The Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee met to discuss a range of issues, including waste management, busking, and leisure services. The committee approved the draft West London Waste Plan for public consultation, adopted a voluntary code of conduct for buskers, and agreed to a review of leisure service fees and charges.

• West London Waste Plan

  The committee approved the draft West London Waste Plan (WLWP) for public consultation. The WLWP is a joint plan with six other West London boroughs[^2] and the Old Oak Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) that sets out the strategy for managing waste in the sub-region up to 2041. The plan aims to prioritise waste prevention, reuse, and recycling over disposal methods, and supports the transition to a low-carbon circular economy. The consultation will run for a minimum of six weeks, and will seek feedback from a range of stakeholders, including statutory consultees, waste operators, landowners, and local groups. The committee also noted the annual cost of £61,500 to cover the council's contribution to the WLWP joint costs and associated resource requirements for 2025/26-2027/28. Councillor Fiona Sacks raised concerns about the risks of slippage in the plan's timing, particularly due to the upcoming May 2026 councillor elections and uncertainty surrounding waste management requirements in the emerging review of the London Plan. Officers assured the committee that they were working to mitigate these risks through ongoing dialogue with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and by front-loading some of the work. The current WLWP was adopted in 2015, and the updated plan is needed to reflect changes in national planning policy, the London Plan, and local priorities, particularly around climate change and sustainable land use. The emerging WLWP contains policies to safeguard existing waste sites, promote the circular economy, and ensure high-quality waste facilities.

  [^2]: The London Boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames.

• Busking Code of Conduct

  The committee approved the adoption and promotion of a voluntary code of conduct for busking on Richmond Riverside. The decision follows an increase in complaints about noise from busking, particularly at riverside locations. The code of conduct aims to address the issue while recognising the cultural contribution of busking. The committee delegated authority to the Director of Resident Services to design and approve a one-year pilot scheme to promote the code of conduct, running from January to December 2026. The pilot will assess the impact and effectiveness of the code through informal monitoring and voluntary compliance, supported by a communications campaign. Councillor John Coombs, Spokesperson for Arts, expressed his support for the code of conduct, stating that busking, when done well, is a good form of outside entertainment. Councillor Chas Warlow raised concerns about the potential use of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for busking, and asked why licensed pitches were not being used. Officers clarified that the paper does not advocate for particular enforcement avenues, and that the pilot aims to find an appropriate solution for the location. Councillor Laura O'Brien asked about the volume of complaints, and officers confirmed that there had been a number of key persons of vocal opposition to busking in that location, resulting in a small number of complainants resulting in a large number of complaints. Councillor Sam Dalton raised the issue of finding the right balance between addressing noise concerns and not being too overreactive, and officers responded that the code of conduct provides something tangible to assess performances against.

• Fees and Charges Review 2026/27 for Leisure Services

  The committee approved the revised level of charges for leisure services, as set out in the appendices to the report, with effect from 1 January 2026 or as specified, except for the revised rates for allotments, which will apply from 1 October 2026. The decision aligns with the objectives of the council's Leisure, Sport and Physical Activity Strategy, 'Richmond Moves - for a healthier borough' and the Fair Access Pricing Policy. The proposed fees incorporate the Fair Access Pricing Policy, which provides enhanced concessions to support opportunities for all residents to access sport, leisure and physical activity. The committee noted that an estimated additional income of £85,900 will be received in 2026/27, which will be incorporated when setting council budgets for 2026/27. Councillor Warlow raised concerns about swimming charges, specifically regarding senior citizens' charges, the discontinuation of the swim pass, and the costs for children's swimming lessons. Officers responded that the review aimed to maximise access to services for those who need it most, and that age-related memberships and other opportunities would be explored. Councillor Sacks asked about consultation and engagement with service users and carers, and officers responded that people would be advised of the changes and that there would be discretion to support customers who struggle with the increased charges. Councillor Alan Juriansz, Lead Member for Sport, emphasised that the council still controls the pricing policy for the outsourced pools, Richmond Pools on the Park and Teddington Pools.

• Q2 Quarterly Monitoring Report

  The committee noted that the current revenue budget projected overspend is £336,000, and the latest position on the capital programme. The report provided an overview of the revenue and capital budget management for the financial year 2025/26. The committee heard that the main overspend was within the waste collection and recycling service, due to the cost of disposing of dry mixed recycling. Councillor Sacks noted an overspend with libraries and asked what was being done to mitigate the use of agency staff, and officers responded that the use of agency staff has declined over time and that steps were being taken to encourage people to join the service. Councillor Gant asked whether the library still uses volunteers to help staff, and Councillor Coombs confirmed that they do, and that they do lots of really good work. Councillor Warlow asked about the waste reserve, and officers explained that it is a long-standing reserve used to manage the volatility of disposal costs. Councillor Warner asked about the chief executives group and climate change, and officers agreed to provide a breakdown of how that money is being spent.

• Ward Concerns

  Councillor Caroline Wren from Fullwell and Hampton Hill Ward raised a ward concern regarding Shacklegate Lane allotments in Teddington Cemetery. She called for a policy review around funerary approaches to ensure fuller use of grave reuse and reclamation, and consideration of more innovative burial styles. She also requested additional resident engagement around the policy and use of land. Councillor Wren highlighted the shortage of burial space in the borough and the recent decision to retake land from the allotments for burial purposes. She suggested that graves can be reused and that there are legal methods for creating new burial space in existing plots. Councillor Wren asked the committee to instruct officers to review policy recommendations and involve residents in consulting on the issue. Councillor Wren also asked for a postponement or deferral on taking back the allotments. Officers responded that the need for burial space is acute and that projections show no additional burial spaces available within a year. They also stated that the government has been consulting on innovative funerary approaches, and that a report back to the committee would be appropriate after officers have analysed the government guidance.

• Committee Work Programme

  The committee discussed the work programme and agreed to add several items for future meetings, including:

  • A report on how the council manages its conservation sites.
  • Recommendations from the Low Waste Working Group.
  • An update on waste management and enforcement of littering.
  • A paper on funerary approaches.
  • The half-yearly performance update report.