The new Leader of Merton Council has pledged to put civic pride at the heart of the borough as he appointed his Cabinet.
Councillor Ross Garrod was elected as Leader of the Council, with Councillor Eleanor Stringer as Deputy Leader at the full Council meeting tonight. (Wednesday 25 May).
Councillor Garrod said: “It is a privilege to become Council Leader of the borough I grew up in and am proud to call home. Nurturing a strong sense of civic pride will be central to everything that my Cabinet and I do to deliver on the priorities which matter to our residents as we emerge from the pandemic.
“There are many challenges ahead, including the cost of living crisis, but we will be there supporting our community, in a proactive and responsive way as we make our ambition for a better Merton a reality from the ground up – from cleaner streets and greener spaces, to more affordable housing and sustainable transport, including bike hire schemes and electric vehicles, as well as improving opportunities for everyone to be active in our great sporting borough.”
Councillor Garrod has confirmed his Cabinet, who will take up their new roles immediately:
- Cabinet Member for Children’s Services – Brenda Fraser
- Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning – Sally Kenny
- Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services – Billy Christie
- Cabinet Member for Local Environment, Green Spaces and Climate – Natasha Irons
- Cabinet Member for Civic Pride – Eleanor Stringer
- Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development – Andrew Judge
- Cabinet Member for Transport – Stephen Alambritis
- Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care – Peter McCabe
- Cabinet Member for Sport and Heritage – Caroline Cooper-Marbiah