The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames has been under Liberal Democrat rule control since 2018 and there is no sign of that changing any time soon.
The party kept their large majority on the council at the 7 May local elections, returning 44 of a possible 48 seats, the same number as in 2022.
Lib Dem Council Leader Andreas Kirsch comfortably kept his seat, while Lib Dem councillor Emily Davey, wife of the national party leader Sir Ed Davey, easily retained her seat in Norbiton.
The party has pledged to continue “caring for the families who call Kingston home, caring for our communities and the people in them, and caring for the environment we share”.
The official opposition to the Lib Dems, previously the Kingston Independent Residents Group (KIRG), is now a role shared by KIRG and the Conservatives, who both have two councillors.
Kingston upon Thames Council’s full cabinet is as follows:
Council Leader
Andreas Kirsch
As leader of the council, Kirsch was tasked with selecting the cabinet and designating each member’s portfolio. He represents the Royal Borough at external events and sets the council’s strategic direction and key policy priorities.
His other responsibilities include heritage and culture, as well as the maintenance of Kingston’s libraries and strategic partnerships with the police.
Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Transport and Waste
Nicola Nardelli
Nardelli deputises for Kirsch in his absence, representing Kingston at events and chairing the cabinet when necessary.
As Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Transport and Waste, she oversees waste disposal and recycling, as well as the borough’s public transport, highways and parking services.
Portfolio Holder for Finance & Assets
Manish Shukla
Shukla is chiefly responsible for the delivery of Kingston’s budgets and his day-to-day remit covers the monitoring of the borough’s finances, pensions, investments and revenue.
Portfolio Holder for Climate Action, Biodiversity and Regulatory Services
Mike Massimi
In charge of the borough’s response to climate change, Massimi oversees Kingston’s green spaces, energy usage and air quality.
He is also in charge of the borough’s bereavement services, citizenship and regulatory services, such as trading standards.
Portfolio Holder for Communities, Commissioning and Customer Contact & Governance
Anita Schaper
Schaper is in charge of the procurement and commissioning of local government contracts, particularly in areas such as human resources, electoral services and the digital sphere.
Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Economic Development and Planning Policy
Andrew Wooldridge
Responsible for leisure, Wooldridge oversees the borough’s provision of leisure centres, sporting facilities and activities. Also in charge of economic development and planning, he will deliver the council’s Local Plan while working day-to-day on planning policy and enforcement.
Portfolio Holder for Housing
Emily Davey
Davey has been tasked with regenerating Kingston’s housing while maintaining the borough’s community and council housing stock.
She maintains the council’s relations with Housing Associations throughout the borough and oversees private sector residential enforcement while leading Kingston’s homelessness strategy.
Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services including Education
Sue Ansari
In this statutory role, Ansari is in charge of Kingston’s schools, with a particular focus on admissions, school place planning, budgets and provision for children with SEND.
She also oversees the borough’s children’s centres, youth services and child safeguarding strategy.
Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Equalities
Sabah Hamed
Hamed is responsible for the council’s provision of adult social care, as well as its approach to physical health, mental health and dementia.
She has also been tasked with ensuring equality across the council while overseeing community safety, both in terms of protection and prevention.
