·         Councillor Draper, Cabinet Member for Community and Culture

·         Councillor Whelton, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment and Housing

Cllr Draper, Cabinet Member for Community and Culture, presented his priorities for the year:

·         Greenspaces: introduction of public space protection orders (to regulate dogs and BBQs in public spaces), a focus on rubbish and getting residents to take this with them, getting the best from the new greenspaces contractor (Idverde) including their relationship with friends groups, and building on the Eastern Electric event to use Merton’s greenspaces to generate additional income;

·         Leisure: the completion of the leisure centre and working with contractors GLL to make the centre as profitable as possible;

·         Libraries: opening the new library at Colliers Wood, continuing to improve the use of the Wimbledon Library arts space and establishing another in Mitcham Library to maximise business and arts opportunities.  Noted Merton has the most cost efficient library service in London;

·         Merton Adult Education: aspiring to achieve an outstanding Ofsted rating.  The service will work with other colleges and aims to maximise the value of the apprenticeship levy to improve enrolments and increase income;

·         Regulated Services: finalise the expansion of the service to include Wandsworth and underpin this with a shared IT system.  The enlarged service can then be used to gain additional income; and

·         Heritage: use the Cannons and Chapter House projects to create a tourism industry in Merton as a way of providing additional income.

In response to member questions, the Cabinet Member clarified (with support from relevant officers):

·         Resource is limited to support bidding for the Mayor of London’s Borough of Culture.  However, this might be possible if done with local partners.  This will be explored;

·         The dog control strategy is well established but this is less the case for the use of BBQs in public spaces.  There is need for a public consultation; and

·         Ensuring that the Eastern Electric event is safe and secure for attendees and residents is the key objective.  Work is on-going with SaferMerton and the police to ensure a safe event that is well monitored. The Council has worked with the organisers who are much experienced and professional in their approach, supporting modifications to ensure safety such as tweaking the opening hours.  Enforcement teams will be heavily involved to ensure noise, health and safety and food hygiene standards are all maintained.  It was noted that the police have also designated this as a London-wide event meaning there is a bigger pool of officers on which it can draw for support.  The police will lead on addressing any drug use the event.

Cllr Whelton, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment and Housing, presented his priorities for the year:

·         Street management: noted that his remit also includes street management and that there will be a number of consultations forthcoming regarding the extension of CPZ restrictions to Sundays and evenings and the introduction of waiting restrictions (with residents’ consent);

·         Housing: the key focus in on fire safety.  Highlighted residents’ concerns resulting from the Grenfell Tower fire;

·         Regeneration: this will realise an investment of £42m with the local plan enquiry reporting in the autumn.  Noted the need to develop more affordable housing given that on average those purchasing a house for the first time are now nearly 40 years old.  Also, highlighted that despite usage being low, Merton still has recourse to temporary accommodation.  Called for a cross-party approach to regeneration in order to achieve a transformational approach; and

·         Crossrail2: noted the value of cross party support and also disappointment that there has been no further progress with Crossrail2; the next phase consultation is awaited.

In response to member questions, the Cabinet Member clarified:

·         The Council undertakes outreach work with those that are homeless in the borough and noted his disappointment that numbers are growing.  Any antisocial behaviour will be addressed by community safety and/or the police;

·         Clear that whilst the Council supports Crossrail2 this is not at any cost.  Initial proposals were unacceptable as detrimental to Wimbledon which is why the Council has made a number of alternative proposals such as a tunnel under Wimbledon etc.  Discussions will continue with Crossrail2 and the Mayor of London.  Noted the potential for this to be an initiative that takes many years to realise and that currently, development is only in the very early stages.  However, the Council is already engaging with partners such as the Chamber of Commerce and LoveWimbledon to consider how to mitigate any potential disruption to local businesses and residents; and

·         Workshops were held early in the year to consult on the Wimbledon Masterplan.  However, further consultation has been delayed by the General Election.  The Masterplan is linked to Crossrail2 but needs to go ahead regardless.  The key objective of the plan is to maintain the town centre and businesses, to improve and better exploit the Wimbledon brand name.