The Chair made the following announcement:

‘We have all been deeply saddened to hear that Councillor Colette Dennis, member for Norcot Ward, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Friday the 9th of June. Colette was a good friend to very many of us and I know that losing her will be felt across the Chamber and most especially in the Labour Group. She was a wonderful Ward Councillor, an active member of the community in Norcot especially around Dee Park and the Dee Caf Community café, at the Norcot Mission Church and its Lunch Club and at the Oak Tree Care Home.  As for her work on the Council, she always displayed compassion, commitment and insatiable spirit to stand up for her residents and challenge any inequities she saw.  She showed a particular interest in the Council's adult social care and children's services and had just been appointed chair of the older People's Working Group.

I'm very proud of the contribution Colette made to her community and to our Council and we will miss her very greatly. My thoughts and I'm sure the thoughts of everyone around the Council are with her husband, Councillor Glenn Dennis, and with all Colette’s family and friends.’

The Committee and others in attendance stood for a minute’s silence.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 3 April 2023 and 24 May 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

This report informs the Committee of the ongoing procurement process for the Civil Enforcement (Parking) Contract(s) and seeks authority to enter into a contract with the most economically advantageous tenderer.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth & Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing information on the ongoing procurement process for the Civil Enforcement (Parking) Contract(s) to be implemented in November 2023 and seeking authority to enter into a contract(s).

The report explained that the Council currently outsourced the provision of its Civil Enforcement Services through one contract.  This had been running for ten years and would expire on 31 October 2023.  The proposal would be to award new contracts from 1 November 2023 for a period of four years with the option of extending the contract for a further 3+3 years, subject to performance. Some functions were proposed to move in-house, primarily delivery of customer services in relation to informal PCN challenges to align with the Council’s aims and values in relation to the customer journey.

To allow for flexibility of the delivery of services the contracts would be split over three lots comprising:

·       Lot 1: Civil Enforcement Services

·       Lot 2: Civil Parking Enforcement PCN and Permit Software and Associated Hardware

·       Lot 3: Combined bid

Resolved –

(1)      That the recommended procurement route and process as described in the associated report be noted;

(2)      That the Interim Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Director of Finance and the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services, be authorised to finalise the terms of and enter into a contract(s) to provide civil enforcement services with the most economically advantageous tenderer(s).

This report presents the findings from a viability analysis of The Lodge at Coley pre-school nursery in Reading and seeks approval to carry out consultation on a proposal to close the facility and to initiate discussions on its possible use as additional provision for children with SEND.

The Executive Director of Children’s Services submitted a report seeking delegated authority to go to external consultation on the proposal for the closure of The Lodge at Coley Pre-School nursery. 

The report explained that The Lodge was a small 16 place nursery for the use of 2 year-old children only, operating from one room on the grounds of St. Mary’s and All Saints Primary School.  A viability analysis of The Lodge had been undertaken following an inadequate Ofsted inspection in June 2022.  After the inspection The Lodge had received a programme of improvement which included senior staff being seconded to The Lodge to provide additional support.  When re-inspected in December 2022 the facility had been graded good in all areas.  However, the Lodge had never run at full capacity and the viability analysis results showed that significant risks remained around both the quality of day-care and financial viability of the service that would require considerable additional ongoing investment.

The report stated there was a small risk in closing the unit due to the changes around places for 2-year-olds announced by the government earlier in the year.  However, four additional childcare providers would be in place later during the year and would offer 300 additional places across Reading.

The report also sought delegated authority for discussions to take place with the headteacher of St Mary and All Saints Primary School for the possible use of the facility as an additional provision for children with SEND.  Based on the outcomes of the consultation and discussion with St Mary and All Saints Primary headteacher, delegated authority was also sought to decide on the future of the facility.

Resolved –

(1)      That the current service model for The Lodge at Coley pre-school nursery presented quality and financial risks be agreed and that the Executive Director of Children’s Services be authorised to commence consultation on the impact of the potential closure of The Lodge at Coley;

(2)      That the Executive Director of Children’s Services be authorised to discuss with the headteacher of St Mary’s and All Saints Primary school regarding the possible use of the provision for a SEND facility with the school;

(3)      That the Executive Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Children’s Services be authorised to decide on the future of the facility based on the outcomes of (1) and (2) above.

This report asks the Committee to make appointments or nominations to outside bodies for the Municipal Year 2023/24, 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 2023/24, 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 9 and 10 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.

Councillor Ennis declared a non-prejudicial interest in item 9. Councillor Ennis left the meeting while discussions were taking place.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth & Neighbourhood Services submitted a report seeking approval to grant a reversionary lease to the tenant set out in the report.  The lease would commence on the expiry of the existing lease.

The report provided two options with the recommended option to grant the lease to the current tenant on the same terms as the existing lease.

Resolved –

That a reversionary lease be granted to the current tenant as per the terms detailed in the report.

(Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3).

The Executive Director of Economic Growth & Neighbourhood Services submitted a report seeking approval to grant a reversionary lease to the sub-tenant set out in the report.

The report provided four options, with the recommended option to grant the lease to the sub-tenant on the terms set out in the report.  A site plan was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

Resolved –

That a reversionary lease be granted to the sub-tenant on the terms detailed in the report.

(Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3).