reading.gov.uk

Agenda

Council - Annual Meeting - Wednesday, 27th May, 2026 6.30 pm

Venue: Town Hall, Reading

Contact: Simon Hill / Richard Woodford Email: (Committee.Services@reading.gov.uk)

Items
No.	Item
1.	To Elect a Mayor for the Ensuing Year (1) The retiring Mayor will announce that the first item of business is the election of a new Mayor for the 2026/2027 Municipal Year. (2) The retiring Mayor will invite nominations. If there is more than one nomination a ballot will take place. The retiring Mayor will then announce the result. (3) The retiring Mayor will ask the newly-elected Mayor to make the statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office. The new Mayor will then read the statutory declaration and sign it. The declaration will be witnessed by the Chief Executive. (4) The newly elected Mayor will take the Chair.
2.	To Elect a Deputy Mayor for the Ensuing Year (1) The newly-elected Mayor will announce that the second item of business is the election of a Deputy Mayor for the 2026/2027 Municipal Year. (2) The newly-elected Mayor will invite nominations. If there is more than one nomination a ballot will take place. The newly-elected Mayor will then announce the result. (3) The newly-elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor will retire to an adjoining room, where they will robe. (4) All will STAND while the procession leaves the Auditorium. (5) There will be an interval while the Mayoral party changes robes. (6) The Mace Bearer will announce the return of the Mayoral party. (7) On the return of the newly-elected Mayor, Members of the Council will STAND until the newly-elected Mayor has received the Mace. (8) The newly-elected Mayor will receive the Mace from the outgoing Mayor, who will repeat the customary words. (9) Members will then be SEATED.
3.	Address by Newly-Elected Mayor The newly elected Mayor will address the Council.
4.	Vote of Thanks to the Retiring Mayor and Tadi Chigumira (1) A vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor will be moved and seconded. (2) Councillor Alice Mpofu-Coles and Tadi Chigumira to receive the past Mayors’ badge, presented by the newly-elected Mayor.
5.	Address by Retiring Mayor Councillor Mpofu-Coles will address the Council.
6.	Minutes of the Council Meeting on 24 March 2026 PDF 127 KB The Mayor will sign the Minutes, with the agreement of the Council.
7.	Declarations of Interest The Mayor will receive any declarations of interest from Members.
8.	Statement of the Returning Officer PDF 76 KB Statement of the persons elected on 7 May 2026.
9.	Appointment of Leader of the Council A motion will be moved at the meeting.
10.	Annual Review of the Council's Constitution PDF 149 KB (1) The Monitoring Officer to report. (2) The Council will consider a motion, moved by the Leader of the Council. Additional documents: Appendix 1 , item 10. PDF 57 KB Appendix 2 , item 10. PDF 49 KB Appendix 3 , item 10. PDF 78 KB Appendix 4 , item 10. PDF 48 KB Appendix 5 , item 10. PDF 39 KB There are a further 2 documents.View the full list of documents for item 10.
11.	Appointment of Deputy Leader and Lead Councillors and Allocation of Portfolios The Council will consider a motion, moved by the Leader of the Council.
12.	Appointment of Council Bodies and Allocation of Seats to Political Groups PDF 168 KB The Council will consider a motion, moved by the Leader of the Council. Additional documents: Appendix 2 - New SACRE Constitution and Terms of Reference , item 12. PDF 281 KB
13.	Appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Committees The Council will consider a motion, moved by the Leader of the Council.
14.	Dates of Ordinary Council Meetings for 2026/27 PDF 152 KB The Mayor will move a motion setting the dates of Council Meetings for 2026/27. …………………….
	Meetings of Committees At the conclusion of the Council meeting, the following meetings will take place:
15.	Policy Committee PDF 63 KB The Mayor will invite the Chair of the Committee to move a motion. Additional documents: Policy report , item 15. PDF 132 KB
16.	Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport Committee PDF 54 KB The Mayor will invite the Chair of the Committee to move a motion.
	......................... EVERYONE WILL STAND AS THE MAYOR LEAVES THE AUDITORIUM. The Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Retiring Mayor, Freemen and Aldermen will process out, passing by the Mayor’s Escort, Deputy Mayor’s Escort and Retiring Mayor’s Escort who will join the procession. The procession will leave by the Centre Doors. Councillors will follow the procession. All guests will stay seated for a few minutes.