A fair deal for all Merton's residents

Life’s been tough for lots of people over the past few years. And it’s still tough. But the people of Merton are rising to the challenge. But, now more than ever, it's time for a fair deal.

The Liberal Democrat Group on Merton Council put forward reasonable, costed proposals that reflect conversations we have with residents across Merton and which would enhance the budget Merton Council has put forward.

The Council’s proposed budget can be found on Merton Council’s website.

We believe the Council’s budget fails to meet the standard of a fair deal and therefore in our budget amendments we focused on three focus areas:

• Fairness for those most in need
• Fairness in seeking cleaner air and fairer parking charges
• Fairness for those struggling in this cost of living crisis

Progress towards our ambition for an open, competent and caring council.

With this in mind, we proposed a series of amendments to the Council budget (the full text of our amendments can be found on the Merton Council website) to bring fairness across our focus areas.

Fairness for those most in need 

• More support for Merton’s care workers - Extra support for care workers who live in the borough who aren't paid the London Living Wage.

• Supporting vulnerable people and their carers - Saving the Eastway day care centre, a valuable source of respite support for local carers from closure.

• No charges for Blue Badges in Merton - Ending the Council’s charges for Blue Badges saving Merton’s disabled residents £15k.

• Fighting against significant health cuts in SW London - Proposed multi-million pound budget cuts to NHS Services across SW London exposed by Merton Lib Dems.

Fairness in seeking cleaner air and fairer parking charges

• Additional and improved air quality monitoring - A £40k investment in air quality monitoring for NO2 and PM2.5 particulate matter to bring Merton up to highest standards of monitoring.

• Greater support for cyclists and cycling - £50k investment in additional secure cycle parking facilities in Merton’s parks and open spaces.

• Parking permit discounts for low mileage drivers - Drivers that drive less pollute less and should pay less for their residents’ parking permits.

• Exempt ULEZ compliant cars from local diesel levy - The current flat rate diesel levy should be amended so vehicles exempt from ULEZ are also exempt from the diesel levy.

Fairness for those struggling in this cost of living crisis

• £100k fund to support struggling families who fall outside of current help - Extra support for those struggling who don't get help with Council Tax currently - An extra £100k targeted at those just outside current eligibility criteria.

• Additional 1% Council Tax discount for properties in Bands A & B - Additional 1% discount to mitigate the Council’s 5% increase this year.

• Ensure appropriate use of Council bailiffs - Council to review the use of baliffs and ensure the rules under which they operate are appropriate in a cost of living emergency.