Cllr James Giles

Kingston Council has approved a new policy on how they deal with abandoned vehicles in the borough. The updated rules will come into effect from April 2026.

Planning permission has been approved for development at Hobkirk House on Blagdon Road in New Malden. This is an outline planning application, meaning the basic principle of development has been agreed but detailed plans will come later.

The council has refused a planning application for development at the Gas Holder Station site in Motspur Park, New Malden. The application was turned down by the planning committee.

The council has approved changes to how many councillors are needed to 'call-in' a decision - this is when councillors can ask for a decision to be reviewed before it takes effect.

Kingston Council approved a motion supporting national gambling reform to better protect local residents from gambling-related harm.

Kingston Council has adopted a new Statement of Licensing Policy that will run from 2026 to 2031. This policy sets out how the council will handle licensing decisions for things like pubs, clubs, shops selling alcohol, and entertainment venues.

The council rejected a proposed policy about vehicle crossovers - the dropped kerb areas that allow cars to drive from roads onto private driveways or properties.

The council approved some recommendations, but the specific details of what was decided are not available from the information provided.

The council approved a motion to prevent too many Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs - homes where several unrelated people rent individual rooms) from being concentrated in the same areas of Kingston.

The Place Committee is recommending approval of their part of the Council's action plan for 2026/27. This covers the council's goals and priorities for services like housing, transport, planning and environment.

The council committee reviewed the proposed budget plans for the next four years (2026/27 to 2029/30). They noted the financial information that will help decide how much money gets spent on different council services.

The council has approved its planned road maintenance programme for 2026/27 and reviewed the street lighting replacement programme. This covers routine repairs and improvements to roads and pavements across the borough.

The council has approved a new work schedule for creating the Borough's Local Plan - the key document that guides where new homes, shops and other developments can be built across Kingston.

The committee reviewed how much the council has spent and received compared to its budget plan for 2025/26, looking at finances up to the end of December 2025.

The committee reviewed the council's proposed spending plans and budget for the next four years (2026/27 to 2029/30). They will recommend these financial plans to the full Council meeting later this month.