Mark Allison Appointed Leader of Merton Council
Pledges to put diversity and justice at the heart of his administration
Mark Allison. Picture: Merton Council
A new leader of Merton Council was officially appointed last Wednesday night (18 November).
Councillor Mark Allison was chosen to succeed councillor Stephen Alambritis, who was the leader for 10 years.
Cllr Allison was first elected to the council in 2002 and was previously deputy leader and cabinet member for finance.
He said, “I am proud to announce that next week I will launch Merton Together a joint campaign with our partners to support our residents.
“Together means being more inclusive, my wife and son are mixed race and I live in a mixed race family. The events of this year, from George Floyd to the treatment of black footballers have made us even more determined to fight for diversity and justice.
“These are my values and will be at the heart of my administration. I am delighted to announce the most diverse and ambitious cabinet in Merton’s 65 year history, two thirds women and more than half from an ethnic minority.”
And for the first time, Cllr Allison has appointed joint deputy leaders Eleanor Stringer and Owen Pritchard.
Remaining on the cabinet are:
Children’s services, schools and adult education – Councillor Eleanor Stringer
Culture leisure and skills – Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah
Housing regeneration and the climate emergency – Councillor Martin Whelton
And joining the cabinet are:
Performance recovery and the economy – Councillor Owen Pritchard
Women and Equalities – Councillor Marsie Skeet
Adult social care and public health – Councillor Rebecca Lanning
Local environment and green spaces – Councillor Natasha Irons
Partnerships, public safety and tackling crime – Councillor Agatha Akyigyina
Finance – Councillor Tobin Byers
Councillor Byers was previously member for the environment but resigned from cabinet back in August.
The new line up sees councillors Edith Macauley, Laxmi Attawar and Stephen Alambritis lose their cabinet positions.
Tara O'Connor, Local Democracy Reporter
November 23, 2020