Decisions

To obtain approval to consult on the Council's Draft Housing Strategy 2020-2024

That consultation on the Wokingham Borough Council’s Draft Housing Strategy 2020-2024 be approved.

To consider the Climate Emergency Task and Finish Group’s report and Officer responses to the recommendations contained therein

That the Officer responses to the recommendations contained in the Climate Emergency Task and Finish Group report be approved.

To consider the revenue budget position at the end of quarter 2

That the following be noted: 

1)        the significant financial impact of the Covid-19 crisis as illustrated in the Executive Summary and that any unfunded additional responsibilities falling on the Council as a result of any further lockdown measures are not included in the 2020/21 forecasts;

2)        the overall forecast of the current position of the General Fund revenue budget, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) illustrated in the Executive Summary and appendices attached to the report;

3)        the recent announcement from the Prime Minister confirmed that there would be a further package of support for local government, of around £1 billion. Further details of this funding will be confirmed shortly. Any income and related expenditure from this is currently not factored in the figures in the report;

4)        that on 22 September, the Council were allocated £55k from Local Authority Compliance and Enforcement Grant. Any income and related expenditure from this is currently not factored in the figures in the report.

To consider the Capital monitoring position at the end of Quarter 2

That:

1)        it be noted that the Council’s Capital Programme has been reviewed and will continue to be throughout the year in the context of the impact of Covid-19 on funding sources and service requirements, and that any changes will be presented to Executive for approval;

2)        the proposed rephasing to the Capital Programme following the ‘in-year’ review including the impact of Covid 19, as set out in paragraph 3 and Appendix B, be noted and approved. There is no financial / service impact from the reprofiling of budgets into 2021/2022;

3)        the position of the capital programme at the end of Quarter 2 (to 30^thSeptember 2020) as summarised in the report and set out in detail in Appendix A be noted;

4)        Appendix C, which highlights capital performance by key activities, be noted. This is part of the Council’s enhanced financial management focusing on the key capital projects, monitoring performance against budget and impact on funding levels (including borrowing);

5)        it be agreed that £6m of ringfenced funded capital budget, originally programmed for 2021/2022, is brought forward into the current year (2020/2021), for the acceleration of the delivery of the SCAPE – Road Infrastructure project;

6)        an addition to the 2020/21 capital programme, the project for Church Lane, Shinfield – Flood Alleviation Scheme, to be funded from ring fenced Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) grant from the Environment Agency of £115k be noted and approved.

To approve a strategy that sets out the Council’s vision and strategic priorities to support carers and identifies the actions the Council and its partner organisations will take to realise this, whilst acknowledging the context of a challenging budgetary position and growing demographic pressures

That Wokingham Borough Council’s Carers’ Strategy 2020-2025, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

The Executive Member for Planning and Enforcement agreed that Wokingham Borough Council submit the comments contained in Enclosure 1 of the agenda report as this council’s response to the Government consultation ‘Planning for the Future’ white paper (MHCLG, August 2020).