The Chair announced with great sadness that Chris Gavin, husband of Councillor Jan Gavin had passed away. 

The Committee stood for a minute’s silence in Chris’s memory and as a mark of respect.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2025 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The delegated decisions were noted.

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

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

Questions on the following matters were submitted by Councillors:

This report sets out the kerbside glass recycling options for the Government’s Simpler Recycling initiative.

The Committee considered a report setting out proposals for the introduction of kerbside glass collections in Reading, in line with the Government’s Simpler Recycling initiative. The initiative required all local authorities in England to collect a consistent set of recyclable materials, including glass, from the kerbside by 31 March 2026.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

This report deals with the 15% of collected Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which should be allocated to the local area in which development takes place and updates on the progress of the projects which have already been allocated funds by the Committee.

The Committee considered a report providing an update on the progress of projects funded through the 15% local Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which was allocated to the local area in which development takes place.

The report explained that, under the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 (as amended), 15% of CIL  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

This report seeks approval for the award of contracts for insurance for the Council’s Combined Liability (Public and Employee Liability), Motor Fleet and Property insurance arrangements.

The Committee consider a report seeking approval to undertake a competitive tendering process for the Council’s insurance arrangements, with a view to new contracts being in place by 1 April 2026. The report explained that the Council’s current insurance contracts would expire on 31 March 2026 and that a new  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

This report sets out the updated Food Service Plan for the period 2025-2026.

The Committee considered a report presenting the Council’s Food Service Plan for 2025-2026, which outlined how the Council would meet its statutory obligations under the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) Framework Agreement.

The report detailed the Council’s responsibilities for food hygiene, food standards, and food safety enforcement, and set out the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

This report sets out the requirements for a contract to manage and maintain the material stores used by Repairs and Property Services in Housing.

The Committee considered a report seeking approval to procure a new managed stores contract for the Council’s Housing Property Services.

The report explained that the current managed stores contract, which supported the delivery of responsive repairs, voids, and planned works to the Council’s housing stock, was due to expire on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

This report provides an update on the implications of Oxfordshire’s Interim Proposals for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) which they have submitted to Government. 

The Committee considered a report outlining the potential implications for Reading Borough Council (RBC) of the proposed Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Oxfordshire. The report set out the current position, the potential impacts on RBC, and the proposed approach to engagement and response.

The report explained that Oxfordshire County Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

This report sets out the provisional revenue and capital outturn positions for the Council’s General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2024/25 as well as performance against the measures of success published in the Council’s Corporate Plan.

The Committee considered a report setting out the projected revenue and capital outturn positions for 2024/25 for the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) as at the end of Quarter 4 and the performance against the measures of success set out in the Council’s Corporate Plan.  The following  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

This report seeks Policy Committee approval for the closure of Reading Hampshire Property Partnership Lts following the completion of its strategic objectives and the Council's revised approach to property service delivery.

The Committee considered a report outlining the proposal to formally close Reading Hampshire Property Partnership Ltd (RHPP), a joint venture between Reading Borough Council and Hampshire County Council established in 2014 to deliver professional property services.

The report explained that Hampshire County Council had served notice to terminate the Service  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

This report asks the Committee, acting as the sole member of Brighter Futures for Children Limited, to waive the requirements of the Articles of Association in order to allow the Company to operate with fewer directors until its formal closure, and to authorise the Executive Director of Resources to act as the representative of the sole member of the Company during the closure period.

The Committee considered a report seeking approval for a waiver of certain provisions in the Articles of Association of Brighter Futures for Children Ltd (BFfC), in anticipation of the company’s closure following the end of the service contract on 30 September 2025.

The report noted that the Council, as the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

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 item 20 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 19.

The Committee received a report setting out a programme to reprocure core ICT services.

The report provided information on the proposal, objectives and options for consideration.

Resolved –

(1)  That the initiation of the programme to reprocure core ICT services as existing services come to an end between December 2025  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.