The Clean & Green Committee are scheduled to meet to discuss a range of environmental issues, including updates on action plans for binfrastructure and fly-tipping, a tree planting scheme, and a review of the council's environment strategy. They will also consider a contribution to a community-led energy project and a play space replacement programme, as well as reviewing the council's performance against its 'Cleaner, Greener & Safer' objectives.

Environment Strategy Review

The committee will be presented with a review of the council's Environment Strategy 2023-2026, which sets out how Brentwood Borough Council aims to achieve carbon neutrality within its own activities by 2030, and district wide by 2040.

The review is expected to include:

• An update on progress against the actions set out in the Environment Strategy Action Plan, including a RAG¹ rating for each action.
• An assessment of the council's performance against the Climate Emergency UK Council Climate Action Scorecard.
• A report on the council's progress towards achieving net zero emissions from its corporate, social housing, and managed services, measured against a 2018/19 baseline. According to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Annual Report 2024/25, the organisational carbon footprint for year end 2024/25 was 359tCO2e, representing a 77.5% reduction against the 2018/19 baseline.

The review will also include a list of specific projects planned for 2025/26, including:

• Exploring opportunities for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations on council assets.
• Supporting the delivery of the Essex County Council (ECC) funded Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP).
• Continuing carbon literacy training for council staff and members.
• Producing a climate risk/adaptation register.
• Refreshing the Environment Strategy for 2026-2028.
• Recruiting a Corporate Manager for Biodiversity & Climate Change.
• Supporting the Local Cycling and Walking Highway Improvement Plan (LCWIP).
• Supporting residents on low incomes to access government funding for energy efficiency measures through the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) scheme.
• Developing the council's vehicle replacement programme, with a focus on electric vehicles.

Community-Led Energy Project (CLEP)

The committee will consider a report seeking approval for Brentwood Borough Council to contribute £9,681 towards a Community-Led Energy Project (CLEP) at Seymour Pavilion, Ingatestone. The project, led by Ingatestone & Fryerning Parish Council with support from Essex County Council's Community Energy Programme, involves the installation of 11.875 kW of solar PV with 14 kWh battery storage.

The report states that the project is expected to:

generate about 9,660 kWh annually, save around 2,000 kg CO₂ per year, and achieve approximately £2,449 in annual energy savings

The project is intended as a pilot to generate interest in community-driven energy solutions. Essex County Council are planning a community meeting on 6 October to engage residents and raise awareness about community energy.

A customer proposal from Nxt Gen Energy details the installation of 25 Eurener Nexa 475W all black TOPCon Mono solar panels, a Fox ESS KH 10kW 1ph Hybrid inverter, and a Fox ESS 14kWh battery storage system.

The report also includes an action plan from Essex County Council's Energy & Low Carbon Team, outlining their ambitions for community energy in Essex, including working with communities and partners to enable everyone to benefit from clean power and accelerate the retrofit of homes.

Play Space Replacement Programme

The committee will review the draft Play Space Replacement Programme, which outlines the capital investment required over the next five years to maintain and improve the borough's play spaces. The report proposes the development of a comprehensive Play Space Strategy to ensure that children and young people have access to high-quality, inclusive, and sustainable places to play.

The report notes that the council's Green Spaces Team manages and maintains 10 play spaces across the borough, while also undertaking inspections for Housing Revenue Account (HRA) play areas. The report includes a proposed schedule of replacement of play equipment for the next five-year period, which will be reviewed annually.

The report also provides an overview of the current conditions and needs of specific play spaces, including:

• Warley Recreation Ground
• Cromwell Road Play Space
• River Road Play Space
• North Road Play Space
• Bishops Hall Play Area
• Courage's Playing Field
• Hutton Recreation Ground Play Space
• King Georges Play Area
• Hutton Polo Fields
• Ingrave Johnstone

Binfrastructure Action Plan Update

The committee will receive an update on the Binfrastructure Action Plan, which supports the council in the management of litter across the borough. The action plan includes considerations, actions, and target timescales for improvements to the council's litter bins.

According to the Binfrastructure Action Plan Update, a database has been created showing the location, type, condition, and size of each litter bin. The condition data is being used to plan a replacement programme, with 50 new 110-litre bins ordered to replace existing bins in poor condition. Several bins have already been replaced in Shenfield, Ingatestone and Brentwood High Street using UK Shared Prosperity Funding.

The update also notes that a Sunday bin emptying service has been introduced for bins that were previously only emptied Monday to Saturday. A Street Cleansing Operational Supervisor has been recruited to monitor the teams responsible for emptying litter bins. The possibility of implementing smart bins is also being explored.

Fly Tipping Action Plan Update

The committee will receive an update on the Fly Tipping Action Plan, which aims to reduce fly-tipping incidents and improve resident satisfaction. The action plan focuses on early intervention, preventing reoccurrence, and targeted enforcement.

The update notes that residents can now book bulky waste collections on two days per week. Requests to clear fly tips from Housing land are now recorded on DASH². A Waste Storage and Management Guide for Developments has been approved to ensure correct waste storage and collection arrangements are embedded in new developments.

The council and the police are considering joint operations to catch perpetrators, and a funding application has been made to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) to support these operations. Regular roadshows are being held to educate the public about waste responsibilities.

A new performance indicator has been introduced for 2025/26, measuring the percentage of fly tips removed within three working days. In quarter 1, 83% of all fly tips were removed within target.

Fly tipping hotspots have been identified and are targeted for visits by enforcement officers. CCTV cameras have been installed at a number of these locations, resulting in Fixed Penalty Notices and prosecutions.

UTCF Tree Planting Scheme Update

The committee will receive an update on the Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF) Tree Planting Scheme, a government-backed funding stream aimed at increasing tree cover in urban areas. Brentwood Borough Council and Essex County Council secured £22,500 in funding to plant 167 street trees in urban areas of the borough.

The update notes that officers were made aware of several trees failing due to lack of watering in the 24/25 season. A full list of trees potentially planted under the UTCF has been compiled, totalling 353 trees across the borough, an excess of 186 trees over the original agreement. Of these, 119 have failed, representing a 67% survival rate.

A contract has been entered into to undertake the watering of all trees for the season of 25/26 to ensure the survival of the remaining trees. The committee will be asked to approve a further 119 trees to be planted.

2025/26 Quarter 1 Performance

The committee will be presented with the 2025-26 Quarter 1 Performance report, which provides an update on progress against the Corporate Plan priority deliverables, corporate projects, key performance indicators, and formal complaints for the 'Cleaner, Greener & Safer' theme.

The report includes updates on a number of key deliverables and projects, including:

• Implementing actions arising from the Climate Emergency Declaration.
• Exploring the creation of a Local Area Energy Plan.
• Exploring the re-introduction of a Green Award scheme for local businesses.
• Developing plans for active travel and leisure walking opportunities.
• Expanding the bulky waste collection service and reviewing actions to deter fly tipping.
• Improving the street scene through street cleaning.
• Undertaking an internal audit of the Arboriculture Service.
• Reviewing cemeteries software.
• Implementing a waste collection management system for trade waste.
• Introducing bin stickers/permits for garden waste collections.
• Implementing wildflower verges.
• Undertaking a tree survey.
• Implementing an operational health and safety plan.

The report also includes key performance indicators for environmental health and licensing, waste and street care, and open spaces, as well as a summary of formal complaints received in quarter 1.