Kingston Council has sounded a stark warning that the borough is "on the frontline of the climate crisis" and is urgently seeking long-term funding from Government to mount effective local defences against extreme heat and frequent flooding.
Council motion sets out growing strain on services
The Liberal Democrat-led authority approved a motion on 15 July which described mounting local pressures as the UK endures its third heatwave of the summer. The motion highlights both the acute risks posed by soaring temperatures and the chronic strain on council budgets already stretched by rising demand for care and housing services.
"on the frontline of the climate crisis because the borough faces severe local risks - like frequent flooding and extreme heat"
Councillors said Kingston cannot tackle these challenges alone and urged Government to provide stable, long-term resources to allow the council to protect residents and the environment.
What the council says it can do with funding
The motion sets out a local leadership role for councils on community-based responses. Examples identified include:
- Retrofitting homes to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions;
- Investing in public transport and sustainable infrastructure to lower car dependence;
- Sustainable land use and tree planting to increase resilience to heat and flooding.
Opposition councillors from the Kingston Independent Residents Group proposed an amendment seeking additional commitments, including a published heat resilience action plan by the end of the year, a review of the tree planting programme and guaranteed long-term watering for newly planted trees. That amendment was rejected by the majority, with Lib Dem councillors saying the suggested measures were largely already covered in existing council plans.
Context: extremes and health impacts
The council framed its plea against a backdrop of a summer of record temperatures nationally. It noted that this year has already seen temperatures of 35°C or higher in May, June and July — a first — and cited scientific estimates linking the May and June heatwaves to more than 2,700 excess deaths across the UK.
| Local risk | Council responsibility |
|---|---|
| Extreme heat | Protect vulnerable residents, prepare cooling and public-health measures |
| Frequent flooding | Manage localised infrastructure and land use to reduce flood impacts |
Council leaders argued that local authorities are best placed to deliver targeted, community-level solutions, but that a lack of sustained funding limits what can be achieved at borough level.
What this means for residents
For Kingston residents, the discussion has practical implications: priorities under consideration — such as home retrofits, enhanced public transport, and urban greening — would affect housing costs, travel and local amenities. The council's call for funding is also a plea for central Government to share the fiscal burden of adapting to climate impacts now becoming routine.
As the borough moves through the summer, councillors indicated they will continue to press for clearer timelines and resources to turn policy ambitions into local action.
