The Wokingham Council meeting scheduled for Thursday 17 September 2026 is set to cover a range of important topics, including the Climate Emergency Action Plan, the Annual Youth Justice Plan, and proposed changes to the Council's Constitution. Councillors will also address numerous public and councillor questions on various local issues.

Climate Emergency Action Plan Seventh Progress Report

The Council is scheduled to consider the seventh progress report on its Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) for September 2026. This report outlines the progress made towards the council's ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030. The report details changes to the CEAP, including a broadened scope to encompass climate resilience and nature recovery, alongside updates on actions, data, and progress. The report highlights successes in areas such as commercial and domestic energy efficiency, transport initiatives like the introduction of electric buses and increased bus passenger numbers, and partnerships with schools on climate action plans. However, it also identifies challenges, including the current trajectory not being on track for carbon neutrality by 2030, and difficulties related to national policies and funding. The meeting agenda includes recommendations for approving the draft Climate and Nature Strategy and the CEAP Seventh Progress Report, noting that the CEAP remains an iterative document.

Annual Youth Justice Plan

The Council is also scheduled to note the Wokingham Prevention and Youth Justice (PYJS) Service Plan for 2026–2027. This plan, approved by the PYJS Partnership and Management Board, details Wokingham's strategic approach to prevention and youth justice. It confirms a continued focus on a child-first, prevention-led, and partnership-based model, with priorities including earlier intervention, diversion, education and inclusion, addressing exploitation and serious violence, and enhancing victim support and restorative justice. The plan notes a positive local picture with reduced first-time entrants and no children in custody, aligning with the council's broader Family Help and Families First approach. However, it also identifies areas for continued focus, such as understanding national reoffending data, addressing the high proportion of children with special educational needs within the youth justice cohort, and developing the victim and restorative justice offer.

Proposed Changes to the Council's Constitution

Several amendments to the Council's Constitution are proposed for agreement. These include changes to the Planning Committee's terms of reference and functions to align with the introduction of a National Scheme of Delegation for planning applications, which will come into effect on 31 October 2026. These reforms aim to increase consistency and efficiency in decision-making by reducing the number of applications determined by planning committees and expanding officer delegated powers. The proposals include designating the Service Director for Planning, Economy and Culture as the nominated officer and the Chair of the Planning Committee as the nominated member for the National Scheme of Delegation, with appropriate substitute arrangements. Operational guidance will also be prepared to support these changes.

Additionally, the deadline for submitting Motions on Notice to Council is proposed to be extended to 10 working days before the meeting. A specific delegation to the Chief Executive under the Officer Scheme of Delegation (11.3.4.6) is recommended for removal, as these responsibilities now fall under the Executive Director for Corporate, Community and Change. Minor amendments are also proposed for Street Naming and Numbering to ensure smoother operation and clarity. Finally, changes to committee appointments are proposed, with Councillor Lou Timlin being replaced by Councillor Roberta Brooks on the Employment & Staffing Committee and by a Liberal Democrat Councillor on the Joint Public Protection Committee.

Public and Councillor Questions

A significant portion of the meeting is allocated to public and councillor questions. These cover a wide array of topics, including:

• Pension Fund Investments: A question regarding the Council's pension funds' investments in companies supplying arms to Israel and steps taken to divest from these suppliers.
• Property Valuation and Disposal: An inquiry into the financial rationale for disposing of Mulberry Business Park, given its significant reduction in value since purchase.
• Gutter Maintenance and Weed Control: A question about the Council's plans for proactive weed removal to prevent flooding and improve the borough's appearance.
• Community Partner Recognition: An inquiry into whether The Cowshed should be recognised as a community partner, rather than solely a tenant, for its social value.
• Public Safety Hotspots: A question seeking clarification on responsibility for managing persistent public safety hotspots and how risks are addressed.
• Public Question Rules: A question about amending rules to allow for substantially similar public questions when circumstances have materially changed.
• Cycle and Footway Schemes: Concerns raised about stepped kerbs on Woodlands Avenue and the enforcement of a 20mph speed limit.
• Climate Emergency and Library Facilities: A question regarding the closure of Wokingham Library at Carnival Pool during warm weather and its design.
• Town Centre Regeneration: A request for a review of the success of Wokingham Town Centre regeneration against its objectives.
• Data Centre Planning Applications: An inquiry into the process and policies applicable to data centre planning applications, particularly those with on-site power generation.
• Land Adjacent to Allotments: A question from Winnersh Parish Council regarding future plans for land adjacent to their allotments.
• Pedestrian Crossings and Road Safety: Questions about the installation of a pedestrian crossing on Milton Road, the performance of the road maintenance programme, and delays in the safer streets consultation.
• Playpark Maintenance: An update requested on the maintenance of borough playparks and the installation of new equipment.
• Tree Safety and Storms: Concerns about brittle trees in Woodley and measures being taken to ensure resident safety.
• Traffic Signals and Junction Safety: Inquiries into the reliability and safety of traffic signals at the Three Tuns junction and the condition of roads like Nine Mile Ride.
• New Developments and Infrastructure Adoption: A question about tangible progress on adopting infrastructure on new developments and the practical difference made to residents.
• Cantley Park and Cafe Facilities: A request for an update on Cantley Park and its cafe.
• Aborfield Green Community Centre: An update requested on the progress of the Aborfield Green Community Centre project.
• Woodlands Avenue Cycleway Issues: Concerns raised about confusion for drivers and cyclists accessing Lytham Road due to double yellow lines and lack of road markings on the Woodlands Avenue cycleway.
• Solar Panel Performance Warranties: A question regarding the validity of a project's Net Present Value without a risk-adjusted operations and maintenance budget for solar panel performance warranties.
• Road Casualty Data: An inquiry into whether local data shows a rising trend in pedestrian and cyclist casualties.
• Milestone Avenue Cycle Route Safety: A question about the status of a request for double yellow lines on Milestone Avenue due to safety concerns for cyclists.
• Keephatch Road Condition: A request to review the prioritisation of Keephatch Road for resurfacing works due to its deteriorating condition.
• Roadside Flailing Costs and Schedules: A question about the cost and scheduling of roadside flailing on the B3270.
• Laurel Park Car Parking Issues: An update requested on car parking issues at Laurel Park.
• Church Lane Fly-tipping: An inquiry into the necessity of a five-day road closure due to fly-tipping on Church Lane.
• Green Belt and Local Plan: A question about the adoption of sites meeting the definition of green belt and green spaces in the new Local Plan.
• TJ Jones and Post Office Closure: An inquiry about the potential closure of TJ Jones and its Post Office in Wokingham Town Centre.
• Bridge Repair Funding: A question regarding the £60,000 grant for bridge repairs in Earley and the subsequent request for funding from Earley Town Council.
• Development in Wokingham Without Parish: An explanation requested for the level of development in Wokingham Without Parish and mitigation plans.
• Woodlands Avenue Cycle Pathway Design: A question about the design of the Woodlands Avenue cycle pathway and its impact on driveway accessibility.
• Biffa Waste Collection Contract: An update requested on the first few weeks of the new domestic refuse and recycling collection contract with Biffa.
• Play Area Maintenance: Questions regarding the condition of play areas in Earley and Heron Park.
• Ashenbury Park Plans: Concerns raised about plans for Ashenbury Park to be used as an events venue.
• Road Markings on Nightingale Road: A question about when the poor quality of road markings on Nightingale Road will be corrected.

Statements by the Leader and Executive Members

Statements are expected from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Conway, and Executive Members Councillor Stephen Newton (Refuse and Recycling) and Councillor Adrian Betteridge (Active Travel, Transport and Highways). Councillor Conway is anticipated to discuss planning and housing targets, while Councillor Newton will provide an update on DEFRA's deadline for curbside recycling of plastic film. Councillor Betteridge is expected to comment on the reinstatement of the bus fare cap.

Motions

The Council is scheduled to consider Motion 541, submitted by Councillor Chetna Jamthe, which aims to broaden English language support for immigrant residents. An amendment to this motion has been proposed by Councillor Pauline Jorgensen. The meeting will also include statements from Council-owned companies and consideration of any other motions.