The New and Old Malden Neighbourhood Committee met on 1 February 2024, approving funding for several community projects and highway maintenance programmes. Key decisions included the allocation of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funds for cricket net restoration, pathway improvements, and pond restoration, while deferring a decision on a pavilion project. The committee also reviewed the planned highway maintenance and street lighting capital programme for 2024/25.

Primary Care Presentation

Dr Nick Merrifield, Kingston's Primary Care Development Lead, presented an update on healthcare services in Kingston. He highlighted the establishment of five Kingston Primary Care Networks in 2019 and the subsequent funding for various new roles, including Clinical/Senior Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Social Prescribing Link Workers, and Health and Wellbeing Coaches. Dr Merrifield noted a national decrease in General Practitioners due to a combination of factors, alongside an increase in demand and low national satisfaction with GP services. He also mentioned the introduction of new access methods, such as triage arrangements and online forms, to ensure a fairer and more consistent approach to patient care, while acknowledging the need to support digitally excluded individuals.

Councillor Ward Funding (CWF)

The committee considered an application for £3,000 of Neighbourhood Community Grant Funding for the Full Cycle Community Bike Project. This funding was sought to purchase a cargo bike for local collections and deliveries. It was noted that the committee had £20,000 available annually for such grants and had already allocated £19,062, leaving £938 remaining for the 2023-24 financial year. As the requested amount exceeded the remaining funds, the committee approved an allocation of £938 for the Full Cycle project.

Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL)

The committee reviewed applications for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding for projects within the New and Old Malden Neighbourhood. CIL is a charge applied to new developments to support infrastructure needs. The New and Old Malden Neighbourhood has £171,194.69 of NCIL available.

The following decisions were made:

• Dickerage Recreation Ground - Cricket Net Restoration: £12,000 was approved for the restoration of cricket nets at Dickerage Recreation Ground. This project aims to provide new sporting infrastructure, promoting fitness and wellbeing, and addressing a community demand for cricket facilities.
• Green Lane Recreation Ground Pathway Project: £40,000 was approved for the repair and creation of a new connecting footpath at Green Lane Recreation Ground. This project aims to improve accessibility, particularly for wheelchair users and those with mobility issues, and create a safer, all-year-round circuit within the park.
• Plough Pond Restoration: £60,500 was approved for the restoration of Plough Pond, the borough's oldest pond. The project includes habitat revitalization, new perimeter fencing, and an accessible observation platform to enhance the pond's biodiversity and historical significance.
• Jubilee Square Pavilion: A decision on the £23,000 bid for the Jubilee Square Pavilion was deferred to the next meeting to allow for further information to be gathered, specifically regarding the maintenance of the pavilion.

Planned Highway Maintenance and Street Lighting Capital Programme 2024/25

The committee received a report detailing the proposed planned maintenance programme for carriageways and footways, as well as the Street Lighting Capital Programme for 2024/25. The total budget for the Council's Planned Maintenance programme for 2024/25 is £1,750,000, with an additional £400,000 allocated for the Street Lighting programme. The committee expressed support for the programme, with some members inquiring about the road selection process. It was explained that roads are assessed visually and using AI, with factors such as bus routes and proximity to schools considered, alongside resident complaints and member enquiries.

Declarations of Interest

Several councillors declared an Other Registrable Interest regarding agenda item 8 (NCIL funding for the Jubilee Square Pavilion project) due to knowing Simon Edwards, the representative of the application, as a former Councillor and member of the Liberal Democrat Party. They stated they did not have a close relationship with Mr. Edwards and could consider the application with an open mind, and therefore participated in the debate and vote.