The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee of Wokingham Council met on Wednesday 17 June 2026 to review the Q4 2025-26 Corporate Performance Report and receive an update on the Future Headquarters Provision programme. Key discussions included the council's financial performance, waste management, customer service metrics, and the long-term plan for the Shute End offices.

Q4 2025-26 Corporate Performance Report

The committee scrutinised the Q4 2025-26 Corporate Performance Report, which highlighted continued good performance across most Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) despite significant challenges. Of the 61 KPIs, 38 were rated 'Green', 16 'Amber', and 6 'Red', with no change in the number of 'Red' KPIs from the previous quarter.

Several areas were discussed in detail:

• Waste Management (PG7): Concerns were raised about the percentage of total waste recycled, composted, and reused, which fell to 57.83% against a target of 60%. This was attributed to lower garden waste tonnages and changes in packaging due to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Actions to improve include targeted resident communications, data-led service optimisation, and strengthening reuse pathways. The specific KPI for garden waste (PG7B) also remained 'Amber' due to weather dependency, with a shift towards measuring participation rates.
• Sickness Absence (CEX6): The average sickness absence remained static at 7.6 days per FTE, which, while above the local target of 6.6 days, was noted as performing comparatively well against national and LGA averages. The council plans to continue consistent application of its Supporting Attendance Policy.
• Complaints (CEX7): The proportion of complaints resolved at the early resolution stage decreased to 44%, with an increase in Stage 1 complaints. This was attributed to increased complexity of issues, improved complaint classification, and greater accessibility to the formal complaints process. Actions to improve include using Stage 2 feedback, improving expectation management, and embedding learning from complaints.
• Council Tax and Business Rates Collection (RA6 & RA7): Both Council Tax and Business Rates collection rates were rated 'Amber' and had declined. For Council Tax, this was attributed to the economic climate and cost of living crisis, with the council balancing collection with support for residents. For Business Rates, a number of businesses that had been given flexible payment arrangements were unable to meet them by year-end, and rateable value reductions also impacted the figures.
• Freedom of Information Requests (RA8): The number of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests handled within statutory timeframes was 'Amber', with performance improving in Q4 but declining year-on-year. The increase in demand, partly due to AI-generated requests, was noted, and the council is working to increase information available on its website to mitigate this.
• Customer Satisfaction (CEX3 - Web): The customer satisfaction score for the website was 'Amber' at 57%, below the target of 65%. While improvements were noted in findability and clarity, complaints often related to end-to-end task completion, particularly concerning the NEC portal. Actions include user testing, content improvements, and collaboration with NEC.
• Planning Appeals (PG3): The percentage of planning appeals won remained strong at 78%, exceeding the target of 60% and indicating the council is effectively resisting inappropriate development.
• Homelessness (PG1 & PG2): The number of households for whom homelessness was prevented or relieved remained 'Green' at 61%, exceeding the target of 50%. However, the number of households in emergency nightly-let/B&B accommodation increased slightly in Q4, with 183 placements made throughout the year. Actions to improve focus on early prevention and increasing access to the private sector.
• Children's Services (CS1, CS2, CS4, CS5, CS6, CS7): Several KPIs in Children's Services were discussed. Continuous assessments (CS1) showed sustained improvement, ending the year 'Green'. Initial Child Protection Conferences (CS2) were 'Amber', with efforts to increase capacity. Care leavers in suitable accommodation (CS4) remained 'Green' and improved. EHC plans issued within 20 weeks (CS5) were 'Amber', with ongoing recruitment challenges impacting timeliness. Children missing education (CS6) remained 'Green', and the percentage of children in care placed more than 20 miles from home (CS7) was 'Amber', with efforts to increase local placements.
• Adult Social Care (AS4): New permanent admissions to residential or nursing care homes for those aged 65+ remained 'Red'. While numbers had not spiked significantly, demand for services increased, and a more realistic target has been set for the next year.

Future Headquarters Provision

The committee received an update on the Future Headquarters Provision programme, with a report recommending that the council retain Shute End as its main headquarters for a further 10 years, until 2036. This pragmatic approach is driven by significant financial pressures from the Fairer Funding Settlement, which is expected to reduce council funding by approximately £43 million over three years, and ongoing uncertainty regarding Local Government Reorganisation.

Retaining Shute End avoids significant new capital expenditure and allows for planned maintenance and compliance investment, estimated at £800,000 over three years. This approach also frees up £1 million per annum previously earmarked for future headquarters feasibility work, resulting in a £3 million saving over three years. The report noted that the first and second floors of Shute End, which had been closed, were being reopened to accommodate increased staff attendance and facilitate collaboration, supporting the consolidation of assets and potential disposal of surplus satellite offices.

Options for the future of the 28-38 Peach Street site (former Marks & Spencer store) will be considered by the Community and Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee in June 2026.

Executive Forward Programme

The committee reviewed the current Executive and IEMD Forward Programmes. Alison Swaddle raised concerns about the accuracy of the list of items going to scrutiny, noting that some items listed for Executive consideration did not appear to have a corresponding scrutiny item. It was agreed that the accuracy of the forward programme lists would be checked, and that the unique reference numbers for items could be used to cross-reference between agendas.

Work Programmes

The committee approved the draft Work Programme items for the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee and other Overview and Scrutiny Committees for 2026-27. It was noted that these are living documents and can be amended throughout the year. The committee also requested that the scrutiny of progress against Council Motions be carried out on a six-monthly basis.

Action Tracker

The regular Action Tracker report was considered, and councillors requested that Town and Parish Councils be asked again for suggestions for scrutiny items.

Congratulations to Chief Executive

Councillor Pauline Jorgensen took the opportunity to congratulate Chief Executive Susan Parsonage on being awarded an MBE.