Kingston Council has committed £1.44 million towards flood alleviation schemes for New Malden and Hook.

The funding, approved by the Corporate and Resources Committee during their meeting on Thursday, June 25, 2026, is specifically allocated to these schemes for the 2026/27 financial year. This significant investment aims to bolster flood defences in the affected areas.

The capital budget for the flood alleviation schemes was approved for 2026/27. While the meeting information does not provide a more specific timeline for implementation beyond this budget allocation, the decision was documented in the Decisions of the Corporate and Resources Committee meeting.

Beyond the approval of this crucial flood defence funding, the Corporate and Resources Committee meeting on June 25, 2026, saw a range of other significant decisions. These included noting the Council Plan End of Year Report for 2025/26 and recommending the re-establishment of a separate Health and Wellbeing Board for Kingston, alongside the disestablishment of the current Kingston Partnership Board.

Further financial approvals were made, with capital budgets of £1.42 million for the Local Implementation Plan and £0.82 million for local highways maintenance and improvement being sanctioned. An additional £372,000 was also approved for the Housing Management System implementation.

The committee resolved to adopt Option 1, maintaining the status quo, for Leader of the Opposition governance arrangements. They also approved the procurement of a new Postal Services and Solutions contract and the award of a contract for Soft FM services.

In other governance matters, the committee approved the de-establishment of the current Member-led Blue Badge Appeals Panel process, recommending this to Full Council. They also resolved that appointments be made to various outside organisations.

Notably, the proposal to create a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for temporary accommodation was abandoned. Instead, 150 properties will be held within the General Fund for use as temporary accommodation. An urgent decision, taken under Procedure Rule 30, regarding £1.76 million in capital funding for hostile vehicle mitigation in Kingston Town Centre was also reported.

More details on all the committee's proceedings can be found in the Public reports pack and the Agenda frontsheet from the meeting.