The Sustainable Development Select Committee met on Wednesday 25 February 2026 to discuss dockless bikes and waste services. The committee also reviewed its work programme and considered suggestions for the incoming committee.

Dockless Bikes

The committee received an update on the council's Dockless Bikes programme, which aims to support the operation of cycle hire schemes by providing designated parking bays. The council is developing a formalised agreement with e-bike operators Lime and Forest through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU will outline responsibilities, operational standards, and enforcement mechanisms to manage the parking of dockless bikes and address issues of obstructive parking. The programme has delivered three phases of marked designated bays across the borough, with a fourth phase currently out for statutory consultation. Future phases are planned, and Transport for London (TfL) is also delivering bays on the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) within Lewisham. The MoU with operators includes key responsibilities such as providing bikes to a high professional standard, ensuring parking compliance within designated bays, and sharing performance data. Lewisham Council's responsibilities include infrastructure provision and regulatory control, with the ability to confiscate non-compliant bikes and charge operators for removal and storage. Lime's performance data for 2025 showed a significant increase in trips and a generally positive response time to complaints, though a number of vehicles were vandalised or stolen. The council will receive an access fee of £45,000 per operator to contribute to the costs of the programme.

Waste Services Review

An update was provided on the Street Environmental Service (SES), which is responsible for waste collection, street cleansing, and council vehicle fleet management. The service is implementing changes to comply with updated waste legislation, including preparing for upcoming deadlines and adapting operations. Key functions include waste collection, street cleansing (including fly-tip and graffiti removal), and fleet maintenance. The report detailed the tonnage of waste collected in 2023/24 and 2024/25, showing a slight reduction in residual waste and a marginal increase in recycling performance. The council is preparing for legislative changes such as Simpler Recycling, which mandates dual-stream recycling and weekly food waste collections, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which transfers packaging waste management responsibility to producers. The council has received significant grant funding to support these changes. The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is expected to be implemented in 2027, which will impact the tonnage processed by local authorities and the income generated from the sale of recyclable materials. The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) is also expected to introduce additional costs for waste disposal facilities. The report highlighted progress in rolling out Simpler Recycling and EPR preparations, including the recruitment of key staff and the procurement of new vehicles and containers. Significant operational improvements have been made, including securing new contracts for garden waste and materials recovery, extending the food waste disposal contract, and approving reduced charges for bulky waste collections. Missed collections have shown a sustained improvement, and Lewisham has achieved one of the largest improvements in household recycling rates in London. The council is also progressing with a phased rollout of new litter bins and has secured additional budget for an improved weed-control contract. New Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are being agreed with Lewisham Housing to clarify responsibilities for cleansing and waste-related activities. An integrated enforcement project is focusing on fly-tipping, with a new joint operating framework being developed to improve data sharing and coordination. The report also detailed progress in the commercial waste and recycling service, which has seen growth, and the garden waste service, which has seen increased subscriptions and improved efficiency.

Select Committee Work Programme

The committee considered its end-of-administration work programme and discussed suggestions for the incoming committee. Members were encouraged to be specific about the desired outcomes, timing, and evidence for any proposed scrutiny items. The committee noted that the incoming committee would decide its own work programme. The minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 February 2026 were agreed as an accurate record. The committee also agreed that the usual start time for meetings in the 2026/27 municipal year would remain at 7.00 pm. A motion was passed to include a report on the regeneration of Catford Town Centre in the 2026/27 Work Programme.

Cabinet Member Priorities: Environment, Nature, Transport and Climate Action

Councillor Corin Ashwell, Cabinet Member for Environment, Nature, Transport and Climate Action, introduced key portfolio priorities, focusing on the Love Lewisham programme to address fly-tipping, litter, and cleanliness. The programme will initially target fly-tipping hotspots using local knowledge, resident reports, and data, alongside wider public realm improvements. The importance of improving communication with residents about waste disposal options was highlighted. Members discussed the need for collaboration with other London boroughs and the GLA on climate and transport issues. Suggestions were made to consider the Heat Resilience item at the November 2026 meeting and to hold a Climate Emergency Briefing with public and community organisation engagement. Options for improving the decline of nature and biodiversity were explored, including Free School Streets, allowing residents to opt out of herbicide use, expanding unmown areas in parks, and providing earlier technical advice before tree pollarding. The importance of holistic approaches, such as Solve the School Run, was also noted. Regarding the Love Lewisham fly-tipping initiatives, the council will use reports, resident feedback, and data to assess effectiveness and consider stronger enforcement. Discussions also covered Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), road safety and accessibility for disabled residents, road danger, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The Cabinet Member and Officers agreed to investigate the air pollution filtration trial near Baring School to inform wider air quality work.

Right to Grow

The Right to Grow item was not proceeded with due to the absence of witnesses and will be considered at a future meeting.