From The Friends of Ravensbury Park & Merton Matters

Dear Friends of Merton,

We are appalled at some recent news which will affect all parks and open spaces
in Merton and want to let all Friends groups and residents know.
Apparently high ranking council officers are in discussion with the Cabinet
(elected members) and intend to present to Cabinet on Monday 10th of
November a proposal that that Merton, Sutton, Kingston and Croydon
Parks/Greenspaces departments are merged and the combined Greenspaces
services outsourced to a preferred contractor.
You may be aware that Merton tried contracting out Greenspaces operations in
the past with companies such as Tylers, Service Team, Glendales, Veolia and CSG
Bath who were all either dismissed from the contract or resigned.
Only because parks are not classed as a Statutory Service, has it been possible for
the Greenspaces budget to be repeatedly reduced to achieve savings, yet it has
still managed to do a good a job with the limited resources made available. This
despite government advisors telling us to get more exercise and enjoy the big
outdoors.
The Merton Greenspaces department is still gaining:
Green Flag status
London in bloom awards
Good customer satisfaction in resident surveys at most sites
Is the winner of the Merton Team of the Year for a record third time
Funds open spaces by staging Fireworks Night events at Wimbledon and
Morden parks
We need to press all our ward councillors to comment, including the Cabinet
member for Environment and Regeneration, Andrew Judge (prospective MP for
Wimbledon) and the leader of the Council Stephen Alambritis.
At a minimum, we need to persuade Cabinet to postpone this decision until
after the general election in May 2015, to allow a thorough debate on the
matter and also await the outcome of the national campaign to make parks a
statutory requirement.
With the loss of a part of Ravensbury Park to a medical centre and now the loss of
a portion of Dundonald Rec, our parks have never been under such threat. These
are urgent times and we need to stand up for our precious green spaces.

From The Friends of Ravensbury Park & Merton Matters

If, as a concerned resident, you are free on Monday 10 November, feel free to
attend the Cabinet meeting at 7.15pm. The meeting will take place at Merton
Civic Centre, Committee rooms B, C and D. BY attending you can hear the
discussion and any decision made.
This link will tell you more (item 12):
http://democracy.merton.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=146&MId=1925&Ver
=4
Please note the possible closure of Merton Adult Education services is also on the
agenda.
The following councillors form the Cabinet:
Stephen Alambritis (Chair)
Mark Allison
Caroline Cooper-Marbiah
Nick Draper
Andrew Judge
Edith Macauley MBE
Maxi Martin
Judy Saunders
Martin Whelton
With many thanks for your support,
The Friends of Ravensbury Park & Merton Matters