Councillors to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests they may have in relation to the items for consideration.

Councillor Davies declared an interest in item 11 as a close family member received the Home to School Transport provision.

Councillor Cresswell declared an interest in item 11 relating to his work in the alternative provision education sector.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 October were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Health and Wellbeing Board – 6 October 2023

The minutes of the following meeting were received:

·         Health and Wellbeing Board – 6 October 2023

An update provided to the Committee by the Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on mental health and neurodiversity services provided to people of all ages across the 6 local authority areas in Berkshire. 

The Committee received a report on the mental health and neurodiversity service provision, including waiting times and trends.  These were provided across three specific areas of provision: working age adult services, children and young people’s mental health, and neurodiversity.  The presentation was provided by Kishan Waas, Service Director Mental  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

A report providing an overview of complaints, compliments activity and performance for Adult Social Care for the period from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

The Committee received a report providing an overview of complaints and compliments activity and performance for Adult Social Care for the period from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023. A summary of Adult Social Care Complaints and Compliments 2022/23 was attached to the report at Appendix A.

The report  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

A report providing the Committee with an overview of complaints, compliments, SARs activity and performance for Children’s Social Care for the period from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

The Committee received a report providing an overview of complaints, compliments, Subject Access Requests (SARs) activity and performance for Children’s Social Care for the period from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.  An addendum to the report provided a summary of learning and improvements made within the children’s social  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

A report providing the Committee with an update on the progress made on achieving the actions identified in the BFfC Leaving Care Action Plan 2023/2024.

The Committee received a report providing progress made on achieving the actions identified in the Brighter Futures for Children Leaving Care Action Plan 2023/2024.  This was drawn up in April 2023 in response to a review of the service undertaken by the National Implementation Adviser for Care Leavers, Mark Riddell  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

A report inviting the Committee to determine:

·         The admissions arrangements for Community Primary Schools in Reading for the school year 2025/26.

·         The coordinated scheme for primary and junior schools for the 2025/26 school year.

·         The coordinated scheme for secondary schools for the 2025/26 school year.

·         The Relevant Area 2025.

·         Maps of the Primary catchment areas.

The Committee received a report that invited the Committee to agree the determination of school admissions arrangements for September 2025 as follows:

·         The admission arrangements for Community Primary Schools in Reading for the school year 2025/26.

·         The coordinated scheme for primary schools for the 2025/26 school year.

·         The coordinated scheme  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

A report for the Committee to consider a consultation on the School Transport Policy for 2024.

The Committee received a report to consider a proposed consultation on the School Transport Policy for 2024, with changes in the policy aiming to clarify language and promoting the most active travel for Reading pupils.

The policy clarification points included:

·         That travel assistance entitlement meant an offer of a bus  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

A report provided to the Committee to consider a consultation process on revising the School Transport Policy to remove free transport entitlement for pupils attending Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge School and to change current transport arrangements.

The Committee received a report to consult on revising the School Transport Policy to remove free transport entitlement for pupils attending Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge school.

The report explained that with the opening in September 2024 of the new River Academy secondary school in Reading this would secure sufficient local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.