Policy - Local

The New government's Health and Social Care Act includes a new duty on Local Authorities to promote public health.  This means the promotion of health for the local population of Kensington and Chelsea will be the responsibility of the Royal Borough.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea met last night (Wednesday 7 March) to agree its budget for 2012-13. The budget introduces cuts worth up to £14 million and follows a reduction in central government funding for the borough of £9 million.

Council leader Sir Merrick Cockell, said: "Although we have to reduce our spending, we are doing all we can to deliver services of good, often excellent, quality, making sure they are targeted at those most in need."

This is the question being asked for the Electoral Review taking place during 2012.  The review will examine the size of the council and ward boundaries.  Currently there are 54 Councillors in Kensington and Chelsea, members of the public living and working in the borough have the opportunity to give their views on issues such as whether the Royal Borough could operate effectively with less Councillors or does it need more? Should each ward be continued to be represented by 3 Councillors.

The Council has published its draft budget proposals for 2012-13 and are seeking your comments in the coming weeks.

The proposals will be finalised by a Cabinet meeting on 22 February before discussion at a full Council meeting on 7 March.

You can download the Draft Budget Proposals 2012-13 as a PDF from the council website. 

Comments can be submitted up to midday Friday 17 2012.

The tri-borough area of Westminster, Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea has been chosen as one of 14 pilot areas to trial 'Community Budgets' to share services and pool funding.

The plans are intended to "slash financial red tape and duplication" and "save taxpayers' millions" by allowing the three councils to explore ways of making better use of money between the town hall, Whitehall and the Greater London Authority. 

The Department of Health has asked Councils with Adult Social Services Responsibilities including RBKC to survey adult social services users and provide information to the NHS Information Centre (NHS IC) for health and social care.

The third and final report in our State of the Sector series gathers together evidence from our Effects of the Cuts and KCSC Imapct surveys to show how the local voluntary and community sector is coping through this period of economic uncertainty and how KCSC aims to provide the right support to sustain and shape the sector in the future. 

Read the report online or download a copy from here.

Share your thoughts on life in the Royal Borough and on council performance by taking part in a residents panel.

If you live in Kensington and Chelsea you can join over 1,000 other residents to take part in regular consultations. The council regularly consults in a number of ways and wil soon be launching a new website to make it easier for you to have your say.

10,000 residents chosen at random will receive letters this week asking them to consider signing up.

The council are seeking your views on an important planning consultation on the area encompassing the Earl's Court Exhibition Centre and West Kensington in Hammersmith and Fulham.

Both are both outlined in a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which takes into account a whole range of issues, from affordable housing provision to transport capacity, open space, community facilities and the size, location, design and layout of any new buildings, public spaces and streets.

NHS Kensington & Chelsea is making small grants of up to £5,000 available for voluntary and community organisations serving the residents of Kensington & Chelsea.

The fund aims to help local organisations test or pilot a new idea or way of working, in relation to health and well-being. 

The closing date for applications is Monday 21 November.

Further details and an application form are available here