The Kensington and Chelsea Full Council met on 16 July 2025, addressing a range of issues from local concerns to strategic policy decisions. Councillors approved a motion to investigate the impact of changes to National Insurance contributions, and they also discussed green spaces, mental health services, and the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics discussed:

• Grenfell Tower
• Public Speaking
• Petitions
• Leader's Statement
• Committee Reports
• Questions to Lead Members
• Matters of Local Concern
• Motions for Main Debate
  • National Insurance Contributions
  • Step-Free Access at South Kensington Station
  • Enhancing Green Spaces and Bee Superhighways
• Committee Appointments

Grenfell Tower

The meeting began with 72 seconds of silence to remember those who lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

During the Leader's and Opposition Leader's statements, both touched on the Grenfell anniversary. Councillor Kasim Ali, Leader of the K+C Labour Group, reiterated the Labour Group's commitment to demanding justice for the bereaved families and survivors. He also highlighted concerns from local organisations based at Canalside House, who felt let down by the council and were facing a managed decline of their building.

Councillor Ali also proposed the establishment of a Grenfell Scholarship to support young people from the local area, seeking meetings with government ministers to explore funding for this initiative.

Councillor Claire Simmons raised concerns about the lack of a formal mental health assessment for young people affected by the deconstruction of Grenfell Tower, supporting the Space Youth National Campaign's call for action.

Public Speaking

The council allocated time for public speakers to address the meeting.

• Project Flourish: Cordelia Cembrowicz, representing the Kensal House residents' association, spoke about the redevelopment of contaminated land in North Kensington, emphasising the need for public health and community safety. She questioned the council on safety measures during redevelopment, transparent site investigations, and independent air quality monitoring. Councillor Cem Kemahli, Lead Member for Planning & Public Realm, responded, agreeing on the need for high environmental protection standards. Councillor Sina Lari drew attention to the role Canalside House played for community groups and claimed there were plans to sell the property to a private developer.
• Athlone Gardens: Jessica Jones discussed the redevelopment of Athlone Gardens, urging the council to reinstate a resident-led steering group and establish a firm completion date for the park. Councillor Emma Will, Lead Member for Property, Parks & Leisure, responded, outlining the council's commitment to consultation and delivering a quality park. Councillor Lari expressed disappointment over the council's decision to disband the community co-design process.
• Latimer Road Underpass: Maxwell Woodger raised concerns about the delayed construction of an underpass promised by Imperial University as part of their White City campus development. Councillor Kemahli outlined the progress of the project but could not provide a timeline. Councillor Portia Thaxter said that Imperial College planned to commence work in late 2025, with an expected completion date in late 2026, and referred to bids for funding for CCTV to ensure the underpass would be safe.
• St Cuthbert with St Matthias School: Carolyn Haynes expressed concern over the potential closure of St Cuthbert with St Matthias School, questioning the rationale behind the decision. Councillor Catherine Faulks, Lead Member for Family & Children's Services, responded, noting the financial challenges and decreasing pupil numbers affecting the school. Councillor Tim Verboven urged the council to reconsider the closure and, if it proceeded, to establish a youth hub to support children and families in the area.

Petitions

No petitions were submitted at the meeting.

Leader's Statement

Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, Leader of the Council, updated the council on two items:

• Notting Hill Carnival: She expressed concerns about the viability of the event without central government support, noting that the council already spends over £1 million per year to make the carnival as safe as possible.
• Staff Conferences: Councillor Campbell reflected on attending staff conferences, emphasising the council's role in leading Kensington and Chelsea with competence and compassion. She outlined a vision for the council's future based on principles such as low taxes, sound finances, and providing essential services.

Committee Reports

The council considered reports from council-side committees:

• Audit and Transparency Committee: Councillor Gerard Hargreaves, Chair of the Audit & Transparency Committee, presented the committee's annual report, highlighting the council's excellent record in producing timely and accurate records. The report noted the challenging financial climate and the importance of robust risk management. Councillor Claire Simmons discussed the relationship between audit and scrutiny and the effectiveness of the Councillor Code of Conduct. Councillor Sidney Yankson commended the officers for their hard work and dedication. The council agreed to note the report.
• Administration Committee: The council agreed to changes to the constitution relating to petitions, questions to lead members, and the Chief Executive's delegation arrangements.
• Inner West London Mental Health Services Reconfiguration Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Councillor Lucy Knight presented a report on the scrutiny of proposed changes to mental health services. She highlighted the importance of community mental health services and the need for acute inpatient beds. Councillor Weale acknowledged the importance of partnership working and the effectiveness of the scrutiny. Councillor Simmons raised issues around mental health in North Kensington, particularly concerning the Grenfell community. The council agreed to note the report.

Questions to Lead Members

Councillors posed questions to lead members on various topics:

• Gloucester Road Streetscape Improvement Proposals: Councillor Gregory Hammond asked for an update on the proposals. Councillor Johnny Thalassites, Lead Member for Finance, Customer Services & Net Zero Council, announced that works were getting underway later in the year, with completion expected in spring 2026.
• Hazelwood and Adair Towers Compensation: Councillor Sina Lari asked about compensation for residents of Hazelwood and Adair Towers due to long-term disruption. Councillor Sof McVeigh, Lead Member for Housing Management, Housing Safety & Building New Homes, acknowledged the delays and expressed sympathy for the residents' arguments.
• Planning Control: Councillor Walaa Idris asked whether the council would challenge government proposals to take small and medium-sized developments out of local committee hands. Councillor Thalassites said that the council would be responding to the consultation and objecting to the plans.

Matters of Local Concern

Councillors raised matters of local concern:

• Councillor Tim Verboven voiced concerns about the impact of extended hours opening in Earl's Court.
• Councillor Lucy Knight informed the council about the potential adverse impact of new parking restrictions near Olympia on residents of Holland ward.
• Councillor Laura Burns spoke about the new public open space behind the Lots Road pumping station.
• Councillor Idris told the council about the recently completed plaza in Draycott Avenue and the improvement works to Sloane Square.

Motions for Main Debate

National Insurance Contributions

Councillor Preety Hudd moved a motion concerning the impact of higher employers' National Insurance contributions. The motion requested that Councillor Thalassites investigate the implications of the NICs changes and make a written submission to the government on impacts. After debate, the motion was carried.

Step-Free Access at South Kensington Station

Councillor Mary Weale moved a motion calling on the Mayor of London to step up for step-free access at South Kensington station. The motion was carried.

Enhancing Green Spaces and Bee Superhighways

Councillor Lloyd North moved a motion to enhance greening and bee superhighways further in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Councillor North pledged to double the number of bee superhighways in Camden ward by spring next year. He asked Councillor Will to work with planning officers to see how the S106 funds and works in kind agreements may be used to encourage developers and applicants to find more ways to enhance greening in the schemes, focusing on pollinating planting and smaller projects applications as well as larger ones.

Councillor Walaa Idris seconded the motion, noting that 2025 marks 60 years since Kensington and Chelsea came together, and what better way to mark this anniversary than with bold environmental action. She also formally handed the role of Bee Superhighway champion to Councillor North.

Councillor Faulks said that nature brings people together and it is only when everyone works together collectively and collaboratively that an ecosystem can be created that works.

Councillor Simmons said that while she supported the idea of bee superhighways, she felt that S106 money should be spent according to residents' priorities, which are likely to be different in different wards. She proposed a cross-party working group be urgently convened to create a borough-wide program of events and initiatives to create a fitting restorative to mark this milestone and to celebrate the communities, residents, businesses and officers.

Councillor Will said that she was buzzing with the support and enthusiasm colleagues have shown for this motion. She said that she absolutely supported this motion and its requests to our Bee Superhighway and also work with planners to create more green walls and greening.

Councillor Benton said that he did not understand why this was a motion, and it seemed to be asking his friend over there to carry on doing what they are doing, what we agreed to do in 2019 with the staff continue with the same commitments, and that's it.

Councillor Nur said that this motion aligns with RBKC Council's proud commitment to being a greener, safer and fairer borough.

Councillor Hargreaves said that he would call upon the Lead Member for Property Parks and Leisure Services and for Environmental Planning to engage with faith groups and the places of worship to enhance greening and the bees superhighway in Kensington Chelsea.

Councillor Hudd said that the residents of Tall Court have been incredibly proactive in developing their green space.

Councillor Lari said that this motion has inadvertently perhaps exposed institutional flaws in this council's commitment to being greener, safer and fairer.

Councillor Yankson said that green spaces are crucial and he commended this motion for residents to plant a help green the whole community.

The motion was carried.

Committee Appointments

The council agreed to the following appointments:

• Gina Ashton (Healthwatch) to replace Cleo Chalk as the co-opted member on Adult Social Care and Health Select Committee.
• Mariella Ardron (Headteacher representative) to fill the vacant non-voting co-opted member place on Family Services Select Committee.
• Councillor Sof McVeigh to fill the vacant Conservative allocation on Licensing Committee.