Council & Community
Shudders across RBKC as Wandsworth residents face bombshell council tax increase
Wandsworth residents could be hit with what Labour claims would be Britain’s biggest-ever council tax rise, with bills potentially soaring by as much as 160% as the borough battles a deepening financial crisis. The Conservative-run council, which Labour lost control...
RBKC leader creates “rebel alliance” of councils to fight Gov’s mansion tax
RBKC Leader Elizabeth Campbell has come out fighting again to stop the Government from implementing its dreaded “mansion tax” in 2028. Cllr Campbell has ramped up her campaigning efforts by creating a powerful cross-party group of councils - duly dubbed "The Rebel...
EXCLUSIVE: Residents rally to save La Famiglia from “disaster” as ONE angry neighbour complains over garden noise
Iconic Italian restaurant La Famiglia has been a delicious dining fixture of Chelsea for 51 years and has attracted a sparkling guest list of celebrities and powerbrokers. Everyone who's anyone has at one time or another graced its beautiful blue and white tiled room...
Fight to save historic artists studios from the wrecking ball to make way for new bijoux houses
One of Chelsea's last surviving purpose-built artists' studio complexes is facing an uncertain future after plans were unveiled to replace it with five luxury townhouses. For more than a century Stanley Studios in Park Walk has provided creative workspace for...
Whole Foods clash with residents over noisy delivery lorries continues with no end in sight
A long-running feud between Whole Foods and Chelsea families over noisy delivery lorries is edging towards a showdown as the Council continues to investigate alleged breaches of planning conditions. Amazon-owned Whole Foods, which opened on the King's Road in March...
High value row erupts as MP accuses RBKC Leader of “lying” and sending “fake” letter to scare residents over mansion tax
An extraordinary political row has erupted between RBKC Council Leader Cllr. Elizabeth Campbell and Kensington and Bayswater MP Joe Powell over the Government's proposed high-value property surcharge — dubbed the "mansion tax" by opponents. Battle lines were drawn...
EXCLUSIVE: RBKC Leader Cllr Elizabeth Campbell issues urgent rallying cry for residents to help the council STOP the Mansion Tax
RBKC leader Cllr Elizabeth Campbell has issued an extraordinary battle cry to residents to step up and help the council STOP the Government's proposed "mansion tax". Campbell has sent out an unprecedented letter to the Chairs of Residents Associations across the...
Council calls on residents to help it choose where to spend money as it faces up to funding crisis
The Royal Borough is asking residents to help decide what matters most over the next four years as it wrestles with a £108 million budget gap and growing demand for services. A six-week public consultation has been launched to shape the authority's new Council Plan,...
Council goes extra lengths to improve Chelsea’s public swimming pool – and splashes out £1.3m
Chelsea Sports Centre’s historic swimming pool is set to undergo a £1.3 million refurbishment, with RBKC Council unveiling plans to modernise the 119-year-old facility while preserving its heritage. The investment will see the pool close from 12th July until November...
Hot air and air con: John Cookson’s sketch from inside the Town Hall chamber on the hottest June day in history
From The Citizen's customary front-row perch on the Town Hall press bench, our faithful municipal eavesdropper John Cookson watched Kensington and Chelsea's newly elected mayor - Cllr Janet Evans (Courtfield) - preside over her first full council meeting. The...