Reading Borough Council (RBC) held its first public in-person meeting in 14 months last night (Wednesday, May 26) in a rapid seven minutes, with the key decision seeing the mayor get another six months in the role.

The Full Council met for its Annual General Meeting at the Town Hall, where a new ceremonial mayor is normally appointed and other roles in the council are confirmed.

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However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, RBC decided to give Cllr David Stevens another six months in the role, which includes raising charity funding and chairing council meetings, as it is felt he has not had much opportunity to make the most of it.

This means current deputy mayor Cllr Rachel Eden will have to wait until November to become mayor but will also be given 18 months in the role.

Cllr Stevens said: “I am very grateful for the extension following what you will appreciate has been a thin year.

“Hopefully things might pick up this summer.”

The first in-person meeting since last March begins

The first in-person meeting since last March begins

Cllr Jason Brock was confirmed as leader for another year, with councillors unanimously voting all appointments, including new roles for some councillors.

Fellow Southcote Cllr John Ennis has switched from Housing to Adult Social Care, previously held by Tony Jones, who stepped down as a councillor this month.

Cllr Ellie Emberson will move from Corporate and Consumer Services lead to take the Housing role, with Cllr Ruth McEwan taking up her old role.

And Cllr Lovelock – who was leader of the council before Cllr Brock took over the role in 2019 – has taken over from former councillor Emmett McKenna as Planning Applications committee chair.

The Planning Applications committee is the next RBC public meeting to be held in person, next Wednesday, June 2.

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Members of the public were not able to attend or watch the seven-minute meeting last night but will be able to attend the planning meeting, albeit with limited seats on a first come first served basis due to social distancing.

Full Council meetings will be held at the town hall until national social distancing restrictions are removed, with the next meeting of all councillors on June 8.

All other meetings will be held in the council chamber at the Civic Centre on Bridge Street.