The Council meeting on 1 April 2025 saw councillors debate and pass a motion opposing government changes to planning rules, and also passed a motion expressing disappointment regarding National Insurance increases. The meeting also saw the election of the new Mayor for the 2025/26 municipal year and the approval of the timetable of meetings for the upcoming year.

Government Changes to Planning Rules and Kingston's Proposed New Local Plan

Councillors debated and ultimately carried a motion expressing opposition to proposed government changes to planning rules, which they believe will reduce local democratic decision-making. The motion, proposed by Councillor Ian George and seconded by Councillor Rowena Bass, noted that Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has published a planning and infrastructure bill designed to relax planning rules, and that the Local Government Association has expressed reservations about these plans. The council believes that removing the ability for communities to be meaningfully engaged in the planning process and for councillors to discuss, debate, or vote on key developments will erode public trust. The council resolved that the Leader of the Council should write to Angela Rayner outlining this opposition. It was also resolved that the council will continue to support collective responses to consultations, that councillors will be notified weekly of all applications, and that Kingston Council will review its Green Belt land to identify and enforce against unapproved uses, aiming to return these areas to a state that is positive for local biodiversity. The draft Local Plan will also seek to include provisions and safeguards against applications that could negatively alter the amenity of local neighbourhoods.

National Insurance Increases Will Damage Local Businesses and Vital Services

A motion expressing disappointment regarding proposed increases to National Insurance contributions for employers was debated and referred to the Corporate and Resources Committee. Proposed by Councillor Rowena Bass and seconded by Councillor Ian George, the motion noted that the Labour government plans to increase employer National Insurance contributions from 13.8% to 15% from April 2025, alongside a reduction in the threshold for employer contributions. The motion cited the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) stating that these changes will lead to lower earnings growth as employers pass on costs to workers and consumers through lower wages and higher prices. The council believes these increases are detrimental to businesses and vital services such as nurseries, care homes, and charities, and will place greater pressure on council finances. The council resolved to place on record its disappointment and requested that the Leader of the Council write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reconsider the proposed changes.

Election of the Mayor 2025/26

Councillor Noel Hadjimichael was elected as the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames for the 2025/26 Municipal Year. He was nominated by Councillor Griseldis Kirsch and seconded by Councillor Mike Massimi. With no other nominations, Councillor Hadjimichael was declared elected by the outgoing Mayor.

Timetable of Meetings 2025-26

The Council approved the proposed timetable of meetings for the 2025/26 Municipal Year, as recommended by the Corporate and Resources Committee. The timetable is structured around the usual cycles of Strategic and Neighbourhood Committee meetings, sequenced to minimise delays in decision-making. Notably, no meetings, including full Council, are scheduled in April 2026 in anticipation of the local elections in May 2026, with the exception of Licensing Sub-Committees. Ten meetings of the Planning Committee are scheduled between May 2025 and April 2026, excluding August. The Corporate Head of Democratic and Electoral Services, in consultation with Committee Chairs, was authorised to make any necessary amendments to the timetable.

Annual Review of the Constitution

Following an annual review, the Council approved proposed changes to its Constitution, as recommended by the Corporate and Resources Committee. The review, undertaken in consultation with a cross-party Member Working Group, included minor amendments to clarify ambiguities and reflect current working practices. Significant changes include the transfer of Housing functions from the Place Committee to the People Committee to re-balance workloads and the disestablishment of the Councillor recall scheme as it was not compliant with legislation. The Constitution will now include reference to the oversight of the six-month rule for councillor attendance, in accordance with Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972. The Monitoring Officer was authorised to make any further consequential minor changes.

Motions for Referral

Several other motions were submitted and, in accordance with Procedural Rule No 8(A)(7), were moved and seconded but then referred without debate to the appropriate committees. These included a motion on social media use, a motion on pensions divestment, and a motion regarding the third runway at Heathrow.

Installation of Honorary Alderman

Former Councillor Julie Haines was formally installed as an Honorary Alderman of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in recognition of her eminent service. She served as a councillor for Cambridge and Coombe Vale wards between 1986 and 2006, chairing the Social Services Committee and campaigning for local improvements.

Mayor's Announcements

The Mayor announced the success of the Mayor's Community Awards and highlighted the upcoming Kingston 2025 celebration, a six-month cultural event commemorating the 1100th anniversary of King Athelstan's coronation. The Mayor also mentioned the Heritage Bus Tour on 11 May 2025 and reminded members that Michelle Beaumont, Corporate Head of Democratic Services and Elections, would be running a Marathon for the Mayor's Charity.

Member Questions

A series of questions from councillors were addressed, covering topics such as parking at Kingston Leisure Centre, increases in parking charges, dog fouling, the environmental impact of cigarette butts, traffic and parking issues near Robin Hood Primary School, council communications regarding social media, Heathrow expansion, parking problems on Warboys Road, transparency in information provision to opposition members, the Community Payback Scheme, school place allocation for armed forces personnel, issues faced by domestic violence survivors and disabled tenants, planning restrictions for the Cattle Market Car Park site, misleading signage at Surbiton Road Parade, street lighting on Wood Street, council rent increases, Fountain Roundabout proposals, and the introduction of 'garden streets'.