The Environment, Community Safety and Engagement Scrutiny Commission was scheduled to hold its meeting on Monday 23 February 2026. The agenda included an interview with the Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets and Waste, an update on the Climate Emergency Action Plan, and presentations on Tideway and the national organisation Play England.

Interview with Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets and Waste

The Commission was scheduled to conduct its annual interview with Councillor James McAsh, the Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets and Waste. This interview was intended to cover several key areas, including reports on recycling and food recycling performance, council estate pilots, fly-tipping, and the seasonal upkeep of roads and pavements. Councillor Margy Newens, the Deputy Cabinet Member for a Cleaner Borough, was also expected to contribute to the discussion.

The report on recycling and food recycling, titled Recycling rates and Food recycling – update on pilot, implementation and lessons learnt Recycling and Food Waste Report.pdf, detailed current and projected household waste recycling performance up to 2030. It highlighted the impacts of rolling out food waste collection services, with an expected recycling rate for 2025/26 between 35.5% and 36.0%. The report noted that achieving these targets relies on sustained changes in resident behaviour and potential service investments. It also detailed the rollout of the food waste collection service to almost all properties in October 2024, funded by central government, and outlined the performance of this service since its launch. The report concluded that the council's ambitions for recycling rates are beginning to be achieved, with the food waste service rollout considered a success.

Climate Emergency Action Plan Update

An update on the council's Climate Change Strategy and Climate Action Plan was scheduled for presentation. The strategy, adopted in September 2025, integrates previous climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. The Climate Action Plan, the primary tool for coordinating progress, has been updated to reflect the 2030 carbon neutrality goal and strengthen the borough's resilience to climate change impacts. The plan has been streamlined from 118 to 29 actions, focusing on more strategic and impactful initiatives. It is now structured around five themes: Buildings and energy; Transport and streets; Natural environment; Greener economy; and People and resources. The report Climate Action Plan update.pdf detailed the updated themes, the revised structure for actions, and the reporting framework, which includes a new Power BI dashboard for progress monitoring. Key initiatives include the introduction of a climate budget and the ongoing Southwark Green Investment programme.

Tideway Presentation

Tideway was scheduled to present on the improvements to the amenity and biodiversity of the River Thames foreshore following the opening of the Tideway, the London super sewer project. This presentation, titled Presentation Thames Tideway Tunnel Project Update.pdf Presentation Thames Tideway Tunnel Project Update.pdf, would likely have provided details on the environmental enhancements resulting from the project.

Play England and Play-Space Scrutiny Review

The Commission was scheduled to receive information from Play England, a national organisation advocating for children's play. The report Cover report Play England.pdf Cover report Play England.pdf provided a summary of national evidence and policy developments relevant to the Commission's review of play spaces and the development of a borough-wide Southwark Play Strategy. This included oral evidence given to the CMS Select Committee, Play England's 10-year strategy It All Starts with Play! It All Starts with Play.pdf, and the Raising the Nation Play Commission's report Everything to Play For Everything to Play For Raising the Nation Play Commission.pdf. The report recommended that this evidence be used to inform the Commission's final recommendations and the development of a Southwark Play Strategy. A draft report on the Play-Space Scrutiny Review was also to follow.

Work Programme

The Commission was also scheduled to review its work programme for the upcoming period, as detailed in the Report Work programme covering report.pdf Report Work programme covering report.pdf and Appendix 1 ECSE SC work programme 2025-26.pdf Appendix 1 ECSE SC work programme 2025-26.pdf.

The meeting was scheduled to begin with apologies for absence, notification of urgent business, and the disclosure of interests. The minutes from the previous meeting on 3 February 2026 were also to be presented. The agenda indicated that some items might be considered in private session if they involved the disclosure of exempt information.