The Council meeting on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, saw councillors pass two significant motions: one urging the government to reconsider its financial cuts to the council and demanding more time for transformation, and another expressing severe concern over government changes to planning committee delegation rules that restrict local democratic accountability. The meeting also addressed the council's dire financial situation, with a projected budget gap of nearly £70 million over the next few years, and debated proposed amendments to the constitution to align with new national planning delegation rules.

Council Demands Reconsideration of Government Funding Cuts

Councillors unanimously passed a motion calling on the government to rethink its plans for substantial financial cuts to the council. The motion highlighted that Richmond upon Thames Council has demonstrated strong financial stewardship since 2018, implementing efficiencies and protecting services, yet faces a projected budget gap of nearly £70 million over the next few years. Councillors condemned the reckless pace of the government's imposed cuts, warning of a cliff-edge that could disproportionately affect vulnerable residents. The motion urged residents to engage with the council's consultation and support calls for a fairer funding settlement.

Councillor Jim Millard, who moved the motion, emphasised that while the council is not asking to be exempt from reform, it requires adequate time to adapt responsibly. He stated, We are not asking the government to exempt us from reform. We are not saying that difficult decisions are not necessary or will not be taken. But government is asking us to change faster than a responsible council can safely change while demand is rising at the same time. Councillor Michael Wilson echoed these sentiments, criticising the government for leaving the council £29 million worse off and questioning the fairness of a system that appears to reward well-managed councils with funding cuts. Councillor Sarah Kahn highlighted that the council currently supports 8,328 households under the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, underscoring the human impact of potential funding reductions. Councillor Gareth Roberts drew a parallel to his woodwork teacher's motto, measure twice, cut once, urging the government to provide councils with the time needed to make informed decisions that do not disproportionately affect the most vulnerable.

Concerns Raised Over Government's Planning Delegation Changes

A second motion, passed unanimously, expressed severe concern over government changes to the scheme of delegation for planning committees. The motion argued that these changes would restrict residents' ability to speak on many applications at committee and would remove the right of councillors to call in applications for committee review. Councillors called on the government to reconsider these restrictions and restore democratic accountability to the planning system.

Councillor Julia Neden-Watts, who proposed the motion, stated that while the changes might seem minor compared to financial matters, they strike at the heart of local democratic accountability. She argued that the government's one-size-fits-all solution was not appropriate for Richmond, where councillors and planning members are trained and make responsible decisions. Councillor Jonathan Cardy, seconding the motion, described the changes as misguided and unhelpful, arguing that they remove public debate from contentious schemes that alter the streetscape without creating new homes. He pointed out that developers often land bank approved schemes, indicating that planning itself is not the bottleneck to development. Councillor John Coombs, with extensive experience on planning committees since 1993, lamented the continuous erosion of local authority powers, stating, They have taken power away from local communities to build more housing. Councillor Richard Pyne raised concerns about the joint decision-making power between the democratically accountable Chair of the Planning Committee and the unelected Executive Director of Growth and Place, fearing it could lead to decisions being made by officers without public scrutiny.

Council Faces Significant Financial Challenges

The meeting also addressed the council's precarious financial situation, as outlined in the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). Councillors were presented with a stark assessment of the council's finances, projecting a cumulative budget gap of nearly £70 million by 2030/31, even after assuming maximum council tax increases and the delivery of ambitious transformation programme savings. Councillor Jim Millard, Lead Member for Finance and Resources, described the situation as the most significant financial challenge in its history, attributing it to government funding cuts, rising demand pressures, and inflation. He noted that without intervention, the council's reserves could be depleted within four years. The report highlighted that the Fair Funding Review 2.0 would result in a reduction of around £29 million annually by 2028/29, a 58% cut to core funding.

The MTFS also detailed the pressures on the Dedicated Schools Budget (DSB), with projected deficits of at least £12 million across 2026/27 and 2027/28. The council is actively consulting residents on proposals to submit a challenge to the government under the Sustainable Communities Act, seeking to address funding allocations, transition periods, and the retention of locally generated income.

Constitutional Amendments and Committee Appointments

The council also approved amendments to its constitution to align with the new national scheme of delegation for planning functions, which takes effect from 1 November 2026. These changes will categorise planning applications into Schedule 1 (determined by officers) and Schedule 2 (potentially considered by committee if agreed by the Executive Director of Growth and Place and the Chair). This will restrict the ability of ward councillors to call in applications and simplify public speaking arrangements at planning committees.

Additionally, the council noted the resignation of Councillor Elizabeth Gant as Vice-Chair of the Policy and Performance Review Board and appointed Councillor Carey Bishop as its new Vice-Chair, with Councillor Gant remaining as a member. Richard Bennett was appointed as the independent Chair of the Audit, Standards and Statutory Accounts Committee, following a recruitment process. Councillor Maureen Goldthorpe was appointed as the new Interfaith and Belief Champion, tasked with strengthening relationships between faith and belief communities and challenging religious hatred.