Agenda

To receive apologies for inability to attend the meeting (if any).

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

The Chairman to sign as a correct record the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 16 October 2025.

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.

Petitions may be presented to Council. These will normally be referred to the appropriate body without discussion.

Members of the Executive to answer questions submitted by members of the public in accordance with the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Council's Constitution.

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

To note Motions which have been presented to previous Council meetings.

That Council is informed about the meetings held since the last ordinary meeting of Council. The minutes of these meetings will be available on the Council’s website. 

A)        The Licensing Committee met on 3 November 2025.

B)        The Personnel Committee has not met.

C)        The Governance Committee met on 18 November 2025.

D)        The District Planning Committee has not met.

E)        The Resources and Place Scrutiny Committee met on 10 November 2025 and 25 November 2025.

F)        The Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee has not met.

G)        The Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee has not met.

H)        The Health and Wellbeing Board has not met.

I)          The Joint Public Protection Committee has not met.

This report seeks Council support for the Executive to agree to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to Government in response to the Government’s devolution policy. It is a stated Government policy intent that all regions in England benefit from devolution. 

The submission of the EOI Thames Valley will not bind the Council but will enable it to engage with Government on devolution of powers and functions to target regional economic growth working within a strategic partnership that aims to bring prosperity. This will enable collaborative regional governance to enable this Council to support innovation, business growth and investment. The aim of devolution is to ensure inclusive growth by opening greater prospects for skilled jobs, affordable housing and connected places that add to the region’s future economic sustainability.

The Public Protection Partnership Service was subjected to a peer review which concluded earlier in the year. In line with the negotiations on the recommendations of the review, a report seeking authorisation for West Berkshire Council to enter into a new three authority shared service agreement with Bracknell Forest Council and Wokingham Borough Council until the 31 March 2029 was agreed at Executive on the 6 November 2025.

This report seeks authority to make the associated changes to the Constitution to allow Wokingham Borough Council to rejoin the governance arrangements at a member level. It also seeks delegation of Council Functions undertaken by the Public Protection Service to the Joint Public Protection Committee until 31 March 2029.

The purpose of this report is to update Council regarding the work undertaken by the Constitution Review Task Group (“CRTG”), and to seek approval of the proposed Constitutional updates detailed in this report and subsequent implementation.

The completion of the Constitution review is an important part of the overall good governance of the Council and has been highlighted as an area to complete in the Annual Governance Statement. 

To recommend a timetable of public meetings for the 2026/27 Municipal Year. The timetable is proposed for approval and then publication to give advance notice of public meetings at which the Council’s key decision making takes place to help meet its wide range of business demands. The approval of the timetable will also assist with making administrative arrangements for the meetings.

To receive any Motions submitted in accordance with the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Council's Constitution.

Members of the Executive to answer questions submitted by Members of the Council in accordance with the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Council's Constitution.