Richmond Council is projecting a £337,000 underspend in the first quarter of the financial year, representing approximately 0.9% of the total revenue budget of £37.058 million. This projected underspend, detailed in a report presented to the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee, is attributed to several factors, including higher-than-expected income in the Sports service and lower staffing costs.
The report highlighted that the Sports service has seen an increase in income from tennis provision, with demand exceeding original expectations. This overachievement in income across the range of leisure and sports provision is contributing to the overall sports underspend forecast. The council operates tennis courts at eleven locations across the borough. The 2026/27 financial year marks the first full year under a new leisure contract with GLL, which includes a surplus agreement where the council and contractor share any surplus generated above a baseline. Positive performance at Pools on the Park and Teddington Pool and Fitness Centre could lead to future additional surplus share for the council.
However, this overall underspend is partially offset by budget pressures in other areas within the committee's remit. The Q1 quarterly monitoring report indicates an overspend of £179,000 within Resident Services and £144,000 within the Chief Executive's Group. Specifically, the Waste & Recycling service faces a forecast overspend of £152,000 due to increased disposal costs and bin purchases. The Emergency Planning service also has an overspend of £94,000, necessitated by the need for additional staffing resources following a peer review.
The Q1 quarterly monitoring report for 2026/27 shows a projected underspend of £337,000 against a total revenue budget of £37.058 million. For comparative context, the 'Total Resident Services' budget in the prior year was £34,795,000, with a variance of £179,000 in Q1 2026/27. The 'Total Environment, Sustainability, Culture & Sport Committee' budget in the prior year was £38,786,000, compared to the current projected underspend of £337,000.
More details on the council's financial performance can be found in the Public reports pack for the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee meeting on Tuesday 15 September 2026 Public reports pack.