The Environment and Community Services Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to receive information briefings on the progress of the Open Space Strategy, the draft budget for 2026/27, an update on the Carbon Net Zero Action Plan, and the Fly-Tipping Action Plan. These briefings were intended to inform committee members of ongoing council activities and future plans, with the potential for discussion if requested.

Open Space Strategy 2021-2031: Year 4 Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the fourth year of the Open Space Strategy 2021-2031. This strategy, adopted in November 2021, aims to enhance the quality, accessibility, natural assets, health and wellbeing benefits, local economic contribution, and financial sustainability of Bromley's open spaces. The report was expected to detail progress made against the strategy's five strategic objectives (SOs) and their associated action points. While significant progress has been noted, the report indicated that ongoing financial pressures have made the delivery of specific action points increasingly challenging, with a growing dependence on securing external funding. The report was also expected to highlight achievements made possible through the Platinum Jubilee Parks Fund and strong partnerships with community groups.

Draft Budget 2026/27 for Environment and Community Services

A draft budget for the Environment and Community Services portfolio for the 2026/27 financial year was scheduled for consideration. This report aimed to present the initial draft budget, incorporating anticipated cost pressures, mitigation measures, and savings from transformation initiatives. The committee was asked to review this draft budget as a basis for setting the final budget and to provide comments for the Council's Executive. The report highlighted significant financial challenges, including the impact of the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2026/27, which was projected to lead to substantial funding reductions for Bromley. It also detailed transformation savings identified through the Transforming Bromley 2024–28 programme, which aims to modernise operations and achieve efficiencies.

Carbon Net Zero Action Plan Update 2024/25

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the London Borough of Bromley's progress towards its Net Zero Action Plan (NZAP), specifically focusing on direct organisational emissions for the 2024/25 year. The report was expected to detail the council's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the year, showing a reduction of 13.5% from the previous year and a 55% reduction against the 2018/19 baseline. The report aimed to provide an update on progress towards the council's revised target of achieving net zero direct emissions by 2027. Key initiatives discussed included street lighting upgrades to LED, energy efficiency improvements in council buildings, the procurement of 100% renewable electricity, and the transition to a zero-emission vehicle fleet. The report also detailed the methodology for measuring organisational emissions according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

Fly-Tipping Action Plan Update

An update on the actions undertaken by Neighbourhood Management concerning the Fly-Tipping Action Plan was scheduled for review. The report was expected to detail enforcement activities and outcomes between October 2024 and September 2025, comparing them to the previous year. It noted an increase in reported instances of dumped rubbish via the Fix My Street system, which was partly attributed to improved integration with the ECHO logistics system. The report also outlined proposed increases to Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) charges for littering, householder duty of care, and business duty of care offences, with a recommendation to consider discounted rates for early payment. The financial implications, primarily funded by the Members' Fly-Tipping Initiative Fund, were also to be discussed.