Notting Hill Residents Vote November 2026 on Council Service Changes, April 2027 Start

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has scheduled a referendum on the Local Services Funding Measure for 5 November 2026, directly affecting the 8,400 households in the Notting Hill ward through a proposed adjustment to the council tax base. The measure would authorise an annual levy of up to £48 per Band D property to support maintenance of local parks, street cleaning and community centre operations. Voters will decide whether to approve the change, with the outcome determining budget allocations from the start of the next fiscal period.

Why the referendum arrives now

Current budget documents from the borough show a £2.3 million shortfall in discretionary services funding for the Notting Hill area, driven by increased maintenance costs at sites including Avondale Park and the Notting Hill Gate community hub. The legislation requires the referendum to occur before the 2027-28 budget cycle begins, giving the council time to incorporate results into rate notices mailed in March 2027. Policy analysts note that the timing aligns with the borough's statutory requirement to consult residents on any levy exceeding the national cap set by central government.

Local residents would see the first concrete effects in their April 2027 council tax bills if the measure passes, with the levy collected alongside existing charges and ring-fenced for Notting Hill-specific projects. For example, a household in a Band C property currently paying £1,850 annually would face an additional £38.40 under the maximum rate, while funds would support resurfacing of footpaths along Portobello Road and extended opening hours at the local library branch. Those in higher bands would pay proportionally more, with the full amount appearing on the first instalment due 1 April 2027.

Evidence from the council documents

The borough's referendum guide, published 2 July 2026, states that the levy would generate £410,000 annually based on current property banding data for the ward. This figure comes directly from the 2025-26 budget paper, which recorded 7,950 Band D equivalent properties in Notting Hill. The same document projects that 65 percent of the revenue would go to street cleaning contracts and 35 percent to park upkeep, with no allocation permitted for other wards under the measure's terms.

Ballot papers will reach registered voters by 20 October 2026, and results are due within two weeks of the vote. If approved, the council must publish an implementation plan by 31 January 2027 that lists the exact projects funded and their start dates. Residents can request a copy of the plan through the borough website or at the Notting Hill library desk once it is released.