The Environment Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee met to discuss fly-tipping arrangements and review the council's work programme and cabinet forward plan.

Update on Arrangements for Fly-Tipping

The committee received an update on the council's efforts to combat fly-tipping, a national issue that has seen an increase in Barnet. The report detailed a cross-service campaign aimed at improving reporting accuracy, strengthening enforcement, and increasing community awareness. While the campaign has led to improved reporting, officers acknowledged that fly-tipping remains a growing problem.

Discussions focused on the effectiveness of the campaign's targeted approach in four wards: Edgware, Hendon, Burnt Oak, and Cricklewood. Councillors raised concerns about the lack of ward-by-ward data in the report to fully assess the campaign's impact and to inform future decisions on resource allocation. There was a strong consensus that a more granular, location-based approach, rather than a ward-wide strategy, would be more effective in targeting fly-tipping hotspots. Officers agreed to develop a proposal focusing on specific locations identified through data analysis, rather than solely on entire wards.

The committee also discussed the use of community skips, the challenges of providing services on unadopted land, and the potential for rolling out communication materials like lamppost banners more widely. The effectiveness of CCTV and enforcement actions, including the issuance of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs), was also debated. It was clarified that Barnet Council cameras do not use facial recognition technology, and that enforcement actions often involve a combination of methods.

Regarding fines, it was noted that Barnet Council has increased its FPNs to £500 for a first offence and £600 for a second. The council currently has a 71% payment rate for FPNs, with income reinvested into enforcement services. The committee also heard about joint enforcement activities with other departments and neighbouring boroughs, as well as efforts to liaise with managing agents for unadopted estates.

A key point of discussion was the need for improved feedback to residents who report fly-tipping incidents. While acknowledging the current limitations, officers committed to enhancing the feedback loop through a new data management system. The committee also noted that the council's approach to fly-tipping has seen a decline in reported incidents since 2022-2023, diverging from the national trend, although an increase was observed in the most recent year.

The recommendations for the fly-tipping agenda item focused on continuing to address fly-tipping, with a particular emphasis on developing a proposal for a location-based approach rather than a ward-based one, informed by data on the highest prevalence of incidents.

Task and Finish Group Updates

The committee received updates on various Task and Finish Groups. Discussions included a proposal for a new Task and Finish Group to examine the enforcement of dockless bikes, with a proposal for an options paper to be presented in September. It was also noted that a separate paper on street cleansing would be beneficial, distinct from the existing agenda item on time-bounded waste collections.

The committee considered proposals for new Task and Finish Groups. A proposal for a Task and Finish Group to examine Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) was put forward for consideration. A Task and Finish Group on recycling for flats above shops was also discussed, with a proposal to develop terms of reference electronically.

Cabinet Forward Plan

The committee reviewed the Cabinet Forward Plan, which outlines upcoming key decisions. Members were invited to identify any items they wished to request for pre-decision scrutiny. The plan included a range of significant decisions across various council functions, such as the Administration Priorities Report, financial forecasts, the Youth Strategy, and updates on major projects like Brent Cross. The committee noted that the Heat Networks Strategic Outline Case and the adoption of new national Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) standards would be relevant to their work.

Environment Overview & Scrutiny Sub-Committee Work Programme

The committee discussed and amended the proposed work programme for the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee. Key changes included the agreement to have a separate paper on street cleansing and to address the enforcement of dockless bikes in two stages: first, focusing on enforcement, and second, establishing a Task and Finish Group to work with providers. The committee also agreed to consider a Task and Finish Group on CPZs and to develop terms of reference for a group on recycling for flats above shops. The Highways Utilities Charter review was noted as a potential item for discussion, with a possibility of inviting Thames Water to attend after its review. The sustainability team and strategy were also identified as a potential area for scrutiny.