The Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee met on Tuesday 20 February 2024 to discuss options for the delivery and management of Richmond's leisure services, and to review progress on the Richmond Climate Emergency Strategy. Key decisions included agreeing to tender the management of the council's leisure centres and approving the updated Richmond Climate Emergency Action Plan for 2024/25.

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 for different delivery models, with the in-house and external contractor models being identified as the most favourable.

The analysis indicated that an external contractor model would be more commercially beneficial, with projected savings of approximately £542,000 per annum compared to the current in-house operation. This saving is expected to increase to £558,000 per annum if proposed development works at the leisure facilities are completed. The committee agreed to tender the management of the council's leisure centres and delegated authority 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, agree the procurement strategy, and tender the services. An informal report on the specification will be circulated to committee members, and a further report will be presented to seek approval for the contract award. The committee also noted the continuing capital investment in leisure facilities, including consideration of sustainability measures.

Richmond Climate Emergency Strategy Action Plan

The committee received an update on the progress of the Richmond Climate Emergency Strategy and Action Plan, highlighting actions delivered in 2023 and presenting the organisation's carbon emissions data. Richmond Council achieved an 'A' rating from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for the second consecutive year, recognising its leadership in climate action.

Key achievements in 2023 included progress on decarbonising council buildings, with significant reductions in gas and electricity use at the Civic Centre and depot. The council also developed a vehicle fleet decarbonisation transition plan and is working on embedding low carbon and sustainable procurement practices. The Richmond pension fund has set a net-zero target of 2050, with a goal of a 60% reduction in emissions by 2030.

In the domestic sector, energy efficiency improvements have been made to over 212 homes through the Green Homes Grant scheme. Support for residents facing high energy bills continued through initiatives like Warm Homes Packs. The draft Local Plan, which includes policies to tackle climate change, was approved for public consultation and submitted for examination. Sustainable transport initiatives have seen the installation of 525 new EV charge points and the delivery of six new e-cargo bikes.

The committee approved the updated Richmond Climate Emergency Action Plan for 2024/25. This plan includes continued work on decarbonising council buildings, developing a robust vehicle decarbonisation strategy, and further embedding social value within procurement. Engagement with residents and communities will be central to the development of a new Richmond Climate Emergency Strategy for 2025-2030, which will aim to increase ambition and detail timescales for mitigation and adaptation programmes.

Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) Update

The committee received an update from the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), summarising key updates including the Strawberry Vale Sustainable Drainage Scheme and the Community Bluescapes Project. The updated Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) was presented for approval following public consultation. The strategy outlines how flood risks from ordinary watercourses, groundwater, and surface water will be managed collaboratively with other Risk Management Authorities (RMAs).

The committee supported the implementation of the Strawberry Vale drainage scheme, which aims to reduce surface water and sewer flooding in an area that has experienced repeated incidents. Concerns raised during public consultation regarding Thames Water's role and potential disruption during construction were noted, and ongoing liaison with Thames Water is planned. The committee also supported the development of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) proposed for the Strawberry Hill Critical Drainage Area (CDA), pending modelling results. Progress on the Marlow Crescent scheme was noted, and the committee supported the ongoing works delivery for the Community Bluescapes project, a nature-based solutions initiative focused on flood resilience in the Beverley Brook catchment. The upcoming implementation of Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, which will establish a framework for SuDS approval and maintenance, was also discussed.

Q3 Quarterly Monitoring Report

The committee received an overview of the revenue and capital budget management for the financial year 2023/24 as of Quarter 3. The committee noted a projected revenue budget overspend of £765,000 across the services within its remit. Significant variances were highlighted, including an overspend in Cemeteries and Registrars primarily due to lower than anticipated income and additional staffing costs, and an overspend in Waste and Street Cleansing Management attributed to additional staffing for improvement projects. The Development Management service is forecasting an overspend due to a shortfall in planning application income, influenced by economic volatility. The committee also noted the latest position on the capital programme, with revised budgets and forecast outturns presented for various projects across leisure facilities, parks, and climate change initiatives.

Directorate Budget Report 2024/25 including Fees and Charges

The committee reviewed the proposed budget for 2024/25 for services within its remit. The report detailed changes from the previous year's budget, including inflationary pressures, demand-led growth, and efficiency savings. Investment priorities for the coming year were also outlined, with a focus on climate change initiatives, including staffing for the Climate Change and Sustainability team, contributions to pan-London initiatives, and a new community grant programme. The report also detailed proposed revisions to fees and charges, with an inflationary increase of 6.7% applied to most charges, linked to September 2023 CPI. Specific adjustments were proposed for leisure centre membership fees, with a focus on enhancing concessionary offers and rebalancing pricing. Fees for garden waste collection are to increase by 9.9% to reflect increased costs, while commercial waste charges will be limited to a 3% increase to remain competitive. Fees for park and towpath events will see a lower increase of 4.5% to reflect market conditions. The committee was asked to approve the revised charges effective from 1 April 2024 and to note the proposed budget for 2024/25.

Forward Plan

The committee considered the Forward Plan for committee business. It was noted that the Leisure Strategy is expected to be received at the committee's June 2024 meeting. Reports on the consolidation of Richmond Library and an update on toilet provision in Richmond town centre were also noted for future meetings. A report on opportunities for linking women's sport with the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup matches being played in Twickenham was requested for September 2024. The committee also requested a report on the trial with NSL, the enforcement contractors. Several items were added to the Forward Plan for future meetings, including the Richmond Road East Twickenham Conservation Area Appraisal, Enforcement Management Plan for planning, Raising the Bar Early Community Engagement Guidance for Planning Applications, and the Housing Delivery Test Action Plan. The committee also noted the referral to the Policy and Performance Review Board discussed earlier in the meeting concerning the examination of a pathway for residents to navigate planning requirements for heat pumps and other sustainable measures. 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 lessons learned would be better considered by the Audit Committee. The committee agreed the Forward Plan, subject to the amendments and additions discussed.