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 4 of 18

Adoption of the Richmond upon Thames Local Plan and approval of update to the Local Validation Checklist and Supplementary Planning Documents Work Programme

From: Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee - Tuesday, 16 September 2025 7.00 pm - September 16, 2025

... the committee requested that Full Council adopt the Richmond upon Thames Local Plan 2024 to 2039 and delegated authority to the Head of Spatial Planning to approve updates to the Local Validation Checklist and Supplementary Planning Documents Work Programme.

Recommendations Approved

Q1 Quarterly Monitoring Report

From: Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee - Tuesday, 16 September 2025 7.00 pm - September 16, 2025

...to note the projected £466,000 revenue budget overspend and the latest position on the capital programme for the financial year 2025/26.

Recommendations Approved

Community BlueScapes - Barnes Green flood resilience work

From: Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee - Tuesday, 16 September 2025 7.00 pm - September 16, 2025

...to approve the proposed flood resilience work at Barnes Green and to continue supporting the work of the Community BlueScapes partnership in the Beverley Brook catchment.

Recommendations Approved

Sport, Leisure and Physical Activity Strategy update

From: Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee - Tuesday, 16 September 2025 7.00 pm - September 16, 2025

...to note the progress of Year 1 of the Richmond Moves for a Healthier Borough strategy (2024–2029) and endorse the Year 2 Action Plan and its key performance indicators.

Recommendations Approved

Summary

Meetings Attended: 34

Average per Month: 1.7

Decisions Recorded: 90