The Council of Richmond upon Thames met on Tuesday 3 March 2020, where they agreed the Revenue budget and Council Tax for 2020/21, and adopted the Richmond Local Plan. The meeting also saw discussions and decisions on a range of other important local issues, including the Holocaust Memorial Day, the capital programme, treasury management, and various member questions on topics from Heathrow expansion to coronavirus preparedness.

Holocaust Memorial Day

Council recognised the significance of Holocaust Memorial Day and committed to observing and encouraging its commemoration annually. Councillor Roberts proposed the motion, seconded by Councillor Hodgins and Councillor Bennett, highlighting that while Holocaust memorial and genocide awareness were observed in schools, more effort was needed to encourage observance beyond educational settings. The Council had undertaken significant work to support Holocaust Memorial Day this year, with a full programme of events planned. It was noted that Holocaust Memorial Day is more wide-ranging than just the Second World War, also encompassing the Bosnian and Rwandan genocides. The motion was put to the vote and carried.

Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2020/2021

The Council discussed and ultimately agreed the Revenue budget and Council Tax for 2020/2021. Councillor Brown moved and Councillor Roberts seconded the reception of the report and recommendations. Several questions were raised by councillors regarding the budget's impact. Councillor O'Carroll questioned the effect of underfunding special needs education, to which Councillor Brown responded that there was a £15m deficit, with council taxpayers partially funding the gap, and that the Council was lobbying the Government on this issue. Councillor Crouch inquired about the impact of new immigration rules, with Councillor Brown expressing concern about potential upward pressure on contract and wage costs, and key service shortages, particularly in the care sector. Councillor Joyce asked about efficiency savings beyond income from car charges, and Councillor Brown detailed proposals including a joint CCTV control room, digitalisation of services, reduced printing and energy costs from LED street lighting, and efficiencies from a strengths-based approach to promoting independence. Councillor Avon raised concerns about the closure of Hammersmith Bridge and the prospect of loan financing for a temporary bridge, but it was stated that a temporary motor vehicle bridge was unfeasible, and officers were working on a temporary cycle and pedestrian bridge.

Two amendments to the proposed budget were put forward and subsequently fell. The first amendment, proposed by Councillor Brandreth and seconded by Councillor Hodgins, sought to add funds for a new independent review of roads and transport, increased mental health spending, reinstating a free trial for Careline users, reducing day care and transport charges, and funding a study on the impact of climate change actions on lower-income residents. It also proposed amendments to reserves for climate change actions and to provide against the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) overspend, and to cap investment in Twickenham Riverside while increasing funding for roads and pavements. This amendment would have reduced the Council Tax increase to 0.62%. The second amendment, proposed by Councillor Frieze and seconded by Councillor Bennett, aimed to allocate funds to the Thames Landscape Strategy, fund a social care worker, and fund bike hangars by removing free parking.

Following the defeat of the amendments, the original recommendations were put to a recorded vote and carried. The Council agreed the Revenue budget for 2020/21 and set the Band D Council Tax at £1,871.64, an overall increase of 3.77% on 2018/19, including the Council's increase of 1.80%, the Social Care Precept of 2%, and the GLA increase of 3.61%. The Council Tax resolution was also agreed.

Reports of the Council's Committees

Finance, Policy and Resources Committee

The Council approved the revised capital programme and its funding, along with the Prudential Indicators and the Capital Strategy. Authority was delegated to the Director of Resources to agree details for a potential £6.5m arrangement for waste vehicles, and to the Assistant Chief Executive to allocate the £2m climate change budget. The Council also approved the Treasury Management Policy and Strategy for 2020/21, and the Investment Criteria for 2020/21.

Joint Staffing Committee

The Council adopted the Annual Pay Policy Statement for 2019/20.

Audit, Standards and Statutory Accounts Committee

The Council adopted the revised Code of Conduct and Supplementary Guidance to the Members' Code of Conduct, as well as the Members' Social Media Protocol.

Richmond Local Plan

The Council adopted the Richmond Local Plan, with specific decisions made regarding the extent of Other Open Land of Townscape Importance (OOLTI) in relation to St Michael's Convent (Ham), which will remain as per the submitted plan. The designation of Udney Park Playing Fields as Local Green Space will also remain as per the submitted plan. Authority was delegated to the Assistant Director of Environment and Community Services (Planning & Transport Strategy), in consultation with the Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee, to agree the final version of the adopted Local Plan and accompanying Policies Map, and to publish the Adoption Statement.

Member Questions

A series of questions were posed by councillors to various lead members and chairs.

Councillor Bridges-Westcott asked the Leader of the Council about the joint legal challenge to the expansion of Heathrow Airport. Councillor Roberts reported that Heathrow had been defeated in the courts, thanking various groups and officers for their efforts. He stated that Heathrow would likely rise from the ashes and return to fight another day.

Councillor Fleming asked about plans for a review of the incident that led to 2200 properties being without gas for ten days. Councillor Roberts outlined that an internal debrief of responders and services had been arranged, and a multi-agency debrief would be held, with invitations extended to Cadent, Thames Water, UK Power Network, and the Borough Resilience forum.

Councillor Butlin inquired about the Council's contingency plans in the event of coronavirus cases being identified in the borough. Councillor Allen, Chair of the Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee, detailed preparations based on guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care, Public Health England, and the London Resilience Group, with Public Health leading coordination.

Councillor Hodgins questioned the transparency of the Twickenham Riverside process. Councillor Roberts defended the administration's approach, stating it was more engaging than previous administrations and had involved roadshows and early design viewings.

Councillor Neden-Watts asked about the next steps for the Twickenham Riverside development. Councillor Roberts explained that a ten-day standstill period was underway, with contracts being finalised for the Project Management and Design Teams. A planning application was aimed for Winter 2020, with pre-planning public consultation in the Autumn.

Councillor Curran asked how the Council supports non-profit charity events with charges for activities. Councillor Wilson, Vice-Chair of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee, explained the Council's Events Fees and Charges Policy, which offers reduced fees for voluntary and community groups, and subsidised rates for non-profit charity events in Council-owned buildings.

Councillor Craigie requested an update on the Richmond upon Thames Voluntary Fund. Councillor Roberts reported that the fund, a charitable trust, had been launched on 3 February 2020, with Twickenham-based charity Off The Record and Richmond Borough Mind as selected beneficiaries for 2020. He confirmed that £40,000 had been raised to date.

Councillor Avon questioned the value for money of community conversations. Councillor Wilson stated that community conversations were part of a broader engagement theme, moving away from the previous Cabinet roadshow which was seen as out of touch. He highlighted that themed work was underway to improve accessibility and issue-based conversations, and that town meetings would allow residents to influence ward budget spending.

Councillor Nicholson asked about the main issues identified at the Richmond Partnership Conference on Action on Climate Change. Councillor Elengorn, Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee, listed understanding climate change science, identifying borough carbon emissions, promoting sustainable transport, and encouraging collective action as key issues, which would form a Richmond Climate Charter.

Councillor Joyce questioned why the Council Tax increase had not been used to launch a regional transport study, given the potential five-year closure of Hammersmith Bridge. Councillor Ehmann, Chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee, stated that strategic transport improvement was a matter for Transport for London, Network Rail, or the Community Infrastructure Levy, not Council Taxpayers.

Councillor Howard asked about the Youth Centre's role in plans for The White House. Councillor Roberts stated that the Council was working with stakeholders to plan for the future of The White House, aiming for it to be a sustainable and flexible space for various ages, with stronger links to the nearby Youth Centre and Children and Family Centre.

Councillor Cambridge asked about anti-idling enforcement operations and efforts to improve air quality. Councillor Ehmann provided data on verbal warnings and fixed penalty notices issued for vehicle idling, noting a peak in warnings in October and a potential change in driver behaviour.

Councillor Marcel asked about the condition of roads and pavements and plans for refurbishment. Councillor Ehmann stated that Richmond was in the top 10 London boroughs for overall road condition, and that a significant increase in the scope of works was planned with additional funding.

Councillor Samuel asked about the condition of Broad Lane, Hampton, and the need for refurbishment. Councillor Ehmann detailed a phased approach to repairs, with pavements to be surfaced in 2020/21 and carriageway resurfacing to be reviewed later. An ongoing issue with surface water drainage was also being investigated, with potential problems identified within the Thames Water main system.

Councillor Howard asked about cycling on pavements and potential joint action with the Police. Councillor Ehmann stated that enforcement of cycling on pavements was a Police matter, and concerns had been raised with them.

Councillor Hodgins questioned the administration's willingness to impose higher fees and future charges such as ULEZ and CPZ charges on residents who had benefited from increased Council Tax discounts. Councillor Roberts defended the administration's achievement in increasing discounts and noted cross-party consensus on the ULEZ extension.

Councillor Fleming asked for an apology regarding an alleged exaggeration of uncollected CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy). Councillor Roberts declined to apologise, stating that it was possible to extrapolate a significant figure based on public information at the time.

Councillor Joyce inquired about positive updates on a temporary traffic bridge alongside Hammersmith Bridge. Councillor Ehmann stated that the Beckett Rankine temporary road bridge concept had significant issues making it unviable, and officers were progressing a temporary pedestrian and cycle footbridge.

Councillor Brandreth asked for additional CCTV to improve safety over Hammersmith Bridge. Councillor Ehmann stated that responsibility for CCTV on the bridge lay with Hammersmith and Fulham Council, and that enhancements had already been made.

Councillor Acton asked for an update on the installation of electric charging points. Councillor Ehmann reported that Richmond had 196 lamp column chargepoints, with funding for another 200 in the next year, and that Source London planned to double its stations.

Councillor Khosa asked for an update on South Western Railway strikes. Councillor Ehmann was pleased to report that proposed strikes for March had been called off.

Councillor Bridges-Westcott asked about EU citizen information events and council support for residents. Councillor Roberts stated that Citizens Advice Richmond provided an information and support service, with regular events on the EU Settlement scheme. The council also continued to provide an ID verification service and waived the fee for borough residents.

Councillor Cambridge asked for an explanation of a letter from George Freeman MP regarding Hammersmith Bridge. Councillor Roberts confirmed that the then Minister of State had stated a temporary traffic bridge was not feasible, and officers were progressing a temporary pedestrian and cycle footbridge.

Councillor Thomason asked if a further letter had been sent to parents of SEND children regarding an ombudsman investigation. Councillor Frost confirmed that a second letter had been sent, reassuring parents about the independence of the audit process and providing contact details for the auditors.

Councillor Wilson asked if the council would write to Priti Patel regarding her new immigration policy. Councillor Roberts expressed concerns about the impact of the proposed system on the borough, particularly in adult social care where a significant proportion of the workforce are from the EU. The council will call on the Government to review this issue.

Councillor O'Carroll asked how the council is supporting the LGBT community during LGBT History Month. Councillor Wilson detailed various initiatives, including flying the Rainbow flag, library displays, a staff LGBT Equality & Ally Group event, and work within Adult Social Services and Achieving for Children.

Councillor Hull asked about the implications of designating Udney Park Playing Fields as Local Green Space. Councillor Elengorn explained that development proposals on the playing fields would be assessed against Green Belt policy.

Councillor Newton Dunn asked about plans to address poor air quality in Richmond Town Centre. Councillor Ehmann stated that a new Air Quality Action Plan was being developed, which included actions to reduce traffic and divert through-traffic, potentially through a Clean Air Zone.

Councillor Khosa asked for an update on Moormead Pavilion. Councillor Elengorn stated that the Council was expecting a planning application from the Moormead Community and Sports Pavilion Charity.

Councillor Mansfield asked if the council could use its land, such as the closed community centre in Mereway, to address the need for affordable housing. Councillor Jaeger confirmed that the council was doing so, with negotiations well advanced for a 100% affordable housing scheme at Mereway, and similar schemes planned elsewhere.

Councillor Humphreys asked what the council is doing to bridge the growing SEND funding gap. Councillor Brown acknowledged this as the biggest financial challenge and stated that the council would continue to provide adequately in its reserves to help meet risks, while continuing to press the Government for adequate funding.

Councillor Warren asked what the council is doing to address the bathroom break issue on the 33 route to Barnes/Hammersmith Bridge. Councillor Ehmann stated that TfL had suggested a location for a toilet facility, which was being reviewed.

Announcements

The Mayor thanked Councillor Joyce and the Richmond Irish Network for their invitation and support for her charities. She also outlined upcoming fundraising events. The meeting concluded at 9:50 pm.