The Climate Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss the work of the Neighbourhoods and Environment Directorate, review the council's climate action progress, and consider future scrutiny topics. The meeting's agenda included an introduction to various council services, a report on climate action progress, and a discussion on the committee's forward plan for the upcoming municipal year.

Introduction to Services

The committee was scheduled to receive an overview of the Neighbourhoods and Environment Directorate's work. This report aimed to outline service priorities, challenges, risks, and relevant national policy changes. It covered various teams within the directorate, including the Climate Team, Recycling Team, Parks and Open Spaces, Sports and Leisure, Neighbourhoods Team, Highways and Parking, The Hive (environmental education centre), Air Quality and Environmental Protection, Culture and Registration Service, and Libraries. Each section detailed the team's responsibilities, priority areas for 2026-27, and identified key challenges and risks. For instance, the Climate Team's priorities included delivering funded programmes to reduce emissions and tackle fuel poverty, while a key challenge identified was the low uptake of heat pumps in the private rented sector. The report also outlined the policy context for each service, referencing relevant government announcements and council strategies, such as the Warm Homes Plan and the Simpler Recycling initiative.

Climate Action Progress

A report on the council's climate action progress was scheduled for discussion. This item was intended to provide an update on the council's efforts to address the climate and nature emergency. The report was expected to detail achievements, such as a reported 34% drop in carbon emissions over the last decade, and discuss the challenges faced, including the low uptake of the energy upgrade loan scheme for private landlords. The committee was also to consider the council's engagement with local organisations to increase participation in climate plans and the scale of home retrofits required to address fuel poverty, which affects a significant portion of the borough's population. The report also aimed to provide details on waste saved from recycling and reuse fairs, highlighting the promotion of repair, reuse, and circular economy principles.

The Scrutiny Report

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Scrutiny Report, which included a review of the proposed items for the 2026/27 forward plan. Members were invited to suggest additional topics for the committee's work programme. Potential items for discussion included Biodiversity Net Gain, Electric Vehicle Charging in Mixed-Tenure Buildings, Community Group Involvement, River Cleanups, Friends of Parks Groups, Data Utilisation, Climate Action Plan Review, and New Build Legislation (Heat Pumps/Solar Panels). The report also included an Action Tracker and a Recommendation Tracker to monitor the progress of actions and recommendations from previous meetings. The committee was also to be informed about key decisions, though none falling under its remit were scheduled. The remit of the committee was outlined, covering areas such as green infrastructure, climate action, waste and recycling, transport, and biodiversity.