The Places Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Tuesday 6 October 2026 discussed a range of issues including youth unemployment, highways maintenance, and cabinet member updates. Key decisions included a commitment to further investigate youth unemployment initiatives and a detailed review of highways maintenance programmes.

Youth Unemployment and NEETs

The committee received a report detailing the issue of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET), with approximately 3,000 such individuals in Bexley. While Bexley's figures are lower than London and national averages, concerns were raised about the effectiveness of current support services and the need for more tailored interventions. The report highlighted initiatives like Bexley Business and Employment (BBE) programmes, such as Connect to Work and Restart, which aim to help young people find and sustain employment. The Trailblazers programme, including the Trade Ready initiative, was also discussed as a way to support young entrepreneurs.

Councillor Cafer Munur raised five questions regarding the integration of education with employment support, potential gaps in skills provision, the development of soft skills, lobbying for funding, and adapting mental health support schemes for young people. Mr. Brian Smith, Head of Economic Development & Skills, responded by outlining existing partnerships with educational institutions like LSEC and the role of the Local Skills Improvement Plan. He acknowledged the challenge of soft skills development and the need for more employer engagement.

Councillor Michael Gillespie questioned how to bridge the gap for disengaged young people and the impact of COVID-19 on education. Councillor Donna Briant inquired about identifying hard to reach young people and the council's performance in comparison to other boroughs. Councillor O'Hare asked about sustaining apprenticeships, the proportion of local job placements, and support for start-up businesses. Councillor Mrs June Slaughter MBE sought information on entry-level vacancies, the number of benefit claimants, the nature of careers guidance, and the success of business start-up schemes. Councillor Oke Ene questioned the weighting given to internet-based career opportunities, and Councillor Frazer Brooks asked about uptake and awareness for a forthcoming job fair and the recognition of online qualifications. Councillor Chris Ball inquired about the development of services to support online careers and awareness of the Engine House incubation centre.

The committee also discussed the upcoming Alan Milburn report and potential funding opportunities. A follow-up review of NEET figures was proposed for January 2027.

Highways Maintenance

Andrew Bashford, Head of Highways, Traffic and Infrastructure, presented an overview of the borough's highways service, detailing its network, funding, and performance. He highlighted that Bexley compares favourably to neighbouring authorities in terms of road condition, with a significant council share of funding invested in maintenance. The presentation outlined the process for identifying and repairing defects, with a focus on safety and cost-effectiveness.

Councillor Nicola Taylor raised concerns about the communication of criteria for pothole repairs and suggested a system for re-checking reported issues. Councillor Michael Gillespie inquired about combining road resurfacing with pavement repairs and the use of asphalt versus slabs. Councillor Frazer Brooks asked about improving communication regarding repair criteria and the process for re-checking reported issues. Councillor Mrs June Slaughter MBE questioned the policy on slabs versus asphalt and potential issues with anti-skid surfacing on pelican crossings. Councillor Tomer asked about the impact of hot weather on roads and surfacing materials. Councillor Donna Briant inquired about resident preferences for slabs versus asphalt. Councillor Smith provided an update on the significant investment in highways maintenance, doubling previous spending. Councillor Ball requested a link to the transparency report and information on how the £11 million government funding would be spent. Councillor Forlston asked about managing tremor lines on footpaths due to London clay.

Cabinet Member Updates

Councillor Rags Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Leisure, provided an update on waste and recycling, noting a 24% increase in food recycling and the successful conversion of a dust cart into an interactive classroom for youth engagement. He also reported on playground refurbishments, leisure centre recognition, and cultural events. Councillor Brian Bishop, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, mentioned a reduction in housing TA numbers and upcoming policy changes related to the Crime and Policing Act 2026. Councillor Smith, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Infrastructure, provided updates on Thames Water's investment in infrastructure, planned pedestrian crossings, and improvements to ERAF pier. He also discussed upcoming changes to planning committee procedures and the implications of the National Planning Policy Framework and the draft London Plan, highlighting concerns about housing mix and potential Green Belt development.

Councillor Cafer Munur questioned how Bexley would meet its recycling targets following the postponement of soft plastics collections. Councillor Mrs June Slaughter MBE asked for the reason behind the delay in soft plastics collections and the current position of the draft waste management strategy. Councillor Chris Ball raised questions about the financial benefit of increased food recycling, quality assurance for weed clearing, and clarification on fly-tipping enforcement data. Councillor Nick O'Hare asked for an update on playground refurbishments and current recycling numbers and targets.

Councillor Call for Action: Unauthorised Flags

Councillor Nicola Taylor raised a Councillor Call for Action regarding the unauthorised installation of Union and St George flags on street furniture. She highlighted concerns about community tensions, the flags becoming torn and tatty, and the 14-month delay in their removal. Councillor Taylor proposed a cross-party task and finish group to develop a clear policy.

Councillor David Leaf, Leader of the Council, explained the pragmatic approach taken to flag removal, balancing cost and community tensions, and stated that the operation to remove over 700 flags had been completed safely and at a significantly lower cost than if done earlier. He acknowledged the complexity of the issue, with differing views among residents and the risk of re-flagging and increased community tensions.

Councillor Taylor countered, stating that residents at the Hate Crime Forum wanted flags removed and felt threatened by their presence. Councillor Ball expressed concerns about the delay and the perception of political motivation, advocating for leadership and a clear policy. Councillor Balcock suggested recovering costs for unauthorised attachments. Councillor Forlston highlighted increased reports of hate crime and damage to murals, suggesting a need for better council communication on these issues. Councillor Brooks thanked the leader for his action and leadership in protecting the community. Councillor Taylor reiterated her call for a cross-party group to establish a protocol. The proposition for a task and finish group was defeated.

Work Programme

The committee discussed its work programme, agreeing to a reality checking visit to the Bexley Business and Employment (BBE) hub and a visit to Thames Road recycling facility. A Community Safety Scrutiny Project Sub Group was established to review community safety and anti-social behaviour. Future agenda items were proposed, including planning and development pressures, affordable housing, highways maintenance, and youth unemployment. The committee also agreed to schedule a follow-up on the Alan Milburn report in January 2027.

The meeting also included discussions on apologies, minutes, declarations of interest, and items of late business. The Transport Users' Sub-Committee and Street Works were also briefly mentioned within the context of the work programme.