The Clean and Green Committee of Redbridge Council met on Wednesday 9 September 2026 to discuss the Parking Review Report and the Clean and Green Committee Work Plan for 2026-27. The committee agreed with the recommendations of the Parking Review Report and noted the work plan for the upcoming year.

Parking Review Report

The committee agreed with the Parking Review Report and its recommendations. This report was the culmination of a series of workshops undertaken by the previous committee, examining various aspects of the council's parking services. Councillor Joe Blackman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Neighbourhoods, explained that the report was a true reflection of the previous committee's discussions and provided a comprehensive overview of the parking challenges faced by Redbridge. Kevin Hagen, Interim Head of Parking and Traffic Services, detailed the extensive work undertaken, covering parking permits, vehicle removals, penalty charge notices (PCNs), controlled parking zones (CPZs), and disabled parking. The report highlighted that while individual components of the service were functioning lawfully, the overall framework needed greater strategic coherence. Key issues identified included increasing demand pressures, particularly for disabled parking, the need to align permit pricing with environmental objectives, and the limitations in enforcement due to the absence of vehicle removal powers. The report's recommendations, which will inform a new parking strategy, include considering emissions-based charging for resident permits, introducing a digital visitor voucher system, and establishing a free carer permit. It also recommended introducing a vehicle removal and car pound service to tackle serious or dangerous contraventions and prolific offenders, ensuring it is cost-neutral.

Street Cleansing Service

The committee received an update on the street cleansing service, which employs 120 staff and utilises a digital system called Whitespace to improve efficiency and accountability. Pam Roe-Jones, Interim Director for Neighbourhoods and Environment, outlined the service's structure, including area supervisors, graffiti teams, jet wash teams, and community teams. The committee heard that litter is picked up daily after refuse and recycling collections, residential roads are swept every two to three weeks, and shop fronts and town centres receive daily attention. Fly-tipping is targeted for clearance within two days.

During the discussion, questions were raised about the integration of the Love Clean Streets app with the Whitespace system, with an action agreed to provide further clarification. Councillors also inquired about the frequency of jet washing in different areas, with a commitment to provide a further breakdown of time allocation. The frequency of residential road sweeping and the process for cleaning up after fly-tipping were also discussed. It was noted that offensive graffiti is targeted for removal within 24 hours, with a different deadline for non-offensive graffiti.

Clean and Green Committee Work Plan 2026-27

The committee agreed that the focus of their next meeting would be on green spaces, biodiversity, and environmental improvements across the borough. This forms part of the Clean and Green Committee Work Plan for 2026-27.

The next meeting of the Clean and Green Committee was scheduled for 4 November 2026.