The Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee met on 9 January 2025 to discuss highways and transport programmes, waste policies, and the award of a new parking enforcement contract. Key decisions included approving the planned maintenance programme for 2025/2026, the completion of the street lighting LED upgrade programme, and the revised waste and recycling policies. The committee also approved the appointment of a preferred bidder for the parking enforcement contract.

Highways and Transport Programmes 2025/2026

The committee approved the planned maintenance programme for 2025/2026, which includes resurfacing 7.5km of roads across the borough. A decision was also made to approve the completion of the street lighting LED upgrade programme, at an additional cost of £1,850,000, subject to further approval by the Council's Strategy and Resources Committee. This upgrade is necessary to achieve energy and maintenance savings and to address the safety concerns associated with life-expired concrete columns.

The committee also approved the three-year Local Implementation Plan (LIP) programme for 2025/2026 to 2027/2028 for submission to Transport for London (TfL). This programme includes specific project bids for bus priority, cycle network development, borough safer streets, and the better bus partnership. The principle of a strategic cycle route from Mitcham to Wallington via Hackbridge was also endorsed, with route recommendations to be finalised following engagement with ward councillors.

Discussions also covered the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging programme, which has faced delays due to unclear guidance from the Energy Savings Trust (EST) and Office of Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). The council has been awarded £886,000 in partnership with Kingston Council for this programme, with a 50/50 split currently assumed.

Waste Policies Review and Update

The committee approved the revised 2025 Waste and Recycling Policies, which have been updated to reflect the new waste contract with Veolia Environmental Services commencing in April 2025. These policies aim to support the delivery of an effective and efficient waste service, contributing to the council's ambitions to reduce waste, transition to a circular economy, and achieve a net-zero carbon future. The updated policies include a revised Waste Charter, clarifications on container policies, and the introduction of new policies covering additional waste services, household hazardous waste, and social value.

Contract Award - Parking Enforcement and Operations

The committee approved the appointment of Bidder A as the preferred bidder for the Parking Enforcement & Operations Contract for a period of five years from 1 April 2025, with an option to extend for a further five years. This decision was made following a competitive tendering process. The new contract will introduce virtual parking permits, bringing permit processing and appeal handling back in-house, and will increase the deployment hours of Civil Enforcement Officers to ensure a more targeted and timely response to enforcement requests. Some councillors expressed concerns about the move to virtual permits and its potential impact on residents without digital access, but assurances were given that manual processes would remain in place. Councillors James McDermott-Hill, Tony Shields, Steve Alvarez, and Nick Mattey voted against recommendations 2.1 and 2.2.