The Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee met on Tuesday 20 February 2024 to discuss options for the delivery and management of leisure services, progress on the Richmond Climate Emergency Strategy, and updates on local flood risk management. Key decisions included agreeing to tender the management of the Council's leisure centres and approving an updated Climate Emergency Action Plan.

Richmond Leisure Services - Delivery and Management Options

The committee discussed options for the future delivery and management of the Council's leisure centres, including Pools on the Park and Teddington Pools and Fitness Centre. A report presented to the committee outlined an options appraisal comparing in-house management with external operators. The appraisal indicated that an external contractor model could be more commercially beneficial, potentially saving the Council approximately £542,000 per annum compared to current forecasts. This model was also considered to offer potential for greater economies of scale and investment in facilities.

Following extensive discussion and consideration of representations from various speakers, including residents and operational staff, the committee agreed to the proposed strategy to tender the management of the Council's leisure centres. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Environment and Community Services, in consultation with the Executive Director of Finance and in liaison with the Chair and Vice-chair of the committee, to develop the specification and scope of services, agree the procurement strategy, and go to market to tender the services. It was noted that an informal report on the specification would be circulated to committee members, and a further report would return to the committee to seek approval for the contract award. The committee also noted the continuing capital investment in leisure facilities, including consideration of sustainability as part of this investment.

Richmond Climate Emergency Strategy Action Plan – Progress in 2023 and 2024 Action Plan

The committee received an update on the progress of the Richmond Climate Emergency Strategy and Action Plan. The report highlighted that Richmond had again achieved an 'A' rating from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), recognising its leadership in climate action. Significant progress was noted in the decarbonisation of Council buildings, with a 15.8% reduction in emissions between 2021/22 and 2022/23. The report detailed actions taken in 2023 across six key areas: the Council's own carbon neutrality by 2030, climate change mitigation and energy efficiency, waste and plastics, improving air quality, green infrastructure and biodiversity, and climate resilience and flooding.

The committee approved the updated Richmond Climate Emergency Action Plan for 2024/25, which includes a continued focus on retrofitting homes and partnership working. A key future action will be the development of a new Richmond Climate Emergency Strategy for 2025-2030, which aims to increase ambition and detail the pathway to becoming a carbon neutral organisation by 2030 and achieving a net-zero borough by 2043. The strategy will place a greater emphasis on retrofit and decarbonisation across the borough, as well as resilience and adaptation to a changing climate. Resident and community engagement will be central to this development.

The committee also agreed that the Policy and Performance Review Board be asked to examine a pathway for residents to navigate planning requirements for installing heat pumps and other sustainable measures, building on the Council's ambition to achieve net zero by 2043.

Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) Update

The committee received an update on the work of the Richmond Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). The report detailed progress on the Strawberry Vale Sustainable Drainage Scheme, which aims to improve flood resilience in an area that has experienced repeated flooding incidents. The scheme involves introducing a tree pit and underground attenuation tank to manage surface water runoff. Public consultation on the scheme showed approximately 70% of respondents were strongly in favour. The committee supported the implementation of this drainage scheme.

Updates were also provided on the Community BlueScapes project, a £6 million initiative funded by Defra and the EA, focused on improving flood resilience in the Beverley Brook catchment through nature-based solutions. This project involves community engagement, the installation of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), and aims to build knowledge and resilience within the community. The committee supported the ongoing works delivery for this project.

Furthermore, the committee was informed about the upcoming implementation of Schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, which will establish a framework for the approval and adoption of drainage systems, introduce SuDS Approving Bodies (SABs), and set national standards for SuDS. The LLFA is preparing for these changes.

The committee approved the updated Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) following public consultation. The strategy outlines how flood risks from all sources will be managed within the borough and sets out an Action Plan for mitigation through collaborative efforts.

Q3 Quarterly Monitoring Report

The committee noted that the current revenue budget projected overspend for the services under its remit is £765,000. The report detailed variances across different services, with notable overspends in Registrars and Cemeteries (£191,000) due to lower income and additional staffing costs, Waste and Street Cleansing Management (£119,000) due to additional staffing for improvement projects, and Regulatory Services Partnership (£177,000) due to ongoing costs for noise and food safety services, including a backlog of food safety inspections. Development Management also projected an overspend of £166,000 due to a shortfall in planning application income. The committee also noted the latest position on the capital programme, with a revised budget of £1.37 million and forecast expenditure of £1.29 million as of quarter 3.

Directorate Budget Report 2024/25 including Fees and Charges

The committee reviewed the proposed budget for 2024/25 and considered revisions to fees and charges. The report detailed changes from the previous year's budget and highlighted investment priorities. Key points included an overall projected overspend of £765,000 on the revenue budget and noted the latest position on the capital programme. The committee approved the revision of charges to be made with effect from 1 April 2024 and noted the proposed budget for 2024/25. Reductions in swimming fees, particularly concessionary rates, were highlighted.

Forward Plan

The committee agreed to add several items to its Forward Plan for future meetings, including: Richmond Road East Twickenham Conservation Area Appraisal, Enforcement Management Plan for planning, Raising the Bar Early Community Engagement Guidance for Planning Applications, and Housing Delivery Test Action Plan. The committee also noted the referral to the Policy and Performance Review Board concerning the Climate Emergency Strategy. Councillor Chas Warlow raised a withdrawn Council Motion regarding the process for public engagement on the Pools on the Park Health Suite, and it was agreed that the Audit Committee would be the appropriate body to consider lessons learned from past decisions. The committee agreed the Forward Plan subject to these amendments and additions.