Decisions on how Merton Council’s new Legacy Fund Advisory Board will allocate £15 million of public money will be made behind closed doors, after Labour councillors blocked plans for transparency.

At Wednesday’s (19th November 2025) Council meeting, Labour councillors unanimously voted against a Liberal Democrat proposal that would have required the Board’s meetings to be held in public.

Liberal Democrats warned that this secrecy raises serious questions about accountability and fairness. The Council has still not published who will sit on the Board, or the selection criteria for choosing members. 

The Legacy Fund Advisory Board is a group of 5 residents, one from each of Merton’s town centres — Mitcham, Morden, Colliers Wood, Raynes Park, and Wimbledon — plus the Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Stephen Alambritis, who will co-chair the Board.

The Board will review over 1,400 ideas submitted by residents for spending the £15 million Legacy Fund and will shortlist costed projects, which will then be presented back to residents for a vote.

The Liberal Democrat amendment asked for two simple things:

1. Open the Advisory Board meetings to the public, as is normal for decision-making bodies spending public money; and
2. Publish the Board’s Terms of Reference, including how members are selected.

Liberal Democrats are deeply concerned that, with Board meetings held in private, residents will have no way of knowing why their ideas were rejected.

They say that full transparency is essential, and they will continue to press for public scrutiny of every stage of the process.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Simon McGrath said:

“It is extraordinary that Merton Labour thinks £15 million of public money can be decided in secret. Residents have submitted ideas in good faith. They deserve to see how these decisions are made, otherwise they will rightly ask what Merton Labour are trying to hide.”

Liberal Democrat Cllr Tony Reiss said:

“The Council says the Board will be ‘representative’, but unless the selection criteria and list of members are published, no one can know if that is true. Will it reflect our communities or simply be a group of Labour appointees? Residents deserve transparency, fairness, and accountability but Merton Labour kiboshed our proposal to make that a reality.” 

ENDS

 

Further reading:

The Liberal Democrat amendment is here:

https://democracy.merton.gov.uk/documents/b17375/Supplementary%204%20-%20Amendments%20Wednesday%2019-Nov-2025%2019.30%20Council.pdf?T=9

The Financial Monitoring Report, containing details of the Legacy Fund, is here:

https://democracy.merton.gov.uk/documents/s57370/Monitoring%20Report%20-2025-26%20-Periods%205%20-%20Amendments%20to%20the%20Capital%20Programme%20-%20Council%20Report%20Updated.pdf

The Cabinet Report detailing the Legacy Fund Advisory Board is here:

https://democracy.merton.gov.uk/documents/s57197/Legacy%20Fund%20report%20-%20October%20Cabinet.pdf

Wimbledon MP Paul Kohler has accused Merton Labour of “hypocrisy” and “political posturing” over community policing. Labour repeatedly failed to defend Wimbledon police station during key consultations, and now Merton is about to be left with no police front counters after the local Labour leadership took no action until closures were already decided.

Wimbledon MP Paul Kohler, backed by Merton Liberal Democrats, has accused Merton Labour of “hypocrisy” and “political posturing” over community policing, criticising their repeated failure to defend Wimbledon and Mitcham police stations in the wake of the Mayor of London’s decision to close both their front counters. He also pointed out that, whilst Sadiq Khan has listened to the Labour Council leaders in 8 other London boroughs, and belatedly found the money to reverse his decision to close their police station front counters, he has not done so in Merton - because London  Labour has effectively “given up on Merton” ahead of next May’s local elections in which Merton is a key target for the Lib Dems across the Capital.

Speaking at last night’s Council meeting, Mr Kohler said Labour’s claims to care about policing and pledges of action were contradicted by years of inertia and failure to stand up for local policing, both during his legal action that stopped Wimbledon Police station’s closure in 2018 and in all the Mayor’s subsequent police station closure consultations. This has left Merton residents without vital services, including the loss of both the borough’s police station front counters as a result of the Labour Mayor’s cuts.

In response Merton Liberal Democrats advocated an evidence-based, practical approach to restoring community policing across the borough.

Commenting, Mr Kohler said:

“Labour has given up on Merton, we’re on our own. Their only suggestion last night to meet the BCU Commander is a limp and empty gesture which they should be doing already; yet another attempt to close the stable door after the police horse has bolted.”

“Let’s be clear: the Conservatives under Boris Johnson halved London’s police stations, and Labour did exactly the same. Yet Sadiq Khan still promised a 24-hour police counter in every borough in last year’s Mayor of London elections before breaking his promise within months of his election. He subsequently found the money to reverse his decision to close the front counters in eight Labour-run boroughs…but not in Merton. London Labour has given up on Merton because they think it’s a lost cause.”

“A Lib Dem-run council would use our limited resources strategically and fight to rebuild visible, accessible neighbourhood policing. And, come May, that is exactly what we will do.”

You can watch the council meeting here

Last night, Merton Labour blocked Lib Dems’ Women’s Health Strategy, despite Merton remaining the only borough in Southwest London without a breast cancer screening centre. Lib Dems warn on average 70 breast cancer cases go undiagnosed each year due to low screening rates. 

Merton Liberal Democrats have sharply criticised Merton Labour councillors for blocking proposals for a comprehensive Women’s Health Strategy.

The strategy incorporated the Liberal Democrats’ long-running campaign to secure local breast screening services, a service already provided in every Southwest London borough apart from Merton.

The Lib Dem’s proposals were driven by growing concerns about declining breast cancer screening rates. In 2023-24, only 65% of eligible women in Merton attended screening, resulting in an average of 70 cases of breast cancer going undiagnosed annually.

The Liberal Democrats first called for a local screening centre more than three and a half years ago*, during which time no meaningful action has been taken.

When pressed at the Council meeting, Labour councillors refused to confirm whether they had even submitted a formal application for a mobile screening unit in the borough.

The Liberal Democrats continue to push for a mobile screening centre to ensure women in every part of the borough can access life-saving early diagnosis. Wimbledon MP Paul Kohler also continues to push this issue in Parliament. 

 

Wimbledon MP Paul Kohler said:

“Women in Merton are being failed by Labour’s inaction, and last night’s meeting made that painfully clear. I’m shocked to see so little progress on increasing provision. This is a disease where screening programmes work and are cost-effective.

Each day’s delay means more breast cancer going undiagnosed and women’s lives being jeopardised.”

 

Commenting, Cllr Jenifer Gould said:

“This just isn’t good enough. We were shocked to see them vote against such a pivotal move for women’s health. Politics aside, this is a priority for Merton, and the figures don’t lie. This totally challenges their claim to be taking a preventative approach to health.”

“Instead, the Liberal Democrats are leading the conversation. But as the administration, Labour must cooperate in order to take action. Evidently, women’s health is not a priority for Merton Labour.”

ENDS

 

Further reading:

You can read more and view Merton Liberal Democrats’ petition here

Merton Liberal Democrats 2023 Health amendment can be found here

The Liberal Democrats Women’s Health Motion is available here

You can watch the council meeting here

Merton Liberal Democrats are demanding action after years of Labour inaction on women’s health. Their “Her Health Matters” Strategy would deliver a full Women’s Health Needs Assessment and set up local Women’s Health Hubs. Merton lags behind the rest of London, with no breast screening centre, low endometriosis diagnosis rates and major gaps in menopause support.

Merton Liberal Democrats have called on Merton Council to implement a Women’s Health Strategy, after years of inaction from the Labour-run Council. 

The Liberal Democrats say the evidence shows that women in Merton have been overlooked for far too long. Endometriosis diagnosis locally is three times lower than the national average, strongly suggesting widespread under-diagnosis. Merton is also the only London borough without a dedicated breast screening centre, and nine in ten women report lacking the information they need to manage menopause symptoms. They have also raised concerns that the Council’s previous Local Health and Care Plan 2022–2024 did not mention the word “women” at all.

At last night’s Council meeting (Thursday 20th November 2025), the Liberal Democrats presented their women’s health Strategy, titled Her Health Matters. The Strategy would require the Council to undertake a Health Needs Assessment to explore how well the health and care needs that are unique to women are being met. It would focus on the health challenges that only, or disproportionately, affect women, including breast, ovarian and cervical cancer; endometriosis; menopause; pelvic floor and perinatal health; long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC); and other chronic gynaecological conditions. 

The Strategy would urge the Council to work with the NHS to introduce walk-in Women’s Health Hubs across Merton. Although the Department of Health and Social Care called for a national expansion of these hubs in 2022, Merton still has no walk-in hub, unlike neighbouring boroughs such as Bexley and Greenwich where women can self-refer without needing a GP appointment. Government analysis shows that every £1 invested in Women’s Health Hubs delivers £5 in benefits, improving access to care and reducing barriers to early diagnosis.

Disappointingly, at the council meeting last night, Labour voted these proposals down, but Liberal Democrats remain committed to fighting for a fairer future for women’s health in the borough.

 

Cllr Jenifer Gould, Deputy Leader of Merton Liberal Democrats and Health & Social Care Spokesperson said: 

“Women need clearly signposted, specialist services, but the current model in Merton is more maze and no map. It beggars belief that the Council’s current strategies barely mention women at all.” 

“Our plan for Merton would allow women to walk into a local clinic for an appointment with a women's specialist. This would help to reduce health inequalities and empower women to take control of their health, something which has historically been very difficult.” 

 

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Cllr Tony Reiss said: 

“Merton’s current health strategies fail to mention endometriosis, menopause, or other chronic gynaecological conditions that affect so many women. These symptoms are too often overlooked, dismissed, or met with ‘come back if it doesn’t get better’". 

“Our plan puts that right. It includes a full Health Needs Assessment to listen directly to women in Merton and to design specialist, local services that finally provide the support and treatment they deserve.” 

 

ENDS 

 

Further reading:

The Liberal Democrats’ motion is available in full here: LD Womens Health Strategy Motion

You can watch the meeting here

Merton Liberal Democrats and Wimbledon MP Paul Kohler have slammed the decision to close both Wimbledon and Mitcham police front counters, leaving Merton borough with no public-facing police station for the first time in living memory.

Across London, the Met’s new front counter model will see 24/7 public access reduced to just two stations, Lewisham and Charing Cross, a drastic fall from the Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan’s previous pledge to maintain one in every borough. 

Under the Met’s final plan, Merton residents will no longer be able to report crimes face-to-face, ask for directions, hand in lost property, seek help, or access a place of safety locally.

Instead, those needing police assistance in person will have to travel to Sutton, Kingston, or Lavender Hill (Clapham Junction), stations which themselves operate on restricted hours. For someone in crisis in Mitcham late at night, the nearest 24-hour front counter could now be over 45 minutes away by public transport

Campaigners warn the closures will hit the most vulnerable hardest, including the elderly, those without internet access, and victims of domestic abuse who may be unable to safely make a phone call or travel long distances. Domestic violence charity Refuge have raised concerns about the decision.

Merton Lib Dems argue this decision represents a triple failure by Labour: locally, whose council has consistently failed to stand up for residents on this issue*; in City Hall, where the Labour Mayor has broken a central manifesto pledge and failed to maintain a 24 hr counter in every borough; and nationally, where the Labour Government’s underfunding of the Met has contributed to a £260m deficit. 

Wimbledon MP Paul Kohler said: 

“Merton Labour used to blame local problems on having a Conservative government, insisting that once Labour were in power nationally it would finally be possible to make positive change. But now Labour can’t hide, with their party running the Government, City Hall, and the local Council, they must take full responsibility for this betrayal. Residents can see clearly that this failure is theirs.”

Liberal Democrat Shadow Lead for Policing and Community Partnerships Victoria Wilson said:

“Closing Merton’s last public-facing police stations is a devastating blow for women’s safety and community trust. Every resident needs to know that there is somewhere accessible locally when they need it most.

The Liberal Democrats have called for a stronger, more accountable model of community policing, one that actually listens to women and survivors, challenges misogynistic attitudes, and ensures local officers are visible and available in our neighbourhoods. Our proposals for new advisory groups, better engagement with young people, and keeping more officers in Merton are about rebuilding trust and making our borough a place where everyone feels safe.”

 

Sign the petition here

 

Further reading

*Labour councillors bosses failed to mention the importance of local police bases in building community policing in its submission to the Mayor’s consultation. Further reading on this here

Further reading on this story can be found here

Merton Liberal Democrats’ proposals for strengthening local policing can be found here

Wimbledon MP Paul Kohler set up a cross-party meeting with St George’s trust leadership and local MPs to press the case for keeping the minor injuries open At the meeting yesterday, they learned that closure of Queen Mary’s minor injuries unit has now been ruled out, and secured assurances the Trust will explore reinstating the drop-in service. Over 750 residents backed Paul’s petition, showing the strength of local demand for accessible urgent care.

Wimbledon MP Paul Kohler has been delighted to welcome confirmation that the minor injuries unit at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton will remain open, following strong local opposition to its proposed closure.

Mr Kohler met with the leadership of St George’s University Hospitals NHS Trust yesterday, alongside Richmond Park MP Sarah Olney and Putney MP Fleur Anderson, to press the case for protecting these vital local services, on behalf of their constituents. 

Local residents strongly backed Mr Kohler’s campaign to save the minor injuries unit from closure, with over 750 signing his petition in just a couple of weeks. 

At the meeting, the Trust confirmed that closure of the unit has now been ruled out due to the strong local opposition. The Trust leadership also pledged to explore how to reinstate the hospital’s pre-Covid drop-in service, a move that would also help to relieve pressure on St George’s A&E. 

This follows Mr Kohler’s previous intervention earlier this month, when he wrote to the Trust raising serious concerns about the potential loss of the Enhanced Primary Care Hub at Queen Mary’s. In his letter, co-signed with Sarah Olney MP, he warned that closure would place an unfair burden on patients forced to travel to St George’s or Kingston, while adding further strain to overstretched A&E services.

 

Commenting, Paul Kohler MP said:

“This is a fantastic result for our community and a testament to the power of local voices. More than 750 residents signed our petition in just two weeks, showing just how much Queen Mary’s matters to people in Wimbledon and beyond. 

I am delighted that the Trust has listened and agreed to keep the unit open. I will continue working with colleagues to ensure the commitment to reinstating the drop-in service if feasible is delivered, and that Queen Mary’s remains at the heart of accessible, high-quality local healthcare.” 

ENDS

Please find further reading on this story here