Duty to Cooperate

Government Guidance states that it is important to adopt a practical and realistic approach in deciding the area over which cooperation is needed and who to work with. For some strategic matters the most effective outcomes may be achieved through cooperation by a small number of neighbouring local planning authorities while for other matters there may be a need for cooperation over a wider functional area involving both neighbouring and other local planning authorities and bodies.

You can view our matrix table (PDF) which identifies which authorities and organisations have been identified for involvement in each strategic matter. If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format please email us at webmaster@kingston.gov.uk and let us know what format you need the document to be provided and we will try to meet your request.

Local planning authorities

The local Planning Authorities that border Kingston could share cross-boundary strategic planning issues that could significantly impact on both planning areas. These are:

• London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
• London Borough of Sutton
• London Borough of Merton
• London Borough of Wandsworth
• Elmbridge Borough Council
• Mole Valley District Council
• Epsom & Ewell Borough Council
• Surrey County Council

The Mayor of London is included within this list and is also subject to the duty. The degree of cooperation needed between authorities and the Mayor of London depends on the extent to which strategic issues have already been addressed in the London Plan.

Cooperation between the Mayor, boroughs and local planning authorities bordering London is vital to ensure that important strategic issues, such as housing delivery and economic growth, are planned effectively.

The National Planning Policy Framework requires local authorities to cooperate on planning issues that cross administrative boundaries. However, some cross-boundary strategic issues will require discussions with local planning authorities beyond the adjoining authorities. One example is the flood risk associated with the Thames that has a catchment area that extends well beyond Kingston's adjacent authorities, so strategic flooding issues would need to be discussed with authorities up and down the Thames.

Prescribed bodies

As part of its plan-making preparation and the Duty to Cooperate, the Council is also required to cooperate with the following as set out in National Planning Policy Guidance:

• Environment Agency
• Historic England
• Natural England
• The Mayor of London / Greater London Authority (GLA)
• Transport for London (TfL)
• Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs)
• The Homes and Communities Agency
• The National Health Service Commissioning Board
• Highway Authority (trunk routes managed by TfL)
• Highways England
• Integrated Transport Authorities (TfL in London)
• The Civil Aviation Authority
• The Office of Rail and Road
• Marine Management Organisation (not relevant to Kingston)

Existing mechanisms for cooperation

There is no definitive list that constitutes effective cooperation under the duty, and the scale and nature of cooperation will depend on individual strategic matters. Below are examples of some existing mechanisms that have been utilised to support effective cooperation.

Kingston Strategic Partnership

The purpose of the Kingston Strategic Partnership is to set the overall vision and direction for partnership working in Kingston. It consists of partners from the statutory, voluntary and business sectors:

• The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
• Staywell
• Job Centre Plus
• Kingston Chamber of Commerce
• Kingston College
• Kingston Environmental Group
• Kingston First
• Kingston GP
• Kingston Hospital
• Kingston NHS
• Kingston Race and Qualities Council
• Kingston University
• Kingston Voluntary Action
• Metropolitan Police
• South West London NHS Board

The Lower Thames Planning Officers Group

The Lower Thames Planning Officers groups was formed in response to flooding, flood risk and the River Thames Strategy (RTS). Members include:

• Environmental Agency
• Elmbridge Borough Council
• Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
• London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
• Runnymede Borough Council
• Spelthorne Borough Council
• Surrey County Council
• Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
• Thames Water

The Thames Landscape Strategy

Launched in 1994, the Thames Landscape Strategy is a non-for-profit partnership to understand, promote and conserve this stretch of the river between Weybridge and Hampton and Kew, and enhance its character - both natural and manmade. It brings together 14 funding partners set out below and works closely with 220 local groups and communities.

• Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
• London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
• London Borough of Hounslow
• Elmbridge Borough Council
• Environmental Agency
• The Royal Parks Agency
• The National Trust
• English Heritage
• Historic Royal Palaces
• Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
• Port of London Authority
• Surrey County Council
• Crown Estate
• Kingston University

The South London Partnership

The South London Partnership is a sub-regional collaboration of five London boroughs which focuses on the triple goals of shaping sustainable development, securing devolution to unlock opportunity, and driving efficiency. Members include:

• The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
• The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
• London Borough of Merton
• London Borough of Croydon
• London Borough of Sutton

South London Waste Plan (adopted 2012)

The South London Waste Plan was prepared to accommodate new waste facilities up to 2027 in partnership with:

• The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
• London Borough of Sutton
• London Borough of Merton
• London Borough of Croydon

Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA, published 2016)

The joint Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) (published 2016) for its shared Housing Market Area was prepared with neighbouring Surrey authorities:

• Elmbridge District Council
• Epsom & Ewell District Council
• Mole Valley District Council