The Richmond upon Thames Council met to discuss a range of issues, including the adoption of the Local Plan, financial strategies, and motions related to council tax and sanctuary seekers. After debate, the council adopted the Local Plan and passed the motion on sanctuary seekers, but rejected a motion concerning council tax reductions and another about the council's approach to managing a deficit in funding for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Here's a more detailed look at the key discussion points:

• Local Plan Adoption
• Council Tax Support
• Sanctuary Seekers
• Other Matters

Local Plan Adoption

The council approved the adoption of the Richmond upon Thames Local Plan 2024 to 2039, a document which sets out the guidelines for development in the borough. Councillor Julia Neden-Watts, Deputy Leader and Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Services Committee, thanked the officers and spatial planning team who worked on the plan, and urged councillors to vote for the plan to ensure good decisions can be made locally. Councillor John Coombs, Vice-chair of the Planning Committee, seconded the motion, highlighting the importance of the plan in guiding developers and residents.

The approval followed questions from councillors, and a debate covering:

• The new style of local plan and the levelling up and regeneration act 2023
• Affordable housing and the affordable housing supplementary planning document
• The 20-minute neighbourhood concept
• Biodiversity net gain targets

Council Tax Support

Councillor Chas Warlow, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, introduced a motion concerning council tax collection processes for vulnerable residents, arguing that the current system places an unnecessary burden on those least able to pay. He stated that over 7,500 summonses had been issued in each of the last three years to individuals who had not paid their council tax, many of whom were eligible for council tax reductions.

Councillor Jim Millard, Deputy Leader and Finance and Resources Lead Member, proposed an amendment, emphasising the council's existing support for vulnerable residents, including 100% council tax reductions for those most in need, and the use of the low-income family tracker (LIFT) to proactively identify residents who may be missing out on help.

During the debate, Councillor Caroline Wren stated that the amendment removed the intention to strive for further improvement. Councillor Robin Brown spoke in favour of the amendment, highlighting the extensive support the council already provides to residents struggling with council tax payments. Councillor Richard Bennett, Chair of Audit, Standards and Statutory Accounts Committee, said that the original motion was not an attack on policy, but a comment on imperfect implementation. Councillor Gareth Roberts, Leader of the Council, argued that the amendment told the truth about the council's existing efforts. Councillor Niki Crookdake gave examples of residents who had fallen into debt despite being eligible for council tax reductions.

The council voted to carry the amendment, making it the substantive motion, and then voted to reject the amended motion.

Sanctuary Seekers

Councillor Fiona Sacks, Sanctuary Champion, moved a motion to reaffirm Richmond as a borough of sanctuary, urging the Prime Minister to end harmful rhetoric against sanctuary seekers and immigrants. She condemned recent attacks on a synagogue in Manchester and a mosque in Peacehaven, and spoke of Richmond's history of welcoming those fleeing conflict and persecution, from Huguenots to Ukrainians.

Councillor Nancy Baldwin, Vice-chair of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee, seconded the motion, sharing an anecdote about encountering racist views in the borough, and emphasising the importance of calling out the language of division.

Councillors spoke in favour of the motion, including:

• Councillor Katie Mansfield, Richmond Town Centre Project Lead Member and White Ribbon Champion, who spoke about the economic contributions of immigrants and sanctuary seekers.
• Councillor Andrée Frieze, Leader of the Opposition, who spoke about the need to call out extreme rhetoric from both the far right and the extreme left.
• Councillor Sarah Olney, who cited statistics on the economic contributions of immigrants.
• Councillor Peter Gantt, who spoke of the racism experienced by a colleague.

The council voted in favour of the motion.

Other Matters

• The council observed a minute of silence for former Mayor Mark Cranfield-Adams and offered condolences to his family.
• Public questions covered topics such as traffic regulations, HR practices, climate initiatives, CCTV provision, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), safeguarding training, and lease agreements.
• Members' questions covered a range of local issues, including the Women's Rugby World Cup, place shaping, the Centre Stage Festival, government funding, fly tipping, flag flying, children's services, the transformation programme, and tree planting.
• Councillor Roberts condemned the attack at the Heaton Park Synagogue and the arson attack on the Peacehaven Mosque, and called for solidarity with people of all faiths.
• The council voted to suspend standing orders to allow the meeting to continue beyond 10pm.

[^11