John Coombs - Councillor for Richmond upon Thames (Heathfield)

Councillor John Coombs

Liberal Democrat Party Heathfield Vice-chair of the Planning Committee, Spokesperson for Arts

Email: Cllr.j.Coombs@richmond.gov.uk

Council: Richmond upon Thames

Council Profile: View on council website

Committees: Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee (Member) Planning Committee (Member) Council (Member)

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Activity Timeline

Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.

34 meetings · Page 1 of 7

Council Member

Council - Tuesday, 27 January 2026 7.00 pm

The Council of Richmond upon Thames met on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, to discuss proposed amendments to the Council's Constitution, including the adoption of Contract Standing Orders, and to consider retaining the committee system of governance. The meeting also included a debate on the Council's goal of achieving a net-zero borough by 2043, and motions concerning Artificial Intelligence, housing delivery, and support for the hospitality sector.

January 27, 2026, 7:00 pm
Planning Committee Member

Planning Committee - Wednesday, 21 January 2026 7.00 pm

The Planning Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council met on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, to discuss and determine several planning applications. Key decisions included the approval of a new housing development at Sion Court, Twickenham, and the expansion of food retail facilities at Kew Retail Park, with the approval of applications for both Unit 1A and Units 5-7.

January 21, 2026, 7:00 pm
Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee Member

Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee - Tuesday, 13 January 2026 7.00 pm

The Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee meeting scheduled for 13 January 2026 was set to discuss an updated policy for events in the borough's parks and open spaces, and review the mid-year performance of the Richmond Corporate Plan. The committee was also scheduled to consider its own work programme.

January 13, 2026, 7:00 pm
Committee Member

Council - Tuesday, 2 December 2025 7.00 pm

Richmond upon Thames Council met to discuss a range of issues, including air quality, affordable housing, and the government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The council approved a new Public Spaces Protection Order to tackle vehicle idling and agreed to write to the Home Secretary to support a campaign for service medals for Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). An amended motion on affordable housing was passed, and the council committed to studying the findings of the independent report into the government's response to Covid-19.

December 02, 2025
Committee Member

Planning Committee - Tuesday, 25 November 2025 7.00 pm

The Planning Committee met to discuss a number of planning applications, including proposed amendments to a previously approved application for the comprehensive redevelopment of the Twickenham Riverside site. After hearing from speakers and discussing the issues, the committee voted to approve the application, including an additional informative encouraging the applicant to explore the potential for affordable rented homes to be 'social rent'.

November 25, 2025

Decisions from Meetings

90 decisions · Page 10 of 18

Government Approach to Housing Delivery - approval of updates to the Housing Delivery Test Action Plan and Local Development Scheme

From: Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee - Tuesday, 11 February 2025 7.00 pm - February 11, 2025

...to note recent government housing delivery publications, delegate the preparation and publication of an updated Housing Delivery Test Action Plan and Local Development Scheme to the Interim Director of Place in consultation with the Committee Chair, and appoint a designated officer.

Recommendations Approved

Leisure Infrastructure Plan

From: Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee - Tuesday, 11 February 2025 7.00 pm - February 11, 2025

...to note the report's contents, agree to the appended Leisure Infrastructure Plan and year one action plan, note the inclusion of a £2m capital investment in the capital programme update, and note that additional funding will be sought from the preferred leisure services provider to enhance services.

Recommendations Approved

Draft Richmond Climate and Nature Strategy 2025-2030, Adaptation and Resilience Strategy, Retrofit Strategy and Update on 2024 RCES Action Plan

From: Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee - Tuesday, 11 February 2025 7.00 pm - February 11, 2025

...to approve the draft Richmond upon Thames Climate and Nature Strategy 2025-2030 for consultation, approve the Richmond Adaptation and Resilience Strategy and the Richmond Retrofit Strategy, and note the report on the Richmond Community Reporters, the council's emissions data, and updates on the previous Richmond Climate Emergency Strategy and Action Plan.

Recommendations Approved

Q3 Quarterly Monitoring report

From: Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee - Tuesday, 11 February 2025 7.00 pm - February 11, 2025

...to note the projected £1.467m revenue budget overspend and the latest position on the capital programme for the services under the committee's responsibility, as detailed in the Q3 Quarterly Monitoring report.

Recommendations Approved

Summary

Meetings Attended: 34

Average per Month: 1.7

Decisions Recorded: 90