The Leadership Team of Kensington and Chelsea Council met on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, to discuss a range of important issues. Key topics included the response to an external review of the Council's resilience functions, potential changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, and approval to proceed with repair and design works at the Pembroke Road depots.

Response to the External Review of the Council's Resilience Functions

The meeting was scheduled to consider the Council's response to an external review of its resilience functions. This review was commissioned following the release of the Grenfell Tragedy Inquiry Phase Two report. The report was largely positive about the Council's progress since the Grenfell fire in 2017, identifying 13 recommendations. The Leadership Team was asked to approve the Council's response and action plan, agree to monitor implementation through future Annual Resilience Reports, and note the findings and recommendations of the external review. The review highlighted the Council's strong focus on emergency preparedness, with plans to implement all Grenfell Inquiry recommendations, including staff training, reviewing information systems, planning emergency accommodation, and improving communication. It also noted the importance of embedding resilience across all levels of the organisation and strengthening partnerships with communities and the voluntary sector.

Permission to Review and Consult on Changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme

A significant item on the agenda was permission to review and consult on potential changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) for working-age residents from April 2026. This consultation is part of a broader response to financial pressures facing local government, including rising demand, inflation, and reduced central government support. The Council is considering whether the current level of support remains appropriate and financially sustainable, with an indicative saving of £441,000 from 2026/27 based on a potential 10% reduction in the scheme's cost. The Leadership Team was asked to agree to initiate a six-week public consultation presenting three options: maintaining the current 100% support, reducing the overall scheme cost by 10%, or reducing it by 20%. The consultation, scheduled to begin in late October 2025, aims to gather feedback to inform a final decision to be taken by Full Council in February 2026. The report noted that the current scheme has remained largely unchanged since 2013, with approximately 5,000 working-age residents currently receiving full 100% support.

Approval to Proceed with Designs and Repair Works at Pembroke Road North and South Depots

The Leadership Team was also scheduled to consider approval to proceed with the project to repair Pembroke Road North Depot. This decision follows an earlier agreement in principle, subject to fire performance and vehicle capacity assessments. The report sought approval to proceed with design and works to the yard at Pembroke Road South Depot to provide the necessary operational service space. The estimated occupation of the Pembroke Road depots is June 2027, necessitating the continuation of temporary depot arrangements until then. The report detailed that the Pembroke Road North Depot has been closed since November 2023 due to structural issues, disrupting operations and incurring significant costs for temporary sites. The fire performance assessment indicated that the depot is repairable to current safety standards, but a shortfall in vehicle capacity would require additional space at Pembroke Road South Depot. The report recommended approving the repair of Pembroke Road North Depot and the works at Pembroke Road South Depot, subject to business case assessments, and delegating authority to the Executive Director of Housing and Social Investment, in consultation with the Lead Member for Property, Parks and Leisure Services, to approve business cases, procurement strategies, and contract awards.

The meeting also included a 72-second silence to remember those who lost their lives in the Grenfell tragedy, and the minutes of the previous meeting held on 10 and 24 September 2025 were submitted for confirmation.