To comment on the Cabinet report.

The Head of Governance, Partnerships, Performance and Policy informed the Panel that a revised version of the report had been published on the Cabinet agenda that had the ‘Principle or Deliverable’ and ‘Expected Completion Date’ columns completed. 

The Panel were informed that there had also been a slight improvement in performance with 20% of the commitments having been met with only two targets reporting as not being met. 

The Chairman asked if there were any targets that had not been met that would put our residents at risk and it was reported that there were not. 

Cllr Jones raised concern that there were a number of targets that were reporting Green but she felt that with only 18 months left could not be met, the example given was 03.04 - Enhance and support our conservation areas.  The Panel were informed that for this indicator the target was to do review 2 conservation areas per year and not all conservation areas.

Cllr McWilliams mentioned that 02.10 Plan for the arrival of Crossrail to deliver

more integrated rail, taxi and bus services indicator was reporting Amber but the commentary said that sections could not be completed.  The Panel were informed that the discussion about the station opportunity area was dependent on the appointment of the JV partner and that the business case did not need to be submitted to the LEP until July.

Cllr Rankin reported that a more mature approach to the delivery of the commitments had been undertaken and if a commitment did not offer value for money and benefits to the community then it would not be undertaken just to meet the manifesto commitments.

Cllr Jones asked if records were kept of the number of volunteers who no longer volunteered regarding commitment number 06.05 Encourage more people to volunteer in their community.  The Panel were informed that it was possible to track those volunteers who could no longer continue but later came back to volunteering.

Cllr E Wilson attended the meeting to discuss indicator 08.04 Increase the number of litter and dog bins and empty them regularly.  Cllr Wilson distributed pictures of BigBelly solar operated bins that have a compacting mechanism and when full sends a message to operators to empty.  The Panel were informed that they had been successful in high footfall areas and felt that RBWM should test them in Windsor high street. 

The Chairman recommended that the company should be asked to install one for a 12 month trial before any were purchased.

In response to question Cllr Wilson confirmed that recycling versions were available and that with regards to security issues they were fixed to the ground by metal rods and that they could be removed when required.

Russel O’Keefe mentioned that he would mention the proposal when meeting with Windsor Councillors.

Resolved unanimously:  The Corporate Services O&S Panel considered the Cabinet report and unanimously endorsed the recommendations. Subject to the comments below:

·         The Panel were reassured that there were no targets not being met that put our residents at risk.

·         Additional information was requested on the status of 03.04 – enhance and support conservation areas.

·         Approved the more mature approach to manifesto commitments in that it was recognised that commitments would only be met if they were cost effective and were beneficial to our residents. 

·         0605 - Encourage more people to volunteer in their community.  The Panel asked for clarification on how we monitor the people who have to stop being volunteers.

·         0804 - Increase the number of litter and dog bins, and empty them regularly.  Cllr E Wilson attended the meeting to raise the potential use of Big Belly Bins.  Members were informed that the potential use of them could be raised at the senior leadership team meeting with Windsor Members.  The chairman recommended that if the bins were to be introduced the company should first do a 12 month trial with one bins first.

The Chairman thanked Cllr Airey, Cllr Rankin and Cllr E Wilson for attending the meeting and contributing to the discussion on the item.

(Cllr N Airey, Cllr E Wilson and Kevin McDaniel left the meeting)