Organisation

Merton Council

83 stories · discussed at 12 council meetings · 4 councils

Merton Council is advancing housing and regeneration plans, and making operational and financial adjustments.

Merton Council is advancing major housing and regeneration plans. In September 2026, the Cabinet approved a £250 million boost for its new homes programme, aiming for 2,500 new homes, including 1,500 affordable ones, by 2036/37. The Cabinet also advanced the Morden Town Centre regeneration programme and adopted a Corporate Landlord Model to manage its property portfolio, centralising ownership and responsibility for 563 freehold titles.

Operationally, in September 2026, the Cabinet approved £235,000 for Community Safety Untidy Land action and £478,000 for ANPR cameras and parking transformation. The council also approved a new procurement approach for corporate and schools cleaning contracts. This follows a 39% surge in formal complaints during 2025/26, partly attributed to AI-generated submissions, as reported in September 2026.

Earlier, in August 2026, the Development and Planning Applications Committee approved a mixed-use development in Mitcham with 249 social rented homes. In July 2026, the Cabinet approved purchasing 125 homes for homeless residents and permanently confirmed an Article 4 Direction requiring planning permission for new Houses in Multiple Occupation in 13 wards. The council faces a projected £9.694 million budget gap by 2027/28.

Key facts

  1. Merton Council's Cabinet approved a £250 million increase in capital funding for its new homes programme in September 2026. Source
  2. Merton Council's Cabinet approved £478,000 for ANPR cameras and parking transformation costs in September 2026. Source
  3. Merton Council's Cabinet approved £235,000 for Community Safety Untidy Land action in September 2026. Source
  4. Merton Council saw a 39% increase in formal complaints during the 2025/26 financial year, logging 1,450 stage 1 complaints. Source 1 Source 2
  5. Merton Council's Development and Planning Applications Committee approved a development with 249 social rented homes in Mitcham in August 2026. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 5

  1. Safer Streets Wardens: Drug Treatment Referrals Spike in Merton Merton's Safer Streets Neighbourhood Wardens are making a significant impact on early intervention for drug and alcohol issues, with referrals for treatment spiking from 4 to 39... Merton 30 November 2025
  2. Merton Council Faces Growing Budget Gap: £20M Shortfall by 2029 Merton Council is grappling with a significant budget shortfall, projected to reach £20 million by 2029, according to reports discussed at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee... Merton 30 November 2025
  3. Merton Council Adopts Planning Improvement Plan Merton Council has adopted a Planning Peer Challenge Action Plan to improve its Development Management service, following a Cabinet meeting on Monday, 24 November 2025. Merton 28 November 2025
  4. Merton Council Faces £4.1M Budget Shortfall Despite Financial Improvement; Housing Crisis, Planning, Adult Learning, and Sustainable Communities Also Addressed Merton Council is grappling with a £4.1 million budget shortfall, despite showing signs of financial improvement, according to a recent cabinet meeting. Merton 28 November 2025
  5. Clarion Housing to Trial Community Ambassador Scheme Clarion Housing is set to trial a community ambassador scheme in Merton, following recommendations from the Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel. The Merton Council cabinet... Merton 28 November 2025
  6. Merton to Procure New Adult Learning Contract Merton Council has approved a new contract for its adult learning services, ensuring the continuation of vital skills training for residents. The decision, made at a Cabinet... Merton 28 November 2025
  7. Morden Forum Seeks Ways to Boost Community Engagement Amid Low Attendance Morden Community Forum is exploring new strategies to increase public participation following concerns about poor attendance at recent meetings. At the Morden Community Forum... Merton 23 November 2025
  8. Colliers Wood Redevelopment Plans Face Scrutiny After 'Red Verdict' Plans to redevelop a vacant car park site south of Britannia Point in Colliers Wood are under increased scrutiny after receiving a 'Red verdict' from the Merton Council Design... Merton 23 November 2025