Kingston Council - Kingston upon Thames

ersin D.

Phone numbers never respond, used council's portal to claim action for our street, never got any response positive or negative. Once I managed to talk someone who promised to come back with an answer, but it's been more than a year never got any response. But if you delay council tax payment, they bother with hundreds of letters but no one to talk like a scam organisation.

Mal T.

Last year Kingston council remove me from the council housing list because of “new policy” after 8 years on it! and I have evidence of this.
The link for re-register on the letter is broken, it did say on the letter they having “technical issues” but 3 weeks later when I had the letter, it’s still broken and they are impossible to contact with them at that time. The letter explains they have a new policy, which means, how to get rid of me on the list and make it complicated to re-register.
I give up at the end, because I believe, I won’t ever get it.
I have left Kingston October last year after living there for 13 years! Now I’m living in a middle of nowhere with my family member at the moment but hey is better than staying in a hostel.

I would give 0 stars to Kingston council. I know it was last year but it’s still bothered me to this day. I thought write a review on here to expose them and what the council did was wrong.

Simon

Do not move to Kingston. Built by the rich, for the rich.

This a review of two honest emergency workers living in Kingston for the past 10 years and who grew up and were educated in the local areas.

Firstly, housing is a disgrace. All we could afford was a mortgaged small one bed flat which we now live in with our 3 children in Chessington.

Due to the council only building flats, houses have increased at ridiculous levels whilst flats remain stagant. We are trapped, living in such a confined space with no prospect of being able to upsize. We simply cannot afford anything bigger.

Our little one didn't get into a nearby school because of priority for those from specific backgrounds. We now have to juggle work with a 40 minute walk to and from the school and our childcare provider being in a completely different direction.

Local childcare costs has gone through the roof and is taking large amounts of our salaries. We recently qualified for 30 hours free and our local childcare provider has told us due to increased costs and a cap on the amount paid by Kingston Council, we are only realistically entitled to 16 hours and not the 30 hours promised whe calculating it for the year. Because of the council limit on the value of childcare hours, we also have to top up what should be free hours.

I have had to sell a perfectly functioning diesel family vehicle because of ULEZ. This is even though my new vehicle outputs more carbon emissions yet apparently this is ULEZ complaint.

With all this suffering and cost of living going through the roof, Kingston council will do anything to get money off residents.
For example:
I received a PCN for entering a bus lane to let an ambulance through.
When they implemented a bus only zone through Surbiton Cresent, I got a PCN even though their signage was inadequate which they accepted but never cancelled the PCN.
When I lost a family member during COVID, I attended a church service down a road where the only way to get to the church down BOROUGH ROAD was down PRINCES ROAD where they put schools restrictions in place and made the only other entry a "NO ENTRY". I had no choice but to enter to get to the car park and they slap me with me a PCN.

Recently the council have raised parking charges from 55p per half hour to £3.30 per hour in North Kingston. I used to pay £1.10 per day to drop my off children off and pick them from school. Now it costs a minimum of £6.60. The council even had to cheek to implement these increases the week before holy week for Christians so they can make money from people going to church.

Why or why Kingston, have you made life so difficult for the backbone of society. Why should it be right that my life would be easier if I didn't work. Imagine if I don't work; free council house (big enough for a family), no council tax, free school meals, discount energy, no childcare issues etc

This council has become a disgrace. Major changes and restructures are needed. You Kingston Council have let down your residents.

King S. D.

I recently had an experience that showcased Kingston Council's dedication to community safety. Around 3 am, I noticed someone checking cars and vans on Tolworth Close near Ewell Road (KT6), attempting to see if they were unlocked. I promptly reported this to the police, and to my surprise, they responded within minutes, actively searching for the individual. Their swift action was truly commendable.

While I may have reservations about certain council methods, I must acknowledge and appreciate their effectiveness in this instance. It's reassuring to know that our local authorities are vigilant and responsive.

Moreover, upon researching, I discovered that Kingston upon Thames consistently ranks among the safest boroughs in London. With an overall crime rate of 80.4 crimes per 1,000 residents, it's 22% lower than the London average . This reinforces my confidence in the council's efforts to maintain a secure environment for its residents.

Thank you, Kingston Council, for your dedication and prompt action. It's moments like these that make me appreciate our community and those who work tirelessly to protect it.

Zoe A.

If I could give 0 stars, I would!
I had to speak to someone about my council tax and the rudeness over the phone from the second it was answered was absolutely disgusting. I hope they are actually recorded phone calls because Hannah has been reported.

Edit: They take nothing seriously either. Waste of time, money grabbers. Can't wait to leave this council!!!!

N8

Update over a year later. They finally replaced a tree they cut down and this is it. Firstly the hole they dug must have had some tins and a belt in it, which was just left on the street. Secondly this is just a stick and it’s planted in the middle of winter on the coldest day of the year so far. Genius.

They just cut down trees left and right in Surbiton without doing anything to replace them. Destroying habitats and greenery.

Simon G.

Why is this council one of the worst value for money in the country - why does it employ so many highly paid people, why is the Kingfisher centre a pile of rubble and still unbuilt after years and years. This council is shocking and now it wants to put our council tax up 5% year on year on year.

Andrew N.

Waste collectors just throw the food waste bins into the road that are then hit by cars, there was no wind today so no excuse.