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Press Releases

See below for a list of the most recent press releases

Current press releases

  • How to make friends and influence people - 17 March 2010
    The Migrant and Refugee Communities Forum (MRCF) is holding an event on Wednesday 24 March to promote communication between migrant communities and decision makers at all levels, including Members of Parliament and local councillors. It will be held at 2 Thorpe Close, Ladbroke Grove, W10 5XL.
  • Spring morning bird walk - 17 March 2010
    Take part in a spring morning bird walk at Little Wormwood Scrubs on Saturday 24 April 2010 where you will have a chance to learn how to identify birds by sight and song. There should be many birds to hear as they seek to establish their territories for breeding.
  • Calling young filmmakers - 17 March 2010
    The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is offering young people between the ages of 14 and 20 the chance to learn the art of filmmaking.
  • Wild night out in Holland Park - 16 March 2010
    Lantern making, wild games and searching the woods for their nocturnal inhabitants are just some of the many exciting activities taking place on a `wild night out' in Holland Park on Friday 9 April 2010.
  • Free drama workshop for tots - 15 March 2010
    Parents and carers of under-fives can enter their children in a free parent and child drama and story building workshop on Monday 22 March 2010 from 1.30pm to 2.30pm at Holmfield House Golborne Road, W10.
  • Scrubbing up a treat - 15 March 2010
    Since successfully campaigning to secure funding from the Mayor of London, work on Little Wormwood Scrubs has been proceeding quickly with it expected to be completed within months. Already the footpaths have been resurfaced, railings replaced or refurbished and more than 50 trees planted.
  • Cardinal Vaughan pupils have drive to succeed - 12 March 2010
    Despite being their first venture into outside karting a team from Cardinal Vaughan School showed real promise at the British Schools Karting Championships on Saturday 6 March at Buckmore Park in Kent.
  • Young parliamentarians meet local councillors - 12 March 2010
    This week local politicians met with Kensington and Chelsea's new representatives at the UK Youth Parliament to discuss issues that affect young people in the borough.
  • Royal Borough celebrates European fencing medal - 11 March 2010
    A young man who was introduced to the sport of fencing at a community sports session run by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has won a silver medal at the European under-17s fencing championships held at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, 1 to 7 March 2010.
  • Exhibition showcases art by Kensington and Chelsea's homeless community - 11 March 2010
    Homeless artists in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea are once again displaying their work at an exhibition in Chelsea Library, from Tuesday 9 March to Sunday 14 March.
  • Count down to a blooming summer - 9 March 2010
    As the clock counts down to the start of London in Bloom 2010, local children have been working on posters to launch the campaign.
  • Nature meets Technology - 9 March 2010
    Children from Kensington and Chelsea have been joined by youngsters from Westminster to learn how to use new technologies to teach them more about science and the environment.
  • Field hospital welcomed home - 8 March 2010
    In a packed Great Hall at Kensington Town Hall last Saturday (6 March), there were scenes of celebration as members of 256 (City of London) Field Hospital (Volunteers) received their operational service medals for their recent tour of duty in Afghanistan.
  • Launch a career working with children - 8 March 2010
    People considering a career working with children and young people can attend a three-week course comprised of three workshops on 15, 22 and 29 March 2010 from 10am to 3pm at Latymer Children's Centre.
  • Tough budget keeps council tax low - 4 March 2010
    Kensington and Chelsea Council last night (Wednesday 3 March) agreed a tough budget which will reduce its running costs by £9.5 million over the coming year. This means that the Band D rate is set at £769.30, the same as last year, making it the fourth lowest in England for the fifth-year running.
  • Break free from smoking - 4 March 2010
    National No Smoking day takes place on Wednesday March 10, with a call this year for smokers to "break free".
  • Landlords urged to improve housing choice for disabled Londoners - 4 March 2010
    Social landlords across the capital were yesterday, 3 March, urged to sign up to the London Accessible Housing Register and make it easier for disabled Londoners to choose a home to meet their needs. The call came as a new guide for social landlords, the London Accessible Housing Register (LAHR), was launched at City Hall.
  • People urged to call for change in planning law to protect small shops - 3 March 2010
    The Council has today received a petition (3 March) protesting at the "inconsistency in its planning decisions which aid giant chain stores to invade Portobello Road at the expense of the small shops and market stall holders."
  • Council gives Wornington Green redevelopment the green light - 3 March 2010
    Plans for the redevelopment of the Wornington Green Estate in North Kensington have been given the green light by the Royal Borough.
  • Pigs in open space - 2 March 2010
    Four British Saddleback pigs have moved into one of London's most sought after postcodes. The sow and her three piglets have taken up residence in Holland Park, W10 in an effort by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to restore and improve woodlands and meadows.
  • State-of-the-art support - 2 March 2010
    Children and young people in Kensington and Chelsea now have access to new, top-of-the-range, day care and support services after the Council unveiled the St Quintin Centre, on Friday 26 February.
  • Award-winning author visits Royal Borough school - 26 February 2010
    An award-winning children's author visited St Barnabas and St Philips Church of England Primary School recently (Tuesday 23 February) to share with pupils some top tips on how to write a bestseller.
  • Too big for the bin - 26 February 2010
    Residents of Kensington and Chelsea can go online to get rid of their bulky items. The Too Big for the Bin service is one of the most popular the Council offers and is available on the Council's website http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/refuseandrecyling
  • Cyclists asked to 'spoke up' - 26 February 2010
    Kensington and Chelsea Council is hosting a forum on Wednesday 10 March to find out how it can improve cycling in the borough.
  • Residents step up for St Charles' voluntary organisations - 26 February 2010
    Some 60 community-minded residents attended the second `Step Up, St Charles!' event at the Lighthouse, Lancaster Road in North Kensington on Thursday 25 February. The evening encouraged residents to get involved in local charities and included presentations from five organisations.
  • Get on your bike - 23 February 2010
    Do you cycle and need your bike checked?
  • Basements brought back to life - 19 February 2010
    Basements used for decades as storage and to house mechanical plant have been restored to residential use, thanks to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
  • Dozens of fraudsters stopped - 19 February 2010
    A man who stole his dead father's identity was just one of many people caught attempting to defraud Kensington and Chelsea Council.

  • Council tweets - 18 February 2010
    Residents can keep up to date on Kensington and Chelsea Council's activities by following it on twitter, the micro-blogging social media site.

  • Borough's museums to tell city's stories for 2012 cultural olympiad - 17 February 2010
    Leighton House Museum and 18 Stafford Terrace are proud to announce that they have been selected to work with the London Museums Hub on the London: World City project, as part of MLA's national Stories of the World programme.

  • Holland Park School gets the builders in - 11 February 2010
    The redevelopment of Holland Park School is set to begin in earnest following the signing of a contract by the Council and Shepherd Construction on 11 February and the sale of a parcel of land to Native Land.

  • Get Creative at Youth Arts Day  -11 February 2010
    Young people can discover what it takes to launch an arts career, with food, freebies and prizes, at Chelsea Old Town Hall on Monday 15 February from 11am to 6pm.

  • Work begins to transform Exhibition Road for 2012 - 11 February 2010
    The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, along with project partners Westminster City Council and TfL, today (11 February) launched the start of streetscape work to transform Exhibition Road in time for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

  • Free confidence and motivation building course - 10 February 2010
    Do you want you a confidence boost? Perhaps you are thinking of returning to work, looking for your first job or maybe you just want to feel more confident in dealing with everyday life.

  • Shops flock to join retail loyalty card scheme - 3 February 2010
    Over 200 independent local shops have signed up to join the free borough-wide retail loyalty card scheme which launches on 24 March.
  • Children in Kensington and Chelsea achieving top marks - 2 February 2010
    Children who receive free school meals in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea get better GCSE results than children on free school meals in any other local authority according to Department for Children, Schools and Families.
  • Live webcast - air quality in the Royal Borough - 2 February 2010
    The borough's air quality will be the subject of a seminar held on Tuesday 19 February at 6.30pm.
  • Apprenticeship scheme helps young people into work - 1 February 2010
    Young adults in the Royal Borough are taking their first steps into a new career thanks to an innovative apprenticeship scheme.
  • Apprenticeship scheme raises the profile of social care careers - 1 February 2010
    Vulnerable and elderly residents in the Royal Borough are set to benefit from a scheme that will create adult social care apprenticeships and raise the profile of the profession.
  • Don't lose your vote - 29 January 2010
    This year the residents of Kensington and Chelsea can choose who is in charge of the Council and the country. Local elections are scheduled for 6 May 2010 but people will only be able to vote if their name is on the Electoral Register.
  • Residents can step up for St Charles - 29 January 2010
    Residents of St Charles ward in North Kensington are invited to attend the second `Step Up, St Charles!' event to find out more about making a difference in their own area. They will get a chance to meet neighbours and see how they can help support the organisations that work in the community.
  • Youth Parliament candidates hold live debate - 28 January 2010
    Six young people have put themselves forward to be elected as the Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) for Kensington and Chelsea and will be taking part in a debate on Monday 1 February.
  • Albert Bridge closing - 25 January 2010
    Works will begin to renovate the grade 2 listed Albert Bridge on Monday 15 February. The work is the result of a partnership between Kensington and Chelsea Council and Transport for London (TfL) and will take up to 18 months to complete.
  • Knuckling down to boxing success - 25 January 2010
    Success in the boxing ring is helping a young resident turn her life around with the support of her family, boxing trainer and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's Youth Offending Team.
  • Go it alone Council "breaks the mould" on child protection IT - 25 January 2010
    A Council that turned its back on a £147,000 Government grant to develop a child protection IT system, has just seen the system it developed independently scoop a prestigious national e-government award.
  • Chelsea swimming pool closes for emergency repairs - 20 January 2010
    The swimming pool at Chelsea Sports Centre will be closed from 8pm hours on Monday 25 January to Thursday 28 January for emergency repair work. An old cast iron pipe underneath the pool is leaking and must be repaired as soon as possible to avoid a major break and serious flood risk.
  • Enjoy a wild half-term - 19 January 2010      Children aged five to ten can get close to the borough's wildlife in their half-term break thanks to an action packed programme of events run by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's Ecology Centre.
  • Royal Borough open for business despite arctic conditions - 18 January 2010
    The Royal Borough remained open for business despite the unprecedented snow and sub-zero temperatures that rapidly depleted the Council's well-stocked salt supplies.
  • Jail for benefit fraudster - 18 January 2010
    A man who falsely claimed £32,000 of housing and council tax benefit to spend on clothes and holidays to Spain has been given a 20-week custodial sentence.
  • Royal Borough schools continue to shine - 14 January 2010
    Students in Royal Borough secondary schools are top in the country when it comes to getting five or more A* to C GCSEs according to figures released by the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF).
  • Council Tax frozen in the Royal Borough - 12 January 2010
    Council tax in Kensington and Chelsea will be frozen in 2010/11, the Council's Cabinet agreed last night (Tuesday 12 January 2010).
  • Artists' works find Royal Borough home - 11 January 2010
    An exhibition of work by local artists who are homeless, or have previously been homeless in the borough, is on display in the Chelsea Gallery at Chelsea Old Town Hall.
  • Royal Borough school flushed with success - 7 January 2010
    When Park Walk Primary School's youngest children spend a penny they do so in the best nursery toilet facilities in the country, according to the British Toilet Association (BTA).
  • Keeping children safe online - 6 January 2010
    `E-safety - young people and ICT', a short guide to using the internet safely, aimed at parents and young people, has been published by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
  • Open letter from The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to Guide Dogs for the Blind - 5 January 2010
    Following Lord Carlile of Berriew QC's refusal to grant permission to Guide Dogs for the Blind to apply for a judicial review against the Exhibition Road project, Cllr Merrick Cockell, Leader of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has appealed to the charity to work with the Council to make Exhibition Road the most accessible cultural destination in the world for all users.
  • New sculpture for Napoleon Garden - 30 December 2009
    One of the premier sites for contemporary sculpture in London was graced with a new installation on Monday 21 December. Black Sun, by Douglas White, was installed in the Napoleon Garden, Holland Park, with the artist and Councillor Nick Paget-Brown present.
  • Closure of Holland Walk - 23 December 2009
    Holland Walk will be closed between the Duchess of Bedford Walk and Holland Park Avenue to pedestrians and cyclists.
  • Christmas tree recycling - 22 December 2009
    Kensington and Chelsea Council is again offering free Christmas tree recycling for residents as it continues to strive for a green 2010. Last year the Council collected 60 tonnes of Christmas trees and this year hopes to improve on that.
  • Mayor's Charity Christmas Carols 2009 - 22 December 2009
    Over 400 people packed Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Square for the Mayor's Charity Christmas Carols, raising over £11,000 for Focus K&C.
  • It's E-asy - 15 December 2009
    Last week Kensington and Chelsea Council launched the first e-book scheme in London for its library service. Members of the borough's libraries can use the service free and have the choice of downloading 300 adult and 300 children's books. The books can be read using an e-reader, MP3 player or mobile phone.
  • Council welcomes Government decision to postpone nursery funding formula - 15 December 2009
    The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has welcomed the Government's decision to postpone the introduction of a new funding formula for nursery education.
  • Chelsea academy tops out - 14 December 2009
    The new Chelsea Academy reached a major milestone today (11 December) when a topping out ceremony was performed on the roof of the Lots road building.
  • Airports rethink must follow climate report - 9 December 2009
    Today's report by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) setting new limits on aviation growth will force ministers to redraw airport expansion policies across the UK.
  • Counters Creek secures protection from flooding - 4 December 2009
    The risk of damaging floods like those seen in 2007 will be greatly reduced following Office of Water Services (OFWAT) decision to award funding to protection projects in the Counters Creek area.
  • Mayor of London visits potential Crossrail site in North Kensington-  4 December 2009
    The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, visited North Kensington to hear Kensington and Chelsea Council's case for a new Crossrail station yesterday (Thursday 3 December).
  • Residents reassured on Wornington Green redevelopment - 1 December 2009
    Kensington and Chelsea Council has received a planning application from Kensington Housing Trust (KHT) for the complete redevelopment of the Wornington Green estate in North Kensington.
  • Opportunity for young entrepreneurs to shine - 27 November 2009
    Budding entrepreneurs in the Royal Borough are being given the opportunity to start up their own business thanks to an innovative pilot being run by the Council.
  • Young actors' talents not "wasted" - 27 November 2009
    Three young people are taking their first steps as actors in `Wasted', a modern take on Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar' at the Intermission Theatre in SW3.
  • Public meeting to discuss upgrade for Counters Creek Sewer - 26 November 2009
    Thames Water is holding a public meeting on Thursday 3 December at Kensington Town Hall to discuss its plans to upgrade the Counters Creek Sewer by developing a storm relief tunnel network which will help reduce the risk of flooding to local properties.
  • French market at Kensington Town Hall - 20 November 2009
    Residents and visitors to Kensington and Chelsea can come to a genuine French market at Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street W8 on Friday 27 November.
  • Lights, camera, action as young filmmakers scoop award - 20 November 2009
    A ten-day filmmaking project, developed by Kensington and Chelsea Council, was the inspiration for a group of young people with learning difficulties and disabilities to go on to become award-winning filmmakers.
  • Young Parliamentarians Needed - 19 November 2009
    Young and aspiring politicians in the borough are invited to put themselves forward to become Kensington and Chelsea's Member of Youth Parliament (MYP). Elections will be held in February 2010 and nominations are now open.
  • Disabled badge cheats left feeling blue - 19 November 2009
    Kensington and Chelsea Council seized 20 disabled (blue) parking badges in a two-day clampdown. Officers from the Council joined forces with the police to target those suspected of misusing the badges around Kensington High Street.
  • Council seeks big savings - 17 November 2009
    Up to £9.5 million of savings were agreed by Kensington and Chelsea Council's Cabinet last night (16 November) as part of budget preparations for 2010/11. Freezing the pay of senior staff and Councillors and getting better deals from the utility companies were just two of the many areas identified to save money.
  • Remembrance Sunday - 12 November 2009
    The Royal Borough took time to remember the fallen from two world wars and the many other conflicts of the past century at two ceremonies on Sunday 8 November. The Remembrance Sunday ceremonies took place at the war memorials in Sloane Square and outside St Mary Abbots Church in Kensington High Street.
  • BEST BAR NONE - 12 November 2009
    Kensington and Chelsea's best licensed premises were recognised at the Best Bar None awards ceremony recently when the Drayton Arms, Old Brompton Road, was named the overall winner and Best Pub.
  • Light relief for Christmas - 11 November 2009
    Kensington High Street will have Christmas lights for the first time in many years. The lights are being funded by the High Street's retailers and the scheme has been organised by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea as part of its drive to promote the borough's retail areas and encourage people to shop locally.
  • Potential adoptors urged to come forward - 10 November 2009
    Potential adopters, particularly from the black and minority ethnic community, are being urged to come forward and adopt a child from Kensington and Chelsea.
  • Young sports stars show their skills - 9 November 2009
    Future sports stars were showing their talents at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's Primary Schools Festival 2009 at Westway Sports Centre on Thursday 5 November.
  • Back to work opportunities for parents - 5 November 2009
    Kensington and Chelsea Council are running two free workshops at Holmfield House, Golborne Rd W10, aimed at developing the skills needed to achieve a Level 2 National Certificate in the security industry and offering basic job training for security officers.
  • A crafty Christmas is on the cards - 5 November 2009
    Residents of Kensington and Chelsea will have the opportunity to explore their creative skills at a crafts and cards workshop at Chelsea Theatre on 11 and 12 November. With Christmas fast approaching, this is the perfect opportunity to impress your friends and family with your innovative card-making skills.
  • Healthy eating tasters - 5 November 2009
    Kensington and Chelsea residents will have the opportunity to learn about the benefits of healthy eating at two free workshops organised by the Council.
  • Remembrance Sunday commemoration 2009 - 3 November 2009
    The Mayor, Cllr Timothy Coleridge and Mayoress of Kensington and Chelsea will lead the borough's Act of Remembrance at St. Mary Abbots Church this Sunday, 8 November.
  • Ladbroke Grove lift plans terminated - 3 November 2009
    Step-free access at Ladbroke Grove Underground station is among the local casualties of London Underground's budget-cutting, following an announcement that the project to install lifts at the station has been postponed.
  • Natural History Museum tops olympic poll - 2 November 2009
    Kensington and Chelsea residents have chosen the Natural History Museum to represent their local area in the build-up to the 2012 Olympic Games.
  • Nominate a local hero for the Mayor's Awards - 30 October 2009
    Nominations are now being accepted for the Mayor's Awards, the annual award that recognises the local people who made a difference in the local community.
  • Help decide what your library buys - 28 October 2009
    During November the Council is inviting residents to come along to their local library to chat with the team and let them know what sort of books they would like stocked in the future.
  • Exercise works out for Royal Borough pupils - 26 October 2009
    Pupils in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's primary and secondary school have the second highest participation in school-based exercise in England.
  • Come and have your say on Transport in London - 26 October 2009
    Let the Mayor of London know what you think about plans to abolish the Western Extension of the Congestion Charge, and find out about a variety of other projects.
  • Step up for St Charles ward - 23 October 2009
    Residents of St Charles ward in north Kensington are being encouraged to `Step up' to make a real difference to their neighbourhood by supporting community groups.

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