The Kingston and North Kingston Neighbourhood Committee met on Tuesday 27 February 2024, approving £300,000 in funding for various community projects and highway maintenance. Key decisions included the allocation of £150,000 for the Albany Park Pool Project and £120,000 for the Queens Promenade Wall Refurbishment Project.

Public Question Time

Residents raised concerns about a traffic scheme on King's Road and New Road, questioning its necessity, the consultation process, and footway parking. A Highways officer explained that the scheme was introduced via an Experimental Traffic Management Order (ETMO) following complaints, with consultation commencing once the trial was underway. Data on traffic, speed, air pollution, and resident feedback would be used to inform a final decision. Footway parking was not to proceed. Questions were also raised about Tudor Drive Library's Saturday opening hours, with an officer citing resource and staffing constraints as preventing extended hours. A query about a 30mph speed limit sign near Kingston Station was addressed, with a Highways officer confirming it would be reported and removed.

Petitions

A paper petition opposing the King's Road and New Road Proposed Traffic Scheme was submitted and received by the Committee for consideration in accordance with the Council's Petition Scheme.

Neighbourhood Manager Verbal Update

The Neighbourhood Manager provided an update on the activities of the Neighbourhood and Community Rangers, highlighting 259 hotspot inspections and 182 graffiti removal tasks. There was an increase in fly poster removal, primarily within the Kingston Town ward. The Rangers also assisted with the removal of Christmas trees and abandoned bicycles.

Community Grants Programme

The Committee approved the reallocation of £5,087.00 of remaining Councillor Ward Funding to the Neighbourhood Community Grants budget to support more voluntary and community sector projects. Additionally, £3,000 of Neighbourhood Community Grant funding was approved for the RBK Community Safety Team to contribute to the North Kingston Parks Police patrol project. This project aims to commission Wandsworth Parks Police to patrol Latchmere Park, Elm Road Recreational Ground, and Canbury Gardens on Friday and Saturday evenings between 8-11pm during peak times for anti-social behaviour. The Committee noted that this award was an exception to the standard guidelines, as the applicant did not fall within the set categories.

Planned Highway Maintenance and Street Lighting Capital Programme 2024-25

The Committee reviewed the planned highway maintenance and street lighting works for 2023/24 and the proposed programme for 2024/25. A member of the public commented on the poor condition of Mill Place and requested a tree pit, and also noted that Clarence Street was not on the street lighting list despite having few lights. The Committee noted that work was underway on Clarence Street and commented on the brightness of new LED street lights, following complaints. The following roads were suggested for attention: Shortlands Road (between Cross Road and Elm Road), Rowlls Road, and Orchard Walk footway. The annual programme will be presented for approval at the Place Committee meeting on 14 March 2024.

Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) Allocation

The Committee considered applications for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding. A total of £773,163.69 was available for allocation. Due to the number of bids, only applications 1-8 were considered at this meeting, with applications 9-13 to be discussed at a future meeting.

The following decisions were made regarding NCIL applications:

• Albany Park Pool Project: £150,000 approved (unanimous vote). This project aims to create a sustainable revenue stream and alternative activity at Albany Outdoors Water Sports Centre by installing an 8mx8m above-ground swimming pool with an integrated dynamic flow.
• Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Repair Hub: £34,500 approved (10 votes for, 0 against, 2 abstentions). This project will establish a repair hub at Save The World Club to refurbish, equip, and operate a facility for repairing electrical goods, aiming to reduce landfill waste and provide affordable items to those in need.
• Partial kitchen refit Cornerstone Church Kingston: £21,000 approved (7 votes for, 3 against, 3 abstentions). This funding will contribute to replacing an outdated gas range with new gas and electric ovens to expand the church's capacity for providing hot meals and community activities.
• River Thames Boat Project Canbury Dock: £68,750 approved (unanimous vote). This project will create a riverside community and charity hub in Canbury Gardens, Kingston, to improve accessibility and safety for those in need, schoolchildren, and youth groups to access the river.
• Tudor Library - Replacement Blinds: £4,350 approved (10 votes for, 0 against, 2 abstentions). This funding will replace broken and missing blinds at Tudor Drive Library and provide supportive chairs for the library annex.
• Queen's Promenade - Bandstand Refurbishment: £5,322 approved (unanimous vote). This project will refurbish the bandstand seating area on Queen's Promenade, including replacing the tarmac surface, repairing steps, and repainting benches.
• Queen's Promenade – Public Toilet Refurbishment: Deferred. The Committee expressed concerns about the quoted cost and requested further discussions on design options for a safer, more sustainable design.
• Queens Promenade: Wall Refurbishment Project: £120,000 approved (11 votes for, 0 against, 1 abstention). This project will address the deterioration and safety concerns of a 250m section of the promenade wall along the River Thames.

Decision Progress Update

The Decision Progress Update was noted by the Committee.

Urgent Items Authorised by the Chair

There were no urgent items.