We Asked, You Said, We Did

We asked for views on the proposals to remove the pedestrian and cycle zone in that part of Kensington Park Road that lies between Blenheim Crescent and Elgin Crescent and to provide a south-eastbound one-way system applying to all vehicles except pedal cycles in Kensington Park Road, between Blenheim Crescent and Elgin Crescent, with an accompanying 'compulsory right turn except cycles' from Kensington Park Mews into Kensington Park Road.

We had no objections or letters of support for these proposals.

We have made the traffic order removing the pedestrian and cycle zone in that part of Kensington Park Road that lies between Blenheim Crescent and Elgin Crescent and to introduce a south-eastbound one-way system applying to all vehicles except pedal cycles in Kensington Park Road, between Blenheim Crescent and Elgin Crescent, with an accompanying 'compulsory right turn except cycles' from Kensington Park Mews into Kensington Park Road.

The Panel survey on making the borough safer focussed on gaining a better understanding of what would make Panel members feel safe and gain an insight into Panel members’ experiences of crime and antisocial behaviour as a witness and/or victim. This survey is a repeat of a similar survey conducted in both 2022 and  2023 benchmarks against the previous results to identify changes in opinions, attitudes, and experiences. 

Overall feelings of safety –  Eight in ten (81 per cent) Panel members feel safe when out and about in their neighbourhood during the day but feelings of safety drop for Panel members after dark with around half feeling safe (49 per cent). Forty-six per cent of Panel members agreed that there were places in their neighbourhood they were worried about visiting including badly lit areas and Council estates. Sixty-two per cent said that they had changed their behaviour in the last 12 months to feel safe which continues an upward trend over the years. The most often taken actions were sticking to main roads/avoiding badly lit areas and having more awareness of others and surroundings.  ​

Crime levels -  Forty-six per cent of Panel members feel that the crime levels in their local neighbourhood are average with 28 per cent feeling that they are high and 26 per cent low. The majority of Panel members (62 per cent) felt that the amount of crime in their local neighbourhood in the last 12 months was about the same. ​

Community safety priorities –  Of the four community safety priorities, drug related offences continue to be viewed as the biggest problem (60 per cent) followed by antisocial behaviour (52 per cent). The other crime issues in their area that Panel members are most concerned about are theft (71 per cent which has seen a 12 per cent increase on the 2023 results), motor vehicle crime (65 per cent) and burglary (58 per cent). ​

One thing to make you feel safer where you live – For the first time, Panel members were asked what one thing would make them feel safer in the neighbourhood where they live. By far and away the most mentioned measure was a more visible/increased police presence. There was also support for better enforcement/penalties for crime/ASB, CCTV and improved street lighting. ​

Experiences of crime and antisocial behaviour –  Just under half of Panel members (47 per cent) had not been a witness to or a victim of crime or antisocial behaviour in the past 12 months. A third (33 per cent) stated they had been a witness and 14 per cent a victim, whilst five per cent had been both a witness to and a victim.  Antisocial behaviour was both the most witnessed crime (28 per cent) and the crime Panel members were the most likely to be a victim of (10 per cent).

Impact of measures on crime and antisocial behaviour – As in the previous two years, Panel members felt that high visibility of police/wardens (94 per cent) would have the biggest impact on crime and antisocial behaviour in their neighbourhood. This was followed by environmental improvements for local neighbourhoods and enforcement against antisocial behaviour (both 92 per cent). CCTV was asked about as a separate measure for the first time in 2024, with 86 per cent thinking this would have an impact.​

• The full results of the survey were heard at the Safer K and C Board on 18^th April. This Board has senior representation from council services, police, criminal justice agencies and health services, thus ensuring senior decision makers from across key stakeholders are aware of the results. The Board had a detailed conversation about how the survey will inform the future of responses to crime and disorder and act as a key part of resident voice for Community Safety work programmes and projects.
• Where possible details on where respondents do not feel safe will inform operational taskings for CCTV, Street Enforcement Team and Police. These will be used alongside the business-as-usual practice of crime and disorder data.
• Over the next 12 months the findings will be used to refine community safety strategies and planning, specifically the borough’s CCTV Strategy and ASB Action Plan.

We asked for views on the proposal to convert RBKC Housing Resident Permit Holders (PBR) bay (parking bay number 7), to RBKC Housing personalised disabled bay (PBR 04) in the 375 Portobello Road housing estate and to convert RBKC Housing personalised disabled bay (EPC 09) to RBKC Housing Visitor (VIS) parking bay (parking bay number 9) in the Elm Park Gardens Central housing estate.

We received no objections to the proposals.

We have made the traffic order for the proposed changes to the 375 Portobello Road and Elm Park Gardens Central housing estates as originally advertised.

We asked for views on 42 proposals in the February 2024 Miscellaneous Parking Changes.

We received a total of 21 objections and 24 letters of support across 20 of the parking proposals.

We have made the traffic order as originally advertised apart from the proposal relating to Trebovir Road which was dropped in its entirety.

For your views on implementing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Earl's Court to tackle antisocial behaviour (ASB). 

There were 460 survey responses. More than 90 per cent of participants backed the PSPO, with 92 per cent  agreeing on the designated area. Concerns included aggressive begging, street drinking, and public drug use.

We approved the PSPO, incorporating public feedback and legal counsel. The PSPO features seven conditions targeting specific ASB activities and covers the entirety of Earl's Court ward. Regular reviews and community engagement will ensure its effectiveness.

Kensington and Chelsea is home to some of the most deprived households in the country and many households in the borough continue to struggle with the impact of the rising cost of living.

The Council has outlined its commitment to support a fairer borough and helping people with the cost of living and proposed making a  £100 support payment in May 2024 to low-income households likely to be struggling the most. The costs of the scheme will be met from the Council’s Cost of Living Reserve, which has been allocated for support of this kind.

We asked residents whether or not they supported the proposal for this support payment.

The majority of respondents (97 per cent) supported the proposal. The most selected ways that they felt that the £100 payment could help eligible households was ‘support with bills and utilities’ (83 per cent) and ‘support with food costs and other essentials’ (69 per cent).

Following the consultation and the high percentage of support for the proposal, it was agreed that the £100 support payment would go ahead which will help over 16,500 households with ongoing cost-of-living pressures. This decision was taken by the Council’s Leadership Team in February.

Payments will be made in May 2024 to eligible residents who are in receipt of certain benefits and details are available on the Council’s website and have been included in the Council tax information that has been sent to all residents.

The Council also provides wider financial support such as the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for those on a low income to help with their Council Tax bills.

You can find out more about the low-income support payment on our website.

A consultation was carried out on Fees and Charges proposals from 7 December 2023 to 7 January 2024. Information was included on the Council’s website and was communicated through various channels, including newsletters to the general public, the voluntary sector, businesses and key partners, inviting them to contribute. 

We received five responses to the consultation and thank all residents who took the time to respond.

All responses have been considered by the Lead Members in putting together the draft budget for 2024/25. A summary of the feedback received can be found in appendix 6 of the budget report.

No changes to the draft Fees and Charges proposals have been made as result of this feedback, but all feedback will be considered for future financial planning. The Fees and Charges Schedule can be found in appendix 15 of the budget report.

Kensington and Chelsea Council has launched a Customer Access Strategy aimed at improving the experience residents have when they contact us. We are committed to the strategy and to working together to achieve the ambitions in the strategy. We believe in co-design and want to form this user group to listen to the voices of those representative of the borough.

There were a total of 80 expressions of interest from across the borough. Thank you to everyone who expressed their interest in being part of the user group.

The Service Standards Project team selected members of the user group based on the demographic make-up of the borough to ensure the group is as broadly representative as possible. 

Whether the Council should introduce five new trees along Napier Road, in traffic islands within some of the parking bays. The scheme has been proposed following a successful application for Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding by a Holland ward resident.

We received 17 responses to the consultation. Eight responses  were from people who supported the proposals, six  agreed in part with the proposals and three  objected to the scheme.

Following consideration of all the comments received from residents and councillors, the Council has decided to proceed with the scheme to introduce five trees in traffic islands along Napier Road.The scheme has proceeded to detailed design, We hope to construct the traffic islands and install trees later this year.

A consultation was carried out on the draft savings, increased service provision (growth), and capital investment proposals between 9 November 2023 and 21 December 2023. Information was included on the Council’s website and was communicated through various channels, including newsletters to the general public, the voluntary sector, businesses and key partners, inviting them to contribute. 

Thirty-two people responded to the consultation on the budget proposals. This was more than double the previous year and the Council wishes to thank all residents who took the time to respond. 

Combining all responses, we received an even split of 12 respondents who supported the proposals and 12 respondents who opposed the proposals. We also received seven responses who were neutral or did not know what their stance was.

When asked what disagreements or alternative suggestions residents had with the consultation, the following key areas were mentioned. The Council reflected on these views to address residents’ concerns in preparing the 2024/25 budget, through the responses expressed below.

Lack of provision for Adult Social Care (ASC)

The Council is very aware of increasing cost pressures within the Adult Social Care sector and has put additional funding into this area as part of 2024/25 budget setting. To help manage demand and continue to provide high-quality services the Council is including growth of £2m, raise an additional £2m through the ASC Precept, as well as increasing the budgets for inflationary pressures.

The Council is also ensuring that concerns about discontinuation of reablement services are addressed; we will continue to provide support through our existing agencies for eligible residents and commission a new specialist reablement provider in 2024.

Concerns about Adult Mental Health scaling back were also raised, and we pleased to say there have been no reductions in service budget.

Lack of provision for Children’s services

The Council is very aware of cost pressures in these areas and have included £500,000 of budget growth to address the increasing numbers of care leavers and the increasing costs related to looked after children, due to the shortage of appropriate placements in the market.

In 2024/25 the Council will spend over £60m on Children’s Services and £25m on pupils with High Needs from the Dedicated Schools Grant supporting 759 pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans and pupils in alternative and hospital provision.

Councillor allowances and spend on staffing

All 50 councillors receive a basic allowance to cover intra-borough travel and other necessary subsistence costs. Following a review earlier this year, there has been a modest increase in the allowance from £11,027, to £11,689. This decision has been made following a five year freeze on the amount to compensate for inflationary costs. The allowance still remains below the average rate amongst other London Boroughs.

The 2024/25 budget includes staff savings of two per cent, totalling £2m. The Council is also considering further staff reductions for the 2025/26 budget. We are also introducing recruitment panels to help manage staffing levels.

Need for more investment into Environmental services

Ensuring the borough becomes greener is one of the three commitments in the Council Plan published last year, and we have committed to delivering focused actions to tackle climate change, local environmental issues and become a Net Zero council in our new Climate Emergency Action Plan. The Council is also reviewing a climate budget initiative, with ambitions to launch in 2024/25 to embed climate considerations in our financial activities.

The capital programme has made inclusions for £4.6m investment in parks and green spaces until 2026/27, including new playgrounds, park buildings and improving horticulture. The Council proposals also include £229,000 to increase street cleaning and graffiti removal, with extra resource also allocated to street cleansing teams to increase our commitment to providing for a cleaner, greener borough.

Housing and Temporary Accommodation Pressures

The Council have a statutory responsibility to provide temporary accommodation to eligible people in the borough, and due to increased demand and pressure the Council is looking to make efficiencies and make capital investment to reduce long term costs. The 2024/25 budget includes an additional £1.5m of budget growth to address these pressures going forward, as well as capital pipeline investment provision of £18m to increase available accommodation in the borough.  There will also be an increase in Local Housing Allowance from April 24t^h to match the 30^th percentile of local rents, so the cheapest 30 per cent of rents will be affordable to people on low income or Universal Credit.

Citizens’ Panel funding cuts and accessibility

The Citizens’ Panel remains a fundamental project within the Council to understand views of the public and help residents influence decision making processes. Assessment of the relatively small proposed £5,000 reduction shows little to no impact on the Council running the programme. We envisage being able to regularly recruit new members to the panel to keep it representative of the borough and will continue to ensure all accessibility requests made to attend the event are met, as it has done over the past three years.

Council Tax Inequality and Rebate

The Council is proposing again in 2024/25 to offer support to less well-off households and ensure residents with greater resources are contributing more towards the Council’s overall funding. The current proposal under review is to provide £100 to 16,000 low income groups in the borough. Despite the difficult decision to increase council tax by 4.99% for additional funding for public services, we have also ensured that our council tax rate remains in the lowest quartile in London. We have extended our empty homes council tax premium to properties that have been empty over a year (which used to be over two years), with anticipated additional income of £871,000.

Needed more clarity on what the budget proposals are

We intend to start the consultation earlier in 2025/26 to allow more time for residents to complete their responses, and welcome feedback on how to make the documents easier to understand and complete. We have also held sessions with the Youth Council to explain local government financing and engage students in the consultation process, to encourage involvement with all residents in the borough.

A summary of the feedback received and the Council’s responses to them can be found in appendix 6 of the budget report.

For your views on the draft Strategy.

Following the various consultation activities, a consultation summary report was produced and modifications to the draft Strategy were made. These changes consider the comments and views of various stakeholders and deliver a strategy that has the support of those affected by flooding. 

The main changes to the strategy following consultation are:

• More information has been included in the Strategy on the impact of flooding on disabled people in the Borough.
• The Action Plan has been updated to identify the priority of each action.
• An action has been included in the Action Plan to require Thames Water to provide an annual summary of planned and completed investment in the Borough so that sewer flood risk can be effectively monitored.
• There is a greater emphasis on the potential for Garden Squares to hold water and reduce surface water flood risk to the wider community.
• More information has been included in the Strategy to set out the potential implications of the Government implementing Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act, which would place additional burdens on the Council.
• Some of the unnecessary jargon in the Strategy has been removed or clarified further in the glossary

We asked for your views on the vision and proposal drawings for Hogarth Road and whether you support the improvements: widening the pavements, planting new trees and improving the street surface. We also asked what makes Hogarth Road special. 

We received 66 responses to the survey and five email responses. 95 per cent of respondents said they support or strongly support the proposals. 

In answer to what makes Hogarth Road special, you said: 

• It is the ‘front door’ to Earl’s Court, within close proximity to Earl's Court station, with vibrant local and independent businesses 
• It is of historical and cultural significance in the Earls Court area 
• There is opportunity to enhance the cafe culture of the street
• It is a community within a community where people know and care for each other 

Most comments about the proposals fell under the following two themes: 

• Respondents had a desire for the street to be made more pedestrian friendly, for it to be a well-maintained space and a meeting hub  
• There is potential to improve the area 

Other comments fell under the following themes: 

• There is a need to improve the safety of the road and pavements for all users  
• More greening is needed 
• The programme of works should be extended up to the pub on Hogarth Place  
• Shopfront improvement should be encouraged or supported 
• Pay parking bays support the area 

Following the consultation and the support for the vision and proposed changes, we are making the following amendments to the proposals:  

• Adding a Blue Badge disabled parking bay to the design in order to improve access to the District Centre 
• Investigating moving the Police Box to Hogarth Road, so that it is still at the heart of Earl’s Court but in its own intentional setting 

The proposed changes would integrate with the York stone paving of Hogarth Place, which is in good condition, and therefore we are not intending to extend the scheme to the end of Hogarth Place.  

Although shopfront improvements do not fall within this streetscape project, we will continue to support improvements in line with our Shopfront Design Guide. 

Some of the visitors’ parking bays that will be lost through this scheme will be re-provided through the conversion of 30 metres of residents’ parking outside 14 to 24 Hogarth Road to six visitor’s parking bays. 

• We asked for views on the proposal to amend the current hours of operation of the school street in St Charles Square, outside All Saints Catholic College to between 8am and 8.30am and between 3pm and 3.30pm on Mondays to Fridays inclusive (currently, the restriction applies between 8am and 8.30am and between 2.45pm and 3.15pm on Mondays to Fridays inclusive).  Motor vehicles would be banned from entering the north to south arm of St Charles Square, between the south-eastern kerb-line of St Charles Square (arm adjacent to Nos. 26 and 28 St Charles Square and Nos. 273 and 275 Ladbroke Grove) and the north-western kerb-line of St Charles Square (southernmost west to east arm) during the hours of control.

We had no objections and no letters of support to these proposals.

We have made the traffic order amending the hours of control of the school street outside All Saints Catholic College in the afternoon from between 2.45pm and 3.15pm to between 3pm and 3.30pm, as proposed.

We asked for views on the proposal to convert RBKC Housing Resident Permit Holders (PBR) bay (parking bay number 6), to RBKC Housing personalised disabled bay (PBR 02) in the 375 Portobello Road housing estate.

We received one objection to the proposal.

We have made the traffic order for the proposed change to the 375 Portobello Road housing estate as originally advertised.

We asked for views on 49 proposals in the October 2023 Miscellaneous Parking Changes.

We received a total of 24 objections, nine letters of suport and one comment across 11 of the parking proposals.

We have made the traffic order as originally advertised apart from the proposal relating to Oxford Gardens which was dropped in its entirety.  The decision regarding the Kempsford Gardens and Old Brompton Road proposal was again deferred to the February 2024 amendment.

We asked for your views and feedback of the current outdoor gym at Holland Park including equipment and surfacing options. The consultation also sought to gather feedback on the golf practice area and pétanque court within Holland Park.

There were 66 survey responses.

General Outdoor gym:

How often people used the outdoor gym in Holland Park:  A total of 14 respondents said they use the outdoor gym equipment everyday, 28 respondents two to three times per week, ten respondents once a week, two respondents once a month, three respondents rarely and eight respondents never use the outdoor gym, and one respondent did not answer.

Satisfaction levels with the outdoor gym equipment: 43 respondents were either very satisfied or satisfied, seven respondents were neither satisfied or dissatisfied,  six respondents were either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied and two respondents did not answer.

Outdoor gym improvements:

Which pieces of strength training equipment you use in the current outdoor gym:  37 respondents used the Chest Press, 37 respondents used the Pulldown Exerciser respondents, 31 respondents used the Leg Press, nine respondents used the Strength Wheel, 12 respondents did not use this equipment or did not answer.

Which pieces of Cardiovascular equipment you use in the current outdoor gym: 27 respondents used the Rower, 24 respondents used the Surfer, 19 respondents used the Skier, 16 respondents used the Pedal Bike, 12 respondents used the Arm and Pedal Bike, and 21 respondents did not use the equipment or did not answer.

Which pieces of Calisthenics/ upper body equipment you use in the current outdoor gym:  40 respondents used the Parallel Bars, 38 respondents used the Triple Pull Up Bars, 34 respondents used the Monkey Bars, 32 respondents used the Sit Up Benches, 32 respondents used the Gym Combination, and eight respondents did not use the equipment or did not answer.

Which pieces of Lower body/full body equipment you use in the current outdoor gym: 28 respondents used the Space walker, 26 respondents the balance beams, 25 respondents the Body Twister, 24 respondents the Agility bench, 24 respondents used the Hurdles, 19 respondents the Four Wheel Spinner, 11 respondents used the Accessible Combo unit, and seven respondents did not use this equipment or did not answer.

Which pieces of Flexibility equipment you use in the current outdoor gym: 20 respondents used the Workout posts, 20 respondents used the Horseback Rider, ten respondents used the Roller Back Massager and 24 respondents  did not use this equipment or did not answer.

Which new pieces or additional outdoor gym equipment people would like to see included in the refurbishment: 17 respondents would like different height/ more pull up bars, eight respondents more Strength/toning equipment, eight respondents suggested an additional training area/equipment or repairs, eight respondents wanted straight Monkey Bars, five respondents wanted a covered area/even surfacing, four respondents safety/storage suggestions and three respondents were satisfied with equipment.

Which type of equipment/method of training you would like to see implemented: 51 respondents supported option 1 – A combination of fitness equipment and calisthenics, nine respondents supported option 2 – A variety of fitness equipment only and six respondents did not answer.

If you supported replacing the current grass mat surfacing with rubber mulch surfacing under the equipment: 42 respondents  supported rubber mulch surfacing, five respondents did not support rubber mulch surfacing and 19 respondents did not know or did not answer.

Golf Practice area:

How often people used the golf practice area in Holland Park: Four respondents used the facility two to three times per week, one respondent once a week, one respondent once a month, seven respondents rarely, 46 respondents never used it, and seven respondents did not answer.

Satisfaction levels with the Golf Practice area: Five respondents were very satisfied or satisfied, five respondents were neither satisfied or dissatisfied and three respondents were dissatisfied.

How could the Golf Practice area be improved: Eight respondents shared their ideas which included enlarging the artificial putting green, new nets, mats and a bunker area, maintenance issues fence repairs, unstable bench, replacement of cracked cups/flag sticks and hire clubs and extended opening hours.

Pétanque Court:

How often people used the pétanque court:  Five respondents used the area every day, six respondents two to three times per week, two respondents once a week, three respondents once a month, five respondents rarely and 45 respondents never use it or did not answer.

What do you use the pétanque court for: 11 respondents use the area for other exercise activity ( e.g., boxing, stretching and squats), four respondents use the area for personal training and three respondents use the area for playing pétanque.

Satisfaction levels with the pétanque court: Eight respondents were very satisfied or satisfied, eleven respondents were neither satisfied or dissatisfied and three respondents were either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied.

Any other ideas or suggestion for improvements: 13 respondents had no further comments, six respondents had comments relating to the pétanque court which included (basketball hoop, table tennis table, covering the area with something waterproof), six respondents commented on other areas/features, four respondents on tennis/racquet sports, three respondents on maintenance/surfacing, three respondents accessibility/cost comments and three respondents’ comments on signage.

Outdoor Gym:

The outdoor gym will be refurbished, the improvements will include the preferred training method of a range of fitness equipment and calisthenics. The popular items of equipment with at least 15 plus responses will all be replaced as part of the outdoor gym refurbishment. We will also look at including additional pull up bars at various heights and new strength and toning equipment. The grass matting safety surface will be replaced with rubber much. The layout of the outdoor gym will be improved to create fitness zones according to type of equipment e.g., cardio zone. Some accessible equipment will also be included in the design. If possible and within budget, we will also include a covered area/shelter for bag and clothing storage and to shelter from the rain and sun. Signage will be added about age use limitations for the equipment.

Golf Practice Area:

The maintenance issues such as the fencing, unstable bench replacement cracked cups/flag sticks and clubs will be improved/replaced. We will also look at the improvement to the nets, artificial putting green and mats.

Pétanque Area:

This is currently used for a variety of activities including some people playing pétanque and an exercise and stretching area. This area will remain unchanged for the time being and we will review this again once the work to the outdoor gym and golf practice areas are completed.

The improvements will be carried out late Spring to early Summer 2024.

We asked for your views on improving Tavistock Gardens, by giving your thoughts on the current facilities, as well as ideas for improvement. Specifically, we asked for your opinions on the types and quantities of planting, fencing, lighting and CCTV in the gardens.

We also asked whether you would like to see the “Hand off Mangrove” sculpture garden installed within this open space.

Finally, we sought your interest in volunteering to help plant some of the new shrubs.

We received 89 responses to the survey.

Who took part: Most respondents were female, at 58 percent, and all were above 25 years old. 25 percent of respondents reported a physical or mental health condition that was expected to last 12 months or more. 67 percent of respondents described their ethnic origin as white.

How people use the gardens: Just over half of respondents visit the garden at least two to three times per week. Just over half say they use the gardens for sitting, relaxing, walking and/or light exercise. Just over one third meet friends and around a quarter walk a dog or use the playground. One in five eat in the gardens and 16 percent use the gym equipment.

Satisfaction with the gardens: Most residents were satisfied with the trees at 61 percent. This was followed by satisfaction with paths at 43 percent and peace and quiet at 38 percent. Dissatisfaction was highest for the lawn area and cleanliness at 49 percent, seating 47 percent and shrub beds 45 percent. The most common sited complaints were for the maintenance of shrub and lawn areas, lack of seating, anti-social behaviour, dog fouling and rubbish.

Suggested planting: Most residents would like to see wildflowers to attract birds and butterflies, colourful plants of all year interest and sensory plants such as herbs and ornamental grasses. Just over a third also supported plants that produce edible fruit, such as fruit trees.

Provide more: Half of residents would like to see more trees, shrubs and seating in the gardens. 55 percent would like the same amount of lawn or less.

Fencing along Tavistock Road: Nearly half of respondents supported additional fencing, with just over a quarter ‘neutral’ and just under a quarter opposed. Of those opposed, ‘not needed’ was the most common reason.

Street lighting: 42 percent support additional lighting in the gardens, with 35 percent opposed. Of those opposed, ‘not needed’ was the most common reason.

CCTV in the gardens: Nearly two thirds of respondents supported more CCTV in the gardens, with only 16 percent opposed

General comments: The most common comments were for more flowers, colour and wildlife in the gardens.

Hands off Mangrove sculpture: 44 percent of respondents supported the sculpture garden, with just over one third ‘neutral’ and one in five opposed. Of those opposed, concerns about too much space being used was the most common.

Volunteering: 35 percent of respondents would like to volunteer planting new shrubs in the gardens.

Trees and shrubs: We will replant shrub beds with small trees and shrubs to attract birds and butterflies, and plants providing all year-round colour. Shrub beds will be protected by low-level bow-top fencing. Where conditions allow, we will also plant herbs and small fruit trees. Herbs can be grown within the planters proposed at the main entrance to the gardens, where there is more sunlight. There is support for more planting, which can be accommodated within planters and around the sculpture garden.

Seating: There is support for more seating within the gardens. Taking into account a relatively high number of users of the gardens with a physical mobility condition, these seats will have sturdy backs and armrests for extra support.

Fencing: There is support for fencing along Tavistock Road, and this will be provided to match the height and style of fencing along All Saints Road. Protective low-level fencing will also be installed in front of shrub beds, as mentioned above. There are no plans to lock the gardens at night.

Street lighting: There is some support for additional street lighting within the gardens and this will be further explored where there are ‘dark spots’.

CCTV in the gardens: There is strong support for extra CCTV in the gardens and this will be progressed to discourage anti-social behaviour.

Other concerns: Concerns raised about rubbish, dog fouling and maintenance will be forwarded to the Parks Team, who manage the grounds maintenance contract, and the RBKC Parks Police, who support in controlling anti-social behaviour. Low bow-top railings around the shrub borders and the fence on Tavistock road should help to address some of these issues, particularly around dog fouling and litter in shrub borders.

“Hands off Mangrove” Sculpture Garden: There is support for the new sculpture garden and this will be installed. NCIL funding has already been secured to help with the costs. Concerns about the sculpture garden taking up too much space will be acknowledged by ensuring that planting around the sculpture does not take up too much of the lawn area.

Volunteering: Volunteers will be invited to help plant up some of the shrub beds in the spring 2024.

We asked for views on the proposal to prohibit all buses (including coaches) from entering Oakley Street or Old Church Street (between the south-eastern kerb-line of King’s Road and the north-western kerb-line of Chelsea Embankment), excluding any part of those roads that is a red route side road. An exemption will apply to vehicles following a diversion route.

• We had four objections and a total of 83 letters of support to these proposals.

We have made the traffic order prohibiting all buses (including coaches) from entering Oakley Street or Old Church Street (between the south-eastern kerb-line of King’s Road and the north-western kerb-line of Chelsea Embankment), excluding any part of those roads that is a red route side road. An exemption will apply to vehicles following a diversion route., as proposed.

If the Council should introduce ten new cycle hangars in nine locations across the borough.

73 responses supported the proposals in full, 7 supported in part and 32 objected to the proposals. 

The Director for Transport and Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Lead Member for Planning, Place and Environment, has decided to proceed with the  hangars proposed in Bolton Gardens, Earl's Court Square (three units), Ladbroke Grove, Powis Square and Princedale Road.   The ward councillors have asked that the units proposed in Egerton Terrace and Whitehead’s Grove not proceed, and officers consider that the number of objections from residents suggest that the community do not wish to see this hangar installed in Stanley Gardens.

Panel Members were invited to attend an in person event in October 2023 to discuss the theme ‘Making the borough fairer’. This was one of a number of engagement events to help develop the themes and actions for inclusion in the Council’s new Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan. 

The event was attended by Councillors and senior managers within the Council (including the Chief Executive) and Panel members were incited to join a discussion table to address the following questions:  ​

• What does becoming a fairer Kensington and Chelsea mean to you?​
• What should the Council do to address equalities and fairness in the borough?​
• What are the three things we should focus on first to make Kensington and Chelsea a fairer place?​
• How can we work with our communities to make this happen?​

Panel members raised a range of issues relating to fairness including health inequalities, community safety, housing, young people and education, the cost of living and the need for more consultation and involvement.

Some of key ideas raised for addressing equality and fairness in the borough included:

• More support for parents and families and educational support for young people
• A need for more affordable housing and to ensure existing housing stock is maintained to a good standard
• A need for improved customer service from the Council and for all residents to be treated equally and respectfully.
• A need to work more with local communities and to provide more localised services where people live
• The need for more communication and transparency from the Council especially with regard to decision making and accountability
• The need to listen more to residents and involve them to better understand who lives in the borough, their lived experiences and to connect more with the community.

Thank you those who attended the Citizen's Panel event in the Autumn on developing a Fairer borough. Theses inputs have been utilised, alongside other engagement with residents, to develop draft priorities and themes for the new Fairer Action Plan, aimed at tackling inequality, celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion. We are currently working with council teams to develop the practical actions and commitments that will support each of these themes, utilising the feedback from our communities and the data available about inequality in the borough. We will be consulting with residents over the coming months on the draft themes and areas of focus before finalising the later this year.