The Kingston and North Kingston Neighbourhood Committee met on Tuesday 27 February 2024, approving £100,000 in community grants and deferring a decision on public toilet refurbishment. The committee also discussed planned highway maintenance and received updates on neighbourhood activities.

Public Question Time and Petitions

Residents raised concerns about a traffic scheme on King's Road and New Road, questioning the need for the scheme, resident consultation, and footway parking. A Highways officer explained that the scheme was introduced via an Experimental Traffic Management Order (ETMO) with consultation beginning after implementation. The trial would be assessed based on traffic data, air pollution, and resident feedback. Footway parking was ruled out due to pedestrian usage. A question regarding the reopening of Tudor Drive Library on Saturdays was met with the response that resource and staffing constraints prevented extended hours. A query about a 30mph speed limit sign near Kingston Station resulted in an assurance that the sign would be reported and removed. A petition opposing the King's Road and New Road traffic scheme was also submitted and received by the committee.

Neighbourhood Manager Verbal Update

The Neighbourhood Manager provided an update on the activities of the Neighbourhood and Community Rangers. This included 259 hotspot inspections, 182 graffiti removal tasks, and an increase in fly poster removal, particularly within the Kingston Town ward. The Rangers also assisted with the removal of 17 Christmas trees and abandoned bicycles.

Community Grants Programme

The committee considered the allocation of remaining Councillor Ward Funding to the Neighbourhood Community Grants budget and an application for £3,000 from the RBK Community Safety Team for the North Kingston Parks Police patrol project. This project aims to commission Wandsworth Parks Police to patrol Latchmere Park, Elm Road Recreational Ground, and Canbury Gardens on Friday and Saturday evenings between 8-11pm from July to September, targeting peak times for anti-social behaviour (ASB).

The committee noted that the applicant, the RBK Community Safety Team, did not strictly fall within the current guidelines for Neighbourhood Community Grants, and awarding the funding would be an exception.

Decision: The committee unanimously approved the allocation of the remaining £5,087.00 Councillor Ward Funding to the Neighbourhood Community Grants budget and the allocation of £3,000 Neighbourhood Community Grant funding for the RBK Community Safety Team.

Planned Highway Maintenance and Street Lighting Capital Programme 2024-25

The committee received a report detailing planned maintenance works for carriageways, footways, and street lighting for 2023/24 and consulted on the proposed programme for 2024/25. A member of the public commented on the poor condition of the road surface on Mill Place and requested the installation of a tree pit. They also noted that Clarence Street was not on the street lighting list, despite having few lights. The committee noted that work was underway on Clarence Street and commented on the brightness of new LED street lights, following complaints. Roads suggested for attention included Shortlands Road, Rowlls Road, and Orchard Walk footway.

The report indicated that the annual programme of planned highway maintenance and street lighting column replacement would be presented for approval at the Place Committee meeting on 14 March 2024.

Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) Allocation

The committee considered applications for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding for projects within the Kingston and North Kingston Neighbourhood area. Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge applied to new developments to support infrastructure needs. 15% of CIL revenue is allocated to the relevant neighbourhood for smaller-scale infrastructure projects. As of 20 October 2023, £773,163.69 of Neighbourhood CIL was available for allocation.

Due to the volume of applications, only bids 1-8 were considered at this meeting, with bids 9-13 to be discussed at a future special meeting.

The committee considered the following applications:

• Albany Park Pool Project: £150,000 sought. Decision: Approved unanimously.
• Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Repair Hub: £34,500 sought. Decision: Approved by 10 votes to 0, with 2 abstentions.
• Partial kitchen refit Cornerstone Church Kingston: £21,000 sought. Decision: Approved by 7 votes to 3, with 3 abstentions.
• River Thames Boat Project Canbury Dock: £68,750 sought. Decision: Approved unanimously.
• Tudor Library - Replacement Blinds: £4,350 sought. Decision: Approved by 10 votes to 0, with 2 abstentions. Councillor Anne Owen was not present for this vote.
• Queen's Promenade - Bandstand Refurbishment: £5,322 sought. Decision: Approved unanimously. Councillor Anne Owen was not present for this vote.
• Queen's Promenade – Public Toilet Refurbishment: £119,375 sought. Decision: Deferred. The committee expressed concern about the quoted cost and requested further discussion on design options. Councillor Anne Owen was not present for this vote.
• Queens Promenade: Wall Refurbishment Project: £120,000 sought. Decision: Approved by 11 votes to 0, with 1 abstention. Councillor Anne Owen was not present for this vote.

Decision Progress Update

The committee noted the Decision Progress Update.

Urgent Items Authorised by the Chair

There were no urgent items authorised by the Chair.