At the Annual Council Meeting on 22 May, councillors will decide who to appoint as the new Mayor of Merton, who serves as the borough’s ceremonial and civic head for the coming year.
Council Leader Councillor Ross Garrod has announced that the Labour Group will be nominating Councillor Slawek Szczepanski to be the next Mayor of Merton. If elected, he would become the first ever Polish Mayor of Merton.
Born in Poznan, Poland, Councillor Szczepanski has lived and worked in communities across Merton for two decades, serving as the Director of the Board of Merton Chamber of Commerce, before being elected to represent Lavender Fields Ward in 2022.
Councillor Szczepanski leads the Polish Family Association, a community initiative helping Merton residents to access health and mental health services, and engage with community support services, schools and businesses.
Councillor Szczepanski’s work in leading the Polish Family Association has been key in helping Ukrainian refugees settle and integrate in Merton, through setting up the Ukrainian Hub with the Commonside Trust and Merton Council. The Ukrainian Hub has provided over 1,000 face-to-face appointments and 3,000 phone consultations to Ukrainian refugees, over 250 Ukrainian children have been supported to register at school, and 170 adults have participated in skills programmes to become job ready.
The Labour Group have also confirmed that Councillor Brenda Fraser will be nominated as Deputy Mayor, following her successful time as Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.
During her time in Cabinet, Councillor Fraser steered the delivery of our new Family Hubs, secured high quality accommodation for care leavers, and ensured outstanding children’s social care for all young people across the borough.
Council Leader Councillor Ross Garrod said on the nomination:
“I’m proud to be nominating Councillor Szczepanski to be the first ever Polish Mayor of Merton. Councillor Szczepanski’s journey from joiner to councillor, and now to potentially Mayor of Merton, is one that I know will inspire so many across the borough, especially our valued Polish community.
“The partnership of Councillor Szczepanski as Mayor and Councillor Fraser as Deputy Mayor epitomises the very best of this borough. Together, they will make a fantastic team who will excel in their ceremonial and civic duties.”
The mayor-making ceremony will be held on the evening of Wednesday 22 May at Merton Civic Centre, and will also be livestreamed – more details here.
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