The Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel of Worcestershire Council met on Monday 6 July 2026 to discuss active travel initiatives, the review of the Local Transport Plan 4, and the performance and budget monitoring for the 2025/26 financial year. The panel also reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year.

Update on Active Travel

The panel was scheduled to receive an update on active travel initiatives, including the progress of Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs). Government policy, as outlined in Gear Change, A Bold Vision for Walking and Cycling, aims for fifty percent of short journeys to be by active travel modes by 2030, with a further target of 55% by 2035 set in the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS3). Active Travel England, established in 2022, acts as an advisory, funding, and inspectorate body. Worcestershire County Council (WCC) has achieved a performance rating of one out of four in recent audits. The report detailed progress on LCWIPs for various urban areas, with some already adopted and others nearing adoption. Funding for active travel comes from multiple sources, including Active Travel England, the Department for Transport, and developer contributions. Several significant schemes were highlighted, such as the Hampton Bridge in Evesham, the A38 Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme, and improvements in Redditch to enhance access to the Alexandra Hospital. A bike-share scheme operated by Beryl Bikes in Worcester was also mentioned. The panel was asked to consider the information, determine if further scrutiny was needed, and agree on any comments to highlight to the Cabinet Member.

Review of Local Transport Plan 4

The panel was also scheduled to discuss the review of Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4), which was adopted in 2017 for the period 2018-2030. LTPs are a requirement of the Transport Act 2000 and set out the strategic vision and objectives for transport within a local authority's area. LTP4 aimed to create a more reliable and connected transport network, build a stronger economy, enhance global competitiveness, and support new housing delivery through themes of transport technology, travel choice, and capacity enhancements. The plan encompassed highway, active travel, public realm, and bus schemes across different areas of Worcestershire. While LTP4 is still within its timeframe, changes in national transport and planning policy, along with new government guidance published in April 2026, necessitate a review. Consultants have been commissioned to develop LTP5, with the review of LTP4 informing this process. The new guidance emphasizes a vision-led approach, considering factors such as travel to work, housing delivery, and the needs of key growth sectors and young people. The panel was asked to consider this information and provide comments.

Performance and 2025/26 Draft Year-End Budget Monitoring

The panel was set to receive an update on performance and financial information for services related to the environment. This included a dashboard of performance indicators for Quarter 4 (January to March 2026) and the draft year-end budget outturn for 2025/26. The report highlighted areas of success, such as a reduction in outstanding Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and a high percentage of public enquiries completed within 28 days. However, challenges were noted regarding the condition of highways and footways, and an increase in outstanding Public Rights of Way (PROW) reports, partly attributed to staff vacancies. The report also detailed household waste collection figures, showing a decrease in waste sent to landfill but a slight rise in waste collected per resident. Greenhouse gas emissions data for Worcestershire and the council's own emissions by scope were also presented. The panel was asked to determine if further scrutiny was required and to highlight any comments to the Cabinet Members.

Work Programme

Finally, the panel was scheduled to review its work programme for 2026/27. The Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel is responsible for scrutinising areas including the environment, highways, flooding, and waste. The work programme is part of the council's rolling annual scrutiny programme. Potential future items for discussion included Net Zero, the use of pesticides/herbicides, gully cleansing, National Highways' plans for Worcestershire, and pre-scrutiny of future waste contracts. Standing items such as budget and performance monitoring, and the annual flood risk management report, were also noted. The panel was asked to consider the proposed work programme and agree on any amendments.