Key Points
- Andree Frieze, a Green Party councillor on Richmond Council, operates in a Lib Dem-dominated body with 49 Lib Dem councillors versus 5 Greens.
- Minority parties like the Greens influence policy through motions, questions, budget amendments, service committees, the Policy and Performance Review Board (PPRB), and chairing the Audit, Standards and Statutory Accounts Committee.
- Cross-party cooperation includes joint motions and pushing shared left-of-centre goals, such as urging Thames Water renationalisation.
- Reforms to councillors’ allowances, championed by former Green leader Cllr Richard Bennett, increased basic allowances from £9,450 to £12,014 and uplifted Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) to reflect full-time roles.
- Green commitments require a minimum 20 hours weekly, challenging for those with full-time jobs; Frieze noted greater organisation needed after taking a part-time job in 2020.
- Key Green achievements: declaring a Climate Emergency, paying London Living Wage to contractors, committing to build social housing as a Registered Provider, protecting tenants from eviction, and achieving WHO air pollution targets via an award-winning action plan.
- Personal accomplishments include helping single women with young children having Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) secure ward housing from temporary out-of-borough accommodation.
- Systemic issues highlighted: part-time nature limits diversity (e.g., women, minoritised ethnicities); need for better financial support to attract broader candidates.
Richmond upon Thames, London (West London News) January 27, 2026 – Green Party councillor Andree Frieze has outlined how minority parties can wield influence on Richmond Council, despite a dominant Liberal Democrat majority of 49 seats to the Greens’ 5. In an exclusive interview, she detailed tools like motions, budget amendments, and cross-party boards to advance policies on climate, housing, and pollution. Frieze also called for council system reforms, emphasising fairer allowances to boost diversity among elected representatives.
How Does a Minority Party Implement Policies on a Lib Dem-Dominated Council?
As a Green councillor serving on a council dominated by the Lib Dems, Andree Frieze explained the challenges and strategies for policy implementation.
“Getting Green policies implemented when we’re not the Administration requires using the tools available to us to persuade the Lib Dem members to agree with us,”
she stated. These tools include bringing Motions, Questions, and Opposition Priority Business to full Council meetings, held seven times yearly, except the formal May meeting for appointing the Mayor, leaders, and confirmations.
Frieze highlighted the Budget meeting in March, where Greens propose Budget Amendments to push policies. On service committees, with only one Green per committee, agenda items need a seconder, making subtle persuasion essential via questions on papers and debates. The Policy and Performance Review Board (PPRB) allows Chairs of Service Committees to refer policies for investigation; Greens have used this to collaborate with Lib Dems, prompting stronger actions.
Richmond Council’s constitution mandates an Opposition Councillor chairs the Audit, Standards and Statutory Accounts Committee, enabling scrutiny of the Administration’s progress. Frieze stressed these mechanisms demonstrate minority influence despite numerical disadvantage.
How Do Greens Collaborate with Lib Dems on Shared Left-Wing Goals?
Frieze described cross-party motions as highly effective, proposed and seconded by members of different parties at full Council meetings.
“One of the most effective ways is to bring cross-party motions to full Council meetings, which are proposed and seconded by members of each party,”
she noted. Even without joint motions, Greens push the Administration, exemplified by a motion urging the Council Leader to write to the government for Thames Water renationalisation.
Both parties, positioned left of the spectrum, find common ground on environmental and social issues. This cooperation underscores how ideological alignment aids minority impact, even in a Lib Dem-led council.
Does the Council System Need Reform, Especially Its Part-Time Nature?
Frieze affirmed the need for reform, spotlighting successes like allowance increases championed by former Green leader Cllr Richard Bennett. A cross-party working group with an independent Chair produced a 2023 report recommending alignment with Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) guidelines. Consequently, the basic allowance rose from £9,450 to £12,014, targeting broader candidates, particularly women and those from minoritised ethnicities.
Leadership roles, such as Leaders, Deputy Leaders, and Committee Chairs, received uplifted Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) recognising full-time demands.
“This is a long way of saying that it’s important that people elected to public positions should be recompensed for their time and efforts,”
Frieze remarked.
Councillor work varies: backbenchers decide time commitment, but Greens require candidates to pledge at least 20 hours weekly. Frieze shared personal experience: starting without employment, she took a part-time job in 2020, necessitating better organisation for casework, committee attendance, paper reading, Council preparation, and community activities. This part-time model, she implied, hinders those balancing full-time jobs, limiting diversity.
Why Are Allowance Reforms Crucial for Diversity?
The uplift aims to attract underrepresented groups deterred by financial barriers. Frieze’s account reveals how low pay perpetuates imbalances, with SRAs addressing full-time leadership realities unlikely combinable with other employment.
What Are the Greens’ Proudest Accomplishments on Richmond Council?
Frieze listed group achievements driving systemic change. The Greens pushed the Administration to declare a Climate Emergency and pay Council contractors the London Living Wage. A debate on affordable housing led to committing as a Registered Provider to build social housing.
Further, a motion enhanced tenant eviction protections.
“My proudest accomplishment as a Group was a motion that committed the Council to achieve World Health Organisation air pollution targets, the strongest required. This resulted in the Council producing an award-winning action plan to achieve this,”
Frieze said.
How Has Frieze Personally Impacted Constituents?
Individually, Frieze assisted residents, particularly single women with young children having SEND, securing housing in their ward after temporary out-of-borough placements. This hands-on casework exemplifies local representation’s value.
Why Is the Council System Often Neglected in UK Politics?
In the current political environment, the council system is sidelined compared to Parliament. Richmond, predominantly Lib Dem-run, illustrates minority influence potential. Frieze’s insights reveal how local bodies address national issues like climate and housing, yet systemic flaws persist.
The interview highlights neglected tools like PPRB and constitutional opposition roles, urging greater focus on councils’ role in democracy.
How Can Minority Parties Drive Broader Change?
Frieze’s strategies—motions, amendments, subtle persuasion—show persistence pays. Cross-party work on Thames Water exemplifies leveraging shared values. Her emphasis on climate targets offers hope: local voices amplify national progress.
What Systemic Issues Persist in Local Government?
Beyond allowances, service committee barriers (needing seconders) limit minority agendas. Full Council meetings provide platforms, but part-time demands strain commitments. Frieze’s post-2020 job experience underscores organisation challenges amid rising casework.
Tenant protections and pollution plans demonstrate councils’ change capacity, yet funding and diversity gaps remain.
Implications for UK Local Democracy
Frieze’s points on SRAs spotlight funding woes plaguing councils. Addressing constituents as a minority offers insights into politics writ large: persuasion trumps power. Her hopeful climate message underscores local participation’s role.
In a Lib Dem stronghold, Greens prove influence via collaboration and scrutiny. Reforms like allowances signal progress, but part-time strictures demand more.
