec the bin situation. There have been some improvements but there are two bins near the playground are still regularly overflowing and need clearing. Cllr Stringer said more people are using parks and the key message is that if bins are full take your rubbish home.

Health services:

Sandra Ash from Keep Our St Helier Hospital (KOSHH) said as a result of the Health and Social Care Bill residents need to be aware of implications of new contracting arrangements for hospital services through Integrated Care System boards. The ICS will take over from CCG. The decision has been taken to downgrade St Helier and replace emergency services with smaller facilities on the Sutton Hospital site. There have been significant changes to the plans which means there should now be additional consultation. Changes include the original £511m grant award was now insufficient for the plans; there is a need for additional beds; the need to sell additional land; the need for additional car park spaces;  a higher building at Sutton; a change to renal facilities moving to Royal Marsden; and increased sharing of services with Royal Marsden. The CEO of Epsom and St Helier has left and their roll merged with St Georges CEO the same will happen with the Chair of the Trust. The Department of Health has asked Trusts to submit plans for new build costing up to £400m. Sandra asked councillors and residents to support re-opening consultation and to keep services at Epsom and St Helier.

Cllr Stringer said Merton Council has raised concerns about the renal care changes and is using their powers to challenge this. Cllr Williams responded that changes to St Helier are less relevant to Wimbledon area than other parts of the borough. St Helier is not an ideal place to centre critical care services and the building is poor condition. Cllr Gretton said the new facilities would hugely benefit Wimbledon residents and welcome the investment into local services. Dr Alg said works at St Helier and agreed it is not a great site for critical care and was excited by the idea of the new acute care facilities in Sutton.

Future meetings: all 7.15pm in Wimbledon Arts Space subject to COVID restrictions:

Wednesday 1 December 2021

Wednesday 23 March 2022

Councillor James thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting. 

The date of next meeting is 7.15pm Wednesday 1 December, venue to be confirmed.