The Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee was scheduled to meet to discuss a range of topics, including updates on the council's corporate plan, waste management contracts, and e-bike services. The committee was also expected to review the performance of the Forest e-bike scheme and consider the future of e-bike provision in the borough.

Here's a breakdown of the key items on the agenda:

E-bike Provision and Re-procurement

The committee was scheduled to review the performance of the Forest e-bike scheme pilot, which provides dockless e-bikes for hire across the borough. According to the E-bike review and procurement Cttee Report, the scheme supports the council's priorities of promoting sustainable transport and tackling climate change, as well as providing an inclusive service for residents.

The report highlighted a significant increase in the number of active customers and total rides taken over the contract period. In May 2025, there were 3,753 customers who completed 23,853 rides, with approximately 19,000 journeys starting and finishing within the borough. The operator, Forest, estimated that these journeys represented a carbon saving of 3.3 tons for May 2025 alone, and a total of 51.7 tons across the life of the contract to date.

However, the report also acknowledged issues with footway obstruction and poor parking behaviours associated with the geo-fenced parking bays. Forest has been working with the council to improve these behaviours through rider education programmes and by relocating bikes reported as obstructions.

With the current concession contract with Forest due to end in September 2025, the committee was asked to consider the future of e-bike provision in the borough. The report recommended continuing with a dockless e-bike hire service through a new contract procurement process, incorporating lessons learned from the Forest contract. These lessons include:

• Ensuring area coverage across the entire borough
• Improving visibility of the e-bike opportunity and providing clear messaging
• Implementing meaningful key performance indicators (KPIs) to address inconsiderate parking and ensure timely action
• Exploring alternative parking arrangements, such as on-road parking bays
• Setting clear expectations for users and promoting responsible behaviours through education and ongoing communication

The report also proposed transitioning from a non-revenue contract to a revenue-generating contract, which could cover the costs of administering the contract and potentially generate surplus funds for cycling infrastructure and other sustainable transport initiatives. The committee was asked to delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Environment Housing and Neighbourhoods to appoint a dockless e-bike service provider, following a competitive tender process carried out jointly with the Royal Borough of Kingston.

Food and Green Waste Treatment Services

The committee was scheduled to consider a recommendation to extend two contracts for the handling, haulage, and treatment of food and green garden waste. According to the Food and Green Waste Treatment Contract Extension report, the extension of these contracts would support the council's aim to minimise waste and work towards a circular economy, in line with its Environment Strategy and Climate Emergency Response Plan.

The council currently has contracts with Bio Collectors Ltd for the direct delivery and treatment of food waste, and with Suez Recycling and Recovery Ltd for the handling, haulage, and treatment of both food and green garden waste. These contracts are due to expire on 31 March 2027, with an option to extend them up to 31 March 2030.

The report stated that the council and the South London Waste Partnership (SLWP) have reviewed the services to determine the best future solution, considering market rates, carbon impact, and upcoming legislative changes related to simpler recycling¹. The review considered two options: extending the current contracts or procuring new contracts.

The report recommended extending both contracts for a period of three years. It noted that the current contract with Bio Collectors Ltd is significantly below the current market value for food waste treatment, and that a reduction in the cost per tonne has been negotiated with Suez Recycling and Recovery Ltd, providing a forecasted saving of circa £250,000 over the next five years.

The report also highlighted the benefits of extending the contracts in terms of ensuring continuity of service, maintaining compliance with upcoming legislation, and avoiding the potential cost increases and carbon emissions associated with reprocuring the services. The estimated cost of extending both contracts for the three-year extension period is circa £1.9 million.

Delivering Ambitious for Sutton: Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on key developments across the areas that it is responsible for, as outlined in the Delivering Ambitious for Sutton: Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee report. This report provides an overview of the role and responsibilities of the committee, as well as key context for decision-making, including:

• Key developments and policy context
• Financial overview
• Progress in delivering the corporate plan and priorities for the year ahead
• Strategic risks
• How the committee provides oversight of performance

The report highlighted a number of key developments and policy context for the coming year, including:

• Action on climate change, with a focus on decarbonisation of energy and domestic retrofit
• Highways and transport, including improvements to public transport and the delivery of highway improvements through the Local Implementation Plan (LIP)
• Parking, including the commissioning of a new parking enforcement contract and the implementation of virtual parking permits
• Road maintenance and street lighting, including the completion of the Street Lighting LED Upgrade Programme
• Waste and street cleaning, including the commencement of a new waste and street cleansing contract with Veolia and the implementation of simpler recycling requirements
• Leisure services, including a variation to the contract with Sports Leisure Management Ltd (Everyone Active)
• Cultural services, including the implementation of the Cultural Services strategy for 2024 to 2027

The report also provided a financial overview of the services that fall within the committee's remit, including waste and street cleaning (£21.1 million), highways and transport (£3.6 million), parks and open spaces (£3 million), and environmental regulatory services (£1.8 million).