The Council meeting scheduled for Thursday 23 July 2026 included a significant number of public questions covering a range of local issues, from planning and infrastructure to environmental concerns. The meeting also featured discussions on the progress of the Social Care Future initiative and the council's treasury management outturn for the 2025/26 financial year.

Public Questions

A substantial portion of the meeting was allocated to public questions, addressing a diverse array of concerns from residents.

One question from Ian Harris sought clarification on the council's process for handling retrospective planning applications, specifically how evidence from Enforcement and Environmental Health is integrated to determine use classes, while also substantively applying the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Harvey Aaron raised concerns regarding the prolonged closure of pedestrian and cycle access linked to the SWDR works at Easthampstead Road / Star Lane. A request was made for a clear, time-bound action plan to restore safe pedestrian access, detailing practical options being reviewed, including temporary protected corridors and alternative routes.

Nicholas Martin questioned whether Wokingham Borough Council supported the proposed development of an additional 1100 dwellings, previously referred to as the SWD extension, which had not yet received planning permission and faced objections from Wokingham Without Parish Council and its residents.

Lloyd Watkins inquired about the number of requests received from town and parish councils, and from the public, for speed reductions across the borough, in light of the government's announcement to deliver new walking and cycling routes and road crossings.

Peter Humphreys questioned why the new library at Carnival Pool had to close during recent warm weather, despite the council's declaration of a climate emergency and focus on town centre regeneration sustainability.

Phillip Challis requested a full review of the success, including financial aspects, of the Wokingham Town regeneration, suggesting that current promotional posts on social media were selective and potentially political.

Katrin Harding raised concerns about the potential environmental impacts of a proposed 72MW data centre at Thames Valley Park, particularly regarding local grid capacity, on-site gas-fuel cell power generation, and the potential for waste heat to harm nearby communities and ecosystems.

Parish and Town Council Questions

The agenda indicated an opportunity for questions from Town and Parish Councils, though no specific questions were listed in the provided documents.

Petitions

The meeting was scheduled to receive any petitions presented by councillors or members of the public.

Social Care Future: Progress Update

A recommendation was put forward for the Council to continue supporting the delivery of Social Care Future, receive annual update reports, and act as ambassadors to encourage residents and Voluntary and Community Sector groups to join the movement. The report highlighted Wokingham Borough as the first Local Authority in England to adopt the Social Care Future vision and a leading voice in the national movement, with its co-production approach noted as best practice. The report detailed progress made in the past year, including resident-led work on community spaces, language use, improving the Adult Social Care website, and relaunching the Safe Places scheme. Future priorities for 2026/27 included reviewing and updating adult social care strategies, embedding Social Care Future principles into priority areas, and strengthening collaboration with various partners.

Treasury Management 2025/26 Outturn

The Council was asked to support the Treasury Management Outturn Report for 2025-26. The report indicated that all approved indicators in the Treasury Management Strategy had been adhered to, with exceptions for the Capital Financing Requirement (CFR) HRA and Gross External Borrowing HRA. As of March 2026, total external general fund debt was £117m, reducing to £101m after accounting for cash balances, which was an improved position from mid-year forecasts. A reduction in the general fund CFR was also noted, achieved through reduced capital spending and debt repayment. The report detailed the council's net indebtedness, investment performance, and the maturity structure of its borrowing.

Councillor Questions

Several councillors were scheduled to ask questions of the Executive Members.

Majid Nagra asked if bus stops near schools should be upgraded to provide shelter for children during hot weather, given that school closing times were adjusted due to heatwaves.

Catherine Glover inquired about the amount recovered from insurers of vehicles that had damaged council property over the past two municipal years and whether this covered the cost of the damage.

Mike Smith requested an update on the Local Plan following the completion of its second stage examination.

Martijn Andrea asked if local data indicated a rising pattern of pedestrian and cycle casualties, mirroring nationwide provisional data for 2025.

Sam Akhtar raised concerns about the safety of a blind bend on Milestone Avenue, a main cycle route to Piggott Senior School, and questioned the status of a request for double yellow lines, the delay in its implementation, and when they would be installed.

Nagi Nagella asked if the prioritisation of Keephatch Road and Binfield Road could be reviewed to bring forward resurfacing works, given the deteriorating road surface and increasing costs for residents due to damaged tyres and alloy wheels.

Jackie Rance questioned the cost and necessity of repeated flailing of the B3270 verges, suggesting the funds could be better used elsewhere, and asked who was reviewing the schedules for tree/grass cutting.

Moses Iyengunmwena raised concerns about a 40-year financial model for a major construction contract with Equans, specifically regarding solar panel performance warranties expiring at year 30 and the reliance on uncontracted energy production.

Seona Turtle sought confirmation on the start date, planned duration, and funding of the construction of a new roundabout at the junction of Old Wokingham Road with Waterloo Road and Peacock Lane, which had been announced for September.

Peter Harper asked for evidence that reducing speed limits from 30mph to 20mph results in a significant reduction in road traffic collisions and casualties.

Charles Margetts requested an update on the expected loss to the taxpayer for the Carnival Pool flats development, given its initial expected profit and subsequent projected loss.

Shahid Younis asked for an explanation regarding the design of the cycle path on Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, which residents believed reduced driveway accessibility, and whether an Equality Impact Assessment and resident access assessment were undertaken and would be published.

Jane Ainslie requested an update on the first few weeks of Biffa's contract for domestic refuse and recycling collection and road sweeping.

Minutes of Committee Meetings and Ward Matters

An opportunity was provided for councillors to ask questions regarding the latest circulated minutes of committee meetings and ward matters.

Statements by the Leader of the Council and Executive Members

The Leader of the Council and Executive Members were scheduled to make statements.

Statement from Council Owned Companies

Directors of Council Owned Companies were scheduled to make statements.

Motions

A motion, submitted by Chetna Jamthe, was scheduled for consideration. The motion proposed to broaden the English language provision review to guarantee support for all immigrant residents with limited or no English, commission an updated assessment of English needs, develop a comprehensive outreach plan, and partner with schools and service providers to address barriers. The Chief Finance Officer provided a comment noting direct financial implications for the Council.

The meeting also included standard procedural items such as apologies, confirmation of previous minutes, and declarations of interest.