Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were submitted from Richard Dolinski, Lindsay Ferris, Charlotte Haitham Taylor, Graham Howe, Ian Pittock and Oliver Whittle.

The Mayor referred to the 75^th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. The Council stood in silence to honour the memory of the 1.1 million people who died there.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 19 September 2019.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council, held on 19 September 2019, were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To receive any declarations of interest

Pauline Jorgensen declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 59.1 – Motion on the expansion of Heathrow Airport.

Councillor Jorgensen stated that she would withdraw from the meeting during the consideration of this item.

To receive any announcements by the Mayor

The Mayor presented awards to the latest recipients of The Mayor’s Roll of Honour.

The first recipient was Dennis Eyriey, former Chairman of Wokingham United Charities. The organisation provided help for local residents living in poverty or distress by providing significant charitable grants to local charities and groups and access to semi-sheltered almshouses.

The second recipient was South Lake Angling Club (represented by Martin Hopgood). The club had spent the past 30 years working to improve South Lake, making it an excellent local amenity. The club also provided fishing lessons for young people and acted as a link between residents and the lake. 

The Mayor also announced that a charity fundraising event, in support of DEBRA (the Mayor’s charity) would be held on 28 March 2020. Details of the event would be circulated to Members shortly.

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

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

In accordance with procedure Rule 4.2.12 n) it was moved by the Mayor and seconded by the Deputy Mayor that, due to the number of public questions, the time available for consideration of this item be extended from 30 to 45 minutes.

On being put to the vote, the Motion was approved.

Question

What policies have been put in place by Wokingham Borough Council to ensure that their Gender Pay Gap of 13.9% for 2018/9 will be reduced to the local government national average of 6.1% or less (to keep it more in line with their neighbouring authority's Gender Pay Gaps of 2.9 % for Reading Borough Council and -0.7% for Oxford) by 2019/20?

What policies have been put in place by Wokingham Borough Council to ensure that their Gender Pay Gap of 13.9% for 2018/9 will be reduced to the local government national average of 6.1% or less (to keep it more in line with their neighbouring authority's Gender Pay Gaps of 2.9 % for Reading Borough Council and -0.7% for Oxford) by 2019/20?

Answer

Our flexible working policies and significant opportunities for part-time working, primarily in roles within the lower pay quartiles, means that we are attractive as an employer to primary carers, who in the main continue to be women.  This is unlikely to change significantly unless there is a society shift with more men taking on this role and seeking part time work.

In addition to this, we are unable to compare ourselves to neighbouring local authorities as we have outsourced all the lower graded positions that are typically filled by men. Reading and Oxford still deliver these services in house.

Our Equality Action Plan, which is reviewed annually, assesses pay alongside all other employment factors and other protected characteristics to ensure that the workplace is discrimination free for all.

It is also worth noting that our highest paid member of staff is female as are three out of five of our senior leadership team.

Question

What advice or organisations has the Council consulted or is planning to consult, to ensure an informed action plan, drawing on best practice and research, is put in place to address Wokingham Borough Council's gender pay gap?

What advice or organisations has the Council consulted or is planning to consult, to ensure an informed action plan, drawing on best practice and research, is put in place to address Wokingham Borough Council's gender pay gap?

Answer

The Council has no plans, at present, to consult with external organisations to address the gender pay gap. However, we do work with the other Berkshire authorities and discuss the gender pay gap and share best practice and action plans with them.

Supplementary Question

Has the Council consulted this very straightforward 12 page document from the Government Equalities Office which gives practical advice on how to put in place measures to address the gender pay gap? The measures they suggest are evidence based. Have you consulted this document at all?

Supplementary Answer

I’m afraid that I can’t answer that question, but I can come back to you. I am sure that, if we haven’t, we will.

Question

Does the Member for Children’s Services have an idea on how many young carers we have that look after adults in their family?

Does the Member for Children’s Services have an idea on how many young carers we have that look after adults in their family?

Answer

In Wokingham we support the Wokingham Young Carers service to work with young carers across the Borough.  Young carers are identified through a variety of sources such as schools, GP’s and Social Workers. Others will be referred directly to the Young Carers service and some will come through our Front Door and Early Help services and be connected with the Young Carers service.

Presently, the Young Carers service are working with 171 young people who care for family members who can include parents, siblings and other relatives. These young people provide amazing support to their families, but this means that they may miss out on social activities with their peers, or struggle with their studies. This is why we commission the Wokingham Young Carers service to work with and support them.

Question

As evidence of the lessons which WBC have learned from both the judicial remarks about WBC’s conduct as well as the critical comments contained in the Lingard Report, will the Leader of the Council please provide a precise and detailed list of the changes to WBC procedures and organisational structure which have now been made and are being implemented as a result of the collapse, before Reading Crown Court and endorsed by the Court of Appeal, of the Breach of Enforcement case against Hare Hatch Sheeplands?

As evidence of the lessons which WBC have learned from both the judicial remarks about WBC’s conduct as well as the critical comments contained in the Lingard Report, will the Leader of the Council please provide a precise and detailed list of the changes to WBC procedures and organisational structure which have now been made and are being implemented as a result of the collapse, before Reading Crown Court and endorsed by the Court of Appeal, of the Breach of Enforcement case against Hare Hatch Sheeplands?

Answer

The primary issue before the court and addressed by the independent Lingard Review was not whether the Council should have enforced against the flagrant breaches of planning control at Hare Hatch Sheeplands but whether there was a legitimate reason why the owner of the site should not be prosecuted for this under criminal law.

The Council has been successful in all its actions against Hare Hatch Sheeplands to enforce against unlawful development in the greenbelt, including securing a high court injunction to force compliance with the enforcement notice.

The Council has adopted a robust approach to planning enforcement following the Silvester Review, which I understand was instigated partly in response to your prolonged criticism that Council was not forceful enough in addressing breaches of planning control. I understand that you were involved in this review and endorsed its recommendations which were that the Council should take a tougher stance against unlawful development in the Borough such as that at Harehatch Sheeplands.

Reading Crown Court, in considering the proceeds of crime application, found that WBC may have induced the site owner to withdraw the enforcement appeal, thereby acting to his prejudice in 2014. If this were the case, this would have constituted an abuse of process and, therefore, was a defence against prosecution.

This issue was the basis of the independent Lingard review, which disagreed with the judgement concluding that “the Council did not, either through its elected Members or its Officers induce Mr Scott (either by intentional design or default) to act to his detriment by withdrawing his appeal against an Enforcement Notice.”

The judge considered whether POCA had been used as a justification for prosecution proceedings. The Lingard Review considered that this was not the case.

Both the court judgments and the Lingard Review did highlight several lessons for the future, particularly the role of Members in planning matters.

Supplementary Question

Would the Leader please continue with what he was saying?

Supplementary Answer

We have established a new structure with what, we consider to be, the best legal brains and a considerable case management process.

This case highlights how this can leave the Council vulnerable to misrepresentation and misinterpretation. Several procedural issues were brought to light which have been addressed as follows:-

·                An IT system to hold case records has been implemented;

·                Additional training has been undertaken  and further training is arranged to address POCA and Disclosure;

·                Officer Advice Notes and report templates have been updated.

So we feel that we wouldn’t  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.4

Question

Our road surfaces deteriorate because of traffic and weather. Given the onset of winter and sub-zero temperatures what new, innovative and improved repair trends are currently being used to ensure that the volume and quality of repairs of potholes continues with minimal disruption to local residents and road users?

Our road surfaces deteriorate because of traffic and weather. Given the onset of winter and sub-zero temperatures what new, innovative and improved repair trends are currently being used to ensure that the volume and quality of repairs of potholes continues with minimal disruption to local residents and road users?

Answer

The Council have re-introduced surface treatments into the structural maintenance programme. This includes the use of micro asphalt and surface dressing treatments. These treatments are far less invasive than the traditional resurfacing which, therefore, reduces the impact to local residents. The treatments are also significantly cheaper than resurfacing the road and will extend the longevity of the asset by up to 7-10 years.

We are looking at innovative ways of repairing potholes and surface damage via the use of jet patching. Jet patching allows us to blast out detritus from potholes which are then sealed automatically. The patch is then baked by a mobile infra-red machine which means that no-one has to leave the vehicle. We are trialling this at the moment and it has been relatively successful for temporary patches. It is not a permanent solution but it allows a temporary fix until we can get around to fixing potholes permanently.

Question

We are in the midst of an environmental and ecological crisis. This crisis threatens the future of our planet to the extent that we may not have a liveable planet in the not too distant future for future generations to enjoy as we do. Scientists estimate that the worst effects of climate change will begin in just 10 years’ time, at which point an irreversible chain reaction of disaster will be set off; yet already we are suffering in the grip of the climate emergency. 2019 was the 2nd hottest year on record on this planet, beaten in 2016 by just 0.04 degrees. In the past few weeks lots of media attention has been brought to the bushfires raging in Australia, and the floods across the UK, and the list goes on. To combat this, urgent action must be taken in the next decade. On 18th July last year, this Council declared a climate emergency, yet it continues to support the expansion of Heathrow Airport.

To what extent do you agree that this Council’s current policy of support for the Heathrow Airport expansion is in direct contradiction of its declaration of climate emergency?

We are in the midst of an environmental and ecological crisis. This crisis threatens the future of our planet to the extent that we may not have a liveable planet in the not too distant future for future generations to enjoy as we do. Scientists estimate that the worst effects of climate change will begin in just 10 years’ time, at which point an irreversible chain reaction of disaster will be set off; yet already we are suffering in the grip of the climate emergency. 2019 was the 2nd hottest year on record on this planet, beaten in 2016 by just 0.04 degrees. In the past few weeks lots of media attention has been brought to the bushfires raging in Australia, and the floods across the UK, and the list goes on. To combat this, urgent action must be taken in the next decade. On 18th July last year, this Council declared a climate emergency, yet it continues to support the expansion of Heathrow Airport.

To what extent do you agree that this Council’s current policy of support for the Heathrow Airport expansion is in direct contradiction of its declaration of climate emergency?

Answer

I agree with you that we are in the middle of an environmental crisis and I am proud to be leading this piece of work on behalf of the Council following the declaration of a Climate Emergency.

On Heathrow Airport there is a very important distinction to make. We were asked to feed into a consultation, which we did in September 2019. What we fed back was that we could only support the expansion of Heathrow Airport if it could be proven to be carbon neutral. We set out three distinct criteria upon which that would be measured. We specifically said that Heathrow needed to prove that they could reduce emission of greenhouse gases, including carbon emissions and demonstrate a clear pathway to carbon neutrality by all means. We said that they had to be able to demonstrate, through monitoring, that any increase in the number of overflights over Wokingham Borough would have no adverse effects on the health and quality of life of our residents. We also said that they had to make provision in order to upgrade the western rail access with associated improvements to Twyford Station and be able to get their employees and passengers to and from the airport in a more carbon neutral manner. If those conditions are not being met this Council does not support the expansion of Heathrow Airport.

Those were the conditions that we put in place and while they are not being met we do not support it. If they are being met and Heathrow can prove that they are developing in a carbon neutral manner that will not affect our Climate Emergency then and only then does this Council support the expansion of Heathrow Airport.

Question

You have recognised that we are in a state of climate emergency already, since declaring it as one, however it is clear that action is not taking place fast enough, and the issue is not being responded to as that of an emergency - Since Wokingham has the highest car ownership in the country, why hasn’t the current agenda mentioned congestion charges or road pricing?

You have recognised that we are in a state of climate emergency already, since declaring it as one, however it is clear that action is not taking place fast enough, and the issue is not being responded to as that of an emergency - Since Wokingham has the highest car ownership in the country, why hasn’t the current agenda mentioned congestion charges or road pricing?

Answer

You are correct. We do have the highest car ownership of any borough in the country. The thing that we have got to understand is that solving the carbon footprint that comes from cars isn’t going to happen by putting in place punitive penalties for people driving their cars. We need to understand why they are making those journeys in the first place. So we need to look at the way in which people commute around our Borough. How they get from their houses to stations, how they get from their houses to their places of work. We need to look at the way that you and your friends and your teachers get to and from school in a safe and appropriate manner. We need to look at the way that people do their shopping. We need to look at the way people make their leisure journeys around the Borough.

There are we things that we can do. The Council itself already has a policy whereby Officers are able to work at home on a certain number of days each week. This means less vehicles coming to this building, less people putting emissions into the atmosphere. We are going to be working with businesses in the Borough to deliver that objective through them as well using initiatives such as our Fit for Business event and using the communications that go out from teams within the Council.

There are other things that we can do as well. For example, the work of the My Journey team which will come and visit homes across the Borough and work through a personalised travel plan that will help reduce the number of vehicles used, the number of car journeys made and will help residents to use alternative modes of transport such as walking, cycling and using buses. We are building greenways to help cycling and walking become more commonplace in the Borough but the thing you have to remember is that, easy as it would be to put in penalties for people driving, it doesn’t solve the reason why they are doing it in the first place. That is what we want to do with this plan.

Supplementary Question

I understand that that is the problem, but we need to find a solution. I think that money needs to go towards solutions as they won’t happen out of nowhere and we don’t have a big pot of money to spend. I think that a reason and a way to get money would be from ideas such as road pricing, charging the people creating emissions from fossil fuels so  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.7

Question

The climate emergency was declared last year by Wokingham Council to stop the climate temperature rising 1.5°C. You have therefore made it abundantly clear that you care about this prominent and rising issue. So I would like to ask you, how would you normally travel to meetings like these and what type of transport did you use to arrive here tonight?

The climate emergency was declared last year by Wokingham Council to stop the climate temperature rising 1.5°C. You have therefore made it abundantly clear that you care about this prominent and rising issue. So I would like to ask you, how would you normally travel to meetings like these and what type of transport did you use to arrive here tonight?

Answer

I walked here tonight. I aim to walk to 50% of the meetings I have here in the Council. I walked to the Group meeting we had here last week. I walked to the Overview and Scrutiny meeting that I attended yesterday. I walked to the Executive meeting that we had last week as well. Whenever possible, my aim is to walk to this Council. I don’t always achieve it. Sometimes I come directly from work.

I know that many of my colleagues, across all Groups, are making conscious efforts to car share in order to get here tonight. You have to remember that this is a rural Borough. The Leader of the Council lives 11 miles away. He said to me the other day that, if he was going to walk here he would have needed to leave on Tuesday!

We don’t have a public transport network that covers the entirety of the Borough. We need to work on that. As I have already said, we need to find other ways to move people around our Borough and that starts with each of us making a conscious effort to reduce the number of journeys we make in our cars every day by ourselves.

Question

I am a student at the Bulmershe School Woodley. I am writing this because I’m concerned for the future of our planet as well as my own. I live in Reading but I have noticed that both in Reading and Wokingham our green spaces have been gradually decreasing. I know that all of you here are just as concerned as I am and will take my question into consideration. So my question to you is: how will you be able to make the greenery in our area more effective for reducing our carbon emissions in our community?

I am a student at the Bulmershe School Woodley. I am writing this because I’m concerned for the future of our planet as well as my own. I live in Reading but I have noticed that both in Reading and Wokingham our green spaces have been gradually decreasing. I know that all of you here are just as concerned as I am and will take my question into consideration. So my question to you is: how will you be able to make the greenery in our area more effective for reducing our carbon emissions in our community?

Answer

I too am really passionate about protecting our green spaces. I have two young children and the reason I am here is to make sure that when they inherit our community, in 15/20 years’ time, those green spaces will still exist for them to enjoy, access and utilise. The great news is that we are already doing a lot to protect the green spaces you refer to. There is more we can do as a direct result of declaring a Climate Emergency which we did last July.

The Council has already started to manage the roadside verges and some of our public green spaces less intensively, including adding wildflower cultivation, in order to encourage more carbon sequestration and create more biodiversity net gain, particularly for species such as bees that are so vital for our environment. This process will also help to improve soil quality which then helps to work as a carbon sink.

As a result of declaring a Climate Emergency we are also able to set more stringent targets as part of our Local Plan Update, which is going on at the moment, to ensure that when hedgerows and trees are cut down for development they are replaced with more that grow in the long run and benefit our environment.

As part of the Climate Emergency Action Plan, which I will be presenting later this evening, we are looking to create new woodland. We are looking to work with the Woodland Trust to plant 250,000 new tress across the Borough. The Council is also seeking to support and replicate some very exciting schemes that are being developed by the Towns and Parishes. To name just a couple, Wokingham Town Council are currently installing green areas on the top of bus stops that will encourage wildlife and help to bring down our carbon footprint. Woodley Town Council have declared a Climate Emergency themselves and are going to be installing moss canopies in order to bring down their carbon footprint as well. There is more that can be done elsewhere too.

In response to the declaration of the Climate Emergency last July, Wokingham Council wants to become carbon neutral by 2030. We are all aware many drastic changes need to be made in order to meet this target. The Council can influence schools’ carbon footprint and even though we, the Bulmershe School, have solar panels on a few school buildings much more needs to be done. What concrete measures is the Council going to implement to make the local schools carbon neutral?

Answer

The great news is that we already have a carbon neutral school in Wokingham Borough. St Marys Shinfield has just won a gold award from the One Carbon Trust which is part of the UN Climate Now programme. They have just received the award in the past few weeks.

I have already announced a programme to upgrade solar panels on the roofs of our schools. Linked to that, we are going to be looking at initiatives that will include energy audits for all our schools in order to make upgrades to insulation, light bulb efficiency, etc. We are approving the equipment and, therefore, we are improving energy efficiency. But that is only part of the solution. We need to encourage pupils like yourselves to work with the staff to adopt new approaches and actively seek ways to reduce schools’ carbon footprints. This includes the way that you and your friends and teachers travel to school in the morning and how you get home in the evenings.

The Council is working with schools to develop awareness campaigns which will include adopting climate friendly behaviours, increasing recycling and reducing waste of all kinds. The other thing we are doing is to hold our first WBC Climate Conference in March 2020. It will be held during the school holidays and is aimed entirely at secondary school pupils. You will be invited to attend on behalf of your schools. There will be speakers from Oxfam and Reading University along with other experts who will be able to talk directly to the challenges that our climate faces and the role you can play in solving this problem and working with us to reduce our carbon footprint in the long run.

Supplementary Question

Don’t you think that schools should be leading the ecological change to encourage students to engage and, therefore, make more changes and take it upon themselves to take action, seeing as they are the future generation?

Supplementary Answer

I do agree with you that schools need to be leading the way in terms of Climate Emergency, but I actually believe that all of our residents have a role to play in leading on Climate Emergency. That is why I instigated the Climate Emergency Consultation in order to receive ideas from across the Borough in terms of how we can bring down our carbon footprint. But, there is more that can be done. The Climate Conference will be a two-way process. It is your opportunity to feed in ideas to us, having  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.10

Does the Leader of the Council agree that the Climate Emergency Action Plan is weak, vague and contains few of the attributes of a viable Management Plan and that it should be returned for a complete revision before it is approved by Council?

Answer

At a Council meeting on 18th July 2019, Wokingham Borough Council agreed a motion declaring a climate emergency.  The declaration set out the Council’s commitment to play as full a role as possible in achieving a carbon-neutral Wokingham Borough by 2030 and to report progress to Council within six months, setting out an initial plan of action.

As a working document this plan reports our progress and lays out the initial steps of our journey to working towards achieving a net zero carbon Borough. It was not the intention to develop a comprehensive project or ‘management’ plan.

The Climate Emergency Action Plan has: established the Borough’s climate footprint from where we will measure all future activity, announced a budget of £50 million for carbon reduction projects over the next three years and established eight priority areas of focus for the Council actions to reduce carbon dioxide emissions over the coming years. These include tackling carbon dioxide emissions from transport, reducing energy use in domestic properties, generating renewable energy, planting more trees and encouraging behaviour change.

The Council consulted with Wokingham Borough businesses and specialist consultants all of whom gave positive feedback on our plans. The Government funded Greater South East Energy Hub fed back that the plan demonstrates that Wokingham Borough Council is a leading Local Authority in this field and suggested that the plan should be shared with other local authorities as an example of good practice.

The Climate Emergency Action Plan is a high-level programme of activities and work streams to begin our journey towards a zero-carbon future.  The extent of these actions will require the appropriate project and programme management frameworks to ensure effective delivery and corresponding monitoring. We have set up working groups for each of these priority areas which will support the delivery of the action plan.

An annual Climate Emergency Progress Report will be developed with a programme that stretches out until 2030. We will set up more manageable timeframes of work to support delivery of the action plan, whilst being able to respond to both policy and resourcing changes at a national and potentially international level. In essence, it is a dynamic plan which represents a first step, so no, I don’t agree.

Supplementary Question

I would like to thank the Executive Member for the work done so far. I would like to be assured, and he has partly assured me, that proper programme management will be used in this really important, major and expensive endeavour.

Supplementary Answer

I assure you that we take this very seriously. I have been a tree hugger all my life and I shall probably die a tree hugger. We are determined to do whatever we can and, as we are not national government  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.11

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

The following member of the public presented a petition in relation to the matter indicated.

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

To consider the proposed Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy as recommended by the Executive.

RECOMMENDATION:  The Executive recommends that Council approve Wokingham Borough Council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024.

The Council considered a report, set out at Agenda pages 59 to 108, which gave details of the proposed Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020/24.

The report, which had been approved by the Executive, stated that the Strategy had been developed under the framework of the Council’s Housing Strategy 2019/24 which identified four key themes: meeting need, supporting residents, improving quality and enhancing lives. Within that context the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy contained four key priorities:

·                early intervention and prevention;

·                working towards ending rough sleeping and tackling hidden homelessness;

·                building more affordable homes;

·                supporting our vulnerable residents.

The strategy had been subject to extensive consultation amongst Members, Officers, Town and Parish Councils, external partners and Homes England. It was also publicised through a press release and social media.

The strategy included a number of actions aimed at addressing the four key priorities, including:

·                supporting the development of a night shelter in the Borough;

·                working with long-term rough sleepers;

·                assessing the extent of hidden homelessness in the Borough;

·                reducing the use of emergency and temporary accommodation.

It was proposed by John Kaiser and seconded by Charles Margetts that the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Stratgey 2020/24 be approved.

On being put to the vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020/24 be approved.

To set the Council Tax Base for 2020/21 in respect of the whole Borough and all constituent parts so that each precepting parish can subsequently set their Council Tax budgets for the year.

RECOMMENDATION:  That Council agree the proposed Council Tax Base, for the whole area and by Parish, as set out in the report.

The Council considered a report, set out at Agenda pages 109 to 113, which gave details of the proposed Council Tax Base for 2020/21.

The report explained that the Council Tax Base was the total number of Band D equivalent dwellings liable for Council Tax, after discounts and exemptions. Local Authorities had a duty to ensure that the Council Tax Base for the forthcoming year was approved by 31 January each year.

This year’s calculations demonstrated that, with a total of 69,536 properties on the Council Tax register, after making all relevant adjustments the proposed Council Tax Base of Band D equivalent was 72,036.5 for 2020/21. This reflected an increase of 2.65% compared to 2019/20.

Appended to the report was a table setting out the proposed Tax Base for 2020/21 by Parish and whole Borough.

It was proposed by John Kaiser and seconded by Chris Bowring that the Council Tax base for 2020/21 be approved.

Upon being put to the vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That the proposed Council Tax Base for 2020/21, as set out in the report, be approved.

To adopt a Localised Council Tax Reduction Scheme which will ensure that all working age Borough residents who may experience financial difficulties in paying their council tax liabilities have access to a scheme of assistance, designed locally, offering financial help to them.

RECOMMENDATION: That Council agree the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2020/21:

1)        a local Council Tax Reduction scheme for 2020/21 is adopted on the same basis as the 2019/2020 scheme;

2)        that the full disregard currently allowed for War Widows and War Disability Pensions is continued from 1 April 2020 in respect of the Prescribed and Local Council Tax Reduction scheme and Housing Benefit schemes;

3)        that funds be made available to the hardship fund, known as Section 13A, for those who cannot pay their council tax liabilities.

The Council considered a report, set out at Agenda pages 115 to 120, which gave details of the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2020/21.

The report stated that, each year, the Council had to approve a Council Tax Reduction Scheme which provided help for vulnerable residents who experienced difficulties in meeting their Council Tax liabilities.

A review of the 2019/20 scheme had indicated that it had worked well without any substantial issues and a low level of appeals and tribunals. Consequently, it was proposed that the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2020/21 be delivered on the same basis as 2019/20.

It was proposed by David Hare and seconded by Prue Bray that an additional recommendation be added as follows:

“4)  when reviewing the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2021/22, the disregard of the whole amount of Carer’s Allowance be included as an option.”

John Kaiser stated that the proposed amendment was acceptable.

It was proposed by John Kaiser and seconded by Chris Bowring that the recommendations in the report, as amended, be approved.

Upon being put to the vote, it was:

RESOLVED That:

1)        the local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2020/21 be adopted on the same basis as the 2019/20 scheme;

2)        the full disregard currently allowed for War Widows and War Disability Pensions be continued from 1 April 2020 in respect of the Prescribed and Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Housing Benefit schemes;

3)        funds be made available to the Hardship Fund, known as Section 13A, for those who cannot pay their Council Tax liabilities;

4)        when reviewing the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2021/22, the disregard of the whole amount of Carer’s Allowance be included as an option.

To receive an update on the initial Climate Emergency Action Plan.

RECOMMENDATION:  That Council approves the Climate Emergency Action Plan. Endorsing the assessment of Wokingham Borough’s carbon footprint and the initial actions proposed for Wokingham Borough Council to play a full a role as possible in achieving a zero carbon Wokingham Borough by 2030. 

The Council considered a report, set out at Agenda pages 121 to 172, which gave details of the initial Climate Emergency Action Plan.

The report stated that the Action Plan had been developed following the Council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency at its meeting on 18 July 2019. The declaration set out the Council’s commitment to play as full a role as possible in achieving a carbon-neutral Borough by 2030.

The initial Action Plan identified eight priority areas, as follows:

·                Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions from transport;

·                Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions from domestic and business property – the Green Bank Project;

·                Generate more renewable energy in the Borough;

·                Create a Local Plan that Specifies Net Zero construction and Infrastructure;

·                Increase the Levels of Carbon Sequestration in the Borough through greening the environment;

·                Engage with young people and support sustainable schools;

·                Reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill;

·                Encourage behaviour change.

The report stated that the Council would be committing £50m over the next three years (subject to Budget approval) to implement the actions in the Action Plan. A progress report with a costed Action Plan with carbon emissions data would be submitted to the Council in July 2020 and annually thereafter.

It was proposed by Gregor Murray and seconded by Laura Blumenthal that the recommendation in the report be approved, subject to the recommendation being amended to read:

That the Council approves the initial Climate Emergency Action Plan, endorsing the assessment of Wokingham Borough’s carbon footprint and the initial actions proposed for Wokingham Borough Council to play as full a role as possible in achieving a zero carbon Wokingham Borough by 2030.

The proposed amendment reflected the fact that a Climate Emergency Progress Report would be submitted to the Council in July 2020 (and annually thereafter). The progress report would include a fully costed Action Plan with carbon saving quotas against individual projects.

On being put to the Vote, the Mayor confirmed that the proposed amendment was approved.

It was proposed by Gregor Murray and seconded by Laura Blumenthal that the recommendation in the report, as amended, be approved.

Prior to the vote being held, six Members, in accordance with Rule of Procedure 4.2.15.5, requested that a recorded vote be taken on the proposed recommendation.

The voting was as follows:

RESOLVED That the Council approves the initial Climate Emergency Action Plan, endorsing the assessment of Wokingham Borough’s carbon footprint and the initial actions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

To consider proposed changes to the Constitution as recommended by the Constitution Review Working Group.

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

1)         the amended start and finish times for Council meetings and amendments to Sections 4.2.8 Duration of Meeting, 4.2.8.1 Consideration of Motions and 4.2.12 m) Motions without Notice as set out in paragraph 1 of the report; (Please note that at the request of the Constitution Review Working Group this recommendation will be voted on separately)

2)         the following changes to the Constitution, as recommended by the Constitution Review Working Group:

            a)        that Section 2.2.5.1 Basic Allowance be amended as set out in paragraph 2 of the report;

            b)        that Sections 4.2.9.1  General, 4.2.10.4  Notice of Questions [Member Questions], 5.2.25 Questions by the Public [to the Executive] and 5.4.36 Rules of Procedure for Questions by Members, be amended as set out in paragraph 3 of the report;

            c)         that Sections 4.2.9.9  Written Answers [Questions by the Public], 4.2.10.6  Response [Questions by Members], 5.4.34 Response [Member Questions to the Executive] and 5.4.38 Response [Public Questions to Executive], be amended as set out in paragraph 4 of the report;

            d)        that Sections 4.2.12 h) Motions without Notice, 4.2.13.1 No speeches until Motion seconded, 4.2.13.7 Amendments to Motions and 4.2.13.11 b) Motions which may be moved during debate, be amended as set out in Appendix 1 to the report;

            e)        that Section 4.2.8.1  Consideration of motions be amended as set out in paragraph 9 of the report;

            f)         that Section 4.2.13.4  Content and Length of Speeches be amended as set out in paragraph 10 of the report;

            g)        that Section 4.4.22 [Wokingham Borough Wellbeing Board] Terms of Reference be amended as set out in paragraph 11 of the report;

            h)        that Sections 5.5.1 List of Items Delegated to Individual Executive Member Decisions and 12.1.17.3  Community Infrastructure Levy and Section 106 Developer Contributions be amended as set out in paragraph 12 of the report;

            i)          that Section 13.2.2 – Estimating Contract Value be amended as set out in paragraph 13 of the report;

            j)          that Section 13.3.1.1 Procurement Business Case (including options appraisal) be amended as set out in paragraph 14 of the report;

            k)         that Sections 5.5.1 g List of Items Delegated to Individual Executive Members and 13.3.1.1  Procurement Business Case (including options appraisal) be amended as set out in paragraph 15 of the report;

            l)          that Sections 13.3.2.2  Schedule 3 and 13.3.2.1 be amended as set out in paragraph 16 of the report and Appendix 2 to the report.

The Council considered a report, set out at Agenda pages 173 to 194, which gave details of proposed changes to the Constitution as recommended by the Constitution Review Working Group.

It was proposed by Chris Smith and seconded by John Halsall that the proposed change to Paragraph 4.2.8.1 (Consideration of motions), set out at Paragraph 9 of the report, be amended by deleting the words: “A Closure Motion (4.2.13.12) cannot be used if this process is followed”.

On being put to the vote, the Mayor confirmed that the amendment was approved.

In relation to Recommendation 1 of the report – amended start and finish times for Council meetings – Members debated the potential impact of an earlier (7pm) start for Council meetings. These included negative impacts for Members with young families and positive impacts for Members who had to rise early the following morning in order to commute to work in London.

It was proposed by Chris Smith and seconded by John Halsall that the recommendations in the report, as amended, be approved.

The Mayor reminded Members that Recommendation 1 of the report would be subject to a separate vote.

On being put to the vote, it was:

RESOLVED That:

1)         the amended start and finish times for Council meetings and amendments to Sections 4.2.8 Duration of Meeting, 4.2.8.1 Consideration of Motions and 4.2.12 m) Motions without Notice, as set out in paragraph 1 of the report, be not approved;

2)         the following changes to the Constitution, as recommended by the Constitution Review Working Group, be approved:

a)    Section 2.2.5.1 Basic Allowance be amended as set out in paragraph 2 of the report;

b)    Sections 4.2.9.1  General, 4.2.10.4  Notice of Questions [Member Questions], 5.2.25 Questions by the Public [to the Executive] and 5.4.36 Rules of Procedure for Questions by Members, be amended as set out in paragraph 3 of the report;

c)    Sections 4.2.9.9  Written Answers [Questions by the Public], 4.2.10.6  Response [Questions by Members], 5.4.34 Response [Member Questions to the Executive] and 5.4.38 Response [Public Questions to Executive], be amended as set out in paragraph 4 of the report;

d)    Sections 4.2.12 h) Motions without Notice, 4.2.13.1 No speeches until Motion seconded, 4.2.13.7 Amendments to Motions and 4.2.13.11 b) Motions which may be moved during debate, be amended as set out in Appendix 1 to the report;

e)    Section 4.2.8.1  Consideration of motions be amended as set out in paragraph 9 of the report, as amended at the meeting;

f)     Section 4.2.13.4  Content and Length of Speeches be amended as set out in paragraph 10 of the report;

g)    Section 4.4.22 [Wokingham Borough Wellbeing Board] Terms of Reference be amended as set out in paragraph 11 of the report;

h)    Sections 5.5.1 List of Items Delegated to Individual Executive Member Decisions and 12.1.17.3  Community Infrastructure Levy and Section 106 Developer Contributions be amended as set out in paragraph 12 of the report;

i)     Section 13.2.2 – Estimating Contract Value be amended as set out in paragraph 13 of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

To consider the Council’s proposed Timetable of Meetings for the 2020/21 Municipal Year.

RECOMMENDATION:  That the Council’s Timetable of Meetings for the 2020/21 Municipal Year be agreed.

The Council considered the proposed Timetable of Meetings for the 2020/21 Municipal Year, as set out at Agenda page 195.

It was proposed by John Halsall and seconded by Chris Bowring that the proposed Timetable of Meetings for 2020/21 be approved.

Upon being put to the vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That the proposed Timetable of Meetings for the Municipal Year 202/21 be approved.

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

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

Question

Why is there still a problem with approving the 30 MPH speed limit on Bearwood Road to allow us to construct a much needed zebra crossing to increase safety in crossing Bearwood Road?

Why is there still a problem with approving the 30 MPH speed limit on Bearwood Road to allow us to construct a much needed zebra crossing to increase safety in crossing Bearwood Road?

Answer

Officers are undertaking the necessary speed surveys to support any change in speed limit, in order to support discussions with Thames Valley Police prior to progressing traffic regulation orders.

It is anticipated that this data will be available in the next few weeks.  In the meantime, preparatory work to evaluate the technical requirement for a formal crossing facility and any construction constraints are being carried out in parallel to try to avoid any further delays.

Subject to external funding and feasibility being established we would hope to deliver a crossing in the 2020/21 financial year.

Supplementary Question

It seems that we took an awfully long time to get to this point. We would like to get this crossing done. Other places were done much quicker. I just want to know why it’s not so quick.

Supplementary Answer

I can’t speak for the start of this project, but I can assure you that they are motoring on now and we will finish it as soon as we can. Obviously, we can’t turn the clock back.

Question

Is it the case that the whole lot of the black box recycling is sent to landfill if it is (a) wet or (b) contains any non-recyclable content?

Is it the case that the whole lot of the black box recycling is sent to landfill if it is (a) wet or (b) contains any non-recyclable content?

Answer

It is true that non-recyclable items such as polystyrene, plastic bags, plastic toys, glass and wet paper are materials that we cannot send for recycling. However, these items are generally removed at the recycling plant (material recycling facility – MRF) at Smallmead, Reading so the whole load doesn’t have to be rejected. These materials are not generally landfilled but are sent to energy from waste so at least some of the energy is reclaimed.

In relation to wet paper, we appreciate that it is difficult to keep it dry in open boxes in wet weather, but to enable the Council to recycle as much paper as possible we are asking our residents to help us “keep it dry” by not presenting boxes too early unless they have to, by stacking boxes with the paper/card in the bottom box, and to place blue bags/bags on top of boxes. We will be communicating with all residents with tips to do this over the coming weeks.

We know that having open boxes puts us at a disadvantage in relation to wet paper/card but our overall contamination is lower than those who use wheeled bins. We are currently looking at all options see what we can do to keep paper/card dry and to increase our recycling rate to address the Climate Emergency. We will also be trialling options which will be considered in spring 2020.

Supplementary Question

How much of the content of the black boxes actually goes to landfill? Is it turned into something useful?

Supplementary Answer

None of the content goes to landfill. It all goes to Energy from Waste.

Question

I welcome news that the Community Safety Partnership has been reactivated and that there is now a fulltime manager for the CSP. Could the Leader of the Council  please outline the strategy and tactics that will be used to enable the reinstatement and further development of a number of important preventative activities that had been dropped in recent times, including vital work to deal with anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse?

I welcome news that the Community Safety Partnership has been reactivated and that there is now a fulltime manager for the CSP. Could the Leader of the Council  please outline the strategy and tactics that will be used to enable the reinstatement and further development of a number of important preventative activities that had been dropped in recent times, including vital work to deal with anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse?

Answer

The new full-time Community Safety Partnership Manager took up appointment in September. Anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse are both large priority areas of work that have been the primary focus of the CSP manager since her appointment. The Anti-Social Behaviour role has been vacant since the retirement of the post holder in May 2019. Work already undertaken includes a secondment of a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) from Thames Valley Police who I was pleased to see at the corporate induction session today. Both Officers are doing an excellent job.

Work has also begun to establish clear referral pathways as well as processes and procedures for dealing with anti-social behaviour. Referral into a multi-agency panel to consider cases to problem solve and deal with cases robustly and proportionately is being reviewed to ensure incidents and cases are identified and addressed at the earliest possible stage to reduce escalation of incidents. This will also feed into intensive work led by Thames Valley Police to address knife crime, which we are very engaged with.

In parallel to the work that has been undertaken to address anti–social behaviour. The Community Safety Partnership Manager has taken on the responsibility to chair the Wokingham Domestic Abuse Subgroup. This multi-agency group will ensure that good practice and training for frontline professionals to recognise and deal with domestic abuse is embedded locally. It will also work to ensure that our local service provision is adequately resourced. The DA sub-group will also be reviewing recommendations and actions arising from local Domestic Homicide Reviews to ensure that these have been implemented. This will in turn allow the Council to support and assist victims and children that have been affected by domestic abuse. It is the statutory responsibility of the Community Safety Partnership to undertake an annual review of all crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour across the Borough.

Supplementary Question

The College of Policing has concluded that restorative justice can be an effective and cost-efficient method of reducing crime and reoffending. Use of restorative practices to reduce conflict and prevent harm in schools has also shown many benefits. I understand that previous funding through the Council to support this in some schools is no longer provided.

Do you agree that the Council should be supporting and contributing towards the funding of restorative approaches including support for restorative practices in our schools that could help to improve community safety?

Supplementary Answer

We have a substantial agenda on the Community Safety Partnership (CSP). I and Susan Parsonage sit on the CSP. I will take it away and come back to you  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.3

Question

What mandatory training are social workers in adult social care and children’s social care required to do on domestic violence?

What mandatory training are social workers in adult social care and children’s social care required to do on domestic violence?

Answer

I am answering on behalf of myself and Charles Margetts.

Adult Social Care workers are required to undertake bespoke training on working with Domestic Abuse. This includes a one day course designed around the 15 high risk indicators of serious harm or homicide and use of the approved risk assessment tool to facilitate multi-agency responses via the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference and other mechanisms. Training is delivered by an accredited Domestic Abuse, Stalking & Harassment and Honour-based violence trainer and enables practitioners to understand the complex dynamics of Domestic Abuse, how to recognise it and how to work with it. It also covers the complex issues of coercive control, Honour Based Abuse and Stalking in greater detail and uses high profile cases from the UK to demonstrate learning that has come from previous homicides.

Children’s Social Care workers are required to undertake the Children Safeguarding Universal eLearning, developed by the Berkshire West Safeguarding Children Partnership, which provides an understanding of why safeguarding is important, the signs and indicators of abuse, introduction to the local Child Protection Procedures, reporting and information sharing and confidentiality procedures. They are also required to complete the Children Safeguarding Universal Level 2 classroom training. 

In addition to the mandatory training we have also facilitated the following training for our Adult and Children’s Social Care staff:

·                LGBT+ Domestic Violence & Abuse;

·                Domestic Abuse Level 1 Training;

·                Domestic Abuse Level 2 Training;

·                Domestic Abuse & Coercive Control – Behind Closed Doors Production.

All current Domestic Abuse training will be subject to continued review and annual refresh as part of the ongoing work programme being delivered by the Wokingham Domestic Abuse Sub-Group. This multi-agency group reports directly to the Wokingham Community Safety Partnership and oversees the local implementation of good practice, training, etc. Although not mandatory Domestic Abuse training is part of our whole package of core training and supported by Social Work professionals.

Supplementary Question

It would be nice for the non-mandatory training to be mandatory as well. We have a high percentage of locum social workers. Does the training apply for locums as well as permanent employees?

Supplementary Answer

I don’t know. I will have to give you a written response on that although I assume that locums who are employed here temporarily will have the necessary qualifications. If you bear with me, you will receive a written answer.

Question

I believe that Bulmershe Leisure Centre is fast approaching delivery in the spring of 2020. Great news, but I also believe that you will start work on the Carnival Pool redevelopment soon after delivery of the Bulmershe Leisure Centre. If Bulmershe Leisure Centre is delayed what impact will this have on Carnival Pool redevelopment?

I believe that Bulmershe Leisure Centre is fast approaching delivery in the spring of 2020. Great news, but I also believe that you will start work on the Carnival Pool redevelopment soon after delivery of the Bulmershe Leisure Centre. If Bulmershe Leisure Centre is delayed what impact will this have on Carnival Pool redevelopment?

Answer

Bulmershe Leisure Centre is on track to open in the spring. I am very pleased with the progress on site and excited to be delivering such a fantastic facility for our residents. We will continue to work closely with the building contractors Pellikaan and monitor progress on site and at this time we do not see any issues which would cause any delays or late opening.

The existing Carnival Leisure Centre will close following the opening of the new Bulmershe Leisure Centre. If there are any delays with the opening of Bulmershe, we have allowed a contingency within the programme for the new Carnival Leisure Centre to accommodate such a delay, without impacting on our completion date of summer 2022.   

Question

On Wednesday 9 October HM Treasury issued a statement about interest rate changes affecting new Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) loans.  The reason given for the rate hike was that some local authorities have substantially increased their use of the PWLB in recent months, as the cost of borrowing has fallen to record lows. HM Treasury is therefore restoring interest rates to levels available in 2018, by increasing the margin that applies to new loans from the PWLB by one percentage point.  This seemingly small change means that the cost of financing these loans has increased by over 50% as the typical rate for a loan is now 2.8% instead of 1.8%.  It has been widely reported that the move appears to be designed to discourage councils from borrowing to fund risky multimillion property investments.

Will the Council now confirm that it is reviewing its own risky commercial property investment strategy and will put a moratorium on such investments until it has completed research on the effects of the interest rate hike on the commercial property market in general and the financing costs of future investments in particular?

On Wednesday 9 October HM Treasury issued a statement about interest rate changes affecting new Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) loans.  The reason given for the rate hike was that some local authorities have substantially increased their use of the PWLB in recent months, as the cost of borrowing has fallen to record lows. HM Treasury is therefore restoring interest rates to levels available in 2018, by increasing the margin that applies to new loans from the PWLB by one percentage point.  This seemingly small change means that the cost of financing these loans has increased by over 50% as the typical rate for a loan is now 2.8% instead of 1.8%.  It has been widely reported that the move appears to be designed to discourage Councils from borrowing to fund risky multimillion property investments.

Will the Council now confirm that it is reviewing its own risky commercial property investment strategy and will put a moratorium on such investments until it has completed research on the effects of the interest rate hike on the commercial property market in general and the financing costs of future investments in particular?

Answer

I would like to dispel any myths around this issue. Firstly, I can confirm that any borrowing to support the capital programme is taken as fixed rate loans, so existing loans are unaffected by any rate adjustment.

The Council has not committed to any purchases whilst rates were at their low point over the summer; consequently our debt-supported purchases were committed to when PWLB was in the same region as last year’s rates and the business decision was based on the rates prevalent at the time (i.e. about 2.75%).

Our investment strategy was conceived with debt financing as a risk borne in mind and that it includes a requirement for a positive return net of any financing costs. These investments are already realising £1.2 million of extra income each year for the benefit of our community and helping to fund vital Council services. 

Supplementary Question

Given that there are going to be changes to the PWLB interest rates, what changes in housing, schools, road and waste projects will have to be made as a result of such increases?

Supplementary Answer

I think that this extra rate charge was meant to discourage some Councils that have done some very imprudent things by investing huge amounts of money. I think that it was a one-off adjustment to make the point to discourage some Councils, some small District Councils with very large portfolios. I think that this was a one-off adjustment by the Treasury just to make the point. I don’t think that it will affect any of those programmes at all.

Question

I have recently been approached by two residents with regard to our blue badge service. Both were in the later time of life and had no access to technology channels and were reliant on family members to try and apply/renew a blue badge. In fact I tried myself to assist one through the process and struggled.

As a result I met with our Blue Badge Service team and was impressed with the awareness of the service weaknesses and the planned improvements. I was also very impressed with the face to face support provided to one of my residents, service of the highest level. I am also aware of the recent significant changes relating to hidden disabilities and the pressures this must have placed on the service. This is a sensitive and vital service that can have significant impact on the lives of some of our more vulnerable residents. My question is can you advise me when service improvements will be available to our blue badge residents? 

I have recently been approached by two residents with regard to our Blue Badge service. Both were in the later time of life and had no access to technology channels and were reliant on family members to try and apply/renew a blue badge. In fact I tried myself to assist one through the process and struggled.

As a result I met with our Blue Badge Service team and was impressed with the awareness of the service weaknesses and the planned improvements. I was also very impressed with the face to face support provided to one of my residents, service of the highest level. I am also aware of the recent significant changes relating to hidden disabilities and the pressures this must have placed on the service. This is a sensitive and vital service that can have significant impact on the lives of some of our more vulnerable residents. My question is can you advise me when service improvements will be available to our Blue Badge residents? 

Answer

Thank you for your feedback on the service we provided.

We do need to make improvements to the online service, to ensure the customer experience is a good one. When the service moved into Customer Services at the end of 2016, we designed an online service which enabled a faster and more efficient way of applying, this gave an instant decision for those applying under the difficulties in walking criteria – this was in addition to offering phone or face to face appointments for those who need it.

However, following a bedding-in period, recent legislation changes and feedback from our residents, we have identified ways to improve the customer experience when applying for a badge. We will be incorporating improvements into a system rebuild which will start in January 2020, through to April-May for the go live date.

The changes will be:

·                We will use the Gov.application form, which includes hidden disability questions. This will integrate with our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and will ensure a quicker and easier application process for customers.

·                The removal of the requirement to have an online account with the Council before applying, making the process simpler and quicker for our customers.

·                We will use Gov.pay - rather than our own payment system.

·                We will use Gov.notify – by using the Gov.application form, we will be able to use the automatic reminder service for expiring blue badge holders to renew their application – this negates the manual process that we currently deploy.

I also know that you have a great deal of experience in this field which you have offered to the Customer Service Teams and the people who will be working on this project. I know that they appreciate that support.

Supplementary Question

As we learn from these improvements, can I ask the Executive Member to share learning with other services.

Supplementary Answer

I will agree to do that. Actually, it all falls under a couple of people in the Customer Service Team. I will make  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.7

Question

As part of redevelopment of Wokingham Market Place there was an agreement put in place for Wokingham Borough Council to carry out a deep clean, 6 times a year.

Why has Wokingham Borough Council subsequently failed to commit to this work and has not provided a full schedule for when this work will be carried out?

As part of redevelopment of Wokingham Market Place there was an agreement put in place for Wokingham Borough Council to carry out a deep clean, 6 times a year.

Why has Wokingham Borough Council subsequently failed to commit to this work and has not provided a full schedule for when this work will be carried out?

Answer

While there were ongoing discussions during the Construction phase of the Town Centre, there was no commitment from the Council to carry out a deep clean 6 times per year. Since the Market Place was completed, the Borough Council has carried out its statutory obligations to maintain and keep the area free from litter and detritus. It also funded a trial ‘one off’ wash that took place during February / March 2019.

Working together in partnership, I’m pleased to confirm that the Town and Borough Councils have now agreed a surface washing regime that will be put in place permanently. This is based on a regular daily wash of a small area, which will gradually move around the Town and once complete start the process over again. This washing will work around the market on a Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturdays and the frequency of washing will be significantly above the six times per year you have referred to, although this was never agreed.

Supplementary Question

What has happened, of course, is that the Town Council has had to agree to pay for half of the deep cleaning. The cleaning of the Market Place was never factored into the work that was done on the Market Place. I wonder how the extra cleaning required was missed.

Supplementary Answer

Whilst I wasn’t involved in the discussions about this decision, we obviously do need to sort it out. I suggest that you talk to your people and I will talk to mine and we will get them to agree it between them.

Note: In the absence of the Executive Member, the answer was given by Dianne King, Deputy Executive Member.

Question

The B3030 King Street Lane was resurfaced between Allnatt Avenue and its junction with A329 Reading Road (Sainsbury’s junction) as part of the 2019-2020 carriageway Structural Maintenance programme during the nights of 17^th to 19^th September.

During this work the traffic signal detector loops were removed, but not replaced on completion of the resurfacing work. This has caused extensive congestion and delays to the travelling public using King Street Lane, Mole Road and Bearwood Road during peak times starting at 7:30 in the morning and again from 3pm.

Why wasn’t the replacement of these detector loops programmed immediately following the resurfacing work?

The B3030 King Street Lane was resurfaced between Allnatt Avenue and its junction with A329 Reading Road (Sainsbury’s junction) as part of the 2019-2020 carriageway Structural Maintenance programme during the nights of 17^th to 19^th September.

During this work the traffic signal detector loops were removed, but not replaced on completion of the resurfacing work. This has caused extensive congestion and delays to the travelling public using King Street Lane, Mole Road and Bearwood Road during peak times starting at 7:30 in the morning and again from 3pm.

Why wasn’t the replacement of these detector loops programmed immediately following the resurfacing work?

Answer

Unfortunately, as you know from the various communications on Facebook, the work to replace the traffic signals loops was omitted at the initial design stage.  Once this omission had been realised an additional period of time was needed to have the work designed, specification agreed and sub-contractor appointed before the reinstatement could be programmed. Additional delays were caused due to being unable to gain road space because of other committed road works in the area. 

Normally these additional work items are picked up with the participation of our contractor in the early stages of the scheme design, known as Early Contractor involvement or ECI. However, due to this being one of our first jobs with our new contractor and the scheme development coming forward during the mobilisation period it was not possible to have ECI for this particular job, which meant that this didn’t get picked up. The work to recut the traffic loops was completed on 13 November 2019.

Supplementary Question

When I attended a launch event for the new Wokingham Highways Alliance of WSP and Volker Highways, we were informed that these companies were vastly experienced in dealing with highways maintenance projects such as this. Residents, as well as the travelling public, had to endure the consequences of their mismanagement for eight weeks, just for four hours’ work. That is how long it took to replace those loops. Will the Executive Member agree that the project has ended up in an absolute shambles?

Supplementary Answer

I wouldn’t say that it was an absolute shambles, but it wasn’t our finest hour. I will give you that. To come back to the original answer on the ECI, getting involved in the design and making sure that someone had missed something is the key thing to stop this happening in future. That couldn’t happen because of the change of contract.

Question

The following motion was agreed at the Council meeting held on 19 July 2012:

“Under the Localism Act 2011, local authorities gained the freedom to determine for themselves whether to operate an executive system, a committee system, or other agreed governance arrangements.

This Council wishes to consider what the most appropriate governance system is for Wokingham, and therefore refers this matter for investigation to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee to determine who manages the investigation, with a report on options for changing Wokingham’s existing governance arrangements to be received and debated at a future meeting of the full Council.”

As 7 years have elapsed since Wokingham last reviewed  its governance arrangements and many other Councils including our neighbour Reading Borough Council in that time have  adopted other governance arrangements will this Council now reconsider what is the most appropriate governance system for Wokingham  and if agreeable refer the matter for investigation to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee?

The following Motion was agreed at the Council meeting held on 19 July 2012:

“Under the Localism Act 2011, local authorities gained the freedom to determine for themselves whether to operate an executive system, a committee system, or other agreed governance arrangements.

This Council wishes to consider what the most appropriate governance system is for Wokingham, and therefore refers this matter for investigation to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee to determine who manages the investigation, with a report on options for changing Wokingham’s existing governance arrangements to be received and debated at a future meeting of the full Council.”

As 7 years have elapsed since Wokingham last reviewed  its governance arrangements and many other Councils including our neighbour Reading Borough Council in that time have  adopted other governance arrangements will this Council now reconsider what is the most appropriate governance system for Wokingham  and if agreeable refer the matter for investigation to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee?

Answer

I share your view that the Council should be run in the most appropriate way and the most efficient way to deliver services to our residents. I would like you to ask this question again in July, if I happen to be here.

Question

With the projection of falling admission numbers over the next five years in Earley Primary Schools, is there a plan in place to help these schools over the next five years?

With the projection of falling admission numbers over the next five years in Earley Primary Schools, is there a plan in place to help these schools over the next five years?

Answer

If local planning data shows that surplus places will be needed within the next three financial years the Council can set aside Schools Block funding to create a small fund. However, in the Earley area, there is no indication that the number of children will increase. One school has written asking for advice and support and the Council has offered (through this school) to meet Earley Schools collectively to discuss the issue.

Supplementary Question

At the last full Council meeting it was stated that the lead Member for Children’s Services had contacted the local MP about getting more money for our schools. Has there been any news of Sir John Redwood’s representations to the Minister for Education on our schools’ behalf? This would help not just Hillside School but all the schools in Wokingham.

Supplementary Answer

Officers in Children’s Services are working on this document which we will present to John Redwood.

Question

Across the Borough the Breastfeeding Network oversee a number of infant feeding clinics, providing a vital service and support network to hundreds of new mothers and their families at a crucial time.

Once again however, the funding for this valuable service is in doubt.  I raised this issue last year and a small amount of funding was subsequently provided for the clinics. However it was not enough. The funding only covered the supervision and training of current volunteers and there was no money to train new volunteers.  Sadly, as a result, one of the infant feeding clinics has now closed completely. Another only meets monthly now, rather than weekly, and is also at risk of closure. It would be an absolute tragedy if the remaining clinics had to close and were no longer able to support our new mums and their babies.

While the service has already been cut back massively in recent years, the additional funding needed to enable these clinics to continue sustainably is just £6k a year. Once again I ask, will the Executive Member intervene to make sure that adequate funding is made available next year, to ensure the sustainability of these vital breastfeeding clinics?

Across the Borough the Breastfeeding Network oversee a number of infant feeding clinics, providing a vital service and support network to hundreds of new mothers and their families at a crucial time.

Once again however, the funding for this valuable service is in doubt. I raised this issue last year and a small amount of funding was subsequently provided for the clinics. However it was not enough. The funding only covered the supervision and training of current volunteers and there was no money to train new volunteers.  Sadly, as a result, one of the infant feeding clinics has now closed completely. Another only meets monthly now, rather than weekly, and is also at risk of closure. It would be an absolute tragedy if the remaining clinics had to close and were no longer able to support our new mums and their babies.

While the service has already been cut back massively in recent years, the additional funding needed to enable these clinics to continue sustainably is just £6k a year. Once again I ask, will the Executive Member intervene to make sure that adequate funding is made available next year, to ensure the sustainability of these vital breastfeeding clinics?

Answer

WBC has always been very committed to the Breastfeeding Network. Up till 2018 the Breastfeeding Network was funded by Reading Borough Council, the CCG, West Berkshire Council and Wokingham. In 2018 the other three funders withdrew completely and funding for the BFN reduced by £50-60k per annum. WBC stood by the network and maintained its funding when everyone else withdrew because we believed the service was valued and well used within our community. However as a result of the withdrawal of funds the service was cut back.

In 2018 / 2019 funding was maintained to support 10 volunteers running eight drop in centres supported by a project lead and 30 hours of supervision. A local Facebook page was launched to publicise the BFN. However there was still a drop in numbers of parents supported and the project lead resigned at the end of 2018 as she had secured another job. The number of volunteers has also recently dropped from 10 to five due to natural churn.

All decisions regarding the BFN service delivery within Wokingham where made in partnership with the service provider. However, in a direct answer to your direct question, I can confirm that the Officers contacted the BFN two weeks ago to arrange a meeting that will take place on 28 January. There are two items for the meeting. One is to resolve the short-term funding problem. The second is to plan a long term sustainable future to make sure that this voluntary group has the support it needs.

Supplementary Question

I am pleased to hear a positive answer. These clinics are not taking any bookings after March because they are so concerned about this. The Executive Member will be aware of these issues already. The clinic that closed was in Finchampstead which is an area he  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.12

Question

RE3 have announced that with effect from 1st February, the ‘proof of residency’ car windscreen sticker will no longer be accepted at the Reading or Bracknell civic amenity sites.  What steps have been taken to inform residents of this change and to advise them on which alternative forms of ID are acceptable?

re3 have announced that with effect from 1st February, the ‘proof of residency’ car windscreen sticker will no longer be accepted at the Reading or Bracknell civic amenity sites.  What steps have been taken to inform residents of this change and to advise them on which alternative forms of ID are acceptable?

Answer

The Council and its waste partners have previously operated a sticker system to enable the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) to positively identify local residents. More recently, the centre staff have been finding that some non re3 residents have been using fake stickers to enable them to dispose of waste at the sites at the expense of the Council and its residents. As a result, the stickers have recently been replaced with proof of identity, such as a driving licence.  

The re3 Marketing and Communication Officer communicated this information to residents using available channels including:

·                Adverts on re3 website;

·                Recycling centre staff communicating information to visitors;

·                Signage at both recycling centres;

·                Leaflets and large format posters displayed around the sites;

·                Press releases to local media, parishes and local organisations;

·                Borough News;

·                re3 Monthly Newsletter;

·                Social media reports - social media posts exceeding over 28,000 users. 

Generally there has been limited feedback to the change but re3 will be ensuring, as far as reasonably practicable, that nobody from Bracknell, Reading or Wokingham is turned away from the household waste recycling centres without ID for a period of six months from 1^st February.

Note: Due to time constraints, there was no supplementary question.

Question

It’s been a few months since we visited Woodley Precinct to discuss making the pedestrianised area safer due to protruding tree roots which some residents had tripped over. Please can you share an update on plans for a solution? We agreed it was important to ensure the trees were not removed.

It’s been a few months since we visited Woodley Precinct to discuss making the pedestrianised area safer due to protruding tree roots which some residents had tripped over. Please can you share an update on plans for a solution? We agreed it was important to ensure the trees were not removed.

Answer

The Council is currently working in partnership with Woodley Town Council on a detailed proposal to solve the tree root issues (without removing the trees) at Woodley Precinct. Once we have an agreed solution we will be able to share details of that solution with the local community and develop a programme to deliver the scheme.

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

Today, in the centre of Wokingham, all of which lies in the Wokingham Town Conservation Area, I counted 82 on-pavement advertising signs, including 11 advertising covers on bollards. This obstruction of the public highway is a trip and collision hazard. Failure to control these signs most likely breaches the Equality Act. The obstructions are a particular risk for those who cannot see them or use mobility aids; those who are frail or need a companion and those who may be visually obstructed by too much visual clutter. The amount of clutter I saw should not be allowed in a Conservation Area. In light of the Council’s obligations under planning, heritage, highways and equalities legislation, can you please respond to the following question? In the last three years, how many of these 82 signs have been granted consent by the Council and how many of those not granted consent have led to a fine?

Answer

I talked to Officers about this problem last week. Some of the Officers who patrol in Wokingham went round and looked at the signs. They reported that, when they looked last week, there were considerably less than there had been. We do not need a new policy for it. There is a sensible number of signs that businesses should have. I have asked Officers to deliver letters to individual premises in the area to make sure that they understand that it is not sensible to get into a competition about the number of A boards, which was going on before. I have been assured that there are fewer now, but I will ask the Officers to look again. 

With regard to the site for 250 houses at Winnersh Farm that has been approved to go forwards into the Local Plan Update, why was this number of houses (25% of the extra houses) not referred to the Parish Council and not the subject of consultation with ward Members before being included in the consultation?

Answer

I will repeat what I said at the Executive. Your colleagues are on the Planning and Transport team which has been running for the past 18 months. This site was discussed. We have Minutes and Agenda for the meetings. They could have discussed it with you and your colleagues at any point. I appreciate that you were not there but your colleagues, along with the Independents and Labour were there. How much more transparent do you want me to be?

A few years ago, at the bottom of Meldreth Way, the Liberal Democrats and the Earley Neighbourhood Action Group campaigned for a replacement roundabout as there had been many accidents with cars ending up in ditches. John Kaiser, became Executive Member for Highways and Transport. He listened and made sure that the roundabout was built, which everyone was grateful for. Since the roundabout was built, it has had an unsightly top surface. Is there anything that the Executive Member for Highways and Transport can do about providing some landscaping for this roundabout?

Answer

I have been talking to Officers about this already. I agree with you that it is unsightly and it doesn’t help that the bricks keep getting hit and moved out of place. I have talked to Peter Baveystock in Environment. He advised that there was not enough soil to plant in, so I am still progressing it as I would like to get something done and I am happy to support you. At the moment, the soil is not sufficient for weeds let alone something more significant, so we may have to do some re-engineering.

Re the Constitution Review Working Group and the Standards Committee. Following a Code of Conduct complaint and a guilty verdict, the Councillor who made the false allegation was asked to resolve it through the informal route. The informal route requires the guilty party to write a letter of apology accepting that their allegations were false. That informal route has a confidentiality clause which states that the name of the guilty person will not be disclosed.

I referred this clause, which no other Council in Berkshire has, for review by the Constitution Review Working Group on 28 July 2019. On that same day I was told that it would be referred to the Standards Committee at their next meeting on 14 October 2019, when they would be reviewing the entire Code of Conduct. That meeting was postponed. So was the meeting on 7 November and the meeting on 6 January 2020. It is now over six months since my request was made. The removal of this confidentiality clause has the support of the Liberal Democrats, the Monitoring Officer and even the Councillor who was found guilty.

Can the Leader please guarantee that the next Standards Committee meeting on 2 March 2020 will go ahead and the proposal will be considered?

Answer

I find it difficult to guarantee anything but I will do my very best.

For many months, a lot of streetlights have been out of action on the approaches to the busy Rushey Way-Kilnsea Drive junction, creating a very dangerous situation. In November, the problem was traced to damaged cabling for which Southern & Scottish Electric (SSE) has responsibility. SSE has said that it will make repairs by the end of January. I have been told that part of the reason for the long delay is that the Council has very limited leverage with SSE and the other utilities, implying that repairs could often be completed more quickly if the utilities were so minded.

Do you believe that the Council could use the leverage it does possess with utility companies, albeit limited, with greater vigour and in a more timely manner to reduce the lengthy delays to repairs on this site and elsewhere that seem to be the norm.

Answer

The particular issue, I was told, is also down to SSE being very slow. I have tried hard to move this forwards, but I would remind you that the last action SSE did not carry out, in relation to the Lower Earley Way peripheral road lights, actually took several years to resolve.

Unfortunately, SSE is a monopoly and owns the cabling, so we can’t send someone else in to do it. If they are not minded to do it and we are not paying them to do it, there is not much that we can do about it.

I will make representations to the local management of SSE at a more senior level. I have also talked to the resident about the streetlight with the missing light bulb.

Re the Local Plan, Area DD was not on the list for future development sites. Can you confirm that this area will not be built on?

Answer

Yes.

Would the Leader of the Council agree to meet me to discuss Twyford issues? There are a lot of issues in Twyford that we would all like to see addressed. I have some ideas I would like to put forward as to how we might approach some of these problems.

Answer

The answer is yes, but I obviously can’t guarantee it.

Molly Millars business estate is in my ward, although the way things are going it will probably not be a business estate for long. It is a core employment area for the Borough but, through permitted development laws, offices are gradually being converted to residential units.

For the benefit of the public, permitted development laws allow developers to convert office space to residential without planning permission from the local authority. There are benefits in having residential properties so close to transport links and town centre amenities, but by bypassing the local planning authority for permission, we are left in a situation where flats are provided without consideration for amenities such as schools, doctors surgeries and affordable housing; no Community Infrastructure Levy money has to be provided and the list goes on.

What is the point in providing a Local Plan where we consider core employment areas and consider infrastructure that entails when this law exists to override it? I have already contacted John Redwood to lobby for a change in the law and I would like to know if you too will join in this fight and help to protect our residents?

Answer

I agree absolutely. In Reading, Tony Page will confirm that they have lost endless amounts of money through this approach with the amount of buildings that have been converted and, also, the size of these buildings. When they are converted, they are boxes. So I agree and it is something that we talk quite a lot about in our regular meetings, about how we can build that into the Local Plan to ensure that these employment areas are kept the way they are. John Redwood has already written to me and we are responding.

I am very pleased with the support from the Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) Officers, including those who visited the vicinity of Hawkedon School this morning. However, there is a worrying safety issue caused by parents who drive into Hollym Close at the beginning and end of each school day to drop off and collect children. The lack of a footpath means children walking to and from school face considerable danger from cars using Hollym Close on school days.

Can the Executive Member for Highways and Transport ask Officers to prepare a proposal which can address this issue?

Answer

Thank you for the support for the CPE Officers. We are also looking at other ways to enforce against parking on double yellow lines around schools, including electronic monitoring rather than CPE, to do it more thoroughly. I will be happy to take up your suggestion of a footpath.

During the discussion on Agenda item 56, at 10.15pm, 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 to be transacted, specifically the Motions set out in Agenda item 59. The Motion was proposed by Clive Jones and seconded by Prue Bray.

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

The Council then considered a Motion in accordance with Procedure Rule 4.2.12 c) to change the order of business on the Agenda to enable the immediate consideration of Agenda item 59.1: Resumption of Motion 421, submitted by Ian Pittock. The Motion was proposed by Clive Jones and seconded by Prue Bray.

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

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

Due to time constraints this item was not considered.

To receive any statements from Directors of Council Owned Companies.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 4.2.24 the total time allocated to this item shall not exceed 10 minutes, and no Director, except with the consent of Council, shall speak for more than 3 minutes.

Due to time constraints this item was not considered.

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

Debate of Motion 421, which was adjourned at the Council meeting held on 19 September 2019 following 12 minutes of debate.  The motion will be resumed at this point and will continue for a period not in excess of 18 minutes.

As Councillor Croy moved the adjournment he shall be entitled to speak first.

The wording of the motion is as follows:

This Council does not support the expansion of Heathrow Airport.

Due to time constraints this Motion was not considered. It was confirmed that the Motion would go forward to the March 2020 Council meeting.

Full Council on 18th July voted unanimously to declare a Climate Emergency across Wokingham Borough and to commit itself to being carbon neutral by 2030.

In order to achieve this crucial aim, and to live up to our environmental responsibilities it is essential we take immediate steps to reduce the amount of carbon we either directly or indirectly use each year.

It is clear that no responsible council can take action on climate change without seeking to drastically reduce the amount of single use plastics consumed by the Council in it’s everyday operations.

We acknowledge that single use plastics can be preferential in the care and wellbeing of disabled and other vulnerable residents. However, wherever possible and practical, we should seek to remove all non-essential single use plastics from Council operations.

In face of the overwhelming evidence about the impact that single use plastics have on the environment including contributing to carbon emissions in its manufacture, Wokingham Borough Council commits to leading our residents by example by ensuring that all non-essential single use plastics are eliminated from use within the Council Shute End building, and all Council controlled environments, as soon as possible. 

This would be achieved by:

• Phasing out the purchase of single-use plastic products through services commissioned by the council and as soon as practicable;
• Bringing regular reports to future Climate Emergency committee meetings, describing the Council’s plans to eliminate single-use plastic from the organisation, including a timetable for doing so;
• Working with Council staff, Wokingham Borough's businesses, community groups and residents to share advice, ideas and best practice on using sustainable alternatives;
• Working with local schools to support the aspiration of Wokingham Borough’s young people to eliminate plastic waste from our environment;
• Seeking to work with neighbouring councils to tackle single use plastic used across the wider Berkshire area.

Due to time constraints this Motion was not considered.

EU nationals are our family members, parents, friends and colleagues.  They care for our elderly and they teach our children. They are an integral part of a vibrant and thriving Wokingham.

In the Referendum campaign, we were promised that "there will be no change for EU citizens already lawfully resident in the UK and [they] …will be treated no less favourably than they are at present”.

This promise has not been honoured.  Many EU27 citizens are unaware that if Brexit goes ahead, they risk deportation from their homes of many years unless they are granted settled status.

Home Office figures show that many EU nationals have not applied for Settled Status, or have applied but have been refused.   We don’t know how many Wokingham residents, perhaps elderly or vulnerable people, are unaware that they may become illegal immigrants.  We risk a Windrush-style scandal here in Wokingham, with families broken up.

We also need to think of the 1.3 million British citizens who have made their homes in other EU countries, who may be forced to return to the UK, particularly if Brexit means they lose their access to healthcare.  Many of these people are elderly, and many have made their homes overseas because of difficulties making ends meet on their pensions.  How many will come to Wokingham, needing assistance with social housing and other support?

Therefore, the Council asks that Officers urgently undertake and publish a review of the how the Council can best mitigate the effects of Brexit on local residents including:

a)         How we can promote and assist with applications for settled status particularly for residents who face language or technology barriers.

b)         What we can do to help landlords and employers to be trained on immigration status, to avoid potential discrimination against EU27 nationals.

c)         How Brexit is likely to affect EU27 nationals accessing services provided by the Council, and steps that we can take to mitigate difficulties.

d)        The likely impact on Wokingham of British citizens returning to the UK and how we can best prepare for this.

Due to time constraints this Motion was not considered.

On 22nd November 2018, this Council adopted a Sprinkler Policy centered on our schools.  After work by Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service, the Fire Authority's Management Committee on 22nd July 2019 adopted a wider policy which they proposed be considered by each of the Berkshire Unitaries.  This goes further to support promotion of Sprinklers in their Council areas and to put pressure on Central Government to legislate on Sprinklers, following the successful introduction of legal powers in Wales.

To be specific it is proposed:

That Wokingham Borough Council supports the proposals of the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority to extend the promotion of Sprinklers and to lobby central government to bring in legislation or regulations which make installations a necessary part of new builds and major refurbishments in the categories identified.  The policy agreed by the Council on 22nd November 2018 regarding schools remains, but additionally:

Wokingham Borough Council:

a.      Recognises that Sprinklers and other Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (AFSS) save lives, protect property, reduce the impact of fire on the environment, reduce interruption to business and improve safety for individuals the community in general and firefighters, especially in the case of schools.

b.      Commits to installation of sprinklers or other AFSS within its own building stock when planning for and constructing new buildings or as a retrofitted solution when undertaking major refurbishments of existing buildings where the extent of the refurbishment makes the fitting of sprinklers viable.

c.       Through the planning application or building control process, promote and support the installation of sprinklers or other AFSS for all new or refurbished buildings and particularly those that present the most significant risk to the public and firefighters.

d.      Supports the National Fire Chiefs Council position on sprinklers and will write to Central Government to express support for the creation of a legal requirement to fit sprinklers or AFSS in buildings.

Due to time constraints this Motion was not considered.