The Leader of Merton Council has announced changes to his top team, with Deputy Leader Cllr Eleanor Stringer taking on the role of Cabinet Member for New Homes and Regeneration.

With the national government’s renewed ambitions on tackling the housing crisis and supporting councils to help build the homes our country needs, Cllr Stringer will now lead on Merton’s work to build new homes and make Morden town centre work better for everyone. She will build on the success of the last four years which saw Merton Council begin construction on the first council homes in a generation and kick-start Morden regeneration with an initial investment of £30million.

Merton’s ambitions for Morden will benefit the whole borough, and aim to create a thriving high street, new homes for local people, more green space, and a town centre which attracts visitors, businesses, and investment with sport and leisure woven into its fabric.

The Leader has also announced the creation of a new Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness Prevention, tying in with the government’s focus on helping people off the streets, which will be held by Cllr Dan Johnston. Cllr Johnston has extensive experience of housing services, having previously led the scrutiny of housing and homelessness services as Chair of Merton’s Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel. In this role, he will lead on supporting those in need of emergency housing, preventing homelessness, standing up for private renters, and overseeing the expansion of Selective and Additional Licensing which introduces stronger controls on HMOs and private rented homes.

Cllr Ross Garrod, Leader of Merton Council, said:

“I am delighted that Cllr Stringer will be leading Merton’s work to build the homes local people need and deliver the regeneration of Morden to create a town centre which works better for everyone and benefits the whole borough.

“It’s fantastic to also have Cllr Johnston joining Cabinet, bringing his years of experience leading housing scrutiny to make sure everyone in Merton has a safe, secure and warm place to call home. This is especially important during a housing crisis, making sure that Merton is doing its bit to look after people needing emergency housing, standing up for private renters, and overseeing the implementation of tougher controls on HMOs and private rented homes.

With Cllr Stringer taking on the New Homes and Regeneration brief, the Leader has also announced further changes to the Cabinet:

• Cllr Alambritis will be the Cabinet Member for Finance, Growth and Corporate Services, taking on additional responsibility for the local economy and businesses, engagement, planning, and the voluntary and community sector.
• Cllr Cooper-Marbiah will be the Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Heritage, taking on additional responsibility for culture.
• And Cllr Neaverson will be the Cabinet Member for Cleaner Streets, Environment and Transport, taking on additional responsibility for parks, green spaces, and climate change.

Following the changes the Leader has made to Cabinet, Cllr Andrew Judge has taken the decision to return to the backbenches. Cllr Garrod thanked Cllr Judge for his many years of service:

“I want to thank Cllr Judge for his many years of service, not only as Cabinet Member for Housing in my administration, but also as a longstanding local councillor and former Leader of the Council. Cllr Judge’s leadership in the housing portfolio over recent years has seen us reduce numbers of people in temporary accommodation, introduce stronger controls on HMOs and private rented homes, increase protections for private renters, take action against rogue landlords, kick-start plans for regenerating Morden, and begin construction on the first council homes in Merton in a generation. He should be very proud of the legacy he leaves.”

The Leader’s changes to Cabinet will go to Full Council to be formally noted on Wednesday 16 September 2026.