The Kensington and Chelsea Leadership Team were scheduled to discuss the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, the Resilience functions, and the Lots Road depot at a meeting on 15 October 2025. The meeting was also scheduled to include a 72 seconds' silence to remember those who lost their lives in the Grenfell tragedy.

Response to External Review of Council's Resilience Functions

The Leadership Team were scheduled to consider a report in response to an external review of the council's resilience functions. The review was commissioned after the release of the Grenfell Tragedy Inquiry Phase Two report, and the report pack included the Council response to Resilience Review, the Resilience Review Action Plan 2025-26, the RBKC Resilience Review FINAL 16 April 2025, a Safety Impact Assessment and an Equalities Impact Assessment.

The review made 13 recommendations, and the report pack included an action plan in response to these. The recommendations included:

• Moving the Community Resilience post from the Resilience Team to the Community Partnerships Team.
• The Strategic Head of Service focusing on strategic resilience issues and supporting the Executive Director, with operational responsibilities managed by the Resilience Team manager.
• Incorporating more scenario-based training, desktop exercises and case studies into the training program.
• Implementing weekly handover meetings between on-coming and off-going officers.
• Implementing a shadowing system to support less experienced response officers.
• Exploring mapping the skills and assets of willing staff to support emergency preparedness and response.
• Ensuring appropriate mental health support for those undertaking emergency response roles.
• Convening annual meetings of the relevant scrutiny committee joint Chairs to review the Council's resilience risks.
• Undertaking a large-scale exercise to test evacuation and humanitarian assistance procedures.
• The Information Assurance Board reviewing the Resilience review report in light of information and cyber risks.
• Establishing a Community Resilience Task Force to oversee community resilience initiatives.
• Considering an accelerated roll out of the systemic practice training across teams specifically engaged in community engagement.
• Reconsidering the decision to withdraw Secretariat support from the Borough Resilience Forum.

The review praised the 'warm welcome, openness and positivity' of those involved in the review process, and the 'total professionalism and transparency' of the Resilience team.

Permission to Review and Consult on any Changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme

The Leadership Team were scheduled to discuss seeking permission to consult on potential changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) for working-age residents from April 2026. The report stated that the consultation forms part of a broader response to intensifying financial pressures facing local government, and that the council is consulting on whether the current level of support under the scheme remains appropriate and financially sustainable.

The report pack included a report on changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and an Equalities Impact assessment.

The report stated that the current Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) identifies an indicative saving of £441,000 from 2026/27, based on a planning assumption of a 10% reduction in the overall cost of the working-age schemes.

The Leadership Team were scheduled to consider the following options:

• No change (retain current 100% support)
• Reduce overall scheme cost by 10%
• Reduce overall scheme cost by 20%

The report noted that there are a number of risks to reducing the level of Council Tax support, including the risk of pushing some households below the government-defined minimum standard of living, and a heightened risk of non-payment and increased arrears.

Approval to Proceed with Designs & Remediation Works at Pembroke Road North Depot

The Leadership Team were scheduled to discuss a report recommending the approval to proceed with the project to repair Pembroke Road North Depot, and to proceed with design and works to the yard at Pembroke Road South Depot which will be needed to provide the full operational service space.

The report pack included a report on Pembroke Road North Depot, a Safety Impact Assessment report and an Equality Impact Assessment Report.

The programme timeline estimates occupation of the Pembroke Road depots in June 2027, meaning the continuation of the temporary depot arrangements are required until this time.

The Leadership Team were scheduled to consider the following options:

• Repair Pembroke Road North Depot including the link bridge, and associated works at Pembroke Road South Depot to create additional depot vehicle parking capacity
• Do nothing, with Pembroke Road North Depot and the link bridge remaining closed
• Purchase alternative site for the location of depot to house the returning fleet.
• Demolish Pembroke Road North and redevelop with a new depot building to contain the whole fleet

Lots Road - Construction of a New Open Space

The Leadership Team were scheduled to discuss a report concerning the proposed development of a new open space at Lots Road. The site will offer a variety of facilities and amenities, including sports facilities, play areas, dedicated event spaces, and seating areas.

The initiative is intended to support resident wellbeing by providing enhanced opportunities for recreation and relaxation, and is also designed to promote biodiversity, improve air quality, and help reduce urban heat in the vicinity. The new open space will be accessible to all, promoting inclusivity across the community.

Residents selected the final design via consultation and workshops, with construction set for February 2026 and opening planned for early summer that year.

Quarter 1 Financial Monitoring Report 2025/26

The Leadership Team were scheduled to discuss the Council's financial position as of the end of quarter 1 (June) 2025/26. The overall forecasted nil variance against a revised net budget of £217.667 million was to be highlighted.

The revised budget is likely to undergo further adjustments in subsequent reporting periods, owing to ongoing pressures such as reductions in government grants, increasing homelessness, inflation, and the high cost of living.

Update on 2026/27 Budget Setting and Medium-Term Financial Planning Following Government Consultation on Funding Reforms

The Leadership Team were scheduled to discuss an update to the 2026/27 Budget Setting and Medium-Term Financial Plan previously shared with the Leadership Team in July 2025. The Council had responded to the government's consultation on 'Fair Funding 2.0' and worked on developing savings options as part of the Council's Transformation and Savings Programme to address the projected budget gap over the next four years.

Changes to local government funding from 2026/27 will reduce the Council's budget by £82.7 million (40%) between 2026/27 and 2028/29.