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 meetings held on 30 November 2023, 19 December 2023, 20 February 2024 and 29 February 2024.

29 February 2024 to follow.

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.

Councillors may present any petition which they have received. 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 the following response to a Motion which had been presented to a previous Council meeting:

-       Response to the Motion from Councillor Tony Vickers on the Garage Block Motion – Item 10, Executive, 14 March 2024. A copy of the Minutes of this meeting can be obtained from Democratic Services or via theCouncil’s website.

-       Response to the Motion from Councillor Steve Masters on the Rwanda Scheme Motion – Item 13, Executive, 14 December 2023. A copy of the Minutes of this meeting can be obtained from Democratic Services or via theCouncil’s website.

-       Response to the Motion from Councillor Adrian Abbs on the 20 is Plenty Motion – Item 9, Executive, 2 November 2023. A copy of the Minutes of this meeting can be obtained from Democratic Services or via theCouncil’s website.

The Council is asked to note that since the last ordinary meeting of the Council, the Licensing Committee met on 8 January 2024. A copy of the Minutes of this meeting can be obtained from Democratic Services or via the Council's website.

The Council is asked to note that since the lastordinary meeting of the Council, the Personnel Committee met on 26 February 2024. A copy of the Minutes of this meeting can be obtained from Democratic Services or via the Council's website.

The Council is asked to note that since the lastordinary meeting of the Council, the Governance Committee met on 29 January 2024. A copy of the Minutes of this meeting can be obtained from Democratic Services or via the Council's website.  

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

The Council is asked to note that since the lastordinary meeting of the Council, the Scrutiny Commission met on 18 January 2024 and 6 Febuary 2024. Copies of the Minutes of these meetings can be obtained from Democratic Services or via the Council's website.

The Council is asked to note that since the lastordinary meeting of the Council, the Health Scrutiny Committee met on 12 December 2023 and 12 March 2024. Copies of the Minutes of these meetings can be obtained from Democratic Services or via the Council's website.

The Council is asked to note that since the lastordinary meeting of the Council, the Health and Wellbeing Board met on 7 December 2023 and 22 February 2024. Copies of the Minutes of these meetings can be obtained from Democratic Services or via the Council's website.

The Council is asked to note that since the lastordinary meeting of the Council, the Joint Public Protection Committee met on 11 December 2023 and 11 March 2024. Copies of the Minutes of these meetings can be obtained from Democratic Services or via the Council's website.

Purpose: To recommend a timetable of meetings for the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

Purpose: This report seeks to establish a Joint (Prosperity) Committee (to be known as the Berkshire Prosperity Board) to enable Berkshire Authorities, through collaboration, to benefit from:

-       Working to a shared vision of inclusive, green, and sustainable economic prosperity through working together collaboratively to address challenges and meet opportunities.

-       Present a strengthened case to Government and private investors for greater investment into strategic projects, service delivery and initiatives across Berkshire.

-       Act as a vehicle to commission the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Core functions and others in response to the Government’s review of Local Economic Partnerships.

-       Have a stronger, collective voice in lobbying Government and other agencies.

-       Advantageously position Berkshire in readiness for potential devolution proposals to benefit from additional responsibilities and funding opportunities.

Purpose: The Council is required, in accordance with section 38 of the Localism Act 2011, to publish an annual pay policy statement. This report seeks to secure compliance with that duty, by seeking approval of the Statutory Pay Policy Statement for publication.

Purpose:

1.1       It is crucial that the Council has sufficient capacity at senior level to drive the SEND Transformation through the Delivering Better Value Programme (DBV). The programme will expedite transformation activity across the SEND system in West Berkshire. The transformation will enhance the operations of the organisation and the wider SEND system whilst responding to the financial challenges faced by the Council’s High Needs Block (HNB) deficit. The increasing level of cost, demand, complexity of need, pace of change, accessibility and availability of current and potential services, and the latest inspection frameworks place new and increasing demands from children and families on the Council.

1.2     This report’s purpose is to set out the proposed addition to the senior management structure in the People Directorate (Children’s Services), focussing on the DBV programme, adding greater resilience in Children’s Services (People Directorate) to respond to the SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities) financial and operational challenges.

1.3       The proposed addition will bring additional capacity to Children’s services for a fixed period of one year in line with the wider council senior directorate structures. The post holder will have senior management responsibility for all elements of the DBV programme.

Please note that the list of Motions is shown under Item 21 in the agenda pack.

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.