Up to one hour has been set aside for Council to hear from people living, working, or studying in the Borough who have registered in advance to address this meeting.

(i)         Impact of multiple planning applications

Mr Michael Fallowes, a Redcliffe Ward resident, raised concerns about the cumulative effects of multiple simultaneous planning applications in one street. He highlighted excessive noise, suspended parking bays, traffic congestion, illegal parking, and inadequate enforcement, which impaired residents' quality of life. He urged the Council to take action to avoid these adverse effects and emphasised the need for better enforcement of planning regulations and policies to protect residents' rights and safety.

Councillor Kemahli, Lead Member for Planning and Public Realm addressed the complexities of planning permissions and the impact of national policies on local development. He expressed disappointment about the issue of protecting the trees from development and emphasised the importance of enforcement, and the number of fixed penalty notices that had been issued in the borough, particularly in the Boltons conservation area. He was frustrated with some scaffolders and added that the Council’s officers would be able to look into it. He highlighted the need for tangible outcomes from his upcoming meeting on Friday with residents and hoped that together a collaborative work plan could be formed to help them.

Councillor Lari, Opposition Spokesperson, agreed with the concerns raised regarding planning and construction management in the borough. He criticised the Planning Committees for having approved simultaneous applications, particularly basement excavations and their adverse impact on council taxpayers. He emphasised the importance of considering cumulative impact in planning decisions, citing examples from Little Boltons and other areas in Chelsea. He argued that local councillors should be held accountable for their decisions and suggested that change could be achieved through voting at the ballot box. He called for the Council to commit to changing its local plan and enforcement policies.

(ii)       Moving the Council to 100% Catering

Mr Christopher Welch proposed that RBKC make the transition to 100% plant-based catering for internal council meetings, canteens, and events. He emphasised that his suggestion was not about changing personal diets, but about the Council setting an example. Mr Welch stated that plant-based catering reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved public health by reducing diet-related illnesses, and was cost-effective due to longer shelf life and reduced waste. He concluded that his proposal supported RBKC's climate strategy, public health strategy, and fiscal responsibility, requiring no complex infrastructure or additional legislation to introduce.

Councillor Thalassites, Lead Member for Finance, Customer Services & Net Zero Council acknowledged the importance of advocating for change and highlighted the Council's progress in reducing catering for meetings and eliminating single-use plastics. He emphasised the need for offering vegetarian and vegan options daily while maintaining a choice for all dietary needs. He agreed on the significance of addressing the climate emergency and mentioned ongoing initiatives such as tree planting in the borough in Norland ward. He expressed willingness to discuss plant-based catering with colleagues when the Council’s catering contract was up for renewal but also stressed the importance of independent choice in dietary options for Council staff.

Councillor Benton, Opposition Spokesperson, responded by saying that whilst he himself had been vegan for a long time, he would have to disagree with the idea of imposing a plant-based diet on council officers. He argued that current climate measures often unfairly burdened the poorest in the community and that making officers eat plant-based meals at work was not a solution he could support. Councillor Benton acknowledged the climate crisis but also believed that many proposed policies were insufficient and that the root issues lay in public policy and subsidies. He concluded by emphasising his sympathy for the cause but did not believe this approach was effective or fair for officers.

(iii)     Improving paving and roads in Earl’s Court

Mr Kieran Terry, an Earl's Court resident, thanked the Council for their efforts in improving the area, particularly Hogarth Road. He criticised TFL for its lack of engagement with residents, and for neglecting Earl's Court Road and Warwick Road, highlighting issues including constant roadworks, poorly synchronised traffic lights, and a cycle lane causing chaos. Mr Terry urged the Council to support residents in opposing the cycle lane and support investing in new paving for Warwick Road and Earl's Court Road and asked the Council to raise these concerns with TFL directly.

Councillor Kemahli, Lead Member for Planning and Public Realm, emphasised the importance of voting and criticised the current political landscape in the Council, noting the Labour Group’s breakdown to independents and other party members. He acknowledged the delay in investing in Hogarth Road but highlighted the positive outcome, contrasting the Council's approach with that of the Mayor of London. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to improve Earl's Court, including a design guide for shop fronts and collaboration with TfL, despite repeated challenges.

Councillor Wade, ward councillor, addressed Mr Terry’s concerns regarding the high street and its maintenance. She acknowledged the lack of economic impact studies on the closure of the exhibition centre and the exclusion of Earl's Court Road from recent assessments. She questioned the adequacy of the current jet wash schedule and the Council’s's machinery for cleaning pavements. She emphasised the need for a coordinated plan for waste disposal and social responsibility among businesses. She also discussed the cycle lane on Warwick Road and the hostel nominations, contracts, and monitoring, suggesting a revised approach by the Council.

(iv)     NSL staff seeking to be taken back into RBKC service

Mr Paul Block, the GMB union regional organiser, addressed the Council regarding the NSL contract for RBKC parking services. He clarified that the GMB did not lobby Councillor Dent Coad individually and emphasised that its members preferred to work directly for RBKC, believing their terms and conditions would be better. He highlighted the industrial action taken due to eroded pay and the significant income for the Council generated by civil enforcement officers. He urged the Council to respect and listen to their members' desire to bring parking services in-house for the benefit of members, RBKC, and residents.

Councillor Kemahli, Lead Member for Planning and Public Realm, thanked the civil enforcement officers for their hard work and civility, acknowledging the challenges of their job. He recalled past meetings he had with them and expressed disappointment over unfulfilled promises made to them regarding their wages. He emphasised the importance of negotiating fairly for all council officers and treating their salaries and dignity with proper courtesy.

Councillor Bakhtiar, Opposition Spokesperson, welcomed the civil enforcement officers to the meeting and acknowledged their hard work in keeping roads and streets safe. He expressed disappointment over their low wages, earning less than £11 an hour for demanding work. He highlighted the challenges they faced and criticised NSL's refusal to negotiate until the Labour Group called for an Extraordinary Council meeting in 2023. This led to a pay rise to just over £14 an hour. He argued that employing civil enforcement officers through a third-party intermediary was not beneficial and urged the Council to employ them directly for better support and conditions.

Councillor Dent Coad raised a point of order under Standing Order 28.02 to clarify her position. She recounted a meeting with a GMB representative in October 2024 to discuss the pension fund's investments in weapons and technology used in Gaza. The representative had asked her not to support a motion to Council, stating that members were satisfied with the improved pay conditions achieved after strikes in July 2023. She had honoured that request in good faith and stated her willingness to meet Mr. Block to discuss any confusion or the pension fund's investment arrangements.

(v)       Campaign to save Post Offices

Ms Esther Idoko addressed the importance of the Post Office on the High Street, emphasising its role in serving residents, businesses, and those without digital access. She highlighted the risk of losing the community anchor if the Post Office's presence was not maintained. She thanked Campden and Chelsea Riverside Ward Councillors for their successful campaign to keep the Kensington High Street Post Office open. She urged RBKC to work with the Post Office to secure a permanent solution, suggesting co-location opportunities and support for viable sites to ensure a sustained presence on the High Street.

Councillor Taylor-Smith, Lead Member for Employment, Culture & Economy, expressed delight over the Post Office's decision to maintain branches in Kensington and Chelsea. He highlighted the success of a petition with over 3,500 signatures and constructive meetings that had been held with senior post office officials. He cautioned about the need to ensure post offices in Kensington High Street and World's End remain operational, given the Post Office's shift to a franchising model. He emphasised the importance of the Council working with the post office to find independent operators to continue providing essential services to the community.

Councillor Ali, Leader of the Opposition, acknowledged the efforts of Councillors who had campaigned for local post offices since 2019. He emphasised the importance of maintaining post offices in high streets across the borough, not just for deliveries but as community hubs. He highlighted the benefits of post offices for businesses and local communities, urging continued support from Councillors and community champions. He concluded by encouraging ongoing campaigns to keep post offices in the borough.

(vi)     Provision of Special Educational Needs (SEN) services

Ms Melanie Wolfe highlighted the challenges faced by SEN services and the need for modernisation to support neurodiverse children better. She emphasised the importance of understanding autistic children and their unique needs, advocating for holistic support and respect for children's rights. She criticised outdated processes and the lack of empathy from professionals, calling for improved independent school advice and support for high-functioning autistic children. She urged RBKC to address fundamental issues and work towards a system that is fit for purpose, recognising the efforts of professionals working tirelessly within the current constraints.

Councillor Rendall, Lead Member for Adult Social Care & Public Health replied on behalf of Councillor Faulks, Lead Member for Family & Children's Services. He acknowledged the importance of the issues raised and emphasised the Council's commitment to improving services for children with special educational needs. He highlighted the additional funding received from the Department for Education and the increase in specialist places at Brunel and Marlborough Primary Schools. He also mentioned the introduction of SEN Education Inclusion specialists and the investment in future provisions. He assured Ms Wolfe that the Council was working closely with partners to provide the best services for children with SEN.

Councillor Nur, Opposition Spokesperson, thanked Ms Wolfe for raising the issue of special needs services. He acknowledged the pressure on these services and the need for modernisation, starting with improved training for professionals to better understand children's needs. He emphasised the importance of building trust through parental involvement in decision-making. He praised volunteer sector-run services like Full of Life and highlighted the potential of high-functioning autistic children if they received suitable early help. He called for collective commitment to listen to families, reform systems, and ensure every child received their rights early enough to reach their potential and become successful community members.