Issue - meetings

To receive the Leader’s report on the work of the Executive since the Council meeting held on 12 January 2022.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bettison OBE, presented his report on the work of the Executive since that reported at the Council meeting on 12 January 2022. The Executive had met twice on 25 January and 8 February 2022.

The Leader highlighted the following matters that had been considered:

•       Revenue Budget and Capital Programmes had been considered and were subject to separate reports at both meetings.

·       Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021-2026 had been agreed with an overall aim “to prevent homelessness and assist those who do become homeless to find and keep suitable housing”. The Strategy set out five priorities:

•       Universal prevention – awareness of options

•       Targeted prevention – reaching people earlier when at risk

•       Preventing and relieving at crisis point

•       Recovery

•       Providing a range of suitable options

·       Funding had been agreed to design 20 self-contained units for people with learning difficulties at Bridgewell Supported Living. This would facilitate independent living in shared accommodation and was likely to generate significant savings of £0.975m over five years.

•       Central and Eastern Berkshire Joint Minerals and Waste Plan was a joint plan covering Bracknell Forest, Reading, RBWM and Wokingham. Hampshire County Council had been commissioned to develop the plan. The draft had been submitted to the Secretary of State in February 2021 and had been considered at Public Hearings during September and October 2021. The required modifications were subject to six weeks consultation.

•       Bracknell Forest Cambium Partnership was created with Countryside in 2020. The Annual Review of the Joint Venture Business Plan 2020 – 2023 had been undertaken by the LLP Board and recommended to both parties with no significant changes to the established strategy.

·       Two significant procurement plans were agreed covering Temporary accommodation housing maintenance and the Short breaks play and leisure scheme.

In response to Councillor Bidwell’s question regarding where the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021-2026 was available, Councillor Birch, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing confirmed this was published on the Council’s website.