Kingston Council Leader Cllr Kirsch on Budget Pressures 2026

Key Points

• The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames is in the process of setting its budget for the upcoming financial year, following the annual February timeline.
• Like most UK local authorities, Kingston faces significant financial pressures due to over a decade of government underfunding.
• Pressures are particularly acute in Adult Social Care and Children’s services.
• There is a rising number of adults and children requiring support, many with complex needs.
• As demand increases, the costs to provide these essential services are also rising.
• Kingston is not immune to these national challenges affecting local councils.

Kingston upon Thames (South London News) March 3, 2026 – The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames is grappling with mounting financial pressures as it finalises its budget for the next financial year, amid a decade of sustained government underfunding that has strained local services nationwide. Council leader Cllr Andreas Kirsch has highlighted the acute challenges in Adult Social Care and Children’s services, where growing demand from vulnerable residents with increasingly complex needs is driving up costs. This situation mirrors difficulties faced by councils across the UK, leaving Kingston no exception to the broader crisis in local government funding.

What Financial Pressures Are Kingston Council Facing?

The budget-setting process in Kingston, as in many boroughs, unfolds annually in February, aligning with the fiscal calendar for local authorities. Cllr Andreas Kirsch, leader of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, has directly addressed these pressures in his statement on the matter. He noted that, like most other local authorities, Kingston is confronting “huge financial pressures after more than a decade of significant government underfunding.” This underfunding has cumulatively eroded the financial resilience of councils, making it harder to maintain service levels without substantial efficiencies or external support.

These pressures are not abstract; they manifest in core service delivery. As reported directly from Cllr Kirsch’s statement, the challenges are “particularly visible in our Adult Social Care and Children’s services.” Demand in these areas has surged, with an “increasing number of adults and children… in need of support.” Moreover, many cases involve “very complex needs,” which escalate the resource intensity required. Consequently, “as the number of people in need is rising, so is the cost to provide the services.” Kingston Council, despite its efforts to manage within tight constraints, finds itself “not immune to these challenges,” reflecting a national pattern where social care demands outpace available funds.

Why Are Adult Social Care Services Under Such Strain?

Adult Social Care represents one of the most pressured areas for Kingston Council, as articulated by Cllr Kirsch. The leader explained that the borough is witnessing an “increasing number of adults… in need of support, some of them with very complex needs.” This rise in demand is driven by demographic shifts, including an ageing population and growing incidences of disabilities or health conditions requiring long-term care. As a result, the financial burden has intensified, with costs spiralling as services adapt to these complexities.

Cllr Kirsch’s observations underscore a systemic issue across UK councils. The need for specialised care—ranging from home adaptations and personal care assistants to residential placements—has not only increased in volume but also in sophistication. For instance, complex needs might involve multi-agency coordination, advanced medical equipment, or 24-hour support, all of which carry premium costs. Kingston’s budget deliberations must therefore prioritise these escalating expenses, even as overall funding from central government remains stagnant or diminished after years of austerity measures.

This strain is emblematic of wider trends. Local authorities nationwide report similar pressures, with Adult Social Care often consuming the largest share of discretionary budgets—sometimes over 50% in boroughs like Kingston. Cllr Kirsch’s candid assessment highlights how underfunding compounds these issues, forcing councils to balance statutory duties against fiscal reality.

How Are Children’s Services Being Impacted?

Children’s services in Kingston are equally burdened, according to Cllr Kirsch’s statement. He pointed out an “increasing number of children… in need of support,” paralleling the adult care crisis. Many of these children present with “very complex needs,” which could encompass safeguarding concerns, mental health support, special educational needs, or family interventions. As demand grows, “the cost to provide the services” has risen correspondingly, placing additional stress on the council’s finances.

The leader’s remarks draw attention to the human element behind the figures. Children’s services often involve foster care placements, therapeutic interventions, or legal proceedings under child protection laws, all of which are resource-heavy. Kingston, like other councils, must comply with legal mandates to protect vulnerable young people, yet funding shortfalls limit proactive measures. Cllr Kirsch emphasised that “Kingston is not immune to these challenges,” signalling that local teams are stretched thin amid rising referrals from schools, health services, and communities.

This situation has broader implications for the borough’s most vulnerable families. Without adequate resourcing, response times may lengthen, prevention strategies weaken, and outcomes for children suffer. Cllr Kirsch’s statement serves as a call for recognition of these frontline pressures, which have built over more than a decade.

What Role Has Government Underfunding Played?

Central to Cllr Kirsch’s narrative is the impact of prolonged government underfunding. He stated unequivocally that Kingston, “like most other local authorities,” faces “huge financial pressures after more than a decade of significant government underfunding.” This refers to austerity policies initiated post-2010, which saw core grants to councils slashed by billions nationally. Kingston has absorbed these cuts while statutory obligations, particularly in social care, have expanded.

The cumulative effect is stark: councils now rely heavily on council tax rises and reserve drawdowns to bridge gaps. Cllr Kirsch’s comments align with reports from bodies like the Local Government Association, which warn of a funding black hole threatening service collapse. In Kingston’s case, this underfunding exacerbates the rising costs in Adult Social Care and Children’s services, where demand shows no sign of abating.

Is Kingston Unique in These Budget Challenges?

Far from it, as Cllr Kirsch makes clear: “Kingston is not immune to these challenges.” His statement positions the borough within a national context, where most local authorities grapple with identical issues. The “huge financial pressures” are widespread, driven by the same underfunding and demographic demands. Other London councils, such as those in South London neighbours like Croydon or Sutton, echo these sentiments in their budget papers.

This shared experience underscores the need for systemic reform. Cllr Kirsch’s remarks, while specific to Kingston, contribute to a chorus from council leaders advocating for fairer funding formulas and sustained investment in social care.

What Lies Ahead for Kingston’s Budget?

As deliberations continue into March 2026, Kingston Council must navigate these pressures to approve a balanced budget. Cllr Kirsch’s statement implies tough choices ahead—potential service efficiencies, fee adjustments, or pleas for additional grants. The focus on Adult Social Care and Children’s services suggests these will remain protected where possible, but at what cost to other areas like housing, transport, or leisure?

Residents can expect transparency through public consultations, as is standard. Cllr Kirsch’s proactive communication aims to build understanding of the constraints under which the council operates.

Broader Context: National Trends in Local Authority Budgets

Nationally, February marks peak budget season, with councils like Kingston finalising plans amid economic uncertainty. Cllr Kirsch’s reference to “more than a decade” of underfunding captures a period from roughly 2010 onwards, during which grants fell by 40% in real terms for many authorities. Social care’s dominance in budgets—projected to hit 80% in some cases—leaves little for discretionary spending.

Kingston’s story is thus a microcosm of UK local government’s plight. As Cllr Kirsch notes, rising needs and costs are universal, demanding urgent policy responses from Westminster.