Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis

Councillor Stephen Alambritis, Leader of Merton Council gave an update on how Merton was dealing with COVID-19. Sadly 202 residents died from COVID-19, and the leader expressed his condolences to their friends and family. It is clear that COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on BAME residents. The Public Health team is working on how we can address these inequalities.  

Residents may have seen in the news the iconic image of a Black Lives Matter protester, Patrick Hutchinson, carrying a counter-protester to safety. Patrick works with Hercules Wimbledon Working and we are looking at how to recognise his contribution. 

The council has been supporting 7019 residents who have been shielding, with each of them directly contacted. Council staff were redeployed to support tacking pandemic, for example the Bailiffs Service has been distributing food and other essential supplies. Support from Foodbanks in Merton has also been essential. 

PPE stock is in place in Merton and has been provided to care homes, we have worked across London boroughs to jointly procure 50million items. We have also accommodated 52 rough sleepers, 6 refused to be housed. We are currently working to retain the 52 in accommodation. 

Reopening services 

Schools have had to decide on how to meet government guidelines to accommodate some year groups and will need to develop plans for September.  

Wimbledon, Colliers Wood and Mitcham libraries have reopened with a restricted service, the remaining libraries will open in August. Garth Road Recycling and Reuse centre has opened with a booking system. All Parks facilities now all reopened. 

High streets are beginning to get back to business. Support has been made available including grants to small businesses, with Merton the 3^rd quickest in London to distribute the funds. Additional discretionary grants are now being assessed along with the Chamber of Commerce and MVSC.   

We have agreed an Emergency Transport Strategy to support social distancing and encourage active travel. This includes 28 new school streets funded by Government.  

Local government has been urged to do what is required and Merton has done so, Government has provided some funding but Merton is still facing a £20m gap and there are similar issues in all councils. 

Cllr Alambritis expressed thanks to Merton Mutual Aid, Wimbledon Guild for supporting residents, Wimbledon Foundation for providing funding and to Stephen Hammond MP, and Wimbledon Councillors for their support.  

Getting the economy going will be a huge challenge, both nationally and locally. Encouraging development and employment opportunities in the borough will be important, for example AFC Wimbledon returning to Plough Lane, Francis Grove, and YMCA scheme should all generate jobs including apprentices. 

Local government has been urged to do what is required and has done so, and whilst Government has provided some funding there is still a £20m gap for Merton Council and similar issues in all councils. 

Cllr Alambritis expressed thanks to Merton Mutual Aid, Wimbledon Guild and other local groups for supporting residents. He also thanked the Wimbledon Foundation, AELTC, Love Wimbledon, and local residents associations for their contributions. Finally Cllr Alambritis thanked Stephen Hammond MP, and councillors for their work.   

Non-COVID issues 

Cabinet has passed a Climate Emergency strategy, which will go to full Council in September. Delivering the plan will need additional support from Government to meet its targets. There is a £88m cost to make the Council carbon neutral by 2030 whilst for a borough as a whole the cost could be £3bn. 

The annual council has been postponed until September and hopefully it will involve physical attendance for the benefit of the new Mayor, Cllr Sally Kenny, but it could be virtual. Cllr Alambritis paid tribute to Cllr Janice Howard for her work during a not normal year. Subject to the council make-up from 2022 there could be an opportunity for both to perhaps serve again.  

There has been an issue with unlicensed musical events taking place in Merton and we have been working with Met Police to stop these dangerous events. Sally Benatar from Met Police stepping down, with new borough commander joining soon. Wimbledon Police station staying open 24/7 to cover Merton and Wandsworth but the Met Police are still working on overall property strategy. Mitcham will remain a 9-5 operation. 

Cllr Stephen Crowe thanked the Leader and other councillors for supporting residents. 

A resident asked how the Council can support care homes, and in response Cllr Alambritis said sadly 38 have died in care home settings. Merton Council has good relations with care homes, we have made sure they have sufficient PPE and will continue to work closely with them. Adult Social Cares officers work closely with care homes.  

A resident asked if the Council can use the emergency powers to lift parking restrictions in order to help small businesses. Cllr Alambritis said that as a landlord the Council has waived rents for 3 months but will need to start secure income for the council in the future. There are also business rate holiday and deferral schemes. There is a tension between the desire to walk/cycle and parking provision. We have removed some parking spaces to accommodate social distancing on the pavement. We will keep the current 20 minute free spaces but can always look at other options. We will continue to support shop local campaigns and look at what other support we can give.