The Kingston and North Kingston Neighbourhood Committee approved £6,000 in community grants for local charities Man&Boy and Voices of Hope. The committee also addressed objections to the removal of on-street parking on Rowlls Road, ultimately approving the changes despite concerns about consultation processes, and agreed to new traffic management orders for parking regulations on the Cambridge Road Estate.

Community Grants Programme

The committee approved two applications for Neighbourhood Community Grants (NCGs), each receiving £3,000.

Man&Boy received funding to support their 2025 Inclusive Activities Programme. This programme aims to help families who have experienced relationship breakdown to achieve positive outcomes and improved family relations through inclusive camping, enrichment activities, and mentoring. The grant will enable five families from Kingston and North Kingston to access these services. Tom, Grants Manager for Man&Boy, explained that the funding would support their core work impacting men and boys through their three service streams: camps, activities, and the Climate Connect course. Councillor Anne Owen shared a positive anecdote about the impact of previous grants, highlighting how the programme had improved a young boy's school attendance and self-esteem, as well as the father-son relationship.

Voices of Hope was also awarded £3,000 for their Bright Box programme. This initiative provides weekly meal kits with nutritious ingredients and recipes to primary school children, with a focus on Key Stage 2 pupils, to establish lifelong healthy eating habits. The project works with schools in areas of high deprivation, aiming to foster lasting changes in household food behaviours and encourage healthier lifestyles for the whole family. Marianna Gales, Project Lead for Bright Box, explained that the grant would support nine new families at King Athelstan Primary School. Councillor Farshid Sadr-Hashemi, who has supported Bright Box with his councillor funds for three years, inquired about the impact of inflation on the cost and size of the boxes. Marianna Gales confirmed that the cost per box is around £10 and that they are adapting recipes and seeking supplies from food banks to manage rising costs. Councillor Susan Skipwith asked about the proportion of funding for the Kingston scheme coming from the council versus other sources, and was informed that it's a combination of public health funding, other borough grants, donations, and local business partnerships.

Removal of On-Street Parking on Rowlls Road - Objections to Traffic Management Order

The committee considered objections to a Traffic Management Order (TMO) concerning the removal of on-street parking on Rowlls Road to facilitate access to off-street parking for the Cambridge Road Estate development. Eunice Hamadi, Principal Engineer, presented the report, noting that while the scheme had already been implemented, the TMO process was being followed retrospectively due to a misunderstanding between the developer and the council.

A significant number of objections were received, primarily from residents of Rowlls Road and surrounding streets, who expressed frustration over the lack of prior consultation and the premature removal of parking bays. Residents felt deliberately misled and that the process lacked transparency. Concerns were also raised about the safety of the new entrance, the use of outdated parking survey data from 2020, and the impact on existing parking availability for permit holders. Malcolm Wood, representing the developer Countryside, acknowledged that the process could have been handled differently and that lessons had been learned.

Despite the objections, the committee voted to set aside the objections and approve the implementation of the TMO. Councillor Patrick Hall expressed reservations about the substantiation of the numbers and the lack of clarity on the consultation process, while Councillor James Manthel felt the decision was being made on insufficient evidence. Councillor Emily Davey proposed that a letter of apology be sent to the residents from the Highways Department, which was agreed. The motion to approve the recommendations was passed with two abstentions.

Cambridge Road Estate - New Traffic Management Orders for Parking Regulation

The committee discussed new traffic management orders for parking regulations on the Cambridge Road Estate (CRE), Phase 1a. Eunice Hamadi explained that due to the limited parking provision agreed for the development, a parking management plan was necessary to allocate spaces and prevent displacement into surrounding areas. The proposed scheme would introduce a permit parking area for residents of Block B and Block E, operating Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm.

Councillor Olly Wehring, Chair, expressed frustration with the timing of the decision, noting that the TMO consultation was closing on the same day as the meeting and that the properties had been ready for occupation for nearly a year. He felt the committee was being bounced into making a decision. Councillor Roger Hayes echoed these sentiments, highlighting a recurring issue of poor communication and rushed processes.

The recommendation to approve the introduction of the permit parking area in principle, subject to statutory procedures, was moved and seconded. The consideration of any representations received was delegated to the Director for Highways, Transport, and Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Committee Chair, Portfolio Holder, Ward Members, and Director of Housing. A further report will be brought back to the committee within six months to review the impact and any necessary adjustments. Councillor Susan Skipwith reiterated concerns about the council's resource capacity to manage such large projects and their impact on residents, suggesting that Section 106 funding could be used for communication efforts. The recommendations were approved unanimously.

Public Question Time

Two residents, Mark Manners and Jack Matthews, raised concerns during public question time.

Mark Manners followed up on a previous question regarding the New Road, Kings Road, and Crescent Road Experimental Traffic Management Order (ETMO). He noted that while an enforcement camera had been installed, the replacement no-motor vehicle sign had not yet been fitted, over three months after the original go-live date. Eunice Hamadi explained that the sign had been vandalised twice previously and that they were working to get it installed as quickly as possible, promising to share a target date. She also confirmed that the scheme was intended to reduce through traffic, not generate revenue.

Jack Matthews raised concerns about a proposed bike hangar in Carlisle Close. He stated that residents of Remnant Court and Stewards Court were unaware of the proposal and had not been consulted. He questioned why the hangar was being installed in Carlisle Close instead of Manor Gate Road, which he believed was more suitable and safer. Eunice Hamadi explained that public notices had been issued and no objections were received during the consultation period for the traffic management order. Councillor Ian George, a ward councillor, expressed surprise that residents had not received letters and offered to help facilitate a meeting on site. The Chair decided to take this matter offline for further discussion between the relevant parties. Jack Matthews also raised concerns about the traffic lights at Asda, stating they were inefficient. Eunice Hamadi agreed to discuss this with Transport for London (TfL), as they manage the traffic signals.