Regeneration in Mitcham has been abandoned by Merton’s Conservative council, opposition politicians have claimed.
The council’s decision not to ask the Greater London Authority (GLA) for help on specific Mitcham regeneration projects, revealed in emails sent earlier this year, was questioned by the area’s Labour councillors.
The emails were sent by leader of the council David Williams in March after Mayor Boris Johnson’s assistant, Ian Clement, visited Merton to discuss help the GLA could offer the borough.
The emails were published last month after a Freedom of Information request.
He told Mr Clement, who has since resigned over fraud allegations, “although we have nothing specific we are seeking at this point, we would hope to continue our successful relationship with the LDA (London Development Agency) on economic development and business support”.
Labour councillor Richard Williams said: “While publicly, and repeatedly, saying all was well with the plans for the regeneration of Mitcham, we now find that the Tories have completely given up on Mitcham.”
But Councillor Williams insisted the council had done significant work to boost the area, including developing its town centre, market and new railway station, and the emails alone did not show a full picture of their efforts.
He said he had focused on Mitcham in face to face conversations with Mr Clement, but there was only a limited amount that could be done in the current financial climate.
The emails can be seen at whatdotheyknow.com
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