The Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee met on 11 January 2024, agreeing to approve the draft Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy and the updated Climate Emergency Response Plan. The committee also agreed to a three-year extension of the grounds maintenance services contract with Idverde, with an option for a further two years, though this extension will require additional funding.

Highways and Transport Works Planned Maintenance and Street Lighting Programme 2024/25

The committee agreed to the proposed highway planned maintenance programmes for 2024/25, which will be funded from approved capital budgets. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director of Environment, Housing and Neighbourhoods, in consultation with the Chair of the Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee, to make necessary in-year changes to the prioritised programme to ensure effective delivery and respond to emerging priorities or unforeseen events.

Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy

The draft Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy was approved by the committee. Officers agreed to provide further details on the proposed split of the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) funding between the boroughs of Sutton and Kingston in a future report.

Climate Emergency Response Plan Annual Review and Update

The committee agreed to the updated Climate Emergency Response Plan for 2023 and 2024, and noted the progress made during the fourth year of the Council's Environment Strategy and Climate Emergency Response Plan. Officers will circulate data regarding the proportion of total waste processed at the Beddington Energy Recovery Facility allocated to the borough of Sutton, along with an explanation of how material is counted and allocated among partners of the South London Waste Partnership. A briefing session will be held for members on how CO2 emissions are calculated and reported. The committee also requested a future discussion on the use of Forest e-Bikes in the borough, which officers agreed to explore further.

Extension of the Grounds Maintenance Services Contract

A three-year extension of the contract with Idverde was agreed, running from 1 February 2025 to 31 January 2028, with an option to extend for a further two years to 31 January 2030. This extension requires additional growth of £395,000, exceeding the £350,000 already identified within the Council's Medium Term Strategy. Therefore, additional growth or further savings will be required to fund the contract extension from 1 February 2025. Officers agreed to circulate a list detailing the services provided under the previous contract compared to the proposed new contract. The remainder of the meeting was held in private to discuss this item, as it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information.