Merton Council is embarking on a large-scale consultation to gather feedback from residents and those working in the borough to help shape the future of council services. According to the We Are Merton Big Conversation - introductory slides, the feedback gathered will be used to shape future council services.
The initiative, dubbed the Big Conversation,
was a key topic at the Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations meeting on 2 December 2025. The consultation, which runs from 4 April 2025 to 5 January 2026, aims to understand what matters most to the community and how the council can improve its services.
The council is encouraging participation through various channels, including face-to-face interactions at borough events, a borough-wide survey, library stands, and small focus groups and interviews with specific stakeholder groups. These methods are designed to ensure the consultation reaches underrepresented groups within the Merton community.
Residents can also share their views online via the We Are Merton Big Conversation website.
Participants are being asked to consider three key questions:
- What has changed in your local neighbourhood in the time you've lived or worked here? Is it positive or negative? Why?
- What three words would you use to describe your local neighbourhood?
- What should Merton Council prioritise for the future?
A range of potential priorities has been identified for consideration, including crime prevention, clean streets, help with the cost of living, affordable housing, and sustainability. A full list of priorities is available in the Public reports pack from the meeting.
