Climate crisis:
Caroline took part in a small working group that looked at how the Council could support residents to make their homes more energy efficient, or decarbonise their home heating by switching to renewable energy sources such as solar power or heat pumps.
The group produced a range of recommendations that the Council will launch in 2025/26. These include promoting free planning advice, improving information on the Council’s website, and incentivising training of young people in apprenticeships for installation.
Caroline says: “I’m pleased to have these ideas approved. Council is taking some firm steps to help homeowners reduce their carbon emissions, and many of these measures will bring down energy bills too.”
Protecting our environment and clean air
As the Opposition on Richmond Council, your Green Councillors have been pushing the Council on recycling:
Caroline says: “In March I spoke up about the falling rates of recycling in our borough. Council should support everyone in understanding what exactly they can recycle, and making it easier for them to do so.”
Caroline’s colleague, Cllr Chas Warlow, has convinced the Council to commit to reducing the amount of our waste it incinerates, given that burning waste causes as much pollution as using coal power.
Your Green Councillors also persuaded the Council to campaign for the Labour Government not to cancel the new Natural History GCSE, supported by BBC nature broadcasters, by the Wildlife Trust, and by former Green MP Caroline Lucas. This has been successful and the new GCSE will launch in September.
READ THIS NEWSLETTER IN PDF
Affordable housing
In Mortlake, Green Cllr Niki Crookdake — along with local campaigners — pressured the developers of the Stag Brewery site to increase affordable housing from 7.5 per cent of the development to 12 per cent.
White Ribbon Walk in Hampton Hill
Caroline joined the White Ribbon Walk on International Women’s Day, Saturday 8th March. Residents came together for a walk along Hampton Hill High Street to Richmond and Hampton FC’s Beveree Stadium, with speeches along the route. This walk was about showing support and solidarity in tackling violence against women and girls.
Caroline says: ““White Ribbon walks are a great way of raising awareness — namely, that we can all play a part in calling out negative behaviour if we see it.”
Question the Council
The next ‘Community Conversation’ will be Monday 16 June 2025 (6.30 to 9pm) at St James’s Church, St James’ Road, Hampton Hill, TW12 1DQ. All welcome to question the Councillors for Hampton, Hampton North, Fulwell and Hampton Hill — about any local issues that affect you. Register here:
richmond.gov.uk/council/have_your_say/community_conversation
Twinning
Richmond will celebrate 65 years of being twinned with the European towns of Fontainebleau in France and Konstanz in Germany, with a weekend of events from 6 to 8 June.
Getting the borough moving
The Council seeks your input to its new Transport Strategy that will guide decisions up to 2030, for example, about where you think they need to improve cycle lanes, bus or pedestrian routes. Please add your comments in the website below:
richmond.gov.uk/news/news_april_2025/transport_strategy_2040_forum
