The Council of Richmond upon Thames met on Tuesday 27 January 2015, discussing a range of topics including the council's constitution, school place planning, and air quality. Key decisions included the approval of a refreshed constitution and the allocation of capital budget for primary school expansion proposals.

Council Constitution and Shared Staffing Structure

The Council approved a refreshed version of its Constitution for 2014-2015 and agreed that any future changes would be presented annually for approval. A significant decision was made to endorse discussions with Wandsworth Council regarding a shared staffing structure, with the assurance that the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames would retain its own Constitution. This decision was part of a broader strategy to explore shared services, which Councillor Martin Seymour noted had been a manifesto pledge.

School Place Planning and Capital Budget

A substantial capital budget of £18 million was confirmed for primary school expansion proposals outlined in the 'School Place Planning Strategy 2015-2024'. Councillor Paul Hodgins, Strategic Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Schools, stated that this plan represented the largest ever expansion of schools for the borough, aiming to add a minimum of 21 forms of entry over the next ten years. He highlighted that since 2010, over 500 new places had been created, contrasting this with the period between 2006 and 2010 when, he claimed, no new places were created. Councillor Hodgins also acknowledged the increasing challenge of finding suitable sites for expansion and the importance of Free Schools in meeting demand.

Air Quality and School Filtration Systems

A notice of motion was passed asking officers to investigate the feasibility of fitting air filtration systems to all maintained schools within 150 metres of a road carrying more than 10,000 vehicles a day. This followed a recommendation from the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee report on air quality. An amendment to the motion was accepted, which will see officers notify impacted schools of the report to enable them to consider its recommendations during budgeting and future funding applications.

Tree Policy and Recycling Rates

Councillor Linnette questioned Councillor Pamela Fleming, Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment, Business and Community, about the timeline for the new tree policy. Councillor Fleming indicated that if approved by Cabinet in February, the policy would be publicised in March. In response to a question about recycling rates, Councillor Fleming reported that the rate was just over 40%, down from 42% last year and 45% in 2010. Waste to landfill per household was 135kg, a slight increase from 138kg a year ago, but down from 131kg in 2010. Councillor Martin Elengorn described the figures as mediocre and suggested the council employ staff specifically to promote recycling.

Support for Adult Social Care

Councillor Geoff Acton, Chair of the Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Services Committee, asked about the support provided by Adult Social Care to residents using local hospitals. Councillor David Marlow, Strategic Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Health, emphasised the high priority placed on supporting hospital discharge and independent living, noting increased social work, nursing, and occupational therapy capacity, as well as an increased hourly rate for home support workers. He also mentioned a programme to enhance community capacity to reduce hospital patient flow.

Thames Agreement and Financial Consequences

Councillor Stephen Knight raised concerns about the collapse of the Thames Agreement and its financial consequences. Councillor Geoffrey Samuel, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, explained that the decision not to proceed was amicable, stemming from irreconcilable differences in governance between the boroughs involved. He warned that without the anticipated savings of at least £10 million from the shared arrangement, the Council would face difficult decisions impacting service delivery, potentially including fortnightly waste collections, reduced spending on highways and street cleansing, and cuts to Youth Services, alongside potential increases in council tax and parking charges.

Rugby World Cup Preparations

Councillor Gareth Elliott highlighted the importance of maximising benefits and minimising disruption from the Rugby World Cup in Whitton. He suggested exploring direct access to Whitton Station from the A316 and investigating opportunities for local amenities like Murray Park and Hall. Councillor Fleming acknowledged these points, stating that work was underway to manage disruption and maximise legacy impacts. A consultation with residents regarding Whitton Station enhancements was planned for February 2015. A notice of motion regarding temporary extensions to controlled parking zones during the tournament was amended to support officers' work in reducing disruption and providing preferential access.

Other Matters

The Council also discussed petitions regarding the White Hart Lane Footbridge and the implementation of a Community Parking Zone on Eleanor Grove. Councillor Hodgins confirmed that £18 million would be allocated to primary school expansion proposals in the 2015-2016 capital budget. Councillor Fleming provided figures on insulation fitted under the 'Energy Smart Richmond' initiative, with 16 homes insulated in the last year. The cost of the residents' satisfaction survey was reported as £23,180, with an estimated £4,000 in officer time. The budget for public toilets and the Community Toilet Scheme for 2014-15 was £65,700, with a projected spend of around £40,000. Transitional funding is available for organisations affected by the closure of the Dual Use Scheme, with applications assessed on merit.