Agenda and decisions

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence. Councillor Prue Bray attended the meeting virtually, but did not participate in the voting for any item.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 26 October 2023.

To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests, other registrable interests and any non-registrable interests relevant to any matters to be considered at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

To answer any public questions.

A period of 30 minutes will be allowed for members of the public to ask questions submitted under notice.

The Council welcomes questions from members of the public about the work of the Executive.

Subject to meeting certain timescales, questions can relate to general issues concerned with the work of the Council or an item which is on the Agenda for this meeting.  For full details of the procedure for submitting questions please contact the Democratic Services Section on the numbers given below or go to www.wokingham.gov.uk/publicquestions

At a recent meeting with residents of Carters Hill it was stated by both a Council Officer and a University of Reading representative that Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) had requested an updated plan for Hall Farm with 3,750 dwellings, as opposed to the previous plan for 4,500. It was also stated that this figure (3,750) would not be adjusted, even if Central Government finally publishes the revised National Planning Policy Framework and the housing target for Wokingham is reduced. 

Could you please confirm that this is the case and explain why the plans for Hall Farm would not be reduced as a result of any lower housing target for WBC?

To answer any member questions.

A period of 20 minutes will be allowed for Members to ask questions submitted under Notice.

Any questions not dealt with within the allotted time will be dealt with in a written reply.

Question:

In the wake of Cop 26 a leading academic predicts that if the climate emergency continues at it’s current rate our area will see an increase of 1.4C by 2040 compared to the average temperature between 1981 and 2000.

He added that this means we are expected to live through two heatwaves a year and 35 days where roads are at risk of melting. The river flood risk could increase by as much as 7.5 per cent and wildfires are projected to be a risk for 37 days of the year.

With the Local Plan update for Wokingham planning 2300 houses at Hall Farm close to the Loddon River what actual guarantees can the Borough Council provide now that this development planned to begin in 2040 can be developed safely. 

RESOLVED that the Executive:

1.    Noted the findings of the public consultation on the Future use of St Crispin's Leisure Centre.

2.    Noted the Council’s legal responsibility in securing sufficient school places for local residents.

3.    Approved in principle the closure of St Crispin’s Leisure Centre and transfer of the land to St Crispin’s School (The Circle Trust) to fulfil the school placement requirements and to continue to deliver 55 extra place each year in the next five years; subject to detailed agreement with the trust with lease arrangement under relevant Academy regulations.

4.    Noted that the revenue impact of ending the Council’s Leisure contractors’ utilisation of the premises will be funded through the Leisure Management Equalisation Fund.

5.    Noted that the capital expenditure of £1m for works is funded from the secondary school’s expansion budget already approved as part of the 2023/24 capital programme.

6.    Noted the Circle Trust is keen to work with the Council and Local Communities to continue the local squash provision in addition to the current community activities the school provide.

7.    Noted that any repurposing of the school must also include the requirements of the Council to deliver a polling station at the site for elections as per requirements set out.

8.    Delegated authority to the Director of Resources and Assets and Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment, Sport and Leisure, the Executive Member for Children’s Services and the Leader of the Council, to enter into negotiation with Places Leisure to facilitate the closure of St Crispin’s Leisure Centre and with The Circle Trust to secure the provision of additional school places and the transfer of the land and buildings

from the Council to The Circle Trust.

9. Delegated authority to the Director of Resources and Assets and Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment, Sport and Leisure, the Executive Member for Children’s Services and the Leader of the Council, to enter into negotiation with Places Leisure with regards to the running of leisure activities at Montague Park Community Centre or elsewhere

          which will be subject to a financial viability test.

10. Noted the attached Appendix that provides additional information to support the proposal, following the consideration by Community and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 14November 2023.

11.Officers be requested to progress the financial viability assessment relating to the Montague Park Community Centre;

12.Progress on the agreement between the Council and the Circle Trust, along with all other agreements involving schools and leisure facilities, be the subject of a report to the Committee within 12 months.

RESOLVED that the Executive agreed to publish the draft Local Transport Plan 4 for public consultation with the intention in summer 2024, subject to approval of full Council, for the council to adopt the plan as the council’s strategic plan for transport over the next 10-15 years.

RESOLVED that the Executive endorsed the Treasury Management Mid- Year Report 2023-24 and recommended it to Council and noted:

1) that all approved indicators set out in the Treasury Management Strategy had been adhered to; with the exceptions of;

• Ratio of financing costs to net revenue stream – General Fund.

• Capital financing requirement – Housing Revenue Account.

• External borrowing – Housing Revenue Account

2) As at the end of September 2023, the forecast for the total external General Fund debt was £129m at March 2024, which reduced to £110m after taking into account cash balances.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

1)    Agreed to extend the current Council Plan for one year (2024-25)

2)    Accepted the amendments to the plan as set out in the report and

3)    Recommended submission to Full Council for approval.