Leader Stephen Alambritis was delighted with the result.
Merton was named the best achieving council at a prestigious awards ceremony last week.
The council was recognised at the Municipal Journal Achievement Awards 2013, where they were praised for excellent services and value for money as well as being one of the lowest spenders in London but often in the top quartile for performance.
Leader of the council, Stephen Alambritis, thanked everyone involved for their contribution.
“I am extremely happy and proud Merton has won this excellent accolade,” he said.
“This win and the success of the council is down to the hard work of our staff, our partners, volunteers and the many community groups we work with across the borough.”
The win is even greater considering that in 2002 the council was judged as ‘weak’ by the Audit Commission, making it one of the worst performing councils in the country.
Councillor Oonagh Moulton, Leader of Merton Conservatives, said the award was a tribute to the hard working council employees whose efforts often go unrecognised.
“Whilst Merton Council has made substantial progress since the low point of 2002, there remains much to be done,” she said.
“Council tax remains too high, whilst satisfaction with Merton’s parking and traffic management, street cleaning and standard of education remains too low.”
“Of course, the real judgement on Merton Council will be in May 2014 when local residents head to the polling stations to elect a new council. At those elections my Conservative colleagues and I will demonstrate how we would lead a council that could reduce council tax, make our streets cleaner, build a new school and make parking and public transport more accessible and affordable.”
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