How Kingston Council should spend its budget on services will be debated by residents during the next round of Kingston Conversations.

Residents will get the chance to grill councillors on which services should be cut at the public talks throughout November.

This year, Kingston Council raised council tax by 1.99 per cent citing “very difficult decisions” amid Government cuts to central funding for councils across the country.

Earlier this month, councillors voted to cut adult social care contributions so that residents now have to pay all their leftover funds towards their care.

Council leader Kevin Davis said: “To meet the still present challenges of austerity, the council is in the process of transforming itself to become a ‘more human”’ council, where it matches the needs of residents to the services that can be provided.  

"We need Kingston residents to get involved in helping us prioritise the services they want to keep and what to take out.

“We also know that some of the best ideas come from residents who experience Kingston every day, who see and hear what does and does not work.”

The three talks take place on:

  • Thursday, November 17 at Glenmore House, Surbiton
  • Saturday, November, 19 at Tiffin School, Kingston
  • Monday, November, 21 at The King’s Centre, Chessington

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