Richmond upon Thames Council was scheduled to discuss a range of topics at its meeting, including a proposal to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order to tackle idling vehicles, a debate on the challenges of adult social care, and several notices of motion concerning issues such as affordable housing and recognition for Police Community Support Officers. Councillors were also due to discuss reports from the council's committees and consider questions from both members and the public.

Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Idling Vehicles

The Regulatory Committee recommended that the council approve the making of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to tackle unnecessary vehicle idling. The recommendation followed a public consultation, which showed that 96% of respondents were aware of the health risks of idling vehicles, and 70% had come across unnecessary idling in the borough.

The proposed PSPO would apply to any public place within the borough, and would allow an authorised person to issue a fixed penalty notice (FPN) of £100 (reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days) to drivers who refuse to switch off their engines when stationary. There would be some exceptions, such as when the vehicle is stationary due to traffic, or when it is necessary to maintain essential vehicle functions.

The report on the PSPO noted that existing legislation makes vehicle idling an offence, but that the current approach of only issuing a fine after a driver refuses to stop idling when asked to do so has not been effective. According to the report, only one fine has been issued in the past six years, despite over 68,000 interventions.

The report also stated that around 60% of the borough's Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is emitted from internal combustion engines associated with road traffic.

The report included a draft of the Public Spaces Protection Order, which stated that:

The Council is satisfied that the activity specified by this Order (the prohibited activity ) has been and will continue to be carried on in public spaces in the Council's area which have had and will continue to have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality, namely the idling of motor vehicles when stationary.

Opposition Priority Business: Adult Social Care

Councillor Andrée Frieze, Leader of the Opposition, requested a debate on The current and future challenges of Adult Social Care . The report pack did not elaborate on the specific points to be raised during the debate.

Notices of Motion

Three notices of motion were scheduled to be discussed:

• Councillor Gareth Roberts, Leader of the Council, proposed a motion to support a national campaign for service medals to be awarded to Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) who dedicate 20 years of their lives to supporting police officers and serving their communities. The motion called on the Leader to write to the Home Secretary endorsing the creation of a decoration for PCSOs, creating medal equality between PCSOs and Police Officers.
• Councillor Niki Crookdake raised concerns about the lack of affordable housing completions in Richmond since March 2022, and the dwindling supply of affordable housing since 2018. The motion reiterated the need for social rent housing and committed to pursuing all options to increase their number, including converting Shared Ownership, Market, and London Living Rent to Social Rent on developments already given planning permission and hereafter.
• Councillor Michael Wilson proposed a motion to note the publication of the independent report into the government's response to COVID-19, pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the pandemic, express gratitude to Richmond upon Thames Council staff, and commit to studying the report's findings to strengthen emergency preparedness.

Members' Questions

Members were scheduled to ask questions on a range of topics, including:

• The impact of the council's lobbying on securing a fairer funding settlement for Richmond upon Thames.
• The impact of falling school rolls on primary school finances.
• The impact of the Chancellor's budget on residents and businesses in Richmond upon Thames.
• Support available to residents affected by the cost of living crisis.
• The progress of the new Clarendon School site in Ham.
• Events and activities supported by the council during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence[^2]. [^2]: The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
• Congratulations to Natalie O'Rourke MBE on being shortlisted for the Sunday Times Grassroots Sportswoman of The Year award.
• The extent to which Richmond's transformation programme will need to be coordinated with Wandsworth.
• How the Growth Plan for Richmond upon Thames harnesses the potential of live music as a driver of economic growth.
• A policy review and new forecasts regarding use of cemeteries, and whether there are alternative solutions to closing the allotments in Teddington on Shacklegate Lane.
• How the council will continue to challenge the Mayor of London's decision to close the police front counter at Twickenham and the impact of cuts to specialist parks police.
• Christmas events supported by the council through the use of the Christmas Town Centres funding.
• The latest news regarding the reprovision of Elleray Hall.
• Organisations and projects that will benefit from the latest round of Neighbourhood CIL[^3] funding. [^3]: The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge which can be levied by local authorities on new development in their area. The money is used to fund a wide range of infrastructure improvements.
• Assurances to residents of Waterloo Place that the issue of anti-social behaviour in their street is being raised with local police teams.
• Arrangements for waste and recycling this Christmas and New Year, and how residents can safely dispose of their natural Christmas trees.
• What the council is doing to secure further improvements for Whitton High Street.
• The status of the Heathfield public realm improvement fund bid.
• An update on the project to rebuild Whitton Community Centre.
• How the council will ensure transparency over the disposal or leasing of assets.
• The cost of the legal action against the Government over the Fair Funding Review 2.0.

Some questions were scheduled to receive a written response:

• Whether the council will consider using funds to increase the percentage of social rent housing at the STAG and Barnes Hospital developments.
• Whether any developers have asked to take advantage of measures to reduce Borough Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments.
• Whether fees and charges for using the council's leisure services will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
• What additional action the council will take to tackle speeding vehicles on Riverside Drive in Ham.
• What steps the council and Achieving for Children (AfC) have taken to ensure that schools are deploying best practice regarding the selection, briefing, screening and monitoring of external visitors coming into schools for purposes of promoting their religious beliefs.

Report of the Regulatory Committee

Councillor Lesley Pollesche, Chair of the Regulatory Committee, submitted a report concerning the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order to tackle idling vehicles, as described above.

Request for Extended Period of Absence from Meetings

The council was asked to consider a request for an extended period of absence from meetings for Councillor Tony Paterson, due to ill-health. The recommendation was that the council agree that Councillor Tony Paterson be excused attendance at meetings of the authority for a period from 1 January 2026 – 11 May 2026 on the grounds of ill-health.