Issues we're tracking that need more questions asked. 4 investigations.
Kingston's spending on SEND home-to-school transport has risen significantly as EHCP numbers grew from approximately 1,400 in 2020 to 1,923 by late 2024. The council's accumulated high needs funding deficit has reached £20.9 million. Parents report unreliable service and long journey times.
Kingston declared a climate emergency in June 2019 and set a target of borough-wide net zero by 2038. The council's own data shows borough-wide CO2 emissions fell 17% between 2019 and 2023. Council building emissions are down 27-37% depending on the reporting year. But the borough-wide target requires approximately 7% annual reductions from here.
FOI data shows Kingston issued 6,568 penalty charge notices at the Kingston Road yellow box junction alone in the first 8 months of 2025, generating £451,000 in revenue. Residents have raised concerns about faded road markings at camera-enforced junctions. The council held a special meeting in late 2025 to address the controversy.
Kingston's largest regeneration project was approved after a 2020 ballot in which 73% of residents voted in favour. The scheme promises 2,170 new homes including 871 at council rent. Construction on Phase 1 began in 2022, with the first 42 homes targeted for completion by end of 2024. The project has faced cost pressures and delays.