Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual Meeting. View directions

Contact: Anne Hunter  Democratic and Electoral Services Lead Specialist

Media

Items
No. Item

69.

Apologies

To receive any apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted from Sarah Kerr.

70.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 611 KB

To confirm the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 17 September 2020.

 

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 September 2020 were confirmed as a correct record and will be signed by the Mayor at a future date.

71.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any declarations of interest

Minutes:

Jim Frewin declared a Personal Interest in Item 67, Presentation by the Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner, on the grounds that he volunteered as a Police Cadet leader.

72.

Mayor's Announcements

To receive any announcements by the Mayor

Minutes:

The Mayor informed Members of recent activities including the opening of the Arborfield Cross Relief Road, the opening of the new extension to Addington School and a number of charity and association virtual AGMs.

73.

Public Question Time

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 Council

 

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

 

Minutes:

In accordance with the agreed procedure the Mayor invited members of the public to submit questions to the appropriate Members.

73.1

Daniel Hinton asked the Executive Member for Children's Services the following question:

 

Question

We are aware of the continuing improvement programme in relation to children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.  How has the production of Education Health and Care Plans improved as part of this programme?

 

Minutes:

 

We are aware of the continuing improvement programme in relation to children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.  How has the production of Education Health and Care Plans improved as part of this programme?

 

Answer

There has been a marked improvement in completing Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) within the statutory 20 weeks. In Quarter 1 this year, 88% were issued within the timescale compared to 58.7% across England. We could do this because, previously having been under-staffed, we are now fully staffed. It is also important to note that, in addition to significant improvement in timeliness, we have been just as robust in our understanding of an improvement in quality in respect of the EHCPs.

 

73.2

Jackie Rance asked the Executive Member for Children's Services the following question:

 

Question

Can the Lead Member for Children’s Services advise us on activities to support schools as they have reopened at the beginning of September?

 

Minutes:

 

Can the Lead Member for Children’s Services advise us on activities to support schools as they have reopened at the beginning of September?

 

Answer

The preparation for the reopening of schools commenced back in the summer term.  School leaders were supported with round-table sessions to help unpick and understand the requirements of the Department for Education guidance, including the Public Health requirements for safe operation of schools from September onwards. 

 

This work continued over the summer holiday period. We looked at home to school transport arrangements to ensure that pupils could make the safest possible journeys to school. Schools revised operating times and entrance and departure arrangements.

 

The Assistant Director Learning, Achievement & Partnerships has provided a daily update to all school leaders in the Borough. There is also a weekly news bulletin.

 

All school leaders are invited to a weekly leadership round-table discussion which focusses on sharing best practice and learning from other areas. School governors have also been supported with additional briefing sessions from Governor Services.

 

In addition, further specific focussed activity has taken place across a range of service areas within the Council, including activities delivered by the School Improvement Team, Educational Psychology, the ICT in Schools Team, Education Welfare Service and Schools HR Service, amongst others.

 

 

73.3

Anne Chadwick asked the Executive Member for Children's Services the following question:

 

Question

I've been very concerned to read on social media about children going hungry in half-term because their parents struggle to feed them lunch. Would the Executive member tell me what the Council did during half-term and does the Executive member share my concern?

Minutes:

 

I've been very concerned to read on social media about children going hungry in half-term because their parents struggle to feed them lunch. Would the Executive Member tell me what the Council did during half-term and does the Executive Member share my concern?

 

Answer

No child or young person should go hungry. The Council is committed to ensuring that support is available for those families who need it at this very difficult time. 

 

We have been working closely with our voluntary sector partners throughout this pandemic to ensure that access to support is available where needed. For example, our Community Engagement teams have been working with the voluntary sector to run holiday schemes such as the “Grub Club” over the summer.

 

Immediately before October half term, we assessed current support networks, and looked at the feasibility of providing further help, if needed. Support networks were working well, and so we took the decision to concentrate our efforts on planning support over the difficult winter months. We have welcomed the announcement of Winter Grant Scheme funding from the Department of Work and Pensions to support families from December through to March 2021, and we are moving swiftly to put channels in place to deliver support where it is most needed.

 

The Government has made substantial funds available. Wokingham Borough Council is receiving in excess of £200k. That money is to be used between 20 December 2020 and 21 March 2021.

 

The Government has also provided:

 

·           £220m for expansion of the DfE’s Holiday Activities and Food programme to build on the existing programme which supported 50,000 children over the summer and will ensure provision for Easter, summer and Christmas 2021;

·           £63m, committed in June 2020, to assist those struggling to afford food and other essentials, of which Wokingham Borough Council received £77k. This was used as part funding for the £110k costs of care packages distributed by the voluntary sector hub. I can assure you that all Government money passported to the Council is used to support the vulnerable in our community.

 

 

73.4

Philip Cunnington asked the Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Services the following question:

 

Question

Can you tell me the latest situation with Covid-19 within Wokingham?

Minutes:

 

Can you tell me the latest situation with Covid-19 within Wokingham?

 

Answer

The latest situation is that there was an increase in cases last week, with 266 cases recorded over the week up to 12th November 2020. This gives a weekly rate of 155.4 per 100,000.  I should add that Wokingham remains below both the England rate and the South East weekly rate. Our biggest rise in cases was previously amongst the 18 to 30 age group but we now have rising cases in all age groups.

 

On the 19th November there were 1789 confirmed cases of Covid-19 among Wokingham residents since the beginning of the pandemic.  This is a rate of 1045 per 100,000 people considering all cases to date. We remain well below the England average.

 

In response to this the Council has stood up its full emergency response procedures, led by the Chief Executive. These include:

 

·           Covid Marshalls out and about in the Borough working alongside our Public Protection teams;

·           A network of Covid Champions around the Borough;

·           A successful local case tracing service which compliments the national service;

·           We have written to and called all of the vulnerable people in the Borough to check the have all they need;

·           We have dedicated Care Home and Education task forces;

·           We have a Data Team led by our Public Health Consultant to continually monitor the current situation;

·           We continue to work with the voluntary sector, as before, through the ‘One Front Door’.

 

I would like to personally thank all the officers from across the Council, the voluntary sector and the community at large for their efforts here to protect us from this virus. We are in this together and to keep infection rates down it is vital that we keep to the rules and minimise social contact. Remember that support is available from WBC and partners via the One Front Door and, where possible, WBC services are still open for business.

 

Supplementary Question

We are all aware that there was an outbreak of Covid-19 at a care home in Shinfield. Please can you update me and let me know what is happening there?

 

Supplementary Answer

A very significant outbreak occurred in Shinfield. The situation today is that the number of staff who tested positive during the outbreak was 49. The total number of residents who tested positive was 45. So this is the largest local outbreak so far. Sadly, five residents died. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the families involved. Two residents remain poorly and, again, I would like to take the opportunity to pass on my best wishes. At the moment, obviously, this has caused us significant issues in terms of management because, not only do you have the healthcare issues to respond to, but a situation where 49 staff tested positive and had to go home to isolate. This put tremendous pressure on staffing over a crucial period. I should make it clear that,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.4

73.5

Norman Jorgensen asked the Executive Member for Environment and Leisure the following question:

 

Question

At the time of the heavy rain in October I spoke to residents affected and observed the flooding at Egremont Drive, Earley. The culvert and bushes at that point makes a restriction to water flow in the stream which causes the flooding. I wrote to you and the Council at the time, asking that the restriction is removed so that residents are not flooded every time there is heavy rain. I was pleased to hear from an Executive Member that works are planned. Please will you provide me with an update?

Minutes:

 

At the time of the heavy rain in October I spoke to residents affected and observed the flooding at Egremont Drive, Earley. The culvert and bushes at that point makes a restriction to water flow in the stream which causes the flooding. I wrote to you and the Council at the time, asking that the restriction is removed so that residents are not flooded every time there is heavy rain. I was pleased to hear from an Executive Member that works are planned. Please will you provide me with an update?

 

Answer

Firstly, I would like to thank you and Councillor Halsall for turning up so promptly to assess the impact of the flooding in Egremont Drive. Following investigation of the flooding issues, the Council will be removing the concrete culvert in the ditch next to the footpath. In order to do this some tree clearance works are required. This is as a result of the roots of three trees growing into the culvert and exacerbating the blockage, preventing water from flowing downstream.

 

Following inspection by the Council’s Tree Officer, who is satisfied with the removal of the three trees, in the interests of reducing flood risk to nearby properties, it has been arranged for the trees to be removed. The Council’s drainage contractor will then be in a position to remove the culvert.

 

It is hoped that these works will remove the restriction to the flow of water downstream, in turn reducing the risk of further flooding to properties on Egremont Drive. Subject to weather conditions, it is hoped that these works will be completed by Christmas, so there is light at the end of the tunnel.

 

Supplementary Question

One concern I have is that, by doing this work, we might create a problem further downstream as more water will get downstream more quickly. Have you considered that point in the assessment?

 

Supplementary Answer

Yes. We have done some more work and modelling studies to prove that removing the culvert will not cause further flooding downstream. I am confident about the advice given by officers that this should cure the problem.

73.6

Juliet Sherratt asked the Executive Member for Children's Services the following question:

Minutes:

 

How is the Council planning to ensure that no school child suffers holiday hunger - be they under five and not eligible for free school meals or in the gap between the poverty line and free school meal eligibility?

 

Answer

We will work closely with our front line services, our partners (including schools, early years settings and health), and the voluntary sector through the Citizens Advice Bureau to understand how we can best identify those children who are not in receipt of free school meals who need our help. 

 

The Citizens Advice Bureau has acted as the front door into the Covid Community Response service during the pandemic, and is well placed, through its own experience of community need throughout the pandemic, and through its links with other voluntary organisations, to support us alongside our partners in ensuring we reach all children who need our support.

 

It is important that all of us in the Borough, residents and Councillors alike, ensure that no child, no matter what age, goes without food. It is important that it is communicated to me or the CAB. We must never let any child in the Borough go hungry.

 

Supplementary Question

Given the short timescale to the Christmas holidays, how does the Council plan to deliver on the holiday food programme, as promised by the Government and what will this look like for Woodley.

 

Supplementary Answer

I can’t tell you the details as we are presently working out how to do it. Everyone will be treated the same, so there will not be any different arrangements in Woodley. So you will have to bear with me. I promise that we will have this in place in time for Christmas.

 

74.

Petitions

To receive any petitions which Members or members of the public wish to present.

Minutes:

The following member of the public and Members presented petitions in relation to the matters indicated.

 

The Mayor’s decision as to the action to be taken is set out against each petition.

 

Peter Dennis

 

Peter Dennis presented a petition containing 69 signatures requesting a traffic speed review for Montague Park

 

To be passed to the Executive Member for Highways and Transport.

 

Rachel Burgess (on behalf of Nick Fox)

 

Rachel Burgess presented a petition containing 145 signatures requesting a safer pedestrian crossing in Rectory Road and Wiltshire Road.

 

To be passed to the Executive Member for Highways and Transport.

 

Maria Gee

 

Maria Gee presented a petition containing over 500 signatures, requesting the reinstatement of a police station in Wokingham.

 

To be passed to the Executive Member with responsibility for Community Safety.

 

 

Andy Croy

 

Andy Croy presented a petition containing 484 signatures relating to the provision of free school meals during the Christmas holiday period.

 

To be passed to the Executive Member for Children’s Services.

 

 

75.

Presentation by the Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner

To receive a presentation from the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, John Campbell, and the Police and Crime Commissioner, Anthony Stansfeld.

 

The presentation is expected to be approximately 20 minutes in duration, after which there will be an opportunity for Member questions of no more than 10 minutes in duration.

Minutes:

The Council received a presentation from John Campbell (Thames Valley Police Chief Constable), Matthew Barber (Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner) and Felicity Parker (Area Commander, Bracknell and Wokingham).

 

The presentation gave details of additional funding for the force of £8.4m and specific areas of investment including local policing and investigations and contact management. A restructured local policing model and increased patrol numbers had resulted in a 13% increase in arrests and a 58% increase in Stop and Search, which was effective if used appropriately.

 

The presentation gave details of specific operations carried out over the past year including protests and demonstrations (including Black Lives Matter), HS2 – Extinction Rebellion, Operation Venetic (serious organised crime) and the Forbury Gardens murders.

 

In relation to the Covid-19 pandemic, the policing approach had been based on the four E’s – Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce. In relation to Covid-19 offences in the Borough, there had been 73 crimes, 539 incidents and 8 fixed-term penalty notices. There had also been 10 Covid-19 related assaults on police officers in the Borough.

 

Following the presentation, Members asked questions relating to anti-social behaviour, shortfall in police numbers, recruitment of new police officers, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on police priorities and the increased incidence of domestic abuse linked to the pandemic.

 

RESOLVED That:

 

1)     John Campbell, Matthew Barber and Felicity Parker be thanked for attending the meeting;

 

2)     the presentation to Members be noted.

76.

Changes to the Constitution pdf icon PDF 505 KB

To receive a report from the Constitution Review Working Group setting out proposed changes to the Constitution.

 

RECOMMENDATION That Council agree the following changes to the Constitution, as recommended by the Constitution Review Working Group:

 

1)    Section 4.1.1 Policy Framework be amended as set out in Appendix 1 and explained in Paragraph 1 of the report;

 

2)    Section 4.2.17 Record of Attendance be amended as set out in Paragraph 2 of the report;

 

3)    the Virtual Meeting Protocol (an Appendix to Chapter 4) be amended as set out in Paragraph 3 of the report;

 

4)    the Virtual Meeting Protocol be amended as set out in Paragraph 4 of the report;

 

5)    Section 5.1.9.2 be amended as set out in Paragraph 5 of the report;

 

6)    Section 6.1.2.1 Substitutes be amended as set out in Paragraph 6 of the report;

 

7)    the Local Code of Corporate Governance (Appendix 2 to the report and explained in Paragraph 7 of the report) be attached as an appendix to Chapter 9 Ethics and Corporate Governance;

 

8)    that Section 13.3.1.1  Procurement Business Case (including options appraisal) be amended as set out in Paragraph 8 of the report.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered a report from the Constitution Review Working Group which set out proposed changes to the Constitution. The proposals related to:

 

·           The Council’s Policy Framework – suggested amendments to the list of policies which should be taken to full Council for consideration;

 

·           Record of attendance – only those Members who are members of a Committee, asking a question or have been invited to participate to be recorded as being in attendance;

 

·           Virtual Meeting Protocol – amendments relating to voting at virtual meetings (voting twice) and public speaking rights and submission of statements at the Planning Committee;

 

·           The Executive – all supplementary Capital and Revenue Estimates to be considered by the Executive;

 

·           Overview and Scrutiny Committees – entitlement to substitutes for each Group equivalent to the number of seats held on each Committee;

 

·           Local Code of Corporate Governance – to be included in the Constitution as an Appendix to Section 9, Ethics and Corporate Governance;

 

·           Procurement and Contract Rules and Procedures – amendment of table in Section 13 of the Constitution to enable automatic adjustment in line with biennial changes to OJEU Threshold Values.

 

Andy Croy requested that Recommendations 1, 3, 4, 7 and 8 be voted on together with separate votes held on Recommendations 2, 5 and 6, on the grounds that his group could not support the latter recommendations.

 

It was proposed by Stuart Munro and seconded by John Halsall that the recommendations in the report be agreed.

 

Upon being put to the vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED: That the following changes to the Constitution, as recommended by the Constitution Review Working Group, be agreed:

 

1)    Section 4.1.1 Policy Framework be amended as set out in Appendix 1 and explained in Paragraph 1 of the report;

 

2)    Section 4.2.17 Record of Attendance be amended as set out in Paragraph 2 of the report;

 

3)    the Virtual Meeting Protocol (an Appendix to Chapter 4) be amended as set out in Paragraph 3 of the report;

 

4)    the Virtual Meeting Protocol be amended as set out in Paragraph 4 of the report;

 

5)    Section 5.1.9.2 be amended as set out in Paragraph 5 of the report;

 

6)    Section 6.1.2.1 Substitutes be amended as set out in Paragraph 6 of the report;

 

7)    the Local Code of Corporate Governance (Appendix 2 to the report and explained in Paragraph 7 of the report) be attached as an appendix to Chapter 9 Ethics and Corporate Governance;

 

8)    that Section 13.3.1.1  Procurement Business Case (including options appraisal) be amended as set out in Paragraph 8 of the report.

77.

Member Question Time

To answer any member questions

 

A period of 30 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


Minutes:

In accordance with the agreed procedure the Mayor invited Members to submit questions to the appropriate Members

77.1

Guy Grandison asked the Executive Member for Children's Services the following question:

 

Question

What is the Council doing to allow children and their parents to see their prospective schools before applying for their school choices in the unusual circumstances of this year?

 

Minutes:

 

What is the Council doing to allow children and their parents to see their prospective schools before applying for their school choices in the unusual circumstances of this year?

 

Answer

It is a bit tricky, as you know, because of Covid. We sought specific guidance from the Department for Education on this matter. They are saying that the decisions have to be made by the individual schools in line with the individual school’s risk assessment.

 

In the current period of enhanced national restrictions, the Council has advised all schools to move to virtual engagement with prospective parents. 

 

Throughout the pandemic period we have advised against large school gatherings to minimise the potential for community transmission into schools and settings and we have relayed this message to schools several times.  Having said that, each school is supported to make their own determination as to what is safe for their particular setting. So they will have to rely on their own Covid risk assessment.

77.2

Jim Frewin asked the Executive Member for Highways and Transport the following question:

 

Question

I welcome the recently proposed highway changes to Rose Street, a proactive initiative to reduce pedestrian risk. I believe this is a preventative initiative and thankfully not as the result of accidents.

 

Grazeley resident, Simon Cooper, has spoken at several WBC meetings including Feb 2020 Council. 

 

He told us about:

  • 2 fatalities (Jan 17, Jan 20) where vehicles crashed into his property
  • Multiple other non-fatal crashes
  • The effects on his family and the Grazeley community
  • His frustration at the lack of any action. 

 

Nearly 4 years since the first fatal accident, WBC have gathered multiple sets of data, the same data after both fatalities. Frustrated Simon has also captured large amounts of data and video examples.

 

Since the first fatal accident a range of Executive Members, Senior Council and Senior TVP Officers have offered kind words of condolence, support and sympathy to the Coopers and the bereaved families.

 

The reality is however nothing has changed despite this stretch of highway that includes a school and community hall.  My question is why is the proactive and protective approach to resident safety being demonstrated by the Rose Street initiative, not being applied across the whole Borough?

Minutes:

 

I welcome the recently proposed highway changes to Rose Street, a proactive initiative to reduce pedestrian risk. I believe this is a preventative initiative and thankfully not as the result of accidents.

 

Grazeley resident, Simon Cooper, has spoken at several WBC meetings including the February 2020 Council. 

 

He told us about:

 

§   Two fatalities (Jan 2017, Jan 2020) where vehicles crashed into his property;

§   Multiple other non-fatal crashes;

§   The effects on his family and the Grazeley community;

§   His frustration at the lack of any action. 

 

Nearly four years since the first fatal accident, WBC have gathered multiple sets of data, the same data after both fatalities. Frustrated Simon has also captured large amounts of data and video examples.

 

Since the first fatal accident a range of Executive Members, Senior Council and Senior TVP Officers have offered kind words of condolence, support and sympathy to the Coopers and the bereaved families.

 

The reality is, however, that nothing has changed despite this stretch of highway that includes a school and community hall.  My question is why is the proactive and protective approach to resident safety being demonstrated by the Rose Street initiative, not being applied across the whole Borough?

 

Answer

The Council’s position with regard to questions raised by Mr Cooper at previous Council meetings has been very clear. In addition you, as the local Member for Shinfield, have also been made aware of this position, through direct correspondence from officers, advising you of all of the actions and measures taken by the Council, both whilst the outcome of Thames Valley Police criminal investigation was pending and since their conclusions and recommendations were reported to officers.

I must remind you that the officers are not allowed to release the police report to me due to requirements set by the police, but they have assured me that they have acted on all the recommendations in that report, which was received in July 2020. I believe they have told you this as well.

You are correct in saying that we have acknowledged and empathised with the Coopers’ situation following the fatal collision at their property at the start of this year and that officers have collected and calibrated traffic flow and speed data to support both the police investigation and their own professional assessment of viable measures to prevent any reoccurrence of such a collision.

In addition to this, the Council has resurfaced this section of road, refreshed all road markings and, in direct response to the police report, has undertaken maintenance measures to ensure that their speed enforcement team can commence such action, an investment of some £65k, whilst continuing to liaise with police officers and their investigative timescale.  In parallel with this, officers have also undertaken feasibility design of a back-up £100k average speed camera enforcement scheme, which would have to be approved by the police before it is installed, and are continuing work with the Parish Council on gateway signing.

The Council’s statutory duty with respect to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.2

77.3

Alison Swaddle asked the Executive Member for Resident Services, Communications and Emissions the following question:

 

Question

Professor Paul Chatterton of the University of Leeds and a leading national expert on climate change, has already praised our local Climate Emergency Action Plan as an example of best practise nationally, and has said that we are on the right track with our focus areas and actions. 

 

What, therefore is the point of engaging a vast number of our residents in running a wide reaching Citizen’s Assembly in Wokingham Borough? 

 

Surely both the evidence presented and therefore the recommendations received will be similar or identical to those already run by other local authorities nationally and, most notably by the Government via Climate Assembly UK?

Minutes:

 

Professor Paul Chatterton of the University of Leeds and a leading national expert on climate change, has already praised our local Climate Emergency Action Plan as an example of best practise nationally, and has said that we are on the right track with our focus areas and actions. 

 

What, therefore, is the point of engaging a vast number of our residents in running a wide-reaching Citizen’s Assembly in Wokingham Borough? 

 

Surely both the evidence presented and therefore the recommendations received will be similar or identical to those already run by other local authorities nationally and, most notably by the Government via Climate Assembly UK?

 

Answer

The Council is aware of the scale of the challenge that becoming net-zero carbon will bring to all of us and acknowledge that this will not be achieved without the active involvement of the community. Wokingham Borough Council believes our residents have a great insight into the challenges presented by the climate emergency, and that Local Deliberative Processes, such as Citizens’ Assemblies, can empower people and communities to make important decisions in a way that is fair and deeply democratic. 

 

Wokingham Borough Council plans to run a programme of Local Deliberative Process meetings bringing together residents, local businesses, schoolchildren, environmental and social charities and other stakeholders to help investigate, discuss and make recommendations on some of the challenges we face.

 

The programme will comprise a series of small meetings focusing on specific topics that will help to find solutions that will reduce the Borough`s carbon footprint. Many of these topics may be Borough-specific or new to the Borough or may involve seeking solutions to challenges already identified, such as:

 

“How the Council can communicate issues around consumption emissions? And, what measures can be introduced aimed at increasing awareness of these emissions amongst residents?”

 

Or “What should Wokingham Borough Council’s 2030 net-zero carbon vision be and what life in Wokingham Borough would look like? How life in the Borough will be different in terms of our homes, travel, work, leisure time and waste and the way we source food, goods and services?”

 

The Local Deliberative Processes represent an exciting opportunity to engage with our communities and plans will commence in the New Year.

 

Supplementary Question

You have mentioned Local Deliberative Processes a few times in your answer, is this the same or different to a Citizens’ Assembly?

 

Supplementary Answer

On Saturday morning, as part of the Reading Climate Festival, I attended a presentation by Extinction Rebellion specifically on Citizens’ Assemblies, what they are and what they mean.

 

As part of that presentation I learned that Citizens’ Assemblies are just one of many different types of Local Deliberative Processes that can be used to help educate and take action on an important or urgent topic. The Citizens’ Assembly, so I learned, is a fantastic tool for national Governments to make decisions on big, controversial or multi-faceted issues. One was used in Ireland to help decide on the topics of Gay Marriage and also Abortion. Recently, the Climate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.3

77.4

Graham Howe asked the Leader of the Council the following question:

 

Question

The Leader of the Opposition has recently been sending a leaflet to homes across the Borough claiming that the Council’s debt is £700 million. Could the Leader of the Council set out what our debt situation actually is, including where borrowing is generating revenue income to pay for our vital services?

Minutes:

 

The Leader of the Opposition has recently been sending a leaflet to homes across the Borough claiming that the Council’s debt is £700 million. Could the Leader of the Council set out what our debt situation actually is, including where borrowing is generating revenue income to pay for our vital services?

 

Answer

I am indeed aware of such a letter that has been sent out to households across the Borough sent by the Leader of the Opposition, Lindsay Ferris. I was shocked and distraught that such alarming and incredulous mistruths are being infiltrated across our community, especially at a time when it is so important we demonstrate calm and assured leadership to engender assurance and confidence in the work of our Council.

 

Rather than make up fanciful figures intended to alarm our residents in the way Lindsay has chosen to do, let me focus on the facts and the truth. Although I appreciate that it is often extremely inconvenient to the scaremongers amongst us when I do so. I refer you to the recently published Mid-Year Treasury Management Report to be considered by the Audit Committee in November and Executive in November. It is written by our statutory Chief Finance Officer (CFO) and Deputy Chief Executive, the single person in the Council charged to be aware of and report on the veracity of our Financial Management and Financial Standing.

 

Our CFO’s report states that the real external debt in relation to our Council Taxpayers as at 30th September 2020 is £324m which reduces to only £83m net indebtedness after deducting the money we lend out ourselves to others. This means that the figure in Lindsay’s statement is overstated by at least £376m if I wanted to be generous but, in reality the true measure of his overstatement is £617m. Yes, that’s right Councillors, Lindsay has written to our residents overstating the Council’s position of indebtedness by £617m, which is two years of Council receipts.

 

Furthermore, he goes on to state that our borrowing activities are costing our Council Taxpayers (or households) £10,000 each. Turning again to the facts contained in the Mid-Year Treasury Management Report, our CFO says that the financial impact on Council taxpayers is not £10,000 per Council taxpayer but is, in fact, £7.52 for a Band D payer. This is an incredulous overstatement by Lindsay of 133,000 percent.

 

Moving to your specific point, the income from our investment activities financed by borrowing, are also set out in the Treasury Management Report. It shows that over £7.2m per annum is generated from one form or another, most of this attributable to the acquisition of commercial assets and our Wokingham Town Centre Regeneration. Those of you involved in the O&S Scrutiny of our budget preparations will be aware that this figure of £7.2m p.a. income is projected to increase substantially. In addition to this significant and vital income stream needed to fund our essential services, we do of course retain the assets which could be sold to cover  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.4

78.

Minutes of Committee Meetings and Ward Matters

A period of 20 minutes will be allowed for Members to ask questions in relation to the latest circulated volume of Minutes of Meetings and Ward Matters

78.1

Stephen Conway asked the Leader of the Council the follwoing question:

Minutes:

 

Will the Leader of the Council join with me in thanking those local businesses, such as the excellent Emma’s Kitchen in Twyford, which supplied free nutritional meals in the recent half-term holiday to children in receipt of free school meals in term time. I am not, I hasten to add, making a political point and I would appreciate it if the response was also not a political answer. I am merely looking for an acknowledgement of the Council’s gratitude.

 

Answer

We have been very fortunate during the pandemic. Not only have we been fortunate in the excellent and magnificent performance of our officers, but also in the voluntary sector who have supported us, all the Covid groups and all the independent businesses who have supported us. I can only state my very grateful thanks. It has been a proud moment to be the Leader of the Council. It is a really fine Council to be the Leader of.

78.2

Rachel Burgess asked the Executive Member for Highways and Transport the following question:

Minutes:

 

I have a ward question about proposed changes to Rose Street. I am glad to see that action is finally being taken to make the crossing point on Rose Street (between Waitrose and Peach Place) safer. It has been far too dangerous there for too long. However, the proposed solution creates a single lane raised carriageway for the pedestrian crossing point with no right of way for pedestrians, as far as I can see. Priority is given in one direction for traffic but, crucially, priority will not be given for pedestrians. The design also begs the question of how pedestrians will know is standing traffic is giving way for them to cross or giving way to the oncoming traffic. We have heard already this evening that residents have raised the need for pedestrian crossings in other parts of my ward and this is another case in point.

 

So, my question is: will the Council reconsider these proposals and put a proper pedestrian crossing in Rose Street such as a zebra crossing which gives pedestrians priority and puts pedestrians first?

 

Answer

The diagrams that you were sent as a Ward Member, showing the layout of the crossings, are open for consultation. They are not the final drawings. I welcome your comments and will feed them into the mix we receive from residents. We will then come up with the final design.

78.3

Pauline Helliar-Symons asked the Executive Member for Highways and Transport the following question:

Minutes:

 

Road safety is a big issue in one of my roads, the Avenue in Wokingham Without. People park indiscriminately and unsafely on the road where children go to three schools. It took over two years to get to the point where promised consultation with residents actually took place. This was completed last March, with the results being promised to residents several times over the summer. In July they were told that it was imminent. In mid-August they were told that it would be as soon as possible. It has still not been sent. Now, new yellow lines have been put down outside one of the schools and this has exacerbated the problem even further.

 

This issue has been dragging on for over two years. It was first raised in 2018, long before the excuse of the Covid-19 outbreak. Please can you follow this up for me with both residents and officers?

 

Answer

I have a partial answer. If it doesn’t answer all the points in the question please do come back to me.

 

Waiting restrictions to tackle poor parking behaviour in the Avenue were recently amended outside Our Lady’s Preparatory School as part of Amendment 2 to the Borough-wide Traffic Regulation Order. These measures were brought forward in response to local residents’ concerns raised in 2018 and following the process of statutory consultation to which all residents in the Avenue were invited to respond. Unfortunately, that does take quite a long time. The local Member for Wokingham Without will be aware that a second, informal consultation with residents was carried out in March 2020. Residents’ responses to further restrictions being implemented have been mixed with several stating that they do not wish to see any further restrictions. Notwithstanding this, in response to the request from one resident and a local Member, which I assume is you, the Council has recently advertised an intention to introduce a further amendment and will be consulting residents in the Avenue and other residential streets in Crowthorne within the next two weeks.

 

It is important to point out that, whilst residents’ perceptions of poor road safety are acknowledged, the Avenue has a very good safety record. There are some occasional obstructive parking issues against which the Council does not have the power to enforce – that is down to the police – and, as some residents have pointed out, these are short in duration and only to be expected where residents live near to schools where parents drive to drop and collect children. The issues to be addressed are, therefore, much lower urgency than issues to be addressed elsewhere in the Borough. I can assure you that we will follow up. If you have further comments after that I will be happy to take them on board.

78.4

Caroline Smith asked the Executive Member for Highways and Transport the following question:

Minutes:

 

Since the end of the first lockdown, the shopping centre at Chalfont Way – the Plaza – has seen a significant increase in car usage, mostly queuing for the McDonald’s drive through. The Costa coffee shop has added traffic in the car park, which exacerbates this issue. This is before KFC opens. Cars are often seen queuing onto the roundabout, blocking Chalfont Way and affecting access to the BP garage and ASDA. This is seriously impacting on local highways. Please can Highways look into this matter to solve the problem before it becomes dangerous?

 

Answer

I believe that this car park is private, so I am not sure if we will be able to do much about the flow around the car park. I am happy to look at the roads in and out. It may be a planning issue plus Covid-19 is resulting in more people travelling by car, but I am happy to look at it.

78.5

Andy Croy asked the Executive Member for Planning and Enforcement the following question:

Minutes:

 

My question relates to Planning, but it is not about a specific planning application. I wonder whether there is an occasion when a proposed development is likely to change the height of a property quite substantially. As Ward Councillors we have been told that there is nothing we can do about this as the decision is delegated to officers. Is that really the case? Is there really nothing that the Borough can do? What is the origin of this legislation?

 

Answer

You have the opportunity to list it. If it is a delegated decision to officers, that doesn’t mean that you can’t list it. That doesn’t mean that you can’t speak to the officer. That doesn’t mean that you can’t speak to me. That doesn’t mean that you can’t speak to Clare Lawrence. I would exercise all of these first. I do not necessarily agree with you and I don’t know where you got the information from. Let me have a look at the case and we can pick it up later.

79.

Statements by the Leader of the Council, Executive Members and Deputy Executive Members

To receive any statements by the Leader of the Council, Executive Members and Deputy Executive Members.

 

In accordance with Procedure Rule 4.2.23 the total time allocated to this item shall not exceed 20 minutes, and no Member shall speak for more than 5 minutes

Minutes:

 

John Halsall, Leader of the Council

I don’t think that any previous Leader has made the decision to dedicate his or her full time allocation to the issue of the Council’s finances. I am choosing to do this, this evening as I consider it is a matter of extreme importance that our finances are well managed and just as important, that the actual state of our finances are properly understood by Council and by our residents. If our financial health is poor then it is not just an issue of questioning our collective competence in managing such a vital matter, but more fundamentally it brings into question our ability to be a viable entity and provide the critical services we need to for our residents, particularly in such unprecedented challenging times. If the public have no confidence in our financial management, they have no confidence in the Council and the loss of confidence in this Council at such a crucial time in our history would be disastrous.

 

Because of cheap political headlines, the proffering of alarmist messages and pervasive political propaganda intended to mislead our residents, it will I suspect surprise you to know that our Council’s finances are in fact in extremely good health. This is especially true in the context of the recent financial challenges we have faced as a result of the COVID-19, such challenges precipitating claims of insolvency or mass draconian service and staff cuts in other Local Authorities. Although we need to remain financially astute and responsible, our position is a far cry from this terrain.

 

Our financial strength and financial standing is not something that has materialised overnight. In 2002 we, the Conservatives, inherited what can only be described as a financial crisis following a period of mismanagement by the Liberal Democrats. We had perilous balances at only £2.3m, an uncontrolled overspend of £1.0m and had to act quickly to arrest a fatal decline into insolvency. Eighteen years of responsible Conservative leadership has, amongst other things, been devoted to restoring, maintaining and enhancing this Council’s financial wellbeing. This has entailed replenishing balances to a safe level of approximately £10m, delivering efficiencies of many million pounds year on year, generating new income sources through our commercially minded activities, whilst investing at unprecedented levels in key priorities such as Highways, Affordable Housing and Climate Change. We were financially strong and resilient coming into COVID-19 and that was despite years of austerity from 2008 when we faced continual escalating statutory care costs and severe reductions in Government funding. It is this financial resilience that has enabled us to step up in the ways we have needed to for our community throughout this pandemic.

 

This is not just me making fanciful misleading statements in the way that some have chosen to do. This is our financial track record and financial health is based on facts and on the reports of external experts. Our Medium Term Financial Plan agreed at this Council meeting only February this year states the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

80.

Motions

To consider any motions

 

In accordance with Procedure Rule 4.2.11.2 a maximum period of 30 minutes will be allowed for each Motion to be moved, seconded and debated, including dealing with any amendments.  At the expiry of the 30-minute period debate will cease immediately, the mover of the Motion or amendment will have the right of reply before the Motion or amendment is put to the vote


80.1

Motion 444 submitted by Maria Gee

 

A carer with a buggy, a blind or partially sighted child, a teenager who has difficulty processing everyday sensory information, and a mobility scooter user, all use our pavements to access our shops, services and businesses. All residents should be able to move unhindered along our streets, without having to negotiate unnecessary pavement obstructions, such as pavement advertising. Unhindered access for all our residents will encourage more use of our shops and services and invigorate our town centres, benefitting businesses.

 

Residents look to us as a Council to change policies, procedures and practices that are discriminatory, and to take reasonable steps to enable disabled people and others with protected characteristics to avoid substantial disadvantages caused by physical features.

 

Under the Public Sector Equality Duty, public authorities are required to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination. Not taking action on street obstructions may also breach the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with a Disability.

 

It is not an option to leave things as they are, which is a one page guidance document for traders that is not resourced or enforced and which pays scant regard to equalities and human rights responsibilities, highways and road traffic legislation, planning law and guidance, and ignores our local context including our conservation areas.

 

This Council resolves to:

  • Consult with local charities, voluntary organisations, residents’ groups and business representatives to develop policies, procedures and practices with respect to (i) pavement advertising and (ii) street and café furniture, to eliminate unlawful discrimination against residents with protected characteristics.
  • Develop, working cross party, a street charter by no later than 31 December 2020, that puts a ‘clear highway’ policy at the heart of decision-making and specifically addresses each of the above two areas of street obstruction.
  • Develop, working cross party, policies, practices and procedures, that are resourced and enforced, no later than 31 March 2021 that specifically address the above two areas of street obstruction.
  • Implement and monitor the adopted policies, procedures and practices from 1 April 2021, report on their successes or failures on an annual basis, and make improvements.

Minutes:

The Council considered the following Notice of Motion, submitted by Maria Gee and seconded by Imogen Shepherd-Dubey:

 

A carer with a buggy, a blind or partially sighted child, a teenager who has difficulty processing everyday sensory information, and a mobility scooter user, all use our pavements to access our shops, services and businesses. All residents should be able to move unhindered along our streets, without having to negotiate unnecessary pavement obstructions, such as pavement advertising. Unhindered access for all our residents will encourage more use of our shops and services and invigorate our town centres, benefitting businesses.

 

Residents look to us as a Council to change policies, procedures and practices that are discriminatory, and to take reasonable steps to enable disabled people and others with protected characteristics to avoid substantial disadvantages caused by physical features.

 

Under the Public Sector Equality Duty, public authorities are required to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination. Not taking action on street obstructions may also breach the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with a Disability.

 

It is not an option to leave things as they are, which is a one page guidance document for traders that is not resourced or enforced and which pays scant regard to equalities and human rights responsibilities, highways and road traffic legislation, planning law and guidance, and ignores our local context including our conservation areas.

 

This Council resolves to:

 

·           Consult with local charities, voluntary organisations, residents’ groups and business representatives to develop policies, procedures and practices with respect to (i) pavement advertising and (ii) street and café furniture, to eliminate unlawful discrimination against residents with protected characteristics.

·           Develop, working cross-party, a street charter by no later than 15 January 2021, that puts a ‘clear highway’ policy at the heart of decision-making and specifically addresses each of the above two areas of street obstruction.

·           Develop, working cross party, policies, practices and procedures, that are resourced and enforced, no later than 31 March 2021 that specifically address the above two areas of street obstruction.

·           Implement and monitor the adopted policies, procedures and practices from 1 April 2021, report on their successes or failures on an annual basis, and make improvements.

 

Pauline Jorgensen stated that she supported the principle of ensuring that pavements were not obstructed. However, she was forced to oppose the Motion as the Council already had a policy (approved in 2018) on ‘A’ Boards. That policy stated that the needs of the public to pass and re-pass safely when using a public area were paramount and the following requirements must be met at all times when positioning ‘A’ boards in any place to which the public had access. This included:

 

     Freedom of movement for the disabled;

     Freedom of movement for pushchairs;

     Flow of pedestrians;

     Access for emergency vehicles at all times.

 

The policy stated that ‘A’ Boards would only be tolerated on pavements where sufficient width of footway could be left clear to ensure safe passage for pedestrian/wheelchair  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.1

80.2

Continuation of the Meeting

Minutes:

At this point in the meeting, 10.10pm, in accordance with Procedure Rule 4.2.12 (m), the Council considered a Motion to continue the meeting beyond 10.30pm for a maximum of 30 minutes to enable further business on the Agenda to be transacted. The Motion was proposed by Prue Bray and seconded by Stephen Conway.

 

On being put to the vote, the Motion was declared by the Mayor to be lost.

80.3

Motion 445 submitted by Gary Cowan

 

The continued failure of recent Council meetings to conclude the agenda business suggests that the existing democratic process has failed. As a direct result of this Wokingham Borough's Residents and their Borough Council elected Members have been let down very badly. To correct this serious democratic failure and get the Council back on track this Council must immediately programme in as many additional Council meetings as is required to get Council business up to date.

Minutes:

The Council considered the following Notice of Motion, submitted by Gary Cowan and seconded by Jim Frewin.

 

“The continued failure of recent Council meetings to conclude the agenda business suggests that the existing democratic process has failed. As a direct result of this Wokingham Borough's Residents and their Borough Council elected Members have been let down very badly. To correct this serious democratic failure and get the Council back on track this Council must immediately programme in as many additional Council meetings as is required to get Council business up to date.”

 

In accordance with section 4.2.15.5 of the Constitution, six Members requested that a recorded vote be held. The voting was as follows:

 

For

Against

Abstain

Rachel Bishop-Firth

Parry Batth

Keith Baker

Shirley Boyt

Laura Blumenthal

Malcolm Richards

Prue Bray

Chris Bowring

 

Rachel Burgess

Jenny Cheng

 

Stephen Conway

UllaKarin Clark

 

Gary Cowan

Michael Firmager

 

Andy Croy

Charlotte Haitham Taylor

 

Richard Dolinski

John Halsall

 

Carl Doran

Pauline Helliar-Symons

 

Lindsay Ferris

Emma Hobbs

 

Paul Fishwick

Graham Howe

 

Jim Frewin

Pauline Jorgensen

 

Maria Gee

John Kaiser

 

David Hare

Dianne King

 

Clive Jones

Abdul Loyes

 

Tahir Maher

Charles Margetts

 

Adrian Mather

Ken Miall

 

Andrew Mickleburgh

Stuart Munro

 

Imogen Shepherd-Dubey

Gregor Murray

 

Rachelle Shepherd-Dubey

Barrie Patman

 

Caroline Smith

Angus Ross

 

 

Daniel Sargeant

 

 

Chris Smith

 

 

Wayne Smith

 

 

Bill Soane

 

 

Alison Swaddle

 

 

Simon Weeks

 

 

Upon being put to the vote, the Motion was declared by the Mayor to be lost.

80.4

Motion 446 submitted by Clive Jones

 

There needs to be a fundamental change in how we generate and consume energy in all aspects of our lives. Both electricity generation and distribution are undergoing rapid evolution, in both shape and scale. The distribution grid, must now cope with power flows in both directions.  In scale, electrification of heat and transport will require a quadrupling of electricity capacity. Local, community-based energy schemes can make a significant contribution to addressing both issues and encourage a sense of local empowerment to tackle climate change.

 

Community schemes encourage local generation and storage to match local demand thus relieving pressure on the grid. Local schemes would be given new impetus and be able to contribute more renewable energy if local people could buy their electricity directly from local suppliers. But the disproportionate cost of meeting regulatory approvals makes it impossible to be a local energy supplier at a local scale and so, under the current system, this local energy gets sold back to the central grid.

 

The Local Electricity Bill is a private members’ bill with cross-party support that was introduced unopposed in June 2020. If this Bill was passed in Parliament it would give the energy regulator, OFGEM, a duty to create a Right to Local Supply. This would enable local community energy groups to achieve their vision of supplying generated energy back to the local area, help us as a Council to meet our carbon reduction aspirations for the Borough, and also bring multiple benefits to the local community. It is supported by many stakeholders, local authorities, and town councils and currently has the backing of 208 MPs.

Council Agrees to:

 

  • Resolve to support the Bill.
  • Authorise the Leader to contact our MPs to discuss their support for the Bill and how they can enable its passage into law.
  • Authorise the Chief Executive to write to the Minister of State for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, supporting the aims of the Bill and asking for these aims to be taken into account in the forthcoming Energy White Paper.

Minutes:

Due to time constraints, this Motion was not considered.

80.5

Motion 447 submitted by Gregor Murray

 

Building on our commitment to planting 250,000 new trees, this Council commits to achieving Tree Cities of the World status for our Borough as part of the creation of a Borough wide Tree Strategy.

 

This will be done by:

 

1)         Maintaining clear responsibility within the Council for the care of trees across our Borough.

 

2)         Agreeing a policy for the care and management of our forests and trees across the Borough. This must include standards for tree care, where and when they apply and penalties for noncompliance.

 

3)         Work with external partners to create and maintain an inventory of the local tree resource so that effective long-term planning for planting, care and removal can be established.

 

4)         Setting aside an annual budget for the implementation of the tree management strategy and management plan.

 

5)         Hold an annual celebration of our Borough’s trees and acknowledge the residents schools, charities and Council staff that contribute to our city tree programme.

 

6)         Create a ‘Garden Forest’ program to allow residents the opportunity to plant some of our 250,000 new tree commitment in their own gardens.

 

7)         Develop a continuous education process aimed at informing residents of the importance of trees, tree planting and tree protection and how best to care for the trees in their own gardens and communities.

 

Minutes:

Due to time constraints, this Motion was not considered.

80.6

Motion 448 submitted by Prue Bray

This Council recognises that the economic impact of the continuing pandemic is likely to lead to further increases in child poverty and notes the very welcome commitment from Councils of different political persuasions in to guarantee free school meal provision for school holidays until at least Easter 2021,

This Council therefore supports the calls by the Child Food Poverty Task Force, supported by Marcus Rashford and many leading food suppliers and producers, for:

·         The expansion of free school meals provision to every child whose family is in receipt of Universal Credit or equivalent, or with a low-income and no recourse to public funds.

·         That provision be made for food vouchers to cover school holidays and periods of lockdown for all families in receipt of Universal Credit or with low-income and no recourse to public funds.

·         That Healthy Start vouchers should be increased in value to £4.25, and expanded to be made available to all those in receipt of Universal Credit or with a low-income and no recourse to public funds.

This Council therefore resolves

a)    to write to the Secretary of State for Education and the Chancellor to call for: 

1.    Extending eligibility for free school meals to every pupil whose parents or guardians are in receipt of Universal Credit

2.    Food vouchers for every one of those pupils in every school holiday and during any period of lockdown

3.    Extending eligibility for free school meals to pupils from low-income families whose parents or guardians have no recourse to public funds and destitute asylum seekers under s4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

And

b)    To cover the cost of Free School Meals for those entitled to them during the Christmas 2020 and February 2021 school holidays as a stop gap in the absence of Government support.

 

Minutes:

Due to time constraints, this Motion was not considered.

80.7

Motion 449 submitted by Andy Croy

 

Council believes the Executive should commission a Citizens’ Assembly on the Climate Emergency.

 

A Citizens’ Assembly on the Wokingham Borough response to the Climate Emergency is required to address the hard choices which need to be made if the Borough is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.

 

To be effective and credible, the Citizens’ Assembly must be independent of the Executive and political parties.

 

The Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) approved by Council on 23rd July 2020 has a significant gap between the carbon savings required and the carbon savings which are identified in the CEAP.

 

Council also notes the serious criticisms of the CEAP contained in the Overview and Scrutiny Management Task and Finish Group full report on the CEAP presented to the Executive on 29th October 2020.

 

Council also supports the following statements on the Local Government Association and UK Parliament websites:

 

The Local Government Association website states:
A citizens' assembly is a collection of individuals selected to be representative of the wider population”.

 

The UK Parliament website identifies several key features of a Citizens Assembly including “assembly members are representative of the wider population” and “independent facilitation: the assembly is not facilitated by the organisation that commissioned the assembly.”

 

Links to these sources and other resources can be found here:

https://www.wokinghamlabourparty.org/green-vision/why-we-need-a-citizens-assembly-on-the-climate-emergency/

Minutes:

Due to time constraints, this Motion was not considered.