Agenda and minutes

The Chairman to report on functions attended since the last meeting and other matters of interest to Members.

The Chairman reported that former Councillors Jean Gardner and Bob Moulton had sadly passed away. The Chairman asked the Council to observe a minute’s silence as a mark of respect and an opportunity to reflect on their lives.

Councillor Jeff Brooks commented that Jean was a warm associate with a larger than life personality who had been well supported by her husband Bernard. She was moderate in tone and worked incredibly hard for her community.

Councillor Emma Webster noted that Jean has worked tirelessly for the local community as a member of Tilehurst Parish Council since 1973. She had chaired the Parish Council for a remarkable 33 years and in all her time on the parish council had only missed three meetings. She had been elected unanimously every year.  She was also a member of West Berkshire District Council and Berkshire  County Council. Jean had the honour of being Chairman of West Berkshire Council from 1997 to 1998, the year that saw Newbury District Council become a unitary authority and something that she was very proud of. She would be greatly missed by everyone who knew her and the community would be poorer for her passing.

Councillor Mollie Lock stated that she and her late husband Keith had known Jean and Bernard long before they were elected to the Council.  She would be remembered for her firm yet inclusive manner, as someone who was not afraid to deal with controversial issues and her lovely smile. She would be greatly missed.

Councillor Tony Linden described Jean as the driving force of Tilehurst Parish Council, a dedicated public servant and that her passing would leave a big gap in her community.

Councillor Jeff Brooks commented that Bob would be remembered for his waspish sense of humour, as a councillor who worked hard for his community and that he would be remembered with great affection and pride.

The Chairman welcomed all present and reported that she and the Vice Chairman had attended 25 events since the last Council meeting.

The Chairman to sign as a correct record the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 6 December 2018.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2018 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To remind Members of the need to record the existence and nature of any personal, disclosable pecuniary or other registrable interests in items on the agenda, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

The Deputy Monitoring Officer announced that in respect of items 15 and 16 (Capital Strategy and Programme 2019/20 to 2021/22 and Revenue Budget 2019/20): all Members had completed an Application for a Grant of a Dispensation in relation to “any beneficial interest in land within the Authority’s area.” The Monitoring Officer had previously granted the dispensation to allow all Members to speak and vote on this item.

Councillor James Fredrickson was employed by Gigaclear and therefore had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in item 15 Capital Strategy and Programme 2019/20 to 2021/22. He therefore left the meeting for that item and did not take part in the debate or vote on the matter.

Councillor Jeff Beck was a Council appointed trustee of the Corn Exchange Trust, Readibus and Volunteer Centre West Berkshire and therefore had an Other Registrable Interest in item 16 Revenue Budget 2019/20. He therefore left the meeting at the start of that item and did not take part in the debate or vote on the matter.

A number of other personal interests were also declared and these had been displayed in the Council Chamber and are set out below:

Members of the Executive to answer questions submitted by members of the public in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

A full transcription of the public and Member question and answer sessions are available from the following link: Transcription of Q&As. (right click on link and ‘Edit Hyperlink’. Insert URL to pdf on website in ‘address’ field)

1.            A question standing in the name of Mr Peter Norman on the subject of congratulating the students who took part in climate change strike  was answered by the Portfolio Holder for Highways Transport, Environment and Countryside.

2.            A question standing in the name of Ms Joanne Stewart on the subject of the West Berkshire Lottery was answered by the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Transformation and Property.

3.            A question standing in the name of Mr Steve Masters on the subject of a strategy to deal with climate change  was answered by the Leader of the Council.

4.            A question standing in the name of Mr Steve Masters on the subject of inclusion of environmental impact on the Council’s planning and decision making processes was answered by the Portfolio Holder for Highways Transport, Environment and Countryside.

5.            A question standing in the name of Ms Carolyne Culver on the subject of salt bins for parishes was answered by the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport, Environment and Countryside.

6.            A question standing in the name of Mrs Carolyne Culver on the subject of free 30 minute parking in central Newbury was answered by the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport, Environment and Countryside.

7.            A question standing in the name of Dr Julie Wintrup on the subject of cuts to public services was answered by the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Transformation and Property.

8.            A question standing in the name of Mr Tom Tunney on the subject of recruitment and retention of staff was answered by the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services.

9.            A question standing in the name of Mr Tom Tunney on the subject of Council Tax increases and the funding gap received a written answer from the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Transformation and Property.

10.         A question standing in the name of Mr Tom Tunney on the subject of schools in deficit received a written response from the Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Young People.

11.         A question standing in the name of Mr Tom Tunney  on the subject of  the uptake of the Get Your Coat Ap received a written answer from the Portfolio Holder for .

12.         A question standing in the name of Mr Tom Tunney on the subject of  budgetary impacts on the goals of the Health and Wellbeing Board received a written answer from the Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, Leisure and Culture.

13.         A question standing in the name of Mr Steve Masters on the subject of  references to climate change in the budget would receive a written answer from the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport, Environment and Countryside.

14.         A question standing in the name of Mrs Miriam Lee on the subject of  renewable energy suppliers was answered by the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

The Council to agree any changes to the membership of Committees.

There had been no changes to the membership of Committees since the previous Council meeting.

The Council is asked to note that since the last meeting of the Council, the Licensing Committee met on 11 February 2019 and 21 February 2019. Copies of the Minutes of this meeting can be obtained from Strategic Support or via the Council’s website.

The Council noted that, since the last meeting, the Licensing Committee had met on 11 February 2019 and 21 February 2019.

The Council is asked to note that since the last meeting of the Council, the Personnel Committee met on the 12 February 2019. Copies of the Minutes of these meetings can be obtained from Strategic Support or via the Council’s website.

The Council noted that, since the last meeting, the Personnel Committee had met on 12^th February 2019.

The Council is asked to note that since the last meeting of Council, the Governance and Ethics Committee has not met.

The Council noted that, since the last meeting, the Governance and Ethics Committee had not met.

The Council is asked to note that since the last meeting of the Council, the District Planning Committee has not met.

The Council noted that, since the last meeting, the District Planning Committee had not met.

The Council is asked to note that since the last meeting of the Council, the Overview and Scrutiny Management Commission met on 6 December 2018, 15 January 2019 and 26 February 2019. Copies of the Minutes of these meetings can be obtained from Strategic Support or via the Council’s website.

The Council noted that, since the last meeting, the Overview and Scrutiny Management Commission had met on 6 December 2018, 15 January 2019 and 26 February 2019.

The Council is asked to note that since the last meeting of the Council, the Joint Public Protection Committee has not met. 

The Council noted that, since the last meeting, the Joint Public Protection Committee had not met.

In compliance with the Local Government Act 2003, this report summarises the Council’s borrowing limits as set out by CIPFA’s Prudential Code, and requests Council approval of the Annual Investment and Borrowing Strategy for 2019/20.

The Council considered a report (Agenda Item 13) which, in compliance with The Local Government Act 2003, summarised the Council’s borrowing limits as set out by CIPFA’s Prudential Code, and requested Council approval of the Annual Investment and Borrowing Strategy for 2019/20

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Anthony Chadley and seconded by Councillor Emma Webster:

That the Council:

“approves the Annual Investment and Borrowing Strategy for 2019/20”

Councillor Anthony Chadley stated that this area of work was scrutinised regularly and was supported by a cross party working group.

The Motion was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.

That Council approves and adopts the medium Term financial planning and strategy for the organisation.

The Council considered a report (Agenda Item 14) concerning its three year rolling strategy which was built to ensure that the financial resources, both revenue and capital, were available to deliver the Council Strategy. The medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) should be read in conjunction with the Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Investment and Borrowing Strategy reports.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Anthony Chadley and seconded by Councillor Graham Jones:

That the Council:

“approves and adopts the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019/20 to 2021/22.”

Councillor Anthony Chadley stated that the Council had an excellent record of delivering its budget.

Councillor Lee Dillon commented that it seemed incongruous that New Ways of Working (reviewing how and why the Council delivered services and establishing how they might be delivered in a more efficient and effective way)  was an area of focus at the same time the budget was being cut. Councillor Jeff Brooks was concerned that not enough financial planning and contingency work had taken place around BREXIT.

Councillor Graham Jones responded by saying that it was not always necessary to spend money in order to save it.  He also noted that there was £210k in the budget to mitigate the impact of BREXIT. This was additional funding from Central Government. The Council had also put in place adequate reserves which could be called on if necessary. He stated that it was essential that better national dialogue took place around how social care was funded in  the future.

Councillor Anthony Chadley stated that while the Administration would prefer not to have to increase Council Tax it had to be realistic about its financial planning.

The Motion was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.

To outline the three year Capital Strategy for 2019 to 2022, including the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) and to set out the funding framework for the Council’s three year Capital Programme for 2019 to 2022.

(All Members had been granted a dispensation by the Monitoring Officer to speak and vote on this item).

(Councillor James Fredrickson declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda item 15 by virtue of the fact that he was employed by Gigaclear. As his interest was personal and prejudicial he left the meeting and took no part in the debate or voting on the matter).

(Councillor Fredrickson left the meeting at 7.40pm)

The Council considered a report (Agenda Item 15) which outlined the three year Capital Strategy for 2019 - 2022, including the minimum revenue provision (MRP) and set out the funding framework for Council’s three year capital programme for 2019 - 2022.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Anthony Chadley and seconded by Councillor Lynne Doherty:

That the Council:

“approves the Capital Strategy and Programme 2019/20 to 2021/22.”

Councillor Chadley explained that the Capital Programme was designed to deliver the key priorities for improvement set out in the Council Strategy including improving educational attainment and closing the educational attainment gap, infrastructure improvements in relation to roads, safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, supporting communities to help themselves and generating income. The three year Programme was also aligned to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

It was noted that there was one figure missing from the 5^th column on the 1^st line of figures on page 93 (Capital Strategy and Programme Appendix E): Council funded spend on OT Equipment (in Adult Social Care) in 2020/21 should be £609,480. This error did not affect the text of the report, but created errors in appendices D and E (on pages 92, 93 and 101 of the Council Agenda).

AMENDMENT: Proposed by Councillor Graham Jones and seconded by Councillor Anthony Chadley:

That the Council:

“award Volunteer Centre West Berkshire an additional capital allocation of £5,000 in 2019/20 to be funded from the Corporate Allocation fund shown on page 99 of the agenda.”

Councillor Graham Jones stated that this amendment was proposed in recognition of the important work undertaken by the Voluntary Centre and had been included as an amendment after a meeting with representatives of the organisation.

The Amended Motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 4.17.3 it was requisitioned that the voting on the Amendment be recorded. The names of those Members voting for, against and abstaining were read to the Council as follows:

FOR the Motion:

Councillors Steve Ardagh-Walter, Peter Argyle, Howard Bairstow, Pamela Bale, Jeff Beck, Dominic Boeck, Graham Bridgman, Jeff Brooks, Paul Bryant, Anthony Chadley, Keith Chopping, Jeanette Clifford, Hilary Cole, James Cole, Richard Crumly, Lee Dillon, Lynne Doherty, Billy Drummond, Adrian Edwards, Sheila Ellison, Dave Goff, Clive Hooker, Carol Jackson-Doerge, Marigold Jaques, Mike Johnston, Graham Jones, Rick Jones, Tony Linden, Mollie Lock, Tim Metcalfe, Ian Morrin, Graham Pask, Anthony Pick, Garth Simpson, Richard Somner, Anthony Stansfeld, Quentin Webb, Emma Webster and Laszlo Zverko.

AGAINST the Amendment:

None

ABSTAINED:

None

AMENDMENT: Proposed by Councillor Lee Dillon and seconded by Councillor Jeff Brooks:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

To consider and recommend to Council the 2019/20 Revenue Budget, which proposes a Council Tax requirement of £97.87m requiring a Council Tax increase of 2.99% in 2019/20. The Council Tax increase will raise £2.84m. 

This report also proposes the Fees and Charges for 2019/20 as set out in Appendix H and the Parish Expenses as set out in Appendix I and recommends the level of General Reserves as set out in Appendix F and Appendix G.

(All Members had been granted a dispensation by the Monitoring Officer to speak and vote on this item).

(Councillors Steve Ardagh-Walter, Jeff Beck, Dominic Boeck, Richard Crumly, Lynne Doherty, Billy Drummond, Adrian Edwards, Dave Goff and Anthony Pick declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 16 by virtue of the fact that they were dual hatted Members and a number of proposals would affect them in that capacity. As their interest was personal and not an other registrable nor a disclosable pecuniary interest they determined to take part in the debate and vote on the matter).

(Councillor Jeff Beck declared an other registrable interest in Agenda item 16 by virtue of the fact that he was a Council appointed Trustee of The Corn Exchange (Newbury) Trust Limited, Readibus and Volunteer Centre West Berkshire. As his interest was an other registrable interest he  determined to leave the chamber and neither take part in the debate nor vote on the matter).

(Councillor Jeanette Clifford declared a personal interest in Agenda item 16 by virtue of the fact that she was a Governor and Foundation Governor of St. Bartholomew’s School, a Trustee of the Charity of Mrs. Mable Luke and a Governor of South Central Ambulance Service. As her interest was personal and not prejudicial she was permitted to take part in the debate and vote on the matter).

(Councillor Lynne Doherty declared a personal interest in Agenda item 16 by virtue of the fact that her husband was co-opted onto Shaw-cum-Donnington Parish Council. As her interest was personal and not prejudicial she was permitted to take part in the debate and vote on the matter).

(Councillor Rick Jones declared a personal interest in Agenda item 16 by virtue of the fact that he was a Council representative on WB Mencap and a member of West Berkshire Disability Alliance. As his interest was personal and not prejudicial he was permitted to take part in the debate and vote on the matter).

(Councillor Tim Metcalfe declared a personal interest in Agenda item 16 by virtue of the fact that he was a Trustee of the Adventure Dolphin (Pangbourne) Charity. As his interest was personal and not prejudicial he was permitted to take part in the debate and vote on the matter).

(Councillor Billy Drummond declared a personal interest in Agenda item 16 by virtue of the fact that he was a governor at The Willows School, a Foundation Governor at St Bartholomew’s School and a director of Greenham Business Park. As his interest was personal and not prejudicial he was permitted to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

(Councillor Jeff Beck left the meeting at 8.18pm and did not return)

The Council considered a report (Agenda Item 16) concerning the 2019/20 Revenue Budget, which proposed a Council Tax requirement of £97.87m requiring a Council Tax increase of 2.99% in 2019/20. The Council Tax increase would raise £2.84m.  The report also proposed the Fees and Charges for 2019/20 as set out  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

To seek Council’s approval of the Statutory Pay Policy Statement for publication from 1 April 2019.

The Council considered a report (Agenda Item 17) which sought approval of the Statutory Pay Policy Statement for publication from 1st April 2019.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Dominic Boeck and seconded by Councillor Graham Bridgman:

That the Council:

“approves and then publishes the policy statement in accordance with s38 of the Localism Act 2011”.

AMENDMENT: Proposed by Councillor Lee Dillon and seconded by Councillor Jeff Brooks:

That the Council:

“Add the following to paragraph 3.1 on page 478 which currently states:

All jobs within the Council are paid on salary grades within five or more incremental points.

Add “All jobs within the Council will be contractually remunerated as a minimum at the National Living Wage level and we will seek our suppliers to do the same, through our procurement processes.”

Councillor Graham Bridgman noted that this report had been discussed at the Personnel Committee and it would have been more appropriate to raise this issue there. Councillor Graham Jones commented that suppliers already had a statutory duty to comply with remunerating their employees at the proposed levels and the Council already did so too.

Councillor Dillon stated that on that basis he proposed withdrawing the amendment.

Councillor Graham Bridgman commented that the Council had a statutory duty to publish the Pay Policy and he recommended that Members agree to do so.

The Motion was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.

To update Council on the legislation changes made by government in respect to Council Tax empty home charges from 2019/20 onwards.

The Council considered a report (Agenda Item 18) which updated Members on the legislative changes made by government in respect of Council Tax for empty home from 2019/20 onwards.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Dominic Boeck and seconded by Councillor Hilary Cole:

That the Council:

1.            “agrees that the empty homes charges are increased in line with the following; 

i)          2019/2020 – 50% premium charge to increase to 100% if a property has been empty for more than 2 years.

ii)         2020/2021 – 100% premium to apply to properties that have been empty for between 2 and 5 years. 200% premium where the property has been empty for more than 5 years.

iii)       2021/2022 – 100% to apply to properties that have been empty for between 2 and 5 years. 200% premium where the property has been empty for between 5 and 10 years. 300% premium where the property has been empty for more than 10 years.

iv)       Not to apply the additional premium charges from 1st April 2019 where there is a genuine case that the property is up for sale and there are difficulties in the sale.”

Councillor Dominic Boeck stated that the changes were being proposed in accordance with the legislative changes and were designed to decrease the number of empty homes in the district. Councillor Jeff Brooks commented that he would like to see the estimated £377k of additional income invested into bringing more empty homes into use across the District.  Councillors Hilary Cole and Dominic Boeck stated that they would look into this suggestion but could not state categorically that the income would be ring fenced.

The Motion was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.

This report provides feedback on the results of the public consultation into the Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations Review 2019/20.

The Council considered a report (Agenda Item ) concerning feedback on the results of the public consultation into the Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations Review 2019/20.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Dominic Boeck and seconded by Councillor Graham Bridgman:

That:

1.            “in response to the Council’s public consultation on its review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations 2019, the Council approve the recommendations set out below and in Appendix D.

2.            the Returning Officer be given delegated authority to agree any further minor changes to Polling Districts and Polling Stations.

3.            any Polling Places be assumed to relate to Polling Districts in their entirety.

Chieveley and Cold Ash Ward

(1)      That 2 new Polling Districts for Florence Gardens and Little Copse be created as a result of the Boundary Review and that electors in Florence Gardens and Little Copse vote in Polling Stations as set out below: 

(i)   Electors in Florence Gardens will vote in the Newbury and Thatcham Hockey Club, Henwick Worthy.

(ii)   Electors living in Little Copse in Thatcham North East will vote in the Central Family Hub, Park Lane. 

Hungerford and Kintbury

(2)       That the Polling Station for Combe be moved from the Inn Keepers’ Bungalow to Combe Manor.

Newbury Central Ward

(3)       That electors around the Park Way area that used to vote at St Nicholas Church Hall in future vote at St Joseph’s Catholic Church Hall.

Newbury Greenham Ward

(4)       That Newbury Rugby Club be used as a future Polling Station for the Sandleford Polling District, which will be in the Newbury Greenham Ward.

Newbury Speen Ward

(5)       That electors in Polling District NB7 (Brumell Grove) vote, in the future, at the Scout Hut, Poplar Place.

(6)       That SB2 and SB3 Polling Districts be merged to create a unique SB2 Polling District.

(7)       That the permanent moorings adjacent to Monkey Bridge be included in NBY14 Polling District.

(8)       The line of the northern boundary of NBY10 has been moved north to follow the line of the River Kennet. This will ensure that the electors between the canal and the river vote at St Nicholas Church Hall.

Newbury Wash Common

(9)       That Newbury Rugby Club be used as a future Polling Station for the Sandleford Polling District, which will be in the Newbury Wash Common Ward.

Ridgeway Ward

(10)     That the Swan Public House be used at a Polling Station for East Ilsley.

Thatcham Colthrop and Crookham Ward

(11)     That a new Polling District (THA7) be created for all those residents located south of the Railway Line and Crookham Hill. These electors will continue to use the Travellers Friend as their Polling Station.

Thatcham North East Ward

(12)     Those residents which are part of the Little Copse Polling District (in Cold Ash) Parish use the Thatcham Children’s Centre as their designated Polling Station.

Thatcham West Ward

(13)     That electors located in the Polling District of Florence Gardens (Cold Ash Parish) use the Newbury and Thatcham Hockey Club, Henwick Worthy as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93.

To introduce the final draft of the West Berkshire 2036 Vision for Council endorsement following its agreement by the Health and Wellbeing Board on 24 January 2019.

The Council considered a report (Agenda Item 20) concerning the final draft of the West Berkshire 2036 Vision which was agreed by the Health and Wellbeing Board on 24^th January 2019.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Rick Jones and seconded by Councillor Graham Jones:

That the Council:

“endorses the West Berkshire 2036 Vision.”

Councillor Rick Jones congratulated Officers on a job well done. They had consulted widely, the document was generally positively received albeit that a number of minor changes had been made as a result of the consultation.

The Motion was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.

(a)          The following Motion has been submitted in the name of Councillor Richard Somner:

“The District of West Berkshire has over 50 Parish/Town Councils all of which have an important part to play in continuing to make West Berkshire a great place in which to live, work, study and play.

As this Council continues to focus on the more strategic core services that it must provide Parish Councils will have an increasingly important role to play in the delivery of services at the local level. It has been acknowledged that devolution can support local communities to become more self-sufficient and ultimately do more for themselves.

The National Association of Local Councils has also welcomed the opportunity for Parish Councils to play an active role in the devolution agenda.

Members are therefore requested to confirm that they fully support the Council’s collaborative approach to devolution with its Parishes with the objective of making sure that appropriate services and assets are managed at the local level where possible.”

(b)          The following Motion has been submitted in the name of Councillor Jeanette Clifford:

“This council has a long-standing commitment to ‘green principles’ of stewardship, responsibility and resilience and in order to reaffirm this commitment the Council is asked to:

·         Accept and welcome its local leadership role, as the United Kingdom as a whole moves further towards environmental sustainability and achieving or bettering targets in line with the Paris Agreement

·         Anticipate the advice expected from the Committee on Climate Change to the UK government on May 2^nd 2019 on how and when to achieve net zero emissions and commit to translating this into a programme of action for West Berkshire

·         Resolve to maintain its strong record of leadership, innovation and partnership in protecting and enhancing the environment in West Berkshire in all spheres of its work

·         Determine to act, not sloganise, respecting the need to consult and work with  residents to deliver change

·         Achieve this while promoting green growth and maintaining the status of west Berkshire as a vibrant and innovative world economy, with a highly skilled workforce and low unemployment”.

The Council considered the under-mentioned Motion (Agenda item 21a) submitted in the name of Councillor Richard Somner relating to the devolution agenda.

The Chairman informed the Council that the Motion would be debated at the meeting.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Ricard Somner and seconded by Councillor Anthony Pick:

“The District of West Berkshire has over 50 Parish/Town Councils all of which have an important part to play in continuing to make West Berkshire a great place in which to live, work, study and play.

As this Council continues to focus on the more strategic core services that it must provide Parish Councils will have an increasingly important role to play in the delivery of services at the local level. It has been acknowledged that devolution can support local communities to become more self-sufficient and ultimately do more for themselves.

The National Association of Local Councils has also welcomed the opportunity for Parish Councils to play an active role in the devolution agenda.

Members are therefore requested to confirm that they fully support the Council’s collaborative approach to devolution with its Parishes with the objective of making sure that appropriate services and assets are managed at the local level where possible.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

The Council considered the under-mentioned Motion (Agenda item 21b) submitted in the name of Councillor Jeanette Clifford relating to the Council’s commitment to green principles.

The Chairman informed the Council that the Motion would be debated at the meeting.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Jeanette Clifford and seconded by Councillor Graham Jones:

“This council has a long-standing commitment to ‘green principles’ of stewardship, responsibility and resilience and in order to reaffirm this commitment the Council is asked to:

·         Accept and welcome its local leadership role, as the United Kingdom as a whole moves further towards environmental sustainability and achieving or bettering targets in line with the Paris Agreement

·         Anticipate the advice expected from the Committee on Climate Change to the UK government on May 2^nd 2019 on how and when to achieve net zero emissions and commit to translating this into a programme of action for West Berkshire

·         Resolve to maintain its strong record of leadership, innovation and partnership in protecting and enhancing the environment in West Berkshire in all spheres of its work

·         Determine to act, not sloganise, respecting the need to consult and work with  residents to deliver change

·         Achieve this while promoting green growth and maintaining the status of west Berkshire as a vibrant and innovative world economy, with a highly skilled workforce and low unemployment”.

The Motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

Members of the Executive to answer questions submitted by Councillors in accordance with the Council’s Constitution. (Note: there were no Member questions submitted relating to items not included on this Agenda).

There were no Member questions submitted to this meeting.