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 Planning Committee Council

Activity Timeline

Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.

32 meetings · Page 1 of 7

Committee Member

Planning Committee - Wednesday, 17 December 2025 7.00 pm

December 17, 2025
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
Committee Member

Audit, Standards and Statutory Accounts Committee - Monday, 24 November 2025 7.00 pm, NEW

The Audit, Standards and Statutory Accounts Committee was scheduled to meet to discuss the 2024/25 accounts and external audit report, an internal audit update, a strategic review of risk management, and a fraud update. The committee was also scheduled to review its work programme.

November 24, 2025
Committee Member

Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee - Tuesday, 18 November 2025 7.00 pm

The Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee met to discuss a range of issues, including waste management, busking, and leisure services. The committee approved the draft West London Waste Plan for public consultation, adopted a voluntary code of conduct for buskers, and agreed to a review of leisure service fees and charges.

November 18, 2025

Decisions from Meetings

90 decisions · Page 12 of 18

Directorate Budget Report 2025/26 incl Fees & Charges

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

...to approve the revised charges effective from April 1, 2025, and note the proposed budget for 2025/26.

Recommendations Approved

Domestic Retrofit Task & Finish Group

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

...to note the Domestic Retrofit Task & Finish Group's report, agree to its 16 recommendations for improving domestic retrofit in the borough, and note how these recommendations will be integrated into the Climate and Nature Strategy action plan.

Recommendations Approved

Arboriculture Contract

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

...to tender new contracts for arboriculture services commencing on 1 April 2026, and delegated authority for developing specifications, agreeing procurement strategies, and tendering the services to the Executive Director of Environment and Community Services in consultation with other executives and the Committee Chair.

Recommendations Approved

Community Toilet Scheme

From: Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee - Tuesday, 7 January 2025 7.00 pm - January 07, 2025

...to extend the current Community Toilet Scheme management post for six months and create a one-year fixed-term Access Officer post to manage the scheme, noting the progress made against previous recommendations.

Recommendations Approved

Update on the Arts Service

From: Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee - Tuesday, 7 January 2025 7.00 pm - January 07, 2025

...to note and advocate for the Arts service's strategic role, approve the proposed direction of Orleans House Gallery, and support ambitions for arts, culture, and creativity through strategic relationship building.

Recommendations Approved

Summary

Meetings Attended: 32

Average per Month: 1.7

Decisions Recorded: 90