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 9

  1. Merton Council Considers Landlord Licensing Scheme to Improve Housing Standards Merton Council is considering the implementation of a landlord licensing scheme as part of a broader effort to improve housing standards and address related issues in the... Merton 20 September 2025
  2. Clarion Housing Ambassador Scheme Proposed for Merton Estates Merton Council is considering a Clarion Housing ambassador scheme for estates that lack resident associations. The Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel discussed... Merton 20 September 2025
  3. Richmond Council to Procure Joint Sexual Health Services Richmond Council is set to launch a joint procurement process for Integrated Sexual Health (ISH) services, partnering with Wandsworth, Merton, and Sutton councils. The new... Richmond upon Thames 16 September 2025
  4. SW London ICB Faces 58% Management Cost Cuts: Impact on Merton? Merton residents could see changes in their healthcare as the South West London Integrated Care Board (SWL ICB) grapples with significant management cost reductions. The... Merton 15 September 2025
  5. Merton Council Faces Challenges Recruiting Foster Carers Merton Council is facing challenges in recruiting in-house foster carers, according to a performance monitoring report presented at the Children and Young People Overview and... Merton 14 September 2025
  6. Merton Council Grapples with Declining Primary School Enrollment and Surplus Places Merton Council is grappling with difficult decisions regarding primary school places as demand continues to fall, according to a recent meeting of the Children and Young People... Merton 14 September 2025
  7. Merton Children's Services Retain 'Outstanding' Ofsted Rating Merton Council's children's services have once again been recognised as 'Outstanding' following an Ofsted inspection in July, maintaining the rating from the previous... Merton 14 September 2025
  8. Merton launches Carers Cards for young carers Merton Council has launched Carers Cards for young carers, providing them with access to support and discounted activities. The initiative aims to provide practical assistance... Merton 14 September 2025