Merton Council’s leader has announced a new appointment to his team to lead on what residents have said is a top priority for them: keeping Merton’s streets clean and tidy.

Cllr Stuart Neaverson, who represents Colliers Wood ward, will be appointed as Cabinet Member for Transport and Cleaner Streets at the Annual Meeting of Merton Council tomorrow.

He will be responsible for;

Weekly street cleaning in every residential road in the borough, an expanded pop-up tips programme, which sees them appear in every neighbourhood four times a year, tougher action to crack down on fly-tipping and a dedicated graffiti removal team.

He will also be responsible for the council’s transport services, including the council’s pledge to double the number of cycle hangars in the borough.

Cllr Neaverson brings to the role his experience as Chair of Merton’s Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel, which scrutinises both transport and waste services, and more recently as Chair of the Development and Planning Applications Committee.

Merton Council leader Ross Garrod says: “I’m delighted to be welcoming Cllr Neaverson to the Cabinet to lead our waste and street cleaning services. We know that residents are expecting us to deliver on what they told us matters to them, and I am confident that Cllr Neaverson will be able to do just that.

“Residents are already seeing improvements to their waste and street cleaning services, including the return of weekly street cleaning, pop-up tips in every neighbourhood, tougher action to tackle fly-tipping, and a new dedicated graffiti removal service. We will continue to work hard to make the service the best it can be and keep Merton’s streets clean and tidy.”

Cllr Stephen Alambritis, current Cabinet Member for Transport and Cleaner Streets, will now take on the role of Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services following the decision of current portfolio lead, Cllr Billy Christie, to stand down.

Cllr Alambritis has extensive experience in Cabinet and was Leader of the Council between 2010 and 2020, during which time he oversaw the development of a Council owned company which sold for a significant sum in 2023 and kept Merton’s Council Tax among the lowest in outer south-west London.

Cllr Christie decided to stand down from the Cabinet at the end of 2024/25 municipal year. He took this decision due to changes in his professional and personal life. He will continue as a backbench councillor, serving the people of Lavender Fields ward.