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 75-76 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 74.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing detailed financial information to support the public report on ‘Local Authority New Build - Wensley Road Estate Improvements’ (Minute 84 below refers).  The information was presented in a confidential report as publication of the total spend required  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

The Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health Services submitted a report seeking delegated authority to enter into a 10-month interim contract with River View Care Centre, whilst a new nursing dementia block bed contract could be tendered under Public Contracts Regulations to gain best value for the Council,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 December 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.

Questions on the following matters were submitted by Councillors:

(The full text of the questions and responses was made available on the Reading  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

The Assistant Director of Legal & Democratic Services submitted a report listing the Decision Books that had been published since the report to the previous meeting of the Committee held on 14 December 2020.

Resolved –

That Decision Book Nos 618-619 be noted.

To receive presentations from the Thames Valley Police Chief Constable and Police & Crime Commissioner.

John Campbell, Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police (TVP) and Superintendent Nick John, Reading LPA Commander attended the meeting to give a presentation and answer questions from members of the Committee.  Anthony Stansfeld, Thames Valley Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) also attended to answer questions from the Committee.

The presentation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.

This report provides an overview of the Adult Social Care (ASC) Asset Review and Capital Strategy and sets out a recommended option proposing the development of two sites to provide a consolidation of ASC services, which allows the needs of service users to be met and enables housing opportunities to be maximised.

The Executive Director of Adult Care and Health Services and the Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing an overview of the Adult Social Care (ASC) Asset Review and Capital Strategy and setting out a recommended option proposing the development of two sites to provide  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81.

This report seeks approval to appropriate four vacant sites, earmarked for housing in the Local Plan, from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account, in order that they can be considered for the development of new council housing.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report seeking approval to appropriate four vacant sites, earmarked for housing in the Local Plan, from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account, in order that they be considered for the development of new council housing.  Appendix 1  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

This report proposes a rent increase within the Council’s Supported Living properties utilised within Adult Social Care to bring rents in line with similar Council properties.

The Executive Director of Adult Care and Health Services submitted a report proposing a rent increase within the Council’s Supported Living properties utilised within Adult Social Care, to bring rents in line with similar Council properties.

The report summarised supported living provision offered within Council-owned properties and explained the nature  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

This report requests spend approval to deliver the proposed development of 46 homes, 25 new garages and wider estate improvements at Wensley Road, and also seeks authority to award contracts for the proposed development and the appropriation of a number of garages to the Council’s Housing Revenue Account.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report requesting spend approval to deliver the Wensley Road Estate Improvement Project - a proposed development of 46 homes, 25 new garages and wider estate improvements at Wensley Road.  The report also sought authority to award contracts for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

This report informs the Committee of funding applications being submitted and prepared in pursuit of funding opportunities which will help deliver the Council’s policy commitments in relation to climate change and seeks approval to spend grant funding should the applications be successful.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report to inform the Committee of funding applications being submitted and prepared in pursuit of funding opportunities which would help deliver the Council’s policy commitments in relation to climate change.  The report also sought approval to spend grant funding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

This report advises the Committee of the award of grants from the Arts Council England culture recovery fund and The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s culture recovery fund for heritage, totalling £1.069m.

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report informing the Committee of the award of an Arts Council England (ACE) culture recovery fund and The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s (NLHF) culture recovery fund for heritage, totalling £1.069m.

The report explained that in July 2020 the government had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86.

This report provides an update on the development of a new Parking Strategy and a new Civil Enforcement Contract, and seeks approval for a two-year extension to the contract for Civil Enforcement with NSL Ltd.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing an update on the development of a new Parking Strategy and a new Civil Enforcement Contract, and seeking approval for an extension to the contract for Civil Enforcement with NSL Ltd.

The report noted that the current  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

This report sets out a proposed response to a government consultation on proposed changes to the existing planning system including a new permitted development right to change commercial uses into residential, changes to simplify and streamline the process for new and extended public service infrastructure, and consolidation and simplification of some existing permitted development rights.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on a government consultation on changes to the existing planning system, and setting out at Appendix 1 a recommended response to the consultation.

The report noted that in recent years the government had made frequent changes to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 88.