• From January 6, 2006

An Audit Commission report revealed Kingston Council was failing to reach its recycling target – despite an autumn push to improve rates.

The commission judged the borough’s services as “good”, but said it had “uncertain prospects for improvement”, after a waste management inspection last month.

It was highlighted that that the council missed its 30 per cent recycling and composting target, achieving just 18.5 per cent.

The report also pointed out that the recycling facilities for the estates and private flats were underdeveloped, and recycling sites were poorly maintained.

It added these factors may have been the reasons the council had not hit its target.

Despite the missed target the Audit Commission said Kingston’s recycling and composting rate was still high compared to other London boroughs, and was above the national average.

It also praised Kingston’s service for promoting the importance of recycling.

A council spokesman said: “Initiatives such as the glass collecting scheme and the surge in participating households in recent months means the target is likely to be hit in 2007.”

The council was praised for its self-awareness when it came to identifying its strengths and weaknesses and its ability to make difficult decisions, such as the re-tendering of the street cleaning contract.

Overall the council was awarded an “excellent” rating by the commission.

Kingston Council chief executive Bruce McDonald said: “Although it is the views of our residents that matter more than rankings, the council is naturally delighted that the new ratings confirm Kingston’s position among the best performing councils in the country.”

  • 10 YEARS AGO: January 6, 2006

A famous Kingston-based dog grooming parlour was forced to close after being kicked out of its London Road offices.

Doggie Style had appeared on GMTV and Loose Women and was credited in many national newspapers as being the place to go for style-conscious owners.  

But the parlour was the subject of controversy after one customer claimed she had had to pull her dog out of Crufts after staff cut the dog’s hair too short.

  • 25 YEARS AGO: January 4, 2001

Some Tory councillors were arguing that the European flag that fluttered in Clarence Street should be replaced by the cross of St George.

Conservative Councillor Rupert Matthews said the flag should be banned from the three poles in the town centre because it broke a long-held international rule.

He argued that if a flag flies from an upright pole it implied ownership or sovereignty and “Europe has neither”.

  • 50 YEARS AGO: January 4, 1966

Rings and watches worth almost £6,000 were stolen in a daring town centre jewellery shop raid.

Sterns, in Union Street, was targeted by a gang of expert thieves at about midnight.

Police were baffled as to how the group managed to get through the shop’s armoured glass door without being seen or heard.