Council abandons SPV plan for temporary homes

27 June 2026

Kingston Council has abandoned plans to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for temporary accommodation, opting instead to hold 150 properties within the General Fund. These properties, intended for purchase under the current approved capital budget, will now serve as temporary homes.

The decision was made during a Corporate and Resources Committee meeting on Thursday, June 25, 2026. The committee resolved that the proposal to create an SPV for temporary accommodation would no longer be pursued. This move signifies a shift in the council's strategy for managing temporary accommodation, favouring direct ownership within the General Fund over establishing a separate legal entity.

Delegated authority has been granted to the Executive Director of Place to purchase the 150 properties. This will be done in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and the relevant Portfolio Holder. The full details of the committee's decisions can be found in the Decisions Thursday 25-Jun-2026 Corporate and Resources Committee document.

The committee's agenda and reports pack, which outlines the background to these decisions, is also available here.

Councils Involved

Kingston upon Thames

Meetings Involved

the Corporate and Resources Committee of Kingston upon Thames Council on 25 June 2026

People Involved

Councillor Ian George Conservative Coombe Hill Ward

Councillor Anita Schaper Portfolio Holder for Communities, Commissioning and Customer Contact & Governance and Co-Chair - Corporate and Resources Committee Liberal Democrat Berrylands Ward

Councillor Amir Ali Khan Liberal Democrat Alexandra Ward

Councillor Olly Wehring Chair - Kingston and North Kingston Neighbourhood Committee Liberal Democrat Norbiton Ward

Councillor Rowena Bass Leader of the Conservative Group Conservative Coombe Hill Ward

Councillor Andreas Kirsch Leader of the Council & Portfolio Holder for Heritage and Culture and Co-Chair - Corporate and Resources Committee Liberal Democrat Chessington South and Malden Rushett Ward

Councillor Stephen Evans Liberal Democrat Kingston Gate Ward

Councillor Kim Bailey Liberal Democrat Coombe Vale Ward

Councillor Robert Sadler Liberal Democrat St. Mark's and Seething Wells Ward

Councillor Sachin Tulyani Liberal Democrat Tudor Ward

Councillor Wimal Wimalathasan Liberal Democrat Motspur Park and Old Malden East Ward

Councillor Manish Shukla Portfolio Holder for Finance & Assets & Co-Chair - Corporate and Resources Committee Liberal Democrat Surbiton Hill Ward

Councillor Mark Durrant Chair - New and Old Malden Neighbourhood Committee Liberal Democrat New Malden Village Ward

Councillor James Giles Leader of the Kingston Independent Residents' Group Kingston Independent Residents Group Green Lane and St James Ward

Topics

Kingston Council General Fund Executive Director of Place Section 151 Officer Portfolio Holder Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) Temporary Accommodation