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 43 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 42.

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report informing the Committee of the Ministry of Justice’s proposed disposal of the Reading Gaol site, and seeking authority to submit a bid to purchase the site.

It was agreed at the meeting to include the Chairman of the Audit  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

The Chair made the following announcement regarding the decision taken in closed session:

‘Following discussion in the closed session of tonight’s Policy Committee meeting, I can confirm that the Council intends to submit a bid to purchase the Reading Prison site.

The disposal of the gaol site represents a once  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

Councillor Ennis declared an interest in Item 53 on the grounds that he was a Director of Homes for Reading.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2019 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.

Anne Taplin presented a petition requesting the Council to continue to guarantee Swimming Concessions for retired people. Councillor Hoskin responded to the petition.

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

This report sets out for approval the 2019-22 Community Safety Plan for Reading.

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report summarising the Community Safety Plan for Reading, 2019-22 as agreed by the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) on the 25th April 2019.  The Community Safety Plan 2019-22 was attached to the report at Appendix 1 and an Equality Impact Assessment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

This report sets out a range of options to make amendments to the local Council Tax Support Scheme for the 2020/21 financial year.

The Director of Resources submitted a report setting out three proposed amendments to the local Council Tax Support Scheme for the 2020/21 financial year. An equality impact assessment for the proposals was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The report summarised the current scheme and the proposed options for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

This report seeks the Committee’s approval to enter into new contracts for fuel supplies.

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report seeking approval to enter into new contracts for fuel supplies.

The report noted that the Council currently spent in the region of £510k per year on liquid fuel supplies to support the corporate fleet for the provision of services.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

This report provides an update on the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) during the 2018/2019 financial year.

The Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services submitted a report updating the Committee on the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) during the 2018/2019 financial year.

The report noted that in the discharge of the Council’s statutory functions there might be circumstances when it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

This report asks the Committee, in its capacity as sole member for Brighter Futures for Children Limited, to note the Company’s retrospective finances and performance – FY 2018/19 report.

The Director of Resources submitted a report asking the Committee, in its capacity as sole member for Brighter Futures for Children Limited (BFfC), to note BFfC’s retrospective finance and performance as set out in the company’s annual report for 2018/19.  The following documents were attached to the report:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

This report seeks approval for amendments to HfR’s Articles of Association, to reflect the new and reduced composition of the company Board.

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report asking the Committee, acting as shareholder of Homes for Reading (HfR) to approve amendments to HfR’s Articles of Association, to reflect the new and reduced composition of the company’s Board of Directors.  The proposed Articles of Association were attached  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.