The Kingston and North Kingston Neighbourhood Committee met on Tuesday 27 February 2024, approving £175,350 in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding for various projects and reallocating £5,087 of Councillor Ward Funding to the Neighbourhood Community Grants budget. The committee also discussed traffic management on King's Road and New Road, planned highway maintenance, and received updates on the Neighbourhood and Community Rangers' activities.

Community Grants Programme

The committee approved the reallocation of £5,087 of remaining Councillor Ward Funding to the Neighbourhood Community Grants budget, enabling support for more voluntary and community sector projects. Additionally, £3,000 of Neighbourhood Community Grant funding was approved for the RBK Community Safety Team to support the North Kingston Parks Police patrol project. This project will commission Wandsworth Parks Police to patrol Latchmere Park, Elm Road Recreational Ground, and Canbury Gardens on Friday and Saturday evenings between 8-11 pm from July to September, targeting peak times for anti-social behaviour. The allocation of this funding was noted as an exception to the current guidelines, as the RBK Community Safety Team does not typically fall within the eligible categories for Neighbourhood Community Grants.

Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) Allocation

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to considering applications for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding. The committee approved £175,350 in funding for several projects. The largest allocation, £150,000, was granted to the Albany Park Pool Project. The Cornerstone Church Kingston received £21,000 for a partial kitchen refit, with the decision being made by a majority vote after some debate regarding community benefit and inclusivity. The River Thames Boat Project at Canbury Dock was approved for £68,750. Tudor Library received £4,350 for replacement blinds. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Repair Hub was allocated £34,500. The refurbishment of the bandstand at Queen's Promenade was approved for £5,322, and the refurbishment of the wall at Queen's Promenade received £120,000.

However, the application for the Queen's Promenade – Public Toilet Refurbishment, which sought £119,375, was deferred pending further discussions on design options due to concerns about the quoted cost and a desire for a safer, more sustainable design. Applications for projects 9-13 were deferred to a special meeting scheduled for 21 March 2024 due to the number of bids received.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge that councils can apply to new developments to help fund infrastructure needs arising from those developments. In the Royal Borough of Kingston, 15% of CIL gained from development is allocated to the associated neighbourhood for smaller-scale infrastructure projects. As of 20 October 2023, the Kingston and North Kingston Neighbourhood had £773,163.69 of NCIL available for allocation.

Public Question Time and Petitions

Residents raised multiple questions regarding a traffic scheme on King's Road and New Road, focusing on the necessity of the scheme, prior consultation, and footway parking. A Highways officer explained that the scheme was introduced via an Experimental Traffic Management Order (ETMO) following complaints, with consultation commencing after implementation. The trial's success will be judged on data concerning traffic levels, speed, air pollution, and resident feedback. The committee noted that footway parking would not proceed on King's Road due to pedestrian usage.

A question about the reopening of Tudor Drive Library on Saturdays was met with a response citing resource and staffing constraints. A query about a 30mph speed limit sign near Kingston Station resulted in an assurance that the sign would be reported and removed.

A local resident also submitted a paper petition opposing the King’s Road and New Road Proposed Traffic Scheme, which was received and will be dealt with according to the Council's Petition Scheme.

Planned Highway Maintenance and Street Lighting Capital Programme 2024-25

The committee received a report detailing planned maintenance works for carriageways, footways, and street lighting for 2024-25, along with an update on 2023-24 progress. The annual programme will be presented for approval at the Place Committee meeting on 14 March 2024. The Neighbourhood Committee was asked to provide comments on the proposed schemes. A member of the public highlighted the poor condition of the road surface on Mill Place and requested a tree pit installation. They also noted that Clarence Street was not on the street lighting replacement 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 resident complaints. Councillors suggested Shortlands Road, Rowlls Road, and Orchard Walk footway as areas needing attention.

Neighbourhood Manager Verbal Update

The Neighbourhood Manager provided an update on the activities of the Neighbourhood and Community Rangers. This included 259 hotspot inspections, 182 graffiti removal tasks, and an increase in fly poster removal, predominantly within the Kingston Town ward. The Rangers also assisted with the removal of 17 Christmas trees and abandoned bicycles.