The Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis, highlighted some of the achievements of the past year, in line with the July principles; including improvement in school standards, creation of new school places, expansion of the South London Legal Partnership, savings from the South London Waste Partnership and the establishment of a partnership with South Thames College and Groundwork to provide adult education services. Councillor Alambritis said that the council would respect the Brexit vote and would work with London Councils, the Local Government Association and the Mayor of London on this and other issues of mutual interest, including Crossrail2.

Councillor Alambritis praised the professionalism and dedication of staff. He outlined key projects for the year ahead, including the new leisure centre, planned improvements to a number of town centres, a range of celebratory events for residents, continued cross-party working to address race hate, the refugee crisis and Crossrail2 as well as supporting St Helier Hospital and bringing AFC Wimbledon back to Plough Lane. He said that he had asked officers to undertake a consultation with residents in the autumn on the level of council tax through My Merton and online on the council’s website.

The Chief Executive, Ged Curran, drew the Commission’s attention to the challenges ahead for the health sector and the pressures both for the NHS and the Council in relation to meeting the adult social care needs of residents; the pressure on temporary accommodation; outsourcing of a large section of waste and parks services; challenges posed by the transfer of business rates income to local government that would bring new responsibilities with it in order to be fiscally neutral.

In response to a question about the recommendation by Professor Steve Leach in 2006 that scrutiny chairs should be allocated in a politically proportionate way, the Chief Executive said that scrutiny best practice should be viewed in the wider context of holding the executive to account and ensuring that proper checks and balances were in place to give the opposition a voice and that how this is done is a decision for the administration. The Leader said that he is keen that the leader of the Merton Park Ward Independent Residents Group should continue to chair the Overview and Scrutiny Commission. He added that he is committed to engaging with the opposition and is in ongoing discussion with them on a range of issues.

The Leader and Chief Executive provided additional information in response to questions:

·         There is no provision for a sports hall to be added to the new leisure centre at present. It may be possible to find sources of funding elsewhere in future.

·         The Leader will be talking to the Mayor of London’s advisor on the impact of Crossrail2 and will also be responding to Crossrail2’s consultation on the issue.

·         There are a number of strands of work on the London’s Best Council initiative but it has been difficult to establish metrics as, following the abolition of the Audit Commission, there is no longer a set of comparative data to draw on

·         The contract for waste services includes penalties for poor performance. The key to success will be establishing a positive working relationship with clear expectations plus praise for good performance and swift action for poor performance.

·         Noted need to promote successful schools

·         Leader will continue to take up issues of poor performance with Circle Housing Merton Priory

In response to a question about the council’s efficiency programme, the Leader and Chief Executive assured Commission members that the policy and strategy was being led by Cabinet and that the target operating models would be signed off by the relevant Cabinet members.

The Chief Executive undertook to provide Commission members with an update on work being done locally to ensure that private rented properties are kept in good condition. ACTION: Chief Executive