Richmond devolution powers: What changes for your local services

Richmond gets new local powers this year. Will you notice the difference?

Devolution has become one of those words that sounds important at Westminster but feels distant on Kew Road. Yet this year, Richmond upon Thames gains new powers that shift what the council can decide locally, from transport planning to skills funding, without waiting for Whitehall approval. The question is whether these changes will touch the things you actually care about: the state of our pavements, the future of our green spaces, the services that make living here work.

The government’s devolution programme transfers specific decision-making powers from central departments to local and mayoral authorities across England.

What powers Richmond actually gains

The new arrangements are less dramatic than the term devolution suggests. Richmond upon Thames, as part of the Greater London Authority area, will see the Mayor of London gain enhanced control over adult skills budgets, allowing more targeted training programmes for local employment needs. The borough council itself receives stronger planning powers around certain infrastructure projects and improved ability to shape transport priorities within the borough, though Transport for London retains overall network control. Housing and homelessness services see modest changes to funding flexibility, and there are new consultation requirements before major government decisions affecting the borough. Think of it as moving some levers closer to home, not building an entirely new machine.

Where you might see the difference

The practical effects will emerge gradually rather than overnight. Adult education centres in Richmond may begin offering courses more closely matched to local employer needs, particularly in sectors like hospitality and green technology where the borough has skills gaps. Transport planning could become more responsive: the council will have stronger standing to challenge bus route changes or advocate for cycling improvements on borough roads. Planning decisions on smaller infrastructure projects may move faster without the back-and-forth with Westminster departments. The changes also require the council to publish clearer timelines for consultations on major projects, giving you earlier notice when something significant is proposed. The test will be whether these procedural shifts translate into noticeably better services or simply rearrange the bureaucracy.

What this means for you

Your ability to influence local decisions has not fundamentally changed, but the target has shifted slightly closer. When the council launches consultations on transport schemes or skills provision this year, your input goes to the body now holding more direct authority to act on it, rather than to an intermediary passing recommendations to Whitehall. Watch for announcements about the borough’s updated Local Plan and transport strategy later in 2026, both areas where the new powers give the council more room to respond to resident feedback. If you have long-standing concerns about specific routes, training needs, or infrastructure gaps, this is the year to raise them through official consultation channels. The council’s website will continue to list active consultations, and attending council planning meetings remains the most direct way to put your views on record when decisions are being shaped. Devolution in Richmond means a modest shift in who decides certain local matters, not a transformation of what the council can do. The measure of success will be whether residents notice improvements in services and responsiveness, or simply see the same challenges managed by slightly different hands.

Other London boroughs in similar devolution arrangements have used new transport powers to negotiate better bus routes and cycling infrastructure directly with operators, something Richmond residents have long called for along congested corridors like the A316.

Frequently asked questions

Does this mean Richmond council has more money to spend?

Not directly. The devolution powers transfer decision-making authority over certain budgets and programmes, but the overall funding levels remain set by central government grants and local council tax. The council gains more flexibility in how it allocates specific pots of money, particularly around skills and training, but the total budget does not increase simply because of devolution.

Will this affect council tax rates?

Devolution itself does not change council tax. Your council tax rate is still set annually by Richmond Council and the Greater London Authority based on their budgets and the government’s council tax referendum limits. The new powers may influence how the council chooses to spend that money, but they do not grant authority to raise additional revenue beyond existing mechanisms.

Can the council now overrule Transport for London decisions?

No. TfL retains control over the London-wide transport network, including Underground services, red route roads, and strategic cycling routes. Richmond gains stronger influence in local transport planning and a clearer voice in negotiations with TfL, but cannot unilaterally overrule decisions about bus routes, road schemes, or fare structures that fall under TfL’s remit.

How will I know when consultations are happening?

Richmond Council is required to publish consultation notices on its website and typically notifies residents through local newsletters, borough social media channels, and notices in libraries and community centres. For planning and transport consultations specifically, you can sign up for email alerts through the council’s consultation portal, ensuring you receive notice when proposals affecting your area are open for comment.

Useful resources

• Greater London Authority devolution information