The Minutes of the meeting of 6 July 2021 were confirmed as a correct record, subject to it being noted that Councillor Sokale had attended remotely.

No Minutes of other bodies were submitted.

Questions submitted pursuant to Standing Order 36 in relation to matters falling within the Committee’s Powers & Duties which have been submitted in writing and received by the Head of Legal & Democratic Services no later than four clear working days before the meeting.

The full text of the question and reply was made available on the Reading Borough Council website.

A report providing an update on the award and commencement of the new leisure contract, informing the Committee of the Council’s award of funding from the National Leisure Recovery Fund (NLRF) in the sum of £160,772 to support the reopening of the leisure sector post-COVID-19; and informing the Committee of the Council’s application for £1.5m from Sport England Strategic Facilities Fund.

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing an update on the award and commencement of the new leisure contract, informing the Committee of the award of funding from the National Leisure Recovery Fund (NLRF) in the sum of £160,772 to support the reopening of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

A report providing an update on the Reading Rent with Confidence Scheme and the new website – www.rrwc.org.uk.

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report which provided an update on the Reading Rent with Confidence Scheme and the new website – www.rrwc.org.uk.  The report explained that the purpose of the scheme was to accredit properties and their landlords, and to encourage landlords to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

A report on the Charter for Social Housing Residents – Social Housing White Paper  which aims to deliver improvements in transparency and accountability for social housing tenants from their landlord and ensure the tenants voice is heard.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report which informed the Committee of the details of the Social Housing White Paper and the work that the Council was taking in response to the Paper.  The following documents were appended to the report:

Appendix 1 – The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

A report providing an update on the new Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Building Safety Bill.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing an update on the new Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Building Safety Bill.  The report set out the main aspects of the legislation, the implications for Social Landlords and actions the Housing Service was taking in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

A report detailing Reading Borough Council’s requirement to review its Housing Allocations Scheme, including national and local drivers for change, the outcome of consultation on the proposed changes, the subsequent recommended amendments made to the scheme and the timetable for their proposed implementation.

Further to Minute 16 of the meeting held on 21 March 2021, the Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report which detailed Reading Borough Council’s requirement to review its Allocations Scheme, including national and local drivers for change, the outcome of a consultation on the proposed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

A report summarising the responses to the libraries consultation on vision and strategy which ran from 9 August-17 September 2021, to be read alongside the initial data review of 2019/20 data (July HNL Committee), proposing adoption of key strategic priorities for the library service and the development of a strategy and delivery plan for Reading’s Libraries.

Further to Minute 11 of the meeting held on 6 July 2021, the Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report which summarised the responses to recent libraries consultation on vision and strategy, proposed the adoption of key strategic priorities for the library service and the development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

A report providing an update on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding available in 2021/22 and the proposal to implement an enhanced graffiti removal policy to tackle graffiti not included within the current Graffiti Removal Policy.  It seeks approval to proceed with the proposed Enhanced Graffiti Removal Policy and to fully commit the available CIL funding to improve the Town’s appearance.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report which gave an update on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding available in 2021/22 and a proposal to implement an enhanced graffiti removal policy to tackle graffiti not included within the current Graffiti Removal Policy.  The report also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

A report giving an update on the progress towards establishing self-management as an option for managing the Council’s 20 allotment sites.

Further to Minute 7 of the meeting held on 15 December 2020, the Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report that an update on the progress towards establishing self-management as an option for the Council’s allotment sites.  The report set out a summary of the progress  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

A report presenting an assessment of the current provision of sports pitches within the Borough and identifying what the anticipated future demand in terms of quality and quantity of pitches will be by 2036 to meet demand using Football Association methodology. The report identifies a long-term level of provision for the Council to work towards.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report which presented an assessment of the current provision of sports pitches within the Borough and identified what the anticipated future demand in terms of quality and quantity of pitches would be by 2036 using Football Association methodology.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.