Council set to balance budget, protecting essential services

Richmond Council has published its budget proposals for the year ahead, setting out plans to protect essential services and keep the Council on a stable financial footing despite significant pressures facing councils nationwide.

Councillor Gareth Roberts, Leader of Richmond Council, said: “Residents rely on high-quality local services every day – from libraries and parks to leisure centres and waste and recycling. Our responsibility is to keep those services strong and protect the most vulnerable in our community – and these proposals allow us to do that.

“We have planned responsibly, and we are putting forward a balanced budget despite the rising demand for social care, massive cuts from central government and the ongoing pressure on household finances.”

Councillor Roberts added: “We pressed the Government for a fairer funding settlement, ministers accepted their original proposal wasn’t fair and have now put in place better transitional protection but the fact remains that the current plans still leave Richmond facing a significant 58% reduction in funding in real terms over the next three years. We will continue to stand up for residents and advocate strongly for a deal that properly reflects local need.”

Under the proposals, the Council will continue to fund essential services such as libraries, parks, leisure facilities, and waste and recycling, while meeting rising demand for adult and children’s social care. More than 60% of the Council’s budget now supports vulnerable adults, older residents and children with additional needs.

To safeguard services – particularly for those who rely on care – the Council is proposing a 2.99% increase in core Council Tax, alongside a 2% increase in the Adult Social Care precept.

The precept charged by the Mayor of London will increase by 4.1%, meaning the total Band D bill will rise to £2,486.10 – an overall increase of £114.03 per year (£2.19 per week) or 4.8%.

Councillor Jim Millard, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Finance, added: “These proposals protect the frontline services residents depend on while keeping the Council on a stable footing. The Government’s funding cuts leave us no choice but to increase Council Tax, which we know is not easy for households, and that is why we continue to offer support for those who are struggling.

“Alongside this, we are driving a major transformation programme to deliver efficiency savings – making sure every pound is used effectively and improves outcomes for residents. This builds on our track record of thinking innovatively and transforming services. In the next year we will be delivering a further £10 million on top of our almost £50 million of efficiency savings delivered since 2018 making a total of £60 million.

The Council will continue to invest in areas residents say matter most, including:

• Streets and travel: record ongoing investment in roads and pavements; safer walking and cycling routes; improvements to well-used links
• Education and SEND: additional specialist school places so children can receive the support they need close to home
• Parks, leisure and community spaces: improvements that support health, wellbeing and community life
• Homes and neighbourhoods: more genuinely affordable homes and higher standards for existing council housing
• Local economy: continued support for high streets, small businesses and job opportunities
• Climate and resilience: practical flood prevention measures, nature recovery work and steps to strengthen climate resilience

Support for residents

Residents who are struggling with their Council Tax payments may be eligible for help through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and the Cost of Living Hub.