Public engagement sessions where the latest designs for the town centre's new leisure centre have been postponed due to rules on government communication in the run-up to an election.

Online engagement will now open 8 July, after the general election, while in-person events will follow around mid-July. Dates for these sessions are yet to be confirmed.

In their announcement, Kingston Council said: "We were excited and ready to show everyone the revised designs for the leisure centre for Kingston town centre from 30 May 2024.

"Now that a general election has been announced on 4 July 2024, we will need to postpone the scheduled events and online engagement that were due to take place, as there are strict rules around the use of council resources during the period running up to an election.

"We are very sorry for the short notice."

Kingston Council first announced the events on 22 May, along with the first image of its new design intended to replace the now-demolished Kingfisher leisure centre.

However, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election later that day, triggering a pre-election period of sensitivity, often known as purdah.

During this time, communications from local authorities like Kingston Council are to be issued with care as to not influence voters using public funds.

While this is not a blanket ban on council communications, public engagement events like those previously scheduled from 30 May onwards could be perceived as Kingston Council spending public money to influence the outcome of the election.

Ordinary functions of councils can continue, although pausing non-essential consultations, events, or communications is common as to avoid any risk of breaking the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity.

Nub News will update readers once new dates for the public engagement sessions are confirmed.