Politicians, fire and police chiefs as well as NHS organisations gathered for a partnership conference.

The event took place as part of the National Compact Week, which took place in the All England Tennis Club this week.

Representatives from 17 London boroughs attended, with Merton youth partnership and voluntary services scooping awards at the event.

Minister for Civil Society, MP Nick Hurd, launched a new project called Merton-i at the event.

The online one stop shop provides information in care and support services in the borough.

Council chief executive, Ged Curran, also announced a new grants programme which will help fund voluntary groups.

Police and fire services, Merton Council and the borough’s Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise spoke of how they have formed partnerships.

Councillor Stephen Alambritis, leader of the council, said: "Merton has an excellent track record when it comes to partnership working. 

"Winning a national Compact Award for the last seven years is testament to the hard work of all the partnership organisations and the successful way in which it carries out its work.

"We have a good model which we want to share with other public sector organisations."

Chair of Compact Voice, Simon Blake, said: "It has been wonderful to hear all the great examples of how a diverse range of organisations can successfully work together for the benefit of the community. 

"It is the voluntary sector which can go where angels fear to tread.  This is what makes it so effective in partnership with other organisations which may have more constraints to deal with."