To receive Mayor’s Announcements.

(a)        Changes to Committee Memberships

I can confirm that the Monitoring Officer has exercised his delegation on the recommendation of the Green Group Leader to make the following changes to the membership of Committees:

• Councillor Rob White has been appointed to the Policy Committee replacing Councillor Josh Williams.
• Councillor Josh  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

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

The Minutes of the meeting held on 22 May 2024 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To receive petitions in accordance with Standing Order 8.

(a)        Nick Fudge presented a petition in the following terms:

Reinstate 30-Minute Free Parking in Tilehurst to Support Local Businesses

As residents of Tilehurst, we have seen the detrimental effects of parking charges introduced in Dunstall Close and the Recreation car park in Tilehurst. Our favourite shops and traders in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

Questions in accordance with Standing Order 9.

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

Questions in accordance with Standing Order 10.

Report by the Monitoring Officer.

The Monitoring Officer presented a report setting out issues with the making of historic Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), which had not been properly made and implemented, with the result that their enforcement and the collection of payments in relation to them was unlawful as the Council had no legal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Report by Executive Director of Economic Growth & Neighbourhood Services.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth & Neighbourhood Services submitted a report summarising the issues that had been discovered with the making of historic Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), which had not been properly made and implemented and recommending officers undertake the necessary legislative processes to rectify the issues to ensure enforceability  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

Report by Executive Director of Economic Growth & Neighbourhood Services.

Further to Minute 7 of the Strategic Environment, Planning & Transport Committee held on 27 June 2024, the Executive Director of Economic Growth & Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the adoption of the Reading Transport Strategy 2040. The report set out the results of the latest statutory consultation and summarised the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

Report by Executive Director of Economic Growth & Neighbourhood Services.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth & Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the statutory requirement to undertake a review of a local plan within five years of adoption.  The Reading Borough Local Plan had been adopted in 2019 and a partial update was being carried out in accordance with this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

Report by Chief Auditor.

Further to Minute 5 of the Audit & Governance Committee held on 17 July 2024, the Chief Auditor submitted a report on the first Annual Report of the Audit & Governance Committee assessing how it had: complied with the 2022 CIPFA Position Statement; and discharged its responsibilities.  The Annual Report also included  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

Report by Monitoring Officer.

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report on changing the existing yearly cycle of setting Fees and Charges, which was coordinated as part of the annual budget setting process.  The report stated that Services may find it appropriate to recommend changes to Fees and Charges at different points in the year  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

Report by Director of Finance.

Further to Minute 17 of the Audit & Governance Committee held on 25 September 2024, the Director of Finance submitted a report on the activity of the Treasury Management function during the first quarter of the year for the period 1st April 2024 to 30th June 2024.  The report stated that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

Report by Director of Finance.

Further to Minute 19 of the Audit & Governance Committee held on 25 September 2024, the Director of Finance submitted a report seeking delegated authority to finalise and approve the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Statement of Accounts.  In doing so it should be noted that the accounts for these years would not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

Councillor Ballsdon to move:

This Council notes:

·       The Labour Government’s recent decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment to only pensioners in receipt of means-tested benefits like Pension Credit, as announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

·       The estimated impact of this decision, which Age UK says will mean two million pensioners who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it because of the Labour Government’s recent decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment to only pensioners in receipt of means-tested benefits like Pension Credit.

·       This Council further notes that individuals no longer receive Pension Credit if they have an income above £11,343, so there are many older people who are on lower incomes who will no longer receive Winter Fuel Payments – meaning that Winter Fuel Payments play a significant role in helping older Reading borough residents afford heating during the coldest months.

This Council believes the criticism from Age UK, the Countryside Alliance and other charities, highlights the social injustice, financial hardship and potential health risks posed by the sudden policy change to restrict the availability of Winter Fuel Payments solely to those on Pension Credit.

This Council believes that the decision to impact some of the most vulnerable in society, based on widely contested claims of a financial blackhole, is unjustifiable. In addition, this Council believes the Government’s approach fails to consider the administrative barriers and stigma that prevent eligible pensioners from claiming Pension Credit, leaving many without the support they desperately need.

Therefore, this Council:

1.       Will bring forward a Council-led local awareness campaign to alert those eligible of Pension Credit with local charities and community organisations to help with access to the Winter Fuel Payment for those most in need;

2.       Instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging a review of the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment to protect vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit, from fuel poverty; and 

3.       Will sign the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition being run by Age UK and write to all members offering them the opportunity to sign the petition themselves.’

Pursuant to Notice, a motion was moved by Councillor Ballsdon and seconded by Councillor Goss.

The following amendment was moved by Councillor Gittings and seconded by Councillor Lanzoni and CARRIED:

‘Delete all after “This Council notes” and insert:

“That the winter fuel allowance was first introduced by the last Labour  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.