As the borough is forced to make drastic cuts, Kingston Council leader Kevin Davis has announced a series of talks where he will meet residents to find out which services they value most and which they could see cut.

Councillor Kevin Davis has said Kingston will see some “rapid changes” in the next few years. 

Having already made a 20 per cent slash to its budget, the council must now make a further 25 per cent cut by 2018.

Eight Kingston Conversation events starting in September will, in part, shape which services are cut in the borough, Coun Davis said.

He said: “I don’t remember a time when Kingston didn’t have budget restrictions. We have to have a conversation about the budget.

“If you have to cut £10m out of services which do you want to cut and which are most important to you?

“The [recent] cuts have come from central council offices by improving the way we do things and making them more efficient so they haven’t been too noticeable.

“I can’t do this for the other 25 per cent. There is going to have to be negotiation with people about what is and isn’t achievable.

“We have to talk about what services are going to look like in the future.

“Your council has less money than it used to and this means we must find new ways to do things while ensuring good services for local people continue.”

The conversations come off the back of last year’s All in One Survey and the Meet the Leader sessions that followed.

Coun Davis said the survey demonstrated the need for the council to communicate better with people and businesses.

He added: “Ultimately these conversations are about us trying to form policy. I am not saying we are all seeing and knowing.

“I don’t know what is going to come out. Redevelopment is an issue in the town centre whereas people in New Malden will have other concerns.

“It’s about making sure everyone gets their say.”

Anyone interested in attending Kingston Conversation should call 020 8547 6654 to book a space or visit kingston.gov.uk/conversation.

Kingston Conversation times and dates:

Southborough High School, Surbiton
Tuesday 1 September 7pm - 9pm

United Reform Church, Richard Mayo Centre, Kingston
Thursday 10 September 7pm - 9pm

Kings Centre, Chessington
Saturday 12 September 10.30am -12.30

New Malden Methodist Church, New Malden
Thursday 17 September 7pm - 9pm

The Cornerhouse, Surbiton
Saturday 19 September 10.30am - 12.30

Shiraz Mirza Manor Park Hall, New Malden
Saturday 26 September 10.30am - 12.30

Glenmore House, Surbiton
Tuesday 29 September 7pm - 9pm

Tudor Hall Library, Kingston
Saturday 10 October 10am - noon