The Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee met on Thursday 5 March 2026, discussing performance monitoring, biodiversity, leisure services, and library systems. Key decisions included approving the council's first Biodiversity Duty Report, approving the award of a contract variation for leisure services to move to an agency model to improve financial returns, and delegating authority for contract approval and award for a new IT system supplier for The Libraries Consortium.

Biannual Performance Monitoring

The committee reviewed the performance of highways, travel, and transport services. Councillors discussed the Department for Transport's (DfT) highways condition maintenance report, noting that Sutton had received an Amber rating, with concerns raised about the data format used by the DfT. Officers confirmed that while the council felt unfairly rated, this was not expected to impact future funding. The process for inspecting and repairing potholes was detailed, with a commitment to repairing category one defects within 24 hours. The committee also noted the receipt of an additional £749,000 in road maintenance funding from the DfT, which has been used to extend the road surfacing programme and for reactive maintenance. Discussions also covered the energy cost savings from LED lighting installations, with the council having achieved its budgeted savings of over £100,000. The use of AI technology and contractor reporting for identifying road defects was also explored, with the council investigating the potential of fitting AI cameras to waste vehicles.

Sutton's Biodiversity Duty Report

The committee considered the council's first Biodiversity Duty Report, which details actions taken to conserve and enhance biodiversity in line with the Environment Act 2021. The report highlights Sutton's proactive approach, including habitat protection, restoration projects, and community engagement, with significant contributions from volunteers. The council has pioneered biodiversity net gain and mapped habitats to classify their biodiversity value. Councillors discussed the extensive work undertaken, including river restoration projects, the creation of butterfly banks, and the development of community gardens. The report also addressed concerns about the Bennington Farmlands restoration and the potential release of parkland for development, with assurances that there are no current plans to develop council parks. A visit to the Beddington Farmlands site was arranged for committee members. The committee approved the Biodiversity Duty Report.

Leisure Services - Agency Model

The committee approved the award of a contract variation to move leisure services to an agency model with the existing provider, Sports and Leisure Management Ltd (SLM), trading as Everyone Active. This change, prompted by an HMRC policy update allowing for VAT reclaim on leisure services, is expected to generate a minimum of £250,000 in additional income for the council annually. While the service offer to residents will remain unchanged, the council will gain more influence over leisure prices. Discussions covered staff employment status, with employees remaining with Everyone Active, and ongoing negotiations regarding the London Living Wage for some staff. The financial benefits of the agency model were explained, with the reclaimed VAT contributing to the council's income, which can be reinvested in services. The committee also delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Public Health and Wellbeing to conclude negotiations and enter into the agency agreement.

The Libraries Consortium (TLC) Library Management System, Library App and Library Services Platform Framework

The committee discussed the decision to appoint a supplier for a new IT system for The Libraries Consortium (TLC), a group of 23 local authorities sharing resources. Sutton Council leads this consortium, managing the supplier contract on behalf of the members. The current contract with Searcy Dynex cannot be extended beyond March 2027, necessitating a new procurement process. The new framework agreement has a value of £11 million, with Sutton Council contributing £400,000 over six years. The system will provide access to a vast collection of physical books, e-books, and e-audiobooks across all member libraries. Discussions included the performance of the current supplier, cybersecurity measures within the new framework, and the management fee levied by Sutton Council to cover operational costs. The committee noted a typo in the population data presented and resolved to delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Public Health and Wellbeing for contract approval and award.