The Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to consider reports on air quality and reducing emissions, and receive an update on flood risk management. The committee was also scheduled to hold a question and answer session with the Chair of the Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee.

Air Quality and Reducing Emissions

The committee was scheduled to review the council's efforts in improving air quality and reducing emissions, aligning with the council's commitment to take action on climate change. The report pack indicated that the council has a long-standing commitment to environmental issues, having declared a climate and ecological emergency in 2019 and updated its Environment Strategy to include a Climate Emergency Response Plan. This strategy aims to make Sutton London's most sustainable borough and achieve net-zero carbon emissions.

The report pack detailed that total carbon emissions across the borough had reduced by 44.1% since 2007. The council was developing a new Environment Strategy for adoption in 2027, which would align with updated national policy and environmental targets, including the Seventh Carbon Budget target.

The council was scheduled to discuss its proactive approach to improving air quality, including the designation of the entire borough as an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) in 2013. The Air Quality Action Plan, updated in 2024, spans five years through 2029. The Air Quality Annual Status Report 2025 was expected to show improvements in NO² and PM2.5 concentrations, though these remained above World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines. The report pack also highlighted that transport accounts for the largest share of emissions, and the council ensures major new developments remain air quality neutral.

The report pack also addressed the Beddington Energy Recovery Facility (ERF), operated by Viridor South London Limited under contract with the South London Waste Partnership (SLWP). The ERF diverts waste from landfill and supplies electricity to homes. The report pack noted that the ERF operates under permits issued by the Environment Agency (EA) and uses Continuous Emissions Monitors (CEMs). A significant issue scheduled for discussion was an 18-month calibration error in the ERF's CEMs, identified in March 2024, which led to an understatement of NO^x emissions and resulted in 916 daily exceedances of NO^x limits between September 2022 and March 2024. The EA had downgraded the facility's operator rating to permit band E due to this issue. The report pack also detailed Viridor's permit variation application to increase the ERF's operational capacity, which the London Borough of Sutton had objected to. The EA approved this variation in June 2026.

Flood Risk Management Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the council's role as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) in managing flood risk. This aligns with the council's Ambitious for Sutton corporate plan and its commitment to taking action on climate change. The report pack outlined the functions of various risk management authorities in the borough, including the council, Thames Water, and the Environment Agency.

The report pack indicated that 1866 properties are at high risk of flooding in the London Borough of Sutton. It detailed the council's Local Flood Risk Management Strategy and its associated Action Plan, which is structured around five strategic objectives: improving knowledge of flood risks, encouraging sustainable solutions, using planning powers to mitigate risk, educating and empowering residents, and nurturing collaborative partnerships.

Specific flood alleviation projects were scheduled to be discussed, including the Cuddington Recreation Ground Worcester Park Flood Alleviation Scheme, which aims to reduce the frequency and impact of flooding downstream of the Beverley Brook. The report pack also mentioned ongoing work in the Beddington Area, including potential locations for sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) at Beddington Gardens. The SuDS in Sutton Schools (SiSS) programme, which built SuDS in five schools, was also noted as closed.

The report pack highlighted the council's use of planning powers to ensure new developments mitigate flood risk through SuDS. It also detailed efforts to educate residents and businesses about flood risk reduction and the importance of partnerships with organisations like Thames Water and the Environment Agency. The report pack noted that the council had received 24 consultations regarding 17 sites for planning applications and conditions between December 2025 and September 2026.

The report pack also addressed the financial and legal implications of flood risk management, noting that existing schemes were forecast to be completed within their capital budgets, funded through borrowing and contributions from the Environment Agency and Thames Water. Changes to the Environment Agency's funding criteria from 2026/27 were identified as a potential impact on future schemes.

Question and Answer with the Chair of the Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee

The committee was scheduled to have a session to ask questions of the Chair of the Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee. The specific topics for this session were not detailed in the provided documents, but it would have provided an opportunity for the Scrutiny Committee to seek clarification and challenge on matters within the remit of the Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee.