The Environment, Climate and Transport Scrutiny Committee of Islington Council met on Monday 21 September 2026 to discuss the scope of their scrutiny review for the year and receive an update on the council's kerbside management strategy. The committee agreed to focus their scrutiny review on transforming public spaces to increase access to nature, health, and climate resilience, with a particular emphasis on streets and estates. They also discussed the ongoing work on the council's kerbside strategy, including how it is informed by evidence and community engagement.

Scrutiny Initiation Document (SID)

The committee discussed and agreed on the scope of their scrutiny review for the year, which will focus on how Islington Council can work with local communities to transform public spaces. Key areas of focus will include the role of green spaces in supporting health outcomes, play, and climate resilience, with a specific emphasis on transforming streets and estates to increase access to these benefits. The committee also agreed to include discussions on the enforcement of issues such as fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour in public spaces, alongside community engagement efforts. Further amendments to the SID included a focus on greening and improving access to greenery, plants, and nature, as well as exploring options for external funding. The committee also agreed to examine examples of successful greening interventions in other boroughs, such as Alfred Place in Camden and Bridget Joyce Square in Hammersmith and Fulham, alongside Islington examples like Cally Park and St John's Street. The importance of trees in climate resilience was also highlighted, and the committee agreed to include evidence gathering on this topic.

Update on Kerbside Strategy

The committee received a presentation on Islington Council's approach to kerbside management. Officers explained that each scheme is bespoke and developed using local evidence, consultation, and an understanding of the site's wider context, including connectivity to cycle lanes and walking routes, as well as surrounding businesses and community facilities. The presentation highlighted the importance of considering climate evidence, such as canopy cover for cooling and flood risk, and physical access to sites. The council's approach involves a gap analysis of current practices and a review of best practices from other boroughs.

During the discussion, councillors raised questions about how projects are surfaced, the extent of community engagement, and how the council prioritises and accelerates certain kerbside works, particularly in relation to demand for cycle parking and the management of hire bikes. Concerns were also raised about the maintenance and cleaning of transformed kerbside spaces, and the coordination between different council services and housing departments. The council acknowledged that while they have the data to quantify kerbside usage, it has not yet been compiled. The vision for kerbside management is set out in the transport strategy, which aims to reduce car ownership and support active travel, rather than setting specific numerical targets for different uses of the kerbside.

The committee also discussed the role of parking permit charges and workplace parking levies in driving down car ownership. While acknowledging the progressive charges for internal combustion engine cars, questions were raised about the lower charges for electric vehicles and whether this inadvertently incentivises EV ownership over not driving at all. The council is working with other boroughs to explore potential changes to parking charges, including considering vehicle weight.

Finally, the committee discussed the issue of cycling on pavements, with officers explaining that enforcement powers currently lie with the police. The council is working with the police on targeted enforcement and educational initiatives to promote responsible cycling behaviour. The council's Travel for Life programme, which engages with schools to promote active travel, was also highlighted, with 83% of Islington schools now accredited.

Work Programme

The committee discussed and agreed on potential additions to their work programme for the year. These include updates on street cleaning, rubbish collection, waste management, recycling, highways and pavements (including resurfacing, fly-tipping, and enforcement), parking and traffic management (including controlled parking zones and EV charging), cycling, public transport, parks and green spaces, and climate adaptation. The committee also explored where discussions on retrofit and adapting building stock, as well as the environmental specification for new public buildings, would best fit within the council's committee structure.