Councillor Brock declared a prejudicial interest in Item 40 on the grounds that he was a Director and Vice-Chair of REDA and the report recommended awarding funding to that organisation.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 31 October 2022 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive any petitions from the public and any questions from the public and Councillors.

Questions on the following matters were submitted by Councillors:

This report sets out the projected revenue and capital outturn positions for 2022/23 for the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Accounts as at the end of Quarter 2 (September 2022) as well as performance against the measures of success set out in the Council’s Corporate Plan.

The Director of Finance submitted a report setting out the projected revenue and capital outturn positions for 2022/23 for both the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Accounts as at the end of Quarter 2 (September 2022), as well as performance against the measures of success published in the Council’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

This report provides an update to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy ahead of public consultation on the draft Council Budget.

The Director of Finance submitted a report providing an update on the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) prior to public consultation on the Council’s proposed Budget.  The following documents were attached to the report:

·       Appendix 1 - Summary of Interim General Fund Budget 2023/24 to 2025/26

·       Appendix 2 -  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

This report updates the Committee on progress with the implementation of planning policies concerned with promoting Employment and Skills Plans and seeks approval for the proposed delivery framework and Action Plan for targeted employment and skills outcomes.

Further to Minute 11 of the meeting of the Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport Committee held on 7 July 2022, the Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing an update on progress made by REDA with the implementation of planning policies concerned with promoting Employment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

This report seeks approval to undertake community involvement on a Draft Residential Conversions Supplementary Planning Document which gives detailed guidance on proposals for conversion of dwellinghouses to flats or to Houses in Multiple Occupation.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report seeking approval to undertake community involvement on a Draft Residential Conversions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), to provide detailed guidance on proposals for conversion of dwellinghouses to flats or to houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).  The results of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

This report seeks spend approval for the Reading Station Subway Refurbishment scheme to provide improved north/south access across the station.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report seeking spend approval for £205,761.05 for a Reading Station Subway Refurbishment capital scheme to improve north/south access across the station. It was anticipated that the scheme would be funded from the secured Section 106 contribution, however some additional  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

This report sets out for approval the Housing Benefit War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation Disregard Policy.

The Director of Finance submitted a report reviewing the arrangements for Housing Benefit made in respect of Section 134 8(a) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992, entitling local authorities to modify any part of the Housing Benefit scheme to provide for the disregarding of prescribed war disablement pensions or  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.