The New and Old Malden Neighbourhood Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday 24 July 2024 was set to consider applications for community grants and objections to proposed waiting and parking restrictions. The committee was also scheduled to receive a report from the Neighbourhood Manager.

Community Grants Programme

The committee was scheduled to consider six applications for Neighbourhood Community Grants (NCG). These grants are intended to fund projects and activities that benefit local communities.

• Voices of Hope (VoH) BRITE Box Project: An application for £3,000 was to be considered to support the BRITE Box project, which provides weekly meal kits to families at risk of food insecurity. The project aims to help families prepare and enjoy balanced meals together, building their skills and confidence. The grant would enable VoH to support nine new families in New and Old Malden for 36 weeks.

• Kingston Charitable Foundation (KCF) New & Old Malden Neighbourhood Grants Programme: KCF applied for £3,000 to support its hardship grant programme, which provides individual residents with up to £200 in supermarket vouchers. This programme is designed to assist those most at risk during the cost of living crisis. The grant would fund 13 individual grants and cover associated expenses.

• Kingston Carers' Network (KCN) Young Carers' Conference 2024: KCN requested £1,870 to support their Young Carers' Conference. This event aims to celebrate young carers and raise awareness of KCN's services. The conference, planned for November 2024 at Chessington World of Adventures, is expected to host around 250 attendees, including over 200 young carers. The funding would contribute to catering, entertainment, publicity, and staff support.

• Kingstonian Cricket Club (KCC): An application for £3,000 was to be reviewed to support winter cricket net sessions for colts aged 4 to 16 and to fund coaching courses for parents. The grant would assist in developing up to 60 colts and help train parents to become coaches, contributing to the club's sustainability.

• New Malden Residents' Association (NMRA): The association applied for £3,000 for their Creating a gateway to New Malden project. This initiative aims to commission a local mosaic artist, Kim Porrelli, to create a public art installation on the embankment wall adjacent to New Malden train station car park. The project intends to involve the community in the design and production of the artwork, enhancing the local public realm.

• Families Thriving Together: This organisation applied for £1,600 for their Talking Teens project. This online programme, delivered by trained parent group leaders, aims to provide support for parents and carers of pre-teen and teenage children, helping them understand adolescent behaviour and develop co-operation.

The report also outlined the guidelines for Councillor Ward Funding (CWF), which provides £2,000 per councillor to support local initiatives.

Waiting / Parking Restrictions in Various Locations in the Borough - Objections to Traffic Management Order

The committee was scheduled to consider objections received regarding a Traffic Management Order (TMO) for parking restrictions in various locations. The report detailed objections received for specific streets in Kingston & North Kingston, New & Old Malden, and Surbiton.

• Tudor Drive (Kingston & North Kingston): An objection was lodged concerning the proposal to remove a parking space and add double yellow lines outside 272 Tudor Drive. The objector cited limited parking availability, the impact on visitors and workmen, and the potential for delivery drivers to park on grass verges. An officer's response noted that the proposed measures would improve visibility for road users crossing the road via the traffic island.

• Downhall Road (Kingston & North Kingston): An objection was raised regarding a TMO for coach parking on Downhall Road, stating that the proposed hours of operation and payment options did not align with hotel requirements. An officer's response clarified that the coach bay is on a public highway and must serve the wider community, not a single user.

• Sheephouse Way (New & Old Malden): An objection was submitted against proposed yellow lines directly outside a residential property. The objector highlighted the lack of designated parking for residents and concerns about safety when parking further away. An officer's response indicated the measure is designed to avoid inconsiderate parking at the entrance of a cycle route, ensuring access for emergency services.

• Highdown (New & Old Malden): An objection was made to the proposal of double yellow lines between numbers 141 to 145 Highdown. The objector cited inconvenience for a large family needing to park on the road and questioned the necessity of the restrictions. An officer's response stated the measures are proposed for safety and visibility, to prevent dangerous manoeuvring at the junction.

• Brockenhurst Avenue (New & Old Malden): Objections were raised regarding proposed double yellow lines outside numbers 7 and 162 Brockenhurst Avenue, as well as on Fullbrooks Avenue and Malden Road. The objector argued that these restrictions would worsen existing parking problems and obscure sightlines. An officer's response indicated the measures are for safety and visibility, and advised contacting parking enforcement for issues with inconsiderate parking.

• Church Hill Road (Surbiton): An objection was made to changing the hours of operation for an ambulance bay to 'at any time'. The objector suggested repurposing the rarely-used bay for resident parking and creating a new bay within the Moray House car park. An officer's response stated the change is to ensure unobstructed access for emergency vehicles at all times.

The report also included comments and support for various proposed restrictions, with officers providing responses to the points raised. The committee was recommended to note and set aside the objections to allow the TMO to be made and the restrictions implemented.

Neighbourhood Manager's Report

The committee was scheduled to receive a report from the Neighbourhood Manager on issues arising. No specific details of these issues were provided in the published documents.