Social Value Ideas for Reading Borough Council

Ward councillor input on materials

Councillors asked that ward members be consulted on the proposed materials for the Battle Inn scheme and on the refuse/recycling arrangement. Officers agreed to reflect this in the conditions, specifi…

“I would argue that that the materials ought to be subject to consultation with ward councillors because this is a concern. And I think it's important …”

St Mary Butts serviced apartments approved

The committee approved a fresh application to enlarge the existing serviced apartment scheme at St Mary Butts from 37 to 41 units by adding an extra storey and remodelling the internal layout. The gro…

“This application is similar to a separate permission granted in June 2025, following consideration by this committee in March 2025, which permitted 37…”

Battle Inn redevelopment approved

The committee approved demolition of the former Battle Inn and replacement with a mixed-use scheme comprising a ground-floor Class E unit and six flats. The decision was finely balanced because of her…

“This is item six on page 21 of your reports pack Now there is an update report for this item The application is presented to planning applications com…”

Housing repairs and PFI recovery

Landlord services remain under pressure from housing repairs backlogs, decent homes compliance, complaints handling, and the underperforming PFI contract with Affinity Reading. The council is using st…

“The Directorate has established strong governance arrangements further enhanced by a cross -party working group that provides additional opportunities…”

Rent recovery and tenancy policy refresh

The committee approved refreshed versions of the rent recovery policy and tenancy policy. The changes separate rent recovery from the broader corporate debt policy, update tenancy types, and clarify s…

“So the rent recovery policy Has been separated out from the corporate debt policy to provide clarity To tenants and the tenancy policy has been update…”

Seek Thames Water update

The lead councillor asked officers to write to Thames Water's chief executive for a written update on annual discharge volumes, causes of discharges, and the number of incidents since 2023 at Reading …

“I can confirm that I have asked officers to write to Thames Water's Chief Executive to obtain a written update on annual discharge volumes, the causes…”

Weed control contract continues

The council confirmed that weed control has been procured annually since 2024 to keep flexibility to adopt new technologies. Contractors must work on alternatives to glyphosate, and the council said g…

“Since 2024 we have procured weed control annually allowing flexibility to adopt new technologies as soon as they become viable. Contractors are requir…”