The Chair made the following announcement regarding the decision taken in closed session:

‘Following discussion in the closed session of tonight’s Policy Committee meeting, I can confirm that the Council intends to submit a bid to purchase the Reading Prison site.

The disposal of the gaol site represents a once in a generation opportunity and the Council’s purchase would be the only certain mechanism to secure public access to the site and secure a cultural offer for Reading. 

The full details of the bid must remain confidential given the commercial and competitive nature of the bidding process; however, the Council’s bid would be conditional on securing significant external public funds in order to manage the risk of taking ownership of this historic property.’