Merton Council has extended funding for the voluntary sector for another financial year, 2026-2027, as it undertakes a review of its strategy for the sector. The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting on June 23, 2025, where members also discussed temporary accommodation, parks and green spaces, and the council's financial position.

The extension aims to provide stability to voluntary and community sector (VCS) organizations currently supported by the Civic Pride Fund, particularly given changes in NHS funding. A total of 20 VCS organizations delivering 24 projects were commissioned through the Civic Pride Fund from April 2023.

The council last published a Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Strategy in 2017, using the '2016 Merton State of the Sector' research as its evidence base. The strategic aims of that strategy were: support for the Sector to change and adapt, maximizing Income and Funding Generation, Commissioning and Social Value, and Increasing Volunteering.

The interim strategies aim to review the delivery of actions in the 2017 strategy, separate volunteering and the VCS into distinct strands of work, establish a process for co-designing longer-term strategies covering 2027-2035, and ensure continued support for volunteering and the VCS during the interim period.

Other key items discussed at the Cabinet meeting included:

  • Temporary Accommodation: The council is addressing a housing crisis with the number of households in temporary accommodation rising from 350 in 2023 to 700 in 2025. The cabinet considered a report about acquiring temporary accommodation to address the housing crisis. The report notes that the interim Executive Director for Housing & Sustainable Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in August 2024 to deliver Round 3 of the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF), with the sum of £7,171,473. The report asks the cabinet to approve a revenue budget of £56,113 from LAHF which will contribute to the acquisition costs arising from the purchase of the LAHF grant related properties.

  • Parks and Greenspace: A report was considered on the longer-term future for grounds maintenance and park-related activities, commencing in November 2026. The proposed contract length would be 14 years (7+7 years). Merton council's parks & open spaces are regularly cited as the asset that residents value highest about living, working or visiting Merton.

  • Financial Outturn: The Cabinet reviewed the Financial Outturn Report 2024/25, noting an overall unfavorable outturn of £2.521m, 1.2% of the general fund budget. The Council's services are still under significant pressure due to the need to support businesses and residents, particularly vulnerable groups in need of social care. The Council is also facing significant inflationary pressures in the supply of goods and services as well as challenging levels of demand for services, such as temporary accommodation.

  • EAMS Contract Variation: A report was considered to approve the variation of the existing Environmental Infrastructure Asset Management and Street Works Solution Contract to include DTTRO and One network. The report asks the cabinet to approve the variation of the existing Environmental Infrastructure Asset Management and Street Works Solution Contract which commenced on the 16th July 2024, to accommodate and include the 'One.Network' and 'Parkmap' software solutions utilising Regulation 72 (F) of the PCR2015 procurement regulations.

The Public reports pack for the meeting is available online.