Kingston's ruling Lib-Dem party has unveiled its manifesto to hold on to the council for another four years as next week's local elections on May 5 draws closer.

Against the background of a Conservative party in crisis at national level, the Liberal-Democrats appear strong favourites to maintain their position.

The council has been run by the Lib-Dems since 2018, when it won control from the Conservatives. It is currently made up of 37 Liberal Democrats, eight Conservatives and two Independents.

There is one empty seat on the council following the resignation of Councillor Sharron Falchikov-Sumner at the end of January this year.

The party's manifesto is built around the pledge 'Kingston Together: Greener, Fairer, Safer'.

Key priorities for the Lib Dems include:

Supporting young people and the most vulnerable through the investment in youth services and care for the most vulnerable in each community. The council have put their support behind a new primary school in Surbiton where planning permission has already been granted and are working towards providing a secondary school for the people in Norbiton.

Quality and affordable housing through support schemes which will help key workers and first-time buyers to get a foot on the housing ladder, as well as schemes for those on lower incomes.

Developing local facilities to ensure they are affordable and accessible for all, primarily through the redevelopment of the Kingfisher leisure centre that will be open to members of the public in the second half of 2024. Whilst being accessible to all, it will also include two state-of-the-art swimming pools, a splash deck and a soft play area for children, a multi-court sports hall with facilities for basketball, badminton and netball, multiple squash courts, an airy modern gym, studios for fitness and dance and a 5-a-side football pitch.   

Supporting communities and local businesses through the creation of community hubs where residents can access council services, as well as the continued support of business forums.

Working towards a greener Kingston by the council being carbon neutral by 2030 and the borough by 2038. Driving forward a district heating network, planting more trees, providing more electrical car charging points, investing in parks and encouraging biodiversity.

Unveiling the manifesto, Council Leader, Andreas Kirsch said: "This manifesto is our commitment – our commitment to spend the next four years making sure Kingston is the safest, greenest, and most inclusive borough in London.

"A borough where the most vulnerable are looked after and feel safe, where everyone from all our diverse communities is valued, where our green spaces are protected, and young people can access excellent and have a great start to adult life."

Further information on the Liberal Democrats pledges for next week's local election are available here: https://www.kingstonlibdems.org/manifesto