The Leadership Team of Kensington and Chelsea Council met on Wednesday, 17 January 2024, to discuss and approve a new borough-wide Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) contract, adopt a Serious Violence Strategy for 2024, and agree the Council's contribution to the London Boroughs Grants Scheme for 2024/25.

Award of Borough-wide Information, Advice and Guidance Contract

The council has awarded a new seven-year contract for its Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) service to the Kensington and Chelsea Advice Partnership (KCAP). This new model, valued at £1,016,000 per annum, moves from a multi-provider approach to a single lead supplier under a consortium. The aim is to provide a more coordinated and accessible service for residents, improving data sharing, reducing duplication, and ultimately offering a better experience. Representatives from the Worlds End Neighbourhood Advice Group (WENAG) expressed disappointment with the procurement process, highlighting concerns about the lack of scrutiny for such a high-value contract and requesting greater inclusion of stakeholders in future decision-making. Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, Leader of the Council, acknowledged these concerns and pledged to raise the issue with the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Serious Violence Strategy 2024

The Leadership Team approved the publication of the RBKC Serious Violence Strategy 2024. This strategy has been developed to meet the requirements of the Serious Violence Duty, introduced by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, and aims to prevent and reduce serious violence within the borough. The strategy builds upon existing work, including the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and the Youth Violence and Exploitation Strategy. It focuses on three key outcomes: holding perpetrators to account, supporting victims, and prioritising communities most affected by violence. The strategy was developed in collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Police, London Fire Brigade, Probation Service, health bodies, and resident groups.

The Council's Contribution to the London Boroughs Grants Scheme 2024/25

The council agreed to contribute £109,921 to the London Boroughs Grants Scheme for the 2024/25 financial year. This represents a reduction of £6,269 from the previous year's allocation. The contribution is calculated based on the borough's population estimates and is part of a wider London-wide scheme administered by London Councils. The scheme funds voluntary organisations that provide services across London, with a focus on areas such as tackling homelessness and domestic violence. The decision was made to ensure the council meets its statutory obligation to contribute to the scheme, which is binding on all constituent councils once two-thirds have approved it.