Councillor Andreas Kirsch
Leader of the Council & Portfolio Holder for Heritage and Culture and Co-Chair - Corporate and Resources Committee
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Positions, Voting Record & Activity Summary
Councillor Andreas Kirsch's council service across 2024 and 2025 reveals a consistent dedication to representing constituents and advocating for robust local government, with a pronounced emphasis on resident welfare and proactive policy engagement in the more recent year.
Key Themes and Priorities:
Across both years, Kirsch's primary focus has been on advocating for improved local government funding and addressing the needs of residents. In 2024, this manifested as a strong push for increased and sustained funding for councils, highlighting the England's Councils in Funding Crisis - Key Asks from the New Government
motion. In 2025, this commitment broadened to encompass specific resident concerns, such as parking charges and the potential impact of national legislation on vulnerable individuals.
Evolution of Focus: While the core concern for council funding and resident representation remained, Kirsch's activities in 2025 show a more granular and direct engagement with specific policy issues and resident welfare. The earlier focus on broad financial advocacy in 2024 evolved into targeted actions in 2025, including campaigning against the Welfare Reform Bill's impact on PIP, opposing the Heathrow third runway, and proposing motions on safety and responsible investment. This suggests a deepening of his proactive approach to policy and a more direct intervention in issues affecting the community.
Most Significant Contributions (Especially in Recent Years):
In 2025, Kirsch's contributions were particularly impactful. His strong opposition to the Heathrow third runway expansion, citing detrimental effects on residents, and his successful advocacy for a return to 30-minute parking increments demonstrate direct wins for constituents. His proactive motion to monitor the Welfare Reform Bill and lobby MPs regarding PIP cuts highlights a commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals. Furthermore, his proposed motion Everyone has a right to feel safe
and his adopted amendment to the Responsible Investment Policy
in December 2025 showcase his engagement with broader ethical and safety considerations within council operations.
Patterns and Consistent Areas of Interest: Kirsch consistently demonstrates a commitment to:
- Constituent Representation: Actively engaging in council meetings and addressing resident concerns (e.g., parking charges, PIP).
- Local Government Finance: Advocating for sustainable and adequate funding for councils.
- Proactive Policy Engagement: Proposing motions and amendments to influence council policy and address emerging issues (e.g., safety, responsible investment, welfare reform).
- Environmental Concerns: Opposing infrastructure projects with perceived negative environmental and resident impacts (Heathrow).
Overall, Councillor Andreas Kirsch's recent activity in 2025 underscores a dynamic and engaged councillor who is not only advocating for the financial health of local government but is also deeply invested in the direct welfare and safety of his constituents, demonstrating a clear evolution towards more targeted and impactful policy interventions.
Yearly Activity Timeline
Throughout 2025, Councillor Andreas Kirsch demonstrated consistent engagement in council activities, participating in meetings across eight months. His leadership roles were prominent, serving as Chair for multiple Senior Staff Panel meetings (February, May, October, December) and as Co-Chair of the Corporate and Resources Committee (February, September). A key theme of his activity was advocating against the Heathrow third runway expansion, which he strongly opposed in June, citing detrimental effects on residents and noting the redundancy of proposed actions. Kirsch also addressed resident concerns regarding parking charges in July, announcing a shift back to 30-minute payment increments. Furthermore, he actively campaigned against the Welfare Reform Bill's potential cuts to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), proposing a motion to monitor the bill, lobby MPs, and support affected individuals. His involvement in the Kingston Partnership Board in September included welcoming attendees and guiding discussions on a 10-year health plan and the Kingston Compact. In December, Kirsch proposed a motion titled Everyone has a right to feel safe
and an amendment to the Responsible Investment Policy
which was adopted. His contributions highlight a focus on resident welfare, environmental concerns related to infrastructure, and proactive policy engagement.
Monthly Activity in 2025
During December 2025, Andreas Kirsch was active in two council meetings. On December 16th, he served as the Chair of the Senior Staff Panel. In the Council meeting later that day, he proposed a motion titled Everyone has a right to feel safe
on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group. He also proposed an amendment to the Responsible Investment Policy
motion, which was adopted and he voted in favor of it.
Meetings in December 2025
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During November 2025, Andreas Kirsch participated in two council meetings. He is a member of the South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committee, though no specific actions or statements are recorded for him at the November 5th meeting. He also served as Co-Chair of the Corporate and Resources Committee meeting on November 27th, but specific details of his contributions beyond this role are not available in the provided documentation.
Meetings in November 2025
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During October 2025, Andreas Kirsch's primary recorded activity was serving as the Chair of the Senior Staff Panel on October 24th. No specific statements or actions were documented for him during this meeting.
Meetings in October 2025
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During September 2025, Andreas Kirsch was actively involved in two council meetings. On September 25th, he chaired the Kingston Partnership Board meeting, where he opened the session, welcomed attendees, outlined meeting procedures, facilitated introductions, and guided the board through agenda items including the approval of minutes, a 10-year health plan, and the Kingston Compact for 2025-2028. On September 30th, Kirsch served as Co-Chair of the Corporate and Resources Committee. In his roles as Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Heritage and Culture, he was associated with the Corporate Peer Challenge Report and Action Plan.
Meetings in September 2025
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During the July 8, 2025 council meeting, Councillor Andreas Kirsch addressed resident concerns about parking charges, announcing a shift back to 30-minute payment increments and explaining the rationale behind the increases. He also provided reassurance regarding CAREVAS permissions and dispensations. Additionally, Kirsch proposed a motion to campaign against the Welfare Reform Bill's potential cuts to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), highlighting the anticipated impact on local services and resolving to monitor the Bill, lobby MPs, and equip council advice services to support PIP recipients and their carers.
Meetings in July 2025
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During June 2025, Andreas Kirsch, Leader of the Council & Portfolio Holder for Heritage and Culture and Co-Chair of the Corporate and Resources Committee, strongly voiced his opposition to the third runway at Heathrow. He reiterated the council's long-standing stance against the expansion, dating back to 2019, and highlighted their active campaigning against it in conjunction with the mayor and the GLA. Kirsch emphasized the detrimental effects on residents, including air and noise pollution, mental health concerns, and increased pressure on the transport network. He also noted that the motion before the committee was redundant in case that we already acted on the things you were suggesting.
Meetings in June 2025
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During May 2025, Andreas Kirsch's primary activity was serving as the Chair of the Senior Staff Panel meeting on May 6th.
Meetings in May 2025
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In April 2025, Andreas Kirsch, as Leader of the Council, participated in a cross-party Member Working Group that had previously reviewed the Constitution. The group convened twice between December 2024 and January 2025 to discuss proposed amendments to the Constitution, which were then submitted to the Corporate and Resources Committee for recommendation to the Council. There is no record of Andreas Kirsch speaking or taking action at the Kingston Partnership Board meeting on April 24, 2025.
Meetings in April 2025
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During March 2025, Councillor Andreas Kirsch participated as a member of the Blue Badge Appeals Panel on March 28th. No specific statements or actions were recorded for him in the public reports.
Meetings in March 2025
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During February 2025, Councillor Andreas Kirsch was actively involved in several council meetings. He served as the Chair for two Senior Staff Panel meetings, one on February 10th and another on February 20th. Additionally, he was a listed member of the Blue Badge Appeals Panel on February 7th and attended the Corporate and Resources Committee meeting on February 13th in his capacity as Co-Chair. While his participation in these meetings is noted, there are no specific records of him speaking or taking individual actions.
Meetings in February 2025
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Activity Timeline
Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.
131 meetings · Page 1 of 27
Corporate and Resources Committee - Thursday, 26 November 2026 - 7:30 pm
South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committee - Wednesday, 4 November 2026 - 7:30 pm
Kingston Partnership Board - Thursday, 24 September 2026 - 2:00 pm
Corporate and Resources Committee - Thursday, 24 September 2026 - 7:30 pm
Decisions from Meetings
131 decisions · Page 1 of 27
Community grant applications
From: South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committee - Thursday, 10 September 2026 - 7:30 pm - September 10, 2026
The South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committee approved the application for a £3,000 Neighbourhood Community Grant from Voices of Hope on 10 September 2026. The grant will support the Baby BRITE Box Project.
Recommendations Approved
Changes to Health Governance, 25/06/2026 Corporate and Resources Committee
From: Council - Tuesday, 14 July 2026 - 7:30 pm - July 14, 2026
The Corporate and Resources Committee, Council recommended to full council on 14 July 2026 that a separate Health and Wellbeing Board be re-established. The committee also recommended the de-establishment of the Kingston Partnership Board and that authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer to make consequential amendments to the Constitution.
Recommendations approved
Review of the Blue Badge Appeals Process, 25/06/2026 Corporate and Resources Committee
From: Council - Tuesday, 14 July 2026 - 7:30 pm - July 14, 2026
The Corporate and Resources Committee, Council decided on 14 July 2026 to approve recommendations for the de-establishment of the Member-led Blue Badge Appeals Panel process and to delegate authority for overseeing revised outsourced arrangements for the concessionary travel service. The Council also agreed to de-establish the Blue Badge Appeals Panel and delete section 4.8 of Part 3A of the Council's Constitution. This includes implementing a revised single-stage review process from 15 July 2026 and presenting a performance and quality assurance report six months after implementation.
Recommendations approved
Motion: "Call for more action on climate change"
From: Council - Tuesday, 14 July 2026 - 7:30 pm - July 14, 2026
The Council decided to lobby the government for increased climate change funding and to publish a borough-wide Heat Resilience Action Plan by 31 December 2026. The Council also resolved to publish a timetable for its successor Air Quality Action Plan by 30 September 2026.
Soft FM (Cleaning and Porterage) - Contract Award
From: Corporate and Resources Committee - Thursday, 25 June 2026 - 7:30 pm - June 25, 2026
The Corporate and Resources Committee of Kingston upon Thames Council approved the award of a Soft FM contract on 25 June 2026. The contract is for three years with a possible two-year extension, valued at £7.51m excluding VAT, to provide cleaning, pest control, fire alarm testing, and porterage services for corporate property. The new contract will introduce a Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM) system for planned and reactive work.
Recommendations Approved
Summary
- Meetings attended
- 131
- Average per month
- 1.3
- Decisions recorded Not all decisions are recorded, so this may significantly underestimate the number of decisions actually made.
- 131