The Places Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday 24 June 2026 to discuss a range of important local issues. Key discussions included the establishment of subgroups to examine youth unemployment and community safety, and the potential for a reality check-in visit to the Thames Road recycling facility. The committee also reviewed the council's Simpler Recycling Project, its Culture Strategy, and received updates from Cabinet members.

Youth Unemployment and Community Safety Subgroups

The committee discussed the establishment of two new subgroups. The first would examine the rising levels of youth unemployment among 18 to 24-year-olds in Bexley, with a focus on identifying barriers and recommending actions to improve employment outcomes. The second subgroup would review Bexley Council's current community safety and anti-social behaviour arrangements, assessing the effectiveness of prevention measures and partnership working. Councillor Cafer Munur noted that while the youth unemployment subgroup might not have immediate funding, it could be developed into a full agenda item. Councillor Frazer Brooks strongly advocated for the community safety subgroup, highlighting its importance to residents across the borough. Councillor Chris Ball also supported this, suggesting that domestic abuse could be incorporated into the community safety review. The committee voted in favour of establishing the community safety subgroup, and agreed to consider the youth unemployment issue as a future agenda item, requesting a report back.

Reality Check-in Visit to Thames Road Recycling Facility

Following a discussion on potential reality check-in visits, the committee considered several options, including a visit to the Crayford Depot to observe waste separation. Ultimately, the Thames Road recycling visit was selected as the first to be arranged by officers.

Simpler Recycling Project Update

An update was provided on Bexley's Simpler Recycling Project, which aims to increase recycling rates and reduce the borough's carbon footprint in line with new UK legislation. Bexley has already achieved borough-wide weekly food waste collections for houses and is extending this to 99.7% of flats. The council has received grant funding to support these changes, including the purchase of food waste containers and additional staffing. By March 2027, Bexley will also introduce a kerbside collection service for soft plastics, with options for collection being discussed with the Material Recovery Facility in Crayford. The report also detailed the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, which will allocate significant funding to local authorities to cover packaging waste costs and invest in service improvements. Approved projects for 2026-2029 include No Food Waste stickers on general waste bins, the introduction of the soft plastics collection, waste composition analysis, recruitment of additional staff, development of a new Municipal Waste Strategy, an enhanced waste and recycling engagement campaign, and new signage and a food container washing programme in blocks of flats. Councillor Thomas Clapperton raised concerns about the current recycling rate of 48% and the ambitious target of 65% by 2030, questioning the feasibility of achieving this leap. Mr. Durrani explained that this was a national issue and that Bexley's previous high ranking had been affected by contractor performance and the pandemic. He expressed confidence in reaching the target through a package of government-led measures and increased resources. Councillor June Slaughter MBE questioned the need for the council to supply specific bags for soft plastics, suggesting residents could use existing plastic bags. She also expressed disappointment that local authorities have no enforcement powers for food waste recycling.

Culture Strategy for Bexley Reviewed

The committee reviewed Bexley's Culture Strategy, adopted in February 2026, which aims to raise the borough's profile, attract investment, and enhance opportunities for residents through to 2030. Councillor Nick O'Hare stressed the importance of measurable performance indicators to ensure the strategy delivers tangible outcomes, suggesting metrics such as the number of cultural events, attendance figures, and youth participation in creative industries. Ms. Hyland, Head of Libraries & Community Safety, agreed on the need for clear outcomes and a framework for measuring impact, noting that Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) would be developed as part of the detailed action plan. Councillor Frazer Brooks raised concerns about the strategy's focus potentially being too concentrated on larger town centres, urging for greater inclusion of smaller towns. Ms. Hyland acknowledged this feedback and stated it would be considered in the action planning. Councillor Chris Ball questioned the metrics for measuring cultural engagement, particularly for individuals participating in multiple activities, and also raised concerns about the diversity of partners listed in the strategy, suggesting a need to include more grassroots organisations. Ms. Hyland responded that the list of partners was evolving and that funding bids would help diversify the network. Councillor Oscar Harrison defended the cultural offerings in the south of the borough, highlighting pubs and community spaces as important cultural hubs, and asked about safeguarding pubs as community assets. Ms. Walters confirmed that pubs are protected within the local plan and policies. Councillor Thomas Clapperton inquired about the seriousness of a potential Borough of Culture application for 2029 and the funding status of The Exchange. Ms. Ireland confirmed the intention to pursue the Borough of Culture bid, dependent on officer capacity, and stated that she would provide an update on The Exchange's funding. Councillor Michael Gillespie highlighted the importance of supporting smaller villages like Barnhurst and expressed disappointment that the birthplace of British jazz at the Red Barn was not mentioned in the strategy. Councillor Cafer Munur noted that the Night Visions project had successfully included events in smaller locations like Blenden and Penn Hill. Councillor Chris Ball raised concerns about the cost of hiring council venues for events, suggesting a need for flexibility for smaller community groups. Ms. Ireland acknowledged this and stated that a community offer was being explored. Councillor Rags Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Leisure, thanked Ginny Hyland and her team for their work on the strategy and confirmed that the points raised would be taken to the Cabinet.

Cabinet Member Updates Received

Councillor Rags Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Leisure, provided an update on his portfolio. He thanked residents for their continued support for the recycling project, noting that Bexley is currently ranked third in London for recycling and is aiming to regain its number one position. He highlighted the recent ordering of 1,600 additional food caddies as a direct result of the no food waste stickers on bins. He also mentioned the collection of 47 tonnes of textiles free of charge since 2022 and recommended a visit to the Thames Road recycling centre. Councillor Brian Bishop, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Housing, provided an update on libraries, noting over 856,000 issues in the past year and a £2 million investment for improvements. He also highlighted the Read to the Beat reading challenge and the nomination of Penny Duggan for a professional award. He confirmed that all council-run libraries, except for Sidcup, are designated as cool spaces during hot weather, with plans to add Sidcup once building management system issues are resolved. Councillor Thomas Clapperton raised concerns about the council's preparedness for increasing heatwaves and asked about plans to expand cool spaces. Ms. Hyland confirmed that capital funding for libraries would include water fountains, and that new buildings are being designed with extreme weather in mind. Mr. Durrani noted that the question of cool spaces across all council sites warrants a corporate response.

Work Programme Discussed

The committee discussed its work programme for the upcoming year. Councillor Chris Ball suggested including an agenda item on planning and development pressures, particularly concerning Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), and also requested that the NEAT (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) issue be brought forward. Councillor Zainab Asunramu echoed the call for planning and development pressures to be considered, specifically requesting the inclusion of affordable and social housing, and also suggested examining third spaces for young people as a diversionary tactic from violent crime. Councillor Mrs June Slaughter MBE expressed interest in reviewing roads, pavements, and highways maintenance. Councillor Donna Briant highlighted the Alan Milburn report on NEATS and suggested this could be an autumn agenda item, potentially linking to the culture strategy and opportunities for young people. Councillor Cafer Munur also spoke about the importance of utilising the existing Bexley Business and Employment (BBE) team to address youth unemployment. The committee also reviewed suggested reality-checking visits, including roads and pavements, community safety, town centres, and parks and green spaces.