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Jennifer Sibley
Director of Environment and Planning,
London Borough of Sutton
Jennifer Sibley is the Director of Environment and Planning at the London Borough of Sutton. Situated in South London, Sutton is home to the flagship London Cancer Hub. Already Europe’s leading cancer research district, landmark investment on the site is transforming it into the global centre of innovation in cancer research and drug discovery. The Council has a significant landholding in the site, and is working with partners Aviva, Socius, the Royal Marsden and the Institute of Cancer Research to develop a 5-hectare site to deliver one million square feet of research, treatment and innovation spaces alongside residential accommodation for key workers and amenities for local people and visitors. The site will contribute £1.2bn to the UK economy and create 13,000 jobs. The Council project-managed the development of a new STEM-specialist secondary school on the site, which was the first UK secondary school to be Passivhaus standard.
Jennifer has led the Council's sustainability agenda since 2018, overseeing the declaration of a climate emergency and its current Environment Strategy. The Council has pioneered the Green Enterprise Partnership, and is the only UK local authority to offer a business rates reduction scheme for small businesses that commit to reducing their carbon footprint. After a two-year pilot, the results are impressive, and the scheme is being expanded. Sutton has its own heat network, providing low-carbon heating and hot water to around 800 homes, with plans for expansion to a further 200 later in 2025, and in time a connection to the London Cancer Hub is expected.
Under Jennifer’s leadership the Council continues to innovate and deliver on its climate ambitions despite the tough fiscal conditions for local authorities. The Council is investing in the retrofitting of its social housing estate and building new Passivhaus council housing. Sutton is further strengthening its commitments to sustainable development in its new Local Plan.
In the last year Jennifer has overseen the mobilisation of a new waste collections contract for Sutton, which seeks to build on the borough’s already impressive recycling rates and has a commitment to reduce the environmental footprint of the service. The Council also secured a record 12 Green Flags for its parks, and continues to secure significant funding for tree planting and habitat management, with biodiversity enhancement a key priority.
Sutton has a thriving community sector of passionate individuals keen to tackle climate action, and the Council supports a number of resident-led projects, including the creation of new public gardens, two repair cafes, and a community energy scheme. The Council is keen to ensure that climate adaptation is a core part of its climate work, aided by emergency planning being part of Jennifer’s remit. The Council is developing a significant flood alleviation scheme, and works with the fire brigade to reduce the risk of the spread of wildfires. The Council is working with the voluntary sector to train community volunteers to assist both in preparedness and response to emergencies, including those caused by climate change.
Jennifer has led the Council's sustainability agenda since 2018, overseeing the declaration of a climate emergency and its current Environment Strategy. The Council has pioneered the Green Enterprise Partnership, and is the only UK local authority to offer a business rates reduction scheme for small businesses that commit to reducing their carbon footprint. After a two-year pilot, the results are impressive, and the scheme is being expanded. Sutton has its own heat network, providing low-carbon heating and hot water to around 800 homes, with plans for expansion to a further 200 later in 2025, and in time a connection to the London Cancer Hub is expected.
Under Jennifer’s leadership the Council continues to innovate and deliver on its climate ambitions despite the tough fiscal conditions for local authorities. The Council is investing in the retrofitting of its social housing estate and building new Passivhaus council housing. Sutton is further strengthening its commitments to sustainable development in its new Local Plan.
In the last year Jennifer has overseen the mobilisation of a new waste collections contract for Sutton, which seeks to build on the borough’s already impressive recycling rates and has a commitment to reduce the environmental footprint of the service. The Council also secured a record 12 Green Flags for its parks, and continues to secure significant funding for tree planting and habitat management, with biodiversity enhancement a key priority.
Sutton has a thriving community sector of passionate individuals keen to tackle climate action, and the Council supports a number of resident-led projects, including the creation of new public gardens, two repair cafes, and a community energy scheme. The Council is keen to ensure that climate adaptation is a core part of its climate work, aided by emergency planning being part of Jennifer’s remit. The Council is developing a significant flood alleviation scheme, and works with the fire brigade to reduce the risk of the spread of wildfires. The Council is working with the voluntary sector to train community volunteers to assist both in preparedness and response to emergencies, including those caused by climate change.
Sessions