We Asked, You Said, We Did

Kensington and Chelsea is facing an unprecedented funding gap as a result of the Government's Fairer Funding Review. Over the four year funding period, the Government will remove more than £100 million from our budgets, equivalent to over 40 per cent of our controllable budget.

The Council proposed to submit a proposal under the Sustainable Communities Act, calling on the Government to ensure that future funding arrangements better reflect the needs of Kensington and Chelsea and its residents.

The Sustainable Communities Act gives local authorities the power to ask central government to remove laws, policies or other barriers that prevent them from improving the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of their communities.

We asked residents if they supported this proposal and to rank priorities for any submission.

The consultation closed with 1,499 responses. Of these respondents, 93 per cent ‘strongly supported’ or ‘supported’ the Council’s proposed approach of asking the Government to revise its funding arrangements for Kensington and Chelsea under the Sustainable Communities Act. A total of five per cent opposed.

When asked to rank priorities for any submission, respondents gave the highest priority to allowing the Council to retain a greater share of locally generated income, such as business rates, stamp duty and income tax, followed by giving the Council more time to adapt to significant changes in Government funding.

Respondents were also invited to suggest actions the Council could ask the Government to take. The most frequent themes raised were fairness and the redistribution of funding away from efficient councils, improving efficiency, accountability and public sector spending reform, protecting essential services and vulnerable residents, and specific services and cost pressures.

These findings, supported the Council’s case for submitting a proposal under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007.

Alongside the leaders of Westminster, Wandsworth and Richmond councils, the Council has submitted proposals under the Sustainable Communities Act, calling on ministers to rethink changes to how councils are funded.

What happens next? 

The Secretary of State must consider our proposal and decide whether to accept all or part of it, giving reasons for the decision.

Our submission to Whitehall is part of our ongoing efforts to protect council services and stand up for residents. We will continue to press the Government to reconsider its proposals and make sure Kensington and Chelsea's voice is heard.

We asked for views on 35 proposals in the July 2026 Miscellaneous Parking Changes.

We received a total of 15 objections across 5 of the on-street parking proposals.

We have made the traffic order as originally advertised apart from the proposals relating to Portland Road (which will not proceed) and Gloucester Road (where the decision has been deferred).

We asked for views on 4 proposals in the July 2026 Housing Parking Changes.

We received no objections to any of the Housing parking proposals.

We have made the traffic order as originally advertised.

We asked for your views in order to help develop our Council Plan setting out how we will focus our efforts and resources over the next four years.

The consultation consisted of an online survey that was open to all, a survey of our Citizens’ Panel and a series of in-person and online engagement discussions with local people.

The consultation heard from almost 600 people who shared their views on the services they value most and what we should be prioritising.

We are experiencing increasing pressure on services while facing more than £100 million in reduced funding over the next four years due to central government cuts. Residents told us they wanted us to remain focused on delivering high-quality services while providing value for money and supporting those who need help most.

Shaped by feedback from residents, businesses and community and voluntary groups as part of the Let’s Talk K&C2030 consultation, a new Council Plan has been launched.

The new Council Plan is built around four priorities:

• Clean streets and amazing spaces
• Getting the basics right
• Making your life easier
• Value for money

These priorities reflect both the commitments the Council was elected on and the issues residents told us are most important to them.

The Council Plan will guide our work through to 2030 and will help shape decisions on services, investment and transformation programmes across the borough.

Read the Council Plan find to out more about the priorities and commitments that will help deliver a better Kensington and Chelsea for everyone.

Whether the Council should introduce a new zebra crossing on Sydney Street, by its junction with Britten Street.

We received 10 responses to the consultation.

Six respondents (sixty per cent) supported the proposal in full, believing that the proposal would increase safety and improve road safety.  

One (ten per cent) supported the proposals in part and suggested moving the crossing to an alternative junction.

Three (thirty per cent) objected to the scheme believing that the proposal could impact traffic, primarily congestion and the potential displacement of traffic onto nearby streets.

A full summary of the consultation replies, and the Councils responses can be found by clicking the link below.

Following consideration of all the comments received, the Director of Highway and Regulatory Services has decided to proceed with the introduction of the zebra crossing on Sydney Street, at the junction with Britten Street.

The Executive Decision details can be found here: https://rbkc.moderngov.co.uk/Committees/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=14329&Opt=0

The scheme will proceed to detailed design, and we will give formal notice of the zebra crossing prior to implementation. Following our consideration of any responses to the statutory notice, we hope to construct the crossing at the beginning of the 2027-28 financial year. 

We asked for your views in order to help develop our Council Plan setting out how we will focus our efforts and resources over the next four years.

The consultation consisted of an online survey that was open to all, a survey of our Citizens’ Panel and a series of in-person and online engagement discussions with local people.

The consultation heard from almost 600 people who shared their views on the services they value most and what we should be prioritising.

We are experiencing increasing pressure on services while facing more than £100 million in reduced funding over the next four years due to central government cuts. Residents told us they wanted us to remain focused on delivering high-quality services while providing value for money and supporting those who need help most.

Shaped by feedback from residents, businesses and community and voluntary groups as part of the Let’s Talk K&C2030 consultation, a new Council Plan has been launched.

The new Council Plan is built around four priorities:

• Clean streets and amazing spaces
• Getting the basics right
• Making your life easier
• Value for money

These priorities reflect both the commitments the Council was elected on and the issues residents told us are most important to them.

The Council Plan will guide our work through to 2030 and will help shape decisions on services, investment and transformation programmes across the borough.

Read the Council Plan find to out more about the priorities and commitments that will help deliver a better Kensington and Chelsea for everyone.

Whether the Council should introduce a new zebra crossing on Cale Street, east of the junction with Sydney Street and a new zebra crossing on Ixworth Place, north of the junction with Cale Street.

We received 80 responses to the consultation.

Cale Street

• 74 respondents (92.5 per cent) supported the proposal in full, believing it would improve safety and reduce vehicle speeds.

• Two respondents (2.5 per cent) partially supported the proposal, suggesting that the crossing should be located further from the junction to reduce the risk of traffic queues.

• Four respondents (five per cent) objected to the proposal, considering the existing crossing facilities sufficient and expressing concerns about potential traffic impacts, including congestion, bus delays and increased pollution.

Ixworth Place

• 70 respondents (87.5 per cent) supported the proposal in full, believing it would improve safety and reduce vehicle speeds.

• Three respondents (3.8 per cent) partially supported the proposal, suggesting that the crossing should be located further from the junction to reduce the risk of traffic queues.

• Three respondents (3.8 per cent) objected to the proposal, considering the existing crossing facilities sufficient and expressing concerns about potential traffic impacts, including congestion, bus delays and increased pollution.

• Four respondents (five per cent) expressed no opinion on the proposal.

A full summary of the consultation replies, and the Councils responses can be found by clicking the link below.

Following consideration of all the comments received, the Director of Highway and Regulatory Services has decided to proceed with the introduction of the zebra crossing on Cale Street, at the junction with Sydney Street and the new zebra crossing on Ixworth Place, north of the junction with Cale Street.

The Executive Decision details can be found here: https://rbkc.moderngov.co.uk/Committees/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=14329&Opt=0

The schemes will proceed to detailed design, and we will give formal notice of the zebra crossing prior to implementation. Following our consideration of any responses to the statutory notice, we hope to construct the crossing by the end of the 2026-27 financial year. 

whether the Council should introduce a new parallel crossing on Ladbroke Grove at the junction with Blenheim Crescent.

Forty-four responses were received; 25 in support (57 per cent), 15 objections (34 per cent) and four support in part (9 per cent).

After considering the responses received to the consultation, the Director for Highway and Regulatory Services has decided to proceed with introduction of the scheme on which we consulted, with the exception of the amendment below:  

• Not to implement the proposed advisory cycle lanes on Ladbroke Grove in order to retain the pedestrian islands on the northern side of the junction.

whether the Council should introduce a new zebra crossing and footway extensions on Ledbury Road, at the junction with Talbot Road. 

Thirty-six responses were received; 24 in support (67 per cent), eight objections (22 per cent) and four support in part (11 per cent).

After considering the responses received to the consultation, officers recommend that the Director for Highway and Regulatory Services proceed to introduce a new zebra crossing and footway extensions on Ledbury Road, at the junction with Talbot Road, with an amendment;

• Subject to detailed design and visibility displays, to shorten some of the lengths of footway proposed to make the scheme parking-neutral by shortening the length of footway widening on south-west Talbot Road (to create two parking bays) and south-east Ledbury Road (to create one parking bay before the vehicular crossover).

whether the Council should introduce two-way cycling in the section of Pavilion Road between Hans Crescent and Basil Street. 

Five responses were received; three in support and two objections.  

After considering the responses received to the consultation, the Director for Highway and Regulatory Services has decided to proceed with introduction of two-way cycling in the section of Pavilion Road between Hans Crescent and Basil Street, with one proposed amendment to shorten the resident parking bay north of Hans Crescent by three metres.

whether the Council should introduce two-way cycling in the section of Cathcart Road between Redcliffe Gardens and Hollywood Road. 

Twenty-five responses were received; 14 objections, 10 in support and one support in part. 

After considering the responses received to the consultation, the Director for Highway and Regulatory Services has decided to proceed with introducing two-way cycling in the section of Cathcart Road between Redcliffe Gardens and Hollywood Road, with one proposed amendment to implement an advisory (dashed) rather than mandatory (solid line) cycle lane.

Whether a School Street closure should be implemented on Airlie Gardens, for Holland Park School.

Seven responses supported the School Street in part, three respondents supported in full and five respondents objected to the proposals. 

After considering the evidence for the proposal and the grounds for those objecting, or partially objecting, the Director for Highways and Regulatory Services has agreed to proceed with the School Street on Airlie Gardens.

If we should consolidate existing rental e-bike bays for e-bike and e-scooter use and if we should install 54 new rental e-bike parking bay locations across the borough, to help reduce footway obstructions caused by rental e-bikes. 

The Council received 567 responses to the consultation.  Please see the consultation report for the breakdown of responses to individual proposed locations.

The Council is proceeding with the proposal to consolidate existing rental e-bike bays for e-bike and e-scooter use and implementing 27 of the proposed rental e-bike parking bays, as below:

Whether the Council should introduce a new zebra crossing, on Royal Hospital Road, on the northeast side of Ormonde Gate and West Road.

We received 38 responses to the consultation. 23 responses (60 per cent) were from people who supported the proposals, six (16 per cent) agreed in part with the proposals and nine (24 per cent) objected to the scheme.

A full summary of the consultation replies, and the Councils responses can be found by clicking the link below.

Following consideration of all the comments received, the Director of Highway and Regulatory Services has decided to proceed with the introduction of the zebra crossing on Royal Hospital Road.

The scheme will proceed to detailed design, and we will give formal notice of the zebra crossing prior to implementation. Following our consideration of any responses to the statutory notice, we hope to construct the crossing by the end of the 2026-27 financial year. 

We asked for views on four proposals in the March 2026 Housing Parking Changes.

We received no objections to any of the Housing parking proposals.

We have made the traffic order as originally advertised.

We asked for views on 60 proposals in the March 2026 Miscellaneous Parking Changes.

We received a total of 11 objections across 9 of the on-street parking proposals.

We have made the traffic order as originally advertised.

We recently carried out a six-week consultation and asked your views on the draft Housing Enforcement Policy. This relates to the new tenancy rules in the private rented sector.  The Renters’ Rights Act requires the Council to enforce the new rules and have a policy explaining how it will do this. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback.

We consulted with residents and stakeholders through an online survey and engagement activities.

The online survey asked four questions:

1. Do you find the policy clear and easy to understand overall?

2. Do you support the main aims of the policy?

3. Is there anything you expected to see in the policy which is not there?

4. Do you have any other comments about the policy?

We received 20 responses through the online survey.

• 60% found the policy clear and easy to understand overall

• 50% of respondents supported the main aims of the policy

• 40% expected to see something in the policy which was not there.

There were a range of views expressed during the consultation:

• About 64% of comments related to disagreeing with the legislation generally, rather than the policy specifically

• This included views on the duty placed on councils to enforce the rules and the perceived negative impact of the Act on the private rented sector

• Some landlords asked for clarification about specific tenancy rules

• Some respondents said the policy was too legalistic and should have more plain English, and others said it lacked enough detail, such as the protection given to vulnerable tenants.

The feedback from the consultation has helped us to finalise the policy, which you can find here:

• In terms of landlords wanting clarification on specific tenancy rules, this information is available in the government’s guidance for landlords. A link to the government’s housing hub is available on the Council’s website

• In response to concerns that the policy was too legalistic, we produced a plain-English summary of the policy. This makes the aims of the policy and how it works easier to understand

• We highlighted that tenant vulnerability may justify increasing a financial penalty above the starting point.

Whether the Council should introduce a new zebra crossing, on Abbotsbury Road, by the North Abbotsbury entrance to Holland Park.

We received 77 responses to the consultation.

Fifty responses (65 per cent) supported the proposal in full, believing that the proposal would increase safety and reduce speeds.

Six (eight per cent) supported the proposals in part and three of those also suggested an additional zebra crossing be implemented south of the proposal, by Holland Park’s ‘Ted’s Gate’ entrance.

Twenty-one (27 per cent) objected to the scheme believing that pedestrian crossing demand at the location is low and that the proposal would increase congestion and traffic on Abbotsbury Road.

A full summary of the consultation replies, and the Councils responses can be found by clicking the link below.

Following consideration of all the comments received, the Director of Highway and Regulatory Services has decided to proceed with the introduction of the zebra crossing on Abbotsbury Road, in the location proposed by the North Abbotsbury entrance to Holland Park.

The scheme will proceed to detailed design, and we will give formal notice of the zebra crossing prior to implementation. Following our consideration of any responses to the statutory notice, we hope to construct the crossing by the end of the 2026-27 financial year. 

The Panel survey on making the borough safer launched in January 2026 and focussed on gaining a better understanding of what makes local people feel safe and gain an insight into Panel members’ experiences of crime and antisocial behaviour as a witness and/or victim. This is the fifth time this survey has been undertaken and provides comparative data over the past five years to identify any changes in opinions, attitudes and experiences and other trends in the data. 

• Overall feelings of safety –  Over three quarters (77 per cent) of Panel members feel safe to some extent when out and about in their neighbourhood during the day, however, this drops to just under half (49 per cent) at night. Forty-eight per cent of Panel members agreed that there were places in their neighbourhood they were worried about visiting including badly lit areas and public transport hubs/stations. 
• Crime levels -  Forty-six per cent of Panel members felt the crime levels in their neighbourhood are average, with 23 per cent feeling they are high/very high and 31 per cent feeling they are low/very low. Sixty-one of Panel members felt that the amount of crime in their neighbourhood over the last 12 months is about the same, whilst 26 per cent felt there was more crime and 12 per cent less crime.
• Community safety priorities –  There are currently six community safety priorities, two of which are new: hate crime and serious acquisitive crime. Of the six priorities, drug related offences (as in previous years) is viewed as the biggest problem alongside the new priority serious acquisitive crime (59 per cent each).
• One thing to make you feel safer where you live – The most mentioned measures were a more visible/increased police presence, improved street lighting and better enforcement/penalties for crime/ASB.
• Impact of measures on crime and antisocial behaviour – Panel members felt that high visibility of police/uniformed Council officers (95 per cent) would have the biggest impact on crime and antisocial behaviour. This was followed by enforcement against antisocial behaviour and environmental improvements for local neighbourhoods (both 91 per cent).

The full results of the survey were taken to the Safer K and C Board which 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. This year the findings has been used to refine the Violence Against Women and Girls and Modern Slavery Strategies, as well a general service planning over the year. Where possible details on where respondents do not feel safe will inform operational taskings for CCTV, Street Enforcement Team and Police. The council has installed 19 additional CCTV cameras this year as this survey reported it makes residents feel safer. Results will also be used to ensure we continue to focus on the crime and antisocial behaviour priorities of our residents. The results will regularly be used throughout the year as community safety projects are developed to help inform them and develop better community responses. 

We regularly go to this report throughout the year as we develop community safety projects to help inform them and develop better community responses.

An online consultation was undertaken via the Council’s Consultation and Engagement Hub and promoted through housing newsletters, leaflets and posters in housing receptions. The consultation included a draft Pet Policy and was open from 1 February 2026 to 15 March 2026. A total of ten responses were received.

Feedback received has been used to amend the policy where appropriate.

Changes made include: 

• Strengthening links to the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Policy in relation to issues such as dog fouling and noise.
• Confirming the Head of Neighbourhoods as the officer responsible for considering appeals, and clarifying key timelines.
• The section on emotional support animals has been expanded to provide greater clarity and detail.

The policy confirms that Kensington and Chelsea Council's Housing Management will maintain a record of all pets on its estates and ensure that appropriate permissions are in place.