The Climate Scrutiny Committee of Waltham Forest Council met on Thursday 10 September 2026 to discuss the borough's Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Programme, the Waltham Forest Tree Service, and the committee's own scrutiny work programme. The meeting's report pack outlined plans for expanding EV charging infrastructure, the management and maintenance of council-owned trees, and proposals for future scrutiny topics.

EV Charging Programme

The committee was scheduled to review the progress and future plans for Waltham Forest's Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Programme, as detailed in the Electric Vehicle Charging Point Strategy 2026-2030. The report highlighted the significant expansion of public charging provision, with the number of public charging sockets increasing from 93 in 2020 to 1,716 by the end of 2025. A key objective of the strategy is to ensure that by 2030, 95% of households without off-street parking are within 200 metres of a charging point.

The report also addressed the emerging considerations around cross-pavement charging, which allows residents without driveways to charge electric vehicles using a domestic electricity supply. While this is not currently permitted in Waltham Forest, the council proposed a phased programme of work to explore its feasibility, governance, and operating model. This phased approach would involve initial feasibility studies, engagement on parking and kerbside strategy, and potentially a pilot programme, with a focus on vulnerable road users. The report noted that public charging is currently subject to VAT at 20%, compared to 5% for domestic electricity, which has contributed to interest in alternative charging solutions.

Waltham Forest Tree Service

The committee was set to review the provision of the Waltham Forest Tree Service, which manages approximately 55,000 council-owned trees. The service operates on a risk-based approach, prioritising public safety and the long-term health of the borough's tree stock, following guidance from the National Tree Safety Group (NTSG). The report detailed the inspection regime, which categorises areas into high, medium, and low risk, with corresponding inspection frequencies.

The service aims to offset tree removals, with plans to plant 300 trees against an anticipated removal of 151 trees, creating a net gain. The report also outlined the structure of the Tree Service, its use of a digital tree management system called Ezytreev, and the process for specialist assessments and maintenance. Communication with ward councillors and residents regarding planned tree felling was also a scheduled discussion point, including the display of felling notices and the issuance of letters to adjacent residents. The report highlighted that the primary objective of the tree service is to protect mature trees, which are critical for mitigating climate change, noting that newly planted trees take 30-40 years to replicate the benefits of mature trees.

The Scrutiny Report

The committee was scheduled to review its Forward Plan for the ongoing municipal year and consider suggestions for the 2026-27 cycle. The Forward Plan outlines the committee's work programme, including statutory reports, major decisions, and policy areas of interest. The report also invited members to review and comment on the Action Tracker from the previous meeting, which details actions required of officers and their progress. A Recommendation Tracker, which captures the committee's conclusions on how services should change or improve, was also to be reviewed.

The report also listed key decisions that were scheduled to be taken by Cabinet, including the Incumbent Professional Civil Engineering Services Term Contract: Proposal to Inflate Contract Value (within allowable limit) due on 6 October 2026. The committee's remit includes green infrastructure, climate action plans, waste and recycling, transport and active travel, parking and highways management, flood resilience, biodiversity, neighbourhood services, air quality, sports and leisure, and culture and heritage.