Unlike other areas in South London, the Labour Party still runs Merton despite a challenge from the Lib Dems at the last election.
Labour is in a marginally stronger position on the council than it was prior to the 7 May election after winning 32 of a possible 57 seats.
The Lib Dems are Merton’s party of opposition, having returned 19 councillors in an improvement on their 2022 result.
Reflecting on the result at the time, former Labour leader and new Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, Stephen Alambritis MBE, said: “It means good continuity and a continuation of the good things we are doing.”
Council Leader Ross Garrod has run the council since May 2022, but his party has maintained overall control of Merton for more than a decade.
Merton Council’s full cabinet is as follows.
Council Leader
Ross Garrod
Garrod was responsible for selecting the cabinet and designating the role, or portfolio, of each member. As council leader, he represents Merton at external events, sets the council’s strategic direction and determines its key policy priorities.
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Civic Pride and Climate Change
Eleanor Stringer
Stringer deputises for Garrod in his absence, representing the borough at events and chairing the cabinet when necessary.
In charge of the council’s approach to civic pride, Stringer will lead efforts to boost trade and the local economy to revitalise Merton’s town centres.
She will also oversee the borough’s response to climate change, developing policy and chairing the council’s Climate Change Implementation Committee.
Cabinet Member for Sport and Heritage
Caroline Cooper-Marbiah
Cooper-Marbiah has set out to promote active lifestyles in Merton by developing partnerships with sporting bodies and overseeing leisure operations and development.
She is also in charge of public libraries, tasked with maximising their usage as community hubs and continuing to develop the Heritage & Local Studies Centre.
Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development
Andrew Judge
Responsible for the council’s housing strategy, Judge is in charge of maintaining relationships with Housing Associations and promoting the needs of tenants and leaseholders.
He will lead the development of the borough’s Local Plan and is responsible for the council’s homelessness strategy and private sector housing enforcement.
Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Education
Sally Kenny
Kenny will lead the pilot of the Employ Merton job brokerage and finding service, and she has been tasked with preparing the borough’s young people for the transition into work, training and higher/further education.
Also in charge of Merton’s schools, Kenny is responsible for maintaining high standards in schools, alongside Ofsted, and championing equality of admissions, access and outcomes for pupils.
Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care
Peter McCabe
McCabe is chiefly responsible for ensuring Merton’s adult social care delivers its statutory duties while carrying out planned reforms.
He is chair of the borough’s Health and Wellbeing Board and has set out to tackle inequalities in healthcare delivery.
Cabinet Member for Children’s Services
Usaama Kaweesa
In this statutory role, Cllr Kaweesa is responsible for SEND support, childcare, children’s centres and youth services in Merton.
Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety
Edith Macauley MBE
Macauley, who has been a local councillor in Merton for more than 28 years, works closely with the police, enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to develop crime prevention policies.
Tasked with reducing the threat of crime and anti-social behaviour in Merton, Macauley oversees the council’s community strategies and is responsible for tackling violence against women and girls.
She was awarded an MBE by the late Queen Elizabeth II in March 2012 for her services to the community.
Cabinet Member for Transport and Cleaner Streets
Stuart Neaverson
Neaverson is chiefly responsible for Merton’s car clubs, highways and parking.
He has been tasked with making the borough a clean and welcoming place for residents, businesses and visitors.
Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services
Stephen Alambritis MBE
Alambritis controls the council’s budget and oversees its response to the cost of living crisis. He is working to increase value for money and efficiency within the council, while also promoting a digital agenda.
He ran the council from 2010 until 2020 and has been awarded an MBE for his services to local government.
