The Council of Richmond upon Thames met on Tuesday 03 March 2026 to discuss and approve the Revenue Budget and Council Tax for 2026/27, alongside the Capital Programme and funding review. A significant increase in Council Tax of 4.81% was approved, which includes a 2.99% rise for general expenditure and a 2% increase for the Adult Social Care Precept. The Council also approved an ambitious capital programme totalling £303.2 million over six years, funded through a combination of borrowing, grants, reserves, and developer contributions.

Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2026/27

The Council approved an overall increase in Council Tax of 4.81% for 2026/27, bringing the Band D Council Tax to £2,486.10. This increase comprises a 2.99% rise for general council services and a 2% increase for the Adult Social Care Precept. The Greater London Authority (GLA) precept also saw an increase of 4.10%. Councillor Jim Millard, Deputy Leader and Finance and Resources Lead Member, explained that the significant increase in Council Tax was necessary due to substantial cuts in central government funding, with Richmond facing a projected reduction of £29 million annually by 2028/29. Despite lobbying efforts, the provisional local government finance settlement has resulted in a real-terms reduction in funding. The Council will continue to rely on its £30 million Transformation Programme to address these financial pressures and protect vital services.

Capital Programme and Funding Review

An ambitious capital programme totalling £303.2 million for the period 2025/26 to 2030/31 was approved. This programme will be funded through £144 million in borrowing, £105 million in grants, £31 million from capital receipts, £6 million from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 receipts, £12 million from Affordable Housing Section 106 receipts, and other sources. Key investments include the Twickenham Riverside development, redevelopment at Ham Close, new school provision at Clarendon and Strathmore, residential property acquisitions to increase affordable housing, and significant investment in highways and pavements. Councillor Millard highlighted that the programme is designed to be disciplined and sensible, prioritising schemes that directly support the administration's main priorities and demonstrate robust value for money, while safeguarding long-term financial sustainability.

Schools Budget 2026/27

The Council approved the Schools Budget for 2026/27, totalling £247.3 million. This represents a 5.2% increase on the previous year's allocation, although a significant portion of this uplift is due to the consolidation of previously separate grants. The Schools Block will be funded at £168.5 million, with a Minimum Funding Guarantee of 0% per pupil. The High Needs Block will receive £42.8 million, acknowledging ongoing financial pressures in supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. Councillor Julia Cambridge, Chair of the Education and Children's Services Committee, noted that while the funding framework aims to reflect national policies, there are real pressures, particularly within the high needs block, due to rising demand and escalating costs. The Council will continue to advocate for fairer funding arrangements.

Pay Policy Statement 2026/27

The Council approved the Annual Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27, which remains consistent with previous principles. The statement clarifies how pay is set for staff, including Chief Officers, the lowest-paid employees, and pay ratios. It acknowledges ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining staff, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence and data analytics, and the impact of an aging workforce. The Councils are reviewing pay, benefits, and working conditions to attract and retain talent. The pay multiple between the Chief Executive and median earnings was noted as 6.46, with the median pay multiple at 5.1.

Members' Questions

During the Members' Questions session, several key issues were raised, including the assumptions made by the Government's Fair Funding Settlement regarding council tax increases, the Council's strategy for tackling empty homes, and concerns about the impact of reduced visible policing on residents' fear of crime. Councillor Gareth Roberts, Leader of the Council, responded to questions on various topics, including the importance of thanking councillors for their service and the Council's commitment to ensuring children's safety. There was also discussion regarding the potential use of the Teddington Police Station site for community benefit and the steps being taken to encourage vaccination uptake among children.

Opposition Priority Business: Net Zero Borough by 2043

The Council discussed the Opposition's priority business on achieving a net-zero borough by 2043. Councillor Andrée Frieze, Leader of the Opposition, stressed the urgency of the climate crisis and called for stronger efforts to transition homes away from gas boilers and increase support for residents to reduce energy use. Councillor Neden-Watts, Deputy Leader and Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee, outlined ongoing council initiatives, including progress on the Retrofit Task and Finish Group's suggestions, the hiring of a Retrofit Officer, and the planned launch of a Retrofit Hub. Councillor Millard highlighted projects to grow renewable energy and reduce reliance on council funds, such as the Richmond Community Energy Cooperative. The discussion emphasised the need for public engagement, robust strategies, and financial support to achieve the net-zero target.

Notices of Motion

Several notices of motion were agreed:

• Public Ethical and Environmental AI Policy: The Council agreed to publish a policy to govern its use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), considering mitigations for environmental impacts and wider risks.
• Opposition to Government's London Emergency Housing Package: The Council expressed serious concerns that the Government's proposed package would reduce affordable housing delivery and slash local CIL investment. It resolved to submit strong opposition to the consultation and write to the Secretary of State.
• Support for the Independent Hospitality Sector: The Council called on the Government to extend recognition and support to cafes, small hotels, and restaurants, similar to that given to pubs, acknowledging the plight of these businesses.

The meeting concluded at 10.15 pm.