The Scrutiny Streets & Environment Sub-Committee met on Tuesday, 30 January 2024, to review the council's financial performance, scrutinise budget proposals, and receive updates on local development schemes and infrastructure funding. Key discussions included the financial performance report for Period 7, budget challenges related to parking policy, SEND transport, and highways maintenance, and an update on local development scheme projects and infrastructure funding.

Period 7 Financial Performance Report

The Sub-Committee reviewed the Period 7 Financial Performance Report, which detailed the financial standing of the 2023-24 Sustainable Communities, Regeneration & Economic Recovery (SCRER) Budget. Concerns were raised regarding budget variances and vacancies within the Culture team, with assurances that this would not impact the 'Borough of Culture' project. Risks within the Parking and Planning departments were discussed, alongside the Council's strategies for income generation in these areas. Underspends due to reduced utility costs were attributed to successful government funding bids for leisure facilities. The Sub-Committee also sought further information on bids submitted by the Planning department, including the 'Planning Skills Delivery Fund'. Discussions touched upon the predicted underachievement of income from major planning applications, attributed to factors like increased development costs and new regulatory requirements. The Sub-Committee also heard about risks associated with decreased demand for parking and the mitigations in place, as well as the timeline for ANPR cameras and issues with Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) printing. The framing of staffing underspends as an opportunity, despite potential risks to service delivery, was also debated.

The Sub-Committee requested specific information on:

• Current vacancies in the Culture and Community Safety Division contributing to an underspend.
• Factors contributing to an underspend for the Coroner's Service.
• Details of bids submitted by the Planning department, including amounts, purposes, and outcomes.

Budget Scrutiny Challenge

The Sub-Committee examined three budget proposals for 2024-28: changes to parking policy, SEND transport growth, and the deferral of growth in highways maintenance.

Changes to Parking Policy (2024-28 SAV SCRER 002)

Members questioned the potential for increased parking income based on trial results, with insights from the South Croydon parking trial suggesting a reduction in transactions possibly due to meter feeding. The analysis of the Parking Policy Consultation was ongoing to determine how a nominal fee could contribute to future savings. Engagement with local businesses regarding PayPoint locations and alternative payment methods for those without smartphone access were discussed. Awareness of SMS charges from RingGo reminder texts was confirmed, with opt-out instructions provided. No new ANPR camera schemes were proposed for the 24/25 budget, with income targets based on 23/24 contravention data. The selection of parking trial sites was explained as an effort to gather a comprehensive dataset across distinct areas. The Council's engagement with other boroughs on parking charge strategies and the ongoing recruitment of Civil Enforcement Officers were also covered. The potential impact of intelligence-led enforcement on income and the development of the 'Sidem' software for parking back-office operations were noted, with potential savings anticipated in the 25/26 budget. The use of the 'Love Clean Streets' app for reporting parking violations and the integration of the 'no idling' campaign were discussed. The financial impact of the PCN printing issue on the 23/24 budget was deemed to be a small percentage of the overall budget. The Council's approach to setting parking tariffs, considering emission-based models and neighbouring boroughs' practices, was outlined. The measurement of impacts from changes to 'free limited stay' parking on local businesses was acknowledged as challenging, but any changes would aim to facilitate access while discouraging all-day parking. Resident involvement in influencing parking policy changes through the Residents' Survey and Parking Policy Consultation was highlighted.

The Sub-Committee concluded that the Council should continue engaging with residents and businesses on parking policy changes, supported the promotion of the 'Love Clean Streets' app, and understood the exploration of nominal parking charges in district centres, stressing the need to balance income generation with the impact on local businesses. They were encouraged by the potential for savings through intelligence-led enforcement and reassured that parking income targets for 24/25 would be realistic.

SEND Transport – Growth Proposal (2024-28 GRO SCRER 003)

The Sub-Committee discussed the use of the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for SEND transport contractors and the challenges faced by contractors, including the availability of Public Carriage Office registered taxi drivers and ULEZ-compliant vehicles. The proposal for 5% growth was questioned in light of increasing demand, with the Corporate Director of SCRER explaining the need for tight budget management and efficiencies. Engagement with the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) for potential service delivery was mentioned. The reduction in single-person transport was linked to a drop in high-cost out-of-borough placements. Safeguarding measures and precautions for medical emergencies were detailed, including DBS checks for drivers and Level 1 Safeguarding qualifications. Increased costs per person for Personal Travel Budgets (PTBs) were attributed to different journeys or families. The potential cost reductions from introducing 'Muster Points' within the Transformation Programme were discussed, with the caveat that this might not suit all students. The close working relationship between the Independent Travel department and the SEND department to ensure in-borough provision was confirmed. The Council employed six full-time Travel Trainers to encourage independent travel. Government support for SEND transport was limited, though the 'Safety Valve' process was mentioned in relation to overall SEND costs. Contract compliance measures for providers were outlined, including three-yearly audits for high-value contracts. Complaints regarding provision were most commonly related to crew changes and breakdowns in provider-family relationships. Processes to ensure applications were accepted and reduce appeals were detailed, with decisions made within seven working days. The Council's SEND transport fleet consists of 32 16-seat minibuses and 13 30-seat buses, with exploration of commercial uses for the fleet. Market risks, including cost inflation and demand, were acknowledged.

The Sub-Committee supported exploring commercial uses for the SEND Transport fleet, but expressed concern about whether a 5% growth would be sufficient to cover rising demands and cost inflation. They acknowledged the ongoing Transformation Programme for SEND Transport, noting that Phase 2 was in its early stages. The potential savings from 'Muster Points' were considered limited and potentially inappropriate for some students.

Deferral of Growth in Highways Maintenance (2024-28 SAV SCRER 006)

Members questioned why Croydon's spending on reactive maintenance was significantly higher than the London average, with the Highway Asset Manager explaining efforts to move towards a proactive approach. The loss of funding from TfL had impacted the Council's ability to deal with principal road networks. It was clarified that this was a deferment of planned growth, not a cut to the budget, and that additional government investment would help mitigate this. The £1,000,000 growth was planned for the 25/26 budget, with acknowledgement that this could constitute a real-terms cut. The deferment would involve prioritising safety-critical work, with less important works undertaken later. This deferment would not affect flood alleviation. The Corporate Director of SCRER stated that planning, effective use of the Capital Programme, and additional government funding would mitigate the impact. This growth had also been deferred in the 23/24 budget.

The Sub-Committee concluded that this saving would contribute to an increased backlog in highways investment, potentially leading to higher future costs. They supported the £1,000,000 growth proposed for 25/26 but were concerned it would still be a real-terms cut from 22/23. They were reassured that a risk-based approach would be taken to ensure highways remained safe and welcomed confirmation of additional government funding, though it would not fully mitigate the deferment.

Local Development Scheme Projects and Infrastructure Funding Statement Update

The Sub-Committee received an update on projects within the Council's Local Development Scheme (LDS) and a summary of the 2022/23 Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS). Questions were raised about an increase in complaints regarding residential extensions since the revocation of the Croydon Suburban Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document 2 (SPD2), with the Head of Spatial Planning explaining that the Local Plan was now used for determinations based on character and appearance. The comparison of Croydon's Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging schedule with neighbouring boroughs was discussed, with the Head of Spatial Planning noting that rates are set by development viability, costs, and market values. The collection of CIL was generally successful as it became payable upon commencement of development. The timeline for the consultant's review of the CIL charging schedule had slipped due to a focus on the Local Plan Review. The process of reviewing Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plans (CAAMP) was detailed, involving consultations and public meetings. The Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration stated that CIL was discussed during regular meetings with residents' associations. The ramifications of delays to the LDS production were explained, with a focus on the Local Plan Review to be adopted by the end of 2025. The possibility of increasing councillor access to CIL, potentially through Ward Budgets, was discussed, with the 'Local Meaningful Proportion' used to support communities. The Chair requested a written response explaining why funds had not been spent on CIL Local Meaningful Proportion funded projects. The Council's priorities for infrastructure and affordable housing spend were set out in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan. The determination of sites for 'On Street Secure Cycle Hangers' was based on resident requests and site visits.

The Sub-Committee acknowledged the publication of the CIL charging schedule and IFS on the Council website but encouraged officers to explore additional ways to communicate CIL spending to Members and residents. They recommended that the Council consider ways to engage residents on where they would like CIL to be spent and improve communication around CIL schemes.

Cabinet Response to Scrutiny Recommendations

The Sub-Committee noted the report detailing the Cabinet's responses to recommendations made by the Sub-Committee.

Scrutiny Work Programme 2023-24

The Sub-Committee noted the draft work programme for 2023-24.

The meeting concluded at 9:45 pm.