Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies received from Cllrs Graham, Nanda and Bossman-Quarshie.

Cllr Heather as a substitute for Cllr Nanda

None.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meetings on 12 November and 3 December 2024 were agreed.

On January 23rd at 7:30, there was a joint meeting with the Corporate Resources and Economic Scrutiny Committees scrutinising Thames Water. Everyone was encouraged to attend. It was Thames Water's third visit to the Scrutiny Committee, where they would be held to account again.

Additionally, the government had introduced new stricter standards for private incinerators. The Chair had written to Ed Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Mary Creagh, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Steve Reed, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, urging them to introduce emergency legislation requiring supermarkets and food manufacturers to stop using plastic packaging and single-use plastics.

Public Questions would be taken after each item.

Andrew Bedford, Jon Ryan and Mat Bonomi presented to the committee.

The council reviewed the Green Streets initiative, which aligned with its mission for a greener, healthier Islington. The goal was to create neighbourhoods that are greener, more attractive, and cleaner, addressing climate adaptation, biodiversity, and equitable access to green space. These efforts aim to mitigate the impacts of climate change, including extreme heat and flooding, while increasing access to nature and improving mental health and well-being borough-wide.

Significant progress had been made toward greening goals. Currently, 24% of the borough is covered by liveable neighbourhoods, with an additional 37% in planning. Tree planting efforts aim to offset the annual loss of approximately 300 trees by planting 900–1,000 trees each year, and the borough’s tree canopy cover, presently at 25%, is targeted to increase to 30% by 2050. Public green spaces have already expanded by 12%, with a target of achieving 34% by 2026.

Key programmes include the Liveable Neighbourhoods Programme, street tree planting, and Islington Greener Together. Community-led projects have received substantial support, with the Greening Together initiative investing £1.5 million into 26 projects in its first round, and nine more approved for round two. Collaborative work with Camden through the Highway Greening Accelerator Programme has streamlined processes and provided staff training to integrate green infrastructure into designs.

Securing funding has been a critical element of success. Recent grants include £300,000 for tree planting, along with support from the Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund. Innovative financing methods have been explored, identifying 250 potential stub roads for conversion into pocket parks. The council also transitioned its tree sponsorship scheme, initially partnered with Trees for Streets, to an in-house model to better meet local needs and ensure quicker delivery.

Community participation has been a key aspect of the initiative, supported by programmes such as the Greening Together Champions and tree pit gardens. Over 100 residents are actively involved in these efforts, receiving guidance and training to maintain green spaces. Partnerships with organisations like Groundwork and Octopus Nature Neighbourhoods have sustained volunteer engagement and expanded community involvement.

However, challenges remain, including scaling up initiatives, securing financial resources, and ensuring adequate capacity for delivery and maintenance. While community involvement supports some areas, many projects, particularly those in liveable neighbourhoods, lack dedicated maintenance resources. Additionally, balancing competing demands for public space—such as cycleways, parking, and greening—continues to be an issue.

To address these challenges, the council is developing a green infrastructure strategy to provide a cohesive framework for future efforts. This strategy will integrate climate panel recommendations and guide decision-making regarding the use of public spaces. A draft of the strategy is expected by March–April, followed by a governance process, to ensure a well-coordinated and sustainable approach to greening the borough.

Questions arose around the annual loss of approximately 300 trees out of a public tree stock of nearly 40,000. This was described as a relatively small percentage, factoring in the finite lifespan of trees and the harsh urban environment. Causes for these losses included  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

Flora Walker and Sakiba Gurda presented to the committee.

The team developed several plans and strategies to address climate action and sustainability in planning, focusing on a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and a Retrofit Handbook. These documents were the result of extensive preparation, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration across various groups. Over the years, they engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including residents, local activist groups, businesses, housing associations, developers, agents, and architects. This engagement revealed a strong demand for a comprehensive approach to tackle issues such as energy efficiency, biodiversity, flood risk, and sustainable retrofitting. Acknowledging the complexity of these challenges, the team decided to create two interlinked documents tailored to different audiences.

The Retrofit Handbook was designed as a practical guide for individuals and businesses seeking to improve the energy efficiency of existing properties. It provided background information on retrofitting concepts, along with a detailed breakdown of measures suitable for different property types. The handbook catered to varying needs, from DIY steps for minor improvements to extensive measures for larger projects. It included worked examples that showcased retrofitting approaches for buildings such as Georgian, Victorian, and mid-20th-century homes, complete with heat loss diagrams and recommended measures. There was also clear guidance on navigating planning permissions and listed building consents, with examples of the information required for applications. Designed with accessibility in mind, the handbook featured an interactive format, including user-friendly PDFs with clickable links and straightforward instructions. As a living document, it allowed for quick updates to reflect advancements in technology or legislative changes, avoiding the lengthy statutory processes required for the SPD.

The Climate Action SPD, initially titled the Net Zero Carbon SPD, provided technical and statutory guidance to implement the borough’s local planning policies. It addressed a wide range of topics, including renewable energy installations such as air source heat pumps and solar panels, biodiversity improvements, flood risk mitigation, rainwater harvesting, and principles of the circular economy, such as whole-life carbon accounting. A retrofit-focused chapter ensured alignment with the Retrofit Handbook, providing continuity and interconnection between the two documents. The SPD catered to a more technical audience, including developers, architects, and planning officers, and offered detailed templates and tools to simplify compliance with local planning requirements. Recognising the challenges faced by smaller-scale applications, the SPD placed particular emphasis on supporting minor developments, offering practical tools to assist householders and small developers who may lack resources like energy consultants.

The documents were opened for public consultation on January 7th, with the consultation period closing on January 18th. To ensure broad engagement, the team hosted several events, including two general stakeholder events on January 28th and February 6th, primarily aimed at residents and local groups but open to all. A session was also held with the Islamic Society on January 29th, with further opportunities for engagement planned. Alongside these consultations, the team introduced a free pre-application planning advice service to assist residents and businesses in navigating planning rules. This service clarified whether planning permission was required and offered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

The Executive Member for environment, air quality, and transport, Cllr Champion and Head of Climate Action, Sarah Hitchcock presented to the committee.

The first report focused on the circular economy and green jobs, reviewing activities conducted from 2022 to 2023. Several recommendations were made and accepted, particularly concerning waste reduction, recycling strategies with the NLWA, and aspects of the net zero carbon programme, notably retrofitting initiatives.

Collaboration on the new draft joint waste strategy was highlighted, along with efforts in promoting apprenticeships and training placements. A year one update on the reduction and recycling plan was completed, and repair and reuse events were held, proving popular.

The scrutiny review emphasised reusable products, such as nappies and period products, with successful uptake noted through the NLWA's voucher scheme. A positive response was observed from the reusable period products campaign, supported by the Women's Environmental Network. Investments in the reuse and recycling centre aimed to enhance accessibility and expand the range of recyclable materials.

Efforts extended to campaigns like "Eat Like a Londoner" and monitoring London Energy's performance through NLWA board meetings. Progress in carbon capture and storage initiatives was highlighted, anticipating future investments. Initiatives to support sustainable choices for residents included a major food waste campaign and the Thriving Neighbourhoods campaign, which improved estate standards and engagement.

Projects aimed at local food production and supply were supported through partnerships and funding initiatives, including a circular economy cafe. The council's lobbying efforts on green policies, particularly waste and recycling, gave positive outcomes with expectations of funding through new government policies. Strengthened in-house capacities for retrofitting were noted, with staff trained in house design and energy efficiency.

Other recommendations covered community-led programmes, reductions in glyphosate use, community energy schemes, and developments in last mile deliveries and air quality monitoring aligned with climate goals. Ongoing evaluations and future steps were emphasised throughout the report.

There was interest about retrofit training projects, including a noteworthy initiative at the London Legacy Development Corporation, which aimed to provide valuable skills in retrofitting and decarbonisation. The reuse of St John's Mansion for social purposes while incorporating energy-efficient measures was commended as a step forward in addressing both social housing needs and environmental goals.

Concerns were raised about the challenges faced by delivery riders, particularly at Highbury Corner, where parking and facilities were limited. While efforts had been made to provide parking bays and collaborate with Transport for London and local businesses, the need to support these workers more comprehensively was emphasised. Suggestions included creating delivery hubs and ensuring access to basic amenities like restrooms, highlighting the importance of addressing the exploitative conditions many riders face.

The council reflected on the borough’s efforts to improve recycling rates, with a target of reaching 40% by 2030. Campaigns like "Eat Like a Londoner" had achieved broad outreach, but questions remained about their effectiveness in driving behavioural change. Food waste collection was highlighted as a key area for improvement, with the potential for significant carbon reductions and cost savings. Discussions also touched  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

The Executive Member for environment, air quality and transport, Cllr Champion and Head of Climate Action, Sarah Hitchcock presented to the committee.

The presentation highlighted challenges encountered in progressing retrofit projects, particularly the significant impact of rising costs on viability. One key initiative, the model house at Highbury Quadrant, had advanced considerably in terms of design and costings, but rising costs remained an issue. Similar issues affected the Bawley Road Passive House project and other corporate building retrofits, such as the waste recycling centre.

Efforts to optimise cyclical works through the strategic asset management plans were ongoing, but the financial landscape remained a hurdle. Despite these challenges, the council maintained its commitment to advancing low carbon retrofit projects and explored alternative solutions. Initiatives such as participating in the government’s advanced zoning pilots and collaborating with 3CI to develop models for future neighbourhoods with heat networks offered potential pathways. Heat networks were seen as a promising approach, reducing the level of retrofit required for affordability and enabling broader implementation of decarbonisation projects.

The discussion covered a renewed focus on waste management for estates and premises, particularly improving recycling and food waste collections. A recently concluded six-month trial for food waste collection for residents living above shops was highlighted. The trial was deemed successful, demonstrating a tangible improvement in recycling rates and confirming the feasibility of expanding the programme. However, the rollout's scalability hinges on "new burdens" funding from the government, which aims to ensure that every household, including flats above shops, receives food waste collection. This funding is essential, as implementing the programme without it would be financially challenging.

Further discussion addressed logistical considerations, such as the density of food waste bins and their accessibility for residents living above shops. It was noted that while bins on streets like Holloway Road are relatively close together, a deeper review might be needed to address barriers such as walking distance to bins. Councillors also expressed frustration with funding mechanisms, as matched funding requirements often limit the ability to take full advantage of grants. Greater flexibility in funding allocation could enable more substantial progress on initiatives like retrofitting and waste management improvements. Despite the challenges, efforts to implement tangible steps to enhance recycling rates and waste reduction continued to be prioritised.

RESOLVED:

That the work plan was noted.