Leonie Cooper, Assembly Member for Merton and Wandsworth

Leonie Cooper, Assembly Member for Merton and Wandsworth gave an update on her work. Leonie said she is happy to attend local meetings on Zoom and can be contacted by email.

The Assembly is still looking at COVID issues, and is worried about how difficult it is to get people to wear masks on public transport. Please encourage people to wear masks, especially on the Underground. It is also important to get booster and flu jabs if eligible. 

A new report by Imperial College London commissioned by the Mayor of London showed strong links between air pollution and greater risk of COVID hospitalisation in addition to the previously established links to ethnicity and deprivation. The Ultra-Low Emission Zone is being expanded to South Circular on 25 October. The current zone has reduced NO2 by 44% and we expect the expanded zone to have a similar impact on encouraging people to change their vehicle. You can check if your vehicle is affected at TfL’s website.

The Mayor and London boroughs have offered to help resettle refugees from Afghanistan. Mayor has offered Help to Buy Back fund to LAS to source homes for refugees. Set up London Refuge Response to coordinate donations and have been overwhelmed by the response.

The Mayor has launched a £400k fund to tackle hate and racism going to community groups. Following the murder of Sir David Amiss the Assembly is reviewing security at both the current assembly and the new building in Newham.

The Mayor is providing a package of £11m to support Londoners into work including Creative Enterprise Zones to support Londoners who are unemployed or in low paid work. This funding includes the last support from European Social Fund. There is also £5m for Academies Hub to address skills gaps in key sectors like construction.

The Assembly recently questioned the Mayor and TfL on the funding deal with Government, as the current funding deal runs out in December and TfL needs a long term solution. The Elizabeth Line trials are going well, so after many delays we hope it will open in first half of 2022.

The Assembly has recently passed motions for the £20 uplift to Universal Credit to stay; increased pay for police; solutions to supply issues; access for London to the national Clean Air Fund. The Mayor is funding social housing that will be environmentally sustainable and Cllr Allison has met with Deputy Mayor Tom Copley to look at opportunities for Merton.

Police and Crime Committee looking at issues created by unconscious bias in the police. There is a need to build trust in the police amongst black Londoners and Women.   

A resident asked if it is possible to provide updates to the Colliers Wood Residents Association. Both Leonie and Cllr Allison said they were happy to do so.

A resident asked about enforcing mask wearing. Leonie said it is difficult but there is not enough enforcement. It would be easier if the wider context was that mask wearing was still normalised.

Cllr Cooper said skills fund is very important, and asked how quickly it will be available in Merton. Leonie said some strands of funding are available now, others are being delivered through partner organisations with details of the skills funding schemes available listed online.