Kingston Council Boosts Fire Safety Budget by £2.9m (Kingston, 2026)

Key Points

• The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames has approved an additional £2.9 million to complete fire safety works across its housing stock.
• This funding targets the final 935 remaining fire safety actions out of 4,138 identified through post-Grenfell requirements and routine inspections.
• A new 12-month contract worth up to £2.2 million has been awarded to Quinn London, which has worked with the council since 2023.
• The contract was approved by the council’s Corporate and Resources Committee on 19 March 2026.
• All remaining works are expected to finish within the next year, resuming routine inspections thereafter.
• Works include fire door upgrades, alarm installations, emergency lighting improvements, and building repairs; all critical items are already completed.
• The council states these are preventative measures from routine programmes, not linked to Grenfell Tower issues like flammable cladding, as their stock lacks such materials.

Kingston upon Thames (South London News) April 18, 2026 – The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames has approved an additional £2.9 million to complete the final phase of fire safety works across its housing stock, addressing 935 remaining actions out of more than 4,100 identified.

Why Has Kingston Council Increased Its Fire Safety Budget?

The funding increase covers the completion of 935 fire safety actions identified through updated post-Grenfell requirements and routine inspections.

Kingston Council assessed its entire housing stock following the Government’s overhaul of building safety laws after the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, leading to 4,138 actions in total. As reported by Kingston Courier, more than 900 remaining actions will be completed within a year as the council wraps up its borough-wide safety programme.

A spokesperson for Kingston Council said:

“The council is fully committed to ensuring that these remaining items are completed as swiftly as possible”.

The council clarified that

“these are not outstanding fire safety works arising from the Grenfell Tower fire; they are works identified through our routine inspection and maintenance programme”.

It added:

“It is important to note that the fire risk assessment remediation work we undertake is preventative and does not involve major, life-threatening concerns such as the removal of flammable cladding or hazardous materials, as our housing stock does not contain these”.

Who Has Been Awarded the Fire Safety Contract?

The new 12-month contract, valued at up to £2.2 million for Quinn London’s share, was awarded to Quinn London, the firm working with the council since 2023. The maximum contract value of £2.2 million covers Quinn’s portion of the 935 works, with the total budget at £2.9 million.

Kingston Council’s Corporate and Resources Committee approved the award on 19 March 2026, backing the move to complete works quickly.

As noted in coverage by nub. News, the authority agreed to award construction firm Quinn London the new 12-month contract to complete the outstanding works as quickly as possible.

Quinn London’s involvement continues its support for the council’s fire safety programme, as stated on their website.

What Fire Safety Works Are Involved?

The works carried out so far and remaining include fire door upgrades, alarm installations, improvements to emergency lighting, and wider building repairs.

All critical items have already been completed, with the council taking preventative and precautionary measures. Kingston Council expects to resume routine fire safety inspections once the final phase ends next year.

The Fire Protection Association reported that the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames approved the additional £2.9 million specifically to complete these works across its housing stock. Instagram posts from Kingston Council highlighted the earmarking of £2.9 million to complete fire safety works across the borough.

When Will the Fire Safety Works Be Completed?

All remaining works are scheduled for completion within the next 12 months. The council’s approval on 19 March 2026 enables this timeline, with the Housing Capital budget for 2026/27 covering the costs. Leaders backed the swift completion of the programme.

How Does This Fit Into Post-Grenfell Safety Efforts?

The actions stem from surveys post-Grenfell, which overhauled building safety laws, but the council emphasises no severe structural risks exist. Nub. The news reported that Kingston Council set aside the extra £2.9 million for high-priority works identified after Grenfell, with 935 out of more than 4,100 actions left. The programme addresses routine hazards rather than Grenfell-specific issues like cladding.

What Is the Total Scope of Kingston’s Fire Safety Programme?

Out of 4,138 actions identified, 935 remain, representing the final push. The council has progressed through fire door replacements, fire alarms, building repairs, and emergency lighting upgrades. This investment reinforces the commitment to resident safety without major hazards.

Kingston Courier detailed that the council moves to wrap up its borough-wide programme with these funds. LinkedIn activity from the Fire Protection Association echoed the approval of £2.9 million for housing stock works.

Background of the Development

The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames initiated its comprehensive fire safety assessments following the Grenfell Tower inquiry and subsequent regulatory changes in building safety laws. Routine inspections and post-Grenfell updates identified 4,138 actions across housing stock, with progressive completion leading to the current final phase.

Quinn London’s prior involvement since 2023 has built continuity for the new contract. The Corporate and Resources Committee’s decision on 19 March 2026 allocated funds from the 2026/27 Housing Capital budget, ensuring no delays in preventative measures. This reflects ongoing compliance with national standards without evidence of cladding or hazardous materials in council properties.

Prediction

This development can affect council housing residents in Kingston upon Thames by completing all identified fire safety actions within a year, enabling resumed routine inspections and sustained preventative maintenance.

Tenants will benefit from upgraded fire doors, alarms, lighting, and repairs, reducing routine risks across properties. The council’s commitment ensures swift action on the 935 items, maintaining safety standards post-Grenfell without addressing non-existent major hazards.