The Leader of Merton Council, Councillor Ross Garrod, has announced a shake-up of his top team, including a new cabinet post focused on tackling antisocial behaviour and maintaining the borough’s position as one of the safest in London.
Cllr Edith Macauley MBE has been appointed as the new Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety. She will be responsible for seeing through the Safer Streets Patrol pilot – a joint street patrol exercise with the Police. She will also oversee our fly tipping enforcement services and noise nuisance. Cllr Macauley brings to the role her experience of being the Chair of the Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations, and of close to three decades as a magistrate.
The reshuffle also hands new responsibilities to three existing Cabinet members.
Deputy Leader, Cllr Eleanor Stringer, adds climate change to her portfolio. Her new role of Cabinet Member for Civic Pride and Climate Change will see her build on Merton’s work as a leading authority on climate change and have the added responsibility of parks and greenspaces, where she will be leading on the development and mobilisation of the future parks and greenspaces service.
Cllr Stephen Alambritis MBE becomes the Cabinet Member for Transport and Cleaner Streets, adding overall responsibility for waste services to his current role that involves transport, parking enforcement, highways and air quality. This means he will be overseeing the future of our street cleaning and waste collection services ahead of the end of the existing contract in March 2025.
Cllr Sally Kenny will take on responsibility for our work to help people into employment as the Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Education. Crucial to this is the new Employ Merton initiative which aims to links Merton businesses with potential local employees and get people into well paid, rewarding jobs.
Cllr Garrod said: “Cllr Macauley brings a wealth of experience and talent to our Cabinet, and I’m delighted that she’s agreed to take up such a vital role. I know what a blight anti-social behaviour can be on people’s lives I’m determined to keep Merton as one of the safest places to live in London – Cllr Macauley’s impressive career has been centred around making communities safer, and I’m confident that she’s the perfect person for the job.
“This reshuffle also sees us renew our focus on tackling the climate crisis, keeping our streets clean, and helping local people into good, well-paid jobs. We know that these are the issues that our residents care about, and we’re committed to delivering on them.”