The Kingston and North Kingston Neighbourhood Committee was scheduled to consider applications for Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding, with a total of £255,958 sought across five projects. The committee was also set to receive public questions and consider petitions.

Allocation of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) Funds

The committee was scheduled to consider applications for NCIL funding, a portion of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) collected from new developments, which is set aside to fund smaller-scale infrastructure projects within neighbourhoods. The report pack detailed five projects seeking a total of £255,958, against an available NCIL balance of £369,241.69 as of October 2023.

The applications for consideration were:

• Queen's Promenade – Public Toilet Refurbishment: This project was deferred from a previous meeting pending exploration of alternative options.
• Net Zero Business Outreach in Kingston and N. Kingston: This project, seeking £11,958, aims to engage small and medium-sized businesses in the area to promote smart management of commercial food waste, improve business resilience, and reduce operational costs and carbon emissions. It aligns with the council's pledge to achieve net zero by 2038 and builds on previous initiatives like the Surbiton Smart Food Waste Management pilot. The project involves outreach events, training workshops on waste reduction, energy consumption, and low-carbon transport, and a pilot for smart food waste bins.
• Canbury Gardens Nature Trail: This project, requesting £23,000, aims to protect and enhance the nature area within Canbury Gardens by installing a wooden fence and gate to deter misuse, creating a nature trail, and adding interpretative signage and wildlife cameras. The initiative is supported by the Friends of Canbury Gardens and aligns with the neighbourhood plan's objective of enhancing parks and open spaces.
• Street Art Alleyway Project (King Henry's Road and Charter Road): This project, seeking £6,000, proposes a street art intervention in the alleyway connecting King Henry's Road and Charter Road to deter fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour. A commissioned mural by local artist Tom Ryall, incorporating ideas from King's Oak Primary School, is intended to improve the area's environment and foster community pride.
• Latchmere Recreation Ground Sports Equipment Project: This project, requesting £60,000, aims to introduce new sporting facilities and fitness options at Latchmere Recreation Ground. Proposed additions include a petanque court, outdoor table tennis tables, drainage improvements near the cafe area, and an outdoor gym rig. The project is supported by the Friends of Latchmere Recreation Ground and aims to encourage active lifestyles and community cohesion.
• Kingston 2025 - All Our Stories: This project, seeking £35,000, is part of the wider Kingston 2025 celebrations marking the 1100th anniversary of the crowning of King Athelstan. It aims to tell an alternative history of Kingston town centre that reflects the borough's diversity, bringing to light untold stories and creating an inclusive narrative. The project's locations, content, and format will be determined through ongoing public engagement.

The report pack also provided financial data on NCIL collected in the Kingston and North Kingston neighbourhood and other areas over the past three years, as well as updates on previously funded projects. It outlined the legal implications of awarding NCIL funds, including compliance with the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 and the Equality Act 2010.

Public Question Time and Petitions

The agenda included a period for public question time, allowing residents or representatives of organisations within the borough to ask questions relevant to the committee's responsibilities. There was also provision for the receipt of completed petitions, provided they met specific signature and notice requirements.