·         Ensuring all equalities strands (sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy/maternity, religion/belief, age, marriage and civil partnerships) are embedded throughout council performance and the impact on these groups of austerity is minimised

·         Oversight of the Council’s Equality Strategy and Equality Impact Assessments and drawing up an Equalities Charter

·         Chair of the Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minorities

·         Assessing the needs of the borough’s EU citizens as the UK exits the EU

·         Supporting the Merton Council staff BAME Forum

·         Joint responsibility for Merton’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy

·         Support and development of the LGBT+ forum

·         Support and development of the Faith and Belief Forum

·         Overseeing community engagement, including Community Plan, increased participation in local decision making and increasing social capital

·         Overseeing the council’s community partnerships, including specific focus on the voluntary sector.

·         Leading on the management of grants to community groups and decisions of Grants Committee

·         Chair of the Merton Compact Board.

·         Overseeing voluntary sector organisations applying to become Refugee Community Sponsors.

To view contact details for the current Cabinet Member, click on the link below.