Councillor Ennis declared a non-prejudicial interest in Item 103 on the basis that he was Chair of the Reading Youth Offending Service which was a service provided by Brighter Futures for Children.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 4 April and 25 May 2022 were agreed as correct records 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:

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

This report provides background and an update on the Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) company property portfolio and seeks authority to enter into appropriate agreements on various properties.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing background and an update on the Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) company property portfolio and seeking authority to enter into appropriate agreements on a number of properties.

The report set out the original property portfolio for BFfC and noted that, as part of the transition to service delivery by BFfC, leases had been put in place for the Council properties occupied by the company. The Council meeting on 16 October 2018 (Minute 29 refers) had authorised the Assistant Director of Legal & Democratic Services to agree leases linked to the BFfC Company set up.  There had since been some changes to the properties required, both from BFfC service changes and associated requirements as well as from known (or expected) property moves.  A number of additional properties had not been listed in the original transfer and therefore a new authority to enter into the necessary leases was required and the report sought delegated authority to enter into new leases for the following additional properties:

·       Sun Street - BFfC had vacated Katesgrove Community Centre and moved into Sun Street Community Hub.  The relevant lease needed to be granted which would also permit ad hoc use of rooms by the midwifery service.

·       Dee Park Community Centre - BFfC were currently in occupation of part of Ranikhet Primary School, which would be moving to a new school site as part of the Dee Park regeneration project.  BFfC had a provisional agreement to move from Ranikhet to the new Dee Park Community Centre; the building was under construction and completion was targeted for September 2022.  A new sub underlease to BFfC was required.  Ranikhet Rainbows Pre-School Ltd (Rainbows) had a sub-underlease lease of part of the current property from the Council at a peppercorn rent; BFfC wished to continue supporting Rainbows and would look to grant a sub underlease of part of their demise to Rainbows on peppercorn rent.

·       330 Northumberland Avenue - due to the agreement to develop the Avenue for SEN provision, notice had been advised to BFfC for The Avenue Centre.  BFfC were reducing their office requirements in line with a more flexible way of working, so a full like for like replacement for The Avenue Centre was not required. BFfC had requested some alternative office accommodation and 330 Northumberland Avenue had been proposed as the alternative.

·       Katesgrove Community Centre - The Youth Offending Service under BFfC currently delivered services from a leased in building at 16 North Street.  There was a continued risk that the Landlord could serve notice to seek possession and the recommendation was to relocate the service to provide secure council-owned premises.  Katesgrove Community centre was currently underutilised following the refurbishment of Sun Street community hub and had been identified by Facilities Management, the Estates team and BFfC colleagues as the best fit in terms of size, location and functionality while also being the most favourable economic solution. Katesgrove Community Centre would be retained and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

This report asks the Committee to make appointments or nominations to outside bodies for the Municipal Year 2022/23, or longer where required.  A schedule of outside body appointments showing the Group Leaders’ recommendations will be circulated prior to the meeting.

The Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services submitted a report asking the Committee to make appointments or nominations to outside bodies for the Municipal Year 2022/23, or longer where required.  A schedule of outside body appointments showing the Group Leaders’ recommendations was tabled at the meeting.

Resolved –

(1)      That appointments or nominations to the listed outside bodies be made as follows:

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 105 and 106 below as it was likely that there would be a disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraphs specified in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to that Act.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report seeking approval for a proposal to enter a new lease at below market value with The Crescent Under Fives for a self-contained non-profit charity pre-school at Alfred Sutton Primary School.  The site of the pre-school was shown on a plan attached to the report at Appendix 1.

Resolved –

That the granting of a lease of the pre-school at Alfred Sutton Primary School to The Crescent Under Fives on a less than market rent as set out in the report be approved.

(Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3).

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report seeking approval to enter into a Deed of Variation with the existing Tenant of Adelphi House, Friar Street to ensure that the Tenant remained in occupation for the full term of the Lease.  A site plan was attached to the report at Appendix A.

Resolved –

(1)      That it be agreed to enter into a variation of the lease for Adelphi House, as set out in paragraph 4.2.1 of the report, to ensure that the tenant remained in occupation of the property for the full term of the current lease;

(2)      That, in the event that the tenant subsequently changed their negotiated position, the Executive Director of Economic Growth & Neighbourhood Services be authorised, in consultation with the Director of Finance, Leader of the Council, the Lead Councillor for Planning & Assets and the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services, to agree revised terms that represented best value to the Council.

(Exempt information as set out in Paragraph 3).