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Executive - Thursday, 30 July 2026 - 7.00 pm
July 30, 2026 at 7:00 pm Executive View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Executive of Wokingham Borough Council met on Thursday 30 July 2026, approving new policies to enforce the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and discussing significant financial monitoring reports. Key decisions included the procurement of supported accommodation for young people, the appointment of consultants for housing adaptations, and the continuation of the council's energy contract.
Renters' Rights Act Update and Housing Civil Penalties Enforcement Policy Adoption
The Executive approved new policies to align with the commencement of the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which aims to strengthen tenant protections and improve housing standards in the private rented sector. This legislation, which began its phased introduction in May 2026, introduces measures such as the abolition of no-fault
evictions and expanded civil penalty controls for landlords. The approved amendments update the Environment and Safety Enforcement Policy 2023, and introduce new Private Housing Enforcement and Private Housing Civil Penalties Policies, all effective from 1 August 2026. Councillors Stephen Conway, Lou Timlin, and David Hare declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest as private landlords and left the meeting for the duration of this item.
Procurement of Supported Accommodation and Floating Support for Care Experienced and Vulnerable Young People
A decision was made to approve the procurement of a single, integrated contract for supported accommodation and floating support services for care experienced and vulnerable young people. This move aims to strengthen local provision, improve consistency in safeguarding and regulatory compliance, and enhance value for money. The contract, valued at £3.14 million over five years, will cover 23 supported accommodation places and 26 places in shared transitional housing. Authority to award the contract was delegated to the Director of Children's Services in consultation with the Executive Member for Children's Services.
Capital Budget Monitoring - Q1
The Executive noted the position of the capital programme at the end of Quarter 1 (30 June 2026) and approved several budget adjustments. This included the use of £784,000 of Section 106 developer funding and a £1,570,000 capital loan to support an affordable housing scheme within Loddon Homes, contingent on securing Homes England funding. Additionally, a reduction of £15,951 in the Devolved Schools Grant capital budget was noted due to schools converting to academy status. An additional £15,000 was approved for works at the Ryeish Green adult accommodation flats, subject to external grant funding.
Revenue Monitoring Quarter One - 2026/27
The Executive received an update on the revenue budget position for Quarter 1, noting a projected overall overspend of £3.3 million across the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account (HRA), and Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). Significant pressures were identified within Adult Social Care and Children's Services. The report highlighted the profound impact of the Fair Funding Review, which is expected to result in a reduction of over £43 million in government funding over three years. The General Fund balance is forecast at approximately £6.8 million, while the HRA faces a projected overspend of £498,000, to be covered by reserves. The Dedicated Schools Grant faces a significant deficit of £73.3 million by March 2027, primarily due to pressures within the High Needs Block. The Executive also approved a supplementary estimate of £42,000 for members' allowances and pension contributions, and noted that a previously planned saving from the grounds maintenance contract would no longer be implemented.
Housing Adaptations Surveyor/Architect
Approval was given for the appointment of external consultants through the Westworks Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) to facilitate projects for disabled adaptations in domestic properties across all tenures. This service will support the Council's objective of enabling residents to live independently and safely in their homes, thereby reducing demand on social care services. The estimated contract value is £581,000 over five years.
Wokingham Borough Council Energy Contract
The Executive approved the procurement of electricity and gas supplies via a call-off from the LASER Energy Framework. A one-year contract, commencing April 2027, with an option to extend for a further year, was approved. This approach was deemed the most advantageous in terms of value for money, risk management, and alignment with the Council's Climate Emergency Action Plan, particularly in preparation for integrating local generation from the Barkham Solar Farm.
Barkham Solar Farm
An update on the Barkham Solar Farm project was noted, including the current grid connection position, programme status, and implications of potential delays. The Executive noted that the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant Lead Member, is progressing the project in accordance with delegated authority approved in 2021. Despite some residual uncertainty regarding firm connection dates, updated financial modelling indicates the project remains financially robust and continues to meet the established income thresholds.
The meeting was attended by Councillors Stephen Conway (Leader of the Council), Prue Bray (Deputy Leader), Basit Alvi, Mark Ashwell, Rachel Bishop-Firth, David Hare, Stephen Newton, Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, and Lou Timlin. Councillor Adrian Betteridge sent apologies.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Capital Budget Monitoring - Q1
Recommendations ApprovedThe Shareholder Committee satisfied itself that the information presented provided assurance as to the effective ongoing management of the group of companies. The committee noted updates on the consolidated provisional outturn position, quarter four performance data, the 30-year business plan working model, community benefit society conversion status, the housing improvement plan, and development pipeline updates. This decision was made on 30/07/2026.
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Wokingham Borough Council Energy Contract
Recommendations ApprovedThe Shareholder Committee satisfied itself that the information presented provided assurance as to the effective ongoing management of the group of companies. The committee noted updates on the consolidated provisional outturn position, quarter four performance data, the 30-year business plan working model, community benefit society conversion status, the housing improvement plan, and development pipeline updates.
The Executive approved the procurement of electricity and gas supplies via a call-off from the LASER Energy Framework. This includes a one-year contract commencing April 2027, with an option to extend for a further year, and delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (S151 Officer) to finalise and award the contract.
The Executive noted the content of the report and the continued collaboration between Optalis Ltd and Wokingham Borough Council. It also ensured ongoing oversight and transparency of Optalis Ltd by incorporating a bi-annual report into its regular reporting cycle.
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Declaration of Interests
Recommendations ApprovedThe Executive of Wokingham Council on Thursday 30 July 2026 resolved to approve recommendations. Councillors Stephen Conway, Lou Timlin and David Hare declared a Discloseable Pecuniary Interest in agenda item 40 and left the meeting room for its consideration.
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Housing Adaptations Surveyor/Architect
Recommendations ApprovedThe Executive decided to approve the appointment of external consultants using the Westworks DPS to facilitate projects for disabled adaptations in domestic properties. The decision was made on 30/07/2026. The contract award will be delegated to the Executive Director for Adults, Children, Housing and Health in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing, Partnerships and the Local Plan.
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Renters' Rights Act Update and Housing Civil Penalties Enforcement Policy Adoption
Recommendations ApprovedThe Executive of Wokingham Council decided on 30/07/2026 to note the commencement of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 update and the Council's progress in preparing for its implementation. They also approved proposed amendments to the Environment And Safety Enforcement Policy 2023 and approved the proposed Private Housing Enforcement Policy (2026) and Private Housing Civil Penalties Policy (2026), all to take effect from 1 August 2026.
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Procurement of Supported Accommodation and Floating Support for Care Experienced and Vulnerable Young People
Recommendations ApprovedThe Shareholder Committee satisfied itself that the information presented provided assurance as to the effective ongoing management of the group of companies on 30/07/2026. The committee noted updates on the consolidated provisional outturn position, Quarter Four Performance Data, the 30 Year Business Plan working model, Community Benefit Society Conversion status, the Housing Improvement Plan, and development pipeline updates.
The Executive approved the procurement of a single integrated Supported Accommodation and Floating Support contract for care experienced and vulnerable young people on 30/07/2026. This contract will have a term of five years and a total value of £3.14m, funded from existing budgets. The procurement and contract arrangements will include strengthened requirements for safeguarding, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, performance management, and mobilisation.
The Executive noted the content of the report and the continued collaboration between Optalis Ltd and Wokingham Borough Council to support residents on 25/06/2026. They also ensured ongoing oversight and transparency of Optalis Ltd by incorporating a bi-annual report into its regular reporting cycle.
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Revenue Monitoring Quarter One - 2026/27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Executive decided to note the content of the Optalis Stakeholder Update report and ensure ongoing oversight by incorporating bi-annual reports into its regular cycle. This decision was made on 25/06/2026.
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Barkham Solar Farm
Recommendations ApprovedThe Executive decided to note the update on the Barkham Solar Farm project and that the Deputy Chief Executive is progressing the project in accordance with delegated authority. The Executive noted the current grid connection position, implications of delay, and residual risks associated with proceeding ahead of full contractual certainty.
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