The People Committee convened to discuss several key issues, including an update on the SEND Futures plan, the approval of a healthier advertising policy, and the extension of adult social care passenger transport provision. Councillors also reviewed and approved updates to the Cambridge Road Estate project, the annual housing landlord complaints report, and the housing resident engagement strategy.

Healthier Advertising Policy Approved

The committee approved a Healthier Advertising Policy to restrict the promotion of products not conducive to health on council-owned assets, estates, and through procured services. This builds upon existing restrictions on alcohol, vape and e-cigarette, and gambling products, and will now include high fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Councillor Sabah Hamed, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Equalities, expressed her pleasure at the policy's progression, acknowledging the extensive work undertaken by officers.

Councillor Andrew Sillett, Chair of the Licensing Committee, raised concerns about potential income reduction due to the ban, but was told that other boroughs had not experienced this, and the council planned to move towards more digital advertising, which would increase income.

Councillor Anne Owen asked about the percentage of billboards in Kingston owned by the council, but the information was not immediately available.

Councillor Dianne White, Portfolio Holder for Children's Services, including Education and St Marks and Seething Wells Ward, sought clarification on stakeholder engagement, particularly regarding children's services and external stakeholders. Sam Raffel, director of people commissioning, assured her that children's services were involved in the discussions.

Councillor Rowena Bass voiced concerns about the policy's rigidity, particularly around seasonal advertising and high-energy products for athletes, and ultimately abstained from the vote. She said:

I just think this could kind of have unintended consequences, which I'll probably abstain.

It was clarified that the policy would not ban any company from advertising, but would prevent them from advertising products high in fat, sugar, and salt.

Councillor Robert Dongsung Kim asked about the equality impact assessment, and was told that people from low socioeconomic backgrounds are 50% more likely to be exposed to unhealthy advertising.

SEND Futures Plan Progress Noted

The committee noted the progress of the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Futures Plan, including performance against the Safety Valve Agreement¹.

Councillor Helen Grocott, Chair of the South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committee, raised concerns about the shortfall of places at the temporary Spring School site due to delays in building the permanent Moor Lane site². Ian Dodds, the executive director of children's services, confirmed that the shortfall primarily affected early years admissions due to limited outdoor space. Councillor White added that in September, the site would have 55 pupils instead of the expected 87.

Mitigation measures included setting up a satellite provision at Dysart School on the Latchmere School site.

Councillor Grocott also questioned the 17% increase in EHC (Education, Health and Care) needs assessments. Charis Penfold, director of education services, explained that the increase was due to various factors, including the impact of Covid-19, more requests from the independent sector, and an increase in requests from the 16 to 25 population. She said:

I think we're realistic that we don't see the number of needs assessments going down in the foreseeable future.

Councillor Bass asked about the impact of VAT on schools and the end of the £30 million safety valve agreement. Ian Dodds responded that the safety valve funding had wiped off the cumulative deficit, but it was already building back up. He said the council was waiting for the government's white paper on schools, which would address SEND system reforms.

Councillor Emily Davey, Councillor for Norbertton and Housing Portfolio Holder, asked about the increase in HCPs (Health Care Plans) in the independent sector, and Charis Penfold clarified that the needs of these children could not be met within the ordinarily available provision.

Councillor Tom Reeve, Chair of the Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee, raised the issue of differing expectations between parents and professionals regarding required support. Ian Dodds responded that the professional assessments were trusted, but challenges arose when parents sought their own opinions. He also noted the high percentage of cases going to tribunal and the budgetary impact of this.

Councillor Yvonne Tracey, Opposition Spokesperson for Social Care (including Education), Public Health and Equalities, asked about the frequency of parents taking cases to tribunal, and Ian Dodds confirmed it was more than he would like, with 30 current appeals.

Councillor Anne Owen thanked the officers for their hard work and highlighted the vibrant space of the Parent-Caré Consortium.

Adult Social Care Passenger Transport Provision Extended

The committee approved the extension of access to the existing London Borough of Sutton and AFC (Achievement for Children) dynamic purchasing system for adult social care passenger transport provision until February 2029.

Sam Morrison, director of adults and health, explained that this would enable Kingston Council to continue to call off on the DPS for transport provision to meet the individual needs of people who draw on adult social care support. He said:

It's important that access to the DPS, which is essentially a framework with a list of providers or transport providers we can use, so minibuses and taxis, is we access and it is there to meet the needs of individual.

Councillor Grocott sought clarification on the variation, and Sam Morrison explained that it was due to exceeding the initial contract value approved in September 2020.

Councillor Reeve confirmed that the contract was a good use of technology to save money and provide a better service.

Councillor Kim asked about monitoring the quality of service, and Sam Morrison responded that the London Borough of Sutton held the contract management and that feedback from users was fed into Sutton.

Cambridge Road Estate Matters

The committee approved amendments to the Cambridge Road Estate (CRE) Freeholder and Leaseholder Decant Policy to clarify certain provisions and ensure consistent interpretation. Councillor Rowena Bass thanked the officers for the briefing, noting that it was just a tidying up of wording.

The committee also approved proposed variations to the RBK (Cambridge Road) LLP project agreements, including incorporating requirements of the new Building Safety Act³, updating affordable housing and handover requirements, and amendments relating to the GLA loan.

Annual Housing Landlord Complaints Report Noted

The committee noted the Annual Housing Landlord Complaints Report, which included a self-assessment and performance and service improvement report.

Councillor Bass asked about individual complaints versus repeat complainers and how Kingston compared to other boroughs. An officer responded that the report contained the previous year's comparison and that Kingston was about average.

Councillor Owen asked if complaints to councillors that were then resolved via member inquiries were included in the figures, and was told that they were not.

Councillor Reeve noted that 75 to 80% of complaints related to repairs and asked about lessons learned. An officer responded that a new repairs contractor had been appointed, with residents involved in the selection process and ongoing performance monitoring.

Councillor Grocott sought clarification on whether emails from dissatisfied residents forwarded by councillors counted as complaints, and was told that they did.

Housing Resident Engagement Strategy Approved

The committee approved the Housing Resident Engagement Strategy 2025-28.

Councillor Susan Skipwith asked about benchmarks for the tenant satisfaction survey and whether the full survey results were available. An officer responded that the survey was a regulatory requirement and that the scores were published on the council's website. Councillor Davey added that the regulator set the questions, sample, and percentage.

Councillor Grocott asked about the 10% sample size and whether there was an opportunity to gather more data. Councillor Davey responded that the regulator prescribed the questions and percentage.

Councillor Yogan Yoganathan asked how many people 10% represented, and was told it was about 600.

Appointments to Internal Working Groups

The committee appointed Councillors Noel Hadjimichael and Ian George to the Armed Forces Community Covenant Working Group for the municipal year 2025/26. Councillor Owen asked if the councillors had volunteered and suggested it would be good to have a gender mix.