The Council meeting on Tuesday 14 July 2026 was scheduled but did not proceed with decisions, as indicated by its 'SCHEDULED_ONLY' status. The agenda included discussions on climate change action, changes to the Blue Badge appeals process, and the re-establishment of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Climate Change Action

Councillors were scheduled to debate a motion proposed by Councillor Mike Massimi, seconded by Councillor Andreas Kirsch, calling for more government action on climate change. The motion highlighted the impacts of recent heatwaves and Kingston Council's commitment to tackling the climate emergency. It proposed lobbying the government for increased funding for councils to address climate change impacts on the built environment, business, emergency preparedness, health, green spaces, and infrastructure.

An amendment proposed by Councillor James Giles was scheduled to seek the addition of further resolutions, including the publication of a heat resilience action plan, a review of the tree planting programme, and a timetable for a new Air Quality Action Plan.

Following the scheduled debate on the substantive motion, various councillors were expected to speak on practical actions and the need for government funding. Councillor Massimi was scheduled to sum up before a vote on the motion.

Blue Badge Appeals Process

The Council was scheduled to consider recommendations from the Corporate and Resources Committee regarding the review of the Blue Badge appeals process. The key recommendation was to de-establish the current member-led Blue Badge Appeals Panel and transition to an outsourced, single-stage review process, presented as a way to streamline the process, improve timeliness, and achieve efficiency savings.

Councillor James Giles was scheduled to propose an amendment to delay the implementation until 1 November 2026 and to require a performance and quality assurance report six months after the new service began. Concerns were to be raised about a potential gap in service and the lack of consultation with relevant disability groups. Councillors Rowena Bass and Yvonne Tracey were also expected to speak against the proposal.

Councillor Anita Schaper, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Commissioning, Customer Contact and Governance, and Councillor Andreas Kirsch, Leader of the Council, were scheduled to defend the proposal, stating that there would be a clear transition plan and that the current member-led panel was unsustainable.

Health Governance

The Council was scheduled to consider recommendations from the Corporate and Resources Committee regarding changes to health governance. The committee recommended re-establishing a separate Health and Wellbeing Board for Kingston and de-establishing the current Kingston Partnership Board, intended to better align with national policy and ensure sufficient capacity for statutory responsibilities.

Councillor James Giles was scheduled to propose an amendment to the membership of the Health and Wellbeing Board, suggesting one opposition member instead of two, to revert to previous practice and allow for better representation on both the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel. Councillor Sabah Hamed, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Equalities, was scheduled to oppose the amendment.

Other Matters

The Council was scheduled to receive Mayor's announcements, deal with apologies for absence, and note declarations of interest. Motions regarding the Armed Forces Covenant, Every Councillor for Every Kind, and Protecting Patients Prescribed Cannabis-Based Products for Medicinal Use were scheduled to be referred to the relevant committees without debate.

Finally, the Council was scheduled to move to a special meeting to appoint former councillors Diane White and Liz Green as honorary aldermen.