To receive Mayor’s Announcements.

To receive any declarations of interest.

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

Public petitions may be submitted on any matter within the Council’s responsibilities, or on issues affecting the Borough or its residents. Submissions should be emailed to committee.services@reading.gov.uk and must be received no later than 12 noon, four clear working days before the meeting.

Public questions may be submitted on any matter within the Council’s responsibilities, or on issues affecting the Borough or its residents. Submissions should be emailed to committee.services@reading.gov.uk and must be received no later than 12 noon, four clear working days before the meeting.

Questions in accordance with Standing Order 10.

Report by Executive Director of Resources

Councillor Dennis to move:

This Council notes the motion passed on 19 March 2024 in support of black women.

Racism, discrimination, and misogyny should not be tolerated in our society. We need more Black women and people from Black, Asian, and other minority communities in public life.

Reading is a diverse and vibrant Borough. We celebrate this diversity and recognise that it enriches our community and our organisation. Racism - whether overt or subtle, individual or institutional - has no place in Reading. We condemn racism unequivocally and commit to playing a leading role in making Reading an anti-racist town.

This Council resolves to adopt the below anti-racism statement and publish it on the Council’s website to demonstrate commitment as an anti-racist place to work and live. 

Anti-racism statement

It is not enough to simply avoid racism; we must be actively anti-racist. This means identifying and dismantling barriers to equality, challenging injustice wherever we see it, and embedding anti-racist practices into our structures, systems, and culture. Racism can take many forms - from conscious, intentional acts to unconscious bias and systemic discrimination. Without understanding these root causes, we cannot dismantle the structures that perpetuate inequality.

Our principles

• Action, not words: Becoming an anti-racist organisation means making real changes in our workplaces and communities.
• Utilising our influence: We will use our position, influence and partnerships to drive forward our ambition in making Reading an anti-racist place to live and work.
• Transparency and accountability: We will publish progress and invite feedback to ensure lasting change.

Our Commitments

1. Speak Out and Act Together
   • Zero tolerance for racism across the organisation and in our partnerships.
   • Provide support to victims of racism and take a lead in inclusive community conversations, wherever we are present, to build understanding and unity.
   • Challenge racist behaviour and address microaggressions and subtle bias.
2. Change Systems and Structures
   • Review policies, procedures, and services to ensure they are inclusive and anti-racist.
   • Tackle institutional and structural racism, ensuring leaders exhibit moral leadership.
   • Put in place measures to eliminate gaps in outcomes between racial and ethnic groups.
3. Listen, Learn, and Educate
   • Promote racial literacy by supporting community workshops, public campaigns, and allyship initiatives that build shared understanding of privilege and inequality
   • Champion inclusive leadership in the community by working with local organisations, schools, and partners to embed collective responsibility for equality across all our areas of influence.
4. Celebrate and Amplify Voices
   • Actively promote and celebrate the history and achievements of Black, Asian, and other minority communities.
   • Foster meaningful relationships across communities to ensure everyone is seen, heard, and valued.