Decisions

That the Discretionary Land Acquisition Policy for Highways Works be approved.

That:

1)        a strategic review of Voluntary and Community Sector services be approved funded by Wokingham Council which will be founded on the following principles:

·                The development of measurable outcomes for each voluntary sector provider to achieve which will focus on the difference made to the service user

·                The formation of a clear relationship between the council’s contracting and/or grant funding of voluntary sector services and the achievement of measurable outcomes

·                The increased use of longer term contracts rather than annual grants for voluntary sector services in order to provide longer term stability for funded organisations;

2)        authority be delegated to the relevant Director and Lead Member to approve outcomes from individual voluntary sector reviews.

Purpose: To consider the Council's progress in relation to its duties under the Equality Act 2010

That:

1)        progress in relation to the Council’s duties under the Equality Act 2010 be noted;

2)        the proposed Equality Objectives, as set out in Section 9 of the report, be approved;

3)         the findings of the Equality Monitoring Workforce report be noted;

4)        an update report on achievement against the Equality Objectives and the Council statutory Equality duties to be received on an annual basis.

That:

1)        It be agreed to authorise in-principle the making of a compulsory purchase order ("CPO") to acquire the necessary interests in the land shown indicatively by the hatched area on the annexed plan required to deliver the proposed regeneration of the Site pursuant to section  226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) and, in the case of any new rights, pursuant to section 13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, because it considers that:

(a)          the acquisition will facilitate the carrying out of the development, redevelopment or improvement of land; and

(b)          the development, redevelopment or improvement of the land is likely to contribute to the achievement of any one or more of the promotion or improvement of the economic, social and environmental well-being of Wokingham.

2)        the Chief Executive, in conjunction with the Leader and Executive Member for Planning and Regeneration, be authorised to take all necessary steps to commence the process for the making, confirmation and implementation of the CPO, including securing the appointment of suitable external advisors and preparing all necessary CPO documentation;

3)        a further report will be put before the Executive to approve the final extent of the land to be acquired following the finalisation of the necessary preparatory work.

That the feasibility work on the Gorse Ride South estate be supported (the outcome of which will be presented to a future Executive) and the following be approved:

1)        the rehousing of tenants and the subsequent demolition and redevelopment of Cockayne Court, 97-107 (odd numbers)Arnett Avenue and 154 Barkham Ride, Finchampstead as Phase 1 of the wider regeneration project;

2)        the selection of Wokingham Housing Limited (WHL), or another  Council owned Local Housing Company, as the development partner for Phase 1;

3)        that the Council transfers the Phase 1 site to Wokingham Housing Limited (WHL), or another  Council owned Local Housing Company, on terms to be agreed by the Director of Corporate Services in consultation with the Leader of the Council;

4)        that the Phase 1 site is appropriated for planning purposes under Section 227 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972;

5)        the proposed funding model, including the allocation of Section 106 receipts for the provision of affordable housing towards Phase 1, in accordance with Part 2 Report;

6)         the indicative development brief for Phase 1;

7)        that the transfer of land and funding for Phase 1 will be subject to WHL securing a planning consent for the scheme;

8)        the Council’s long-term intent to regenerate the Gorse Ride South Estate (subject to funding.

That:

1)        the procedure detailed in the revised Appendix 2 and 3 as tabled be adopted for determining a Building of Traditional Local Character;

2)        the Interim Director of Environment, together with the Executive Member for Planning and Regeneration, be delegated to designate and de-designate Buildings of Traditional Local Character in line with the adopted procedure;

3)        the Interim Director of Environment, together with the Executive Member for Planning and Regeneration, be delegated to make changes to the procedure for determining a Building of Traditional Local Character in line with national and local policy and guidance.

That:

1)        it be agreed in principle to relocate Wokingham Library to a new building on the Carnival Phase II site;

2)        approval to relocate is subject to a full impact assessment and detailed business case being agreed by the Executive Member for Resident Services;

3)        the proposal be publicised as soon as practical to enable feedback on these proposals and subsequently the design.

That:

1)         the update report and the progress made be noted;

2)        the appointment of Councillors Anthony Pollock, Simon Weeks and David Lee to the Shareholder Reference Group, that will exercise governance over the Optalis Board, be noted;

3)        the formal establishment of the new company, Optalis Ltd, owned jointly by Wokingham Borough Council and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, which will go live and start to trade on 3 April 2017 be supported.

That:

1)        the budget monitoring position for the month ending 31 January 2017 be noted;

2)         the operational update for the period to 28 February 2017 be noted;

3)        the recommendation of WBC Holdings Board that the company and reporting structure for the Optalis group will be the same for both Councils with Optalis Holdings reporting directly to the Council Executives be noted;

4)        the operational funding facility for Wokingham Housing Limited of £500k, charged at an interest rate of base plus 5.5% be approved.