Issue - meetings

That:

1)        the budget monitoring position for the month ending 31 December 2019 be noted;

2)         the operational update for the period to 31 December 2019 be noted;

3)        the Optalis budget and operational position update for November 2019 be noted.

(Councillors UllaKarin Clark, John Halsall, John Kaiser, Charles Margetts and Wayne Smith declared personal interests in this item)

The Executive considered a report setting out the budget monitoring position and providing an operational update of the Council owned companies.

Councillor Clark provided an update on the work of Loddon Homes and Berry Brook Homes which were now working alongside the Regeneration Team.  In addition integration of Loddon Homes’ accountancy within the Council’s Finance Department was almost completed.  Both of these changes would provide cost savings for the companies and it was noted that both companies were expected to achieve their budget targets for the current financial year. 

Councillor Clark also highlighted that the building of key worker flats in Wokingham Town Centre had been completed and of the 22 flats 17 were already occupied; the majority of which to NHS employees.

In addition the 46 affordable houses at Gorse Ride were due to be delivered at an earlier date than previously announced, however this was still dependent on finding suitable alternative accommodation for the existing tenants and finding a solution to ease the pressure on local schools due to the unexpected influx of children in temporary accommodation at Gorse Ride.  A further 249 dwellings would be built as part of phase 2 of the Gorse Ride regeneration project.   

Members were informed by Councillor Clark that the housing companies had identified, actively progressed or investigated delivery of over 1,200 homes.    In addition 1,000 homes, which included a mixture of affordable housing as well as housing for both social and market rents, were to be delivered over four years.

Councillor Margetts provided an update on the work of Optalis and highlighted that work had been carried out to drive efficiency out of the back office while maintaining quality of service which had led to savings of £720k this year and expected savings of £400k next financial year.  David Birch, the new CEO, was due to start on 1 March.

RESOLVED that:

1)        the budget monitoring position for the month ending 31 December 2019 be noted;

2)         the operational update for the period to 31 December 2019 be noted;

3)        the Optalis budget and operational position update for November 2019 be noted.