The Environment, Transport & Growth Cabinet Panel met on 26 January 2026 to discuss the council's budget for 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy, alongside several key policy updates. The panel approved recommendations to Cabinet regarding the budget proposals for the Environment, Transport, Growth, and Sustainability portfolios, and endorsed revised vision and objectives for the Local Transport Plan. They also agreed to proceed with proposed changes to the Recycling Centre service, including the introduction of an e-pass system and charges for excess DIY waste, and to move forward with a public consultation on the draft Air Quality Strategy.

Budget 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy (Environment, Transport, Growth and Sustainability)

The panel discussed the council's budget for the upcoming financial year and its Medium-Term Financial Strategy, focusing on the Environment, Transport, Growth, and Sustainability portfolios. Mark Pope, Head of Finance, presented the proposals, highlighting the challenging financial context, including a £42 million loss in government funding over three years due to the fair funding review, alongside rising service demands and costs. To address this, the council plans to increase income, deliver significant efficiencies and savings (over £50 million in the coming year), and focus on prevention and innovation.

Within the Environment, Transport, and Growth portfolio, capital investments include £65 million for the Bus Service Improvement Plan, Active Travel, and the Harlow-Gilston Garden Town Housing Infrastructure Grant. Additional revenue investment of £1.5 million is earmarked for extending 20mph zones and expanding the Hearts Links Demand Responsive Transport Service. Pressures include £3 million for inflation in waste disposal contracts and £16 million due to changes in the emissions trading scheme, though this is expected to be offset by central government funding. Savings of over £5 million are projected from this portfolio, including £1 million from growth, spatial planning, and transport for Hertfordshire, £2.5 million from reserves, and £2.8 million from the waste service.

Councillors raised concerns about the reliance on reserves and the long-term sustainability of the council's financial position. Officers confirmed that while reserves are being used judiciously, they are becoming increasingly earmarked, leaving limited flexibility for future financial shocks. The panel ultimately endorsed the budget proposals relating to these portfolios for Cabinet.

Response to Motion: 20 MPH Speed Limits Outside All Schools

The panel considered a motion proposing the introduction of a default 20mph speed limit on all roads directly adjacent to school entrances in Hertfordshire, subject to traffic assessments and signage. Alistair Willoughby, Deputy Leader of the Labour Group, moved the motion, emphasising the paramount importance of child safety. Rory McMullan, Head of Implementation and Community Activation, presented a report detailing research on collision records involving children, noting that while 42 children were injured within 250 metres of school gates, over 70% of injuries occurred further away. The report also highlighted the expansion of the council's 20mph programme, which aims to have over 150 schools within 20mph limit areas.

Concerns were raised about the practicability and cost-effectiveness of a blanket approach. Councillors discussed the option of using locality budgets for advisory 20mph limits, which are a simpler and quicker process. The panel agreed to consider the motion, with the understanding that advisory limits could be a fallback for areas not covered by wider schemes. The discussion also touched upon the need for clear communication and the potential for schools to be included by default in area-wide scheme consultations.

Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy – Review 2026

Julie Greaves, Head of Sustainability, presented the revised and updated Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy, which reflects the new corporate plan and the aspiration of growing a more sustainable Hertfordshire. The strategy retains ambitions around reducing the council's own carbon emissions, improving nature on its land, and enhancing air quality. It also incorporates new administration aspirations around sustainable Hertfordshire principles, developed through cross-party working groups. These principles cover resource efficiency, climate change, nature recovery, healthier air, sound decision-making, and equitable sustainability. The strategy will be taken to Cabinet in February, followed by the development of a detailed work programme for its delivery.

Adrian England, Executive Member for Sustainability, highlighted the cost and risk prevention benefits of sustainability, noting that previous decarbonisation efforts had already saved the council millions. Councillor Alex Curtis, Sustainability Lead for the Conservative Group, welcomed the strategy but requested more detail on income generation opportunities, water quality, hedgerows, and flooding. Lynn, a responsible officer, responded by outlining ongoing investigations into biodiversity net gain on council land and the challenges of water management due to limited council control. She also confirmed that the Hertfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which includes hedgerows, chalk streams, and flowers, was launching the following day.

The panel expressed strong support for the strategy, particularly the emphasis on a work programme and concrete actions. Councillor Caroline Smith-Wright, a borough councillor, highlighted positive initiatives in her area, such as ditch clearing for flood reduction and the potential introduction of beavers. Councillor Matt Fisher also spoke, suggesting the inclusion of carbon literacy training and anti-idling campaigns. Stuart Roberts, a panel member, praised the principles-based approach to sustainability, finding it more accessible than a broad definition. The panel unanimously recommended the approval of the revised strategy to Cabinet.

Proposed Changes to the Recycling Centre Service

Matt King, Head of Waste Management, presented the results of a public consultation on proposed changes to the recycling centre service, aimed at achieving financial savings and reducing staff abuse. Three options were consulted on: restricting access via an e-pass system, charging for excess DIY waste, and refusing unsorted residual waste. The consultation showed a clear preference for the e-pass system and charging for excess DIY waste, while refusing unsorted residual waste was the least popular option.

The e-pass system would involve registration and use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to manage access, with provisions for those without digital access. Charging for excess DIY waste would apply to volumes exceeding legal household limits, with payments made via card. The report noted that these measures are common nationally and regionally and are expected to work together to prevent abuse and improve monitoring. Concerns were raised about the impact on the elderly population and digital exclusion, with assurances given that clear communication, multi-lingual support, and a customer contact centre option would be provided. The panel recommended to Cabinet the introduction of the e-pass system and charges for excess DIY waste, while keeping the refusal of unsorted residual waste under review.

Proposed 6 Week Public Consultation on the Draft Air Quality Strategy

Matt Clark, Programme Manager for Air Quality, presented the draft Air Quality Strategy for review before a six-week public consultation. The strategy requires updating to reflect new knowledge, a revised national strategy, changes in pollution sources, and local data trends. Key aspects include moving to a standalone document, incorporating biological matter like viruses and pathogens, and shifting the focus from cleaner air to healthier air to better reflect links to public health.

Alistair Willoughby raised concerns about the lack of explicit mention of idling, a significant source of air pollution, particularly near schools. Matt Clark acknowledged this, explaining that while not explicitly detailed, it fits within broader outcomes such as reducing emissions and exposure, especially where there are added benefits. The panel agreed that the draft strategy should go out for public consultation, with Alistair Willoughby's point about explicit mention of idling to be considered.

Update on Tree Planting and Woodland Management

Jeremy Clarke, Biodiversity Programme Manager, provided an update on tree planting and woodland management activities. The council had planted 128,245 trees, exceeding the target of 100,000, with the season not yet concluded. This was achieved through various schemes, including the Your Tree, Our Future giveaway and contributions from the Land Management Advice and Environment Improvement Grant. Significant volunteer efforts were highlighted, with thousands of trees planted in parks like Verulamium Park and South Oxhey.

Regarding woodland management, the Rural Estates Nature Enhancement project is underway, focusing on improving woodland habitats across nearly 90 hectares. Works are also progressing at Broxbourne Woods, Hertfordshire's only National Nature Reserve, as part of a long-term restoration project. The panel noted the importance of ongoing management and survival rates of planted trees, with assurances given about contractual obligations for establishment and aftercare. The Your Tree, Our Future scheme was also praised for its role in engaging residents in environmental action. The panel noted the report.

Local Transport Plan

Trevor Mason, Team Leader for Strategic Transport and Rail, presented the outcomes of public and key stakeholder engagement on the new Local Transport Plan (LTP). The draft vision and objectives, previously endorsed by the panel, had been tested through this engagement process. Overall support for the vision and objectives was strong, with some minor wording tweaks suggested for clarity and strength. Two new objectives were proposed: one focusing on freight and another strengthening accessibility to all modes of transport. These additions were made following feedback that freight was not adequately addressed and that accessibility needed to be broadened beyond just rail. The panel endorsed the revised vision and objectives, which will now be used to develop the full LTP.

Draft National Planning Policy Framework Consultation

Charlie Thompson, Principal Planning Officer, briefed the panel on a government consultation regarding proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). He explained that the NPPF is central to planning policy and that the proposed changes represent a significant reform, with a strong focus on addressing the housing crisis. The draft NPPF introduces national decision-making policies, potentially reducing the need for local detail in local plans, and proposes changes to planning obligations, which are crucial for funding infrastructure.

Concerns were raised by councillors regarding the potential for the NPPF changes to favour developers, potentially at the expense of necessary infrastructure and affordable housing. Nigel Taylor, Chair of the Development Control Committee, expressed concern about the impact on the council's ability to secure developer contributions. Charlie Thompson acknowledged these concerns, noting that while some language around planning obligations might be unhelpful, the NPPF's shift towards a more strategic approach at the plan-making stage could be beneficial. The panel was asked to provide views on the issues and stance for the council's formal response to the consultation.

The meeting concluded with the date of the next meeting set for 16 April 2026.