To receive Mayor’s Announcements.

(a)      Tributes to Retiring Councillors

As this was the last meeting prior to the Council elections on 2nd May 2024, the Mayor invited the Group Leaders to pay tribute to Councillors who would not be standing for re-election.  Councillor Brock spoke about Councillors Kitchingham and Challenger; Councillors Brock, Mitchell and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

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

The Minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2024 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To receive petitions in accordance with Standing Order 8.

Mamuna Nazpresented a petition in the following terms:

Increase Community Activities at Dee Space Community Centre

We, the residents of Norcot ward and Dee Park, express our concern about the lack of activities at the new Dee Space Community Centre. This centre was built with a vision to serve  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

Questions in accordance with Standing Order 10.

(The full text of the questions and replies was made available on the Reading Borough Council website).

Report by Chief Executive

Further to Minute 51 of the Policy Committee meeting held on 19 February 2024, the Chief Executive submitted a report seeking to establish a Joint Committee, to be known as the Berkshire Prosperity Board, to enable Berkshire’s local authorities to collaborate to take advantage of opportunities to deliver economic development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

Report by Returning Officer

Further to Minute 52 of the Policy Committee meeting held on 19 February 2024, the Returning Officer submitted a report on the results of the 2023-24 review of Polling Districts and Polling Places in Reading and to consider changes to some Polling Places for future local and Parliamentary elections.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

Councillor Brock to move:

That pursuant to Standing Order 26, Standing Order 7 be suspended to remove the requirement for a councillor to submit a motion to the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services at least six clear working days before the Council meeting in order to allow an emergency motion to be moved entitled ‘Solidarity with Black Women Councillors’.

Pursuant to Standing Order 26, the following motion was moved by Councillor Brock and seconded by Councillor Terry and CARRIED:

Resolved –

That pursuant to Standing Order 26, Standing Order 7 be suspended to remove the requirement for a councillor to submit a motion to the Assistant Director of Legal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

Councillor Terry to move:

This Council supports the widespread condemnation of the racist and misogynistic statements made about Diane Abbott and all Black women.

The reference to shooting an MP has left all women in public life vulnerable to both verbal and physical attack. Given the murders of two MPs in recent years this is an abhorrent attack on all people in public life but particularly 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.

This council stand in solidarity with all Black women in public service, particularly the 3 Black women Reading Borough Councillors and will continue to speak out against racism and discrimination as it impacts our communities, people, and society.

The following motion was moved by Councillor Terry and seconded by Councillor Griffith and CARRIED:

Resolved –

This Council supports the widespread condemnation of the racist and misogynistic statements made about Diane Abbott and all Black women.

The reference to shooting an MP has left all women in public life  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.