Decisions

To consider the changes recommended by the Independent Examiner and to progress the plan to a public vote through a referendum

That:

1)         the report of the Independent Examination into the Arborfield and

Barkham Neighbourhood Plan be accepted and that the modifications recommended by the Independent Examiner be made to the plan prior to a local referendum being held; and

2)        it be agreed that the referendum version of the Arborfield and Barkham Neighbourhood Plan, as modified in accordance with the recommendations following Independent Examination, meets the basic conditions and complies with the provisions of Paragraph 8 (1) (a) (2) of Schedule 4B to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (inserted by the Localism Act 2011).  A statement to that effect will be published on the Council’s website as well as the ‘Referendum Version’ of the Plan; and

3)        a local referendum be organised and conducted on 6 February 2020 in the Arborfield and Barkham Neighbourhood area. This will allow all eligible persons that are registered on the electoral roll within the two parishes, to vote on whether the Arborfield and Barkham Neighbourhood Plan should be used by Wokingham Borough Council to help it determine planning applications in the Neighbourhood Area.

To consider appropriating the Carnival Pool site for development purposes

That:

1)        it be noted that the Council no longer needs to proceed with a compulsory purchase order ("CPO") in respect of land to the south of Wellington Road, Wokingham known as Carnival Pool shown indicatively edged red on the plan at Appendix 1 of the report ("the Site") pursuant to section 226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) (the "1990 Act") because all outstanding freehold interests in the Site have been acquired by agreement;

2)        it be authorised, to the extent that it is not already held for such purposes, that the land held by the Council and comprising the Site shown coloured red and blue on the plan at Appendix 2 of the report, be appropriated for planning purposes in accordance with section 122 of the local Government Act 1972 from the date this resolution is made, such land being no longer required for the purpose for which it was previously held.

To consider the schedule of proposed fees and charges

That:

1)        the schedule of fees and charges, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be approved to be effective from the dates listed on the schedule;

2)        Wokingham’s discretionary fees and charges for the Public Protection Partnership be approved, and the statutory charges be noted, as set out in Appendix B, effective from 1 April 2020;

3)        the impact of the Public Protection Partnership unifying charges across the three partner authorities on a cost recovery basis, which will be covered in the Medium Term Financial Plan as a Special Item, be noted;

4)        a fee of £14.00 (incl) for the EU Settlement Scheme ID Document Scanning service for non-Borough residents be introduced from 1 December 2019.

(Councillor John Halsall declared a personal interest in this item)

The Committee considered a report in relation to the appointment of members to the Independent Remuneration Panel which was responsible for carrying out reviews of the Members’ Allowances Scheme and subsequently making recommendations to Council.

Councillor Ferris stated that he was pleased that an Independent Remuneration Panel was being appointed and hoped that for continuity purposes they would remain in situ longer than previous panels.  He also felt that reviewing Members’ allowances every two years was the correct timeframe and hoped the review would be undertaken in an impartial way. 

It was noted that all the Panel Members had stated that they did not have an affiliation with any political party.  Following a query by Councillor Ferris it was clarified that for continuity purposes the Council had previously agreed that membership should be staggered and two Panel Members should be appointed for 4 years and the remaining Panel Members for 3 years. 

RESOLVED that:

1)        David Harwood and Angela Slade be appointed to the Independent Remuneration Panel for a period of 4 years, commencing on 29 November 2019;

2)        Diana Anderson, Robert Nancarrow and Ian Newlove to be appointed to the Independent Remuneration Panel for a period of 3 years, commencing on 29 November 2019.

To approve a revised funding model to build a bespoke bungalow for three individual residents with learning/physical disabilities

That the revised funding model for the proposed revised development totalling £815,000, including confirming the allocation of up to £349,000 of Section 106 receipts and a long term loan to Loddon Homes of £231,000, be approved.