The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing the Sub-Committee with an update on the list of requests for Resident Permit Parking, including the progress of developing schemes and any new requests that had been received.  The following appendices were attached to the report:

Requested Schemes List – Update

Appendix 1 of the report set out the list of requests that had been received for Resident Permit Parking Schemes and included the comments and objections that had been received during the statutory consultation.  Where the Sub-Committee had previously allocated a priority to a scheme this had been recorded and where a request had been previously reported to the Sub-Committee but had not been allocated a priority, this had also been recorded, along with any schemes that were ‘new’ to the list.

The report stated that since the last update report, schemes in Harrow Court, St Stephens Close and The Willows had been implemented, officers were delivering ‘Area 1’ of the East Reading area scheme, which was due to go live from 16 September 2019 and officers were also developing a delivery programme for the Lower Caversham scheme and intended to introduce this large area scheme before the end of December 2019.

Proposals for Informal Consultation

During July 2019 officers had been tasked with developing an expedited delivery programme (subject to consultation results) for the requests for? schemes that had been received up to that time.  The first stage of the development process was to consider an area that could form a new parking scheme area and to conduct an informal consultation to survey resident opinion about the potential introduction of Resident Permit Parking.  Officers had suggested some initial areas and had sought Ward Councillor input and agreement to these areas.  A table setting out the areas had been included in the report and the Sub-Committee agreed that these requests should be dealt with first.

The report explained that Norcot Ward Councillors had been conducting informal consultations in the Grovelands Road area and were satisfied that there was sufficient support across the area and, in place of a further informal consultation, had proposed a public meeting to further inform scheme development.  To make most efficient use of limited staff resources, some of which might be externally sourced, and financial resources, officers would be seeking to conduct certain development phases across the list of schemes at the same time, for example, conducting the investigation and detailed design work for all schemes concurrently.

The Sub-Committee discussed the report and agreed that the scheme areas in Appendix 2 and set out in a table at paragraph 4.8 of the report should be the first to be dealt with.

Resolved –

(1)     That the report be noted;

(2)     That informal consultations be conducted for the areas set out in Appendix 2, attached to the report, with the exception of the Grovelands Road area (see paragraph 4.12 of the report) and the results reported to a future meeting;

(3)     That the scheme areas set out in the table at paragraph 4.8 in the report be dealt with first.

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report informing the Sub-Committee of requests for new traffic management measures that had been raised by members of the public, other organisations/representatives and Councillors.  The report also provided a development update for those requests that had become funded/part funded.  The list of schemes/proposals, with initial comments from officers and recommendations was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The Sub-Committee discussed the report and agreed that the proposals for speed calming measures on Albert Road in Caversham Ward should be removed from the list of schemes.

Resolved –

(1)     That the report be noted;

(2)     That the schemes set out in Appendix 1, attached to the report, be supported for further officer investigation subject to the removal of the proposed speed calming measures on Albert Road (Caversham Ward) from the list of schemes.

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report informing the Sub-Committee of objections that that had been received during statutory consultation for the agreed proposals that formed the 2019A Waiting Restrictions Review Programme.  The report also provided the Sub-Committee with the list of new requests for potential inclusion in the 2019B programme.

The following appendices were attached to the report:

Appendix 1 – Objections, support and other comments that had been received during statutory consultation for the 2019A programme.

Appendix 2 – New requests for consideration in the 2019B programme.

Resolved -

(1)     That the report be noted;

(2)     That the objections set out in Appendix 1 with the appropriate recommendation to either: implement, amend or reject the proposals be noted;

(3)     That the following proposals made under the waiting restriction review 2019A, as set out in Appendix 1, be implemented, amended or removed from the programme as follows:

·         Albury Close – Implement as advertised;

·         Wigmore Lane – Implement as advertised;

·         Broomfield Close – Implement as advertised;

·         Elsley Road – Implement as advertised;

·         Portway Close - Defer to the next meeting;

·         Netley Close – Implement as advertised;

·         Shepley Drive – Implement as advertised;

·         Surley Row – Implement as advertised;

·         Bran Close – Implement as advertised;

·         Lower Elmstone Drive – Implement as advertised;

(4)     That the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to seal the resultant Traffic Regulation Order and no public inquiry be held into the proposals;

(5)     That respondents to the statutory consultation be informed of the decision of the Sub-Committee accordingly, following publication of the agreed minutes of the meeting;

(6)     That the officer recommendations, following investigation of the new requests for consideration in the 2019B programme, be shared with Ward Councillors, providing opportunity for their comments to be included in the next report to the Sub-Committee;

(7)     That should funding permit, a further report be submitted to the Sub-Committee requesting approval to conduct the Statutory Consultation on the recommended schemes for the 2019B subject to the following amendments to the programme:

·         Pierces Hill (Tilehurst) – Add to the programme.

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing the Sub-Committee with and an update on the introduction of a Red Route waiting restriction along the Reading Buses Route 17 corridor.  The following appendices were attached to the report:

The report explained that the Red Route waiting restriction had been in place on the west side of Reading Buses Route 17, from the junction of Park Lane with Mayfair in Tilehurst to the IDR, since late summer 2018.  Initial enforcement had been limited to the busiest periods and had focused on drivers pulling up onto the footway.  Since October 2018 enforcement had been increased to daytime operations using the camera vehicle.  Relatively few comments had been made on the use of the no stopping restriction and of those that had been received they were very specific to individual experiences.  A sample of bus journey times that had been taken in March 2019 and had been compared to the same journey in the same period in March 2018 had shown promising benefits to public transport.

The report sought to make permanent the west side Red Route restriction which had been in place and camera enforced for just under a year and also addressed a petition that had been submitted to the meeting in March 2019 (Minute 50(a) refers) from residents of 275 to 291 Norcot Road, which had contained 11 signatures, on behalf of 14 persons at nine addresses.

The Sub-Committee discussed the report and in response to a number of comments and questions officers explained that a commitment had been made to carry out more enforcement work along the route and camera enforcement would be used in an appropriate way in areas of concern such as around corners.  Officers also tabled a paper setting out improvements in bus times on the west side of the route from the Water Tower in Tilehurst to Waylen Street and informed the Sub-Committee that they would continue to look at issues with loading and unloading, parking on pavements and verges, and new parking bays, and would submit update reports to future meetings.

Councillor Page proposed that an additional recommended action be added that monitoring by officers and Reading Buses continued along the entire Red Route on a regular basis.

Resolved -

(1)     That the report be noted;

(2)     That the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to make the appropriate experimental Traffic Regulation Order into a permanent Traffic Regulation Order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, advertised in accordance with the Local Authorities Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996;

(3)     That the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to undertake a statutory consultation in accordance with the Local Authorities Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996, for the permanent implementation of the parking bays (Norcot Road) and loading bay (Oxford Road) as set out in Appendix 4, attached to the report;

(4)     That, subject to no objections being received, the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to make the Traffic Regulation Order;

(5)     That any objection(s) received following the statutory advertisement be reported to a future meeting;

(6)     That the Head of Transportation, in consultation with the appropriate Lead Councillor, be authorised to make minor changes to the proposals;

(7)     That no public enquiry be held into the proposal;

(8)     That monitoring by officers and Reading Buses continue along the entire length of the Red Route on a regular basis.

(In accordance with Standing Order 38, Councillor R Singh requested that his vote against the resolution be recorded and Councillor Duveen requested that his abstention be recorded.)

Further to Minute 33 of the previous meeting the Director of Children’s Services, Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), submitted a report on the Fair Workload Commitment for Schools.

The report stated that work had been carried out with schools and professional associations to establish a framework of guidance, and a core set of principles governing a Fair Workload Charter for staff working in schools.  This guidance had reflected a commitment to ensuring that workloads were reasonable but that the way this manifested itself was flexible to meet the diverse needs and working patterns of schools and teachers.

The work-life balance of staff in schools was a high priority for school managers, staff, the local authority and trade unions.  It was an area that needed to be monitored and managed, with individual schools being supported in finding strategies that worked for them.  The Reading Pledge had been consulted on with Headteachers, the authority and trade unions to demonstrate a commitment to finding and maintaining a fairer work and life balance for all staff.  It provided flexibility for schools to find what worked best for their staff and their school ethos.  The aim of the Pledge was to achieve a consensus of staff who felt valued and supported and who felt they had control over managing their workload.  This would help support the wellbeing of staff and would contribute to the recruitment and retention of staff.  The Pledge provided a set of core principles that all parties had committed to and these were set out in the report.

The report set out a number of initiatives that provided examples of current practice that were in place and that had been gathered from Headteachers in the Borough across both primary and secondary schools.  Such strategies had been offered as examples that might be adopted and adapted to fit the ethos of individual schools to support a Fair Workload culture for staff and to promote a positive work-life balance.  This was not intended to be an exhaustive list and schools would continue to adapt and were free to identify approaches that worked for them.

The Committee discussed the report and requested that an update report detailing how the Reading Pledge was working be submitted to the meeting on 8 April 2020.

At the invitation of the Chair Alison McNamara, Teacher, Panel Secretary: Education and Community Unions, addressed the Committee.

Resolved –

(1)     That the Fair Workload Commitment for Schools be approved;

(2)     That an update report be submitted to the meeting on 8 April 2020.

The Director of Adult Social Care and Health Services and the Monitoring Officer submitted a report giving the Committee notice of a completed investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman into a complaint about the quality of home care that had been provided by the Council’s contractor to the complainant’s late mother, in particular that the carers had failed to call 999 when the subject had been ill.

The report explained that the Ombudsman had found that injustice had been caused by faults on the part of both the care provider and the Council.  The Ombudsman’s report had been made available for public inspection at the Civic Offices and in the Central Library and had been circulated separately to the members of the Committee.

The home care had been commissioned by Adult Social Care and had been provided by Radis Group under contract to the Council.  The Ombudsman investigation had found that Radis care workers had been late in getting medical attention for a vulnerable woman, with faults in the following specific areas:

·         The carers had not encouraged the subject to move around or use her inhaler;

·         The carers had not visited the subject at lunchtime on the day before she had died, or had dealt properly with the morning carer’s concerns about her health;

·         The carers had failed to call 999 on the evening of the same day, or to follow Radis’s own emergency procedures;

·         The recording of the carers’ discussions with the subject with Radis management was not flawed and incomplete;

·         The investigation of the subsequent complaints had been flawed in procedural and safeguarding terms, had failed to establish that the provider had not followed their own emergency procedures and the outcome had not been reported back to the complainant by the Council.

The report set out the response of both the Council and Radis to the Ombudsman’s investigation, and his proposed remedy, which had been fully accepted by the Council.  The action that had been taken by Adult Social Care to implement the Local Ombudsman’s recommendations, and remedy the faults to the complainant and his family, were set out in the report.

At the invitation of the Chair, Paula Hoggarth, Group Operations Director Radis Group, addressed the Committee and answered questions.

Resolved –

(1)     That the Ombudsman’s finding of faults (maladministration) by both the Council and the Council’s home care provider, Radis, be noted;

(2)     That the action being taken to remedy the injustice experienced by the subject’s family as a result of these faults, as recommended by the Local Ombudsman, be endorsed, as follows:

(a)     The Council had:

·         Apologised to the complainant for the distress caused by the faults identified

·         Is discussing with him whether he wishes the Council to provide a lasting tribute (such as planting a tree) in memory of the subject

·         Paid £100 to the complainant to acknowledge the time and trouble he had taken in pursuing this complaint;

(b)     Within three months of the Local Ombudsman’s final report, the Council would have:

o   Ensured the care provider had:

§  Trained all staff on the use of its emergency procedures and the procedures to follow when a service user was ill

§  Trained all carers on accurate and complete record keeping

o   Reviewed its adult social care complaints procedure to clarify how it dealt with complaints against commissioned care providers, and how it would ensure independent investigation of serious complaints

o   Reminded staff involved in adult safeguarding enquiries of the importance of ensuring enquiry reports were factual and accurate

o   Provided the Ombudsman with evidence it had taken these actions.

Further to Minute 7 of the meeting held on 11 October 2016 the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services submitted a report on the possibility of entering into a deed of dedication in favour of Fields in Trust in relation to the Mapledurham Recreation Ground.

The report explained that Fields in Trust was the working name of the National Playing Fields Association, a registered charity, which had entered into deeds of dedication in relation to other pieces of charitable and local authority land.  The main purpose of a deed of dedication was to make land subject to a binding covenant which prevented the sale or disposal of property without the consent of Fields in Trust, so that there was a third party capable of vetoing a sale or other disposal of the land in certain circumstances.  This could address the concerns of local community representatives regarding the potential precedent for further development that could be implied by the sale of part of the Playing Fields for a school site.  Entering into a deed of dedication was likely to require the consent of the Charity Commission.

The report noted the proposal for a deed of dedication had been included in consultation with the beneficiaries of the Mapledurham Recreation Ground Charity carried out in 2017, and around 84% of responders had indicated that it was a proposal that should be explored in more detail, with a view to determining whether it would be in the best interests of the Charity.  The report recommended that officers be instructed by the Sub-Committee to formally investigate the position with Fields in Trust in more detail, and if necessary liaise with the Charity Commission and take legal advice on the implications, with a view to making a recommendation to a future meeting of the Sub-Committee as to whether a deed of dedication should be put in place in relation to all or part of the Mapledurham Recreation Ground.

Resolved –

          That the Sub Committee note the report and authorise Officers to formally investigate the implications of the charity entering into a deed of dedication and to liaise with Fields in Trust and (if necessary) the Charity Commission regarding entering into a deed of dedication in respect of  the Mapledurham Recreation Ground Charity.

Further to Minute 9 of the Sub-Committee’s meeting on 22 October 2018, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report updating the Sub-Committee on the outline programme of works to implement the approved Landscape Master Plan scheme and other related matters.  The following documents were attached to the report:

·         Appendix 1 - Approved landscape plan

·         Appendix 2 - Community Use Agreement

The report explained that changes to the landscape plan had been agreed by members of the Sub-Committee and that the plan had been submitted for planning approval on 11 February 2019, with planning permission granted on 16 April 2019. A summary of the approved landscape plan was attached to the report as Appendix 1.  The report also set out information on a planning application by the tennis club.

The report explained that the majority of landscape works had been procured and set out costs which had been assessed and verified by the external cost consultant, and were within the approved funding allowance.  Approval was sought to appoint Agripower Ltd to carry out the largest element of works: the drained sports pitch terrace to the eastern side of the playing fields and the new children’s play area. The cost of these works included £105k of provision for importing topsoil as a contingency to meet Sport England quality standards.  It was also proposed that RBC Parks be appointed to carry out the smaller element of works procured including the footpaths with associated furniture and lights, trim trail, trees, and Hewett Avenue boundary fencing.  The proposed small overflow parking area to the north of the new school and adjacent to the existing community car park was yet to be procured.

The report noted that it was intended to implement the landscape plan in phases, to factor in weather conditions and the need to provide improved sports pitches by the start of the 2020 football season. The outline programme, which was summarised in the report, would be heavily dependent on suitable weather conditions and agreement with the Department for Education contractor on maintaining access through the MPF community carpark into the playing fields. Contingency plans were being developed if access through the car park became problematic.

The report also gave an update on the school development and explained that Kier had been appointed by the DfE to undertake pre-commencement works to prepare the site for the school. This included additional ground investigation works within the school site and community carpark to inform their design.  Kier were intending to start on site in June 2019 with the aim of opening the school by September 2020.  It was proposed to explore letting the area identified as the overflow car park to the DfE/Kier to be used a site compound/car parking, on the basis that they would undertake groundworks to prepare the area as the overflow carpark in the future.  The report also explained that the Community Use Agreement had been completed between the Council and Heights School, which included timings for public use of the multi-use games area, school hall and School car park.  The Agreement was attached to the report at Appendix 2.

Resolved –

(1)     That the outline programme for the landscape plan, DfE works to the Mapledurham Playing Fields community car park, financial breakdown of the funds including the budget for the pavilion refurbishment, and the tennis club planning application be noted;

(2)     That the Assistant Director of Legal & Democratic Services and the Assistant Director of Economic & Cultural Development be authorised to appoint Agripower Ltd for a contract sum of £681,815 and RBC Parks for a contract sum of £191,869 to carry out the works to implement the approved landscape plan;

(3)     That the contents of the Community Use Agreement attached to the report at Appendix 2 be noted.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report updating the Sub-Committee on the current position in relation to the Mapledurham Pavilion and planned future action.

The report noted that Mapledurham pavilion hall had closed following a structural survey which had identified significant deterioration requiring additional supports to stabilise the building.  The changing rooms and tennis facilities had remained in use during that time.  Major repair works had been funded and scoped by Warren and District Residents Association (WDRA) and these had been overseen by The Day Tanner Partnership on behalf of WADRA at no charge, with the Council undertaking an administrative function.

The report explained that building works to the main hall had taken longer than expected, as more work had been required than originally anticipated, including elements such as asbestos removal and replacement of some fixed electrical wiring.  Works had now been completed and keys handed back at the end of February 2019.  A fire risk assessment and electrical inspection of the building had been undertaken but a number of further tasks were required ahead of general public access and use.  These were likely to include further checks on the fire alarm system, upgrading fire signage, updating evacuation processes and potentially improving the emergency lighting.  A full deep clean of the pavilion was also planned, and work had been carried out or was ongoing relating to water testing and flushing practices to address legionella risks, pest control, and maintenance matters relating to the toilets and changing facilities.  Major works were required to make the kitchen fit for purpose, and it was therefore unlikely that it could be reopened until the main refurbishment works had been undertaken.

The report explained that it was intended to commission design work for the refurbishment upon receipt of the premium from the Department for Education, with the design work expected to start in September 2019 and a contract let to start building work in February 2020.  It was reported at the meeting that the Management Committee had suggested that s106 contributions already received be used to commence the design work, without waiting for receipt of the premium.

The draft accounts for 2017/18 were attached to the report at Appendix 1. These had been presented to the Management Committee in January 2019 and following auditing by the Accountancy Team would be submitted to the Charity Commission.

Resolved –

(1)     That Day Tanner Partnership and Warren and District Residents Association be thanked for their support and the current position in regard of the Pavilion be noted;

(2)     That the s106 contributions already received be used for design work on the pavilion prior to the receipt of the premium from the Department for Education;

(3)     That the Council’s accountancy team submit accounts after auditing to the Charity Commission.

The Head of Planning, Development and Regulatory Services submitted a report on an application for a variation of Premises Licence in respect of Market House, 1-2 Market Place, Reading, RG1 2EQ. 

The report stated that the premises currently had a Premises Licence in force and that a copy of the Premises Licence was attached to the report at Appendix 5.

The application was seeking to vary the Premises Licence to allow a variation to the layout of the premises.  The report advised that all other licensable activities, and hours for licensable activities, would remain as per the existing Premises Licence.

A copy of the application form was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The report stated that during the 28 day consultation process for the application, representations had been received from Reading Borough Council’s Licensing Team (attached to the report at Appendix 2), Reading Borough Council’s Environment Protection (Noise) team (attached to the report at Appendix 3) and Reading Borough Council’s Planning Team (attached to the report at Appendix 4).

The applicant stated at the meeting that the proposal for the increase in size of the rooftop terrace, as shown on Drawing 3172-85 Revision A attached to the application, had been withdrawn and Peter Narancic, Senior Licensing Enforcement Officer, confirmed that as a result, the Council’s Environment Protection (Noise) team had withdrawn their objection to the application.

The report stated that in considering the application, the Licensing Authority had a duty to carry out its functions with a view to promoting the four licensing objectives, as follows:

·         The prevention of crime and disorder

·         Public safety

·         The prevention of public nuisance

·         The protection of children from harm

The report also stated that any conditions placed on the premises licence should be appropriate and proportionate with a view to promoting the licensing objectives and that the Licensing Authority could amend, alter or refuse an application should it be deemed appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives.

The report set out paragraphs 1.5, 8.41-8.49, 9.11-9.13 and 14.64-14.65 from the Secretary of State’s guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 (April 2018) and paragraphs 2.1-2.10, 3.2-3.3, 9.1-9.3, 9.6-9.7, 12.1-12.3, 12.6-12.8, 12.10-12.15, 12.18-12.20, 12.23-12.24, 12.26-12.27, 12.29, 12.33 and 12.35 from the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy (October 2018).

The applicant submitted an additional document (copy of the original Ground Floor plan) for comparison purposes) at the meeting which was accepted by the Sub-Committee.

The applicant was represented by Mr Niall McCann, Consultant Solicitor, Joelson JD LLP Solicitors, who addressed the Sub-Committee on the application and responded to questions.  Mr McCann was accompanied by Ms Helen Sprason and Mr Tom Edmunds, representing the applicant, who also responded to questions from the Sub - Committee.

Clyde Masson, Principal Licensing Officer, Reading Borough Council and Richard Eatough, Area Planning Team leader, Reading Borough Council, were both present and addressed the Sub-Committee on their representations regarding the application as stated in the report.

Resolved –

That, in order to promote the licensing objectives, and having regard to the oral and written representations made, the Secretary of State’s guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 (April 2018) and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy, the variation of a Premises Licence in respect of the Ground Floor layout of Market House, 1-2 Market Place, shown on Drawing 3172-85 Revision A be granted subject to the following condition:

The grant is subject to the grant of the appropriate planning consent for the proposed variation.  This decision is without prejudice to the Planning Applications Committee and Planning Officers future decision.

The Head of Planning, Development and Regulatory Services submitted a report on an application for a review of Premises Licence in respect of After Dark Nite Club, 112 London Street, Reading, RG1 4SJ.  The application for review had been submitted by the Environmental Protection and Nuisance team, in its capacity as a named responsible authority on the grounds that the Premises Licence holder had failed to prevent public nuisance following discussions and the issuing of a noise abatement notice.

The Sub-Committee considered a request from the Premises Licence holder, Mr Z Khan, to adjourn the hearing in order to carry out an acoustic test of the premises.  The Sub-Committee also considered a request from the Thames Valley Police’s representative, Simon Wheeler, to admit further supporting evidence to supplement the submissions that had been included in the original paperwork from the Police.

Mr Z Khan, the Premises Licence holder, and Mr Khan, the landlord of the premises, were present at the meeting and addressed the Sub-Committee.

Rebecca Moon, Senior Environmental Health Officer and Simon Wheeler, Thames Valley Police, were present and addressed the Sub-Committee.  Clyde Masson, Principal Licensing Officer, was also present at the meeting.

Resolved –

(1)           That consideration of the review of the Premises Licence in respect of After Dark Nite Club, 112 London Street, Reading, RG1 4SJ, be adjourned to enable the Sub-Committee to give proper consideration to the additional information provided by Thames Valley Police and not on the grounds requested by the Premises Licence holder (to undertake an acoustic test), as the Sub-Committee was of the view that this should have been carried out promptly following the original request, which had been made by the Environmental Health and Protection team on 8 September 2018 and subsequently reiterated on 4 October 2018 and 6 February 2019;

(2)           That the Premises Licence holder be reminded that a noise abatement notice, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, had been served on the After Dark Nite Club on 10 November 2017 and remained in force and that any breaches of the order were an offence for which the Premises Licence holder could be prosecuted;

(3)     That, in order to minimise the likelihood of further adjournments, the Sub-Committee requested that all paperwork relating to the review of the Premises Licence in respect of After Dark Nite Club from all the relevant parties be submitted to the Council at least 10 working days prior to the re-arranged date of the hearing.