The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2021 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.

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

Questions on the following matters were submitted by Councillors:

The Assistant Director of Legal & Democratic Services submitted a report listing the Decision Books that had been published since the report to the meeting of the Committee held on 14 June 2021.

Resolved –

          That Decision Book Nos 633-634 be noted.

This report seeks scheme and spend approval for the capital investment required to convert The Avenue Centre building to school use, to provide additional SEND places.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report seeking scheme and spend approval for the capital investment required to convert The Avenue Centre (TAC) building.  The following documents were attached to the report:

·       Appendix A – Equality Impact Survey

·       Appendices B to D – Pupil Planning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

This report sets out information on a Rough Sleeper Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant received from Public Health England and a proposal to award the grant in two phases.

The Executive Director of Adult Care and Health Services submitted a report setting out a proposal to award the Public Health England Rough Sleeper Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant.  An Equality Impact Assessment was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The report noted that the Ministry of Housing, Communities  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

This report updates the Committee on the successes achieved in year 1 of the Council’s Customer Experience Strategy, and the lessons learned and plans for year 2.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report updating the Committee on the successes achieved in year 1 of the Council’s Customer Experience Strategy, lessons learned and plans for year 2.  The following documents were attached to the report:

·       Appendix 1  -  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

This report sets out for approval the Council’s draft Digital Transformation Strategy ‘Connected Reading’, together with a recommended work programme for year 1, known as the Digital Accelerator Programme.

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report setting out for approval a draft Digital Transformation Strategy ‘Connected Reading’, together with a recommended work programme for year 1, known as the Digital Accelerator Programme.  The draft Strategy was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The report explained that the proposed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

This report seeks the Committee’s approval to undertake community involvement on a Draft Design Guide to Shopfronts Supplementary Planning Document, which gives user-friendly guidance on how planning applications for applications affecting shopfronts will be decided.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report seeking approval to undertake community involvement on a Draft Design Guide to Shopfronts SPD (attached to the report at Appendix 1) to provide guidance on how planning applications for applications affecting shopfronts would be decided.

The report noted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

This report sets out the provisional revenue and capital outturn positions for the Council’s General Fund and Housing Revenue Account for 2020/21 and performance against the measures of success published in the Council’s Corporate Plan.

The Director of Finance submitted a report setting out the provisional revenue and capital outturn positions for the Council’s General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2020/21.  The following documents were attached to the report:

•        Appendix 1 – General Fund Outturn;

•        Appendix 2 – Covid-19 Grants;

•  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

This report seeks approval for the proposal to dispose of Cemetery Arch on a 250-year Lease.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report seeking approval for the proposal to dispose of Cemetery Arch on a 250-year. A Site Plan was attached to the report.  Additional confidential information was included in the report and appendices considered in private session (see Minute 26  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

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”

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 26-27 below as it was likely that there would be a disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraphs specified in Part 1  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing additional confidential information on the proposal to dispose of Cemetery Arch on a 250-year Lease, which was considered under Item 24 above.  The following documents were attached to the report:

·       Appendix A - Site Plan

·       Appendix B  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report, to the Committee in its capacity as the sole member of Brighter Futures for Children Ltd, setting out proposals regarding the senior pay scales applicable for BFfC.

The report explained that, following a Senior Pay Review, BFfC were proposing to revise their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.