The Port Health and Environmental Services Committee met on Tuesday 21 July 2026, electing Peter Gerard Dunphy MBE as Chair and George Abrahams as Deputy Chair. Key discussions included the approval of a grant for the Thames Fishery Research Experiment and a review of the 2025/26 revenue outturn, which showed an overall overspend.

City of London Thames Fishery Research Experiment

The committee approved a grant of £4,800 from the City's Estate fund to support the 54th City of London Thames Fishery Research Experiment, scheduled for 10 October 2026. This annual event, which has been running since 1973, involves an angling competition that surveys fish populations in the River Thames. In recent years, the experiment has become more scientific, with partnerships established with the University of Essex and the University Centre at Sparsholt to study fish health and biodiversity. The 53rd experiment, held in October 2025, saw 73 anglers participate, catching 50 fish of five species. Researchers from the partner universities collected samples for their studies on the impact of river pollution on fish health. Councillor Marianne Bernadette Fredericks suggested that members not fishing could undertake litter picking during the event to further contribute to river environmental efforts, an idea that officers confirmed could be logistically coordinated.

Revenue Outturn 2025/26

The committee received the revenue outturn report for the 2025/26 financial year, which detailed an overall overspend of £692,000 against the budget. Jenny Pitcairn from the Chamberlain's Department explained that the primary reason for this overspend was £753,000 in unidentified savings included in the original budget, meaning that compensatory savings had not been found. However, the Environment Department as a whole was underspent by almost £1.7 million, offsetting the overspend within the committee's remit.

The largest overspend within the Environment Department was in animal health, attributed by Gavin Stedman to changes in border regimes and the UK's relationship with the EU following a change in government. He noted that the animal health and welfare service is largely cost-recoverable, with 86% of its budget covered by fees and charges. The statutory functions, which cost the corporation about £1 million a year, are a particular focus for seeking central government funding.

Councillor Marianne Bernadette Fredericks raised concerns about street cleaning underspends, which were attributed to a combination of performance deductions and third-party cleaning. Ian Hughes clarified that performance monitoring is undertaken through joint inspections, and deductions are made when contracted standards are not met. He stated that this process demonstrates appropriate contract monitoring rather than a failure of the service.

Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document

Ruth Calderwood, Air Quality Manager, presented the final Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for information. The SPD, which had been approved by the Planning and Transportation Committee in June, provides guidance on managing and minimising air pollution emissions to comply with policies in the City Plan 2040. It was noted that the SPD would be used in decision-making from 16 November 2026, conditional on the adoption of the City Plan 2040.

Appointments to Sub-Committees and Representatives to Outside Bodies

The committee made several appointments to sub-committees and outside bodies. Deputy Marianne Fredericks was appointed to the Local Plans Subcommittee and the Thames Estuary Partnership. Mandeep Thandi was elected to the Streets and Walkways Subcommittee, and Timothy Richard Butcher was elected to the Projects and Procurement Subcommittee. Deputy Marianne Fredericks was also appointed as a trustee to the Thames21 Board of Trustees. Dawn Frampton was appointed as the representative to the Health and Wellbeing Board. The Chair and Deputy Chair, Peter Gerard Dunphy MBE and George Abrahams respectively, will serve on the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee. Simon Duckworth CBE OBE DL was noted as the continuing nominee for the Cross River Partnership.

Report of Action Taken Between Meetings

Gavin Stedman reported on an urgent action taken to replace the catafalques¹ at the City of London Crematorium in Manor Park, E12. The existing catafalques, which lower coffins to the crematorium area, were in poor condition and their lift mechanisms frequently broke down. To avoid delays and disruption to services during the planned £2.5 million Cyclical Works Programme (CWP) refurbishment over the summer, the decision was made under urgency procedures to use £120,000 from the Cemetery and Crematorium Reserve Fund to purchase two replacement catafalques and upgrade the lifting mechanisms. This decision was approved by the Chair and Deputy Chair. Councillor Deborah Oliver TD questioned why this was not planned from the outset, and Kevin Stedman explained it was an opportunistic decision to align with the CWP works while the chapel was already closed to minimise downtime.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee

Several questions were raised by members. Councillor Leyla Boulton sought an update on vehicle idling monitoring, with officers confirming that data was being collated and would be shared. Councillor John Ernest Edwards highlighted the 'Report a Problem' app as a tool for the public to report engine idling.

Councillor Caroline Wilma Haines raised concerns about buskers using amplification on the South Bank causing noise nuisance for residents on the North Bank. Rachel Pye reported ongoing engagement with Southwark Council, including discussions with the new executive member for community safety and engagement, David Watson. A meeting with Councillor Watson was planned to discuss the issue further. Councillor Marianne Bernadette Fredericks suggested that removing amplification would significantly reduce the noise problem.

Councillor Marianne Bernadette Fredericks also raised concerns about construction and deconstruction pollution, particularly noise and dust affecting residents and businesses during hot weather. She questioned how the planning department could educate planners to better assist environmental health officers in dealing with these issues, especially in sensitive locations. Rachel Pye explained that construction hours can be adapted on a case-by-case basis, and that a review of the code of deconstruction and construction, including enforcement action, would be coming to the committee in the autumn.

John Ernest Edwards asked a question about garden waste collection, describing the process as laborious. Joanne Hill explained that the service is legally required under simpler recycling legislation and is currently in a trial phase. Feedback on the process has been taken on board, and a paper on the trial findings will be presented in November.