The Council of Richmond upon Thames met on Tuesday 6 March 2018, with the primary focus of the meeting being the approval of the Revenue Budget and Council Tax for the upcoming financial year. The Council also discussed and approved the Capital Programme and the Treasury Management Policy and Strategy.

Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2018/2019

The Council agreed to the Revenue Budget for 2018/19 and recommended setting the Band D Council Tax at £1,706.94. This represents an overall increase of 4.17% on the previous year, comprising a 1.99% increase in Council Tax, a 2% increase for the Social Care Precept, and a 5.1% increase from the Greater London Authority (GLA).

During the debate on the budget, two amendments were proposed. The first, moved by Councillor Gareth Roberts, sought to increase Council Tax by 2.99% and the Social Care Precept to 3%, with additional funding allocated to various services including childcare, street lighting, support for the poorest households, mental health initiatives, dementia support, and day centres. This amendment was defeated.

The second amendment, moved by Councillor Stephen Knight, proposed reducing the budget requirement by using additional prudential borrowing, introducing a 'diesel levy' on Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) permits, and utilising reserves from the Climate Change Reserve and Youth Development Fund. This amendment also included increased funding for adult social care, school improvement, an air quality strategy, home energy efficiency, recycling, and youth services. This amendment was also defeated.

Ultimately, the substantive motion to agree the Revenue Budget and set the Council Tax was carried.

Capital Programme 2017/18 to 2022/23

The Council approved the overall capital budget for 2018/19, along with the Prudential Indicators and the Capital Strategy. An amendment proposed by Councillor Stephen Knight sought to add significant funding to the capital budget for social rented council homes, nursery and childcare provision, cycling infrastructure, a permanent public library in Heathfield Ward, improvements to Heatham House youth centre, and the initiation of a Compulsory Purchase Order for the former Imperial College sports ground in Udney Park Road, Teddington. This amendment was defeated. The substantive recommendations for the Capital Programme were then carried.

Treasury Management Policy and Strategy for 2018/19

The Council approved the Treasury Management Policy, Strategy, and Investment Criteria for 2018/2019.

Public Questions

Several public questions were raised, covering a range of issues:

• Child Poverty: Ms Jane Keep asked about child poverty rates in Richmond. Councillor Susan Chappell stated that Richmond has the lowest rate of child poverty in London, with figures of 8.1% before housing costs and 13.9% after housing costs.
• Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL): Mr Robin Brown inquired about the collection and allocation of CIL funds. Councillor Pamela Fleming explained the complexity of CIL and confirmed that strategic CIL allocations are determined through the Capital Budget process. She stated that £7.4 million in strategic CIL had been collected and allocated to individual developments, with the majority to be spent on the Reg 123 List.
• Noise at Chertsey Court: Mr John Repsch raised concerns about increased noise from motorists at the junction of Clifford Avenue and Lower Richmond Road. Councillor Martin Seymour advised drivers on the correct use of horns and suggested that traffic flow improvements could reduce frustration. Mr Repsch also questioned how the destruction of trees and increased noise and pollution at Chertsey Court aligned with the Local Plan's vision for protecting residents' amenity. Councillor Seymour stated that observations on live planning applications should be submitted through the proper channels.
• Land Designation at Chertsey Court and Stag Brewery: Ms Ann Hewitt asked how the Council intended to protect land designated as Other Open Land of Townscape Interest at Chertsey Court and the Stag Brewery site in Mortlake from development. Councillor Seymour explained that these were live planning applications and he could not comment on their details. He assured that officers would give careful consideration to policy terms and that any concerns could be raised during the statutory public consultation.
• Clifden Road/Richard Reynolds School Local Safety Scheme: Ms Julia Neden-Watts enquired about the halt in works for the local safety scheme. Councillor Seymour explained that the scheme was temporarily on hold pending a resolution of representations made by residents from Copthall Gardens, and that findings would be presented at a local meeting.
• Richmond Housing Partnership (RHP) Services: Mr Jim Millard asked why RHP had reduced frontline services, citing a 60% cut in communal area cleaning at the Addison Road Estate. Councillor David Marlow stated that there had been no change to the caretaking service at Addison Road, but acknowledged increased rubbish and anti-social behaviour issues, with extra caretaking services deployed. He agreed to address these concerns with RHP.
• Accessibility for Disabled People: Mr Alan Benson asked about consideration for accessibility in planning applications and support for businesses to meet their obligations under the Equality Act 2010. Councillor Fleming expressed concern and stated that level access is usually required for new units. She noted that there was no specific funding available for businesses but that accessibility was in their interest. The Council would consider appointing a Disability Champion.

Reports of the Executive and Committees

• Joint Staffing Committee: Procedural changes for the investigation, disciplining, and dismissal of senior officers were agreed, including the appointment of an Investigating and Disciplinary Committee (IDC) and the need for an Independent Investigator and, if necessary, an Independent Panel. The Senior Staff Appeals Committee was deemed no longer required. The Head of Governance was authorised to make necessary revisions to the Councils' Constitutions and Procedure Rules.
• Pay Policy and Gender Pay Gap Reporting: The Annual Pay Policy Statement for 2018/19 was adopted, and the 'Gender Pay Gap' Statement was approved for publication.

Reports of the Head of Paid Service

The revised proportionality statement and allocation of seats on committees were approved.

Announcements

The Mayor announced upcoming events and reflected on the Council's work over the past four years, particularly thanking members not seeking re-election.