Decision - Improving the Culture of Environmental Services

This report provides update to Cabinet on progress with the culture change and service improvement programme for Environmental Services. The programme of work follows the KC report published in November 2023, that exposed a toxic culture and significant and systemic issues to be addressed within the service.

That Cabinet: 1) Agrees to note this update report, having indicated its support of the further efforts to ensure lasting changes in the culture of Environmental Services so that residents see visible improvements and benefits. 2) Approves a Service Recovery Programme investment budget of £0.892m for 2025/26 (£0.532m revenue and £0.360m capital), the funding of which is outlined in the financial implications, enabling the service to continue to drive the change needed. 3) Notes the investment of £3.875m required in 2025/26 to purchase replacement Environmental Services vehicles including vehicles for food waste collection.

Brighton & Hove City Council reported progress in addressing the culture, staffing and service-performance problems in Environmental Services. Cabinet supported continued culture-change and service-recovery work, approved £0.892 million for a 2025/26 recovery programme, and noted a further £3.875 million requirement for replacement vehicles.