Amy Mallet, Merton Council

Amy Mallet, Climate Engagement Officer for Merton Council, gave a presentation on the progress being made on Merton’s Climate Action Plan. The presentation is attached to this report.

In 2019 Merton Council declared a climate emergency with a target of achieving net zero for the Council by 2030 and borough by 2050. The Council is responsible for less than 2% of emissions. A Climate Strategy and Action Plan was agreed in 2020 and followed by two climate delivery plans.

The Action Plan covers a lot of areas so there is a need to expand the team and bring in additional expertise. The Council also needs to work well with the community so has set up Climate Action Group that supports community action on climate in areas like buildings and energy, transport, green economy and greening Merton. Projects have included Energy Matters, providing energy efficiency education in schools; Merton Garden Streets, where residents and businesses have got involved in planting up their streets. So far 115 streets have signed up, with over 10,000 volunteer hours plus participants have reported benefits to their well-being. The Wheel repair café, a chance for residents to bring goods that can be repaired. There are repair café and upcycling events taking place at Canon’s House in November and December. The Climate Action Group is looking for more volunteers and you can email the team if you want to get more involved.

There was a summer fare at Canon’s House in Mitcham that highlighted sustainable businesses and products. The team is also supporting a schools’ network and a Green Careers week to highlight job opportunities in green industries. The best way to keep in touch with that is happening is to sign-up to the e-newsletter.

Mayor of London’s Warmer Homes scheme provides funding for low income, low energy efficiency households. This closes in March 2023 and is the currently only funding scheme available.

The team will be working with University College London to run a pilot programme to support small businesses to improve their energy efficiency.

A resident raised a concern about a previous project involving volunteers to improve an open space that was not supported and failed to continue. Amy was not familiar with the project.

A resident what progress was being made by the Council to reach carbon neutrality. Amy said the Council was at an early stage, £2m funding was committed in 2021 to support the work and this will see an impact soon. More regular and secure funding from central government would be helpful. There will be updates on the council delivery plan for year 3, scheduled to be reported Cabinet in January next year.

A resident asked about the impact of planning policy climate change. Amy said the new Local Plan has been through its public hearings and is now with the inspectors. This plan sets a much higher environmental standard than required by law and most other local authorities.

Cllr Austin asked if Merton Council had responded to the government Net Zero Review. Amy said the Council did respond and highlighted the frustrations with the funding landscape. Amy offered to share the response with councillors.    

A resident said that new buildings should be made to have triple glazing as a planning requirement and asked about improving insulation on brick houses that open-up onto the public highway. Amy said she would pass these concerns onto planning colleagues.