Councillor Peter Higgins

The Council of Kingston upon Thames Council decided on 22/06/2026 to respond to public questions regarding the Draft Local Plan. The Council noted that the Green Belt Review identified an area north of Clayton Road as potential Grey Belt land. The Council also stated that the Draft Local Plan requires major development sites to provide Gypsy and Traveller pitches to meet a significant unmet need.

The Council decided to recommend the final draft of the Local Plan (Regulation 19) to the Full Council for public consultation on 22 June 2026. This recommendation includes approving the publication document and authorising officers to proceed to the next stage, subject to no major modifications arising from the consultation. Authority is delegated to the Director for Planning and Regeneration, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, to make final amendments to the documents prior to public consultation.

The Place Committee of Kingston upon Thames Council decided on 16 June 2026 to make appointments to outside bodies. These appointments were made to organisations including the Thames Landscape Strategy, The Kingston Society, Surrey Countryside Partnerships Board, Kingston Theatre Trust, and Thames RFCC. The decision specified that appointments would be made as set out in Annex 1 for the period to the end of the 2025/26 Municipal Year unless otherwise stated.

The Place Committee of Kingston upon Thames Council decided on 16 June 2026 to approve the procurement strategy for the South London Waste Partnership mechanical street cleansing residue treatment and recycling contract. The decision was made on behalf of all South London Waste Partnership boroughs. The approved strategy includes a two-stage competitive flexible procedure, a five-year contract with an option to extend, and a lot structure for direct delivery or collection from specific waste transfer stations.

The Place Committee of Kingston upon Thames Council resolved on 16 June 2026 to fund increased project costs from the existing capital budget and delegate authority for contract award. The committee agreed to proceed with contract award for planned projects where tender returns are within approved budgets to meet external funding requirements.