The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council met to debate petitions regarding parking charges and pension fund investments, as well as to discuss a motion on welfare reform. Councillors agreed to establish a cross-party task force to review pension fund investments and also voted to campaign against changes to disability benefits. The council also formally recognised John Azar OBE, for being admitted to the status of Honorary Freeman of the Royal Borough.

Freedom of the Borough

The council formally recognised John Azar OBE, for being admitted to the status of Honorary Freeman of the Royal Borough. Councillor Andreas Kirsch, Leader of the Council, spoke of John Azar's invaluable engagement with communities in Kingston, and his instrumental role in making Kingston a more inclusive borough. Councillor Thay Thayalan seconded the motion, noting John Azar's decades of dedicated service to the borough, strengthening race relations, tackling injustice and championing equality, diversity and inclusion. John Azar thanked the council and dedicated the award to Kingston Race and Equalities Council and the wider Kingston volunteer and community sector. He also committed to continuing the fight for justice, equity and freedom.

Petition on Parking Charges

The council debated a petition titled 'Unfair Parking Charges 2025 Increase', which had received 1,198 verified signatures. Gia Borg-Darcy presented the petition, highlighting the impact of recent parking charge hikes on small businesses, self-employed individuals, carers, and residents. She requested information regarding the revised parking fees and pay and display in the borough under the Freedom of Information Act¹.

Councillor Andreas Kirsch responded that the council was reverting back to 30-minute increments for parking charges in CPZs². He also noted that there were options for carers to receive special dispensations or reduced prices for parking. Councillor Giles, Leader of the Opposition, criticised the administration for slipping through the increases without proper consultation or transparency. He proposed an inquiry to create low-cost two-hour shop and support bays, end evening and overnight charges, and introduce emissions-based parking. This proposal was not put to a vote. Councillor Rowena Bass, Leader of the Conservatives, highlighted that parking costs were going up 24.4%, and expressed concerns about the impact on local restaurants and pubs. Councillor Thorpe explained that the council was under significant pressure on costs, particularly in adult social care, children's social care, and homelessness. Councillor Johan suggested revoking the parking permits that allow councillors to park for free. Councillor Nicola Nardelli stated that the council was still competitive with its neighbours in terms of parking charges. Councillor Alison Holt, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Economic Development, said that the economic development team would look at high streets, sub-high streets and parades to see how the parking charges were impacting them. Councillor Olly Wehring said that the council was reviewing the parking charges in certain areas of North Kingston.

The council voted to note the petition.

Petition on Pension Fund Divestment

The council debated a petition titled 'Divest for Palestine: stop investing pension funds in complicit companies', which had received 1,578 verified signatures. Sonu Saeed presented the petition, asking the council to responsibly invest public pensions in line with its fiduciary duty and the council's own responsible investment policy. He highlighted that the council's current investments included companies that are complicit in violating human rights, such as arms manufacturers Lockheed Martin and Leonardo, Israeli government bonds, and Palantir.

Councillor Patrick Hall, Chair of Kingston's Pension Fund Panel, said that the council first introduced an ethical investment strategy in 2018, and that this was constantly reviewed. Councillor Giles stated that the petition was a moral wake-up call, and a demand for accountability. He proposed an inquiry to conduct a full, urgent and transparent review of each investment. Councillor Thorpe explained that the pension scheme was a long-term investor, and that the London Civ gave them an opportunity to do a lot more. Councillor Johan stated that the attacks by Hamas on October 7th were horrific and indefensible, but that the council must also recognise that Israel is an ally of the United Kingdom and sometimes friends need to have difficult conversations. Councillor Peter Herlinger said that any motion attempting to get to a place of peace sooner rather than later was definitely worth considering. Councillor Yvonne Tracey asked that the council listen to the residents of Kingston and act now. Councillor Sabah Hamed said that the gravity of the situation in Palestine was beyond comprehension, and that the council needed to do this for the sake of humanity. Councillor Kamala Kugan said that the pension investment was in violation of its published responsible investment policy. Councillor Alison Holt said that she would ensure that the panel reviews the policy again and ask for the formal review is carried out on all the exposure to arms companies. Councillor Andreas Kirsch promised that the council would do a thorough review of its pension fund and ethical investment strategy.

The council voted to establish a cross-party task and finish group to conduct a full, urgent and transparent review of all pension fund investments, including those held via the London CIV³, to identify holdings in companies allegedly complicit in violations of international law and human rights in Palestine and throughout the world. The council also agreed to instruct the task and finish group to make recommendations to the pension fund panel, to commit to full transparency by writing to all petitioners following the pension fund's review of the task and finish recommendations, and to refer the outcome to the task and finish group, of the task and finish group, to the pension fund panel, in time for their meeting, on the 17th of September, 2025. The council also noted that it no longer holds any Israeli government bonds in its pension fund.

Welfare Reform Bill Motion

The council debated a motion on the Welfare Reform Bill, proposed by Councillor Andreas Kirsch and seconded by Councillor Sabah Hamed. The motion noted the upcoming debate and vote in the House of Commons on the government's Welfare Reform Bill concerning potential changes to disability and long-term sickness benefits, including Personal Independence Payments (PIP). The motion also noted that PIP is a crucial benefit for people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions, paid regardless of employment, which acts as a gateway to other benefits. The motion stated that government data shows there are currently 3,300 PIP claimants in the Kingston and Surbiton area and that 1,280 claimants could lose out, and that government cuts to PIP and disability benefits are likely to have detrimental budgetary pressure for RBK and its partners. The council resolved to work with its MPs to campaign against the cuts, monitor the progress of the Bill and lobby its MPs to oppose it, and to request officers keep the People Committee informed proactively.

The council voted in favour of the motion.

Member Questions

Councillors posed questions to portfolio holders. Councillor Ian George asked Councillor Nicola Nardelli what public or business consultation took place before deciding what rate was charged for each location for on-street car parking. Councillor Nardelli responded that the changes to fees and charges for parking were advertised in the public notice board on the 20th of March 2025, as required under the Traffic Road Regulations Act of 1984. Councillor Tom Reeve asked Councillor Andreas Kirsch what events were planned to mark the 1100th anniversary of King Athelstan being crowned the first ever King of England in Kingston. Councillor Kirsch detailed a number of events that had already taken place, and a number of upcoming events. Councillor Rowena Bass asked Councillor Nicola Nardelli about traffic and parking issues in George Road and Warren Road in the Coombe Estate. Councillor Nardelli said that she would arrange a meeting to discuss the issue. Councillor Peter Herlinger asked Councillor Nicola Nardelli about disability access at New Malden station. Councillor Nardelli said that she had asked officers to look into this with Network Rail. Councillor Ian George asked Councillor Andreas Kirsch if Kingston Council was still actively working with Kingstonian FC to find a suitable new ground within the borough. Councillor Kirsch said that the council remained committed to supporting the Kingstonians to identify and secure an appropriate long-term home for them. Councillor Liz Green asked Councillor Andreas Kirsch what he thought of the government's plans to introduce legislation for all councils to transition to the leader and cabinet model. Councillor Kirsch said that he believed that local authorities should retain the flexibility to adopt governance models that best reflect the needs and expectations of their communities.

Appointment of Monitoring Officer

The council voted to appoint Louise Round as the council's interim Director of Governance and Law and Monitoring Officer.

Committee Appointments

The council voted to appoint Councillor Mark Beynon to replace Councillor Andrew Bolton on the Licensing Committee and its subcommittees. The council also voted to appoint an employer side representative and a scheme member representative to the pension board for the remainder of the 2025-26 municipal year.