The Environment Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee met to discuss dockless e-bikes, sustainable drainage strategies, and task and finish group updates. Key decisions included the adoption of new national standards for sustainable drainage systems and a commitment to explore a hybrid approach to managing dockless e-bikes.

Dockless E-bikes

The committee discussed the growing issue of dockless e-bikes being abandoned and parked inconsiderately across the borough. Currently, Barnet Council has no formal agreements with e-bike operators, leading to obstructions on pavements and carriageways. Transport for London (TfL) is planning a pan-London licensing framework for e-bikes from 2028, which will likely supersede any current arrangements.

In the interim, the committee considered several options:

• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): An informal agreement with an operator to allow e-bikes in parts or all of Barnet. This would provide data on usage and potential leverage for future discussions with TfL, but would be difficult to enforce legally.
• Formal Arrangement: A tendered contract with an operator, offering potential revenue benefits and legal enforceability, but requiring significant staff resources and time.
• Do Nothing: The cheapest option, but it fails to address the council's statutory duties regarding vulnerable road users and could lead to increased health and safety risks.

Operational considerations included enforcement and confiscation, with the council possessing powers under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and the Highway Act 1980. Confiscated bikes would require storage facilities and staff to manage collection and fines. Parking provision is also a concern, with a need to plan for potential increases in e-bike numbers by 2028.

The committee recommended a hybrid approach, urging Cabinet to:

1. Immediately start confiscating abandoned dockless e-bikes and holding them until owners pay a retrieval fee, with the word immediately later amended to as soon as practically possible to manage expectations regarding resource availability.
2. Explore the use of MOUs with dockless bike providers to establish acceptable behaviours and procedures.
3. Explore locations for trial dockless parking bays around transport hubs, on wide pavements, or adjacent to prohibited parking areas.
4. Revise these arrangements when any pan-London agreement is negotiated.
5. Engage early in the negotiation of the pan-London agreement to ensure Barnet has a strong voice.

Sustainable Drainage Strategy (SuDS)

The committee reviewed a draft Cabinet report concerning the adoption of the new 2025 National Standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), published by Defra. As the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), Barnet Council is responsible for ensuring new developments appropriately manage surface water runoff. The new standards aim to replace the previous 2015 non-statutory technical standards.

Adopting these standards will align Barnet's assessments with national policy and best practice, strengthening the council's position in requiring new developments to adhere to sustainable drainage principles. This is expected to have little to no financial or logistical impact, as the council has already been informally implementing many of these principles. The adoption will also enhance the council's standing when seeking grant funding.

The committee was asked to provide comments and recommendations for Cabinet. Councillor Charlotte Daus highlighted successful existing projects, such as those with Action for Silkstream and Thames 21, as examples of best practice. Councillor Josh Tapper enquired about the publication of updated guidance for developers, and it was confirmed that webpages would be updated following Cabinet's formal adoption of the standards. The recommendation to adopt the new standards was agreed.

Task and Finish Group Updates

The committee received an update on the progress of various Task and Finish Groups. A group focusing on Flats and Flats Above Shops Waste and Recycling was set to discuss its draft scope. The committee was asked to endorse this scope to enable the group's activities to commence. This initiative is linked to the delivery of recycling improvements within the Joint Waste Strategy and aims to address challenging locations and find adaptable solutions. The committee also sought clarification on the sequencing of this group's work in relation to a Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ) Task and Finish Group.

Cabinet Forward Plan

The committee reviewed the Cabinet Forward Plan for 2026-27, considering items for pre-decision scrutiny. Councillor Emma Whysall noted that the Daws Lane and Mill Hill Library Options Appraisal would be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Councillor Whysall also enquired about the Heat Networks Strategic Outline Case, with officers to confirm the appropriate committee for its discussion. The committee noted the Cabinet Forward Plan.

Environment Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee Work Programme

The committee discussed its work programme. The Chair suggested that the item on dockless bikes be considered in two stages: an initial discussion on enforcement, followed by the establishment of a Task and Finish Group to explore collaboration between the council and providers. An options paper on this topic was scheduled for the 2nd September meeting. A detailed paper on street cleansing improvements was requested for the November meeting. The Chair agreed to move the Thames Water item to March 2027, following the publication of the Highway Utilities Charter. Councillor Charlotte Daus suggested scrutinising the Annual Sustainability Report before its discussion at Cabinet in September. The committee also agreed to the formation of a Task and Finish Group on Recycling and Flats and Flats Above Shops (FLASH), with terms of reference to be developed. The potential for a Task and Finish Group on Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ) was also raised. The committee noted the Forward Plan and agreed to the proposed amendments to the work programme.