Agenda item

The Leader of the Council to deliver his verbal annual report to Council.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Jeff Brooks, made his Annual Report to Council. Some of the highlights form the report included that the Council was one of only three to achieve a Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment of ‘Good’ for its Adult Social Care and Children and Family Services departments, and he thanked all the staff involved for achieving this. In addition, it was noted that 95 per cent of West Berkshire maintained schools had been rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted). The Council had also been given a green rating across all of its highway’s categories by the Government, one of the 16 out of over 170 authorities to do so. Councillor Brooks also indicated that a new highways improvement group would be established so that it could consider any highways related requests from residents.

Members noted that the Administration was continuing its commitment to make West Berkshire greener. Some of the policies behind this involved increasing the amount of recycling streams available to residents to seven and installing decarbonisation projects. In addition, recycling rates had risen from 49.8 per cent in 2023/24, to 55 per cent in 2025/26. On health and physical activity, West Berkshire residents were considered to be some of the healthiest and most physically active in the country, with rates of usage of the Council’s leisure centres having risen by 18 per cent.

Shaw House had also been enhanced. The spending that had been done to make it more of an attraction was enabling more residents to enjoy the facility whilst also ensuring that it covered more of its own costs. Similar opportunities, such as had been done at Shaw House, would also be examined in the future.

In terms of housing, Council was informed that a former care home in the west of the District and a property in Thatcham were both planned to be turned into temporary accommodation, with the goal that as few families as possible would be forced to stay in bed and breakfast accommodation. Furthermore, it was noted that no children had been staying in temporary accommodation for longer than six weeks. On affordable homes, 578 had been delivered since the Administration was formed in 2023/24, which was over half of their target for the entire period to 2030.

The Low-Income Family Tracker (LIFT) had also been rolled out and was putting money in families’ pockets. This tool was estimated to have helped 11,000 residents get the benefits that they had been entitled to but were not claiming. On children and young people, Members noted that the Council would be partnering with Berkshire Youth to introduce a Youth Council and hold forums at the Waterside Centre. In addition, art competitions would be run for junior and secondary school students, and the Council would also put on a debating competition.

Despite the Council’s finances being under strain, the Leader indicated that wherever possible, positive projects would be funded. He also clarified that he had seen comments being made on the Newbury Peace Garden, but that this had been funded via a grant the Council had secured from Government. Overall, Councillor Brooks highlighted that the Administration would continue to invest and protect vulnerable people in the district as well as improve services in every way possible in the coming year.

The Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor Ross Mackinnon, and the Leader of the Minority Group, Councillor David Marsh, asked questions of the Leader on his annual report.

In response to a point that Councillor Brooks made about ‘good’ and ‘outstanding’ ratings for schools, it was highlighted that these metrics were no longer being used. The Leader was asked if that data had just been copied from the previous year’s report. As a point of clarification, the Leader indicated that the new system was being implemented, but that this was situation as of the past year. In addition, the Leader was asked about the lack of information provided on the Key Stage 2 attainment for disadvantaged children, and if any progress had been made. Although stating that some progress had been made, Councillor Brooks clarified that there was more to be done in this area and that it was a historic issue for West Berkshire.

A question was raised about a comment the Portfolio Holder for Children and Family Services, Councillor Heather Codling, had previously made, about an investment of £325,000 into school improvements, and if that was really new money as the Conservative Group could not see an increase in the budget from the previous year. In response, the Leader clarified that the budget had not increased, but that they were looking to do so.

On a question about the cost effectiveness of the outside consultants brought in to help with the Financial Improvement Group, and what work had come out of that group to date, Councillor Brooks clarified that it had met twice in about four months and although it was too early to see significant results, progress was being made.

In response to a question by Councillor Mackinnon about whether the pedestrianisation of Newbury Town Centre had been mentioned in the Leaders report, he clarified that it had not. Councillor Mackinnon went on to ask about the reasons why the Executive had changed its mind on pedestrianisation as soon as a week before the Executive meeting, and if it was due to the lack of support from their party. This suggestion was rejected by Councillor Brooks who indicated that the Liberal Democrat party support the decisions that had been made. Councillor Marsh responded to this topic by suggesting that if the Council had been given a chance to debate pedestrianisation, it would have helped to remove the controversy around the decisions.

A question was also raised about the progress of the Grazeley Solar Farm and Councillor Brooks informed Council that a new business case was needed given the situation in the energy markets and the interest rates, but that the Administration was ensuring it was a suitable investment. In addition, when asked about if the Peace Garden had provided value for money, the Leader indicated that he believed that it had, but that more work was needed on its disabled access.

A question was raised about the effectiveness of the Policy Development Groups (PDG) and if they really provided an opportunity for other Members to get involved in designing policies. In response, Councillor Brooks informed Members that both the Viable Villages and Transformation PDGs had been working on policies which would be taken through for consideration and approval. Specifically, the Transformation PDG was helping to contribute to Transformation 2.0 programme which would be presented to the Executive.

Having heard the Annual Report and questions on it from both leaders of the opposition groups, the Chairman called a close to the item.