Merton Council Is 50 Years Old!

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Anniversary will be marked later this month

Merton Council is celebrating 50 years of the London Borough of Merton over the next 12 months.

The London Borough of Merton formed in April 1965, following the Government of London Act of 1963 which designated 12 boroughs as inner London boroughs and 20 as outer London boroughs.

The formation of the London Borough of Merton brought together the former Urban district of Merton and Morden with the boroughs of Wimbledon and Mitcham to be a single governing authority.

As a unitary authority, Merton Council looks after services for residents across the whole of the borough including weekly rubbish collections, recycling, education, adult social case, children social care, housing needs and much more.

To celebrate the 50 years, the council will host its own anniversary event on April 15 prior to a full council meeting.

Councillors and mayors past and present along with performers from Merton Music Foundation will be there, where the winner of the school competition to develop an anniversary logo for the council will be unveiled.

The council is also encouraging residents and businesses to join in the celebrations by organising their own events and add them to the calendar of events on the council's website.

Mayor of Merton Councillor Agatha Akyigyina said: "As the 50th Mayor of the borough, I am proud to be part of the anniversary celebrations to mark this important milestone in local government. I know there will be many great events over the next 12 months and that the council and borough will continue to go from strength to strength."

Chief executive of Merton Council Ged Curran said: "It is wonderful to be marking the 50th anniversary of the London Borough of Merton. Councils do a huge amount that affects the lives of residents. Some of the most important work is helping our most vulnerable residents including children and the elderly.

"Much has changed over the past 50 years in the way that the Council assists residents. We are constantly reviewing the services we deliver to the public so that we offer value for money to tax payers. It’s a challenge, but we are an innovative organisation and have proved ourselves in the awards we have won. Our main purpose is to serve the people of Merton in a place of growth and opportunity."

April 1, 2015