Reading Borough Council

Reading Borough Council says it will now act to protect a rare orchid growing on a verge in the town.

The Himantoglossum hircinum orchid was found by Reading University graduate and plant expert Dr Stephanie while on her way to the shops over the weekend.

Plant expert, Rupert Wilson, took to Twitter to share pictures of the plant and criticised the council for initially saying it wasn't "geared up" to protect what was thought to have been an extinct species.

The authority had stirred controversy after initially responding saying the plant might have already been cut down by one of its mowers.

But Mr Wilson said the orchid is protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act, which makes it an offence to dig it up or destroy it and moving it would require a licence.

The council later admitted its initial response had been "a bit hasty" and said it will "seek to protect" the plant.

One in 10 workers at Reading Borough Council (RBC) said they have been bullied, a survey found.

The council's chief executive Peter Sloman commented on the research, to which around half of the staff responded, saying it made him "sick to the stomach".

“There is no excuse for bullying someone; we want Reading to have a caring and supportive culture," Mr Sloman said, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports.

He said RBC is going to make sure staff know how to identify and flag bullying and harassment, and where to get support.

Mr Sloman, however, said he was "wowed" at some other findings, including nine out of 10 staff saying they feel like they are making a contribution the council's success.

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Plans for a new housing development on a retail park opposite Reading jail are going on display.

The Toys R Us and Homebase site in Kenavon Drive will be turned into an estate with 765 properties, of which 157 will be affordable homes.

The riverside Huntley Wharf development was approved by Reading Borough Council last year.

The plans will be on show at the Bel & The Dragon riverboat today and tomorrow.

Berkeley Homes

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Twenty-nine communities in Reading are to hold street parties, taking advantage of a borough council offer to waive road closure fees.

The first celebration - The Big Lunch - takes place on Saturday and Sunday and aims to encourage people to have lunch with their neighbours in an act of community.

The Great Get Together takes place on 22 and 23 June and Reading Summer Street Party is on 6 and 7 July.

A council must release details about a controversial sale of an historic east Reading swimming pool, the Information Commissioner (IC) has ruled.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) failed to provide sufficient justification for concealing details about the sale of Arthur Hill swimming pool, the commissioner said.

The independent regulatory office has ordered RBC to release its report from the secret policy committee discussion on 16 July last year, when the council chose its preferred bidder for the site.

BBC

RBC has until 25 June to release the report or may face action for contempt of court.

A spokesman for the Arthur Hill Campaign said: “RBC’s arguments were so flimsy that it didn’t even bother replying to the IC’s questions on the matter, and the commissioner has quite rightly thrown out the council’s case and rejected its excuses."