The Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday 23 September 2026 to discuss investment in waste and street cleansing services, and future delivery models for Wandsworth Libraries. The committee resolved that reports on these key decisions would be considered for scrutiny, with final decisions to be made by the Cabinet on 12 October 2026.

Waste and Street Cleansing Services Investment

The committee considered a report detailing proposed investments in waste and street cleansing services, which will be put before the Cabinet on 12 October 2026. Councillor Paul White raised concerns about the potential scrapping of free bulky waste collections to fund these investments, arguing that this popular policy had contributed to a decline in fly-tipping. Natasha Epstein, Director of Waste, countered that the evidence did not strongly link free bulky waste provision to a reduction in fly-tipping, citing an increase in the tonnage of collected fly-tipped waste despite a decrease in reported incidents. She suggested that the behaviours of those booking council bulky waste collections were distinct from those who fly-tip. Councillor White also questioned the effectiveness of stencils proposed for fly-tipping prevention, and Councillor Tom Pridham asked about increasing fines for fly-tipping. Councillor Pridham also corrected the assertion that bulky waste collections were free, stating they were taxpayer-funded.

The proposed investments include:

• Two additional jet washing vehicles and crews to increase the frequency of street cleaning.
• Daily street sweeping on selected high footfall streets.
• A trial of fly-tipping removal stencils, with a trial cost of £5,000.
• Development of a multi-year strategy to improve fly-tipping prevention, removal, and enforcement.
• Targeted investment to reduce contamination in recycling, including the use of AI scanners.
• A trial of fox-proof caddies to address issues with food waste spillage in areas with high fox populations.
• Recruitment of additional staff, including a Contract Monitoring Officer, a Waste Enforcement Officer, and a Waste Enforcement Manager.
• Recruitment of a second Assistant Director of Waste, Street Cleansing and Enforcement.

The total proposed annual cost for these investments is £767,000, with £110,000 in one-off costs. It is proposed that £800,000 of this will be recouped through adjustments to the bulky waste service, which currently costs over £1 million per year. The proposed adjustment involves setting a collection fee of £30 per item, with a limit of 100 slots per day.

Wandsworth Libraries - Future Delivery Model Options

The committee also reviewed a report on future delivery model options for Wandsworth Libraries, which will be considered by the Cabinet on 12 October 2026. The report outlines an options appraisal for the library service, which faces tightening financial pressures. The current contract with Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) runs until March 2028, with a potential one-year extension.

The preferred option is to procure a new contract through a competitive tender. This approach is favoured as it allows the council to test the market, reset service specifications, drive innovation, and achieve financial savings while maintaining service quality and accessibility. Other options considered included extending the current GLL contract, insourcing the service, establishing a trust or mutual, and a community partnership model. The report highlights that Wandsworth's library service is currently performing well, with 1,323,330 visits recorded in 2025/26 and 1,893,720 book issues. The cost per resident for the library service is £15.09, which is considered mid-range compared to other London boroughs.

Questions to the Cabinet Member

During the Questions to Cabinet Member session, Councillor Charlie Fisher, Deputy Chair, chaired the discussion. Councillor Paul White raised concerns about the Smuggler's Way Waste Transfer Station, highlighting odour and noise issues experienced by residents in his ward, St. Mary's. Councillor Brooks, the Cabinet Member for Environment, explained that measures were being taken to address odour from barges and that future investment in the site was planned as part of the Western Riverside Waste Authority's new contract procurement phase for 2032.

Councillor White also enquired about plans to return to single-bagged vehicles for waste collection, as mentioned in the council's 2026 manifesto. Councillor Brooks stated that this was being looked into, but any decision would consider the lifecycle of existing vehicles.

Councillor Kirsten Botting raised concerns about the proposed shortening of Putney Swimming Pool from 33 metres to 25 metres, noting that residents felt they had not been consulted. Councillor Brooks confirmed that due to resident engagement, Places Leisure would not proceed with this change.

A joint question from Councillor White and Councillor Shirin Georgiani concerned the manifesto pledge to buy back Springfield Park. Councillor Brooks stated this was a matter for the Finance Committee, to be addressed by Councillor Graham.

Councillor Tom Pridham asked about street cleanliness around Clapham Junction, and Councillor Brooks confirmed that this area would receive special attention as part of enhanced street cleansing and jet washing initiatives.

Councillor White also questioned the administration's plans for events on the Commons parks, referencing the manifesto pledge to curtail commercial events and seeking clarification on what constitutes a commercial event. Councillor Brooks indicated that the events policy would not change significantly but that there would be a closer working relationship with contractors to ensure events of a certain scale were not planned without strong discussion.

Councillor James Craig raised concerns about newly planted trees not surviving the recent drought. Councillor Brooks acknowledged that there might have been issues with the watering contract and that a review would be conducted once the number of lost trees was determined.

Finally, Councillor Georgiani raised concerns about sports clubs potentially being told they could no longer use the grass pitches at the leisure centre in Mapleson Road. Councillor Brooks stated this was the first he had heard of this communication and would investigate.

Work Programme

The committee also considered its work programme, with a report by the Director of Law and Governance outlining potential areas for scrutiny. The committee noted the current work programme and discussed the approach to its further development.