We Asked, You Said, We Did

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.

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.

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.

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.

Whether the Council should add sinusoidal road humps to the east and west arms of Elm Park Gardens, following a successful application for Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding by the Elm Park House Residents Committee.

We received 64 responses to the consultation. Thirty-eight responses (59 percent) were from people who supported the proposals, eight (13 percent) agreed in part with the proposals and 18 (28 percent) 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 sinusoidal road humps on the east and west arms of Elm Park Gardens.The scheme has proceeded to detailed design, and we plan to give notice of the final proposed positions of the road humps once that design has been completed. Following our consideration of any responses to the statutory notice, we hope to construct the road humps during the schools’ summer break.

We sought local residents' views on Ifield Road Playground play equipment, surfacing and planting, as due to be renewed.

We received back twenty-two responses with preferences expressed for each item due to be renewed.

Following the consultation, tendering process started in November and saw HAGS SMP Ltd been awarded the works in the playground (including installation of both junior and toddler swings, climbing frame, hanging bars, slides, trampoline, spinning item, items of inclusive equipment, sensory play items and bright colours). This closely matches the design brief and consultation feedback.

One of the Council’s responsibilities is to protect and improve the mental health and wellbeing of our residents and their communities. We asked for your feedback on:

• Your current emotional wellbeing
• What factors impacts on this, both positively and negatively
• What you do to support your own wellbeing
• Knowledge and experience of mental health services
• What you would like to see more of in the community, and
• What you would like to see included in a digital mental health resource.

Learning about your emotional wellbeing and mental health experiences helps us to shape our services to better meet your emotional wellbeing needs and those of your loved ones.

We recieved 324 responses to this, the demographics of respondents were:

• 60 per cent female, 39 per cent male
• 76 per cent White, 22 per cent Black, Asian or Multi-ethnic
• 10 per cent 18-24 year olds, 46 per cent 35-59, 42 percent 60 and over

Emotional health and wellbeing: ​Almost half (47 per cent) of respondents stated they had felt anxious to some extent over the preceding two weeks (providing a score of 5 or above). 40 per cent stated they had felt low/depressed. Factors that had the most positive impact on respondents’ emotional health and wellbeing were their relationships with friends/family and their home. Physical health and financial situation were the factors that had the most negative impact.​

Activities to support wellbeing​: The most popular activities undertaken by respondents were ‘going for a walk/other physical activity’ (79 per cent) and ‘spending time with family and friends’ (69 per cent).​ Almost two thirds (64 per cent) of respondents reported that they either ‘mostly’ or ‘always’ managed to undertake 30 minutes of moderate activity five times a week. Sixteen per cent reported that they ‘never’ or ‘almost never’ managed to do this. ​

Local facilities​: The majority of respondents reported having a GP surgery (84 per cent), park or open space (90 per cent), library (80 per cent) or sports/leisure facility (68 per cent) within a 15-minute walk from where they lived.​ Only 12 per cent reported having a family hub 15 minutes’ walk away. ​
​
Mental Health Services​: Approximately half (51 per cent) of respondents stated they would know where to go for help if they (or a loved one) were having a mental health crisis, whilst 31 per cent felt there were not enough local mental health and wellbeing services available to meet their community’s needs. Of those who had accessed mental health services, over a quarter (26 per cent) reported finding it either ‘difficult’ or ‘very difficult’ to access the support they needed. Suggestions for improving access to mental health support included: more communication/ promotion, increasing services available and reducing waiting lists/times. ​

The services which respondents wanted to see more of within their community to support mental health and wellbeing were talking therapies (57 per cent) followed by culturally appropriate services to meet local needs (33 per cent). Information which respondents wanted to see included in a mental health digital resource were lists of local services (76 per cent), locations of local services (70 per cent) and NHS services available (62 per cent). 

Please note these are planned initiatives following the Panel survey, we will update Panel members on progress as a later date.

To develop our comprehensive mental health campaign (including mental health training) and an enhanced digital platform to include the learning from the Citizen’s Panel, we will:

• Utilise our community champions, community health and wellbeing workers, libraires and GPs to run a campaign for residents about how to manage anxiety​
• Promote services and health messages within the community with high footfall for men and younger residents including: gyms, pubs and barbers. ​
• Work with the Equalities Board and Kensington and Chelsea Social Council to develop culturally competent communications strategies.​
• Target our mental health training offer to local SME and VCS organisations​
• Promote the Cost of Living Hub and include links to debt advice support within the mental health digital platform and as a discussion point in the training programme. ​
• Review and update mental health services information and messages on Kensington and Chelsea website and KCNet.​
• Launch of the Children and Young People Mental Health and Wellbeing Campaign “You Got This”.

Enhance local mental health services​

• Work with our local account group and community champions to review pathways into mental health services​
• Utilise our VCS workforce to develop system wide culturally competent services​
• Upskill VCS organisations to deliver a range of culturally competent services​
• Review self-help and peer support offer available via Community Living Well Talking Therapies services​
• Commissioning Mental Health awareness and prevention training to VSOs and communities in RBKC to build community resilience.

We asked for your views on a wide range of improvements to Sunbeam Gardens. The potential improvements included:

• Installation of a drinking water fountain
• New seating
• Art sculpture and mural
• Repainting existing railings
• New planting
• Outdoor gym equipment

Survey responses 25

General:

How often people visit the park:  A total of 10 respondents said they visit Sunbeam Gardens everyday, 4 respondents visited two to three times per week, 7 respondents visited once a week and 4 respondents less frequently.

Satisfaction levels with the park: 10 respondents were either very satisfied or satisfied, 9 respondents were neither satisfied or dissatisfied, 5 respondents were either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied and 1 respondent did not answer.

Improvement proposals: Respondents were asked for the levels of support for each of the proposal and then asked to rank them in order of preference. The top two selected items in order of preference in joint 1^st place were the installation of a new drinking water fountain and planting improvements both with a mean score of 1.28, 2^nd  place was additional items of outdoor gym equipment with a mean score of 0.96, 3^rd place new benches with arm rests with a mean score of 0.64, 4^th place repainting external railings with a mean score of 0.60, 5^th sculpture with a mean score of 0.56 and 6^th ground mural with a mean score of 0.08.

Top two preferred pieces of outdoor gym equipment: The top two favourite pieces of equipment selected were the resistance stepper and resistance shoulder press.

Preferred Planting theme: Eleven respondents said that they would like a mixed planting theme including plants beneficial to wildlife and pollinators, shrubs and grasses, seasonal bulbs, and sensory planting.  9 respondents just wanted plants beneficial to wildlife and pollinators.

Installation of picnic tables of grass area outside play area:  17 respondents were in favour of this, 7 respondents did not support this and 1 respondent did not answer.

Improvements

• The joint 1^st ranked items of new and improved planting and installation of a drinking water fountain will be implemented. The new planting will include new climbing planting to the boundary of the play area and seasonal bulbs, some infill planting around the boundary of the rest of the site including some new trees and fruiting plants. It will follow the preferred mixed planting theme incorporating plants beneficial to wildlife and pollinators, ornamental shrubs and grasses, seasonal bulbs, and sensory planting. 
• The two new pieces of outdoor gym equipment will also be installed to include the two favourite pieces the resistance stepper and resistance shoulder press, we will also look to replace the existing pull up bars at the same time as these now require replacement.
• The benches will also be replaced with timber park benches with back and armrests and one accessible picnic table installed.
• The park railing repainting will be carried out subject to available budget, but we will commit to repaint all 4 entrance gates and the railings around the children’s play area.

The installation of new sculpture and the ground mural were the least supported and options and received the lowest ranking votes and will therefore not be considered further.

The improvements will be carried out over the autumn/winter period, and we hope that all the works will be completed by March/ April 2024.

We asked for views on the proposals to make changes to the parking layout in the Elm Park Gardens, Henry Dickens Court, Knight’s House, Longlands Court, 375 Portobello Road and Tavistock Crescent housing estates.

We received a total of five objections, no letters of support and no comments across three of the off-street parking proposals.

We have made the traffic order for the proposed changes in Elm Park Gardens, Henry Dickens Court, Knight’s House, Longlands Court, 375 Portobello Road and Tavistock Crescent housing estates as originally advertised.