Politics
Kensington Mayor Infrastructure Budget Update Allocates Funds for Local Jobs and Services
The 2026-2027 budget amendment directs council resources to road repairs and training centres, changing access to transport and employment pathways for Kensington residents.
How we reported this
Kensington Council approved an amendment to its 2026-2027 budget on 7 July that increases spending on infrastructure maintenance and vocational training facilities. The change affects the borough's road network and three existing community centres where new skills programmes will operate.
National policy shifts on regional funding have prompted the council to adjust its own allocations this year. The adjustment focuses spending on projects already listed in the borough's local plan rather than introducing new initiatives.
Changes to transport and daily services
Residents who rely on buses along Kensington High Street will see scheduled resurfacing of 1.2 kilometres of carriageway starting in September. The work is listed in the council's transport asset management plan and is expected to reduce the number of temporary pothole repairs that have affected route 49 and route 328 services this year. Community centres in North Kensington and South Kensington will add evening classes in construction trades and basic digital skills, using space already available in the buildings.
The budget paper records an extra £3.2 million assigned to highways maintenance and £1.1 million for the training programmes. These figures appear in the capital programme section of the document approved by the full council.
Next steps for implementation
Procurement notices for the road works will be published by the end of July. The council's employment and skills team will begin enrolling participants for the first training cohort in October, with places prioritised for residents registered with the local jobcentre. Further updates on contractor selection and enrolment numbers will be published on the borough website each quarter.