How are we investing your Council Tax?

Your Council Tax will be used to make the borough a vibrant and inclusive place for all. We will be investing in frontline services but also the climate emergency, education, major developments, revitalising high streets, and improving infrastructure.

Cllr Robin Brown, Richmond Council’s Finance Lead Member, says:

“We want to make sure the borough is a place for all of us to call home, somewhere to live, work, socialise, study or simply enjoy. Much of this is about delivering excellent frontline services, including adults’ and children’s social care, waste and recycling facilities, parks, libraries and leisure centres. But this is also about investing in our borough to make it vibrant, inclusive and healthy for all.

“Our Capital Programme sets out what we are investing in – whether it’s in community facilities, space for schools to expand their SEND offering, affordable housing or in improving our high streets and town centres. This is how we ensure Richmond upon Thames continues to be a borough that everyone wants to, and can, live in for many years to come.”

Preparing for the future

To prepare for the future we are investing in:

• The climate emergency - Building our resilience against climate change. Additional funding to deliver our climate emergency action plan, including tree planting, flood resilience, reducing single use plastics and cutting emissions
• Housing - So everyone can call our borough home. Affordable housing is critical to tackle our housing waiting list and ensure our key workers, low-income families and young people can afford to live here. We also have a programme to acquire residential properties to help with our homelessness work
• The public realm - Revitalising local high streets. A dedicated fund to support economic recovery post-COVID and capitalise on positive public space improvements we piloted during the pandemic

Major developments

We are investing in major developments in:

• Twickenham Riverside - Connecting the town to the river. Reinvigorating Twickenham with new housing, office space, shops, a café and pub/restaurant. An event space, children’s play area, pétanque pitches terraced lawns, planting and trees
• Ham Close - A new centre for the Ham community. 452 new, healthier and easier-to-heat homes (49% affordable), as well as a new community centre, public spaces and better connectivity

Improving public infrastructure

To improve our public infrastructure we are investing in:

• Street lighting - Safer and more sustainable streets. The street light replacement programme is introducing LED lights across the borough. LEDs are more reliable, energy efficient and minimise light pollution
• Teddington Lock bridge - Preserving connections. The footbridge at Teddington Lock is a vital connection for cyclists and pedestrians crossing the river and it is in need of refurbishment
• Roads and pavements - Regular improvements and maintenance. The condition of roads and pavements play a major part in making sure people can move safely and conveniently around our borough

Education and recreation

To improve education and recreation we are investing in:

• SEND school places - Educating young people in their home borough. Investing in special schools and special resource provision at mainstream schools ensure all children can access quality education close to home
• Community sports facilities - Inclusive facilities on our doorstep. Investing in park pavilions, replacing pitches at Teddington Sport Centre and the state-of-the-art Busen Martial Arts and Fitness Centre
• A new sports sentre - New facilities for Twickenham students. A much-needed new sports hall for Richmond upon Thames School and the local community, unlocking vital land for 108 new affordable homes

View the 2023 Capital Programme and Funding Review.