Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor Adrian Mather, Mayor:

I want to say a few words about our dear friend Councillor Paul Fishwick who very sadly passed away last week.  Paul was an exemplary councillor inside and outside Council, and before and after he became the Executive Member for Active Travel, Transport and Highways.  He worked tirelessly for the residents, councillors, and the Council.  He was supremely professional with a humble and approachable personality.  Our thoughts and our prayers are with Paul’s family.

I will be inviting Councillors to pay tribute to Paul in a few moments.  I would now like to ask Councillors, and everyone here present to stand and join me to observe a minute’s silence to remember Paul and reflect on his immeasurable contribution to the Borough, local people and to every one of us in this chamber. 

A Minute’s silence was held in honour of Councillor Paul Fishwick who had sadly passed away.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted from Councillors Mark Ashwell, Melanie De Jong and Beth Rowland

Councillor Moses Iyengunmwena attended the meeting online.

To confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held on 24 October 2024.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 24 October 2024 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

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

Councillor Stephen Conway declared a Personal Interest in Item 72 Statement from Council Owned Companies on the grounds that he was a Non Executive Director of WBC Holdings.

Councillor Prue Bray declared a Personal Interest in Item 72 Statement from Council Owned Companies on the grounds that she was a Non Executive Director of WBC Holdings.

Councillor Greg Bello declared a Prejudicial Interest in Item 72 Statement from Council Owned Companies on the grounds that he worked for Optalis.  He indicated that he would leave the room during the discussion of this item.

Councillor David Hare declared a Personal Interest in Item 72 Statement from Council Owned Companies on the grounds that he was a Non Executive Director of Optalis.

To receive any announcements by the Mayor.

The Mayor informed Members of the Me2 Club fundraiser, a local charity that supported families whether or not they have a diagnosis for their children.

The Wokingham Community Awards 2024 had given out ten awards including awards to local charity 52-Lives and to Sue Jackson from Wokingham in Need.  The Mayor congratulated all the winners for an outstanding year of contributing to the community.

The Mayor indicated that he had visited Cowshed at its operational base in Fishponds Lane.  The charity had recently, at very short notice, sent 250 packages of clothes, shoes and toiletries, to asylum seekers.

The Mayor invited Members to pay tribute to Councillor Paul Fishwick.

Councillor Stephen Conway:

I am sure everyone in this Council Chamber will want to join me in sending heartfelt condolences to Paul’s wife Lesley and to his children and grandchildren.  We have lost a colleague and a friend, but they have had taken from them a much-loved husband, father, and grandfather.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this most difficult of times.   

Paul’s life was one of unswerving and selfless public service.  He worked as a highways officer in Surrey and then in retirement rededicated himself to the community as a parish and Borough councillor for Winnersh.

When the current administration was formed in 2022, Paul was a natural choice for an Executive position.  To reflect his interests and commitments, the old highways brief was renamed Active Travel, Transport, and Highways.

Paul had the political courage to make tough decisions as an Executive Member because he believed that doing the right thing for the long-term interests of the people of the Borough was more important than seeking short-term popularity.

He was respected across the Council at Wokingham for his expert knowledge of the local highways network.  At question time in the Council chamber, he provided impressively full and well-informed answers, and was never, in my recollection, wrong-footed.

In his dealings with council officers, elected councillors, and Members of the public, Paul was unfailingly polite, courteous, and helpful.  All of us who were fortunate enough to work with him closely appreciated both his humour and his cool head in a crisis. 

The respect in which he was held is reflected in the generous messages I have received over the last week from officers and Councillors of all parties here at Wokingham and in other councils, notably Reading and Bracknell.  He was liked and admired well beyond our Borough.

Paul’s untimely departure from our lives has naturally left many of us feeling deeply bereft.  All of us in the Liberal Democrat councillor group feel his loss acutely.  For his friends on the Council, however, there is a positive that we are determined to cling onto.  The best way we can honour Paul is to carry on his good work and be inspired by his sense of public service.

Councillor Pauline Jorgensen:

I was very, very sorry to hear that Paul had died and I know that this will be a terrible time for his family.  On behalf of the Conservative Group, I want to send our best wishes and condolences to his loved ones at this difficult time. 

It is a very tragic loss to the Council, Liberal Democrat Group and the wider community.  I know that Paul will be very much missed by all the councillors and officers that he worked with.  He was very diligent, polite, professional, but he also had a great sense of humour, and we recognise that from all sides of the Council.  He was so dedicated to his role, which was not an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

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.

Question:

Over the past couple of years, I've noticed a decline in general maintenance across several areas in Wokingham town centre.  For example, residents had to clear overgrown weeds at the old library, and Goatley Way, off Peach Street, shows visible issues with weeds and litter. Additionally, overflowing bins and increased litter around the town centre have led to rat sightings.

Our town, once celebrated for its beauty and cleanliness with award-winning upkeep, now feels neglected. This decline in litter collection, street cleaning, and general maintenance may deter visitors, potentially impacting our local economy.

Does the Council see street maintenance as a priority, and what steps are being taken to address these issues in upkeep and pest control?

Question 

Over the past couple of years, I've noticed a decline in general maintenance across several areas in Wokingham town centre. For example, residents had to clear overgrown weeds at the old library, and Goatley Way, off Peach Street, shows visible issues with weeds and litter. Additionally, overflowing bins and increased litter around the town centre have led to rat sightings. 

Our town, once celebrated for its beauty and cleanliness with award-winning upkeep, now feels neglected. This decline in litter collection, street cleaning, and general maintenance may deter visitors, potentially impacting our local economy. 

Does the Council see street maintenance as a priority, and what steps are being taken to address these issues in upkeep and pest control? 

Answer

Thank you very much for your question, John.  

Street cleaning within our town centres continues to be a priority and we will continue working with colleagues and our partners to address concerns when they arise.  

In terms of Wokingham Town Centre, we have a Street Cleaning operative who works within the town centre throughout the week as well as daily mechanical sweeping and litter bin emptying of the main areas.  As you would expect the schedules and routines are reassessed to ensure that our frequencies of cleaning regimes reflect any changes or new activity or in our town centres.  Wokingham Town has also been very successful and won many awards for Britain in Bloom which considers the cleanliness of the area as a factor.  

We have checked reports within the town centre and can see on the occasion where glass or litter were reported to Council were quickly dealt with, within the timeframes that we hold to our standards.  We do note that Goatley Way has experienced some issues recurring with litter and rubbish on adjacent private land of which the Council is not legally responsible to clear, however we will continue to liaise with the landowners to resolve this.   

Any fly tipping beside the litter bins also appears to be related to private commercial or household rubbish which can easily be taken to the re3 Waste Recycling Centres.  Furthermore, we have and will continue to target those irresponsible people that litter or fly tip, through the Antisocial Behaviour Team and enforce where suitable and raise these issues directly if there is adequate evidence or material. 

Supplementary Question:

In addition to the decline in general maintenance around our town centre, I also note various properties that have become total eyesores.  The two examples I have are the vacant Bingo Hall or Curves Gym building on Easthampstead Road, and the second example is the Crisis House building opposite Wokingham Station.  Buildings such as these, are in my view, dragging down the overall aesthetics of the town centre, and I strongly believe that the local authority has a responsibility to ensure that required measures are put in place.  I would like to ask please, what our local authority can do to encourage or indeed strongly encourage commercial property owners to play their own  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.1

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

There were no petitions submitted.

To receive a presentation from the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, Jason Hogg, and the Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber.

A 30 minute presentation will be followed by an opportunity for Members to ask questions.

Council received a presentation from Jason Hogg, Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, Matthew Barber (Police and Crime Commissioner) and Andrew Cranidge (Chief Superintendent, LPA Commander – Bracknell and Wokingham)

Matthew Barber introduced the item and indicated that over the summer he had introduced the new Police and Crime Plan, which set out the priorities for the force and the objectives that Chief Constables would be asked to look at.  It covered three areas – protecting our communities, protecting people, and protecting property. 

Protecting our communities focused on neighbourhood policing.  The Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable had a shared vision of increasing neighbourhood policing in Thames Valley.  Good progress was being made to double the number of neighbourhood officers.  Matthew Barber emphasised that crime prevention was key to all areas of the Plan, and a large piece of work for the Police and Police and Crime Commissioner’s office, working with partners such as the Council and the Community Safety Partnership.  The importance of early intervention was highlighted.  Within the area of protecting the communities, the Police worked with partners on anti-social behaviour.  Matthew Barber informed Members of a new, successful mediation service.

With regards to protecting people, Matthew Barber stated that domestic abuse was the biggest single crime type that officers would be dealing with on a daily basis.  Members were informed of work relating to the nighttime economy.  Sniffer dogs were being trained to identify the presence of date rape drugs. 

Matthew Barber talked to the theme of protecting property.  Burglary was historically low and had fallen further since the pandemic.  However, when it happened it had a big impact on victims.  More was being undertaken in relation to rural crime.  Retail crime was an increased focus, and a Retail Crime Strategy had been launched.

Members were informed that cyber crime was one of the biggest single risks.  A lot of work was being carried out nationally and the Chief Constable was responsible for the Thames Valley Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Jason Hogg delivered a presentation which included the following points:

·       The size of the Force had increased and Thames Valley Police had 9,200 officers, staff, and special constables.

·       48% of staff were female, and the force was working hard to be a diverse employer.  Last year 16% of new recruits were from ethnic minority communities.  It was important to be representative of communities.

·       There were currently no police officer vacancies and work had been undertaken to increase the number of Police Community Support Officers and those in the Contact Management Centre.

·       Finances were a challenge.  At the moment the Force was undergoing a restructure in order to make £20million worth of savings.  It would move from 12 Local Policing Areas to 5.  As of May 2025, there would be a local command unit for Berkshire West covering Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire.

·       Neighbourhood Policing – over the past year more criminals were being arrested, more crimes were being solved and more offenders were being charged.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

RECOMMENDATION:

Council is recommended to:

1) note that Councillor Paul Fishwick has not been able to attend meetings of the Council due to ill-health since his attendance at Council on 25 July 2024; and

2) approve Councillor Paul Fishwick’s non-attendance at meetings of the Council due to ill-health up to 21 May 2025 pursuant to Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972.

This item was withdrawn.

RECOMMENDATION:

That Council agrees the Wokingham Borough Health and Wellbeing Board Annual Report 2023-24.

Council considered the Wokingham Borough Health and Wellbeing Board annual report 2023-24.

It was proposed by Councillor David Hare and seconded by Councillor Prue Bray that the report be agreed.

Councillor Hare thanked Ingrid Slade, Director Public Health, for all the work that she had done and wished her well for the future.

Upon being put to the vote it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Wokingham Borough Health and Wellbeing Board Annual Report 2023-24 be agreed.

RECOMMENDATION:

That Council approves the 2025/26 Timetable of Meetings.

Council considered the Timetable of Meetings 2025-26.

It was proposed by Councillor Stephen Conway and seconded by Councillor Rob Comber that the timetable of meetings 2025-26 be agreed.

Upon being put to the vote, it was:

RESOLVED:  That the timetable of meetings 2025-26 be approved.

To answer any Councillor questions.

A period of 30 minutes will be allowed for Councillors 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.

At this point in the meeting, in line with 4.2.12 m of the Constitution, the Mayor proposed that 4.2.1.1 Timing and Order of Business be suspended to enable all Members questions to be asked. This was seconded by Councillor Stephen Conway.

Upon being put to the vote this was agreed.

Question:

At the meeting of the Community and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny of October 7th, 2024, the Planning services department provided a summary of key activity areas and highlighted challenges looking forward. The report highlighted that the reductions in Strategic Development and Development Management team staffing have added workload pressures to existing staff and the Development Management team is now increasingly reliant on the agreement of extensions of time (EoTs) with applicants, to maintain performance standards. In addition, it was stated there is presently no budget set aside for the next local plan to commence and hence funding will need to be planned for and allocated for 2026/27 onwards once the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is published.

What is the current assessment of the level of additional staff resources required to process the new volume of planning applications which will arise from the Local Plan Update (LPU) if approved and how is this reflected in the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2025-2028, to ensure that the current extension of time does not get worse?

Question 

At the meeting of the Community and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny of October 7th, 2024, the planning services department provided a summary of key activity areas and highlighted challenges looking forward. The report highlighted that the reductions in Strategic Development and Development Management team staffing have added workload pressures to existing staff and the Development Management team is now increasingly reliant on the agreement of extensions of time (EoTs) with applicants, to maintain performance standards. In addition, it was stated there is presently no budget set aside for the next local plan to commence and hence funding will need to be planned for and allocated for 2026/27 onwards once the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is published. 

What is the current assessment of the level of additional staff resources required to process the new volume of planning applications which will arise from the Local Plan Update (LPU) if approved and how is this reflected in the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2025-2028, to ensure that the current extension of time does not get worse? 

Answer 

Thank you for your question, Moses.  I am sorry you are not able to be with us, and it is very good of you to join us online when you are not feeling well. 

You are correct that the paper presented to Overview and Scrutiny in October highlighted the need for additional resources to be brought into the Planning team in future.  The team is still working to conclude what that may be, waiting in part of course, for Government announcements regarding any future changes to the plan-making process and fee-setting.  We are expecting to get clarity on that by the new year.

At this stage, the Assistant Director suggests it likely that we will need additional resource in the Strategic Development team, and additional highways expertise to deliver the new strategic developments allocated in the Local Plan Update at Hall Farm and South Wokingham.  Our intention is to seek the agreement of Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) with the developers of those schemes to help cover costs.  PPAs are however voluntary agreements and if the developers choose not to sign up, we will need to make a future bid for funding in the Medium Term Financial Plan.   

In relation to the wider Development Management service, we are awaiting a decision from Government on the potential for local planning fee setting before determining whether we need to make a bid for bid for future funding in the Medium Term Financial Plan.  You will be aware that the Government has some clear indications that it is intending to allow councils to increase planning fees, but we do not as yet know what the details are.

In relation to the next Local Plan, the need for future resourcing will be determined once we have seen the Government’s final changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and any consequential changes to the local plan making process for the future  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.1

Question:

What will be the implications of the recent Labour budget and the increases in National Insurance contributions made by employers for the adult care service at Wokingham Borough Council?

Question 

What will be the implications of the recent Labour budget and the increases in National Insurance contributions made by employers for the adult care service at Wokingham Borough Council? 

Answer 

Thank you for your question, Rebecca. We are, along with all of the Borough’s care providers, gravely concerned at the impact of the potentially unfunded wage cost pressures announced in the budget.  Many of these providers say that if these changes are implemented in April 2025 they will simply be unable to continue to exist.  We already struggle to find enough good quality care. 

I believe it will be about £3.5 million per annum for the impact of both the National Minimum Wage and Employers National Insurance.  We are not at this stage able to say how much of this will be covered in our settlement in December but are already concerned about this, and that I must admit is an approximation because we have got to find out what happens in reality when it happens.

We are already also concerned that the additional funds identified for ASC from a national perspective will cover only 30% of these costs, which is obviously only one element of an overall vastly underfunded service.  This will mean the settlement results in a net decrease in our funding if it all goes to cover the increased employer NI and National Minimal Wage costs falling on our service providers.  We are also concerned that, while the NHS employers will receive compensation for the increased NI contributions, there is no declared commitment to similarly support social care providers.  In a shared Health and Care system this makes no sense, and we call on the Government to extend the compensation to all care providers, and certainly a lot of care providers in this area have written to the Government stating this because it is just stupid that one hand gets and the other does not. 

This, it is a typical case of the Government taking from councils to increase their own income, a state that seems to have continued whether the Conservatives or Labour are in power. 

Supplementary Question:

Thank you, David, and I appreciate your response there.  We are looking at this all the same way.  I share your concerns.  Could I ask the lead Member would he agree to sign the nationwide petition against the budget national insurance increases, because by signing this on behalf of the Council you will help to force a debate in Government?  I am happy to share the link to the petition with you.

Supplementary Answer:

I will have to have a look and see who wrote it and so on, and certainly we have lobbied our MPs.  We have lobbied the Chancellor of the Exchequer.  We have lobbied a lot of people already, but certainly I would be very happy to have a look at that.

Question:

The recent Local Plan which we discussed in this Chamber a couple of months ago promised a new primary school in Shinfield to be built in 2027.  When will this school open?

Question 

The recent Local Plan which we discussed in this chamber a couple of months ago promised a new primary school in Shinfield to be built in 2027.  When will this school open? 

Answer 

There is no reference to a commitment to deliver a new primary school in Shinfield by 2027 in the Local Plan Update.  

However, consideration is currently being given to the development of a new one form entry primary school at the Spencer’s Wood site.  If the decision were taken to proceed with this project, it is envisaged that it would be delivered within five years, although it needs to be stressed that this is subject to the materialisation of additional pupil demand in the area.  Ultimately, primary school rolls are currently in decline, due to falling birth rates within Wokingham, reflective of a national trend.  It is therefore critical that we balance the ambition to provide sufficient local places with the need to ensure that additional surplus places are not introduced into an education system where schools are already struggling to fill their rolls with associated financial pressures.  

As such, the decision in relation to whether to proceed with the Spencer's Wood project will be informed by actual demand, based on evidence from future admissions rounds. 

It would be incredibly helpful if you could use your additional question to clarify where you have seen a reference to the delivery of a new school by 2027, as this is not current Wokingham policy. 

Question:

There is a real shortage of secondary school capacity in the south of the borough.  Bohunt school is full and children in half of Finchampstead face long journeys out of borough to Farnborough or across Wokingham to the north of Wokingham.  As more housing is provided at Aborfield in coming years this situation will only worsen. Historically in Wokingham Without children got into Edgbarrow however this is now not possible due to Edgbarrow being full.  The result is children facing long journeys into Wokingham.  There is also no post 16 provision in Shinfield and Swallowfield. What plans do you have to provide more provision for secondary school children in the south of the borough?

Question 

There is a real shortage of secondary school capacity in the south of the borough. Bohunt school is full and children in half of Finchampstead face long journeys out of borough to Farnborough or across Wokingham to the north of Wokingham.  As more housing is provided at Arborfield in coming years this situation will only worsen.  Historically in Wokingham Without children got into Edgebarrow however this is now not possible due to Edgebarrow being full. The result is children facing long journeys into Wokingham.  There is also no post 16 provision in Shinfield and Swallowfield. What plans do you have to provide more provision for secondary school children in the south of the borough? 

Answer 

Thank you for your question, Charles.

Local authorities have a statutory duty to provide sufficient school places to meet the needs of their resident population.  At the present time, taking into account current capacity and proposed expansions, it is anticipated that there is broadly a sufficient number of secondary places within Wokingham local authority area to account for forecast pupil numbers.  The plans for secondary expansion to meet increases in the pupil cohort are set out in the Borough’s School Places Strategy 2024/25 to 2029/30 on pages12-16 and include a permanent expansion of Bohunt School by one form of entry.  It is projected that the expansion plans will be sufficient to accommodate demand, except for the two peak years of 2027/28 and 2028/29, when a small deficit (under one form of entry) is currently projected.  As a usual process, the School Organisation Team regularly reviews the forecasts and will make suitable adjustments, as admissions data becomes available within the annual cycle.  Should the forecasts be borne out, the intention is to deliver a bulge class in each of the two peak years, so as to ensure that school place offers can be made to all applicants, although it is presently too early to formalise plans in this respect.  It is worth noting that school place planning requires a fine balance between the provision of sufficient places and the need to ensure that an oversupply is not produced (which necessarily places a financial strain on schools where vacancies arise).  Indeed, as the low birth rate currently being experienced within the primary sector makes its way through to the secondary sector, it is expected that a substantial places surplus will arise, which will require adjustments in the other direction (i.e. admission number reductions).  The delivery of more places than currently planned for at this stage would not only exacerbate this issue but would represent a substantial capital outlay to mitigate a fleeting issue. 

The strategy for the delivery of additional Post-16 capacity is not only a quantitative, but also a qualitative matter and the Borough’s strategy for Post-16 sufficiency will be set out in the next iteration of the School Places Strategy, which is currently targeted for delivery by mid-2025. 

Supplementary Question

I note your comments about Post 16 Strategy which is coming, and I will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.4

Question:

At a time when cuts are being made to Council provided services it is more vital than ever that strong returns on investments are being obtained on this Council’s significant portfolio. Can the Executive Member provide an overview of Wokingham Borough Council’s current property portfolio, specifically detailing the portfolio’s total value, and its revenue contribution to the council's budget.  

Question 

At a time when cuts are being made to council provided services it is more vital than ever that strong returns on investments are being obtained on this Council’s significant portfolio.  Can the Executive Member provide an overview of Wokingham Borough Council’s current property portfolio, specifically detailing the portfolio’s total value, and its revenue contribution to the Council's budget.  

Answer 

Thank you, George.

The Council, like most local authorities, has a significant property portfolio which can be divided into two parts.  One part, known as the operational estate, contributes to the direct delivery of services, such as libraries, schools, leisure centres, parks and open spaces, social housing and even roads and road signs.  The second part, known as the commercial portfolio, generates revenue income which can then be used to fund service delivery.  It is of course vital that Council assets are utilised to their optimum capability, both in delivering services and in revenue generation, which collectively generate Best Value to the authority.  As at 31^st March 2022, the Council’s property portfolio had a net book value of just under £500million.  

The commercial portfolio covers a wide variety of sectors, including office, retail and industrial units.  This includes the Council’s holdings in Wokingham town centre, constructed as part of the Wokingham Town Centre regeneration project over the last decade and the Investment portfolio, acquired through a deliberate property investment strategy in place since 2017.  This combined passing annual rental income figure of this commercial portfolio is around £8.71million, from which landlord costs for management and investment need to be deducted before it can be used by the Council.  So, that is the number.

For further detail on this I would point you to look at the Executive paper from March 2024, titled Strategic Asset Review which includes more detail on the values and lists of the individual property assets held by this Council.  We will be bringing forward the next version of the Council’s Asset Management Plan in the Spring next year, which will set the strategy and action plan for the management of the Council’s property portfolio for the next five years.  

Supplementary Question:

Thank you for your response. 

Could you clarify whether there are any plans at the moment to dispose of any assets that are underperforming within the portfolio, and how going forward the Council is going to ensure that investment decisions are aligned with delivering maximum long-term value for our taxpayers?

Supplementary Answer:

All of our portfolio is under review all of the time.  We do have assets that we are looking at, and they of course will go to scrutiny before anything happens to them, so there would be a public review of those assets, but at the moment I cannot clarify anything that is being disposed of, but obviously it is under review all the time.

Question:

Many of Wokingham’s smaller local charities are set to be hit with in many cases, well over £10,000 worth of additional National Insurance bills as a result of the Labour Government’s increase in the budget, for many it will be a cost they simply cannot afford.  What steps are the Council taking to support our smaller local charities from having to reduce or even potentially cease the positive work that they do across the Borough?

Question: 

Many of Wokingham’s smaller local charities are set to be hit with in many cases, well over £10,000 worth of additional National Insurance bills as a result of the Labour Government’s increase in the budget, for many it will be a cost they simply cannot afford.  What steps are the Council taking to support our smaller local charities from having to reduce or even potentially cease the positive work that they do across the Borough?? 

? 

Answer: 

Thank you for your question, Joseph.

Charities are under financial pressure.  Many are already in a difficult position because of cutbacks under the previous government and the sheer number of people in need.  

You quote a figure of well over £10,000 for smaller local charities.  The impact on local charities of changes in National Insurance will differ greatly depending on the number of employees, the level of pay, and the hours worked.  We expect smaller charities with mainly volunteer staff and low levels of employees to be affected much less severely.  However, the Council works very closely with many local charities and is already working to understand the impacts on them.

The Council and Voluntary Sector work together as much as possible, pooling resources to support people.  Because of the huge financial pressures on local government, we cannot always offer direct financial support, but we can often offer support in other ways to ensure that they are able to continue their positive work across the Borough.

This support includes –

·       Innovative approaches to the proposed Community Lottery to raise money for the local charities and community organisations across Wokingham Borough.

·       Actively lobbying the Government for adequate resources and policies to support our communities, of which charities are a vital part.

·       Advocating for necessary funding and support to tackle issues such as poverty and the cost of living crisis, of national policies to tackle root causes of problems.

·       Commissioning services from charities across adults and children’s services.

·       Providing seed funding to help our voluntary and community sector partners.

·       Where possible providing a work in with other partners to provide suitable spaces where charities can operate, saving on costly rents.

·       Regular meetings to discuss a wide range of issues impacting the sector.

Where beneficial we work in collaboration with the voluntary and community sector to address these.

Supplementary Question

Thank you, I appreciate the work the Council is currently doing for our local charities, especially given, one I have been told is facing a £25,000 rise in their National Insurance bills and their costs as a result.  There was something that I thought of earlier today walking to the offices of the Council, and that was how horrific the weather has been today, specifically the temperature.  It had me thinking when I was thinking about my question that it was highly likely that charities that support the elderly across the Borough are going to have to reduce their services, and that difficult decisions are going to have to be made as we move  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.6

Question:

In October 2023, with funding from the previous Government, park and ride sites were revived, leading to a new bus route for the Winnersh Triangle site and public usage of the Coppid Beech car park.  Can the Executive Member for Active Travel, Transport, and Highways provide the most recent usage figures for each park and ride site in Wokingham Borough?

Question 

In October 2023, with funding from the previous Government, park and ride sites were revived, leading to a new bus route for the Winnersh Triangle site and public usage of the Coppid Beech car park.  Can the Executive Member for Active Travel, Transport and Highways provide the most recent usage figures for each park and ride site in Wokingham Borough?

Answer 

Thank you, Shahid, for the question.

I can confirm that the number of vehicles parked in each Park and Ride car park sites during October 2024 is as follows:

·       Winnersh Triangle – 2,496 vehicles

·       Thames Valley Park – 991 vehicles

·       Coppid Beech -55 vehicles

It should be noted that the number of vehicles parked does not directly translate into the number of bus journeys undertaken.  There are two reasons for this, firstly there can be more than one occupant per vehicle and secondly some passengers use park and ride services to travel into Wokingham Borough.  For example, during October this year, we do know there were 9,963 passenger trips to Winnersh Triangle Park and Ride services.

In relation to Coppid Beech, which you will notice has the fewest number of vehicles using it, you be aware that the current administration inherited a commitment from your administration.  We have always had our doubts about it but have sought to make it work.

Supplementary Question

Thank you, Stephen, for the update. 

Yes, Coppid Beech, very low figures there.  Considering the importance of promoting sustainable travel, what specific strategies and upcoming initiatives are aimed at increasing the usage of these Park and Ride facilities, so we can encourage people to use more public transport?

Supplementary Answer

Well, I am sure you will be aware of the initiative that was taken in relation to Winnersh Triangle recently, which has clearly had some impact, and we will be trialling all sorts of things that we think might stimulate greater use of these facilities because it is, as you quite rightly say Shahid, important as part of our action on climate emergency to try and promote wherever we can the use of buses, where possible.  Obviously, we need to promote buses separately from Park and Rides as well.  Bus travel reduces congestion on the roads and is a very big plus in many ways for many residents.  We need also to promote active travel, something very close, as you know, to Paul’s heart.  Active travel not only has enormous health benefits for the individuals concerned and the wider society, but it also clearly again reduces the number of cars or vehicles on the road, and therefore makes it easier for anyone who has to use the road or wishes to use the road, to use it more expeditiously.

Question:

In answer to a question from David Sleight at the October Meeting you said that the Gipsy Lane footbridge is to be enhanced by the developer.? What are those enhancements, are there any drawings and costings available and have land acquisition issues been resolved to confirm that the proposed enhancements are practicable? 

Question 

In answer to a question from David Sleight at the October Meeting you said that the Gipsy Lane footbridge is to be enhanced by the developer.?  What are those enhancements, are there any drawings and costings available and have land acquisition issues been resolved to confirm that the proposed enhancements are practicable? 

Answer 

Thank you, Seona.   

The answer provided under question CP20 to David Sleight at the last Council meeting I do not think that it actually stated that the Gypsy Lane footbridge was to be enhanced, it stated that the Gypsy Lane footbridge ‘route’ is to be enhanced by the developer.  It is a slight but important difference there.  This would result in the footpaths leading to the bridge being enhanced, therefore we have no drawings or costings I am afraid at this stage to provide to you.  Conditions of the planning permissions will require these details to be submitted.  That is when we will have those detailed drawings that we can share with you.

The Gypsy Lane footbridge, as I think you may be aware, is owned and operated by Network Rail and during the planning application process they did not make any comments or I am afraid, seek any, enhancements to this bridge.    

Supplementary Question

Thank you for clarifying, Stephen. 

This means that the Local Plan Update is proposing a settlement that will bring a total of 7,000 people south of the railway on a stretch of over a mile.  The only step free place to go across the railway is at Star Lane level crossing on Easthampstead Road where the barriers are down for lengthy periods, and the draft Local Transport Plan calls for more frequent trains.  Last month we were told that the constraints precluded a bridge or a tunnel.  Assuming these constraints are valid, it was clear that an uninterrupted crossing without steps was not possible, so why was the proposal to increase the housing by some 60% not stopped at that point, there and then?

Supplementary Answer

Obviously, thank you very much for that supplementary, and I understand your concern.  I think there is a lot of work going on, on modelling to see what the transport and cycling and walking implications are of the new development proposed in the new Local Plan.  You will be aware of the transport modelling which has gone on for the whole Local Plan.  That is an integral part of the process, a very costly, a very time consuming piece of work, but that has established the feasibility of these sites, which is why they are in the Plan.  They have been assessed as feasible.

Question:

Shared footways and cycleways across the Wokingham Borough, including in Woodley, are the only option in many parts of the Borough for cycleways. However, some elderly and vulnerable residents can feel unsafe walking alongside cyclists. What can the Council do to ensure their safety and mitigate risks? 

Question 

Shared footways and cycleways across the Wokingham Borough, including in Woodley, are the only option in many parts of the Borough for cycleways. However, some elderly and vulnerable residents can feel unsafe walking alongside cyclists.  What can the Council do to ensure their safety and mitigate risks? 

Answer 

Thank you, Yusra, for your question, and you raising an important point. 

Where a path is designated as shared use, cyclists are legally able to cycle there; however, they should be cycling considerately and taking care around other users of the route.?  You may be aware that the Highway Code was recently updated and includes a road hierarchy where cyclists must give way to pedestrians.   

There is now guidance from the Department for Transport that encourages segregation of pedestrians, cyclists and motor traffic in many situations.  This would mean dedicated cycle lanes fully segregated from cars to enable a safer path for cyclists as well as keeping them away from pedestrians but only in locations where of course this is physically possible.?  There are constraints, it is not always possible to deliver that ideal solution.  ?This would also only apply, of course, to new or upgraded routes.?  You could not propose it retrospectively.

All routes, new and existing, have been designed following government standards at the time and are all subject to road safety audits ensuring the facility is safe for use.  We have done all we can to deliver a safe facility, however we are not able to control the behaviour of users.  We do provide cycle training for adults and children in the Borough and promote courteous use of shared use facilities through our My Journey Team; this includes using the facilities at Woodford Park in Woodley to run some of the training.  Ultimately it is the responsibility of the users to be considerate of each other as they use the public highway. 

Supplementary Question

Thank you for your answer and thank you for letting me know about the upgraded Highway Code. 

Residents in my ward have raised serious concerns about the newly developed shared footpath and cycleway in Beechwood Avenue.  Whilst the footpath is quite wide, the lack of clear markings and signage is causing confusion and increasing the risk of potential accidents.  Will the Highways team consider implementing clear markings and appropriate signage to ensure the safe and effective use of this shared space for both pedestrians and cyclists?

Supplementary Answer

Thank you for your supplementary question Yusra. 

If you could pass on the details of that to me, I will of course talk to the Highways team to see whether anything can be done, to answer your point.

An opportunity for Councillors to ask questions in relation to the latest circulated volume of Minutes of Meetings and Ward Matters. 20 minutes is permitted for this item.

Question

I have been approached by multiple residents and community representatives for multiple wards regarding the lack of burial spaces for Muslims in Wokingham Borough Council.  Currently there is only one space remaining at May Lane in Shinfield Cemetery. 

My question to the Leader of the Council is can we ensure the provision of dedicated burial spaces for Muslims in our cemeteries?

Answer

Thank you for that question, Basit.

I actually received an email on this very subject today making a similar request.  I appreciate the importance of this matter to the Muslim community.  We are aware that limited space remains and are working as speedily as possible to increase the options, either at the existing cemetery that the Council controls or on a new site, and we are also working with our partners on this important matter, so while I cannot say how quickly we will be able to do this we are doing it as speedily as we can because we know there is a critical issue here in terms of remaining capacity almost being used up.  We will do everything we can to try advance this as rapidly as possible so it is possible for Muslim burials to take place within the Borough, because I am very well aware that the alternative is Cemetery Junction and the cemetery there, but that is out of Borough and would cost Wokingham residents more money.  It is important that we try and increase in Borough provision, and we are working to that end.

Question

In my ward we have got an issue that has been going on for some time.  In my ward there is a number of properties owned by Reading Borough Council and they have car parks and parking facilities to give with it as well.  So those properties are managed by Reading Borough Council but actually their residents pay the council tax to us and all the services we provide.  Those garages which they have got they want to use them for their own purpose, but what is happening is that they are being utilised by people across Reading, all over Berkshire basically, and they are not able to use them.  So, the problem is, I am not sure how we handle this, they are saying that Reading Borough Council is not listening to them because it is not really in their interests as such.  When they contact Wokingham, they say ‘look we cannot do anything because it is Reading’ but they are caught in the middle and they have got real issues which needs to be addressed.  So, I am just thinking would it be possible if the officers can perhaps have a look at this case and at least see what can be done, and maybe have a discussion with our colleagues in Reading to come to some sort of amicable resolution?  At the end of the day, they are our residents.  They have serious concerns.  They are not being listened to.  I think we need to help them, and we need to be on the side of the residents.

Answer

Thank you for raising that important issue, Shahid.  You are absolutely right, these residents are caught in an unfortunate limbo between Reading Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council.  It is on the face of it a somewhat anomalous situation that Reading Borough Council should own housing stock in Wokingham, and yet the residents pay the council tax to Wokingham.  It is a situation that needs a bit of unpacking, and I am very happy to work with our excellent housing officers, who will be keen to try and help.  We fortunately have a good working relationship with Reading Borough Council, and I am sure we will be able to use all of the avenues that we have available to raise this issue with them and to try and address it.

Question

The closure of the Shinfield community flat in Frensham Green caused quite a lot of upset with residents, just over 6 months ago, I believe.  There is increasing frustration that it seems that it is still vacant.  Do you know when it will be used for housing as I believe the purpose was?

Answer

Thank you, Andrew.  I cannot give you that information off the top of my head I am afraid, but I will try and get you that detail as soon as possible.  You are absolutely right the decision was taken that the facility was better used for housing.  You will be aware that we do have a real problem of shortage of affordable housing.  Many of our residents are desperate for affordable housing.  We have a waiting list that is far too long.  We do have to seize every opportunity we have to try and make sure that we make best use of the facilities available to us.  I fully understand the concerns about what is seen as the loss of a community facility.  You and I, I think, corresponded on this some while ago when this was first mooted, and you expressed your concerns then.  I will try and get you the details of when we hope that this building will be put into full use as accommodation.

Question

In the new development of Finchwood Park the green spaces are handed over to the Council in phases, at which point the Council becomes responsible for their maintenance.  Many residents have expressed their disappointment to me about the quality of these spaces and do not feel they have been completed to the standard approved in the planning permission.  What measures are in place to address these concerns and ensure that the spaces are handed over in line with the approved plans and guarantee they remain accessible and beneficial for the local community?

Answer

This is possibly more of a Local Plan issue than an environment issue, but I understand it could easily be conceived as environmental.  We have talked about these problems and the management of open spaces on new developments before in this Council Chamber, quite often.  It is a real problem.  You have identified a really serious issue that we are trying to find ways of addressing.  As you know, developers are not obliged to hand over to us, any of these open spaces for our maintenance and care.  They can choose to set up a management company which will carry out that function.  Our concern is that often those management companies do not carry out their function very well.  You are absolutely right that there are occasions where the handover, the standard required has not been met, and we will do all we can obviously to try and ensure that it is, but if you can give me the specific instances of the concerns you have, I would be very happy to take those up and see whether we can do anything.

Question

Residents have reported to me that there is an increasing perception of homeless people being present in Wokingham town centre, a significant portion of which is in my ward.  It seems fairly clear that we do currently have some rough sleeping in the town centre, and although numerically this does not seem to be a huge problem, it clearly causes concern to some residents.  Could the Executive Member for Housing, Partnerships and the Local Plan please let me know what steps have been, and are being taken, to address this issue?

Answer

Thank you for that Rob, and I know that this is a concern that many people have expressed.  I want to assure you that the Council is fully committed to addressing homelessness and rough sleeping.  On homelessness, it is worth saying that we have made recently some rather good progress.  At the end of October, we just had 6 families in emergency accommodation, emergency accommodation is essentially where we are paying for overnight accommodation, breakfast and overnight.  It was down to 6, that is a big drop from Q2 when it had been 15 families, so that is a tribute to the work really that our Homelessness team is putting in. 

On the specific issue of rough sleeping, we have got a range of support services working to actually help rough sleepers.  We have got a dedicated rough sleepers outreach and support team.  We have been developing accommodation options for rough sleepers, and working of course closely with our voluntary and charitable sector partners.  Joseph mentioned cold weather earlier on.  It has been particularly cold today, and you can imagine what that must be like for people sleeping on the streets.  We do have a system in place where when we know that there is going to be really cold overnight temperatures, we have a system that provides immediate accommodation for those that are on the streets.  That is prioritised over everything.  We obviously need to ensure that we save people’s lives.  Of course, it has to be said that some rough sleepers are very reluctant to accept help.  They actually decline our support.  In some cases, there is a suspicion or a hostility to anyone perceived to be in authority.  In those cases, it is really very difficult for us to be able to offer the support that we want, but we do have dedicated teams that are working very hard.  If you want to know more, I would urge you to contact David Higgins, who is in charge of our Homelessness and rough sleeping teams.

Question

I am delighted that the resident who contacted me about Muslim burials as well obviously took my advice which was to email Stephen, and I am glad that we have got some answer.  I am just wondering, not necessarily now Stephen, but could you give a plan and some dates as to when something is going to have to be done, because as far as I understand there is only one Muslim burial plot available in Earley, and obviously Muslims cannot be cremated.  They need to be buried very quickly and the costs in Reading are very high because of the out of area arrangements that are in place.  So, if you could separately, I do not expect you to know it off the top of your head, if you could give us a timetable, that would be absolutely brilliant.

Answer

Thank you, Pauline.  You are absolutely right that I do not know off the top of my head, and it would be very foolish of me to guess, but I will try to get that to you as soon as possible.  I am very aware of the importance of this issue for the Muslim community and it is extremely important to us that we try and address it.

Question

A few of my Hillside residents use the various footpaths to access the Shinfield Road to get to Crosfield School.  In the Council meeting on 23 March 2023, Councillor Parry Batth presented a petition signed by 290 residents requesting a pedestrian crossing outside of the main entrance to the Crosfields on the Shinfield Road.  Later in October 2023 in response to a Member’s question it was stated that there were locations with higher priority.  It was also stated that in light of an accident between a pedestrian and a cyclist overtaking a bus, if it was reassessed that accident would become part of the evidence base.  Please may I have an update on how this request for a crossing is progressing?

Answer

Thank you for that, Caroline.

The Traffic and Road Safety team has actually surveyed the area that you are talking about and supports the installation of a new crossing.  A detailed feasibility report, will, I understand, be shared with local Members very shortly, and we expect that the crossing will then be subject to design work.  So, it is moving forward and I am hoping that it will be moving forward very soon.

Question

My concern is that residents have been continuously contacting me about how Oakbank School does not meet their standards.  In a recent Planning Committee meeting it was mentioned that the school was undersubscribed.  However, the reason for this undersubscription is because parents are not happy with the quality of education that they receive there.  My feeling is that the students deserve better than this, so my question to you is, what is WBC doing to fix this, and when can residents expect to see improvements?

Answer

Thank you.  This is a really serious issue and as I think I have said before in this Chamber and in Children’s Overview and Scrutiny, this is a school which is part of a multi academy trust.  The Council has no direct levers that it can pull to make change.  However, we have been doing a considerable amount of work trying to support the school and I know that our Director of Children’s Services has had meetings with the Regional Director for the Department for Education.  We have been in contact with the Trust, with the school, and I also know, which I think is public knowledge, that Ofsted have visited partly as a result of that contact.  Obviously we have to wait for the outcome of that Ofsted report, but we do take it very seriously and I think all of us share your concerns that students deserve a decent education, and we need to do whatever we can to support the school, the parents and the children, and the staff who I think are also experiencing difficulties.

Question

Firstly, may I ask you to thank officers for their response to my ward colleague Andy’s recent request for Wokingham Borough Council to add Town Lane to the Borough’s clearance and maintenance programme.  Work has already been carried out to help keep this vital and popular community link safe and accessible for residents.  The Friends of Town Lane who do a lot to help maintain Town Lane really appreciate the new support that Wokingham Borough Council, alongside of Woodley Town Council, who already look after a short stretch of the lane.

Secondly, may I ask you to further thank officers for their support of the community clean that recently took place on the field and surrounding area along Woodlands Avenue.  The community group collected 21 bags of waste plus some stuff that would not fit into the bags.  It was a pleasure to be part of the team and to support local resident Mary who organised this event.  My thanks to everyone that turned out, including my fellow Earley Town councillor, Sheena.  Can you please pass on our thanks to the officers for arranging for the waste to be collected so quickly and disposed of safely and appropriately.

Answer

Thank you very much, Stephen.  I will more than certainly pass on your kind comments, and I know that the officers involved very much enjoyed working with the Friends.

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

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

Councillor Stephen Conway, Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Housing, Partnerships and the Local Plan:

We heard earlier this evening many moving tributes to Paul, and of course his untimely passing requires someone to step up to take his place on the Executive.  I certainly do not want to be in a position where I am answering all the questions that would have come to Paul.  I am pleased to report that my colleague and friend Martin Alder has agreed to do so.  Martin has a very good analytical brain and an ability to work well with others.  He has already met many of the officer team and he is much, much more than a safe pair of hands.  He shares Paul’s passion for active travel, and he knows a good deal about transport.  I am looking forward to working with him.

Councillor Prue Bray, Executive Member Children’s Services:

I just wanted to make a short statement about two recent events held by Children’s Services.  The first was the first Wokingham Education Conference which took place on 11 November, which had good representation from school leaders and focused on the subject of inclusion.  The second was an event for young people with a youth future focus theme, which was held on 15 November following an extensive survey to which we got more than 2,000 responses.  Children from a wide range of secondary schools enthusiastically workshopped their ideas for how to make the Borough better for young people.  Both events were excellent and well received, and I expect similar events to take place on a regular basis. 

Although it is not an Executive statement, technically, I did want to update the Council that I have received a message from Lesley during the course of the meeting to say that she and the whole family watched the Council meeting.  Very proud of Paul and found it extremely emotional but they were very proud of him and found the tributes extremely comforting, so thank you everybody.

Councillor Rachel Bishop-Firth, Executive Member for Resident Services, Inclusion and Fighting Poverty:

Rather unusually I want to make a statement at this point in the meeting about the Health and Wellbeing Board annual report which my colleague David Hare introduced to us earlier.  We moved very quickly to the vote, but I did not want to lose the opportunity to highlight to all Members of the Council some of the data that stood out to me in my role as Executive Member for Fighting Poverty and also for Inclusion.  If you are a woman living in one of the more deprived areas of the Borough, you will on average live 5 years less than other residents.  If you are a man, it is 6 years.  That statistic highlights the real impact of poverty on those living in Wokingham Borough.  Around 6% of Wokingham children are living in relatively low-income households, or in other words, in poverty.  That is a shockingly high number.  Growing up in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

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.

Councillor Stephen Conway, Non Executive Director WBC Holdings:

Just a very brief statement Mr Mayor, to remind everyone that the first shareholders committee will be meeting immediately after next week's Executive meeting.

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.

‘The proposed planning changes by the new Labour Government will raise the number of houses to be built in Wokingham Borough from 748 per annum to 1308 per annum, which will change the character and nature of our Borough forever whilst the housing number for London, which has the highest house prices and greatest housing demand, has decreased along with the housing numbers for other major cities. 

Building 1308 houses per annum would threaten the green belt, raise the permitted height of development across our towns and significantly increase housing density. Wokingham Brough’s GPs, schools and roads are already at full capacity, despite years of delivering increased infrastructure and services. 

This Council: 

• opposes the changes to how housing need is calculated, believing this vast increase in housing will change the character and nature of our Borough forever 

• believes this target is not a valid reflection of local demand or need and will do real harm to Wokingham Borough 

• believes housing targets should be set by local authorities rather than Central Government in order to reflect local need and continue to protect local character, and until such a change is implemented, the Labour Government should review the housing need locally to produce a much lower figure 

• will write to the Government setting out the grounds for a lower number and changes to the planning system that will create reasonable and sustainable targets for this Borough and other local authority areas  

• will start a campaign, including writing to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, to secure lower housing numbers for Wokingham Borough and write to both Wokingham Borough’s local MPs to secure their support for this campaign in Parliament.’

Chief Finance Officer Comment:

There are no direct financial implications associated with this Motion.

The Chief Finance Officer comments are solely an assessment of the financial implications associated with the Motion as written and are not an opinion on the policy direction or intention contained within them.

Council considered the following Motion, submitted by Councillor Charles Margetts and seconded by Councillor Pauline Jorgensen.

‘The proposed planning changes by the new Labour Government will raise the number of houses to be built in Wokingham Borough from 748 per annum to 1308 per annum, which will change the character and nature of our Borough forever whilst the housing number for London, which has the highest house prices and greatest housing demand, has decreased along with the housing numbers for other major cities. 

Building 1308 houses per annum would threaten the green belt, raise the permitted height of development across our towns and significantly increase housing density. Wokingham Brough’s GPs, schools and roads are already at full capacity, despite years of delivering increased infrastructure and services. 

This Council: 

• opposes the changes to how housing need is calculated, believing this vast increase in housing will change the character and nature of our Borough forever 

• believes this target is not a valid reflection of local demand or need and will do real harm to Wokingham Borough 

• believes housing targets should be set by local authorities rather than Central Government in order to reflect local need and continue to protect local character, and until such a change is implemented, the Labour Government should review the housing need locally to produce a much lower figure 

• will write to the Government setting out the grounds for a lower number and changes to the planning system that will create reasonable and sustainable targets for this Borough and other local authority areas  

• will start a campaign, including writing to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, to secure lower housing numbers for Wokingham Borough and write to both Wokingham Borough’s local MPs to secure their support for this campaign in Parliament.’

Councillor Charles Margetts indicated that since being first elected a key issue raised with him by residents was housing, and the effect that this would have on the Borough and its infrastructure and services.  The local population had increased by 15% from 2012 to 2022.  Whilst residents were not against new developments, they were firmly against them occurring without the necessary supporting infrastructure.  The new government had announced plans to raise the Council’s house building target from 748 homes per year to 1,308.  Councillor Margetts commented that this would bring about significant changes and would likely require the development of sites at Hall Farm, Twyford and Ashridge and more.  The green belt would disappear.

Councillor Margetts referred to other areas where building upwards rather than outwards had taken place to meet housing targets.  Whilst more housing and in particular more affordable housing was needed in the UK, Councillor Margetts felt that more building should take place in the areas with the highest prices and level of demand.  Wokingham had a history of exceeding housing delivery targets.  Councillor Charles Margetts stated that prior to being in administration the Liberal Democrats had opposed developments such as Halls Farm and should show leadership on the matter.  He felt that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.1