The Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 10 March 2026 to discuss environmental enforcement and the Air Quality Action Plan. Key decisions included a commitment to step up communications regarding waste responsibilities, consider increased enforcement for serious fly-tipping, and enhance signage and enforcement for idling vehicles.

Environment Enforcement and Maintenance

The committee received an overview of Lambeth Council's environmental enforcement strategies, which aim to improve compliance, protect public health, and maintain the quality of neighbourhoods. The report highlighted that environmental enforcement is not a revenue-generating activity but a public realm protection function. While demand for services remains significant, with 10,689 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) and Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued in 2024-25, the focus is on an outcome-focused model rather than simply issuing more notices.

Bronwyn Rice, Business Liaison and Project Management from the Station-to-Station Business Improvement District (BID), shared her organisation's experiences. She noted insufficient electric vehicle charging points, slow processes for graffiti removal on commercial premises, and concerns about persistent fly-tipping in specific locations despite evidence being provided. Rice also highlighted the financial impact of slow food safety inspections on small businesses and the ongoing issues with traffic and pollution from utility works, particularly Thames Water.

Councillor Ben, a member of the committee, questioned the success of enforcement in deterring anti-social behaviour. John Bosley, Director of Public Realm, stated that while broadly successful, the council must continually review data to focus resources effectively. He pointed to reduced fly-tipping incidents compared to comparator boroughs as a success, but acknowledged that some enforcement areas are resource-intensive.

Regarding PCNs, Bosley explained their importance for maintaining traffic flow on public highways. He contrasted this with waste enforcement, where the council prioritises education and engagement, citing over 1,000 engagements regarding bins on the highway with only 19 escalating to Stage 2.

Councillor Nicole Griffiths raised concerns about fly-tipping, particularly in Streatham, and asked about targeted interventions. Richard Lebrun, Assistant Director of Planet Protection Regulation, explained that these interventions involve using evidence and intelligence to identify hotspots, followed by problem-solving approaches that include CCTV, on-the-ground resources, and engagement with residents, including those in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). He emphasised the need for sustained high-visibility presence to deter offenders.

Councillor David Oxley inquired about potential measures such as naming and shaming offenders and offering rewards for reporting, similar to initiatives in Greenwich Council. The council is developing a wall of shame for individuals prosecuted for fly-tipping and is considering using proceeds from FPNs to reward the public. Oxley also raised concerns about fly-posting, particularly around events, and the apparent lack of enforcement. The council acknowledged this and stated they are addressing it, with Serco removing fly-posting.

Councillor Deepak Seydewal requested a report within 30 days detailing how the council is utilising additional legislative powers to tackle fly-tipping, such as seizing and crushing vehicles. He also asked what could be achieved with doubled resources for the environmental enforcement team. Bosley responded that increased resources would allow for more evening patrols, but this would incur unsociable hours costs. He stressed the need for data-driven decisions and a balanced approach to resource allocation. He also noted that vehicle crushing powers are more effective for larger-scale fly-tipping, which is less common in Lambeth.

Councillor Tim Windle raised concerns about idling vehicles and the perceived lack of enforcement. Shannon Consis, Head of Parking Services and Service Development, confirmed that environmental enforcement officers (EEOs) have the ability to patrol on bicycles and mopeds and issue anti-idling PCNs, with an average of 35 issued per month. She acknowledged the need for improved signage and consistent enforcement in hotspot locations.

The committee also discussed graffiti removal from commercial premises, with Bronwyn Rice noting that the process, particularly the indemnity form, can be lengthy and deter businesses. John Bosley stated that while graffiti on public spaces is a statutory service, graffiti on private property is the responsibility of the landowner. He acknowledged the recent upsurge in graffiti and committed to reviewing the process for commercial premises.

Finally, the committee discussed bulky waste collection and the idea of free community skips. Bosley expressed reservations, stating that while beneficial for law-abiding citizens, such models do not necessarily reduce fly-tipping and that the council is exploring a circular economy approach to waste management.

Recommendations arising from this item:

• Step up communications to inform residents of their waste removal responsibilities and how to report fly-tips.
• Consider stepping up enforcement action for serious fly-tipping, with better-deployed CCTV, naming and shaming of offenders, and potential rewards for those who report fly-tipping.
• Step up signage and enforcement action in relation to idling vehicles, especially in sensitive areas like schools and identified hotspots.
• Provide a report to the committee within 30 days detailing how the council is utilising additional legislative powers to tackle fly-tipping.
• Examine the problems related to graffiti identification and removal identified by the Station-to-Station BID.
• Consider imposing FPNs for bins left on pavements for extended periods.
• Investigate mechanisms for issuing charge notices for idling vehicles where drivers leave the scene before a PCN can be issued.

Air Quality Action Plan

The committee reviewed the Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) for 2026-2028, which replaces the previous plan and focuses on actions with proven impact. Councillor Zina Chowdhury, Deputy Leader for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, highlighted that pollutant levels have fallen significantly since 2015, with projects like the kerbside strategy and school streets contributing to improvements.

Sharon Erdman, representing Mums for Lungs, a parent-led campaign group founded in Lambeth, expressed pleasure with the council's progress but stressed that air pollution remains too high, with illegal levels of pollution around Brixton Road and other monitoring sites. She highlighted the health impacts on children, particularly those with asthma, and the significant cost to the NHS. Mums for Lungs urged the council to focus on reducing miles driven, car ownership, and traffic emissions, including those from diesel and SUV vehicles.

Saska Manson Smith from the Brixton Central chapter of the Breathe London Community Monitoring Network, noted the genuine achievement in reducing nitrogen dioxide breaches on Brixton Road and the substantial delivery of school streets. However, she raised concerns about the gap between ambition and delivery, particularly the deletion of five mandatory clean air requirements for the council's procurement from the final plan. Manson Smith also pointed out that all actions are contingent on resource allocation, making the plan an aspiration document rather than an action plan. She highlighted that the plan acknowledges levels remain above WHO targets and that break and tyre wear is a significant source of PM2.5 pollution, with no dedicated strategy to address it.

Councillor David Oxley asked about the equitable distribution of AQAP actions, particularly in low-income areas. Andrew, from the sustainability team, explained that while actions aim to reduce pollution across the borough, specific interventions like school streets and support for cycling infrastructure on housing estates are targeted. An air quality community forum is also planned to engage diverse voices.

Councillor Nicole Griffiths expressed concern about the risk of the council not delivering on the plan due to a lack of resources. She suggested that low-cost, high-impact activities, such as expanding the school streets programme and improving communication about air pollution, should be prioritised. She also highlighted the need for better public transport provision and lobbying Transport for London (TfL) for improvements.

Simon Phillips, Assistant Director for Climate Change Transport, stated that the council has a good relationship with TfL and that their policies are aligned. He mentioned the upcoming new east-west bus service on the South Circular and ongoing efforts to improve bus infrastructure. However, he acknowledged that more could be done to lobby TfL for a London-wide strategic approach to traffic reduction.

Councillor Verity McGibbon inquired about the impact of trees on air quality and the barriers to planting more street trees, particularly in areas with narrow pavements. The council acknowledged that while trees are beneficial for climate adaptation and biodiversity, their direct impact on air quality is not huge, and removing pollution at the source is more effective. They are exploring ways to reduce the cost of planting trees in carriageways.

Councillor Deepak Seydewal asked about the council's relationship with Network Rail regarding step-free access at Loughborough Junction train station. The council is undertaking a feasibility study with Network Rail, which is the first step in securing funding for a lift.

The committee also discussed the impact of construction on air pollution, with Nicola Griffiths noting that it accounts for 31% of PM10 pollution. The council's approach mirrors that of the Mayor of London's non-road mobile machinery project, focusing on engagement and encouraging behaviour change, with enforcement as a last resort.

Recommendations arising from this item:

• The committee endorses the broad approach of the Air Quality Action Plan, particularly proposals to implement more school streets and reduce traffic emissions.
• Improve communication regarding air quality, including what causes pollution, what is needed to reduce it, and the impact of council activities.
• Identify, in consultation with residents and TfL, parts of the borough poorly served by public transport and lobby for better provision to reduce car use.
• Improve facilities to enable bus use, such as better bus shelters.
• Include train stations in discussions about public transport improvements.
• The council should continue to lobby TfL and the Greater London Authority (GLA) for modal shift initiatives across London.
• The council should continue to develop and implement school streets, with a particular focus on primary schools on main roads where school streets are not appropriate.
• The council should continue to explore the use of air quality filters in schools and asthma-friendly school programmes.
• The council should continue to monitor and address the air quality impacts of healthy neighbourhoods on boundary roads.
• The council should continue to engage with developers to ensure compliance with low-emission policies, with enforcement as a last resort.
• The council should establish a new governance process to improve collaboration between different departments on air quality initiatives.