Councillor Stephen Alambritis

Councillor Stephen Alambritis gave the annual report he provides to all of the community forums.

Sadly 205 people in Merton have died from COVID-19, and Stephen offered his condolences. Merton Council is working closely with care homes to support them including provision of PPE. Merton is still on lower end of infection scales at 40 cases per 100,000 but this is going up. We are working with all the leaders across London as it is important to work together, including a joint procurement project which sourced 50million pieces of PPE.

Merton is also researching in the issues behind inequality of BAME residents in relation to COVID. In Merton more than 7000 residents were shielded, all of whom were contacted and offered support. Merton redeployed staff to help with the crisis, for example the Bailiffs team were tasked with distributing food parcels.

The local community also came together to support residents and Stephen highlighted the work of the MVSC Hub at Vestry Hall, Merton Mutual Aid, Dons Local Action Group, Commonside Trust, and foodbanks, as well as paying tribute to the many volunteers who contributed. Stephen also thanked Councillors and the MPs for their support.

Merton is joining Croydon to nominate Patrick Hutchinson for a bravery award following his rescuing of a rival protester in London.

Services are reopening with Garth Road no longer needing booking at weekends, but booking required Monday – Friday and all libraries have reopened.  Merton was the 3^rd quickest in London in getting government grants out to local businesses. Helped 2000+ SME businesses. Merton also waived rents as a landlord. Stephen was please that cultural funding has supported Wimbledon Bookfest which is an important event for Merton.

Merton has an Emergency transport strategy including 26 school streets. We have used and Experimental Management Order as we were asked by government to move quickly. Also 52 rough sleepers were helped into accommodation during lockdown, with 8 refusing the offer of help. We hope the Government will provide support to help find long term solutions. COVID has had a significant Impact on Merton Council finances, with both extra spending on COVID-19, and a loss of income. Stephen called on government to support all local government.

Stephen gave an update on the Mitcham Bridge on Bishopford Road. Stephen said there had been a pause for the planning application to be considered. This will go to committee this month and we hope to let contact in November, and the new bridge then built by spring 2021.

Stephen welcomed the £500m investment in the Epsom and St Helier Trust but believe it should be used to keep services at St Helier. We have referred the proposals to downgrade St Helier Hospital to the Secretary of State for Health, and he has asked the independent reconfiguration panel to review the decision taken by the Clinical Commissioning Group.

AFC Wimbledon’s new stadium is nearly finished, with the first match due to be played behind closed doors on 3 November. This will help regenerate Plough Lane area, including more than 800 new housing units.

Merton has a new Mayor, Councillor Sally Kenny has taken on this very important role. These are difficult times but Cllr Howard had shown it was possible to still raise significant funds.

Stephen said that he hoped the More Morden project would begin work in Spring 2021. We are working with TfL but COVID has impacted on the scheme with a depressed development market. We are currently Working up options to begin in Spring 2021

New Mayor, Sally Kenny. Very important role, difficult times but Cllr Howard proved it was possible to raise significant funds during her term.