The Enforcement and Resident Services and Civic Pride Policy and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the council's enforcement priorities and the work programme for the upcoming year. Key topics included updates from the Cabinet Members for Enforcement and Resident Services and Civic Pride, with a particular focus on strategies to tackle anti-social behaviour, rough sleeping, and issues related to short-term lets and dockless bikes. The committee also made recommendations regarding the use of body-worn cameras for enforcement officers and improved community communication.

Enforcement Priorities and Direction

The committee received a comprehensive update on the council's enforcement priorities and direction, with a focus on creating safer streets and visible action in hotspot locations. Councillor Caroline Sargent, Cabinet Member for Enforcement, outlined key priorities including tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB), nuisance rough sleeping, graffiti, the careless dumping of e-bikes and scooters, noisy pedicabs, and problematic behaviour associated with short-term lets.

The council's enforcement role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, from planning and environmental health to trading standards and licensing. The Safer Westminster Partnership Strategy sets the framework for community safety, informed by an annual assessment of crime and disorder. The latest assessment, published in January 2026, highlighted high levels of recorded crime in Westminster, with theft being a significant concern. Serious violence and knife crime also remain priorities, particularly concerning young people. The West End and night-time economy continue to be central focuses due to high visitor numbers and associated issues. Feelings of safety after dark have deteriorated in some wards, and ASB, including drugs, street drinking, aggressive begging, and rough sleeping, remains a concern for residents.

To address these issues, the council is implementing targeted enforcement in hotspots. The Street Based Intervention Team (SBIT) works to engage with vulnerable people on the street and improve referral pathways, combining support with proportionate enforcement. The Police and Council Tasking Team (PACTT), a joint initiative launched in February 2026, provides additional capacity for targeted action and rapid response. These teams are deployed to priority areas such as Victoria, Maida Hill, Oxford Street, Charing Cross, and Church Street and Little Venice, addressing issues like street population-related ASB, rough sleeping impacts, pedicab nuisance, and drug-related activity.

The council is utilising several Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) to address persistent behaviour causing nuisance, alarm, or harm. These include orders for on-street ASB, pedicabs, responsible dog ownership, and nuisance vehicles. The Crime and Policing Act 2026, which received Royal Assent in April 2026, introduces new measures to tackle ASB and serious violence, including Respect Orders and increased penalties for PSPO breaches.

The council is also enhancing its tools for enforcement, having doubled the number of redeployable CCTV cameras to 200. These cameras are tasked daily by police and neighbourhood teams. Partnerships with Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are crucial for coordinating practical responses in high-footfall commercial areas, sharing intelligence, and coordinating action on ASB, rough sleeping, and environmental problems. The West End Fusion Cell is an example of this collaborative approach.

In terms of specific issues:

• Clean Streets: The City Inspectorate has significantly increased its activity, issuing 1,760 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) in April and May 2026, exceeding expected income targets.
• Dockless Bikes: City Inspectors have issued 2,300 FPNs to operators for highway obstructions, generating over £75,000 in enforcement revenue. The council is developing capacity for the seizure of dangerously parked bikes.
• Short-term Lets: The Planning Enforcement Team has five officers dedicated to tackling unauthorised short-term letting, which impacts residents through noise, waste, and ASB. As of March 2026, the team was investigating 2,655 properties and had resolved or closed 478 investigations, with 25 Enforcement Notices issued for exceeding the 90-night limit.

The committee recommended that the council review body-worn cameras and technology for all street-based enforcement roles within two months to ensure officer safety. They also recommended investigating ways to improve communication with the wider community about enforcement options and processes within the next two months to address under-reporting and support areas with high non-compliance and crime. Progress on these recommendations, with measurable evidence of impact, is to be reported back within six months. The council's enforcement priorities and agenda, including relevant timescales and data, are scheduled to return to the committee within 12 months, with updates provided in Cabinet Member reports.

Update from the Cabinet Member for Resident Services and Civic Pride

Councillor Robert Rigby, Cabinet Member for Resident Services and Civic Pride, provided an update on priorities including libraries, community spaces, civic pride, the voluntary sector, sport and leisure, and parks and green spaces.

The council aims to address resident isolation by transforming local libraries into modern community hubs. These hubs will offer a no wrong door approach to accessing council services, partner with local organisations to combat digital exclusion, and host expanded community events. A review of all existing hubs, from community centres to family hubs, will ensure resources are targeted effectively and deliver value for money.

Inspiring civic pride is a key focus, with volunteering at its heart. Initiatives like Westminster Connects will be promoted, and engagement with Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations will be increased. A review of the ward budget programme guidance is planned to better equip councillors to support their communities. Engagement with Amenity Societies, Neighbourhood Forums, and other local representative groups will be renewed to collaboratively resolve issues and build strong communities.

In sport and leisure, the council aims to inspire activity and deliver high-quality local facilities. An additional £2 million has been announced for investment in leisure centres to ensure they remain modern, accessible community assets. The Active Westminster contract has been extended, and future contractual arrangements will be reviewed to align with the administration's ambitions. Proposals for repurposing local tennis courts are being re-examined to ensure they are evidenced, sustainable, and rooted in community need.

Regarding parks and green spaces, the administration wants to ensure they are accessible and open to everyone, while also improving biodiversity. Opportunities for community-led events will be reviewed to ensure they are fit for purpose and protect local amenities.

The committee requested that future Cabinet Member updates include the timetable for greening grants, an update on plans for Westminster libraries, and information on what is funded from ward budgets and the greening budget, along with how decisions are reached.

Work Programme 2026-2027

The committee discussed and shaped its work programme for the municipal year 2026-2027. Key items for scrutiny include:

• The Future of Westminster Leisure Services: A pre-decision scrutiny item scheduled for the October 2026 meeting, focusing on the current leisure services, sport, and playground offer in light of the re-procurement process in 2029.
• The Safer Westminster Partnership Strategy: An oversight scrutiny item for the December 2026 meeting, where the committee will consider the annual strategic framework as part of its statutory responsibilities under Section 19 of the Police and Justice Act 2006.
• Community Services and Resident Engagement in Neighbourhoods: A pre-decision scrutiny item for the February 2027 meeting, reviewing resident and neighbourhood engagement across the city and exploring ways to improve access to services, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Members also suggested bringing community hubs and mini hubs, Voluntary Community Sector (VCS) funding, and CCTV surveillance and Police and Council Tasking Team (PACT) items to future meetings. The committee considered the Council's Forward Plan of Executive Decisions pertaining to its remit and discussed historic items with officers.

Councillor Melvyn Caplan was elected as the Chair of the Enforcement and Resident Services and Civic Pride Policy and Scrutiny Committee. Apologies were received from Councillor Aicha Less, with Councillor Liza Begum attending as a substitute. No declarations of interest were made by the committee members.