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Finance, Policy and Resources Committee - Monday, 22 June 2026 - 7.00 pm
June 22, 2026 at 7:00 pm Finance, Policy and Resources Committee View on council websiteSummary
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The Finance, Policy and Resources Committee met on Monday 22 June 2026 to discuss the future of Richmond town centre, approve funding for cost of living support, and review the council's financial performance. Key decisions included the approval of four priority projects for Richmond town centre's activation, the allocation of funds for the Crisis and Resilience Fund, and noting the council's end-of-year performance report.
Richmond Town Centre Activation
The committee approved the Richmond: Activating Our Vision
report, endorsing four priority projects for further development and investment. These include public realm improvements for Whittaker Square and Avenue, a transformation of George Street, the creation of a play space on Little Green, and a town centre wayfinding strategy. Full delivery of the Little Green and Wayfinding projects was approved, subject to engagement, consultation, value for money analysis, and necessary consents. A phased approach was noted for Whittaker Square, with plans to explore partnership arrangements with Be Richmond BID for its future management. The committee also noted the phased approach for George Street, acknowledging a likely future request for funding for its implementation. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Growth and Place, in consultation with the Lead Member for Richmond Town Centre, to oversee programme delivery and make final investment decisions within available funding. The committee also noted the governance statement regarding future decision-making processes and acknowledged the need for further consultation and engagement with residents, stakeholders, and partner organisations to ensure the overarching project is informed by local needs.
Cost of Living Support and Crisis Resilience Fund
The committee received an update on the council's support for residents facing the cost of living crisis and approved allocations for the first year of the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). The final tranche of the Household Support Fund (HSF7) was noted, with a total spend of £1.692 million. The CRF, a £1.396 million grant from the Department for Work and Pensions, will replace HSF and Discretionary Housing Payments, focusing on supporting low-income households and building long-term financial resilience. Proposed initiatives for the first year include a £300,000 Crisis Payment Scheme delivered by RAID and Citizens Advice Richmond, £100,000 for additional capacity for the Holiday Activities and Food Programme, and £337,000 for a Housing Payment Scheme. Resilience services will receive £774,000, with funding allocated to initiatives like Financial Inclusion Officers, benefits advice services, debt advice, and energy efficiency interventions. The committee also approved a consultation to build flexibility into the Council Tax Reduction scheme by delegating responsibility to Full Council for changes to income band levels. Proposals for the development of a borough anti-poverty strategy were also noted, with consultation planned for autumn and the strategy intended to be live by April 2027.
Richmond Corporate Plan 2025/26 End-Year Performance Report
The committee noted the progress on Richmond Corporate Plan (RCP) actions and performance against key indicators for 2025/26. Overall, 85% of indicators showed improvement compared to the previous year. Positive performance was highlighted in areas such as the lowest crime rate in London, improved outcomes for domestic abuse and sexual violence, and better customer contact centre telephone service levels. Areas of underperformance included customer satisfaction with service resolution and the number of resettled refugee families. The committee considered whether any areas of performance should be recommended for the Policy and Performance Review Board's workplan.
Capital and Revenue Outturn 2025/26
The committee noted the council's outturn position for revenue and capital budgets in 2025/26. The overall revenue outturn was a net overspend of £2.661 million, primarily due to increased demand for temporary accommodation for the homeless and children looked after placements. A significant portion of this overspend was funded by drawings from the Financial Resilience Reserve. The Dedicated Schools Grant also reported an in-year overspend of £5.127 million, largely due to increased costs for supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities. The capital programme saw a total spend of £66.899 million, with underspends noted in Adult Social Services, Health & Housing, and Environment, Sustainability, Culture & Sport, while Education and Children's Services and Finance, Policy and Resources reported overspends. The committee also noted the reserves position, including an increase in the General Fund Reserve and drawings from the Emergency Funding Reserve and Refugee and Homelessness Support Reserve.
Additional Budget Requests
The committee approved funding for two additional budget requests: £60,000 for the Highway Maintenance Programme, funded by Transport for London, and £784,500 for revenue and capital outturn carry-forwards from 2025/26 to 2026/27, funded from the General Fund and the Invest to Save Reserve.
Committee Work Programme
The committee noted the contents of its work programme, with the addition of the anti-poverty strategy to the items for the January committee meeting. An update on the transformation programme was noted as being scheduled for the September committee.
The meeting was attended by Councillor Gareth Roberts (Chair), Councillor Katie Mansfield (Vice-Chair), Councillor Helen Baxter, Councillor Phil Giesler, Councillor Maureen Goldthorpe, Councillor Jim Millard, Councillor Lesley Pollesche, Councillor Kuldev Sehra, and Councillor Julia Neden-Watts. Apologies were received from Councillor Baker, who was substituted by Councillor Neden-Watts. Councillor Phil Giesler declared an interest in the Richmond Town Centre item as a board director and vice-chair of Be Richmond BID.
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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Declarations of Interest
Recommendations ApprovedThe Finance, Policy and Resources Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council approved recommendations on 22/06/2026. No further details were provided.
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Capital and Revenue Outturn 2025/26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Finance, Policy and Resources Committee resolved to note the 2025/26 outturn position for revenue and capital, and to note the reserves position. They also agreed budget additions as outlined in paragraph 3.2 and listed in Appendix B.
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Committee Work Programme
Recommendations ApprovedThe Finance, Policy and Resources Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council decided to approve recommendations regarding the Committee Work Programme on 22 June 2026. The Committee resolved to note the programme, subject to adding the anti-poverty strategy to the January committee items.
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Petitions
Recommendations ApprovedThe Finance, Policy and Resources Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council on Monday 22 June 2026 approved recommendations.
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Ward Concerns
Recommendations ApprovedThe Finance, Policy and Resources Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council approved recommendations on 22 June 2026. No further details were provided.
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Minutes
Recommendations ApprovedThe Finance, Policy and Resources Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council approved the minutes of the meeting held on 12 February 2026. The Chair was authorised to sign them.
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Apologies
Recommendations ApprovedThe Finance, Policy and Resources Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council approved recommendations on 22/06/2026. Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Baker, who was substituted by Councillor Neden-Watts.
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Additional Budget Requests
Recommendations ApprovedThe Finance, Policy and Resources Committee decided to approve additional funding requests on 22/06/2026. The committee resolved to approve funding for the Highway Maintenance Programme and the Revenue and Capital Outturn 2025/26 carry forward. This includes £60,000 capital funding for the Highway Maintenance Programme and £784,500 revenue funding for the outturn, sourced from Transport for London, general fund balances, and the Invest to Save Reserve.
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Richmond Town Centre
Recommendations ApprovedThe Finance, Policy and Resources Committee resolved to approve the Richmond: Activating Our Vision report and agreed the four priority projects for further development and investment. They approved full delivery of the Little Green and Wayfinding projects, noted the phased approach for Whittaker Square and George Street, and delegated authority to the Executive Director for Growth and Place to oversee programme delivery.
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Cost of Living Support Update and Proposals for the Crisis and Resilience Fund
Recommendations ApprovedThe Finance, Policy and Resources Committee decided to approve allocations for the Crisis and Resilience Fund and a consultation on the Council Tax Reduction scheme on 22 June 2026. They also noted updates on cost of living support and proposals for an anti-poverty strategy. The committee approved the allocations for the first year of the Crisis and Resilience Fund, a consultation to build flexibility within the Council Tax Reduction scheme, and noted the spend for the final tranche of the Household Support Fund.
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Richmond Corporate Plan 2025/26 End-year Performance Report
Recommendations ApprovedThe Finance, Policy and Resources Committee noted progress on Richmond Corporate Plan actions and performance against key indicators for 2025/26. The committee also resolved to consider if any performance areas should be recommended for the Policy and Performance Review Board's workplan.
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