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Resource allocation, financial planning.
The council has approved its action plan for 2026/27, which sets out what they will do to make Kingston fairer, safer, and greener. The plan covers everything from housing and children's services to climate action and tackles inequality across all council services.
The council is hiring Quinn London to carry out fire safety repairs across council housing properties over the next 12 months. This work is legally required to fix problems found during fire safety inspections and will cost £2.192 million.
The council is planning to hire a new company to provide cleaning, maintenance and security services for council buildings. The current contract ends in September 2026, so they need to find a replacement through a competitive bidding process. The new 3-5 year contract is expected to cost over £6 million.
The council has approved a new contract for managing water and wastewater services across council buildings and facilities. The contract is worth about £308,000 per year and will run for four to six years starting in May 2026. The service provider will handle billing, customer service, and monitor water usage to help the council reach its environmental targets.
Sets borrowing limits and investment strategy for the year. No new long-term borrowing planned. Existing investments yield an average 4.8% return.
Approved a 4.99% council tax increase. Band D properties will pay £1,847 per year. The increase is needed to fund growing demand for social care and housing.
Revenue budget is £2.1m overspent, mainly driven by temporary accommodation costs and SEND transport. The committee noted the pressures and requested monthly updates.
Sets out the council's four-year financial plan including projected budget gaps of £18m. Proposes efficiency savings across all departments and a review of fees and charges.