Alasdair Stewart - Councillor for Croydon (Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown)

Councillor Alasdair Stewart

Conservative Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown

Email: alasdair.stewart@croydon.gov.uk

Council: Croydon

Council Profile: View on council website

Committees: Scrutiny & Overview Committee (Vice-Chair) Council (Committee Member) Pension Committee (Committee Member) Scrutiny Streets & Environment Sub-Committee (Chair) Appointments & Disciplinary Committee

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Positions, Voting Record & Activity Summary

Last updated: 9 days ago

Alasdair Stewart's council service, particularly in recent years, has been characterized by a deep commitment to scrutiny, efficiency, and environmental improvement. His focus has demonstrably sharpened on the practicalities of street cleaning, waste management, and the financial underpinnings of council services, with his 2026 activities as Chair of the Scrutiny Streets & Environment Sub-Committee highlighting these priorities.

Key Themes and Priorities: Stewart's overarching priorities revolve around ensuring council services are effective, efficient, and financially sustainable. He consistently seeks data-driven insights and challenges existing practices to drive improvement. Environmental concerns, particularly those related to public spaces and waste, have become increasingly prominent in his recent work.

Evolution of Focus: While Stewart has consistently engaged in committee work and scrutiny since at least 2024, his focus has become more specialized and action-oriented in recent years. In 2024, his involvement was more procedural, ensuring accuracy in official records and facilitating committee proceedings. By 2025, his scrutiny expanded significantly to encompass broader council budgets, growth proposals, and the financial implications of various services, with a growing interest in environmental initiatives. The most recent year, 2026, sees this environmental focus crystallize into a deep dive into the operational and financial aspects of street cleaning and waste management, demonstrating a clear evolution towards tackling specific, tangible service delivery challenges.

Most Significant Contributions (Recent Years): In 2026, Stewart's leadership as Chair of the Scrutiny Streets & Environment Sub-Committee has been pivotal. His detailed inquiries into missed collections, fly-tip removal, and the cost-effectiveness of initiatives like Blitz Cleans and the Community Compliance Team are likely to lead to tangible improvements in service delivery and resource allocation. His exploration of inter-agency collaboration and resident expectation management in waste issues also points to a forward-thinking approach to complex urban challenges.

In 2025, his rigorous questioning of budgets, growth proposals, and income targets, particularly concerning environmental projects and parking enforcement, likely contributed to greater financial accountability and a more evidence-based approach to service planning. His advocacy for clarity on savings and joined-up working across departments would have fostered a more cohesive and efficient council operation.

Patterns and Consistent Areas of Interest: Stewart exhibits a consistent pattern of detailed scrutiny, a demand for evidence and data, and a keen eye for financial prudence. He consistently advocates for clarity and accountability in council operations. His interest in environmental matters, while more pronounced recently, has been a thread throughout his recent service, evolving from broader initiatives to specific operational improvements in street cleanliness and waste management.

Overall, Alasdair Stewart's recent council service, particularly in 2026, showcases a dedicated and increasingly specialized focus on improving the practical delivery of essential public services, underpinned by a commitment to rigorous scrutiny and financial responsibility.

Yearly Activity Timeline

In 2026, Alasdair Stewart, as Chair of the Scrutiny Streets & Environment Sub-Committee, demonstrated a strong focus on improving street cleaning and waste management. His inquiries centered on performance metrics like missed collections and fly-tip removal, the effectiveness of enforcement strategies, and the financial sustainability of initiatives such as the Community Compliance Team. Stewart also delved into the operational aspects of Blitz Cleans, seeking to understand their cost-effectiveness and the long-term impact on resident behavior, as indicated by reporting trends. He also explored inter-agency collaboration for intelligence sharing and managed resident expectations regarding a 'zero-tolerance' approach to waste issues.

Monthly Activity in 2026

As Chair of the Scrutiny Streets & Environment Sub-Committee, Alasdair Stewart led discussions on street cleaning and waste management in January 2026. He focused on performance metrics, including missed collections and fly-tip removal efficiency, and inquired about the impact of duplicate reports and changes to Croydon routes. Stewart also explored enforcement strategies for waste and fly-tips on private land, the timeline for the Community Compliance Team to become cost-neutral, and inter-agency collaboration for intelligence sharing. He specifically questioned how a 'zero-tolerance' resident expectation was being managed alongside the Enforcement Policy. Stewart also sought details on Blitz Cleans, including their cost, return on investment, and the sustainability of improvements, and whether reduced 'Love Clean Streets' reporting indicated behavioral change. He concluded by noting a positive adjustment in the Stabilisation Plan regarding parking income.

Meetings in January 2026
Scrutiny Streets & Environment Sub-Committee - Tuesday, 27th January, 2026 6.30 pm - 27 January 2026

As Chair of the Scrutiny Streets & Environment Sub-Committee, Alasdair Stewart actively led discussions and sought clarification on various aspects of street cleaning and waste management. He inquired about performance targets for missed collections, the efficiency of fly-tip removal, and the impact of duplicate reports. Stewart also confirmed changes across all Croydon routes since the contract's inception and highlighted the potential usefulness of even basic street cleansing data. He expressed appreciation for the candor of Veolia representatives and officers, while also probing enforcement plans for waste and fly-tips on private land, and the timeline for the Community Compliance Team to become cost-neutral. Stewart further questioned the Council's collaboration with the Environment Agency and housing associations for intelligence sharing and how a 'zero-tolerance' resident expectation was being balanced with the Enforcement Policy. He requested the sharing of information fulfilled in advance of the meeting regarding Blitz Cleans and asked about their cost, return on investment, and the longevity of improvements. Stewart also sought to understand if reduced 'Love Clean Streets' reporting post-clean indicated behavioral change and if officers were confident Blitz Cleans were restoring local pride. Finally, he noted a positive shift in the Stabilisation Plan regarding increased parking income from 'Amber' to 'On track'.

Activity Timeline

Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.

42 meetings · Page 2 of 9

Council Committee Member

Council - Wednesday, 22nd October, 2025 6.30 pm

At a meeting of Croydon Council, the lead commissioner gave a statement on behalf of the commissioners, the council approved recommendations regarding external audit findings and extension to the term of the Independent Chair of Audit and Governance Committee, and councillors debated traffic calming measures on Spa Hill and improvements to Courtwood Park. The council also discussed a range of questions from the public, including concerns about building safety at The Fold and Malcolm Wicks House.

October 22, 2025
Scrutiny & Overview Committee Vice-Chair

Scrutiny & Overview Committee - Tuesday, 23rd September, 2025 6.30 pm

The Scrutiny & Overview Committee was scheduled to review the latest financial performance report and consider feedback on growth and regeneration work in the town centre. The committee was also expected to approve recommendations from its sub-committees and note the most recent version of the work programme.

September 23, 2025
Pension Committee Committee Member

Pension Committee - Tuesday, 16th September, 2025 10.00 am

Here is a summary of the Pension Committee meeting held by Croydon Council on 16 September 2025:

September 16, 2025
Scrutiny Streets & Environment Sub-Committee Chair

Scrutiny Streets & Environment Sub-Committee - Tuesday, 16th September, 2025 6.30 pm

The Scrutiny Streets & Environment Sub-Committee were scheduled to meet to discuss the waste and street cleansing contract, the Cleaner Croydon programme, and the council's financial performance. Also on the agenda was a review of the sub-committee's work programme, and a response from the cabinet regarding recommendations that the sub-committee had previously made.

September 16, 2025
Scrutiny & Overview Committee Vice-Chair

Scrutiny & Overview Committee - Tuesday, 22nd July, 2025 6.30 pm

The Croydon Council Scrutiny & Overview Committee met on 22 July 2025 to discuss the council's financial performance, transformation plans, and future scrutiny work. The committee was also scheduled to review and approve recommendations from its sub-committees. The meeting was scheduled to take place at the Town Hall, Katharine Street.

July 22, 2025

Decisions from Meetings

1 decision

Statutory Officers' Report

From: Extraordinary Council Meeting, Council - Thursday, 10th July, 2025 6.30 pm - July 10, 2025

...to note the Statutory Officers' report regarding the Secretary of State's minded to letter concerning potential statutory intervention and the appointment of Commissioners due to best value duty concerns.

Recommendations Approved

Summary

Meetings Attended: 42

Average per Month: 1.9

Decisions Recorded: 1