The Culture and Environment Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss a range of topics, including a call-in of a decision regarding a Healthy School Street scheme, a petition to ban barbecues in a local park, and the council's progress on plant-based catering. The committee was also expected to review a report on low carbon environments and the committee's work programme for the upcoming municipal year.

St Margaret's School and St Luke's Church of England School Healthy Street Scheme

The committee was scheduled to consider a report regarding a call-in of a decision by the Cabinet Member for Planning and a Sustainable Camden to implement a trial Healthy School Street (HSS) scheme near St Margaret's School and St Luke's Church of England School.

The proposed scheme involves timed motor vehicle restrictions on Kidderpore Avenue, Kidderpore Gardens, Ferncroft Avenue, and Hollycroft Avenue during school hours. Councillors Steve Adams, Andrew Parkinson, Stephen Stark and Shiva Tiwari called in the decision, and the committee was asked to consider the call-in and determine whether to approve the original decision, recommend a different decision, refer the decision to the Council, or look at the decision in more depth.

The call-in notice stated that the decision was made:

In the light of huge local opposition to the proposal. The decision has been made on a scheme that was amended following consultation and does not respect the outcome of the flawed public engagement.

The proposed alternative course of action was to:

Re-consult properly on the actual proposed scheme and respect the views of the residents of Frognal in making any decision.

The committee was also scheduled to hear deputations from Francesca Agostini of Green School Runs, and Naomi Gordon, a local resident, regarding the scheme.

BBQs in Waterlow Park

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report responding to a petition to ban barbecues in Waterlow Park. The petition, launched by the Highgate Village Green Preservation Society, had gathered over 1,000 signatures. The report outlined the history of decision-making on barbecue use in the park.

The committee was also scheduled to hear deputations from Francis Wilkinson, Chair of the Waterlow Park Barbecue Working Group, and Louise Lewis, and to consider a written submission from Rachel Kelly, regarding the petition.

Low Carbon Environments

Councillor Anna Burrage, Cabinet Adviser on Low Carbon Environments, was scheduled to present a report containing findings and recommendations related to investment in community energy initiatives within Camden. The report was expected to highlight the alignment of proposed actions with the borough's climate and community objectives.

Update on the Plant Based Councils Movement

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the progress being made towards improving the sustainability of the food provided to staff by Camden Council. The report was expected to outline how the Camden Food Mission is providing a platform to improve the sustainability and nutritional quality of the food provided by Camden Council through decreasing meat consumption and increasing the number of plants eaten. The committee was also scheduled to hear a deputation from Dr Kush Naker regarding plant based internal food catering for council events.

Insight, Learning and Impact Report

The committee was scheduled to consider the Insight, Learning and Impact Report for Quarter 4/End of Year 2024-25. The report focuses on the year 2024-25 and includes a summary table highlighting key responses from services across the council's four directorates, a more detailed narrative of the individual service responses, and a data dashboard.

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to consider a report providing an update on the work programme for the committee for the 2025/26 municipal year and tracking actions from previous meetings.