The upcoming Council meeting is scheduled to cover a range of topics, including climate change, youth justice, updates to the council's constitution, and councillor pay. Members of the public have the opportunity to ask questions, and councillors will also have their chance to raise issues. Motions relating to the British National (Overseas) visa scheme and English language courses for Hong Kong residents are also scheduled to be discussed.

Climate Emergency Action Plan Progress

The council will be asked to approve the draft sixth progress report on the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP). The report includes proposed changes to the plan's format and data, and notes that a more ambitious approach is needed for the borough to become carbon neutral by 2030. The CEAP Sixth Progress Report outlines the progress made on actions contributing towards achieving a carbon neutral Wokingham Borough by 2030.

The draft Climate Emergency Strategy sets out the council's vision for a carbon neutral borough, including:

• Clean air and biodiverse green spaces
• Sustainable transport options
• Low-carbon and energy-efficient homes and businesses

The report also recognises that the actions in the plan are not enough to achieve a carbon neutral borough by 2030, with a shortfall of 171 ktCO2e¹ remaining. The CEAP Changes document outlines significant changes from last year's plan, including a new shortfall of 171 ktCO2e and a simplification of the plan for greater clarification.

The CEAP Carbon Accounting Methodology document details the methodology and assumptions used in the plan.

The CEAP EqIA document confirms that due regard has been given to the Public Sector Equality Duty.

The report highlights several successes, including Wokingham achieving the Most Improved Climate Action Plan for single-tier authorities and an increased Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) score.

The report identifies several challenges, including the costs associated with delivering actions and the lack of national legislation to drive change in areas such as private domestic retrofit.

The report also outlines progress in key priority areas:

• Transport: The report notes that the council is aiming to reduce internal combustion engine (ICE) private car mileage to 50% mileage share.
• Renewable Energy Generation: The report notes that the council is aiming to increase the generation of renewable energy through investment in solar farms to generate 49 MWp².
• Retrofitting Domestic and Commercial Buildings: The report notes that the council is aiming for 75% of privately owned homes to be EPC³ C rating or above.
• Carbon Sequestration: The report notes that the council is aiming to cover 50 hectares with new trees.
• Waste and Recycling: The report notes that the council is aiming to achieve a 70% recycling rate.

Youth Justice Plan

The council will be asked to accept and publish the annual Youth Justice Plan. The Annual Youth Justice Plan summarises the work delivered by the Prevention and Youth Justice Service (PYJS) during 2024-25, outlining key achievements, risks and challenges. The plan also presents the Service Development plan for the current year.

The plan notes that in June 2024, the Wokingham Prevention and Youth Justice service was inspected by His Majesty Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) and was rated as GOOD with Outstanding features.

The plan also notes that the service had a 115% increase in referrals into the Exclusion Prevention Programme (EPP), supporting children to stay in mainstream education and preventing them from entering the criminal justice system.

The plan identifies several areas for service development in 2025-26, including:

• Further reducing the number of children who have contact with the criminal justice system
• Continuing to grow the Exclusion Prevention Programme
• Strengthening the health offer for PYJS children
• Improving the victim offer by reaching out and engaging with more victims of crime

Council Constitution Updates

The council will be asked to approve several updates to the council's constitution, as recommended by the Monitoring Officer. The Constitution Update Report includes the following updates:

• A procedure for motions and amendments to motions
• An amendment to procurement and contract rules
• An update to appointments
• Inclusion of an anti-tax evasion policy

The Procurement and Contract Rules document outlines the rules for procuring works, goods and services for the council.

The Anti-Tax Evasion Policy sets out information relating to the identification, reporting and recording of suspected tax evasion.

Appointments to the Independent Remuneration Panel

The council will be asked to appoint three applicants to the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) for a term of office of three years, with the possibility of extending for a further two years. The Council - IRP Appointments report details the background information on each of the applicants:

• Ms Carina Disney
• Mr Nick Fellows
• Mr Jeremy Wood

The IRP makes recommendations to the council regarding the amount of councillors' allowances, including Special Responsibility Allowances.

Pay Policy Statement

The council is asked to approve the Pay Policy Statement. The Pay Policy Statement outlines the council's commitment to transparency and fairness in employee remuneration.

The Pay Policy Statement Cover Report notes that the statement fulfils statutory duties under the Localism Act 2011.

Public Questions

Members of the public will be able to ask questions on a range of topics. Peter Wheat is scheduled to ask about road safety at Shepherds Hill Roundabout on the London Road. Peter Humphreys is scheduled to ask about roadworks in Wiltshire Road and Crutchley Road. Leon Cook is scheduled to ask about traffic congestion in Sonning. James Westhorpe is scheduled to ask about progress with a new Sixth Form building at Emmbrook school. Andy Croy is scheduled to ask about racism in the borough.

Councillor Questions

Councillors will also be able to ask questions. Catherine Glover is scheduled to ask about fare-paying places on school buses. Rebecca Margetts is scheduled to ask about the closure of Easthampstead Road between Star Lane and Heathlands Road as part of the South Wokingham Distributor Road project. Séona Turtle is scheduled to ask about proposed changes to move property from Finchampstead Parish into Wokingham Without Parish. Rachelle Shepherd-Dubey is scheduled to ask about the consequences of not adopting the new Local Plan. Chris Cooke is scheduled to ask about efforts to persuade the government to reconsider its plans to redirect nearly £50 million in funding. Dave Edmonds is scheduled to ask about contacting AWE⁴ to request a review of the Detailed Emergency Planning Zone. Alison Swaddle is scheduled to ask about plans to invest in the regeneration of Woodley. Charles Margetts is scheduled to ask about the sale of land at Toutley East for housing development. Andrew Gray is scheduled to ask about the adoption of roads at Shinfield's Heritage Park development. Greg Bello is scheduled to ask about improving bus services in Woodley. Nagi Nagella is scheduled to ask about car parking charges at Cantley Park. Peter Harper is scheduled to ask about the expected date for the Barkham Solar Farm to be generating electricity.

Motions

Two motions are scheduled to be considered. Councillor Andy NG Siu-hong has submitted a motion to oppose changing the British National (Overseas) (BNO)'s 5-year path to permanent residency into 10 years. Councillor Pauline Jorgensen has submitted a motion to review the provision of access to English as an additional language services for those holding Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visas.