COUNCIL 14 JULY 2010 (19:15 TO 22:02) PRESENT: The Mayor, Councillor Oonagh Moulton The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Margaret Brierly Councillors Tariq Ahmad, Agatha Akyigyina, Stephen Alambritis, Mark Allison, Stan Anderson, Laxmi Attawar, Mark Betteridge, John Bowcott, Richard Chellew, David Chung, David Dean, John Dehaney, Nick Draper, Iain Dysart, Chris Edge, Suzanne Evans, Karin Forbes, Brenda Fraser, Suzanne Grocott, Maurice Groves, Gam Gurung, Jeff Hanna, Richard Hilton, James Holmes, Janice Howard, Mary-Jane Jeanes, Philip Jones, Andrew Judge, Linda Kirby, Gilli Lewis-Lavender, Logie Lohendran, Edith Macauley, Russell Makin, Maxi Martin, Peter McCabe, Krystal Miller, Ian Munn, Diane Neil Mills, Henry Nelless, Dennis Pearce, John Sargeant, Judy Saunders, Linda Scott, Rod Scott, Debbie Shears, David Simpson, Peter Southgate, Geraldine Stanford, Sam Thomas, Ray Tindle, Gregory Udeh, Peter Walker, Martin Whelton, David Williams, Richard Williams, Miles Windsor and Simon Withey. Apologies for absence (Agenda item 1) were received from Councillor Samantha George and Ged Curran, Chief Executive. Councillors Peter McCabe and David Dean sent apologies for lateness. 1 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda item 2) Councillor Suzanne Grocott declared a personal interest in agenda items 8 & 5 in that her employer West LB AG had lent money to “New Schools – Merton” 2 MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 26 MAY 2010 (Agenda item 3) Annual Council meeting – item 3 on the line following the resolution change “robbing” to “robing”; item 6 – The reverend Richard Sewell was the Vicar of St Mark’s in the Wimbledon Team Ministry. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings held on 26 May, as amended, are agreed as a correct record. 3 ANNOUNCEMENTS (Agenda item 4) The Mayor announced that the Reverend Richard Sewell was moving to a new post and that the Reverend Mary Bide, the rector of St Mary’s, would be taking over as chaplain. The Mayor advised the Council of the death of Angela Rumbold, former MP for Mitcham and Morden. At the invitation of the Mayor Councillor David Williams addressed the Council. The Chamber then stood for one minute’s silence.

1 All minutes are draft until agreed at the next meeting of the committee/panel. To find out the date of the next meeting please check the calendar of events at your local library or online at www.merton.gov.uk/committee.

COUNCIL 14 JULY 2010 Simon Williams, on behalf of the Chief Executive, announced that Rachel Allen had won the Local Government Challenge and, together with the Mayor, presented the award to her. 4 QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS (Agenda item 5) The written questions and answers and oral supplementary questions and answers can be found at appendix 1. On a point of order the Mayor asked members to keep supplementary questions short and relevant to the original question. 5 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE REVIEW – STRONGER COMMUNITIES (Agenda item 6) The written questions and answers and oral supplementary questions and answers can be found at appendix 2. Councillor Edith Macauley introduced the report. Motion 1 moved by Councillors Edith Macauley and Sam Thomas Council notes that Merton has consistently been one of the safest London boroughs, due largely to the work of our local police and of the Safer Merton Partnership. This council regrets the 25% cuts in public spending announced by the coalition government on 22 June. Council notes that the Metropolitan Police will be affected by these cuts. Council recalls that the Mayor of London has already set a budget which will require a cut of 455 officers across London by 2012. The cuts imposed by central government come on top of this. Council notes that, in a speech to the ACPO conference, the new Home Secretary stated: “The cuts will be big, they will be tough to achieve, and they will fall on the police as they will on other important public services.” Council acknowledges that 83% of the police budget is spent on staff and is concerned that, like the cuts already imposed by the Mayor, these cuts will result in a reduction in the number of police officers, including our very successful Safer Neighbourhood Teams. Council also notes that the Safer Merton Partnership is made up of over 20 police officers and that cuts in police staffing will seriously affect the viability of the partnership. Council notes that the Home Secretary also announced that the public confidence target and the policing pledge will be scrapped with immediate effect. Council regrets that central government has imposed high levels of cuts on the police and calls on both local MPs to ensure that the safety of our residents is not put at risk by making appropriate representations to the Home Secretary and to the Mayor. Council also resolves to work with the police to try to stop any reduction in our current level of policing in Merton, to protect our valued Safer Neighbourhood teams in every ward, and to safeguard the future of Safer Merton. 2 All minutes are draft until agreed at the next meeting of the committee/panel. To find out the date of the next meeting please check the calendar of events at your local library or online at www.merton.gov.uk/committee.

COUNCIL 14 JULY 2010

Amendment to Motion 1 moved by Councillors Henry Nelless and David Simpson – amend the motion to read as follows: Council notes that Merton has consistently been one of the safest London boroughs, due largely to the work of our local police and of the Safer Merton Partnership. This council regrets the 25% cuts in public spending announced by the coalition government on 22 June, but notes that this has been caused by the unprecedented deficit bequeathed to the new coalition government. Council notes that the Metropolitan Police will be affected by these cuts, but accepts that everyone will have to bear their fair share of the burden of reducing the national economic deficit. Council recalls that the Mayor of London has already set a budget which will require a cut of 455 officers across London by 2012 and that these will be primarily support staff and back office staff so as to protect frontline police jobs. The cuts imposed by central government come on top of this. Council notes that, in a speech to the ACPO conference, the new Home Secretary stated: “The cuts will be big, they will be tough to achieve, and they will fall on the police as they will on other important public services.” Council acknowledges that 83% of the police budget is spent on staff.. . However, Council also acknowledges that the last Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, was unable to guarantee that police numbers would not fall under a future Labour government, and therefore resolves to work with the Borough Commander to seek to ensure that cuts are not made to frontline services. Council notes that the Home Secretary also announced that the public confidence target and the policing pledge will be scrapped with immediate effect. Council recognises that central government has imposed cuts on the police, as it has been obliged to do across the public sector, and calls on both local MPs to ensure that the safety of our residents is not put at risk by making appropriate representations to the Home Secretary and to the Mayor. Council also recognises however that the test of an effective police force is not necessarily how much it costs or the number of staff it employs, but how it protects the public it serves, noting that the Borough Commander intends to undertake a review of community policing in the borough. Council therefore resolves to work with the police to try to increase even further the effectiveness of our current policing in Merton, including our valued Safer Neighbourhood teams in every ward, and to safeguard the future of Safer Merton, particularly given the current financial constraints. Voting on the amendment For 27 Against 27 The Mayor used her casting vote in favour of the amendment 3 All minutes are draft until agreed at the next meeting of the committee/panel. To find out the date of the next meeting please check the calendar of events at your local library or online at www.merton.gov.uk/committee.

COUNCIL 14 JULY 2010 Amendment carried On a point of order the Mayor confirmed that the count was correct. On a point of order the Mayor confirmed that she had used her casting vote in accordance with the constitutional advice she had received. The substantive motion was then agreed and it was RESOLVED: Council notes that Merton has consistently been one of the safest London boroughs, due largely to the work of our local police and of the Safer Merton Partnership. This council regrets the 25% cuts in public spending announced by the coalition government on 22 June, but notes that this has been caused by the unprecedented deficit bequeathed to the new coalition government. Council notes that the Metropolitan Police will be affected by these cuts, but accepts that everyone will have to bear their fair share of the burden of reducing the national economic deficit. Council recalls that the Mayor of London has already set a budget which will require a cut of 455 officers across London by 2012 and that these will be primarily support staff and back office staff so as to protect frontline police jobs. The cuts imposed by central government come on top of this. Council notes that, in a speech to the ACPO conference, the new Home Secretary stated: “The cuts will be big, they will be tough to achieve, and they will fall on the police as they will on other important public services.” Council acknowledges that 83% of the police budget is spent on staff.. . However, Council also acknowledges that the last Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, was unable to guarantee that police numbers would not fall under a future Labour government, and therefore resolves to work with the Borough Commander to seek to ensure that cuts are not made to frontline services. Council notes that the Home Secretary also announced that the public confidence target and the policing pledge will be scrapped with immediate effect. Council recognises that central government has imposed cuts on the police, as it has been obliged to do across the public sector, and calls on both local MPs to ensure that the safety of our residents is not put at risk by making appropriate representations to the Home Secretary and to the Mayor. Council also recognises however that the test of an effective police force is not necessarily how much it costs or the number of staff it employs, but how it protects the public it serves, noting that the Borough Commander intends to undertake a review of community policing in the borough. Council therefore resolves to work with the police to try to increase even further the effectiveness of our current policing in Merton, including our valued Safer Neighbourhood teams in every ward, and to safeguard the future of Safer

4 All minutes are draft until agreed at the next meeting of the committee/panel. To find out the date of the next meeting please check the calendar of events at your local library or online at www.merton.gov.uk/committee.

COUNCIL 14 JULY 2010 Merton, particularly given the current financial constraints. Motion 2 Moved by Councillors David Simpson and Ray Tindle The motion was agreed and it was RESOLVED: This Council notes the work undertaken recently in the area of community safety between the Council and its partners, and in particular it: • Congratulates the Safer Merton partnership on being a Tilley Award Winner for 3 years in a row, noting that Merton is the only borough in the country to achieve this; • Commends the revenue investment of £110,000 in 2008/09 in CCTV, allowing Safer Merton to provide 24/7 coverage 365 days of the year, so giving greater security for Merton’s residents; • Notes that working with the Borough Commander and the police force in Merton has delivered local bases for Ward Safer Neighbourhood Teams across the borough; and that fear of crime fell by 5% in the 2009 Annual Residents Survey to its lowest level for 5 years. Merton Council believes that ensuring the safety of our residents is of paramount importance. It also acknowledges that crime still remains the top concern of Merton’s residents and therefore resolves to: • Continue to work with local businesses to further enhance CCTV coverage, where there is a clear desire from the local community, using the capital budget for 2010/11 approved by Council in March 2010. • Maintain the close working relationship with the Metropolitan Police and retain our position as the 2nd best partnership in London, as shown in the recent Police Public Attitude Survey. • Further reduce the fear of crime by continuing to work closely with the local community, particularly in light of recent incidents in Mitcham. 6 REPORTS OF COMMUNITY FORUMS (Agenda item 7 Councillor Chris Edge asked for dates close to Easter and other holidays to be avoided for future Community Forum dates. The reports were noted. 7 NOTICES OF MOTION (Agenda item 8) Motion 1: Moved by Councillors Peter Walker and Richard Williams Voting on the motion For 28 Against 27 The motion was carried and it was RESOLVED: This council expresses its concern at the increase in VAT announced in the budget by George Osborne, which will have a

5 All minutes are draft until agreed at the next meeting of the committee/panel. To find out the date of the next meeting please check the calendar of events at your local library or online at www.merton.gov.uk/committee.

COUNCIL 14 JULY 2010 disproportionate impact on the poorest and will have a severe impact on small businesses, both in Merton and across the country. The council notes that VAT is widely accepted to be a regressive tax and will have the greatest impact on the poorest; further notes the report produced by the Institute of Fiscal Studies which says that the increase in VAT will impact those on low incomes the hardest and this includes pensioners living on savings; and agrees with David Cameron and Nick Clegg when they in the past argued that VAT would be regressive and would hit the poorest hardest. The council regrets the decision of the Coalition Government to bring forward measures in the budget that have a regressive impact on Merton’s residents; and concludes that the budget is not, as claimed, “progressive” but takes huge risks with the economic recovery that could result in the UK falling back into recession. In light of the above, this council calls upon the Coalition Government to think again in order to protect the interests of pensioners and families in Merton. The council resolves to circulate this motion to all Merton MPs, seeking their support for the above. Motion 2: Moved by Councillors Suzanne Grocott and Diane Neil Mills This Council recognises the very considerable financial challenges facing both national and local government following the reductions in public spending announced last month as part of the Coalition Government’s efforts to bring the public finances under control. This Council also acknowledges the sound financial management of this authority over the past four years, which has left the Council well placed to confront the current economic challenges, including: • A four year reduction in net debt by over £43 million to its lowest level in a very long time; • An increase in the level of reserves held by the Council from £5.7 million to £11.4 million over the four year period; • The provision in the 2010/11 Budget of a £2.9 million contingency fund to protect frontline services for Merton’s most vulnerable residents; • Four years of “living within our means”, delivering services within budget, including an expected under spend of £8.5 million in 2009/10. This Council believes that reductions in council expenditure must be delivered in a way that delivers value for money whilst protecting the most vulnerable people in our borough, including low income families and pensioners; and that the role of scrutiny will be more important than ever given the difficult decisions that need to be made. This Council therefore resolves to: • Support the continuation of work on the Transformation Programme as the

6 All minutes are draft until agreed at the next meeting of the committee/panel. To find out the date of the next meeting please check the calendar of events at your local library or online at www.merton.gov.uk/committee.

COUNCIL 14 JULY 2010 vehicle for delivering long term savings for this authority that are both fair and responsible; • Ensure that scrutiny is given sufficient time to consider in detail, including thorough pre-decision scrutiny, the council’s capital and revenue expenditure, including any in-year reductions to the authority’s budgets. Amendment to Motion 2 moved by Councillors Mark Betteridge and Stephen Alambritis Paragraph 1, delete rest of paragraph after “last month” and replace with “by the Coalition Government.” Paragraph 2, delete “sound” and delete “which has left the council well placed to confront the current economic challenges,”. Bullet point 1 in the first set of bullet points, delete “over £43 million” and replace with “£37 million” and delete “to its lowest level in a very long time”. Bullet point 3 in the first set of bullet points, delete rest of bullet point after “contingency fund”. Bullet point 4 in the first set of bullet points, delete “Four years of “living within our means”,”. Bullet point 1 in the second set of bullet points, delete “as the vehicle” and replace with “as one vehicle”. There was a roll-call vote on the amendment: For the amendment: 31 Councillors Agatha Akyigyina, Stephen Alambritis, Mark Allison, Stan Anderson, Laxmi Attawar, Mark Betteridge, David Chung, John Dehaney, Nick Draper, Karin Forbes, Brenda Fraser, Gam Gurung, Jeff Hanna, Philip Jones, Andrew Judge, Linda Kirby, Edith Macauley, Russell Makin, Maxi Martin, Peter McCabe, Ian Munn, Dennis Pearce, John Sargeant, Judy Saunders, Peter Southgate, Geraldine Stanford, Sam Thomas, Gregory Udeh, Peter Walker, Martin Whelton and Richard Williams. Against the amendment: 25 Councillors Tariq Ahmad, John Bowcott, Richard Chellew, David Dean, Chris Edge, Suzanne Evans, Suzanne Grocott, Maurice Groves, Richard Hilton, James Holmes, Janice Howard, Gilli Lewis-Lavender, Logie Lohendran, Krystal Miller, Diane Neil Mills, Henry Nelless, Linda Scott, Rod Scott, Debbie Shears, David Simpson, Ray Tindle, David Williams, Miles Windsor, Simon Withey and Margaret Brierly. Not voting on the amendment: 3 Councillors Iain Dysart, Mary Jane Jeanes and Oonagh Moulton. The amendment was carried The substantive motion was agreed and it was RESOLVED: This Council recognises the very considerable financial 7 All minutes are draft until agreed at the next meeting of the committee/panel. To find out the date of the next meeting please check the calendar of events at your local library or online at www.merton.gov.uk/committee.

COUNCIL 14 JULY 2010 challenges facing both national and local government following the reductions in public spending announced last month by the Coalition Government. This Council also acknowledges the financial management of this authority over the past four years, including: • A four year reduction in net debt by £37 million; • An increase in the level of reserves held by the Council from £5.7 million to £11.4 million over the four year period; • The provision in the 2010/11 Budget of a £2.9 million contingency fund; • Delivering services within budget, including an expected under spend of £8.5 million in 2009/10. This Council believes that reductions in council expenditure must be delivered in a way that delivers value for money whilst protecting the most vulnerable people in our borough, including low income families and pensioners; and that the role of scrutiny will be more important than ever given the difficult decisions that need to be made. This Council therefore resolves to: • Support the continuation of work on the Transformation Programme as one vehicle for delivering long term savings for this authority that are both fair and responsible; • Ensure that scrutiny is given sufficient time to consider in detail, including thorough pre-decision scrutiny, the council’s capital and revenue expenditure, including any in-year reductions to the authority’s budgets. 8 OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10 (Agenda item 9) RECEIVED 9 DUTY TO RESPOND TO PETITIONS (Agenda item 10) RESOLVED: (1) That the Council agrees a petition scheme for Merton (2) That the Council notes that provision of an e-petition facility will be subject to further work. 10 CORE STRATEGY SUBMISSION TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Agenda item 11) Members expressed their appreciation to Tara Butler and the other officers who had worked on this. Councillors Andrew Judge and Martin Whelton moved and seconded a revised recommendation: That, following Cabinet’s endorsement, Council resolves to submit Merton’s Core Strategy and associated Sustainability Appraisal to the Secretary of State for independent examination. This would be preceded by nine weeks of pre-submission public consultation to start in July 2010

8 All minutes are draft until agreed at the next meeting of the committee/panel. To find out the date of the next meeting please check the calendar of events at your local library or online at www.merton.gov.uk/committee.

COUNCIL 14 JULY 2010 That authority be delegated to the Director of Environment and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration and the Cabinet Member for Community and Culture to carry out the following: (i) approve minor alterations to the Core Strategy for submission to the Secretary of State for independent examination; (ii) approve consultation arrangements and materials for nine weeks of pre-submission public consultation, where these are in line with Merton’s adopted Statement of Community Involvement and planning legislation; (iii) consider and approve officer responses to comments received at the pre-submission public consultation and minor alternations to the Core Strategy for their submission to the Planning Inspector via the Secretary of State; (iv) Refer any significant alterations to Merton’s Core Strategy arising from matters including responses to pre-submission public consultation, additional evidence gathered, legal advice or changes to national or regional policy prior to the Examination in Public for consideration by the Borough Plan Advisory Committee prior to the Director's determination in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration, the Cabinet Member for Community and Culture and the chair and vice chair of the Borough Plan Advisory Committee. Amendment moved by Councillors John Bowcott and Richard Chellew:

A. That Merton’s Core Strategy be approved for a nine week pre-submission consultation period, and that, post consultation, a report clearly setting out all responses to the consultation and proposed changes, be considered by the Council’s Borough Plan Advisory Committee and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel, at an extraordinary meeting if necessary, before being brought before Cabinet. B. That, following Cabinet’s endorsement, the Core Strategy with any proposed changes, be presented to Council, at an extraordinary meeting if necessary, prior to its submission to the Secretary of State. Voting on the amendment For 25 Against 30 The amendment was lost The original motion was agreed and it was RESOLVED: That, following Cabinet’s endorsement, Council resolves to submit Merton’s Core Strategy and associated Sustainability Appraisal to the 9 All minutes are draft until agreed at the next meeting of the committee/panel. To find out the date of the next meeting please check the calendar of events at your local library or online at www.merton.gov.uk/committee.

COUNCIL 14 JULY 2010 Secretary of State for independent examination. This would be preceded by nine weeks of pre-submission public consultation to start in July 2010 That authority be delegated to the Director of Environment and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration and the Cabinet Member for Community and Culture to carry out the following: (i) approve minor alterations to the Core Strategy for submission to the Secretary of State for independent examination; (ii) approve consultation arrangements and materials for nine weeks of pre-submission public consultation, where these are in line with Merton’s adopted Statement of Community Involvement and planning legislation; (iii) consider and approve officer responses to comments received at the pre-submission public consultation and minor alternations to the Core Strategy for their submission to the Planning Inspector via the Secretary of State; (iv) Refer any significant alterations to Merton’s Core Strategy arising from matters including responses to pre-submission public consultation, additional evidence gathered, legal advice or changes to national or regional policy prior to the Examination in Public for consideration by the Borough Plan Advisory Committee prior to the Director's determination in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration, the Cabinet Member for Community and Culture and the chair and vice chair of the Borough Plan Advisory Committee. 11 SPECIAL URGENCY PROCEDURE – LIBRARIES STOCK PROCUREMENT – EXEMPTIONS REPORT (Agenda item 12) RESOLVED: That the council notes the taking of an urgent key decision in accordance with the provisions of Part 4B paragraph 16 of the constitution. 12 CHANGES TO MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES AND RELATED MATTERS (Agenda item 13) Councillor Simon Withey clarified that he was the nominee for the substitute position on the General Purposes Committee in place of Councillor Ray Tindle. RESOLVED: That (1) Councillor Karin Forbes is appointed as a substitute member of the Planning Applications Committee; (2) Councillor Simon Withey is appointed as a substitute member of the General Purposes Committee; and (3) the changes to the membership of Committees approved under delegated powers since the Annual meeting of the Council are noted. 13 PETITIONS (Agenda item 14) 10 All minutes are draft until agreed at the next meeting of the committee/panel. To find out the date of the next meeting please check the calendar of events at your local library or online at www.merton.gov.uk/committee.

COUNCIL 14 JULY 2010 (i) Council received the following petitions: Title Submitted by Petition against wheelie bins in Abbey Councillor Henry Nelless Petition against wheelie bins in Dundonald Councillor Chris Edge Petition against wheelie bins in Lower Morden Councillor Ray Tindle Petition against wheelie bins in Raynes Park Councillor Rod Scott Petition against wheelie bins in Hillside Councillor Suzanne Evans Petition against wheelie bins in Wimbledon Park Councillor Janice Howard Petition against wheelie bins in Cannon Hill Councillor Miles Windsor Petition against wheelie bins in West Barnes Councillor Gilli Lewis-Lavender Petition against wheelie bins in Trinity Councillor James Homes

(ii) Council noted the response to the following petition: Title Submitted by Petition in respect of park keeper at Colliers Wood recreation ground Councillor Stephen Alambritis 14 BUSINESS FOR THE NEXT ORDINARY MEETING (Agenda item 15) Councillor Stephen Alambritis indicated that Healthier Communities was the topic for the next ordinary meeting.

11 All minutes are draft until agreed at the next meeting of the committee/panel. To find out the date of the next meeting please check the calendar of events at your local library or online at www.merton.gov.uk/committee.

APPENDIX 1

1. From Councillor Diane Neil Mills to the Cabinet Member for Finance: Local residents in Abbey Ward have been recently informed that the capital budget item that was approved by full Council on 3 March 2010 to refurbish the Abbey Recreation Grounds Pavilion, has been reduced from £150,000 to £110,000. Could the Cabinet Member please confirm (a) that this is accurate (b) the reason for the reduction (c) the implications on quality, scope and timing that that this reduction will have (d) the intended use of the £40,000 that has been released (e) the consultation with ward councillors and residents that has taken place regarding the reduction and (f) the opportunity that has been provided for this decision to be scrutinised by Council? Response a) Whilst the capital programme has yet to be formally adjusted there is an opportunity to reduce the amount of Merton Capital allocated to this scheme and it is proposed that this happens; b) this is because external funding is greater than expected - over £250,000 compared to an expected £150k: c) there are no adverse implications on quality, scope and timing: d) the residual balance released has yet to be ringfenced to another scheme or schemes: e) no consultation with residents and ward councillors has been required as there is no detrimental impact on the proposed scheme: f) there has been no opportunity to scrutinise this and virements of this amount are managed via delegated authority held by the Director of Environment & Regeneration. However we will clearly need to keep all options under review given the controversial cuts being introduced, without any consultation with residents, on an almost daily basis, by the Conservative and Lib Dem parties in Westminster. Supplementary question I thank the cabinet member for his response but despite the constitutional boundaries within which the changes have been made does the cabinet member not agree that it is right that residents and fellow ward councillors be consulted on any changes particularly given that this project is largely financed by residents fundraising and before the project has even been fully specified and costed council funds are being diverted away to other projects negating the residents successful fundraising? Response I am sorry to reiterate what is in the question but the council remains committed to delivering this scheme as I have explained here. I should tell the councillor that the only threat to this scheme comes from some news that she might have seen in the last few weeks. There is a new government in place that is cutting huge amounts of money without consulting the residents and if they want to cut from this council for services like this then I apologise to the people of Abbey on their behalf and if she would like to join me in contacting the government to urge them not to cut those grants I would appreciate it.

1 APPENDIX 1

2. From Cllr Philip Jones to the Cabinet Member for Education Could the Cabinet Member update us as to the status of the Building Schools for the Future programme which I gather from press coverage the new government has frozen? How will this affect Merton’s schools? Response Central government has now announced the ending of the BSF capital investment programme. Colleagues will be aware of the controversy this has caused nationally with many authorities having been informed that plans for renewal and/or refurbishment of whole school estates will no longer be funded. Due to the conservatism of the previous administration the Council had not taken advantage of this ambitious programme of the previous government to modernise schools in the borough to the advantage of our children Accordingly LB Merton had not formally entered the programme so we are not directly affected by the cancellation of BSF i.e. we do not have any imminent school projects cancelled. However, the increase in our school age population which is already affecting our primary schools, will soon have an impact on our secondary schools as the current cohort of young people move up through the system. This will require us to expand provision at our secondary schools and BSF would have been the mechanism for achieving the significant levels of funding required for this necessary expansion. The Council could have expected to receive in the region of £120 - £160 million capital to support this work and we now await announcement from government on future arrangements for funding secondary school capital schemes. It is a great shame that the Coalition government is threatening the education of our children in preference to targeting the bankers who caused the crisis Colleagues should note that government is also reviewing other school capital funding streams. I will keep you informed of implications for Merton as announcements are made. Supplementary question I am sure all responsible members of the council would share the cabinet members dismay at this policy development and I would like to ask him if he knows whether there are implications for Bishopsford school in my ward? Response Unfortunately I don’t. I’m sorry but I will communicate with you as soon as that information comes to me. 3. From Councillor Rod Scott to the Cabinet Member for Education: Is the Cabinet Member aware that almost all of the residents and parents/potential parents who have expressed an opinion on the Council`s proposal to expand Hollymount school by building at the rear, are very strongly opposed and prefer the local action group alternative of building at the front; and that these serious misgivings were strongly reinforced by the

2 APPENDIX 1

concerns of the independent members of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny panel when they discussed Hollymount on 1 July? Response Officers have kept me informed of representations made regarding the Hollymount extension scheme. I was also present at the pre-decision scrutiny on 1st July of the recommendation by officers to proceed with the council’s developed scheme. I understand that representations made to officers, the Leader of the Council and myself in support of the alternative scheme number in the region of 75. Nevertheless, there has been substantial consultation with the school, governing body, parents and residents. The school leadership team, which will of course be responsible for providing high quality education at the expanded school, are strongly supportive of the council’s scheme. I am also impressed with the statement made last Friday by the Chair of Governors, which stated " it was clear that the option which has become the approved scheme, best delivered in terms of the Hollymount ethos - a “one school” approach, safeguarding the educational provision and practice which has made the school a popular choice for local parents." Supplementary question I thank the cabinet member for his answer but what will you do about the fact that the council and the school have failed completely to convince the West Wimbledon community that the selection of the council’s scheme to extend Hollymount scheme was in any way fair or proper? Response We had, as you know, a full debate last night at Cabinet and I was delighted to hear from all sides and it was a difficult decision to make. I note that you say that you represent the West Wimbledon community I also note that the head teacher and the chair of the governors who were there last night claim to represent the teachers, the parents and the children of West Wimbledon. As I said last night being a democratic politician is a bit of a difficult task, particularly for new boys and occasionally you have to make decisions between one side and the other. Our main concern is the provision of good education for the children of this borough. The councillor knows four year olds 25% increase in this borough in the period 2011-12 and we must accommodate them. The scheme put forward by the council is supported by the head teacher, by the school, the staff and many of the local parents. I am sorry the councillor is upset. 4. From Cllr Russell Makin to the Cabinet Member for Community and Culture Can the Cabinet Member outline how the 25% cuts central government say they intend to impose on public spending will affect Merton’s Olympics preparation? Response Merton is currently delivering all of its Olympic preparations within core budgets. As cuts from central Government are made it is inevitable that some 3 APPENDIX 1 services will suffer and work in support of the London 2012 Games may well have to be reconsidered alongside statutory services. Officers will continue to provide as much support as they are able to within the resources they have available and we will endeavour to bring the best benefits possible to local people whilst not detracting from our core business. Supplementary question Thank you for the answer to the question. Can the cabinet member tell me whether the new Conservative/Lib Dem coalition are going to continue the previous Labour government’s free swimming for younger and older people in the borough which many residents in my ward take advantage of at the Canons and if not, how this will affect our residents and how will it look to the world in the run-up to the Olympics. Response Unfortunately due to policies of the coalition it is unlikely that this scheme will continue beyond the end of July. It is extremely unfortunate, Madam Mayor, that this scheme is likely to be no more. We have seen a 50% increase in older people and younger people undertaking swimming. Sport is very important in terms of the Olympic legacy and increasing participation in sport. As a result of this I believe it will have a negative effect in terms of promoting sport and in terms of promoting fitness in Merton. 5. From Councillor Henry Nelless to the Cabinet Member for Performance and Implementation: Can the Cabinet Member provide a breakdown of the estimated costs associated with the implementation of the administration’s policy on the introduction of wheeled bins? Response Members are discussing with officers options to implement the introduction of wheeled bins. In the current funding circumstances and Medium Term Financial Strategy budget setting exercise, we are clearly looking closely at practical and cost effective solutions, including the possibilities for both residual and dry recycling waste. We will need to take into account the possible outcome next year of the South London Waste Partnership procurement exercise for residual waste disposal for perhaps the next quarter of a century, as well as the best value solution for reducing litter associated with waste collection across the borough. In the meantime, we are concentrating on providing new bins and kitchen caddies for householders' food waste, with the successful introduction of another two rounds over the last month and another round planned for September. Supplementary question I thank the cabinet member for his response and also wish him well on Friday. Can I ask the cabinet member whether he will reconsider this policy altogether. Officer time has already been spent on this. It is clear that the

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project will run into millions of pounds to fund, therefore diverting capital funding away from other projects and it is not popular with members of Merton’s public having collected over the past few weeks over 1400 signatures amongst our group. Will he just agree with me now to abandon the project to save everyone the time and the hassle and actually get on with something that will make Merton’s streets cleaner. Response I am glad that councillor Nelless has focussed on the issue of clean streets in the same way that residents of this borough focus on clean streets as we know from the annual residents survey report which saw a huge drop in their appreciation of what the street scene looks like for them. One of the reasons, clearly I think, that resulted in us sitting on this side of the chamber and the conservatives sitting on that side of the chamber. In response to the specific will we reconsider our policy – we are looking at all of our policies around implementation around the street scene as a integrated package wheeled bins fitting in the same way as an increase in street sweeping, in the same way as we want to do more on bulky waste collection. We want to improve the street scene for residents of this borough. there will be clear challenges to doing that. I hesitate to sound like councillor Ahmad who always used to recognise the good work done by the previous administration but I will and recognise the work that was done on food waste collection being rolled out which clearly will play a part in this integrated strategy of clean streets. We will look at all of our options for making our borough a cleaner place for our residents to live in. 6. From Cllr Laxmi Attawar to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services Could the Cabinet Member outline how Merton will be affected by the government’s decision to cut the Area Based Grants affecting her portfolio? Response Children Schools and Families Department currently receives £4.5 million Area Based Grant (ABG) funding each year. The majority of the sub grants within the overall ABG have been in existence for many years and funded new or specific LA responsibilities as well as government required initiatives. For example, the ABG has provided funding for a range of services from Connexions services for young people to a contribution towards the placement costs arising from Care Matters and Child and Adolescent Mental Health services for Looked after Children. Central Government has announced that this funding will reduce by £919,000 this financial year and left it to local decision makers to decide how to apportion the savings. To address this in year funding shortfall officers have been asked to review the expenditure related to all the various composite grants to assess the capacity for in year reductions. This has included reviewing contractual obligations relating to services commissioned from other parties and other commitments including in house staff costs. Savings will then be recommended which are in line with CSF’s and the Children’s Trust’s strategic priorities including sustaining sufficient capacity to undertake statutory functions and protecting services aimed at the most 5 APPENDIX 1 vulnerable children, young people and families. Working with our partners we will endeavour to cushion the impact on the most vulnerable and to limit the costs of redundancies to the Council/partners where practicable. Colleagues will no doubt understand, however, that making 24% savings in year requires taking some very difficult decisions, details of which will be made available as soon as possible. Supplementary question I thank the cabinet member for her response. Could the cabinet member comment on how this will affect children and young people in my ward? Response You can’t lose all this money and not affect the future of young children and young people in this borough so I’m sorry to say that cuts are inevitable. But fear not – we will protect the most vulnerable of our children 7. From Councillor Richard Hilton to the Cabinet Member for Education: At the recent Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting officers indicated that demand for primary school places in September 2011 is now expected to be higher than they previously suggested. Can the Cabinet Member tell me a) where in the Borough is the greatest need to provide primary school places; and b) which schools have been asked to expand from September 2011 or take a bulge class in September 2011? Response I understand that the officer was referring to the recently published birth data from the Office for National Statistics for the calendar year 2009. This is 3,462, 132 more than the 2008 figure. The Greater London Authority population data had forecast the birth rate to plateau. This additional demand will impact on the reception year roll for 2013/14 and 2014/15. Officers are currently reviewing the forecast demand based on 2010 data and this will lead to a proposed strategy in the autumn. We are in contact with schools on an informal basis to assist the development of this strategy, and to agree a list of schools to provide an additional class in September 2011. We are endeavouring to ensure this is resolved prior to parents making their school preferences. For 2011/12 and 2012/13 we do not expect a major change from our previously forecast expansion which stated the requirement for a further 8 forms of entry in 2011/12. We are now in the position where we are providing sufficient school places for this September but with a very small surplus. The increase in demand from 2011/12 therefore requires expansions throughout the borough, with slightly more pressure to the north. Supplementary question Thank you to the cabinet member for his answer. I not he acknowledges the need for eight further forms of entry from 2011 through to 2013. I also note that there is absolutely no mention in the cabinet member’s response of the building of a new school. Bearing in mind that a trawl of suitable sites had 6 APPENDIX 1

already been done by the previous administration, that a suitable site had been located and indeed that the previous administration set aside sufficient capital funds to build a new school I fail to understand why the cabinet member will not make a decision on this and the need for a further trawl. Can he let me know, or let the council know through you madam mayor when he will make that decision. Response I thank Councillor Hilton and am delighted that he is my shadow and look forward to working with him solving many of the problems that we have got one of which he has addressed. We have, as he knows, given the go-ahead, despite representations from one of his colleagues fro Hollymount, Joseph Hood and Cricket Green. As he knows there were plans and there are plans for another site in Wimbledon which we are reviewing because we have got a £900,000 reduction in our revenue grant for the children and young persons budget in the current year and although it is a capital sum as he well knows when you build a school it is going to need six months of revenue spending before the money for that school comes on board so it has a profound revenue implication. We are looking again at the existing site that his administration had identified and we are trying to be imaginative as well as taking into account the need for staying within the budget which the government set us and I would welcome any ideas from all four sides of this council to solving this huge problem. Having said that I do want to put on record that the birth of healthy young children in this borough is something to be welcomed and I do think we should celebrate that because there are problems of an ageing society and having younger people coming to this borough is very welcome. I am looking forward to involving people in that site and I will come back as soon as I have more information but I don’t want to make a sudden decision on the plans that were there when I became the spokesman for education. I am happy to talk informally with the Councillor as well. 8. From Cllr Agatha Akyigyina to the Cabinet Member for Education What is the latest information regarding the Government’s cuts to our schools budget here in Merton? Response The Department for Education appears to be in the vanguard of the current government’s drive to make savings in the public sector with councils’ education budgets already affected by significant in year reductions. There are also indications that schools’ budgets will be further affected by the implementation of ‘flagship’ policies of the new government including the intention to open more Academies and ‘Free Schools’. The Area Based Grant funds a range of services for schools and pupils including support for Healthy Schools; the development of 14-19 Education; attendance and behaviour; and support to raise school standards. The in year 24% reduction in the ABG will therefore impact directly on schools and direct services for pupils although we will, of course, work hard with our partners to minimize the impact. It must be noted, however, that these savings are significant and that it will be challenging to achieve them. 7 APPENDIX 1

Schools are also likely to be affected by the national announcement to redirect the Harnessing Technology Grant to pay for the new Free Schools. This grant currently pays for Information Technology in schools. We have yet to be informed about the precise amount of in-year saving and are therefore unable to assess the impact for Merton at this stage. The Director and her Team have met with Headteacher colleagues to consider the impact of these reductions and to work together to find ways of delivering the savings which protect the most essential services and support covered by the grants. 9. From Councillor Samantha George to the Cabinet Member for Community and Culture: The previous Conservative administration budgeted £10million plus for a replacement Morden Park Pool. Will the new administration commit to its replacement? Response Currently we’re reviewing all capital expenditure in light of the current financial circumstances. A report on Morden Park Pools will be coming to Cabinet in the autumn including options for a replacement facility. 10. From Cllr Judy Saunders to the Cabinet Member for Community and Culture How will the changes to Housing Benefits affect residents of Merton? Response From April 2011 the government has announced that they will be capping the rates of Local Housing Allowance (LHA) payable. The rates will be capped as follows: 1 bedroom at £250, 2 bedrooms at £290, 3 bedrooms at £340 and 4+bedrooms at £400 per week. So as an example, if we are currently paying £450 per week to a family living in a 4 bedroom property this would be restricted to £400 per week. At present the highest LHA rate that we are paying to a family of eight is £623.00 per week. At the moment the Department of Work and Pensions have not indicated how the change will be introduced from 1st April; 2011. Options could include reducing the benefit levels immediately for existing customers, or applying the changes to new claimants only or there may be a different alternative method of introducing the change. At present 110 families could be affected. The government has announced that additional discretionary housing benefit allowance will be allocated to authorities. This is a discretionary payment that can be applied for where the housing benefit does not meet the full housing costs and the claimant can show they have exceptional circumstances that require the money. For 2010/11 our current discretionary allowance is approximately £100,000. and our current yearly housing benefit expenditure is in the region of £70 million.

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11. From Councillor Krystal Miller to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration: Can the Cabinet member tell me whether young people in Merton undertaking an apprenticeship qualify for a free travel pass? Response No they do not qualify for a free travel pass currently under current Transport for London provisions. 12. From Councillor Gregory Udeh to the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health In February 2010, the Audit Commission released its report – ‘Under Pressure: tackling the financial challenge for councils of an ageing population’ – which highlights that councils now face the challenge of an ageing population, in the face of cuts in public spending and the need to make significant savings in various areas of service provision. Consequent upon the envisaged substantial reductions in the funding of adult social care services, there is need for Merton Council to tap more into informal care provided by relatives and friends of our older people. The report further states that the ageing population will affect not only councils, but also their partners in housing, health and policing. Can the Cabinet Member explain any affirmative actions being taken to prepare for the impact of an ageing population; and what Merton Council is doing to support informal carers in their work? Response Merton Council has for some time taken a holistic view of what older people want or need. It launched an inclusive strategy for older people in 2007, in partnership with voluntary sector groups representing older people, and has continued to monitor delivery against this strategy. Other examples of the council’s pro-active approach are the Celebrating Age festivals every September, organised by Age Concern and contributed to by the council, and specific initiatives to encourage independence such as SoleMates (foot care for older people). Regarding informal carers, the council has developed a carers’ strategy in partnership with carers, and invests in a range of support services delivered through the voluntary sector. 13. From Councillor Suzanne Grocott to the Cabinet Member for Finance: Can the Cabinet Member tell me what the change in both gross debt and net debt was over the course of the previous Conservative administration, from 31 March 2006 to 31 March 2010? Response As per the audited accounts for 2006/07 and the unaudited accounts for 2009/10, the gross debt (borrowing repayable after 12 months) reduced by £54.618m from £185.718m as at 31st March 2006 to £131.100m as at 31st March 2010. 9 APPENDIX 1

The net debt (gross debt less investments) reduced by £36.992m from £90.718m as at 31st March 2006 to £53.726m as at 31st March 2010. This needs to be seen in the context of the £45m reduction in total debt between 2002-2006, and the approximate £16m cost of debt redemption premiums used to achieve the more recent reduction. I would like to particularly thank Scrutiny for its involvement in monitoring the debt management strategy but regret that the full targeted amount (£95m) of debt reduction was not met. 14. From Cllr Richard Williams to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services What assurances can the Cabinet Member provide around continued council investment to improve the quality of life of Merton’s younger residents, in particular the new play areas planned for Sherwood Recreation Ground and Pollards Hill Recreation in my ward, given the up to 40% cuts in public spending being explored by the Coalition government? Response Play areas in the parks noted in the question, as well as in 12 other parks across Merton, were due to be refurbished through use of the Play Pathfinder grant of £600,000 provided by the last government. An announcement has recently been made by the new government that this grant stream is no longer ring-fenced. However, we have not yet been able to get a clear picture from central government as to whether the actual amount of capital funding is secure. Additionally, central government has cut the revenue funding associated with the schemes by half, however the implications of this for Merton remain unclear. Although officers have been asked to delay commissioning of the refurbishment works for the moment, no decision has yet been taken as the administration is keen, first, to take a strategic view of all finances available to the council as further announcements from government are made. 15. From Councillor Maurice Groves to the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health: Will the Cabinet Member join me in welcoming the new Secretary of State for Health’s decision to commit the funding for the long awaited £219 million redevelopment of St Helier Hospital, and will she agree that this is great news for Merton’s residents in these difficult financial times? Response I welcome the decision to go ahead with the funding for St Helier Hospital, which reflects the commitment from all local parties and from the previous national administration to this hospital, and agree that this is great news for Merton’s residents. I would particularly like to pay tribute to Siobhain McDonagh’s campaign with local residents to ensure this investment. However, I am concerned that “the difficult financial times” that the Cllr refers to are being made even more difficult for health and social care services by the excessive cuts in public expenditure being made by the coalition

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government that are likely to destabilise a lot of very worthwhile projects and will affect vulnerable people the most. I am particularly concerned about the future of the NHS, with the Secretary of State for Health this week announcing the end of PCTs and Strategic Health Authorities, with their replacement by the wholesale privatisation of commissioning through GPs, many of whom are neither equipped for nor interested in such a role. I am worried that GPs’ decisions regarding patient care will become driven by a concern for their budget rather than by a concern for the needs of the patient. Public health is also an issue, with the coalition government having caved in to the food lobby and ended attempts to regulate unhealthy food in our supermarkets – something which particularly affects poorer families who cannot afford to buy healthier products and will therefore continue to purchase cheaper unregulated unhealthy products. 16. From Cllr Stan Anderson to the Cabinet Member for Education Could the cabinet member report on whether any of Merton’s schools have expressed an interest in becoming academies? Response On the DfE academies website two Merton schools are listed as having registered an interest in becoming an academy. They are the Ursuline Secondary School and Bishop Gilpin Church of England Primary School. Neither school has currently made a decision on whether or not they will proceed with a formal application. 17. From Councillor Henry Nelless to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration: Could the Cabinet Member please confirm the status of the upgrade to adopted status of the road linking Nursery Road and Parkleigh Road in Abbey Ward, the scope and timing of which was agreed in the capital budget agreed by full Council on 3rd March 2010? Response Given the financial predicament that central Government is imposing on local authorities, I requested alternative design options with the objective of securing the most economical and effective treatment. The main recommendation is for a full highway construction including drainage, street lighting and some new footway. The alternatives were: Option 1 Fill the badly defected areas only with recycled road planings (cost £2000); Option 2 Regulate base and surface entire road with 25mm tarmac (cost £6000). I am advised that the latter option would only make the road look good, but would not provide any structural improvement. It is likely that a similar treatment will be regularly required in future. Neither option provide for drainage, street lighting or new footway to bring the road to an adoptable standard. I regard the alternatives as inadequate for the site and have asked officers to proceed with a full road construction to the budget allocated. Consultation with ward councillors will begin shortly and with local residents by the end of the 11 APPENDIX 1 month, with implementation following the notice period from November onwards. 18. From Cllr Nick Draper to the Cabinet Member for Education With the rise in primary aged children how many teachers will we require in Merton if we are to avoid increasing class sizes? Response Over the last 3 years, 22 new teachers and 22 teaching assistants have been recruited to staff the new classes required as a result of the significant increase in primary aged children in Merton. Pupils aged 4-7 in reception, year one and year two are in classes of no more than 30 and there are no current plans to change that statutory requirement. In 2011 it is likely that a further 13 or 14 new teachers will be needed in our primary schools. 19. From Councillor Samantha George to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equalities: The Council supported Armed Forces Day for the second time this year, following a decision of the previous Conservative administration to do so. Can the Cabinet Member confirm that the Council will continue to support Armed Forces Day? Response Councillor George is right – the Council did mark Armed Forces Day this year – in the same way as it did last year – by raising the official armed forces day flag outside the Civic Centre with the Mayor in attendance. The local press were informed in advance as were staff, via the intranet, so that anybody wishing to attend could do so. We intend to continue to mark Armed Forces Day in the future. 20. From Councillor Nick Draper to the Leader of the Council Given that where the past is concerned, however we may analyze it, we are where we are: and given that we have little scope to challenge - and no scope at all to ignore - the enforced cutbacks and changes made by the coalition government: what will Merton's Labour Administration do to protect all of Merton's citizens, and in particular its most needful residents, from the worst effects of those cutbacks and changes; and what do you think the other parties in this Council could do to help you achieve this? Response Unfortunately, the cuts from central government appear particularly focused on children and young people. All children will suffer but those in lower income families will suffer the most. As a Labour administration, we will be seeking ways to mitigate these cuts as best we can and to protect those most in need. I would welcome support from other parties in this chamber in lobbying their colleagues in government to reduce the impact of these cuts on Merton, and particularly on our children and young people.

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21. From Councillor Suzanne Evans to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration: I am pleased to see that the roll out of the food waste collection service is still going ahead as planned. Can the Cabinet Member provide any statistics to show how satisfied current users of the food waste recycling collection service are? Response The food waste recycling collection service has been extremely well received. 30,000 households are currently receiving a food waste collection and the service will be extended to another 20,000 properties by March 2011. Results from a council survey undertaken In January this year to residents participating in the service returned the following results: Ninety six percent of residents said that they were happy with the new food waste collection. Residents saw the benefit of the collections with 86 % addressing that the amount of waste in their black bin liners decreased. Eighty nine percent of residents agreed that the outside lockable bins worked well Sixty seven percent said that their streets were cleaner since the start of the food waste collection service. Fifteen roadshows have been undertaken around the borough during June and July to promote the food recycling collection service. Residents are thrilled with the new service and residents who are not yet receiving the service cannot wait for the service to be extended to their streets. 22. From Councillor Gregory Udeh to the Cabinet Member for Education. The Academies Bill, if passed into law, will allow the secretary of state to create a new academy without conducting consultation in the local area. There is real concern that people with wider interest in the future of a given school within the neighbourhood will be denied the opportunity to express their opinion about any conversions of their schools into academies. Can the Cabinet Member update us on what the Council is doing or planning to do, to ensure that the bill does not reduce the power of the Council to protect the welfare of all children in our borough, in terms of fair admission policies, equitable distribution of schools funding, and the provision of enough school places? Response Under the draft national proposals for the new Academy schools it is the governing body of a school which decides whether or not to apply for academy status. Although the new Academy Schools are likely to be able to set their own admissions policy, the policy will need to conform with the national Code of Practice and will need to be agreed by the Local Authority's Admissions Forum. As a council we will continue to ensure that all maintained Merton schools are included in the local partnerships and

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contribute to the good quality provision for local learners. The funding of the new academies is still under discussion but it is expected that the council will continue to receive funding to accommodate growing pupil numbers in both primary and secondary phases. 23. From Councillor David Dean to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration: As the country now faces a necessary reduction in public expenditure due to the very poor budgetary management by the last Labour Government, could the Cabinet Member confirm that any changes to road parking restrictions and the introduction of CPZs will be at the request of the majority of local residents and after a full and transparent consultation so that any consultations are a prudent and necessary expenditure? Response I reject the assertion of Councillor Dean that the reduction in public expenditures at the levels now suggested by the Government is either wise or necessary. The additional £30bn of cuts in public expenditure will prove to be a profound mistake, with serious consequences for the provision of public services, the prosperity of the UK economy and the wellbeing of the British people. CPZs are only added to the programme for investigation after a petition has been received from the residents. This procedure has been in place since the first CPZ was introduced in Merton. The Council has always carried very comprehensive consultations on all CPZs. An informal consultation containing a prepaid reply card is delivered to all those premises within the proposed zones; recommendations are made based on the results of the informal consultation. In case of majority opposition of those who respond within the designated operational area, the proposed CPZ is abandoned. In case of majority support amongst those who respond, a formal consultation is carried out providing a further opportunity for residents to air their views. All representations are considered before the appropriate recommendation is made. 24. From Councillor Richard Williams to the Cabinet Member for Community and Culture What the cost to the Council was of additional services provided in respect of the Wimbledon tennis championships and what proportion of these costs was met by a) charges, b) contributions from the All England Lawn Tennis Club, c) additional Government grant or d) Council general funding? Response The costs of the various services provided to the AELTC relating to the recent Championships are not yet available. There is no specific government grant for this activity and it is the Authority's policy to recharge the cost of all additional services to the Club. The number of Council sections involved and the complexities of some of the arrangements mean that the figures will not be finalised for a number of weeks. A fuller response to this question will be prepared for the next meeting of the Council

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25. From Councillor Debbie Shears to the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Performance and Implementation: Following the letter sent last month to all councils by the new Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, can the Cabinet Member outline what new information Merton Council will be publishing in the interests of openness and transparency? Response The Council is in the interests of transparency and openness committed to publish as much relevant public information as the law allows. Officers are working towards publication of all expenditure over £500 and will publish details as soon as it is possible to ensure that private data, identifying service users or foster carers, can be protected. It is the intention to publish expenditure, cost codes and supplier information initially which may at a later date be supplemented with a description of the service provided, subject to service users privacy concerns being satisfied. It is expected that the council will be in a position to publish this information in the autumn. The Council already publishes a lot of information which is available to all via the website. This includes our accounts, performance data, tender opportunities, restaurant hygiene reports as well as expenses and remuneration information for Members and the Chief Executive. It is intended that this will be supplemented with information released under the Freedom of Information Act as well as details of the council's contracts and structure charts. 26. From Councillor Richard Williams to the Cabinet Member for Community and Culture What assurances the Council has sought or received from the Government about the continuation of committed lottery funding to support local libraries? Response The lottery funding that the Library service receives at present was granted for a 3 year period under the Community Libraries stream. The large proportion was capital funding that went into the redevelopment of Pollards Hill library and the remaining revenue funding is for set-up of the project, covering two development workers, marketing funds as well as some running costs. This stream of funding was a one-off stream and revenue funds are in place until April 2012. There is no indication that this funding will not continue until the end of its allotted time. 27. From Councillor Simon Withey to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration: Can the Cabinet Member tell me how he ensures he is in regular communication with his Cabinet colleagues about the recommendations made by committees such as the Planning Applications Committee, particularly in light of the Hollymount school case? The Cabinet Member for Education will respond to this question Response

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The new administration is committed to a collegiate approach and I have had substantial contact with cabinet colleagues since my appointment to the Lead Member role. In the specific case of the proposed Hollymount expansion, I took the matter as an item to the Leader’s Strategy Group on 28th June and cabinet colleagues are fully aware of the Planning Committee’s position. 28. From Councillor Richard Williams to the Cabinet Member for Finance How many a) staff employed by the Council and b) staff employed by those contracted to provide services to the Council are paid less than £7.60 per hour? Response a) 165 currently (as at 9 July 2010) b) 147 currently (as at 9 July 2010) 29. From Councillor Gilli Lewis-Lavender to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration: Several residents in West Barnes have contacted me about rubbish being abandoned in the front gardens of neighbouring properties. Can the Cabinet Member tell me a) what powers are available to the Council to tackle this issue, and b) whether it is possible to create a local bye-law to crack down on this problem and so help reduce the risk of vermin, spread of disease and fire? Response The Council has powers under section 92A Environmental Protection Act 1990, to serve “Litter Clearing Notices” upon owners/occupiers of untidy land /gardens to bring them back to an acceptable standard. A person who is in receipt of such a notice has 28 days to comply with the requirements of the notice or appeal against the notice through a Magistrate's Court. Failure to comply with a Litter Clearing Notice could lead to or more of the following steps will be taken: a) Prosecution in the Magistrates Court for failing to comply with the Notice, which if convicted by the courts, may result in a fine of up to £2,500. An offence will be committed each time an officer inspects the land and finds that the Notice is not complied with. b) Alternatively, The Council can be issue a “Fixed penalty Notice” of £100 each time the land is found in an unacceptable condition. Since 2007, the Council has served 67 of these notices of which all have been complied with except 8, which were resolved by use of Fixed Penalty Notices. 30. From Councillor Ian Munn to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration In view of recent advice issued by Government Ministers e.g. Eric Pickles MP (Secretary of State for Communication & Local Government) and Greg Clark MP (Minister of State, Decentralisation) could the Cabinet Member comment on whether it is likely that there may be a need to review the Council’s emerging LDF Core Strategy? What might the likely costs of any review be? 16 APPENDIX 1

Response To date, the advice from the new coalition government has not created the need to review the Council’s emerging LDF Core Strategy. The most significant changes to the planning system so far - the abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies - has no effect on London boroughs as the London Plan remains in force (as the Spatial Development Strategy for London). Other modifications, such as changes to national guidance on housing, cover issues that have already been raised as important in Merton and so have already been considered in the emerging Core Strategy. If and when new advice from central government emerges on planning matters, we will decide how it influences Merton’s emerging planning policies. We will not be alone in this, as the emerging London Plan will have to consider the same issues, as will other boroughs in London. Until such time it won’t be possible to estimate costs. Merton’s emerging Core Strategy has been prepared based on local research, community consultation, and cross party involvement. I believe that this makes it robust, with enough local support to make it the most appropriate local development plan for Merton. 31. From Councillor Samantha George to the Cabinet Member for Community and Culture: The Head of Libraries recently stated at the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny panel that the library service was being asked to find savings. Is the Cabinet Member proposing to close libraries, as happened under the last Labour administration? Response Like many services, due to the level of government cuts, we've been asked to identify savings. However, I believe that libraries will continue to be at the hub of local communities across Merton, along with providing various activities and services. 32. From Cllr Geraldine Stanford to the Cabinet Member for Finance I understand that following announcements by Treasury and Local Government Ministers on 24 May and 10 June, Merton has lost £2.415m of funding this year. Which grants and other funding sources have been cut and what is the impact on Merton. Response On May 24, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Chief Secretary to the Treasury announced that the government would cut over £6 billion from spending during this financial year. Although the Prime Minister had said during the election that he would tell any Minister who came to him proposing cuts to frontline services to “go away and think again”, the cuts package includes £1.166 billion reductions in grants to local government, details of which were released by the DCLG in a ministerial statement on 10 June.

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For Merton the overall cut in grants for 2010/11 is £2.415m consisting of a cut in revenue grants of £2.024m and a cut in capital grants of £0.391m. Area Based Grants made up £1.113m of the cuts and expenditure assumptions to utilise the grant had been incorporated into the 2010/11 budget so it will be necessary to either remove the budgets for these or find compensating savings from elsewhere. The balance of £0.911m had not yet been allocated to fund expenditure in 2010/11. Details of the cuts are summarised in the following table:- 2010/11 Revenue Capital £m £m Reduction to grants allocated Dept. of Education (ABG) £0.919 £0 Supporting People Admin. (ABG) £0.106 £0 Preventing Violent Extremism (ABG) £0.066 £0 Home Office (ABG) £0.022 £0 £1.113 £0.000 Reduction to grants not allocated Performance Reward Grant (PRG) Revenue (estimate) £0.391 Performance Reward Grant (PRG) capital (estimate) £0.391 Housing and Planning Delivery Grant £0.193 LABGI £0.327 £0.911 £0.391 Total £2.024 £0.391 Cuts to a number of capital grants were also announced but the only one so far to impact on Merton is the reduction in funding for the extended schools programme which will result in the loss around £70,000 for each of the next three years i.e. around £0.200m. Indicative of the on-going nature of the reductions to grant-funding, and how they could further drip feed into 2010/11, is the very recent announcement from the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, that the Government’s Free Swimming Programme would cease on 31 July 2010. (Initial estimates are that this would result in a pro rata loss of grant of about £93K in 2010/11 and £139K in a full year. This grant is passported to Greenwich Leisure and discussions with them will need to take place). It is currently difficult to fully identify with accuracy, the implications for local authorities in general and Merton in particular of the Government’s long-term plans. An Emergency Budget was held on Tuesday 22 June. This was the first Budget of the new Government and a Spending Review will report in the Autumn which will provide much greater detail. The key points from the Budget for local authorities were:-

18 APPENDIX 1 there will be on average a 25% in real terms cut over the next four years from April 2011 across government departments other than the NHS and overseas aid. This may mean that some departments get more or less than 25%, and some years may require a higher percentage reduction than others The exact detail of the cuts across government departments will be announced through the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) on 20th October 2010. The CSR will set Department Expenditure Limits (DEL) for every government department and devolved institutions. Full details may not be available until December. 33. From Councillor Miles Windsor to the Cabinet Member for Education: Is the Cabinet Member considering cuts to Merton Adult Education Response Adult education plays a key role for Merton’s residents, enabling them to develop their knowledge and skills for employment or for enriching their lives in other ways. However, given the scale of the financial challenge given to this administration, we cannot at this stage exempt any service from making a contribution to the savings we have to find. 34. From Councillor Ian Munn to the Cabinet Member for Finance Recent statements by the Coalition Government indicate that there may be significant impacts upon Government funding for Local Councils, could the Cabinet Member give an indication of the likely impact upon Merton’s budget for 2010/11 and in future years? Response On May 24, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Chief Secretary to the Treasury announced that the government would cut over £6 billion from spending during this financial year. Although the Prime Minister had said during the election that he would tell any Minister who came to him proposing cuts to frontline services to “go away and think again”, the cuts package includes £1.166 billion reductions in grants to local government, details of which were released by the DCLG in a ministerial statement on 10 June. For Merton the overall cut in grants for 2010/11 is £2.415m consisting of a cut in revenue grants of £2.024m and a cut in capital grants of £0.391m. Area Based Grants made up £1.113m of the cuts and expenditure assumptions to utilise the grant had been incorporated into the 2010/11 budget so it will be necessary to either remove the budgets for these or find compensating savings from elsewhere. The balance of £0.911m had not yet been allocated to fund expenditure in 2010/11. Details of the cuts are summarised in the following table:- 2010/11 Revenue Capital £m £m Reduction to grants allocated Dept. of Education (ABG) £0.919 £0

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Supporting People Admin. (ABG) £0.106 £0 Preventing Violent Extremism (ABG) £0.066 £0 Home Office (ABG) £0.022 £0 £1.113 £0.000 Reduction to grants not allocated Performance Reward Grant (PRG) Revenue (estimate) £0.391 Performance Reward Grant (PRG) capital (estimate) £0.391 Housing and Planning Delivery Grant £0.193 LABGI £0.327 £0.911 £0.391 Total £2.024 £0.391 Cuts to a number of capital grants were also announced but the only one so far to impact on Merton is the reduction in funding for the extended schools programme which will result in the loss around £70,000 for each of the next three years i.e. around £0.200m. Indicative of the on-going nature of the reductions to grant-funding, and how they could further drip feed into 2010/11, is the very recent announcement from the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, that the Government’s Free Swimming Programme would cease on 31 July 2010. (Initial estimates are that this would result in a pro rata loss of grant of about £93K in 2010/11 and £139K in a full year. This grant is passported to Greenwich Leisure and discussions with them will need to take place). It is currently difficult to fully identify with accuracy, the implications for local authorities in general and Merton in particular of the Government’s long-term plans. An Emergency Budget was held on Tuesday 22 June. This was the first Budget of the new Government and a Spending Review will report in the Autumn which will provide much greater detail. The key points from the Budget for local authorities were:- there will be on average a 25% in real terms cut over the next four years from April 2011 across government departments other than the NHS and overseas aid. This may mean that some departments get more or less than 25%, and some years may require a higher percentage reduction than others The exact detail of the cuts across government departments will be announced through the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) on 20th October 2010. The CSR will set Department Expenditure Limits (DEL) for every government department and devolved institutions. Full details may not be available until December. 35. From Councillor Janice Howard to the Cabinet Member for Community and Culture: Can the Cabinet Member give details of how the Authority is proposing to work with the Mayor of London to maximise the legacy of the 2012 Olympics here in Merton? 20 APPENDIX 1

Response Merton is already developing legacy opportunities across the borough by building on existing opportunities and enhancing them by way of the Mayor of London’s Legacy Plans and the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games. In particular the Olympic Tennis event will be held at the All England Club, Wimbledon Station Forecourt will undergo a major refurbishment and the station forecourt is being considered as a transport hub welcoming and information pod staff by volunteers as part of the Mayor of London’s Plan. Merton will launch a London 2012 Framework inviting all local people to join in the Autumn. 36. From Councillor Diane Neil Mills to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration: Can the Cabinet Member tell me what the new administration’s plans are for the properties at 165 Merton Road and Ravensbury Grove? Response To develop a planning brief for 165 Merton Road and give consideration to a separate brief for Ravensbury Grove, to ensure a higher standard of design than has been utilised to date, with good environmental specifications for mixed tenure. The sites would then be marketed on the basis of the new planning brief(s). In respect of Ravensbury Grove, there is concern over the site’s location within a floodplain. We are currently awaiting a response from the Environment Agency in respect of the level of flood risk. 37. From Councillor Suzanne Grocott to the Cabinet Member for Community and Culture: Can the Cabinet Member give the library visitor figures for the month and year ending 31st March 2010 and the year ending 31st March 2009? Response Visitor figures for the year 2008/09 were 1,354,896 Visitor figures for the year 2009/10 were 1,171, 074 The downturn in the last financial year was due to a number of factors: (1) installation of new self-service equipment required closures of a week in 2 libraries and major disruption of the month of September in Wimbledon library as flooring was replaced at the same time, (2) problems were encountered with the new people counters that were installed and these are currently being replaced with more reliable ones; (3) particular problems were encountered with people counters at Pollards Hill library prior to the library’s closure for redevelopment and the closure itself (spanning November 08 to mid August 09) has resulted in figures that cannot be compared across the two years. 38. From Councillor David Dean to the Leader of the Council: With regard to the letter the Leader of the Council recently sent out to our partners regarding the impact of the Budget, does he regret that his first letter on how his minority administration will manage the difficult financial situation is one of selected spin? 21 APPENDIX 1

Response I believe it is vital that we are open and honest with our partners as to how the cuts being imposed on this council by central government will impact on our ability to continue to provide specific services previously funded by government. It is not possible to “spin” the situation we have been placed in and my letter to partners sets out the facts in so far as they are known. However, the situation literally changes on a daily basis as we are confronted with further bad news from central government. I will therefore continue to ensure our partners are kept informed and are aware of any impact on Merton services from these government cuts. 39. From Councillor Diane Neil Mills to the Cabinet Member for Finance: Can the Cabinet Member please confirm the status of the three-year capital programme, commencing 2010/11, and approved by full council on 3 March 2010? Response The council agreed the following Capital Programme at its meeting on 3rd March 2010:-

Summary Resources Available 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 £000 £000 £000 Approved Capital Programme 53,816 42,067 39,036 Following closure of the 2009/10 accounts there will be some capital slippage and some small additional amounts of earmarked funding have been identified. However, unlike previous years, there is the major issue of Government cuts which are already having a major impact on our Budget for 2010/11. So far cuts to revenue and capital grants have been announced for 2010/11 and in the Emergency Budget on 22nd June 2010 the Chancellor of the Exchequer identified that there will be on average a 25% in real terms cut over the next four years from April 2011 across government departments other than the NHS and overseas aid. This may mean that some departments get more or less than 25%, and some years may require a higher percentage reduction than others. Given this financial scenario, it will clearly be necessary to review the current Capital Programme to ensure that it is affordable, prudent and sustainable within the more constrained financial resources available. Any revisions to the capital programme will be made in accordance with the requirements set out in the Council’s Constitution and in particular Financial Regulations and Financial Procedures. The Capital Programme 2011-215 will be developed as part of the budget process and progress reported to Cabinet and Scrutiny Panels with final approval by Council in March 2011.

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40. From Councillor James Holmes to the Cabinet Member for Education: I note with interest that Ursuline High School for Girls has taken advantage of the new Coalition Government’s initiative to expand the existing Academies programme and registered its interest. Could the Cabinet Member confirm his support for the academy programme as his predecessors did when St Mark’s and Harris Academies were established? Response The governors at the Ursuline Secondary School are still considering whether or not to apply for academy status. There are still a significant number of unknown factors, including the position on academy status taken by Southwark Catholic Diocese which owns the school site. Once all the facts become clear, both the Diocese and the governors will be able to formally consider their positions. I supported the earlier plans for academies that were opposed by the Conservatives in Merton as they changed fundamentally the performance of underperforming schools. I am fearful that the Coalition government policies on academies will result in the best performing schools becoming academies and take scarce resources from those schools most in need of help. 41. From Councillor Janice Howard to the Cabinet Member for Community and Culture: What meetings has the Cabinet Member had with Merton Priory Homes since stock transfer and what monitoring does he propose to undertake of Merton Priory Homes’ delivery of its commitments to Merton’s tenants and leaseholders? Response Since taking responsibility for housing, have met with Pauline Ford, Chief Executive of Merton Priory Homes, and have also given a presentation to a number of our Housing Association partners, including Merton Priory Homes, at the Merton Partnership Sustainable Communities thematic group. It is essential that the promises made by the council to tenants and leaseholders in the offer documents are properly monitored so that the council is satisfied they are being delivered. A new post of Relationship and Contracts Manager has been created to coordinate this activity and represent the council's interest. A reporting and monitoring framework has also been agreed with MPH and is being implemented. This includes: • agreed reporting templates to record progress against offer document promises and other commitments in the transfer agreement • monthly liaison meetings between the MD of MPH (Pauline Ford) and the Relationship and Contracts Manager (Richard Cullip), where progress and issues are discussed • monthly 'catch up' meetings between the MD and the Director of Community & Housing

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• quarterly meetings between the MD, the Cabinet Member for Community and Culture and the Director of Community and Housing • a quarterly report for Members on MPH's performance against promises, commitments and key operational performance indicators (first report to be produced in early August) 42. From Councillor Gilli Lewis-Lavender to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration: Can the Cabinet Member outline the administration’s approach on foxes in view of recent events in East London? Response The Council provides advice to residents in respect of foxes but does not carry out treatment or offer any service except for the removal of dead foxes. However, the implementation of wheely bins is bound to have an impact on the fox population. 43. From Councillor Samantha George to the Cabinet Member for Community and Culture: The Mayor of London has given his support to the England 2018 World Cup Bid, with London being one of the cities involved. What action has the Cabinet Member taken to support the bid? Response I am working with colleagues through London Councils in supporting the England 2018 World Cup bid, and believe that if successful it will be of great benefit to Merton and London. 44. From Councillor Richard Chellew to the Leader of the Council: Can the Leader outline how he plans to run an inclusive minority administration in Merton and how he and his Cabinet colleagues will consult other groups in the decision-making process? Response The scrutiny process that we have developed over time here in Merton will be central to ensuring inclusivity. I and my Cabinet look forward to working closely with scrutiny over the next four years. I also have regular meetings with Group Leaders, including Cllr Debbie Shears, and will continue with this. I would be particularly happy to work with the other parties to put pressure on central government to reassess their programme of cuts as they relate to Merton. Any assistance my opposite numbers could give in this would be appreciated, especially by the residents of Merton. 45. From Councillor Suzanne Grocott to the Cabinet Member for Community and Culture: The previous Conservative administration had budgeted £500,000 in this year’s capital programme for Wimbledon Theatre, currently celebrating its centenary year. We hear the capital programme is “under review” by the new administration. Will this investment still go ahead? Response 24 APPENDIX 1

The £550,000 for the New Wimbledon Theatre improvements is already underway with external works taking place in readiness to move inside for the dark period. The partnership with the Wimbledon Theatre was also highly- commended at the recent Municipal Journal awards. Having recently visited the theatre and seen the work underway, I know that the investment will allow us to have bigger and better shows to perform and I warmly welcome the improvements which will further enhance our facilities at Wimbledon Theatre in its centenary year.

25 APPENDIX 2

1. From Councillor Tariq Ahmad to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equalities: Could the Cabinet Member please provide details of the reported incidents and any related crime statistics in relation to the Wimbledon tennis fortnight and also a summary as to how the overall operation was conducted and the feedback received to date? Response Police data runs two weeks behind actual events I would therefore like to refer this question to the next full council in order to be able to answer it fully and accurately. Early indications are that it was a successful year in regards to low crime and disorder. 2. From Cllr Agatha Akygiynia to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equality Could the Cabinet Member comment on how the new government’s proposed cuts to police funding will affect Merton, and how they will affect Mitcham and my ward of Figges Marsh in particular? Response I have met with the police and discussed this issue with them. They have informed me that the governmental cuts to the Police Service, as they currently stand, will be managed by reducing the Polices back office functions, reducing management on costs and working smarter (ie brigading of activity). However, the operation of the Safer Neighborhood teams will be reviewed and there may be some changes in the way they operate. This work is currently being undertaken and there are no firm proposals as to what will happen at this stage. I therefore cannot yet say how these cuts will affect Figges Marsh or Merton as a whole. Supplementary question I thank the Cabinet Member for her reply. Can the Cabinet member comment on whether she believes that these cuts made by the Conservative/Lib Dem government are likely to make Merton’s residents safer? Response These cuts that the government have made are going to have great impact in the community, and obviously we will have to look at this. 3. From Councillor David Simpson to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equalities: In view of the recent spate of knife attacks in the Phipps Bridge area, can the Cabinet Member outline what steps the administration has taken, in conjunction with our partners the Metropolitan Police, to seek to reduce tensions in that area? Response Can I firstly extend my sympathy to Craig Joseph-Webber, his son Matthew Stevenson-Webber, and his friend Kevin Rainsford who were the victims of a vicious knife attack in Rock Terrace last month. My thoughts are with both the victims and their families. 26 APPENDIX 2

The council in conjunction with a number of registered social landlords, the community, ward Councillors, the local MP and the Police are currently looking at a multi-agency approach to the issues and underlying issues on the estate (and surrounding area). Part of this work is reviewing lighting and CCTV capability on the estate (and surrounding area) other interventions are around advice, information and building resilience within the community and fostering better relations. A full report will be available of actions after the next Joint Tasking Group (JTG) meeting. I would particularly like to thank local MP Siobhain McDonagh for organising a public reassurance meeting where residents could share their concerns around policing and estate lighting with the police and with Merton Priory Homes. This ensured the local community felt informed and able to make their voices heard. Supplementary question I thank the Cabinet Member for her response and I join with her in sending my sympathies too to those who have been injured in recent events in Phipps Bridge. The Cabinet Member will have seen correspondence from Siobhain McDonagh and in the local Guardian regarding the incidents in Phipps Bridge and responses have been circulated from the Acting Borough Commander. Will she express her support, as I do, to those responses made by the Chief Superintendent and to the police operations and responses that they have made both in the borough and in Phipps Bridge in particular Response I have seen the reports that have been made by both the MP and the Borough Commander and do sympathise with all that’s happened and I support the MP, Siobhain McDonagh, because she took immediate action to call a meeting for the residents of Phipps Bridge Estate and therefore reassured them that what happened was a one-off incident and not something that’s going to continue. I must thank Siobhain McDonagh once again for her quick thinking in acting efficiently. 4. From Cllr John Dehaney to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equality Would the Cabinet Member join me in congratulating all those involved in establishing the new Lavender and Graveney Safer Neighborhoods team office in Wilson Road and will she update us on how many of our Safer Neighbourhood teams now have patrol offices in the community. Response I am very pleased to see the new Lavender and Graveney Safer Neighborhood team office now open and indeed I attended the very successful opening ceremony. I congratulate all who were involved in making this happen. There are currently 16 of these neighbourhood offices in the community and an additional 2 in Wimbledon Police station and 2 in Mitcham Police station. Supplementary question

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I thank the Cabinet Member for her reply. Could the Cabinet Member assure me that the Police Safer Neighbourhood teams will continue to operate at full complement and that no teams will be merged or reduced in size? Response I must say that these are times of uncertainties due to the government cuts and there is no guarantee that changes will not be made. 5. From Councillor Henry Nelless to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equalities: Can the Cabinet Member please outline the latest status of the recently undertaken IDeA Peer Review of the Safer Merton Partnership? Response The report has been to the Safer Merton Partnership (the Safer Stronger Thematic) for sign off and is due to go to the LSP for sign off. It is hoped that overview and scrutiny will also have the opportunity to look at the issues raised. Most of the actions have been reviewed or undertaken and a paper will be presented to all partnership bodies in six months clearly stating what has happened and why. 6. From Cllr Nick Draper to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equality Could the Cabinet Member outline how Merton will be affected by the government’s decision to cut the Area Based Grants affecting her portfolio? Response We have been told that £66k will be cut from the Prevent element of the ABG in year. This will not impact on grants already made in March 2010 to external organisations to carry out activities in this area as this came out of the previous year's funding. However the pot of future grant funding available for local organisations will be reduced and it will make it harder to deliver the Merton Prevent Strategy. We have received, in Safer Merton, in year cuts of £22,000 this year from the Area Based Grant. We also received a grant for £20,000 this year to cover the cost of one of our Domestic Violence Advocates. Therefore this has left us with a £2,000 deficit which is being managed via recruitment slippage. Any further cuts will result in reduced service and staff in Safer Merton. Supplementary question Thank you very much indeed for your response. I know that you have pointed out a reduction in the Domestic Violence Advocate grant. There is also, I believe, a cut in the funding to prevent violent extremism. Are you, the Cabinet Member, concerned that there will be an impact on the number of domestic violence advocates in the borough in future years and are you also concerned at the cut in preventing violent extremism funding? Response

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Thank you to Councillor Draper. I’m very concerned, like him, that because of the cuts which have been made in this issue that there is going to be a lot of anxiety amongst people who carry out this service. But what I cannot reassure my colleague, what I cannot say to him, is that domestic violence which is a major issue, as I know from my past experience in court we do have hostile witnesses when we deal with cases, and this will have an impact on all of the funding, I cannot give any reassurance on that. 7. From Councillor Tariq Ahmad to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equalities: Can the Cabinet Member tell me what representations the Council has made to central government since May 2010 in relation to Prevent Funding and will she please provide details of the projects (with related funding allocations) that have been identified for delivery in the year May 2010 - May 2011 in Merton? Response Prevent funding is part of the Councils Area Based Grant Allocation. When central government announced recent in year reductions in this grant they also made it quite clear that these were not for negotiation or consultation. On this basis no particular representations have been made to central government by Merton Council. The following table sets out details of projects and funding allocations. These projects run from March 2010 through to March 2011. Organisation Total Funding objectives to be addressed funding awarded Ethnic Minority £14,025 Challenge violent extremist ideology and support Centre (EMC) mainstream voices.

Support vulnerable individuals who are being targeted and recruited to the cause of violent extremism. Address grievances that ideologues are exploiting. Asian Youth £29,985 Challenge violent extremist ideology and support Alliance - mainstream voices. Heritage Project Increase capacity of community resistance to violent extremism. Address grievances that ideologues are exploiting. Supporting young people to resist violent extremism Supporting women and girls to resist violent extremism. Promoting intergenerational and intercultural engagement to build understands and respect. Building capacity among voluntary and 29 APPENDIX 2

Organisation Total Funding objectives to be addressed funding awarded community groups to play an active role in building cohesive communities resilience violent extremism. British Muslim £8,525 Challenge violent extremist ideology and support Association of mainstream voices. Merton (BMA) Disrupt those promoting violent extremism and support the institutions where they may be active. Support vulnerable individuals who are being targeted and recruited to the cause of violent extremism. Increase capacity of community resistance to violent extremism. Address grievances that ideologues are exploiting. Supporting young people to resist violent extremism Supporting women and girls to resist violent extremism. Building capacity among voluntary and community groups to play an active role in building cohesive communities resilience violent extremism. Developing communications with and support for faith groups including strengthening interfaith activity, to build capacity and skills to work with those who may be targeted by violent extremism. Dovetailing the borough’s community cohesion work with activities to build resilience to violent extremism. Merton and £33,654 Increase capacity of community to resist violent Sutton extremism.

Mediation Address grievances that ideologues are exploiting. Supporting young people to resist violent extremism Promoting intergenerational and intercultural engagement to build understanding and respect. Building capacity among voluntary and community groups to play an active role in building cohesive communities resilience violent extremism. Developing communications with and support for faith groups including strengthening interfaith

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Organisation Total Funding objectives to be addressed funding awarded activity, to build capacity and skills to work with those who may be targeted by violent extremism.

Merton £25,000 Increase capacity of community to resist violent Voluntary extremism. Services Building capacity among voluntary and Council community groups to play an active role in building cohesive communities resilience violent extremism. Developing communications with and support for faith groups including strengthening interfaith activity, to build capacity and skills to work with those who may be targeted by violent extremism.

South London £16,621 Increase the capacity of communities to resist Refugee violent extremism Association Building capacity among voluntary and community groups to play an active role in building cohesive communities resilient to violent extremism Developing communication with and support for faith groups, including strengthening interfaith activity, to build capacity and skills to work with those who may be targeted by violent extremism South London £29,529 Challenge violent extremist ideology and support Tamil mainstream voices. Association Support vulnerable individuals who are being targeted and recruited to the cause of violent extremism. Increase the capacity of communities to resist violent extremism Supporting young people to resist violent extremism Supporting women and girls to resist violent extremism Promoting intergenerational and intercultural engagement to build understanding and respect. Dovetailing the borough’s community cohesion work with activities to build resilience to violent extremism. Ricards Lodge £31,000 Support vulnerable individuals who are being High School targeted and recruited to the cause of violent extremism.

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Organisation Total Funding objectives to be addressed funding awarded Increase the capacity of communities to resist violent extremism Address grievances that ideologues are exploiting. Supporting young people to resist violent extremism Supporting women and girls to resist violent extremism Promoting intergenerational and intercultural engagement to build understanding and respect. Building capacity among voluntary and community groups to play an active role in building cohesive communities resilient to violent extremism Dovetailing the borough’s community cohesion work with activities to build resilience to violent extremism. Merton Youth £29,381 Challenge violent extremist ideology and support Services mainstream voices Increase capacity of community to resist violent extremism Supporting young people to resist violent extremism Supporting women and girls to resist violent extremism Building capacity among voluntary and community groups to play an active role in building cohesive communities resilient to violent extremism

Further details of the specific activities being undertaken by each organisation can be supplied to Members if required. Supplementary question On the issue of Prevent specifically could the Cabinet Member assure us all that in the discharging of funding in particular for this very sensitive area and also the challenges that we are currently facing both internationally and domestically that the funding in this area will continue to be reviewed in a prudent manner, evaluated and that full consultation will be provided as and when required to ensure that the funding is being used correctly and for the purposes it was intended? Response

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I agree with you that this is everyone’s concern in this chamber I am suggesting you give your support and I hope we will be successful in getting the Conservative Party to look at the cuts they are making, because these will affect people’s lives. 8. From Councillor Sam Thomas to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equality Can the cabinet member comment on the policing of this year's Wimbledon tennis competition? Response The Policing of this year’s Tennis was successful as it has been in previous years. Supplementary question Can the Cabinet Member comment on proposals from the Government to police the 2012 Olympics venues, including Wimbledon, with less experienced and unpaid special constables? Response I hear what you say and we will look at this area. We must try and solve the problem because Merton is a very low crime area, due to the excellent services provided by the Police and also the neighbourhood teams. We have to ensure that the safety of the residents in this borough is maintained. 9. From Councillor Chris Edge to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration: Can the Cabinet Member tell me how the administration will seek to tackle speeding in Merton’s residential areas? Response The Council has secured funding from TfL for the introduction of 20mph zones and the introduction of local safety schemes in 2010/11. It is essential to have a zone, which is self reinforcing by dint of the physical measures deployed to reduce speed. Merely placing 20 mph signs in the road is, I am advised, ineffective. There can be additional funding within Merton capital for consideration of further 20mph zones or other appropriate measures to reduce speed. The Council's Road Safety Team contributes to the Council's commitment to achieve appropriate speeds through a programme of education and awareness. These initiatives include "Drive for Road Safety", "Walk to School Week", "Theatre and Education" all aimed at raising awareness. 10. From Councillor Richard Williams to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability What assessments the Council has made in the last four years as to a) the growth of the urban fox population, b) the risks associated with urban foxes and c) steps for reducing the urban fox population? Response

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The Council provides advice to residents in respect of foxes, particularly with reference to how best to deter their presence. However, the council does not carry out treatment or offer any service except for the removal of dead foxes. The Council has not carried out any Local assessments in respect of a), b) and c). No doubt the advent of wheely bins will have an impact on the fox population! 11. From Councillor Tariq Ahmad to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equalities: The Conservative-led Council amongst its many achievements between 2006 and 2010 launched the highly successful Action in Merton (AIM) initiative in 2008. Would the Cabinet Member please advise as to where this ranks in the priorities of the current Labour minority administration and which areas in Merton will benefit in the year ahead from this ground breaking initiative? Response As previously stated the administration supports community led interventions that tackle the issues that our constituents want tackled. The administration would wish to see such initiatives continue however it is as yet unclear how the 25% cuts being imposed by central government will affect our services and that of our partners. 12. From Councillor Brenda Fraser to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Equalities and Engagement Given government cuts that will affect all of our partners, can the Cabinet Member comment on the future of the Safer Merton Partnership? Response Safer Merton is a partnership which includes the council, the police, the fire brigade, probation services and the PCT. Central government has imposed 25% cuts on public spending so it is likely that all of the partners involved in Safer Merton will be affected. In this context I am unable to say what the future holds for the Safer Merton partnership – this will only become clear once the full implications of the cuts have been made clear by central government. 13. From Councillor David Simpson to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equalities: Having looked at this new administration’s manifesto, I can see nothing about their priorities for community safety. Please can the Cabinet Member outline the administration’s aims for this important area? Response Reducing crime, fear of crime and disorder are my top priorities. The administration wants to build on the good work of the Labour Government in delivering high quality cost effective services to our communities that are tailored to their needs. The administration supports the continuation of local priorities being set by local people and therefore supports the current strategic priorities of the partnership (ASB, Alcohol, Domestic Burglary, Domestic Violence, Hate Crime and Serious Youth Violence).

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The administration understands that Safer Merton is a partnership approach to tackling the issues that matter most to our communities and very much hopes that this work can continue. However, I am very much aware that the depth of cuts we face from central government will have an impact on all of our services, including community safety. 14. From Cllr Geraldine Stanford to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration What could be the impact on Environment and Regeneration of a reduction in Government grant funding of: (i) 25% (ii) 40%? Response If this were translated into a straight budget reduction in the Department this would be equivalent to a reduction of approximately (i) £13 million or (ii) £20 million on a gross expenditure budget of £56 million or a net budget reduction of between £9 and £14 million. Such a reduction would require significant change to all services as well as a reduction in discretionary expenditure [as opposed to statutory]. Such discretionary expenditure includes parks and open space management, leisure, culture and arts development, neighborhood renewal, economic development and regeneration. The Council is already looking at how it can transform all services to reduce cost and increase income and is actively planning for the reduced funding streams of the future. 15. From Councillor Logie Lohendran to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equalities: Can the Cabinet Member tell me what plans this minority administration has to encourage people to volunteer to become special constables in Merton? Response Whilst the administration very much supports volunteering and whilst I understand that, faced with government cuts, the police have had to make some difficult choices, I am concerned that this proposal may mean that only those who can afford to work for free for a year can become police officers as this will be the only route into the police. This closes off the police as a career for people from lower income families and perhaps also those with caring responsibilities who may be unable to volunteer if childcare costs are not met. With the government requiring 25% cuts in services, I am also worried that we will see a huge decrease in the number of trained full time paid police officers and PCSOs, with unpaid special constables an inadequate replacement. However, the proposal is as yet unclear and I will therefore look at it in more detail as more information is received. 16. From Councillor Stan Anderson to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Equalities and Engagement I understand the Conservative Secretary of State for Justice, Kenneth Clarke, has announced his intention to close 103 magistrates and 54 county courts across England and Wales. How will this affect Merton? Response

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We have one court on borough and this is Wimbledon Magistrates court – which is currently also acting as a crown court. There are no proposals to close this court but there are proposals to move the crown court function out of Wimbledon Magistrates court and to take extra cases from Magistrates courts that may close. Therefore there should be limited effect on the local court. However there are likely to be cost implications, to Children Schools and Families, around the changes to Youth Courts. At present this is a consultation document only and we will review and assess the implications as they become clearer. 17. From Councillor Linda Scott to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equalities: Can the Cabinet Member confirm that she has now met with the Borough Commander and discussed how the Safer Merton Partnership might work together to tackle the problems which have recently been experienced in Mitcham? Response There are two approaches to the issues that have recently surfaced in Mitcham and the Police and council are working in partnership in regards to both. Firstly there’s the general Policing operations and additional reassurance patrols (including patrols from Wardens and Caretakers in the area). We have had support from Operation Trident, on borough, and other specialist Policing departments. This work includes working with the local MP and community meetings. The Joint Tasking Group (JTG) is working across (over 20) partners to look at issues and solutions that may benefit the area. This will form a managed and monitored action plan. These have proven to be very successful in the past (and the projects have won national awards for their problem solving approach and its ability to evidence positive change). We are also working closely with ward Councillors and with Siobhain McDonagh MP who held a successful reassurance meeting with local residents on the estate. I would like to thank the MP for organising this meeting where residents could share their concerns around policing and estate lighting with the police and with Merton Priory Homes. This ensured the local community felt informed and able to make their voices heard. 18. From Councillor Gregory Udeh to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equalities. The National Audit Office maintains that the annual taxpayers’ money spent on re-offending amounts to between £9.5 and £13 billion. There is, therefore, an urgent need to tackle this revolving door syndrome that allows the same offender in and out of the criminal justice system. Response Tackling re-offending requires addressing key problems arising from unemployment, housing, education, drug/addiction, and family dynamics. Many offenders are caught up in a cycle of poor education, unstable family

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life, and multiple addictions. Evidence has shown that offenders with both accommodation and employment problems are 43% more likely to re-offend during the year after release. Can the Cabinet Member explain any strategies and policy procedures put in place to tackle the problem of re-offending in our borough, in a bid to ensure a Safer Merton? Safer Merton runs two partnership projects working in the area of reducing re- offending. The Prolific and Priority Offenders (PPO) team who work with offenders (predominantly burglars) to address their offending behaviour. We have probation, drugs workers and police officers and police staff working in the team, they manage a multi-agency approach to resettlement and rehabilitation (including housing, employment and training), as well as working with ex- offenders to reduce the likelihood of them falling back into the cycle of crime (drugs work and enforcement visits). This work starts with the offender when they are in prison and the team work with non-statutory offenders (ie those not under probation) who cause most problem on borough. We are also piloting an Integrated Offender Management (IOM) service. This works with the PPO team, the Multi-Agency Public Protection Agreement (MAPPA – dealing with high end offenders that are released to borough), the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Case Conference (MARAC – looking at Domestic Violence), Youth Offending Service (YOS) and the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Case panel. The role of this service is to ensure that we view offenders holistically and deal with the issues that may arise from a lack of co-ordination and communication regarding their risk. Safer Merton would be happy to give a presentation on either project and have taken the work of the IOM to Scrutiny.

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