The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Lambeth Council met on Tuesday 10 March 2026 to discuss environmental enforcement and maintenance, and the Air Quality Action Plan. Key decisions included a commitment to step up communications regarding waste responsibilities, enhance enforcement for serious fly-tipping, and consider imposing fines for bins left on pavements for extended periods. The committee also endorsed the broad approach of the Air Quality Action Plan, with a focus on expanding school streets and reducing traffic emissions.

Environment Enforcement and Maintenance

The committee received an overview of Lambeth Council's environmental enforcement activities, covering areas such as fly-tipping, littering, graffiti, noise, food safety, and air quality. John Bosley, Director of Public Realm and Safety, presented the report, highlighting that environmental enforcement is a public realm protection function, not a revenue-generating activity, and is balanced with prevention, engagement, and education.

Bronwyn Rice, Business Liaison and Project Management from the Station-to-Station Business Improvement District (BID), shared concerns about the availability and usability of electric vehicle charging points, the slow process for graffiti removal on business shutters, and persistent fly-tipping issues despite evidence provided. She also noted the financial impact on small businesses due to slow food safety inspections and the challenges of air quality mitigation schemes due to traffic pollution.

Councillor Ben Curtis questioned the metrics for success in enforcement, suggesting that reducing the number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) and Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) should be a key indicator of improved behaviour. Officers explained that PCNs for parking contraventions are essential for traffic flow, while for issues like bins on the highway, engagement and education are prioritised over immediate penalties. For fly-tipping, success is measured by reduced tonnage and fewer incidents, not just FPNs issued, as evidence gathering for FPNs is challenging.

The discussion also covered waste management on high streets, with officers explaining time-banded collections for major town centres and daily cleaning for other areas. There was a consensus that clearer signage is needed for time-banded collections. The committee was assured that secure bins are not being considered due to the risk of generating more fly-tipping.

Councillor Nicole Griffiths raised concerns about fly-tipping in her ward, and Richard Lebrun, Assistant Director of Public Protection and Regulatory Services, detailed targeted interventions involving high visibility presence, CCTV, and sustained enforcement efforts.

The committee discussed the level of fines for fly-tipping and scaffolding, with officers confirming that fly-tipping fines are being reviewed for an increase. Training for environmental enforcement officers was also discussed, with assurances that officers wear body-worn cameras and are instructed to announce themselves.

Councillor David Oxley inquired about Lambeth's adoption of measures seen in Greenwich Council, such as naming and shaming offenders and offering rewards for reporting offenders. Officers confirmed they are developing a wall of shame for prosecuted offenders and are exploring an enviro-crime award scheme. The issue of fly-posting was also raised, with officers acknowledging it as an area needing more focus and requesting information from members to aid enforcement.

Councillor Deepak Sardiwal requested a report within 30 days detailing how the council is utilising additional legislative powers to tackle fly-tipping and asked officers to outline what could be achieved with doubled resources. Officers explained that increased resources would allow for more evening patrols in hotspot locations, but this would involve unsociable hours and require two officers per patrol for safety reasons.

Councillor Timothy Windle raised questions about bins left on pavements and the enforcement of anti-idling. Officers confirmed that PCNs could be issued for bins left on pavements for extended periods and that anti-idling enforcement is ongoing, with a focus on hotspot locations and improved signage.

The committee also discussed graffiti removal, with Bronwyn Rice highlighting delays in the process for businesses. Officers acknowledged this and committed to reviewing the process.

Finally, the committee discussed bulky waste collection and the potential for free community skips. While acknowledging the logic of preventing waste, officers expressed reservations about the effectiveness of such schemes in reducing overall fly-tipping and emphasised the need for a circular economy approach. Noise enforcement was also discussed, with officers explaining the process of serving abatement notices and pursuing prosecutions for statutory nuisances, noting that fixed penalty notices for noise are not currently issued due to potential complexities.

Recommendations arising from this item included:

• Stepping up communications to inform residents of their waste removal responsibilities and how to report fly-tips.
• Considering increased enforcement action for serious fly-tipping, with better-deployed CCTV and naming and shaming of offenders, potentially rewarding those who report fly-tipping.
• Stepping up signage and enforcement action for idling vehicles, particularly in sensitive areas like schools and hotspots.
• Informing the committee how the council plans to use additional legislative powers to tackle fly-tipping.
• Examining problems related to graffiti identification and removal.
• Considering imposing FPNs for bins left on pavements for long periods.
• Identifying the need for a charge notice to be issued for idling vehicles that drive away from enforcement officers.

Air Quality Action Plan 2026-2028

The committee reviewed the Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) 2026-2028, which aims to improve air quality in Lambeth. Councillor Rezina Chowdhury, Deputy Leader for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, introduced the plan, highlighting improvements in air quality since 2015, particularly a significant reduction in Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) levels on Brixton Road. She noted that the plan focuses on actions with proven impact, addressing transport, building heating, and construction emissions.

Sharon Erdman from Mums for Lungs, a parent-led campaign group concerned about air pollution's impact on children's health, praised Lambeth's efforts in tackling air pollution from transport and welcomed the planned awareness campaigns on domestic wood burning. However, she stressed that air pollution remains too high, with illegal levels of pollution at eight monitoring sites and levels at most sites double the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. She urged the council to focus on reducing miles driven, car ownership, and traffic emissions, particularly from diesel and SUV vehicles, and to urgently implement the School Streets programme.

Saska Manson-Smith from the Brixton chapter of the Breathe London Communities project highlighted the genuine achievement in reducing NO2 on Brixton Road and the substantial delivery of School Streets. However, she raised significant concerns about the gap between ambition and delivery, particularly regarding the deletion of five mandatory clean air requirements for the council's procurement from the final plan. She also noted that every action is contingent on resource allocation, making the plan aspirational rather than actionable. Manson-Smith called for clarity on which actions have confirmed funding and highlighted that brake and tyre wear, a significant source of PM2.5, is not addressed by a dedicated strategy. She also pointed out issues with data accessibility and a reduction in targets for cycle stores.

Councillor Ben Curtis asked about the most effective low-cost, high-impact actions. Simon Phillips, Assistant Director for Climate Change, Transport, and Manaz and Andrew from the Sustainability Team, highlighted the significant impact of transport interventions, including Healthy Neighbourhoods and School Streets, which have demonstrated reductions in traffic and air quality improvements. They also noted that modal shift away from private car use is the most cost-effective way to reduce emissions.

Councillor David Oxley inquired about actions specifically targeting low-income areas, given the correlation between air quality and socio-economic inequalities. Officers explained that while all actions aim to reduce pollution borough-wide, specific interventions like School Streets and support for cycling infrastructure on housing estates are designed to benefit vulnerable residents. An air quality community forum is also planned to engage diverse voices.

Councillor Nicole Griffiths expressed concern about the council's ability to deliver on the action plan due to a lack of resources. She suggested focusing on low-cost, high-impact activities, such as expanding the School Streets programme and improving public transport. She also emphasised the need for better communication to residents about their role in air pollution and the link between toxic air and health outcomes. Officers confirmed that funding has been confirmed for the School Streets programme and that the capital investment programme is now more certain. They acknowledged the importance of communication and community engagement, with the air quality forum being a key platform for this.

The impact of trees on air quality was discussed, with officers stating that while trees are beneficial for biodiversity and climate adaptation, their direct impact on air quality is not huge, and removing pollution at the source is more effective. They noted that 12,000 trees have been planted in recent years, with efforts to plant more in carriageways where space allows, despite the higher cost.

Councillor Joe Dharampal-Hornby asked for updates on improving public transport, specifically step-free access at Loughborough Junction train station. Officers confirmed a feasibility study is underway with Network Rail, expected to take six to twelve months. Regarding School Streets, they are exploring air quality filters for schools where physical School Streets are not feasible and are supporting an asthma-friendly schools programme.

Councillor Verity McGivern raised concerns about community opposition to Healthy Neighbourhoods, with arguments that they displace traffic and worsen air quality on main roads. Officers stated that independent research has been commissioned for all permanent Healthy Neighbourhoods, showing improvements within the zones and no significant worsening on boundary roads. They acknowledged the need for better communication to address misinformation.

Councillor Deepak Sardiwal inquired about ensuring developer compliance with low-emission policies. Officers explained an engagement-first approach is used, mirroring the Mayor of London's Non-Road Mobile Machinery project, which has proven successful. Enforcement powers are available if engagement fails, and Lambeth has previously taken action against construction sites for non-compliance. They also confirmed engagement with most large construction sites.

The committee discussed the need for better inter-departmental collaboration within the council to deliver the plan, with officers outlining plans for a new governance structure involving operational and strategic tiers, chaired by the Cabinet Member.

Recommendations arising from this item included:

• Endorsing the broad approach of the Air Quality Action Plan, particularly proposals to implement more School Streets and reduce traffic emissions.
• Improving communication regarding air quality, including its causes, reduction strategies, and the impact of council activities.
• Identifying, in consultation with residents and TfL, areas poorly served by public transport and lobbying for better provision to reduce car use.
• Improving facilities to enable bus use, such as better bus shelters.
• Including train stations in discussions about public transport improvements.

Work Programme

The committee reviewed its work programme for the remainder of the session. Given this was the last meeting of the session, the focus was on noting the current draft and identifying any amendments. The committee also noted the action monitoring log, which tracks the progress of previous recommendations. A question was raised about the plan for continuity of work, and it was confirmed that a log of ongoing actions and recommendations exists to ensure continuity.

The committee agreed to extend the meeting to 9:30 pm to allow for further discussion.

The meeting concluded with thanks to all officers, witnesses, and members for their contributions.