It was all change in the Merton Council chamber tonight as the borough’s new Labour leader, Labour cabinet, new councillors and the new Mayor were officially sworn in at the annual council meeting.
Results from the election three weeks ago meant Merton remains in ‘no overall control’ but with a change to a Labour leader, a Labour cabinet and a Conservative Mayor.
The leader of the council is now Councillor Stephen Alambritis and the Mayor of Merton is Councillor Oonagh Moulton with Councillor Margaret Brierly acting as Deputy Mayor.
Councillor Alambritis will work with just eight key cabinet members to help focus on residents’ main concerns. The cabinet members are as follows:
– Deputy leader and cabinet member for performance and implementation – Councillor Mark Betteridge
– Cabinet member for children’s services – Councillor Maxi Martin
– Cabinet member for education – Councillor Peter Walker
– Cabinet member for community and culture – Councillor Martin Whelton
– Cabinet member for adult social care and health – Councillor Linda Kirby
– Cabinet member for finance – Councillor Mark Allison
– Cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration – Councillor Andrew Judge
– Cabinet member for community safety, engagement and equalities – Councillor Edith Macauley
Councillor Stephen Alambritis, Leader of Merton Council said:
‘ This is a very challenging time for Merton but I am looking forward to providing residents with cleaner streets and with value for money council services.
‘My cabinet and I are dedicated to delivering residents the best quality services and focussing on the areas that matter most to them.’
The Mayor of Merton, Councillor Oonagh Moulton said:
‘ It is a great honour and privilege to have been elected Mayor and I am really looking forward to the experience.
‘I am thrilled that I will be able to go around the borough meeting the people of Merton and will also be raising money for my two chosen charities Wimbledon Civic Theatre Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support.”
For more information about the cabinet, the Mayor and all councillors go to http://www.merton.gov.uk/councillors