He describes the town as "charismatic with a lot of character" but feels it could offer more for young people.
The recent failure of a proposal to site a youth drop-in centre at Montrose House in South Street has left Richard determined to inform local decision makers of what young people want and to ensure their needs are not forgotten in the East Street Regeneration Scheme.
"Farnham does press towards pensioners and it causes problems with a lack of interest in the town from young people because they don't feel they are being listened to," says Richard.
"I would love to see a cinema and a drop-in centre incorporated in the regeneration project. I understand why the Montrose House proposal has fallen through because of the proximity to the old people's home, but I will make sure that the issue isn't forgotten; there are other locations it could be sited."
Although respecting the views of those opposed to the development, such as Lib Dem councillor Marie King-Hele, Richard was disappointed by the way youngsters were portrayed in the arguments put forward against the centre,
"I didn't like the negative image of young people it conjured up, accusing them of hanging around on street corners getting up to no good seems unfair."
A former Frensham Heights pupil, Richard is about to embark on a business course at Farnborough College of Technology and says his ultimate ambition is to get into politics.
He would also like to see the youth council re-formed but for the time being will work independently, talking to local councillors and pursuing some of the schemes initiated by the Youth Council years ago.
"We set up the skate park at Farnham Sports Centre and this has provd to be very successful. The police said that it had helped significantly reduce youth crime because youngsters who may have been tempted to commit offences out of boredom were keeping occupied.
"I'd now like to expand this so that it could be used all year round by by introducing an undercover area."
Richard is currently involved in a number of youth clubs, particularly Wrecclesham and Elstead, which he says are well attended and reflect the enthusiasm for this kind of facility, particularly in the winter months.
"Local youth groups are thriving, but the problem is that if there are cuts to be made in the Surrey County Council budget it is always youth who suffer.
"The youth workers at the club who are employed by Surrey County Council will go. For this reason we are trying to get Elstead running independently of the county council."
Richard maintains some links with the British Youth Council which he says has given him many opportunities to attend television and radio debates with politicians.
At the moment he is not affiliated to any political party but hopes that his activities will generate more interest from young people in the forthcoming local elections.
Richard is keen to hear from other young people who may be interested in re-forming the Farnham Youth Council and sharing their views on Farnham.
You can e-mail him [email protected]">[email protected].