Lambeth Council Agrees to Review Waste Management Strategy

Lambeth Council has agreed to review its waste management strategy, including the potential introduction of a community mega-skip scheme and tougher enforcement measures.

The decision came during a full council meeting on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, where councillors debated and ultimately approved a motion put forward by the Liberal Democrats. The motion, which was amended by the Green and Labour groups, calls for a comprehensive review of the council's approach to waste collection, fly-tipping, and street cleansing.

Councillor Matthew Bryant, who proposed the motion, highlighted the significant negative impact of fly-tipping on residents' well-being and the need for a fresh start in waste management. He stressed the importance of a robust enforcement regime and called for a thorough review of the current Serco contract, which is due for renewal in 2027. The Liberal Democrats' motion on Improving Lambeth's Waste Strategy notes that the current contract is far from clear that the current contract is fit for purpose, citing issues such as underground bins that have not been entered in weeks and roads that have not been weeded or de-cleaned in months. The motion also points out a disparity in litter bin provision, with Lambeth having 512 residents per litter bin compared to 282 in neighbouring Southwark.

The approved motion resolves to upgrade the Lambeth Waste Strategy, incorporating successful approaches from comparable boroughs. Key elements of the review include the potential implementation of a community mega-skip scheme, prioritisation of enforcement against fly-tippers, a review of litter bin provision, and a comprehensive assessment of the waste collection contract to inform a new tender. The review will take account of successful approaches in boroughs like Wandsworth, which reports a 20% cut in fly-tipping through its twice-monthly mega-skip days, and Southwark, which has also announced a pilot scheme.

Amendments from the Green Group introduced a pilot scheme for community mega-skips to run from November 2026 to January 2027, with the evaluation to be shared with all political groups. This trial aims to test demand, operational requirements, costs, and impact on fly-tipping. Labour's amendment highlighted the government's new powers to tackle fly-tipping and littering and suggested joining Keep Britain Tidy.

Councillor Jacqueline Bond, speaking for the Green Group, emphasised the need for a cross-party approach to tackling the climate crisis, which includes addressing waste management as a key component of environmental sustainability. Councillor Danial Adilypour, speaking for the Labour Group, supported the motion, noting the pervasive issue of bins and fly-tipping and the need for effective solutions.

The council's commitment to improving waste management services aims to create cleaner streets and enhance the overall quality of life for Lambeth residents. The waste collection contract is due for renewal in September 2027, and the review will inform a new tender, involving councillors from each group and officers, to recommend a new Service Level Agreement, Key Performance Indicators, and effective contractual remedies for poor performance. The council has stated it will not extend the existing contract for the full extension period, allowing only limited extensions necessary for service continuity and the development of a new service model.

While a pilot community mega-skip scheme is set to run from November 2026 to January 2027, the broader review's timeline beyond this trial is not yet specified. The proposed mega-skip scheme, to be funded in the 2027/28 budget and implemented by June 2027, will have its frequency and coverage determined through the review process, considering need, affordability, operational requirements, and best value. Specific criteria, locations, and types of waste accepted for the pilot are not yet detailed.

For more information, refer to the Agenda frontsheet and the Public reports pack.