The power struggle over who should control Kingston’s patient and social care watchdog looks set to continue, after a decision about who will take on the contract was pushed back to September.

After disputes with the elected steering group, Kingston Citizens’ Advice Bureau (KCAB) has offered to step back its role supporting the local involvement network (Link) and hand the job over to Kingston Voluntary Action (KVA).

Kingston Council’s executive members will decide whether KVA is able to carry out the £102,000 contract after a “full evaluation” of the request.

Councillor Rolson Davies said last week he hoped a decision would be made this week.

This week he said: "It would be irresponsible for us as a council to rush into considering the issues that have arisen over the past six to nine months and hand over the contract without making sure we are comfortable KVA can take it on."

K-Link’s elected steering group was “sacked” by letter in January, after months of stalemate with KCAB, backed by Kingston Council, leading to months of uncertainty, with both groups laying claim to the title of Kingston’s Link and holding rival meetings.

Steering group chairman Sandra Berry said: "This exercise is merely wasting time which should be spent enabling Link members to look at Kingston’s care services."

Councillor Mary Clark, a member of the council’s influential health overview and scrutiny committee, opposed the transfer of the contract to KVA.

She said: "I feel very strongly this is completely undemocratic. They either have to re-tender or go back to the other two original bodies of which I believe one is still in place."

KVA initially became involved when it was asked to help draw up fresh governance plans, but its proposals for replacing elections by the public with nominations were rejected by members.

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