Published: Tuesday 4 June 2019
4 June 2019
Two-thirds of consultation respondents back Kensington and Chelsea’s proposals to generate opportunities for local young people through the collection of additional voluntary contributions.
The consultation was launched in April 2019 to all band H council tax payers within the borough and generated nearly 1,200 formal responses.
It asked whether affected residents would be happy to voluntarily pay an additional amount to their standard council tax. Similar schemes already operate in other boroughs, including neighbouring Westminster.
Of the respondents who backed the proposal, 80 per cent say they would support the priority of investing the money to support opportunities to access and employment in the first year.
This includes pupils from all walks of life winning places at university. It also means investing in the right provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, so they too can achieve their full potential, while creating apprenticeships, skills and routes into employment or entrepreneurship for all communities.
Over the summer, the Council will proceed with setting-up the scheme and ensuring that all options for its structure and governance are considered. Representation from the local community and alignment with other partners and voluntary organisations that support the development of skills and opportunities in the borough will also be considered.
Kensington and Chelsea is a diverse borough, containing some of the wealthiest households in the country and some of the most deprived areas of London.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, welcomed the consultation results:
“Our Council Plan is a plan for the future, but is grounded in what communities have said is most important to them now. A key priority is improving employment opportunities – ensuring that people have equal opportunity to fulfil their potential wherever they live or whatever their background. This fund will create opportunities for many to boost their skills and development, and create routes into apprenticeships and employment. It is an exciting demonstration of the council working together, both with and for residents, to improve our borough.”