Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Braithwaite, Galea, Howard, Kaweesa, Mercer, Pearce, Reiss and Wilson.

Councillors Dresselaers, Hall and Willis attended remotely.

There were no declarations of interest.

HONORARY FREEDOM OF THE BOROUGH

Council is recommended to agree to present the person named below with a certificate conferring upon them the title of Honorary Freeman of the Borough affixed with the common seal of the Council.

The motion to be duly moved and seconded is:

That, by virtue of the power vested in it by Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council does admit Mark Allison as Freeman of the London Borough of Merton.

This honour is bestowed on Mark Allison in recognition of the substantial contribution he made to the Borough as a Councillor since his election to the Council in 2002, including serving as Leader of the Council from 2020 – 2022 and Deputy Leader from 2014-2020.

Mark held many positions on the Council and made a substantial contribution to the borough, especially in enhancing businesses, economic growth and prosperity, and in protecting those who are more vulnerable and on low incomes. Mark also played an important role in supporting charities in the Borough. As Cabinet Member for Finance, Mark oversaw the management of the Borough’s finances for over ten years. Mark also ensured all Council staff were paid the living wage and introduced bereavement leave for staff who miscarry.

Note by Chief Executive: Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972 requires a resolution conferring the title of Honorary Freeperson to be passed by not less than two thirds of the Members voting thereon.

The Mayor invited Councillor Stringer to move and Councillor Alambritis to second the motion.

Councillor Stringer:

Thank you Madam Mayor. Deputy Lieutenant, Madam Mayor, Councillors, Officers and observers I’m delighted that we're here tonight awarding the Freedom of the Borough to two people who've given so much of their time and energy to the people of Merton and making Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen of ten further former colleagues.

So can I take this time to also thank all of those who left the Council at the May elections and thank them for all the work they did for our Borough.

Madam Mayor I'm going to talk about Mark Allison and why he deserves this

honor of the Freedom of the Borough. First you have the motion in front of you but I'll run through some of the facts; he was a Councillor for twenty years, including ten years responsible for the Boroughs’ finances; seven and a half of those as deputy leader. In Autumn 2020 when Stephen Alambritis, still Councillor Alambritis stood down from ten years at the helm, Mark was elected as new Leader of the Council.

Madam Mayor taking on leadership while we're in the middle of a pandemic is a challenge but Mark didn't let that stop him continuing to deliver improvements for Merton residents while still making sure that we were doing everything we can to protect our residents from illness and support the economy during the lockdowns. Mark's achievements are many and I’m sure my colleague Councillor Alambritis will cover some of these but for starters he was key to insisting that we protect the lowest income residents from

council tax even when the government took away that funding, he was crucial in shaping those principles that protected children’s and adult services from the worst of the cuts as austerity started to bite and recent achievements like the OFSTED judgement that our children's services are outstanding is a

testament to his focus on looking after our most vulnerable residents.

He also made sure that we had the funds to deliver the things that benefit all

residents like a new leisure centre in Morden and a new library in Colliers Wood.

Madam Mayor, his commitment to Merton went well beyond his achievements at the Council he also spent his spare time, when not watching football, working to make life better for local people including setting up a new foodbank service at the start of the pandemic with his wife Jenny over in Pollards Hill and then continuing to regularly volunteer there.

He also spent many more hours on the doorstep listening to residents than was expected of him making sure to be in wards right across the Borough always willing to speak to voters especially when they

had concerns to raise.

Madam Mayor I've outlined some of the achievements of Mark but what is hopefully clear is his hard work and his commitment to Merton and beyond this there's how he achieves things. Mark's approach was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

HONORARY FREEDOM OF THE BOROUGH

Council is recommended to agree to present the person named below with a certificate conferring upon them the title of Honorary Freeman of the Borough affixed with the common seal of the Council.

The motion to be duly moved and seconded is:

That, by virtue of the power vested in it by Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council does admit David Tyrie Williams MBE JP as Freeman of the London Borough of Merton.

This honour is bestowed on David Tyrie Williams MBE JP in recognition of the exceptional contribution he made to the Borough as a Councillor in over 45 cumulative years of service since his first election to the Council in 1974, including serving as Leader of the Council from 2006 – 2010, the Mayor of Merton in 2012/13, Deputy Mayor 1981/82, Leader of the Opposition 1999-2006 and his extensive civic service.

David has held a number of posts and senior positions on the Council throughout his time as a Councillor and has chaired various Committees and Boards.

David has also served the Borough in many other ways, including having been a School Governor at various levels for over 50 years, a member of the Endeavour Youth Club Management Committee in Morden for 35 years and a member of Merton Deanery Synod for 16 years. David has also served as a magistrate in Merton since 1986 and in 2019 received an MBE for Political Service in Local Government.

Note by Chief Executive: Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972 requires a resolution conferring the title of Honorary Freeperson to be passed by not less than two thirds of the Members voting thereon.

The Mayor invited Councillor McLean to move and Councillor Holden to second the motion.

Councillor McLean:

Deputy Lieutenant, Madam Mayor, Councillors and guests, I’d like to begin by saying myself and Councillor Holden will be speaking to conservative colleagues tonight but the conservative group congratulates all former councillors being honoured for their contribution to this Council,

all of whom greatly respected the privilege it was to represent the residents of their respective wards with a dedication to public service they can all be proud of.

Madam Mayor, It is my honour to propose the motion that by virtue of the power vested in it by section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972 the Council does admit David Tyrie Williams as freeman of the London Borough of Merton.

This honour is bestowed on David Tyrie Williams MBE JP in recognition of the

exceptional contribution he made to the Borough as a councillor in over 45

cumulative years of service since his first election to the council in 1974

including serving as Leader of the Council from 2006 to 2010, the Mayor of Merton in 2012-13, Deputy Mayor 1981-82, Leader of the

opposition 1999 - 2006 and his extensive civic service.

David has held a number of posts and senior positions on the Council throughout his time as a councillor and has chaired various committees and boards. David has also served the Borough in many other ways including having been a school governor at various levels for over 50 years, a member of the endeavour youth club management committee in Morden for

35 years and a member of Merton Deanery Synod for 16 years.

David has also served as a magistrate in Merton since 1986 and in 2019

received an MBE for political service in Local Government.

It is also moved that former Councillor David Williams is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of his loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.

Madam Mayor, Deputy Lieutenant, Ladies and Gentlemen that is the service record of former Councillor David Williams MBE JP and it is that outstanding dedication to the service of this Council and the residents that David was elected to represent that we are here to acknowledge tonight, as this Council bestows upon him the Freedom of the Borough.

As Council Leader there were many achievements, not least the opening of the Mitcham Eastfields train station; the first a very significant transport infrastructure project in the constituency of Mitcham and Morden.

David Williams, the heart of the conservative group for decades steeped in professionalism, constitutional knowledge, a perfectionist; this Council will miss his wise input. But Madam Mayor what has struck me with serving with David over the last four years is that despite the decades that he has been a member of Merton Council he remains a moderniser. Yes always an anchor to former practices but also keen to do things differently and that to me is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Council is recommended to agree to present former Councillors Mark Allison, David Williams MBE JP, David Chung, David Dean, John Dehaney, Nick Draper, James Holmes, Russell Makin, Oonagh Moulton, David Simpson CBE, Peter Southgate and Geraldine Stanford  respectively with a certificate conferring on them the title of Honorary Alderman/woman duly affixed with the common seal of the Council.

The motions to be moved and seconded are:

1) ‘That former Councillor Mark Allison is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of his loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.’ (motion to be taken during agenda Item 3).

2) ‘That former Councillor David Williams MBE JP is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of his loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.’ (motion to be taken during agenda Item 4).

3) ‘That former Councillor David Chung is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of his loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.’

4) ‘That former Councillor David Dean is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of his loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.’

5) ‘That former Councillor John Dehaney is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of his loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.’

6) ‘That former Councillor Nick Draper is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of his loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.’

7) ‘That former Councillor James Holmes is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of his loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.’

8) ‘That former Councillor Russell Makin is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of his loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.’

9) ‘That former Councillor Oonagh Moulton is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderwoman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of her loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.’

10) ‘That former Councillor David Simpson CBE is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of his loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.’

11) That former Councillor Peter Southgate is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of his loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.’

12) That former Councillor Geraldine Stanford is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderwoman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of her loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.’

Note by Chief Executive: Section 249  ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

The Mayor asked for a proposer and a seconder for the motion to confer the title of Honorary Alderman on former Councillor David Dean.

Councillor McLean:

Thank you Madam Mayor. Former Councillor David Dean served on Merton Council for 16 years in the wards of Trinity and Dundonald. Members that have served with David during this time will attest that he is indeed a unique character. While David Williams was the embodiment of sound structure and authority, David Dean prescribed more to the view better to ask for forgiveness than permission; a quality for getting things done but a group leader's nightmare. Indeed, when I’d make one of my regular

calls to conservative group Councillors I would invariably say to David what are you up to, bracing myself for the response.

But Madam Mayor David did get things done, Mr Daffodil himself, a Councillor who didn't just talk or jump on a bandwagon but delivered. Despite sometimes causing my blood pressure to rise, David was an important member of our group because he brought that all-important breadth of political argument from left to right. As a functioning political group this is the important ingredient to good debate.

Madam Mayor my Council colleague Councillor Holden will speak further to

David's time on this Council however I’d like to finish by referencing his contributions to the debate in this chamber. I know he was not a particular favourite with other parties but he would have been horrified if he was, but I think deep down even non-conservative members might just miss David a little bit. I know we certainly will miss him a lot.

David, you like so many receiving this honour tonight have served the London Borough of Merton with a dedication that you can be very proud of and I wish you

the very best. Madam Mayor is my very great privilege to move this motion for David Dean to be conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman.

Councillor Holden:

Thank you I'm honoured to second the nomination of my friend and former Councillor David Dean to the status of Honorary Alderman for the London Borough of Merton.

David served a total of 16 years on this Council, first in Trinity ward then in Dundonald ward. David is a somewhat unique individual character, extremely well liked and regarded by a lot of colleagues and residents, his plain speaking and dedication to getting things done despite the odds and then some he well and truly rubbed

up the wrong way. I'm pleased to say I'm one of the former. David is a close friend and confidant we still regularly chat about Council and party matters.

In this place David had two main passions; town planning and the environment. Throughout my time here I served with David in committees where he displayed

these passions, namely the Planning Applications Committee and the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel. David defended residents from bad applications often going against the politically correct consensus to do  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.