Decisions

To seek approval to formally consult on a proposal to bring forward the expansion of Farley Hill Primary School to 2022 and release the former school site

That:

1)               formal consultation be approved on the proposal that the proposals agreed by Executive on 30^th January 2020 for the expansion of the Farley Hill Primary School in stages on two sites be replaced by a new proposal that Farley Hill Primary School expands to 420 places (plus a nursery) from September 2022, and that the former school site in Farley Hill Village be formally closed;

2)               proposed changes to 2022/23 School Admission arrangements to ensure that all children living in homes on or in immediate proximity to the Arborfield Garrison Strategic Development Location are within the Farley Hill Primary School Designated Area be endorsed;

3)               authority be delegated to the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Children’s Services, to determine the proposal.

To seek approval of a procurement business case for therapy services for children and young people

That:

1)               a joint procurement exercise for an Integrated Children’s Therapy Service for Wokingham be undertaken with West Berkshire and Reading local authorities;

2)               the three local authorities jointly procure as a single lot resulting in a single contract signed by the supplier and the three local authorities;

3)               the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Lead Member for Children’s Services, be delegated authority to award the contract to the successful bidder following completion of the evaluation process. The estimated WBC budget is £389,520 per annum.

To consider the next steps required for the installation of on-street residential and Council-owned car parks’ chargepoints.

That:

1)               the initial small-scale rollout of approximately 36 on-street residential EV chargepoints be approved, subject to a local engagement exercise once preferred sites have been identified;

2)               the provision of EV chargepoints in Council-owned car parks be approved;

3)               £66,000 of capital borrowing be approved to fund the Council’s 25% investment subject to securing the remaining 75% through Government funding; this borrowing will be recovered through revenues generated by the project;

4)               it be noted that Wokingham Borough Council would be the owner and operator of the EV chargepoints but the maintenance would be undertaken by an external supplier with expertise in this sector. All costs related to maintenance and management will be covered by the external supplier following a procurement exercise; 

5)               it be noted that the award of the contract for supplier will be dependent on achieving the financial estimations detailed within this report, ensuring zero net cost to the Council; 

6)               it be noted that a further report will be presented to the Executive for approval following an initial 18-month period of operation of the on-street chargepoints to review effectiveness and summarise lessons learned to inform into the future EV strategy.

As Councils are now required to have a Rent Setting Policy the Executive is asked to agree the Rent Setting Policy, which is not proposing changes to the current way of working for setting rents.  

That the Rent Setting Policy, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, for which the ‘Rent Setting Policy’ primarily relates to the Housing Revenue Account (2552 properties) plus includes a small number (18 properties) of General Fund properties be approved.

That:

1)              the Local Plan Update: Revised Growth Strategy consultation document (as set out in enclosure 1 to the report) be agreed for consultation;

2)              the consultation framework, as set out in the report, be agreed;

3)              that minor changes to the content of the Local Plan Update: Revised Growth Strategy consultation document, and the production of studies and materials produced to support the consultation, be delegated to the Director of Place and Growth in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Enforcement.