Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

If a Councillor has a disclosable pecuniary interest in a particular item, whether or not it is entered in the Authority’s register of interests, or any other significant interest which they consider should be declared in the public interest, they should declare the existence and, unless it is a sensitive interest as defined in the Member Code of Conduct, the nature of the interest at the commencement of the consideration of that item or as soon as it becomes apparent.

Where Members of the public are not allowed to be in attendance and speak, then the Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest should withdraw from the meeting whilst the matter is under consideration. Councillors who have declared other significant interests should also withdraw from the meeting if they consider their continued participation in the matter would not be reasonable in the circumstances and may give rise to a perception of a conflict of interest.

Councillors are not obliged to withdraw from the meeting where a dispensation to that effect has been obtained from the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting and note any outstanding actions.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 1st July 2025 were approved.

This report outlines the procurement of the Public Realm Works Contract with a focus on Climate Change requirements that will form part of the new contract.

Ian Hawthorn (Assistant Director – Highways and Parks) introduced the report which outlined the procurement of the Public Realm Works Contract with a focus on Climate Change requirements that will form part of the new contract. Jamie Orme (Norman Rouke Pryme) presented slides which included new Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that we be required as part of any Public Realm procurement, these included carbon reduction, waste reused and recycled, waste diverted from landfill and hard to recycle waste diverted. There would also be innovation requirements built into the contract, such as trialling new low carbon technology and sharing best practice. Non-compliance would be dealt with through financial penalties or termination of the contract if it wasn’t corrected within 28 days.

The Chair raised a query regarding the option for contractors, asking what would happen if a variety of contractors didn’t meet the minimum standards. Jamie Orme responded that there was a set of required standards that all contractors were obliged to comply with. He explained that the tender process included a negotiation period, during which bidders who did not initially meet the standards could engage in discussions to improve their standards.

The Chair further asked whether, in light of supply chain issues, there was scope to negotiate upwards and support contractors in reaching the required standards. Jamie Orme noted that in recent years there had been a significant push from contractors to decarbonise, driven in part by local authorities, particularly London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF), which had been instrumental in raising the standards expected of contractors.

The Chair expressed concern about competition with other boroughs, suggesting that LBHF could be undercut. Jamie Orme reassured that LBHF was at the forefront of contractor requirements and had benefited from years of investment by contracting organisations aiming to meet these standards. He stated that LBHF was now in an ideal position to leverage this investment and maintain higher standards than other local authorities.

Councillor Callum Nimmo questioned whether there were mechanisms within contracts to support ongoing improvements towards Net Zero 2030. Jamie Orme explained that contracts included KPIs, monthly monitoring, and procedures for addressing non-compliance. Ian Hawthorn added that contractors were required to report monthly against KPIs and that the industry had progressed significantly in its response to climate change. He noted that all contractors now had climate plans and that the widespread use of asphalt had contributed to flood risk mitigation.

Councillor Callum Nimmo queried how stringent requirements could be balanced with encouraging innovation, given there could be a low appetite for risk as contractors didn’t want to underperform. Jamie Orme responded that contractors were expected to incorporate a degree of risk. He emphasised the willingness of contracting organisations to improve efficiency and innovate. He also noted that LBHF retained control over technical specifications and could, for example, ban certain items if necessary.

Councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson raised concerns that scope 3 emissions had doubled since the climate emergency was declared and asked whether Jamie Orme had been appointed to address  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

This is a covering report for a presentation on H&F’s progress highlighting key achievements and opportunities to deliver net zero energy, with a particular focus on decarbonising heating systems in buildings and reducing energy bills.

Tim Pryce (Head of Clean Energy) presented the report which set out key achievements and opportunities to deliver net zero energy, with a particular focus on decarbonising heating systems in buildings and reducing energy bills. A high proportion of energy used in the borough came from buildings and reducing this was key to reaching the target of Net Zero. LBHF had most control over emissions from corporate assets and maintained schools. Large amounts of emissions also came from social housing and LBHF was looking to work with tenants to decarbonise their home. LBHF had launched the Healthy Homes initiative. This programme offered expert advice, home visits, and grant application support to help residents reduce energy bills and carbon emissions. Meghan Kingsley-Walsh (Heat Decarbonisation Lead) presented slides to the committee which outlined heat networks. This was being looked at as it was the cheapest way for LBHF to decarbonise heat. There was an aim for 20% of the UK’s heat to be produced by heat networks by 2050, this was currently at 3%. Peter Runacres (Earls Court Development Company) gave a presentation on a proposed heat network at Earls Court.

The Chair welcomed the ambition shown in the programme.

Councillor Omid Miri mentioned that critics of Net Zero say that there are costs involved to those in poverty, he asked how many residents had been helped through LBHF’s Healthy Homes Scheme or its predecessors. Tim Pryce responded that over 2,000 homes had been supported through previous programmes, including the Winter Ready Homes initiative. He explained that the intention was to consolidate all such programmes under the Healthy Homes umbrella. He added that a significant amount of advice had been provided to help residents identify financing options to decarbonise their homes.

Councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson noted that 546 homes had received upgrades in the past two years, with a further 516 scheduled, he questioned whether this was quick enough to reach Net Zero by 2030. Tim Pryce confirmed that, as part of the overall plan, thousands of homes had received some form of upgrade over time. He added that clean energy networks would enable many homes to benefit quickly and cost-effectively.

Councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson asked whether it was viable to reach the Net Zero target by 2030. Tim Pryce replied that the intention was to progress as quickly as possible, he mentioned that they were looking at bringing in capital investment to accelerate the process.  Councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson asked what level of capital investment was needed to reach the target. Tim Pryce stated that he would follow up with further information after the meeting.

                                                                                                Action: Tim Pryce

Councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson queried whether offsetting would be considered if the target of Net Zero by 2030 could not be met. Tim Pryce responded that offsetting was not the preferred approach. Bram Kainth added that electricity was now renewable and clean, and that if the government acted swiftly, clean energy could be scaled up. Councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson asked whether achieving Net Zero was within the control  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

For the Committee to suggest items for the work programme.

The Chair requested that any suggestions for future agenda items to submitted to her directly. She invited residents to send in any suggestions of future agenda items too.

To note the dates of future meetings:

·       2^nd February 2026

·       21^st April 2026

The next meeting will take place on 2nd February 2026.