The Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee met on 11 January 2024 and approved an updated Climate Emergency Response Plan, an Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy, and a programme of highway maintenance for 2024/25. The committee also agreed to extend the grounds maintenance services contract with Idverde.

Biannual Performance Monitoring

The committee received a report on the biannual performance monitoring of services. The Street Lighting team was commended for meeting their performance targets. Highways maintenance performance was discussed, with challenges noted regarding the current funding position, although proactive maintenance was expected to exceed that of the previous year. The council's response to reactive repairs, including pothole repairs, was also highlighted as a positive area of performance. Regulatory Services presented performance indicators focused on complex enforcement elements such as abandoned vehicles, fly-tipping, and waste offences.

Highways and Transport Works Planned Maintenance and Street Lighting Programme 2024/25

The committee agreed to the proposed highway planned maintenance programmes for 2024/25, which will be funded from approved capital budgets. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director of Environment, Housing and Neighbourhoods, in consultation with the Chair of the committee, to make in-year changes to the prioritised programme to ensure effective delivery and respond to emerging priorities or unforeseen events. The report detailed plans for carriageway resurfacing, targeted patching, and footway maintenance, alongside a rolling capital programme to upgrade concrete lamp columns and convert street lights to LED. The LED upgrade programme is expected to provide significant savings in electricity costs and reduce the borough's carbon footprint.

Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy

The committee approved the draft Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy. This strategy outlines how Sutton intends to implement EV charging infrastructure by 2030 to meet the anticipated rising demand for charging points as more residents switch to electric vehicles. The strategy focuses on providing charging for residents without off-street parking, high-mileage drivers, businesses transitioning to electric vehicles, and visitors to the borough. The council has submitted a joint Expression of Interest for the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund with the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, aiming to deliver predominantly standard and fast charging points.

Climate Emergency Response Plan Annual Review and Update

The committee agreed to the updated Climate Emergency Response Plan for 2023 and 2024, and noted the progress made during the fourth year of the Council's Environment Strategy and Climate Emergency Response Plan. Key highlights included progress in cleaner air initiatives, such as the increased use of electric buses and the success of the Human Forest e-bike scheme, which has estimated CO2 savings. The report also detailed efforts to maintain and enhance green spaces, with 11 parks receiving Green Flag awards and over 4,500 trees planted in the 2022/23 financial year. Progress towards net zero carbon emissions was reported, including the development of two new social housing sites built to net zero Passivhaus standards and the retrofitting of Sutton Housing Partnership properties. The council's waste minimisation strategy has seen a reduction in overall waste handled, and initiatives like the Library of Things and Community Reuse Shop are diverting reusable items from disposal. The committee also noted the establishment of the Green Enterprise Partnership to support local SMEs in developing carbon reduction plans.

Extension of the Grounds Maintenance Services Contract

The committee agreed to a three-year extension of the grounds maintenance contract with Idverde, from 1 February 2025 to 31 January 2028, with an option for a further two-year extension. This extension requires additional growth of £395,000, exceeding the £350,000 already identified within the Council's Medium Term Strategy, necessitating further savings or growth to be agreed. Negotiations have resulted in changes to service delivery to maximise efficiency, including a primarily diesel and petrol vehicle fleet with limited electric vehicles, the use of herbicides on shrub beds, weekly playground visual checks, and litter picking and bin emptying from Monday to Friday, with weekend cover on key holidays. Meadow creation in parks will also be increased. The extension aims to provide continuity of service for residents while managing costs.