There have previously been a number of local authorities responsible for the Richmond upon Thames area. The current local authority was first elected in 1964, a year before formally coming into its powers and prior to the creation of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames on 1 April 1965. Richmond upon Thames replaced the Municipal Borough of Twickenham in Middlesex, the Municipal Borough of Richmond and the Municipal Borough of Barnes, both then in Surrey. It was envisaged through the London Government Act 1963 that Richmond upon Thames as a London local authority would share power with the Greater London Council. The split of powers and functions meant that the Greater London Council was responsible for "wide area" services such as fire, ambulance, flood prevention, and refuse disposal; with the local authorities responsible for "personal" services such as social care, libraries, cemeteries and refuse collection. As an outer London borough council it has been an education authority since 1965. This arrangement lasted until 1986 when Richmond upon Thames London Borough Council gained responsibility for some services that had been provided by the Greater London Council, such as waste disposal. Since 2000 the Greater London Authority has taken some responsibility for highways and planning control from the council, but within the English local government system the council remains a "most purpose" authority in terms of the available range of powers and functions.
Powers and functions
The local authority derives its powers and functions from the London Government Act 1963 and subsequent legislation. Richmond upon Thames has the powers and functions of a London borough council. It is a billing authority collecting Council Tax and business rates, it processes local planning applications, it is responsible for housing, waste collection and environmental health. It is a local education authority, responsible for social services, libraries and waste disposal. The council shares responsibility with the Greater London Authority for strategic policies including housing, planning and the environment.
The borough council was controlled by the Conservatives from its inception to 1983 when the Liberals and the SDP won control in a by-election. The Council was then led by David Williams until he stood down in favour of Serge Lourie in 2001. Between 2002 and 2006 the council was controlled by the Conservatives under Greater London Assembly member Tony Arbour. Between 2006 and 2010 the council reverted to the Liberal Democrats under the leadership of Serge Lourie. From 2010 to 2018 it was run by the Conservative Party, initially under Cllr Lord True and then led by Cllr Paul Hodgins. The Liberal Democrats, led by Cllr Gareth Roberts, won control of the council at the 2018 election.
Rodney M. Bennett, councillor for South Richmond ward 2002–2010
David Blomfield, councillor for Kew ward 1971–1978 and 1979–1986. As leader of the Liberal group he was Leader of the Opposition on the Council in 1978.
Dee Doocey, councillor for Hampton ward 1986–1994 and chair of the council's Housing Committee
Sally Hamwee, councillor for Palewell ward 1978–1998
Stephen Knight, councillor for Teddington ward 2006–2018 and Leader of the Opposition on the Council 2010–2015
Serge Lourie, councillor for Kew ward 1982–2010; Leader of the Council 2001–2002 and 2006–2010
Tania Mathias, councillor for Hampton Wick ward 2010–2015
Geoff Pope, councillor for South Twickenham ward, mayor 1989–1990 and chair of the Council's Social Services Committee
Tim Razzall, councillor for Mortlake ward 1974–1998. During that time he served as chair of the Council's Policy and Resources Committee for 13 years and as deputy leader 1983–1996. He was succeeded in both roles by Serge Lourie.
Jenny Tonge, councillor for Kew ward 1981–1990 and chair of the Council's Social Services Committee
Nicholas True, councillor for East Sheen ward 1986–2017 and Leader of the Council 2010–2017
Sir David Williams, councillor for Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside ward 1974–2014 and Leader of the Council 1983–2001
