The Environment Select Committee of Kensington and Chelsea Council met on Monday 22 June 2026 to discuss the draft Culture Plan for 2026-2029, the work of the Council's Noise and Nuisance Team, and the committee's work programme for the upcoming municipal year.

Draft Culture Plan 2026-2029

The committee was scheduled to review the draft Culture Plan for 2026 to 2029. This plan outlines the Council's proposed strategy for culture, developed after extensive engagement with cultural and creative sectors, artists, businesses, and residents. The draft plan emphasizes partnership working, leveraging existing resources, and enhancing council services to support cultural provision. Key priorities identified include fostering a more connected cultural sector, improving the promotion of the borough's cultural offerings, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity, supporting children and young people's engagement with culture, diversifying programming, and increasing support for local artists and grassroots organisations. The plan also details how its delivery will be funded, primarily through Section 106 contributions from developers and social value benefits from contracts. The report highlighted the Council's current support for culture, including its museums, libraries, music hub, and event facilitation, as well as in-kind support provided to external cultural services.

Enforcement of Noise and Nuisance

A report was presented detailing the legal and policy framework for the council's enforcement of noise and nuisance, and the work undertaken by the Noise and Nuisance Team. The report noted that Kensington and Chelsea receives a high volume of noise and nuisance complaints, with the team investigating reports under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and other relevant legislation. The discussion was expected to cover the team's operational procedures, including how residents can report issues, the process for investigating complaints, and the various enforcement actions available, such as abatement notices and fixed penalty notices. The report also outlined the team's wider regulatory functions, including their involvement in construction site management, licensing, and planning applications. The impact of a recent cyber-attack on the team's ability to receive and process requests was also to be discussed, alongside future trends and pressures facing the service.

Select Committee Work Programme 2026/2027

The committee was scheduled to discuss the development of its work programme for the municipal year 2026/2027. This report aimed to identify priorities for the committee's scrutiny activities, focusing on its remit to examine council services, policy development, and resident satisfaction. The discussion was expected to cover how the committee would select its topics, ensuring they are impactful and relevant, and how to balance pre-decision scrutiny with post-decision review. The report also outlined the committee's scheduled meetings for the year and the methods available for conducting scrutiny work, such as working groups and site visits.