The Finance, Policy and Resources Committee met on Monday 28 April 2025, approving the permanent continuation of the Richmond CCTV Monitoring pilot and endorsing the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2024-2027. The committee also agreed to proceed with the decarbonisation and improvements to the Twickenham Civic Centre campus.

Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy: 2024-2027

The committee endorsed the new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy for 2024-2027, developed by the Community Safety Partnership (CSP). This strategy outlines the council's commitment to tackling VAWG, building on a needs assessment that identified key issues such as domestic abuse, exploitation, stalking, and sexual violence. The strategy is structured around four priority areas: changing attitudes and behaviours, early identification and intervention, providing safety and support, and holding perpetrators to account. The strategy acknowledges that VAWG disproportionately affects women and girls but is committed to supporting all victims, regardless of gender. The implementation of this strategy will be funded from existing council budgets.¹

Richmond CCTV Monitoring

The committee approved the permanent continuation of the CCTV monitoring pilot, which enhances the active monitoring of the CCTV network through additional staffing resources working with the Metropolitan Police. This pilot operates across both Richmond and Wandsworth councils, with Richmond covering 25% of the cost. The continuation of the project will be funded from existing budget resources. The pilot has been effective in assisting the police with over 1,141 calls on the Police radio relating to incidents in Richmond, and officers have spent 1,859 hours digitally patrolling crime and ASB hotspots. The police have commented that the pilot has been an essential tool in providing emergency response teams with crucial information and has been crucial in handling several live mental health and missing person calls where lives are considered to have been saved.²

Twickenham Civic Centre De-carbonisation

The committee agreed to the scope for the decarbonisation and improvements to the Twickenham Civic Centre campus, including space allocation and asset use. A total budget of £9.26 million has been agreed for the scheme, with an additional capital budget of £0.46 million approved for 2025/26. The project aims to improve the building's performance and energy efficiency in line with the Richmond Climate Emergency Strategy, including the removal of the gas-fired boiler and the installation of LED lighting. The scheme also includes consolidation of services and workspace improvements, with the disposal of 91 Queen's Road planned to generate a capital receipt of approximately £1 million. The committee supported phasing Option 2, which allows for continued access to the Civic Centre for residents, customers, and staff throughout the refurbishment.³

Corporate Q3 Quarterly Monitoring Report

The committee noted the projected overspend on the General Fund of £1.924 million and an underspend within the committee's remit of £4.655 million. The report highlighted ongoing pressures in adult social care and homelessness as key drivers of the overspend. The committee also noted the latest position on the capital programme.⁴

Directorate Budget Report 2025/26 Including Fees and Charges

The committee noted and commented on the proposed budget for 2025/26 and approved revisions to Fees and Charges with effect from 1 April 2025. The council enters the budget year in reasonable financial health, attributed to prudent reserve-building efforts. However, challenges remain due to high inflation, post-pandemic pressures on social care, and the cost-of-living crisis.⁵

Revenue Budget Strategy and Council Tax for 2025/26

The committee recommended that the Council agree the Revenue Budget for 2025/26 and set the Band D Council Tax at £2,372.07, representing an overall increase of 4.79% on 2024/25. This includes a 2.99% council tax increase, a 2% social care precept, and a 4.0% GLA increase. The committee also recommended that the Council apply the Government's statutory exceptions in relation to premiums for second homes and long-term empty properties from 1st April 2025.⁶

Richmond Capital Programme and Funding Review

The committee reviewed the capital programme and recommended to the Council the approval of the updated Committed Capital Programme and its funding. The proposed programme includes approximately £70 million in additions, funded by grants, receipts, and borrowing. Key areas of investment include housing, social care, the Civic Centre programme, and climate-related projects.⁷

Treasury Management Strategy and Strategy for 2025/26

The committee resolved to recommend to the Council for approval the Treasury Management Policy, Strategy, amended Investment Criteria, revised Prudential Indicators, and new Liability Benchmark for 2025/26. The treasury team's proactive approach to investments is anticipated to generate an additional £2 million in income.⁸

Committee Work Programme

The committee noted the contents of the Committee Work Programme.⁹