The Sustainable, Safe and Thriving Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Committee met to discuss updates on the Community Safety Plan, the insourcing of recycling and waste management services, and the Local Plan. The committee reviewed progress on each of these key initiatives, focusing on strategic objectives, challenges, and future steps. The committee noted the reports.

Local Plan Update

The committee received an update on the progress of the new Local Plan for Liverpool, a statutory document that guides sustainable development and growth in the city for at least 15 years. The current draft of the Local Plan is undergoing a Regulation 18 Consultation¹, which was launched earlier in September.

The Local Plan sets policies and land use allocations for the entire city and is used to assess planning applications. The draft plan includes details of the Regulation 18 Consultation and a summary of the plan's contents, including new policy areas.

Key points covered in the report:

• Legislative Requirements: The plan adheres to Section 19 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
• Review Requirement: Government regulations mandate that local planning authorities review their Local Plans at least every five years.
• Consultation Stages: Following an initial Scoping Consultation in Autumn 2024 and a 'Call for Sites' exercise, the council is now consulting on a draft version of the plan.
• Evidence Studies: The plan is supported by several evidence studies, including those on employment land, housing market assessment, conservation area reviews, wildlife sites, open space, flood risk, town centre uses, city centre strategy, infrastructure delivery, climate change, playing pitch strategy, and transport.
• Plan Structure: The Draft Local Plan addresses various aspects, including an introduction, a spatial portrait of Liverpool, the Local Plan vision and objectives, strategic policies, city centre development, economic strategies, housing, community facilities, green infrastructure, climate change, transport, heritage, and urban design.
• Strategic Spatial Strategy: The plan sets out where growth in the City will be focused and prioritised, including the city centre, the city centre northern fringes, North Liverpool, a new neighbourhood at Festival Gardens, district and local centres, Liverpool Airport, and transport hubs.
• Housing Delivery: The plan aims to deliver a minimum of 29,824 net additional dwellings by 2041, equating to at least 1,864 homes per year, with a brownfield-first approach.
• Employment Delivery: The plan supports the expansion of high-growth business sectors and identifies key economic growth sectors, aligning with the Inclusive Growth Strategy.
• Thematic Strategic Policies: The plan includes thematic policies to support Liverpool's growth, such as green infrastructure, environmental protection, quality of place, health and wellbeing, climate and sustainability, sustainable movement and connectivity, and social value and inclusion.
• City Centre Character Areas: Key character areas in the city centre have been identified, including the Business District, Pall Mall and Moorfields, Knowledge Quarter and Paddington Village, Fabric District, Pumpfields, Ten Streets, Primary Shopping Area, Cavern Quarter and Matthew Street, Central Station, St Georges Gateway, Liverpool Waters, The Baltic Triangle, and Ropewalks including Chinatown.
• Engagement: A series of Local Plan pop-up events, a digital engagement platform, a survey on the council website, and drop-in events are planned to gather feedback.
• Next Steps: The committee will review comments received during the Regulation 18 Consultation, finalise evidence base studies, and prepare a Publication Local Plan (Regulation 19) for consultation in mid-2026.

The committee was asked to note the contents of the report and that the Regulation 18 Consultation provides an opportunity for all members to input into the preparation of the Local Plan.

Insourcing of Recycling, Waste Management & Street Scene Services

The committee received an update on the Liverpool Street Scene Services Ltd (LSSL) Insourcing Programme, following the Cabinet's decision on 12 November 2024, to bring back services currently provided by the council's wholly-owned company. The goal is to transfer all staff, assets, resources, and contracts owned and delivered by LSSL back to the council, including waste, recycling, grounds maintenance, bulky household waste, and street cleaning services.

The decision to insource was made to enhance service delivery, improve operational efficiency, and better align with the council's strategic objectives. The council aims to improve recycling performance and address residents’ concerns about litter, fly-tipping, graffiti, and the maintenance of parks and green spaces.

Key milestones and activities include:

• Governance Framework: A robust governance framework was established in December 2024, including an LSSL Insourcing Programme Board and a Commercial Operating Group.
• Staff Transfer: Approximately 700 staff members will transfer from LSSL to the council, with eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), costing an estimated £1.9 million per year.
• Management Structure: A new draft Neighbourhoods & Housing management structure has been designed and approved, including the transfer of the Managing Director for LSSL into a Director role within the Neighbourhoods and Housing Directorate.
• Operational Improvements: Ongoing improvements include reviewing assisted waste and recycling collections, ceasing the collection of side waste, and preparing for food waste collections starting 22 September 2025.
• Commercial Strategy: Planning for the continued operation of LSSL as a company to deliver commercial waste collection services to schools and businesses.
• Asset Transfer Agreement (ATA): The ATA will act as the formal mechanism by which the TUPE² transfer of staff will happen and effectively transfers the operations, assets and staff from LSSL into the Council.

Ongoing work includes training for transferring staff, a high-level options appraisal for the transfer of physical and financial assets, a review of existing supply and services contracts, and consultations with legal services.

The committee was asked to note the content of the report.

Community Safety Plan Update

The committee received an update on the Citysafe Community Safety Partnership (CSP) plan, which was approved and published in September 2024. The Citysafe Partnership includes Merseyside Police, the National Probation Service, NHS Integrate Care Board, and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.

The plan focuses on four key priorities:

1. Violence Against Women and Girls (including Domestic Abuse)
2. Serious Violence and Serious and Organised Crime
3. Child Criminal and Sexual Exploitation (CCE/ CSE)
4. Hate Crime (including Cohesion)

Performance data indicates that overall crime has reduced by 6% compared to last year. However, there have been increases in anti-social behaviour, knife crime, hate crime, and sexual offences.

Key activities and initiatives include:

• City Centre ASB: Addressing anti-social behaviour in the city centre through initiatives like Operation Clock and increased funding for youth outreach.
• Prevent Week 2024: Delivering awareness training and social media campaigns to counter extremism.
• Sexual Crimes and Harassment: Joint police and licensing operations to prevent sexual violence, including anti-spiking kits and training for venue staff.
• Hate Crime Conference: Organising a major hate crime conference and developing a pledge for partners to raise awareness, increase reporting, and provide support for victims.
• Domestic Abuse Initiatives: Implementing the Domestic Abuse Strategy, supporting the Liverpool Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), and providing small grants to community organisations supporting victims.
• Community Cohesion: Developing a community cohesion strategy and providing grants to projects that strengthen community connections and promote unity.

The committee was asked to note the update report.