The Minutes of the meeting held on 24 August 2020 were agreed as a correct record and would be signed by the Chair.

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

David McElroy presented a petition about increasing the Cycling Targets and Action in the new Local Transport Plan. Councillor Page, Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning & Transport, responded to the petition.

Questions on the following matters were submitted by members of the public:

The Assistant Director of Legal & Democratic Services submitted a report listing the Decision Books that had been published since the meeting of the Committee held on 24 August 2020.

Resolved –

That Decision Book Nos 608-610 be noted.

This report outlines the current economic situation in Reading as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the initial and ongoing response from the Council.

The Executive Director for Economic Growth & Neighbourhood Services submitted a report outlining the current economic situation in Reading as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the initial and ongoing response from the Council.  The following documents were attached to the report:

•    Appendix 1 Reading Unlock Dashboard (August 2020)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

This report sets out and seeks approval for the Housing Strategy for Reading 2020-2025 and Reading’s Preventing Homelessness Strategy 2020–2025.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report presenting the Housing Strategy for Reading 2020-2025 and Reading’s Preventing Homelessness Strategy 2020–2025.  The following documents were attached to the report:

·      Appendix A - Housing Strategy for Reading 2020 – 2025

·      Appendix B - Reading’s Preventing Homelessness Strategy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

This report sets out for approval proposed responses to government consultations on the Planning White Paper and other changes to the planning system.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the Planning White Paper (‘Planning for the Future’) and a number of other proposed changes to the planning system which had been published for consultation.  Attached to the report at Appendix 1 was a proposed response to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

This report seeks approval to undertake community involvement on a Draft Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPD), which would supplement policies in the adopted Local Plan that sought contributions to affordable housing from new developments.  The draft SPD was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

The following motion will be moved by the Chair:

“That, pursuant to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) members of the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following items on the agenda, as it is likely that there would be disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant Paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of that Act”

Resolved –

That pursuant to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), members of the press and public be excluded during consideration of items 52-54 below as it was likely that there would be a disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraphs specified in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

The Executive Director of Resources submitted a report providing an update on the ICT Future Operating Model.  The report stated that the Policy Committee had endorsed the preferred option in the Outline Business Case (OBC) on 22 June 2020 (Minute 14 refers) and granted delegated authority to proceed with its  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on a revised offer from the preferred bidder for the vacant former Central Club building.

The report explained that, as a result of changes to market conditions being experienced everywhere as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

The Executive Director of Resources submitted a report to the Committee in its capacity as the sole member of Brighter Futures for Children Ltd (BFfC) to make consequential decisions, following the departure of the Company’s Managing Director on 7 September 2020.  The report described the interim arrangements, which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.