To receive Mayor’s Announcements.

To receive any declarations of interest.

The Mayor to sign the Minutes of the proceedings of the previous Council Meetings.

To receive petitions in accordance with Standing Order 8.

Questions in accordance with Standing Order 9.

Questions in accordance with Standing Order 10.

Report by Executive Director of Children’s Services

Report by Executive Director of Resources

Report by Chair of Audit & Governance Committee

Report by Director of Finance

Councillor Terry to move:

We welcome the Labour Government’s decision to recognise Palestine as an Independent State delivering its manifesto commitment and taking a vital step to protect the viability of a two-state solution, which must be part of a wider plan for peace.  

Reading Council wishes to see an end to the intolerable suffering of the Palestinian people, unequivocally condemns the horrors of the October 7^th attack and calls for all hostages to be released. We believe that Britain must play a proactive role in promoting a just and lasting peace between a safe and secure Israel and a viable Palestine state. 

Reading Council believes the UK has a moral and legal responsibility to uphold international humanitarian law and act to prevent further civilian suffering in Gaza.

Hamas has been proscribed and sanctioned as a terrorist organisation. We urge that all hostages be released immediately and both sides agree to an immediate ceasefire. Our support for Israel’s right to exist and security of its people remains steadfast. But we demand that the Israeli government must change course – halting their offensive in Gaza and letting desperately needed humanitarian aid in.

The Israeli government’s relentless bombardment of Gaza, the offensive of recent weeks, the starvation, are utterly intolerable. Tens of thousands have been killed, including as they tried to collect food and water. This death and destruction horrifies us all. It must end.

Reading is home to a diverse community, with many of our residents celebrating different faiths. Every resident in Reading deserves to feel safe, celebrated and valued as part of our town no matter their faith or background and we will continue to champion Reading as a diverse and tolerant town.

This Council:

·         Welcomes the Government’s policy of seeking an immediate ceasefire, the safe return of hostages held by the terrorist group Hamas, as well as those held by the Israeli Government and the urgent need for a two-state solution.

·         Welcomes the recent steps towards a peace plan and calls on all parties to bring an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and work to secure peace and a two-state solution.

·         Agrees that the Leader of the Council write to the Foreign Secretary to welcome the Government’s decision to recognise the state of Palestine as part of progress towards a two-state solution.