The Port Health & Environmental Services Committee meeting scheduled for 20 January 2026 was set to discuss a range of financial and strategic matters concerning the department's operations for the upcoming fiscal year. Key agenda items included the annual fees and charges for cleansing services, cemetery and crematorium operations, and the Animal Health and Welfare Service, alongside the proposed revenue and capital budgets for 2026/27 and the Environment Department's high-level business plan for 2026-30.

Cleansing Services Annual Fees and Charges

The committee was scheduled to consider proposed adjustments to the fees and charges for various cleansing services for the 2026/27 financial year. This included potential increases aligned with the Retail Price Index (RPI) of 4.5% for services provided to external clients, with specific proposals for street cleansing, waste collection, and public conveniences. The report also outlined a new fee structure for Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for environmental crimes such as fly-tipping and littering, reflecting updated regulations. Charges for public conveniences at Tower Hill and Paternoster Square were also to be reviewed, with a recommendation to maintain the current 50p per use fee.

Cemetery and Crematorium Fees and Charges 2025-2026

A review of the fees and charges for services provided at the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium for the 2026/27 period was on the agenda. The report proposed price increases for various cremation and burial options, aiming to achieve a break-even position for the service amidst rising expenditure and to remain competitive with other providers. The proposed increases ranged between 4% and 12%, with specific adjustments to cremation fees, grave fees, and memorial garden leases.

Revenue and Capital Budgets 2026/27

The committee was set to review and approve the proposed revenue and capital budgets for the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee for the 2026/27 financial year. The overall proposed revenue budget indicated an increase in net expenditure compared to the previous year, primarily due to rises in City Surveyor repairs and maintenance, central and departmental recharges, and increased pay costs. The report also detailed the approved capital budgets for 2026/27.

Environment Department High-Level Business Plan 2026-30

The meeting was scheduled to consider the Environment Department's high-level Business Plan for 2026-30. This plan outlines the department's priority workstreams and the specific actions and targets for delivering them, aligning with the Corporate Plan 2024-29. For the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee, the plan focused on workstreams related to delivering an environmentally enhanced City, protecting public, animal, and environmental health, ensuring appropriate facilities for service delivery, financial security and development, and supporting the Destination City initiative through licensing services.

Animal Health and Welfare Service - Annual Review of Animal Health Fees

The committee was to consider the annual review of fees for the Animal Health and Welfare Service (AHWS). This service delivers statutory duties under the Animal Health Act 1981 and related legislation, including rabies controls and animal welfare in transport, primarily through the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC). The report proposed an average increase of 6% for inspection fees for the 2026/27 financial year, with new fees introduced for the licensing of primate keeping.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The committee was scheduled to agree the public minutes and summary of the previous meeting held on 25 November 2025.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee

An opportunity was scheduled for members to ask questions regarding the work of the committee.

Any Other Business

The agenda included a provision for any other urgent business that the Chairman considered appropriate for discussion.

The meeting also included a section for the exclusion of the public to discuss non-public agenda items, including non-public minutes and financial implications related to cemetery and crematorium fees and charges.