Quick look busy! - Merton Council

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2 We asked, you said, we did Young people – should be seen and heard… We asked: In previous years the council’s Annual Residents’ Survey has highlighted that around 15 per cent of people in Merton do not think enough is done for the young people in the borough. A number of initiatives have taken place to address this concern and it has since become less of a worry (nine per cent in 2008), but the council is still keen to hear what young people have to say about their experiences of living in Merton. Merton recognises the importance of young people having a voice. As well as a section of our annual residents’ survey specifically based on young people in the borough, we also help run the Tellus survey. The Tellus survey is organised annually by Ofsted and facilitated and encouraged by the council. This year there was an excellent response from Merton schools, with 1,157 pupils getting involved. You said: Some of the findings were: • Merton pupils report lower rates of bullying problems than the national average. • More pupils try their best at school in Merton than the national rate – 40 per cent compared with 33 per cent. • There are higher rates of satisfaction with activities and things to do. • Participation in positive activities is also higher than the national rate. • Parks and play areas are highly rated by Merton pupils – 57 per cent report they are fairly good or better – 44 per cent is the national rate. • 58 per cent of Merton pupils want to go to university – the national rate is 54 per cent. • Young people reported that they feel safe at school and at home but some had concerns about safety on public transport. We did: We are using these results to inform planning and priorities when trying to build the future for the borough’s young people. We are also encouraging schools to look at the results and work on potential solutions where needed. Working with partners such as the police we are also beginning to address the issue of fear on public transport with more police and community police officers now present on Merton’s transport network. Find out more www.merton.gov.uk/community/youngpeople Lending a helping hand The Leader of Merton Council, Councillor David Williams, writes for My Merton. After Christmas and New Year festivities, most of us have to let our belts out. However, as the Council approaches its budget for 2009/10 it has to pull its belt in, to keep council tax low. It’s hard to think that the economic climate has changed so dramatically in the last few months and the council is not immune. Good housekeeping is as important for us as for family households and Merton faces challenging financial circumstances as a result of rising costs. We will receive an extra £1.1 million from the Government and yet inflation pressures alone have increased our costs by £6.7 million. We are the third worst funded borough in London. The knock-on effect of the downturn has been an increased demand for council services, particularly from some of the most vulnerable people in our community. We clearly recognise this and are ready to offer the support residents need in these uncertain times, whether it be to find housing or access to care services. The council is also currently looking to establish a credit union with our partners in Sutton and Croydon, the aim of which is to provide low cost loans at times of need and assist people to escape from the cycle of debt. It is therefore important that we make the best use possible of the resources we have available, which is why we are focusing considerable effort to ensure that the council is working ever more efficiently. Only in this way will we be able to continue to deliver high quality services that offer value for money for the council tax payer. Councillor David T Williams JP Leader of the Council
My Merton is published by the London Borough of Merton and is distributed free to households in the borough six times a year. The editorial content of My Merton is produced by the London Borough of Merton’s Communications Team: Emma Henderson (Editor) Marva Williams Kim Parker Bronwen Pickering Isabel Gompertz Sophie Poole My Merton is designed and printed by The Engage Group. Contact 020 7536 8900 Email info@engagegroup.co.uk www.engagegroup.co.uk My Merton is distributed by London Letterbox. Contact 020 8940 0666 or log on to www.londonletterbox.co.uk Photo credits: My Merton editorial team New Wimbledon Theatre When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it. My Merton is printed on fully recyclable paper, which is accredited by the PEFC Council (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certifi cation schemes). contact us My Merton, Communications, 9th Floor, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX Tel 020 8545 3274 Email mymerton@merton.gov.uk www.merton.gov.uk/mymerton What’s on listings 020 8545 3274 whatson@merton.gov.uk Adverts For all advertising enquiries please call Andy Thompson on 020 8545 3434 or email mymerton@merton.gov.uk The London Borough of Merton does not accept responsibility for or endorse any products or services offered by advertisers. news and information from your council mymerton My Merton costs only y 18p a copy to produce e FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009 • www.merton.gov.uk contents 4 NEWS The latest news from around the borough 8 9 MISSION FOR MERTON Our tips on Winter wellbeing WORKING LIFE Adult education careers advisor Martina Collett-Creedy 10 COMMUNITY SAFETY In a new regular page My Merton investigates the things in place to keep Merton safe 11 6 COMPETITION CO Win Wi family tickets to see LazyTown Live the th smash hit CBBC C show brought b to stage SIMON SAYS... BBC’s Working Lunch correspondent Simon Gompertz lends lend some top tips to save money 12 BEATING THE CRUNCH How the th council can hel help you live life normally normal during the credit crunch c 14 HISTORY Looking at Merton’s historic Abbey Mills and other markets around the borough 15 ENVIRONMENT Find out about the changes being made to your waste collection service 16 CELEBRATING SUCCESS Merton schools shout about their success in 2008 17 18 19 24 WE LOVE MERTON Giving you the low down on all Merton’s successes HE’S GOT THE REMEDY We talk with Morden resident and highly respected Xfm DJ John Kennedy WHAT’S ON Your guide to all that’s going on in Merton in February and March FIVE MINUTES WITH… CAROLINE KATIYO We get to know the owner of Morden’s Tariro Fairtrade coffee house don’t forget to visit our website! www.merton.gov.uk/mymerton ON THE COVER ER LazyTown 3
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Page 23 and 24: Call 020 7407 9417 or email info@li

Quick look busy! - Merton Council

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