At the September 9th 2021 Adult Social Services, Health and Housing committee on Richmond Council the Conservative team secured a major success when the committee voted to retain an additional £1million to be spent on its work to support those in need across the borough.

In a Conservative amendment proposed by Councillor Geoffrey Samuel (Hampton North) and second by Councillor Peter Buckwell (South Richmond) the committee voted to retain £1 million of a £4.8 million overspend.  Two Liberal Democrat committee members voted against the motion, two others abstained – as did the Green party member but the motion was carried 3-2 with the vote of LibDem committee chair.

“It was a very reasonable proposal from our side,” says Councillor Samuel.  “We are all acutely aware of the stresses on social care budgets as a result of the pandemic and an under spend of this nature cannot be ignored.  We must allocate whatever we can to help the people of Richmond upon Thames who rely on their council when they are in social need, have mental health issues or are homeless.  I am delighted that the people of the borough who are in most need will benefit from as a result of this vote”.