The New and Old Malden Neighbourhood Committee met on Wednesday 24 July 2024, approving £9,870 in community grants for three local organisations and resolving to implement new waiting and parking restrictions in several areas. The committee also received a petition requesting the adoption of a section of Sussex Place.

Community Grants Approved

The committee considered six applications for Neighbourhood Community Grants (NCGs), ultimately approving three.

• Voices of Hope (VoH) received £3,000 to continue their BRITE Box Project. This project provides weekly meal kits to families facing food insecurity. The grant will support nine new families in New and Old Malden for 36 weeks. Some councillors raised concerns about the project's management and core costs, and the possibility of alternative funding sources, but the application was approved by a majority vote.
• Kingston Charitable Foundation (KCF) was awarded £3,000 to support their New & Old Malden Neighbourhood Grants Programme. This programme provides hardship grants of up to £200 in supermarket vouchers to New and Old Malden residents. The committee unanimously approved this application.
• Kingston Carers' Network (KCN) received £3,000 to support their Young Carers' Conference 2024. This conference aims to celebrate young carers and raise awareness of KCN's services. The committee unanimously approved this application.

Two applications were deferred for further questions:

• Kingstonian Cricket Club applied for £3,000 to fund winter cricket net sessions for colts and coaching courses for parents.
• Families Thriving Together applied for £1,600 for their Talking Teens project, an online parenting support programme.

Waiting and Parking Restrictions Approved

The committee considered objections to proposed waiting and parking restrictions under Traffic Management Order (TMO) reference Mapking0085. The proposed restrictions aim to improve visibility for road users, reduce double parking, and prevent parking in dangerous locations.

The committee resolved to set aside the objections received for Sheephouse Way, Highdown, and Brockenhurst Avenue in New and Old Malden. The comments received were noted, and the TMO for the proposed waiting and parking restrictions was made and will be implemented.

Petition Received

A resident submitted a petition requesting that the Council adopt the remaining unadopted section of Sussex Place. The resident explained that the road requires resurfacing and has been subject to antisocial behaviour and fly-tipping. The committee noted the petition.

Other Business

• Councillor Lesley Heap was appointed Chair and Councillor Lynn Henderson was appointed Vice Chair of the New and Old Malden Committee and its Planning Sub-Committee for the 2024/25 municipal year.
• There were no public questions.
• Councillor Mark Durrant declared a non-registrable interest in the Voices of Hope application due to his wife's volunteer work with their BRITE Box project.
• The minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 March 2024 were agreed as a correct record.
• The Neighbourhood Manager introduced themselves and invited feedback on future reports.
• There were no urgent items authorised by the Chair.