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Shaping Kingston’s future
Thank you to everyone who has given us their views on what they would like Kingston to look like in the future.
As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, respond to the climate emergency and deal with the housing targets which our borough has been set, we want to hear your thoughts and ideas about what’s important to you in your neighbourhood and how you think we should respond to any changes, over the next 20 years.
This final round of engagement will help us to create a new Local Plan which is right for the borough and make sure Kingston develops in the right way for future generations.
Please complete one of our short online surveys or come and talk to us at one of the events we will be visiting this month, to have your say. There’s just three weeks left until the engagement period closes on 30 September.
Get in touch so we can shape Kingston’s future together.
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Flying the Rainbow Flag for London Pride
This week marks the planned date for London Pride. We will be flying the Pride flag above the Guildhall all week to celebrate inclusion and diversity in our wonderful borough of Kingston!
Pictured: Mayor of Kingston, Cllr Sushila Abraham, and Deputy Mayor of Kingston, Cllr Malcolm Self
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Why not ditch the car this World Car Free Day?
Wednesday 22 September is World Car Free Day and we’re celebrating across the borough with various events to help improve air quality and tackle climate change. The following events will be taking place on the day:
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- Official naming ceremony of our walking and cycling route between New Malden and Raynes park - Beeline Way
- Nature walks with Biodiversity Officer, Elliot Newton
- Sculpture Trail around Kingston Town Centre
- A Dr Bike stand in the ancient marketplace for all your cycling needs
- A chance to try out a Brompton or an e-bike outside the Guildhall
Why not ditch the car and enjoy the health benefits of active travel on foot, bike, roller skates or whatever you choose!
Find out more on our website.
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Share your views on the management of river moorings in Kingston
Kingston’s riverside is enjoyed by thousands of people every year and we want to maintain its heritage. As part of this, we’re considering strengthening our enforcement powers along the parts of the riverside we’re responsible for, by introducing managed moorings, and licensing of commercial activities such as boat hire and in the longer term implementing new byelaws.
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We’d like to hear your ideas on the management of mooring along the riverside and how this can be improved to ensure safe access for all. Have your say by Monday 11 October.
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#OneStepGreener Ambassadors
Do you know someone who’s doing something innovative to cut carbon and make our local area cleaner and greener? Nominate them to be a #OneStepGreener Ambassador - a person that has gone above and beyond to help fight climate change.
The Ambassadors will become the voice of the UK public in the run up to the COP26 climate conference in November.
Find out how you can nominate yourself or someone you know.
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Have you spotted a ‘water me’ label on a tree near you? We are attaching them to almost 1,500 trees that have been planted across the borough over the last two years.
You can help give our young trees the best possible start in life by supporting our watering programme.
You can find new trees in your neighbourhood by visiting this map, as well as top watering tips on our website.
We’d love to see your pictures so please do share your photos with us on Twitter and Instagram.
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Join the Arts & Crafts Fair at the Guildhall on Saturday and Sunday 2-3 October
You can explore the very best artistic creativity that Kingston has to offer. The Festival will also honour the memory of previous Chair of Kingston Arts, Aine Lark, who sadly died last year and worked tirelessly to support the arts in Kingston. To view the full programme and book tickets, visit Kingston Arts.
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Artists, practitioners and sellers of all things wonderful are invited to book a pitch at the fair. There are 44 pitches available and booking will be on a first come first served basis. More details are available on the Kingston Arts website.
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Kingston Korea Festival is back
Kingston Korea Festival returns with their special brand of Autumnal celebrations at St George’s Square, New Malden High Street, on Saturday 18 September from noon to 4pm. Live entertainment includes live performances and music, New Malden’s Got Talent, Taekwondo and Hanbok demonstrations, food tasting and an opportunity to join in the Folk Games Olympics!
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Creative Community Morning at the Hook Centre
Tired of the grey skies? Why not brighten up your morning and come along to the Hook Centre on 11 September 10am to 1pm. There will be lots of creative activities to try out from storytelling and chinese brush painting for adults, to dinosaur making and junk instrument workshops for children.
Kingston Music Service will also be launching their Saturday morning music centre with singing, creative music making and ukulele workshops for young people. If interested, email musicservice@kingston.gov.uk.
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Free six-week online course for depression and anxiety
Hope in Depression is a registered charity offering a free six-week online course for people living with or caring for those with depression and anxiety. The course explores causes and symptoms, brain chemistry, counselling and ways to aid recovery - with an expert speaker every week. Participants will join a safe, confidential community of people who understand and relate to how you are feeling and offer relief and hope.
The next course starts on 28 September and runs until 9 November on Tuesday evenings (7.15pm to 9.30pm). Find out more and register.
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Raising awareness of experiences of living with disabilities
This Sunday, local groups including Mencap and Kingston Centre for Independent Living took part in a Disability Awareness Day in the Market Square. The day was a great success, with many interested members of the public exploring the stalls and activities, learning more about the issues faced by people living with disabilities. Thank you to everybody who attended.
Before the event, some councillors and our Chief Executive Ian Thomas took part in activities and conversations to broaden their understanding of what it is like to have a disability in Kingston. Watch this video to see how they got on.
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Covid update
As students return to school and more people head back to workplaces across the borough, we are seeing a welcome return to a more normal way of life.
Covid infection rates across Kingston are stabilising, but at a relatively high level of around 240 cases per 100,000 people. This means we still need to do all we can to limit the spread of the virus.
Keep up with twice-weekly lateral flow testing to check you’re not unknowingly spreading the virus. Find out how to get your free tests.
Getting both doses of the Covid vaccine remains the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones. Visit our website for all the latest walk in vaccine offers.
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Fancy the chance of winning £25,000?
Support local good causes and be in with a chance of winning £25,000 when you play Kingston’s brand new Community Lottery. Tickets cost just £1 a week and you have a 1 in 50 chance of winning!
For more information or to buy your tickets, visit www.kingstonlottery.co.uk.
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The South London Partnership is working with London Councils to deliver an exciting and innovative “Internet of Things” (IoT) project across the five South London councils of Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond upon Thames and Sutton.
In Kingston, new IoT pilots are being deployed across the borough. This includes new sensors to discourage anti-social behaviour at Cambridge Road Estate, monitoring air quality around School Streets, as well as installing cameras to discourage fly tipping around key housing estates in the borough.
Find more information about the project on the InnOvaTe Project website.
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Follow Kingston Council on social media
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Follow us on social media to keep up to date with the latest information on council services, local events and borough news.
You can find us on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Nextdoor, Linkedin and Youtube.
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Where to find the latest information and guidance
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