Agenda item

To receive an update on recommendations and actions following previous Committee meetings.

Members reviewed the actions from the previous meetings. The following points were noted:

·         253 – it was noted that the business case and viability review for the solar farm would be concluded by the end of March 2026.

·         266 – this action, in relation to the Chestnut Walk Joint Venture, had been completed.

Action: This would be communicated to the resident who raised a query on this matter.

Members resolved to suspend standing orders to permit members of the public to address the Committee. 

·         116/143 – Ms Paula Saunderson requested an update on this matter which related to pollution of the Northbrook stream. She queried if mud testing and camera inspections had taken place, and whether meetings were taking place between the three risk management authorities (West Berkshire Council, the Environment Agency and Thames Water). Ms Saunderson highlighted the new DEFRA policy, Building A Safer Future Together, which included indicative actions to address legacy pollutants. The policy envisaged partner agencies working together to manage legacy contamination. Ms Saunderson urged the Council and partners to do everything within their power to mitigate this growing 30 year old problem. She referenced sources of funding that could be accessed to assist with this work, such as the new National Housing Delivery Fund which could hopefully be used to free up brownfield lands which were part of the problem.

Action: Councillor Carolyne Culver requested that a response be provided to Ms Saunderson on this matter.

·         274 – Mr Paul Morgan clarified his request for information on contract awards permitted by officers under delegated authority, the value of which were in excess of £2.5m. This was a relatively recent change and Mr Morgan was concerned that such decisions were being made without being subject to a sufficient level of transparency and scrutiny. Contract awards of this value were previously subject to detailed reports. Mr Morgan felt that the justification for making this change had not been adequately evidenced. Sarah Clarke, Executive Director (Resources), confirmed that a briefing note was being prepared which would be provided to this Committee at its next meeting on 17 March 2026. She would take note of Mr Morgan’s comments in finalising the briefing note.

Members resolved to reinstate standing orders.

251 – as agreed at the special meeting held on 3 February 2026, information on capital receipts had been circulated to the Committee. Councillor Culver gave thanks for the provision of this information which clarified expenditure, savings and cost avoidance. Figures were noted as follows:

·         Expenditure                    £3.3m

·         Savings                           £581k

·         Cost avoidance              £1.2m

It was also noted that approximately £7m had been saved in agency costs with staff added to the Establishment in some cases.

Income of £875k had been foregone between 2023 and 2025.

The 2025/26 Q3 report showed a variance of £1.1m for Transformation. The Q3 report also referenced a saving of £1.9m related to care homes.

Councillor Culver reiterated the need expressed at the previous week’s meeting for this information to be held in one place for future monitoring. She clarified that Transformation was being reviewed by the Committee in response to concerns raised by both CIPFA and KPMG. Scrutiny of Transformation work would be returned to once the 2025/26 budget had been finalised.