In his new year message Nicholas True, Leader of Richmond Council prioritises zero increase for council tax payments for the Borough.  The two other priorities announced are: “protect and improve the services that matter most to local people” and “continue to make the council a more efficient organisation”.

As we already know the borough council’s budget have been cut by 14% which is over £5m.  The next 4 years will see a total of £35 million to be cut – how is this going to be achieved in reality?

Councillor True (now Lord True) has taken an allowance cut of 12.5%, the Arcadia magazine is no longer published and printed, but c.250 people will lose their jobs and services and charities will certainly be impacted.  He says “in Richmond we have to make some difficult decisions over the coming years”.

The borough awaits the results of the residential ‘All In One’ consultation and the council have announced a Business All in One survey which will be distributed.  He said “the prosperity of local areas depends on the success of the private sector and our small local businesses in particular. We want to do everything in our power to help them.  One of the greatest complaints from small shopkeepers is about parking problems.

Unfortunately we have seen Kidz Rule on the High Street close this week.

As far as schooling is concerned the council want to “advance our 10 year vision for local schools. This will involve working towards academy status for all schools, developing plans for sixth forms in secondary schools and continuing work to get a catholic secondary for our Borough. We will also progress our strategy to provide a further 300 primary school places in Richmond upon Thames over the next ten years.

What do you think of these announcements?  Do you agree with the cuts, do you support local business and what do you think of the plans for education as a teacher or as a parent?

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