The Place Committee of Kingston upon Thames Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 16 June 2026 to discuss a range of important local issues. Key topics include the final draft of the Local Plan, a review of the Planning Enforcement Service following an Ombudsman's decision, and the proposed award of a contract for the PlayZones Project.

Local Plan - Final Draft

A significant item on the agenda is the final draft of the Local Plan, prepared in line with the Council's Local Development Scheme 2026. The committee will be briefed on this submission version of the plan and will be asked to make recommendations to the Full Council regarding public consultation on the document. The report detailing this item is expected to be published as late material.

Review of Planning Enforcement Service

The committee is scheduled to formally receive the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's (LGSCO) final decision concerning avoidable delays and failures within the Council's planning enforcement service. The report, available in the public reports pack here, outlines proposals for the Planning Enforcement process in response to the LGSCO's findings. The LGSCO's decision statement, found at Annex 1 of the report, details a case where avoidable delay in the Council's enforcement investigations which had caused X [the resident] distress. The report proposes approving suggested changes to the Local Enforcement Plan, delegating authority for amendments, and noting actions to reduce the active caseload of reported breaches awaiting investigation.

PlayZones Project - Contract Award

Approval is sought to award a contract to McArdle Sport Tec Limited for the provision and installation of PlayZone facilities at four greenspace locations within the Borough. These PlayZones are described as safe, inclusive and accessible outdoor facilities that bring communities together through recreational football and a range of other sports, delivered through multi use game areas. The project is part of the Football Foundation's national programme, aiming to tackle inequalities in physical activity by investing in community-led spaces. The four proposed sites are Beverley Park, Churchfields Recreation Ground, Kingston Road Recreation Ground, and Manor Park. The contract award is to be made via the Football Foundation's PlayZones Framework.

Mechanical Street Cleansing Residue Treatment and Recycling Contract

The committee will be informed of plans to commission a replacement contract for the recycling and treatment of mechanical street cleansing residue for the South London Waste Partnership (SLWP). The current contract expires in March 2028, and successor arrangements are necessary to ensure continued reprocessing of this material. The report proposes that the SLWP commission this contract on behalf of its partner boroughs through a competitive tender process. The procurement strategy suggests a two-stage process under the Competitive Flexible Procedure, with a contract length of five years, extendable for a further five years. The award criteria will include 30% for Quality, 60% for Price, and 10% for Social Value, with a specific focus on a bespoke social value fund.

'Retrofit Accelerator - Workplaces' Decarbonisation Programme Update

This report provides an update on the 'Retrofit Accelerator - Workplaces' programme, which aims to decarbonise the council's operational assets. The programme has faced challenges, including the administration of a contractor and the cessation of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS). However, the report recommends proceeding with projects at the Dukes Centre, Surbiton Library, and Tolworth Recreation Centre, funded from the existing capital budget. These projects are considered priorities due to their significant contribution to the Council's carbon footprint and the end-of-life status of their gas boilers. Additionally, four other sites will receive smaller-scale improvements funded by Carbon Offset contributions. The committee is asked to approve increased costs for these projects and delegate authority for contract awards.

Appointments to Outside Bodies

The committee is also scheduled to appoint Members to various Outside Bodies for the 2026-30 Municipal Term. These appointments are made to organisations that benefit the authority, are supported by the authority, or further the authority's community leadership role through partnership working. The specific organisations and details of their work are set out in Annex 1 of the report.