The Executive Director of Resources submitted a report seeking approval for annual revisions to the Council’s ICT Security Policies and the accompanying summary guidance notes for 2019-20.  The following documents were attached to the report:

·         Appendix 1 – ICT Policy Updates 2019-20 Full Updates List

·         Appendix 2.1 – ICT Security Policy Statement v1.7

·         Appendix 2.2 – ICT Use & Information Security Policy v1.9

·         Appendix 2.3 – ICT Security Golden Rules v1.9

The report explained that the ICT Policy Set consisted of 13 Policy Documents, with key compliance and required behaviour practices summarised in the ‘ICT Security Golden Rules’ summary document.  The proposed changes represented a substantial revision of the Council’s ICT Policies incorporating legislative and best practice requirements and standards that had recently emerged, alongside more routine updates that were needed. The Council could be at risk of fines and possible standards breaches if these changes were not approved and effectively communicated to Staff and Councillors.  The policies would apply to both the Council, the Council’s wholly owned companies and to Councillors.

A list of the changes to the polices was attached to the report at Appendix 1 (ICT Policy Updates 2019-20 Full Updates List), along with three key documents to be issued to Staff and Councillors: the ICT Security Policy Statement (Appendix 2.1), the ICT Use & Information Security Policy (Appendix 2.2) and the ICT Security Golden Rules (Appendix 2.3).  The report set out the training and briefings that would be provided to Council staff, staff of Council-owned companies and Councillors as part of a wider communications plan to embed a good knowledge of the key changes across the Council.

The report also sought a delegation to the Executive Director of Resources, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Corporate and Consumer Services, to approve future revisions of the ICT Policy Suite in order to speed up the revision release process.

Resolved –

(1)     That the revised ICT Policy Suite & Guidance Notes for 2019-20 be approved;

(2)     That the communications plan for Staff and Councillors including associated briefings and training be noted;

(3)     That the Executive Director of Resources, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Corporate and Consumer Services, be delegated authority to make future revisions of the ICT Policy Suite and Guidance Notes.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report proposing the adoption of the Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), for use in determining planning applications for new development in Reading.  The following documents were attached to the report:

·         Appendix 1 - Equality Impact Assessment scoping

·         Appendix 2 - Statement of Consultation on the Draft Sustainable Design and Construction SPD

·         Appendix 3 - Sustainable Design and Construction SPD

The report explained that the SPD provided detailed guidance to accompany the new sustainability policies included in the Reading Borough Local Plan, which had been adopted by full Council on 4 November 2019 (Minute 28 refers).  In doing so, it would provide an essential part of the Council’s response to the Climate Emergency.

The report noted that a draft SPD had been approved for consultation by the Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport Committee on 9 July 2019 (Minute 10 refers), and consultation had taken place between July and September 2019, with a total of 18 responses received.  A Statement of Consultation summarising the process and the responses received was attached to the report at Appendix 2. A revised version of the SPD taking account of the consultation response was attached to the report at Appendix 3, and was recommended for formal adoption.

The report noted that where a development was not carbon neutral a financial contribution to carbon offsetting would be secured through a section 106 agreement.  This was expected to provide a steady stream of funds to be put towards carbon offsetting schemes and the report set out initial proposals for how these funds raised could be managed and spent.

Resolved –

(1)         That the results of the consultation on the Draft Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document undertaken between July and September 2019, as set out in the Consultation Statement attached to the report at Appendix 2, be noted;

(2)     That the Sustainable Design and Construction SPD, as attached to the report at Appendix 3, be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document;

(3)     That the initial proposals for the use of funds towards carbon offsetting secured under Policy H5 of the Local Plan as supplemented by the Sustainable Design and Construction SPD be noted.

The Director of Children’s Services, Brighter Futures for Children, submitted a report that invited the Committee to determine:

·         The admissions arrangements for Community Primary Schools in Reading for the school year 2021/22;

·         The co-ordinated scheme for primary and junior schools for the 2021/22 school year;

·         The co-ordinated scheme for secondary schools for the 2021/22 school year;

·         The Relevant Area;

·         Maps of the catchment areas.

Copies of the schemes, policies, relevant area and maps were appended to the report.

The report explained that the Council had consulted previously on the Policy in 2018 and therefore there was no duty to consult in the current year.  The Council delivered its school admission service through Brighter Futures for Children and the documents had to be determined by 28 February 2020 to ensure the Council was compliant with the School Admissions Code and they then had to be published on the Brighter Futures for Children website by 15 March 2020.

Resolved –

(1)     That the scheme attached to the report at Annexes A, B and C as the admissions arrangements for 2021/22 for community schools in Reading and the local arrangements for complying with the national coordinated primary school admission procedures for the allocation of primary school places for residents of Reading Borough be agreed;

(2)     That the scheme attached to the report at Annex D as the local arrangements for complying with the national coordinated secondary admissions procedure for the allocation of secondary school places for 2021/22 for residents of Reading Borough be agreed;

(3)     That the relevant area as attached to the report in Annex E which sets out the organisations that must be consulted for any admissions arrangements for schools in Reading be agreed.

The Executive Director of Social Care and Health submitted a report that set out the policy for the Council with regard to Modern Day Slavery.  A copy of the Modern Day Slavery Statement 2019/20 was attached to the report at Appendix 1 and an Equality Impact Assessment was attached to the report at Appendix 2.

The report explained that the Modern Day Slavery Transparency Statement outlined the approach the Council had taken, and continued to take, to make sure that modern slavery or human trafficking was not taking place within the business or supply chain and a zero tolerance approach was proposed to any form of modern slavery (slavery, servitude, human trafficking and forced labour).

The report proposed that the Modern Slavery Transparency document be adopted as required in legislation, this statement would commit the Council to ensure that it took a ‘whole Council’ approach to the issue.  The report also proposed that the Council should continue to be an active member of the Berkshire wide anti-slavery network and work in an ongoing way to deliver its safeguarding functions.

Resolved –

(1)     That adoption of the Reading Borough Council Modern Day Slavery Transparency Statement 2019/20, as attached to the report, be agreed;

(2)     That a zero tolerance approach to any form of modern slavery (slavery, servitude, human trafficking and forced labour) be agreed;

(3)     That the Executive Director of Social Care and Health Services be granted delegated authority, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Health, Wellbeing and Sport and Lead Councillor for Adult Social Care, to adopt and update the Modern Day Slavery Transparency Statement each year on behalf of the Council.

The Executive Director of Social Care and Health submitted a report providing the Committee with an update on the Better Care Funding planning template, which had been completed for the financial year 2019/2020 and had been submitted in September 2019 in line with requested timescales.  A table setting out supplementary information in relation to the Better Care Fund budget and spend was attached to the report at Appendix 1.  The report also included a table that provided a summary of how the Better Care Fund budget would be spent in 2019/20.

The report explained that the return had covered details of the plans to utilise the Better Care Fund and how Adult Social Care and Health services planned to use these funds in an integrated way to maximise system impact, pending NHS England agreement.  The funds had to be used to support the locality to meet the four Better Care Fund targets and the use of the funds had to be jointly agreed.  The four targets were as follows:

·         Reducing the number of placements made in residential and nursing homes;

·         Reducing the number of delayed transfers of care;

·         Reducing the number of people that returned to hospital within 90 days of their discharge;

·         Reducing non-elective admissions to hospital.

The report explained that the timing of the return and the Better Care Fund quarterly returns did not align with Health and Wellbeing Board meetings and this was compounded by short timescales to collect and draft the complex responses that were required by NHS England.  The report therefore recommended that the sign off of all future Better Care Fund returns be delegated to the Executive Director of Social Care and Health and the Clinical Commissioning Group Director of Operations for Reading in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Health, Wellbeing and Sport and the Lead Councillor for Adult Social Care.

Resolved –

(1)     That the report be noted;

(2)     That the content of the Better Care Fund submission (A summary Appendix 1 attached), which was submitted in September 2019 in order to comply with national deadlines outside of the Board meeting cycle be noted;

(3)     That the Executive Director of Social Care and Health (Reading Borough Council) and the Director of Operations (Clinical Commissioning Group) be granted delegated authority to sign off Better Care Fund returns in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Health, Wellbeing and Sport and Lead Councillor for Adult Social Care;

(4)     That the Better Care Fund planning return 2019/20 be submitted to the Health and Wellbeing Board for formal adoption.

Erection of detached 3 storey 4 bed dwelling.

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the above application. 

Comments and objections were received and considered.

Resolved –

(1)      That the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services be authorised to grant full planning permission for application 190705/REG3 subject to completion of a unilateral undertaking legal agreement by 10 January 2020 (unless a later date be agreed by the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services) to secure the Heads of Terms set out in the report;

(2)      That, in the event of the requirements set out not being met, the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services be authorised to refuse permission;

(3)      That planning permission be subject to the conditions and informatives as recommended.

Change of use of unit from retail (Class A1) to gym (Class D2) and insertion of 1,105sqm GIA mezzanine floor.

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the above application. 

Comments were received and considered.

Resolved –

That planning permission for application 180890/FUL be granted, subject to the conditions and informatives as recommended.

Construction of a 4-bedroom dwelling, garage, and associated works

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the above application.

Comments and objections were received and considered.

Resolved –

That application 190087/FUL be refused for the following reasons:

1.       The proposed development, by reason of size, detailed design, materials and layout would fail to maintain and enhance the character and appearance of the area contrary to Policy CC7 (Design and the Public Realm), and Policy H11 (Development of Private Residential Gardens) of the Reading Borough Local Plan 2019;

2.       The proposed development, by reason of its bulk, scale, and massing and proximity to adjoining properties would be overbearing to, and result in a loss of privacy and outlook for existing residents contrary to Policy CC8 (Safeguarding Amenity) of the Reading Borough Local Plan 2019;

3.       The proposed development, by reason of its lack of an acceptable contribution towards the provision of Affordable Housing, and in the subsequent absence of a completed legal agreement to secure an acceptable contribution towards the provision of Affordable Housing, including an obligation for Affordable Housing to be applied on a cumulative basis should the building subsequently be extended/altered (to create further units) or units sub-divided, fails to contribute adequately to the housing needs of Reading Borough, contrary to policy H3 (Affordable Housing) of the Reading Borough Local Plan 2019, and the Council’s Adopted Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document 2013.

Erection of two 2 bed dwellings (Class C3).

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the above application.  An update report was tabled at the meeting that gave details of amenity for nearby occupiers and corrected typographical errors in the original report.

Comments were received and considered.

Resolved –

(1)      That the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services be authorised to grant full planning permission for application 190702/REG3 subject to completion of a unilateral undertaking legal agreement by 30 November 2019 (unless a later date be agreed by the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services) to secure the Heads of Terms set out in the report;

(2)      That, in the event of the requirements set out not being met, the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services be authorised to refuse permission;

(3)      That planning permission be subject to the conditions and informatives as recommended.

Demolition of 2 number existing single storey buildings, removal of telecoms plant.Replacement with new single unit for B1c, B2 and B8 use classes with ancillary offices including associated service areas, car parking and landscaping. Modified access onto Wigmore Lane.

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the above application.  It was reported at the meeting that the application site was in Kentwood ward, not Whitley ward as stated in the report.

Comments and objections were received and considered.

Resolved –

(1)      That the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services be authorised to grant full planning permission for application 190591/FUL subject to completion of a Section 106 legal agreement by 27 November 2019 (unless a later date be agreed by the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services) to secure the Heads of Terms set out in the report;

(2)      That, in the event of the requirements set out not being met, the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services be authorised to refuse permission;

(3)      That planning permission be subject to the conditions and informatives as recommended.

190760/FUL Proposal: Change of use ground, first and second floor of A2 (Bank) to A5 on the ground floor, and on first and second floor from A2 to C4 HMO. Part-retrospective application for flat roof rear dormer.

190929/FUL Proposal: Change of use of 1st and 2nd floors from bank (Class A2) to C4 HMO. Part-retrospective application for flat roof rear dormer.

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the above applications.  An update report was tabled at the meeting giving details of additional representations made, clarifying differences between the proposals by showing site plans and recommending an additional condition for a litter management strategy.

Comments and objections were received and considered.

Objectors Robert Cox, Jessica Di Luccio and Jenny Halstead, the applicant Mr Chima and his agent Jeff Asemi attended the meeting and addressed the Committee on this application. 

(Councillor McEwan declared a prejudicial interest in this item on the grounds of predetermination, made a statement as Ward Councillor then left the room and took no part in the debate or decision.  Nature of interest: Councillor McEwan had been contacted by interested parties and had formed a predetermined view on the applications.)

Resolved –

That consideration of applications 190760/FUL and 190929/FUL be deferred, in order for more information to be provided on the reasons for an application for 60 Christchurch Road being refused planning permission and being dismissed at appeal, the different planning uses in the area, the intended fate of the ground floor in 190929/FUL which was currently A2 (not subject to change of use in this application) and the relevant considerations regarding planning applications for Houses in Multiple Occupation in this area.

Retention of existing non-illuminated direction, place identification, other feature signs and interpretation panels within public pedestrian areas in Reading town centre and the Abbey Quarter on a permanent basis.  Additional directional signage on a permanent basis.

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the above application.  An update report was tabled at the meeting which set out comments received from Reading Conservation Area Advisory Committee and ‘Terry’s Reading Walkabout’.

Comments were received and considered.

Resolved –    That advertisement consent for application 191632/ADV be granted, subject to the conditions and informatives as recommended.

Erection of a new boundary fence to an existing crèche play area.

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the above application.  It was reported at the meeting that the application site was in Park ward, not Abbey ward as stated in the report.

Comments were received and considered.

Resolved –    That, pursuant to Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992, the carrying out of the development 191341/REG3 be authorised, subject to the conditions and informatives as recommended.

Alterations to existing and new boundary treatment along Bembridge Place, to facilitate dual use of the service yard as a service yard/beer garden, and associated works.

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the above application.  An update report was tabled at the meeting, which corrected a typographical error in Condition 5 in the original report.

Comments and objections were received and considered.

Resolved –

That planning permission for application 191482/FUL be granted, subject to the conditions and informatives as recommended in the original report, with Condition 5 amended as set out in the update report.

Redevelopment of site to provide 295sqm of office space (Class B1(a) and 6no. 1-bed apartments and 4no. 2-bed apartments (Class C3) including cycle and bin storage.

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the above application.  An update report was tabled at the meeting, which gave details of the green wall and proposed the securing of a management plan for the green wall as an additional head of terms.  It also corrected a typographical error in the original report. 

Comments and objections were received and considered.

Resolved –

(1)      That the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services be authorised to grant full planning permission for application 191096/FUL subject to completion of a S106 legal agreement by 30 November 2019 (unless a later date be agreed by the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services) to secure the Heads of Terms set out in the original report and the additional Head of Terms set out in the update report;

(2)      That, in the event of the requirements set out not being met, the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services be authorised to refuse permission;

(3)      That planning permission be subject to the conditions and informatives recommended in the original report.

Demolition of existing buildings and Gas Holder and the erection of new buildings ranging between 2 and 9 storeys in height, providing 130 residential units (Class C3) with associated access, car parking, landscaping and open space.

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the above application.  An update report was tabled at the meeting which addressed affordable housing and ecology matters, proposed additional heads of terms and conditions and amended the recommendation accordingly.  It set out amendments to the original report to reflect the final adopted wording within the Reading Borough Local Plan and to correct errors.  It also clarified the requirements of the Construction Method Statement condition and had appended two plans and a visual of the new pedestrian connection to the footbridge over the River Kennet.  It was reported at the meeting that a late written objection had been received relating to lack of engagement from the applicant, but these matters had been addressed in the original report.

Comments and objections were received and considered.

Objectors Joanna Brown, Shivraj Hawaldar, Joseph Jones and Daniel Shockley, and the applicant’s agent Karen Charles, attended the meeting and addressed the Committee on this application, and the planning case officer summarised a representation from an objector who had not been able to attend the meeting.

Resolved –

(1)      That the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services be authorised to grant full planning permission subject to outstanding sustainability (carbon off-setting) matters being satisfactorily resolved and completion of a S106 legal agreement by 4 December 2019 (unless a later date be agreed by the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services) to secure the Heads of Terms set out in the original report and the additional Heads of Terms set out in the update report;

(2)      That, in the event of the requirements set out not being met, the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services be authorised to refuse permission;

(3)      That planning permission be subject to the conditions and informatives recommended in the original report, with the amendments and additions recommended in the update report, and an additional condition requiring the submission of a scheme for the retention of the cast iron pipe on site and its incorporation in the development;

(4)      That the Construction and Demolition Management Plan be approved in consultation with Ward Councillors and the Environment Agency;

(5)      That the Traffic Management Sub-Committee be asked to review the access to, and use and future status of, Gas Works Road, Kenavon Drive and the adjacent roads, and the pressure on the Forbury Road roundabout.