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Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee - Wednesday, 17 June 2026 - 7.00 pm
June 17, 2026 at 7:00 pm Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee View on council websiteSummary
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The Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee met on Wednesday 17 June 2026, approving the Richmond upon Thames Climate and Nature Strategy Action Plan 2026-27 and the West London Waste Plan (Regulation 19) for public consultation. The committee also approved flood resilience work at Barn Elms South Side and noted the Q4 outturn report for 2025/26, which detailed an overall revenue overspend of £884,000.
Richmond Climate and Nature Strategy Action Plan 2026-27
The committee agreed the new Richmond upon Thames Climate and Nature Strategy Action Plan 2026-2027, subject to clarification of timelines by officers in consultation with the Chair. The plan outlines progress made on key climate priorities since February 2026, including the launch of the 'Fixery' community repair hub and the Smarter Homes Hub to support home energy retrofitting. A significant focus for the coming year is the establishment of a Richmond Community Energy Cooperative and an accompanying Community Energy Accelerator Fund. This initiative aims to increase local renewable energy generation, reduce energy costs for community organisations, and foster community ownership and investment in clean energy. Discussions also highlighted the importance of expanding public engagement on water conservation and the need to consider the full lifecycle impacts of electric vehicles.
Approval of the West London Waste Plan (Regulation 19)
The committee recommended that the Council approve the Proposed Submission Version of the West London Waste Plan (WLWP) for public consultation and subsequent submission to the Secretary of State for independent examination. This joint plan, prepared by seven local authorities, sets out a spatial strategy and policy framework for waste management across west London until 2041. It prioritises waste prevention, reuse, and recycling, and aims to safeguard existing waste sites while ensuring high environmental standards. Key discussions included concerns about the Arlington Works site, with officers explaining the need to balance waste management capacity with economic development and housing provision, and the regulatory requirements for compensatory capacity within London. The plan also addresses targets for reducing waste sent to landfill and incorporates provisions for wastewater infrastructure.
Community Bluescapes - Barn Elms South Side Flood Resilience Proposal
The committee approved proposed flood resilience work at Barn Elms South Side and agreed to continue supporting the work of the Community Bluescapes partnership in the Beverley Brook catchment. The project aims to reconnect the floodplain at Barn Elms South Side by reducing the height of the riverbank, allowing the site to flood during rare combined high tide and heavy rainfall events. Modelling indicates this will reduce flood depths to properties along several roads and at the OSO Arts Centre. Councillor Fiona Sachs, Ward Councillor for Barnes, spoke in support, highlighting the scheme's practical, nature-based solution to a growing flood risk problem and reassuring the committee about the continued usability of Barn Elms for recreation. Discussions also covered biodiversity impacts, with assurances that tree removals were not anticipated and that the new berm could be seeded with wildflowers.
Richmond Corporate Plan 2025/26 End-Year Performance Report
The committee noted progress on Richmond Corporate Plan actions and performance against key performance indicators (KPIs). Overall performance was encouraging, with most indicators showing an upward trend. Positive progress was highlighted in residual waste reduction and recycling rates. Concerns were raised regarding tree planting, specifically the timing of planting in suboptimal spring months, which increased risk of loss due to adverse weather. Officers outlined ongoing efforts to balance ambitious targets with realistic delivery, including potential stretch targets
for waste services. The committee also noted that the Low Waste Working Group would be reconvened to further explore waste minimisation strategies.
Q4 Outturn Report 2025/26
The committee noted an overall revenue overspend of £884,000 against a budget of £37.9 million. The largest area of overspend was in Building Control, attributed to a reliance on expensive agency staff due to national shortages of qualified professionals and legislative changes. The report also detailed an overspend in leisure services due to one-off costs associated with the transfer to a new leisure contract. The committee discussed the challenges of recruitment and retention within the council and the need for more strategic workforce planning.
Committee Work Programme
The committee agreed its work programme, noting that future reports would include updates on the Corporate Plan, tree planting and maintenance, low waste initiatives, and flood management. Litter enforcement was scheduled for November.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Community Bluescapes - Barn Elms South Side Flood Resilience Proposal
Recommendations ApprovedThe Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee approved the proposed flood resilience work at Barn Elms South Side and continued to support the work of the Community BlueScapes partnership in the Beverley Brook catchment on 17 June 2026. The decision included approving the proposed flood resilience work at Barn Elms South Side and continuing support for the Community BlueScapes partnership.
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Ward Concerns
Recommendations ApprovedThe Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council decided to approve recommendations on 17/06/2026. No ward concerns had been submitted for consideration.
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Apologies
Recommendations ApprovedThe Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council on 17 June 2026 approved recommendations. Councillor Robertson had given apologies for this occasion, with Councillor Chard present as her substitute.
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Declarations of Interest
Recommendations ApprovedThe Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council decided on 17/06/2026 to approve recommendations. There were no declarations of interest.
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Committee Work Programme
Recommendations ApprovedThe Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council decided on 17 June 2026 to approve the Committee Work Programme for committee business, subject to amendments and additions discussed.
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Petitions
Recommendations ApprovedThe Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council decided on 17/06/2026 to approve recommendations. There were no petitions.
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Minutes
Recommendations ApprovedThe Environment, Sustainability, Culture & Sports Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council approved the minutes of their 24 March 2026 meeting on 17 June 2026. The committee also endorsed proposed focus areas and strategic actions for Culture Richmond from 2026 to 2031, amended the grant limit for the Cultural Commissioning Challenge and Innovation fund, delegated authority to the Director of Culture and Leisure to amend eligibility criteria for Cultural Commissioning funds, and endorsed a proposed partnership approach to governance.
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Richmond Climate and Nature Strategy Action Plan 2026-27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee approved the Richmond Climate and Nature Strategy Action Plan 2026-27 on 17 June 2026. The committee noted progress on climate priorities, the approach for a Community Energy Cooperative and Accelerator Fund, and agreed the Action Plan subject to timeline clarifications. The plan includes actions for buildings, travel, nature, resources, resilience, council operations, and communities.
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Richmond Corporate Plan 2025/26 end-year performance report
Recommendations ApprovedThe Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council noted progress on Richmond Corporate Plan actions and performance against key indicators on 17 June 2026. The committee also noted that the Low Waste Working Group would be reconvened.
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Q4 outturn report 2025/26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee decided to note the £0.884m revenue services overspend and the capital programme outturn position on 17 June 2026. The committee noted the Council's actions to address the overspend.
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Approval of the West London Waste Plan (Regulation 19) for public consultation and subsequent submission to the Secretary of State
Recommendations ApprovedThe Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee approved the West London Waste Plan (Regulation 19) for public consultation and subsequent submission to the Secretary of State on 17 June 2026. The committee delegated agreement of the final version of the plan, preparation of proposed changes, and submission to the Secretary of State to the Director of Place Planning. They also agreed to adopt and use the Regulation 19 West London Waste Plan for development management purposes.
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