Slough Borough Council is scheduled to meet on 25 September to discuss a range of topics, including a petition regarding the sale of a local property, an update on the council's improvement and recovery action plan, and motions related to housing and refuse collection. Councillors will also note the sixth report from the government-appointed commissioners overseeing the council's efforts to improve its services and financial stability. Additionally, the council is expected to note the appointment of an Interim Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Section 151 Officer¹.

Best Value Intervention and Improvement

The council is scheduled to note the Commissioners Sixth Report on Best Value Intervention at Slough Borough Council. The report notes that while progress has improved with a new leadership team and a more confident cabinet, challenges remain, including variable service delivery standards and financial concerns. The report highlights the need for a better balance of focus on medium to longer-term strategic change to secure sustainability.

The council will also discuss the Recommendations of the Cabinet from its meeting held on 15th September 2025, specifically regarding an Improvement and Recovery Action Plan Update. The plan aims to support the council in becoming a Best Value Council by November 2026. The report includes updates on various workstreams and programmes designed to improve the council's performance. The report notes that Commissioners will want to see a composite picture in the next update report that more clearly evidences the impact of the steps taken, especially for residents, and sets out where the Council has reached overall in the journey towards meeting the best value requirements.

Petition regarding Wexham Court Parish Council Hall

The council is scheduled to consider a Petition to Support the Preferential Sale of the Wexham Court Parish Council Hall Property from the Asset Disposal List to Jeeyar Educational Trust, UK (JETUK) for the establishment of a Hindu Temple/Hub in Slough. The petition, which has garnered 3,827 signatures, requests that the council consider allocating a preferential sale of the property to Jeeyar Educational Trust UK (JETUK). The council is expected to discuss the petition and decide on a course of action, considering a recommendation from the Executive Director of Regeneration, Housing and Environment that the petitioners be informed that the hall is only available for purchase by Wexham Parish Council due to operational reasons.

Treasury Management Outturn Report 2024-25

The council is scheduled to note the Recommendation of Audit and Corporate Governance Committee regarding the Treasury Management Outturn Report 2024-25. The report documents the council's treasury activities, borrowings, investments and cash balances during the financial year, and demonstrates compliance with the approved Treasury Management Strategy and policies. The report notes that the forecasted general fund external debt level continues to create a revenue challenge for the council, and that a revised debt repayment strategy will need to be established in 2025/26 to ensure financial stability.

Appointment of Interim Executive Director Corporate Resources

The council is scheduled to note the Appointment of Interim Executive Director Corporate Resources (Section 151 Officer). The report seeks the Council to note the decision by Commissioners to appoint Mr Ian O'Donnell as the Council's Interim Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Section 151 Officer. The council is also expected to approve an update to the Council's Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26 to reflect the pay arrangements of the new interim officer.

Motions

The council is scheduled to consider two motions submitted under procedure rule 14:

Housing

Councillor Christine Hulme, seconded by Councillor Maroof Bibi Mohammad, has submitted a motion related to housing, which includes calls for the council to endorse the Labour Government's Renter's Rights Bill, develop a social housing improvement plan, enable enhanced training for front-line officers, bring forward renewed recommendations for future property licensing schemes, and produce an annual 'State of Housing' report. The Renters (Reform) Bill is a proposed law in the United Kingdom that would abolish section 21 'no fault' evictions, introduce new rights for renters, and create a new ombudsman to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants.

Refuse Collection Policy Review

Councillor Waqas Sabah, seconded by Councillor Sabia Akram, has submitted a motion requesting that the Corporate Improvement Scrutiny Committee review the current waste collection and disposal policies, including the decision to issue specific bin sizes as standard, the criteria for larger bins, the eligibility for separate collections of clinical waste, the impact of Sheds with Beds on waste disposal, the current communications plan, and the establishment of a 'citizens charter' promoting responsible recycling.