The Executive of Wokingham Council met on Thursday 24 September 2026, approving a £24 million programme to acquire and invest in council housing to meet identified housing needs within the borough. The meeting also saw the Executive recommend the approval of the Wokingham Borough Safer Communities Strategy 2026-2031 to Full Council and approve the Children's Social Care Sufficiency Strategy 2026-2029.

Council Housing Acquisition and Investment Programme

The Executive approved a £24 million budget for a Council Housing Acquisition and Investment Programme, to be profiled over the financial years 2026/27, 2027/28, and 2028/29. This programme aims to address the rising housing need within Wokingham Borough, including homelessness pressures and the demand for specialist accommodation. Funding will be sourced from a combination of Housing Revenue Account borrowing, Right to Buy receipts, commuted sums, capital receipts, and external grants. Authority for individual acquisition decisions was delegated to the Executive Director of Childrens, Adults, Housing and Health Services, in consultation with other relevant directors and councillors. Additionally, up to £5.5 million of affordable housing commuted sums will be used to support delivery through the Council's Local Housing Company, potentially facilitating the creation of approximately 95 homes.

Wokingham Borough Safer Communities Partnership Strategy 2026-2031

The Executive recommended the approval of the Wokingham Borough Safer Communities Strategy 2026-2031 to Full Council. This strategy, developed following extensive consultation, aims to ensure Wokingham Borough remains one of the safest areas in the country. It integrates the statutory responsibilities of the former Community Safety Partnership and Safeguarding Adults Board into a single Wokingham Borough Safer Communities Partnership (WBSCP). The strategy outlines six priorities: Anti-social Behaviour and Hate Crime, Safeguarding, Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls, Serious Violence and Exploitation, Drug and Alcohol Related Activity, and Online Safety.

Children's Social Care Sufficiency Strategy Oct 2026 - Sept 2029: Loving Homes for Children we Care for

The Executive approved the Children's Social Care Sufficiency Strategy 2026-2029, titled Loving Homes for Children we Care For. This strategy addresses the Council's statutory duty under Section 22G of the Children Act 1989 to secure sufficient accommodation that meets the needs of children in care and care leavers. The strategy forecasts a requirement for an additional 51 placements over its three-year lifespan and endorses priorities to improve placement sufficiency, stability, and outcomes. It adopts a whole-system approach, focusing on preventing children from entering care, improving placement stability, and supporting care leavers' transition to independence.

Optalis Contract and Shareholders Agreement Renewal 2027

The Executive recommended to Council the approval of the procurement business case to renew the contract with Optalis for adult social care services. This renewal, valued at approximately £15.2 million for 2027-28, includes the associated Shareholders Agreement. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Adult Services, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Adult Services, to approve and complete the contract. Further delegation was given to the Executive Director of Children's, Adults, Housing & Health, in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and Assets, to approve additions or removals from the Optalis contract during its term, subject to specific conditions regarding budget approval, business case demonstration of value for money, and consultation with relevant Executive Members. Councillor David Hare declared a prejudicial interest in this item as a director at Optalis and left the room for its discussion.

Sonning Neighbourhood Plan

The Executive accepted the modifications recommended by the independent examination into the Sonning Neighbourhood Plan, with minor deviations to correct typographical errors and provide factual updates. The modified plan will now proceed to a referendum in the Sonning neighbourhood area. The Executive agreed that the plan, as modified, meets the basic conditions and complies with relevant planning legislation. A 'Decision Statement' will be published, and authority was delegated to the Interim Executive Director of Place and Growth, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing, Partnerships and the Local Plan, to agree any minor factual and consequential modifications necessary before the referendum.

Highways and Transport Strategy Update and Local Transport Delivery Plan

The Executive noted the significant progress made in encouraging sustainable and active travel modes, despite the Borough's growth. They also noted ongoing work to improve the Highways and Transport Service to meet future challenges. The capital spend programme, totalling £41 million from the Department for Transport, and the revenue spend programme, totalling £4.59 million, were noted. The Executive authorised the Executive Director of Place and Growth to submit the Local Transport Delivery Plan to the Department for Transport. Finally, the timetable for procuring a new highways maintenance and professional services contract was noted, with a need to determine the Council's strategy and approach by June 2027.

Resident Enquiry System

The Executive approved the Council's response to Council Motion 529, acknowledging support for the motion's intent to improve transparency and residents' ability to track service progress. It was noted that a full single customer account or integrated resident tracking system is not currently viable due to cost, complexity, and integration challenges. Instead, a phased approach will be adopted, focusing on the Front Door Programme, customer accounts where a clear business case exists, website search improvements, and future business cases for significant additional investment. This approach aims to deliver practical improvements incrementally, balancing resident benefit with financial prudence and organisational readiness.