The New and Old Malden Neighbourhood Committee was scheduled to consider applications for community grants and infrastructure funding, as well as review planned highway maintenance and street lighting programmes. The meeting's agenda also included a presentation on neighbourhood health matters.

Neighbourhood Health Matters

A presentation was scheduled to be given by the Kingston Primary Care Development Lead on Neighbourhood Health matters.

Community Grants Programme

The committee was set to consider applications for Neighbourhood Community Grants (NCGs). Each year, £20,000 is available for these grants, with £19,062 having been allocated prior to this meeting, leaving £938. One application was for £3,000 from Full Cycle Community Bike Project CIC to purchase a new cargo bike for local deliveries. The report pack indicated that Full Cycle is a non-profit community bike project aiming to provide affordable bikes and maintenance services to the Kingston community, promoting the health benefits of cycling and enabling independence.

The committee was also scheduled to review spending from Councillor Ward Funding (CWF). This funding is allocated at £2,000 per councillor per financial year. The report detailed proposed and final invoice amounts for various activities supported by councillors in the New Malden Village, Coombe Vale, Green Lane and St James, and Old Malden wards.

Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) Funding

Applications for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding were to be considered. This levy is charged on new developments to support infrastructure needs. The Neighbourhood portion of this levy (NCIL) is set aside for smaller-scale infrastructure projects within each neighbourhood. For the New and Old Malden area, £171,194.69 was available as of 20 October 2023.

Four projects were listed for consideration:

• Dickerage Recreation Ground - Cricket Net Restoration: Seeking £12,000 to install a new outdoor cricket net, aiming to provide a new sporting and wellbeing option for the local community. The report highlighted that there is currently no provision for cricket nets within Kingston's parks.
• Green Lane Recreation Ground Pathway Project: Requesting £40,000 to repair and create a new connecting footpath, aiming to improve accessibility for all users, including wheelchair users and those with mobility issues.
• Plough Pond Restoration: An application for £60,500 to restore the borough's oldest pond, addressing issues such as dilapidated fencing, lack of viewing areas, and poor aquatic habitats. The project aims to create a safe and informative space for appreciation and learning about the pond's history and nature.
• Jubilee Square Pavilion: Seeking £23,000 towards a £46,000 project to provide a pavilion for entertainment, education, arts, and shelter in Jubilee Square. The New Malden Town Centre Partnership, which submitted the bid, noted that the pavilion would be a moveable structure made of sustainable materials.

Planned Highway Maintenance and Street Lighting Capital Programme 2024/25

The committee was to be consulted on the proposed planned maintenance programme for carriageways, footways, and street lighting for the 2024/25 financial year. The report detailed planned maintenance works carried out in 2023/24 and presented a preliminary list of priority schemes for the upcoming year. The total budget for the Council's Planned Maintenance programme in 2024/25 is £1,750,000, with an additional £167,000 per annum from the Network North fund. The Street Lighting programme has a budget of £400,000 for 2024/25. The report indicated that the programme is prioritised based on condition surveys and asset management best practice, with a focus on ensuring the highway network remains safe.

Public Participation

The agenda also included provisions for Public Question Time, allowing residents to ask questions on matters relevant to the committee's responsibilities, and for receiving petitions.