New Merton Council Leader and Cabinet Confirmed


Ross Garrod says nurturing civic pride will be main aim of his administration

The new Merton Council Cabinet
The new Merton Council Cabinet

The new Leader of Merton Council has been confirmed as Cllr Ross Garrod. The Longthornton ward councillor had been selected earlier by the Labour councillors but the appointment was ratified at a full council meeting on Wednesday 25 May.

The Labour group had to change leader after the election because the previous incumbent, Mark Allison, failed to hold onto his seat in the local election on 5 May.

Cllr Garrod grew up in Mitcham, attending Benedict Primary, Priory Middle School and then Rutlish High School.

Cllr Eleanor Stringer, who represents Wandle Ward in Wimbledon is to be his Deputy Leader

Cllr 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.”

Cllr Ross Garrod
Cllr Ross Garrod

Cllr 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

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May 31, 2022