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PRESENT: Councillors Love (Chairman), Ms C Stretton (Vice-Chairman), Dudley (sub for Jenner), Mrs Mills (sub for Hollingsworth), Sharma and Wilson.

Also Present: Ann Darracott (Civic Society), Bob Dulson (Civic Society) and Marie-Anne Leonard (Art on the Street).

Officers: Martyn Clemence, Simon Hurrell, Steph James and Tanya Leftwich.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hollingsworth and Jenner.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

The Chairman declared an interest in the agenda as he was a member of the Maidenhead and Cox Green Neighbourhood Steering Group.

Councillor Mills declared an interest in the agenda as she was a member of the Maidenhead and Cox Green Neighbourhood Steering Group.

Councillor Sharma declared an interest in the agenda as he had submitted the petition which related to Item 7 of the agenda.

Councillor Wilson declared an interest in the agenda as he was a member of the Maidenhead Town Partnership Board.

MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Forum held on 14 July 2011 be approved.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.


EMPTY HOMES IN THE ROYAL BOROUGH

At the request of Councillor Newbound who unfortunately could not attend the meeting Martyn Clemence, Housing Project Officer, was invited to address the Forum on the subject of empty homes within the Royal Borough.

The Chairman explained that, during Martyn’s first four years here, he had helped bring over 130 empty homes back to use. Empty property work was initially three fifths of Martyn’s workload which had since reduced to as little as one fifth or even one tenth of his workload.

In 2007/8 Martyn created a low cost loan scheme (Flexible Home Improvement Loans) which had since been rolled out to 16 other local authorities. Whilst the majority of the funding has been aimed at helping elderly residents it had also been used to fund the renovation of empty properties.

Martyn Clemence went onto explain to Members that there were approximately 880 empty homes in the Royal Borough but records were unreliable for a number of reasons. For instance, residents receive a 25% Council Tax discount if there was a single occupancy but only 10% for an empty home. There have been many occasions where people had claimed a single person discount on an empty property. Conversely, wealthy residents often did not bother to notify the Council when a property was empty as they would only receive a 10% discount. With approximately 57,000 properties in the Royal Borough, but with limited staff resources, it was not always possible to pick up on properties being classified incorrectly.

Members noted that the high number of empty properties in the Borough was in part due to companies and individuals holding out for a ‘planning gain’ and the strength of the property market in this area means it was more prevalent than in some of the less affluent boroughs.

Martyn Clemence gave Members an example of an owner who had left her property empty for thirty years which ended up being compulsory purchased by the Council. It was noted that empty properties attracted squatters, drug users, arsonists and attracted fly tipping which, in turn, attracted vermin and that all these factors could affect the value and saleability of neighbouring properties. He also informed Members that, whilst a number of Compulsory Purchase Orders had been made, it was sometimes just the threat of action that encouraged people to act.

Martyn Clemence informed Members that a flexible loan scheme was in place to assist owners in bringing properties back into use, many of which would have been turned down by banks and building societies.

Martyn Clemence distributed ‘before and after’ photographs showing properties which had been empty for approximately fifteen years and explained that they had been compulsory purchased by the Council, after which they were sold, renovated and occupied within 9-10 months. Members were informed that, to date, well over £1million had been loaned to Borough residents for the purpose of bringing empty homes back into use.

Martyn Clemence informed the Forum that, in the first year since the introduction of the New Homes Bonus, 30 properties had been brought back into use of which 20% were classed as affordable housing. The New Homes Bonus awarded to the Council for these 30 properties amounts to £43,180 per year for six years.

It was noted that £2.4million had recently been awarded to the Flexible Home Improvement Loan scheme for the purpose of bringing empty homes back into use as affordable housing across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey.

In the ensuing discussions the following points were noted:

v The decision to make Compulsory Purchase Orders was made by the Council via Cabinet, or by authority delegated to senior officers. It was noted that, if the owner of the property objects to the Compulsory Purchase Order a local public enquiry was held which could delay the process.
v The Head of Planning and Development explained that this was of strategic benefit to the Council which was struggling to provide affordable housing within the Borough.
v It was noted that empty properties were independently valued at the point of possession for the purpose of establishing the level of compensation due to the owner. The property was then sold by auction, or by sealed bids, and the new owner would be entitled to keep any profit subsequently made from the renovation and disposal of the property.
v It was noted that the Compulsory Purchase process could take 6 - 8 months, if not challenged, or nearer 18 months if it was determined by a local public enquiry.

The Chairman thanked the Housing Project Officer for addressing the Forum.

MAIDENHEAD AND THE ARTS – BRINGING LIFE TO THE HIGH STREET. PROGRESS UPDATE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE

The Chairman introduced Marie-Anne Leonard and explained that she was here to update the Forum on Art on the Street. Members were informed that Marie-Anne Leonard, Harriet Brittaine, Stephanie Gay and Steph James had formed Art on the Street in 2009 with 40 artists through their love for Maidenhead and the arts. The Chairman explained that over 200 artists, performers, musicians and creative’s had attended their last event, an open-air art fair on the 12^th May. Members were informed that Art on the Street benefitted retailers with an increased footfall and the artists benefitted by being able to display their work at Norden Farm along with the possibility of being picked up by local galleries. The Chairman informed the Forum that with regard to the Portas Bid the first round had been unsuccessful but had helped raise awareness. Members noted that there was currently a pop up gallery in Unit 30 and a pop up shop in Unit 23 in the Nicholsons Centre which were both due to close on Saturday. The Chairman invited Marie-Anne Leonard to address the Forum.

Marie-Anne Leonard explained that Art on the Street focused on the future of Maidenhead rather than dwelled on the past. Members were informed that the second submission for the Portas Bid had been submitted last week. Marie-Anne Leonard went onto explain that due to online retailing and outlet parks Art of the Street needed to create an experience and encourage people into Maidenhead. Members were informed that Art on the Street did have plans in the future for similar projects as they wanted to bring in talent, nurture it and help it flourish. Marie-Anne Leonard informed Members that Art on the Street had gone online which opened it up to thousands of artists, performers, musicians and creative’s and connected them to 400+ galleries up and down the country.

Members were informed that Art on the Street recommended the creation of the ‘Locate – Create – Connect Hub’ (LCC Hub) which they believed should work closely with the Maidenhead Town Partnership Board, property management agents, developers, landlords, the Local Authority, amongst others to enable a new artisan-driven economic landscape for the Maidenhead High Street. Marie-Anne Leonard went onto explain that the function of the LCC Hub was to stimulate the creation of Maidenhead’s own ‘Bohemian Quarter’ by recommending:

v Permanent places of market trading with fixed, visually appealing market stalls that could be rented out.
v Negotiations with landlords and agents take place to allow short-term start-up rental deals on long-term vacant units for artists / artisans.
v Business rates relief for start-ups for the first six months of trading be sought.
v Acknowledged that all activities from the LCC Hub sat under the remit of ‘Public Art and Heritage’ thereby allowing the Local Authority to channel S106 developer contributions into the LCC Hubs continued programme of arts delivery.
v Empty spaces support.
v A budget and support for temporary one-off events to reinforce the message under the umbrella of Public Arts and Heritage.
v Support for Town Centre Open Studios Weeks.
v Fixed and permanent statements of support directing and introducing visitors and residents to the new arts and heritage championed High Street.
v Continuing to foster local awareness and participation and to create a new ‘clicks and bricks’ culture with existing businesses.

In the ensuing discussion the following points were noted:

Ø Councillor C Stretton informed Members that she was grateful for the work that had been done to make this deliverable and affordable since a conversation that had first taken place 6-9 months ago. Members were informed that Art on the Street had proved increased footfall and would be a destination for people to visit as it would be at the end of Crossrail.
Ø Councillor Love informed Members that he had been surprised to learn that Maidenhead did not have an arts gallery.
Ø Councillor D Wilson informed the Forum that he had liked the unique selling points put forward by Marie-Anne Leonard and suggested that the Community & Business Partnerships Manager (Harjit Hunjan) be involved in the next stage.
Ø Councillor D Wilson informed Marie-Anne Leonard that he had been involved in a meeting with the Chambers of Commerce where the creation of a website for Maidenhead was discussed which Art on the Street could in turn be marketed on.
Ø The Head of Planning and Development informed Members that the Government did have a proposal to localise business rates which would result in more flexibility and that S106 was also being replaced which again would result in increased flexibility.
Ø Marie-Anne Leonard confirmed that Art on the Street income was generated purely through grants, markets and pop up shops, etc.
Ø Councillor C Stretton informed Members that Art on the Street could start with art and then possibly expand to cheese makers and speciality food shops.

Members suggested that Marie-Anne Leonard work with the Head of Libraries, Information, Heritage & Arts Services (Mark Taylor) and the Community & Business Partnerships Manager (Harjit Hunjan) and bring forward to Cabinet, via the Forward Plan, a proposal as to what Art on the Street could do.

OVERVIEW OF MAIDENHEAD TOWN CENTRE REGENERATION, TO INCLUDE THE WORK OF PROM AND AN UPDATE ON THE WATERWAYS SCHEME, YORK ROAD OPPORTUNITY AREA AND KINGS TRIANGLE PLANS.

At the request of Councillor Newbound who unfortunately could not attend the meeting Simon Hurrell, the Head of Planning and Property Services, was invited to give an overview of the Maidenhead Town Centre Regeneration. The Head of Planning and Property Services informed Members that the Council was working with Bob Dulson, who had recently taken over the chair of the Programme for the Rejuvenation of Maidenhead (PRoM) again, and with other organisations to help promote the town.

The Head of Planning and Property Services informed Members that there were four major projects in the pipeline which included the York Road Opportunity Area, Kings Triangle (ING), Chapel Arches (Michael Shanly Group) and the Maidenhead Waterways Scheme.

It was noted that of these projects the Maidenhead Waterways Scheme was a key project that would help attract families and visitors into the town to make it a livelier place. Members were informed that at the Special Maidenhead Development Control Panel meeting held on 13 June 2012 the Waterways Scheme had been approved in principle and that a project board had been set up to help resolve the outstanding technical issues in the next 3-4 months. It was noted that a separate management company (a charitable trust) would be set up to maintain the scheme.


The Head of Planning and Property Services went on to explain that there had been a number of changes made to the Kings Triangle scheme and that a fresh round of consultations would be taking place soon. Members were informed that they should not expect this scheme to reach the Maidenhead Development Control Panel until early October, when it was hoped a special meeting would be held.

With regard to the Chapel Arches scheme Members were informed that the Michael Shanly Group proposal was for mixed use, largely residential to include offices and commercial retail use. It was noted that the pre-application had just been completed and it was hoped that the planning application would be submitted soon.

The Head of Planning and Property Services went on to explain that the Royal Borough owned the majority of land in York Road (North) Opportunity Area. It was noted that the Council had received a number of firm bids to act in partnership with the Royal Borough and that Cabinet would be setting up small review groups, to include Members, to look at each of the bids received, with the involvement of PRoM.

The Head of Planning and Property Services also informed Members that the Council was working jointly with Crossrail with regard to the station forecourt and would be jointly appointing design consultants to help progress this transport interchange and public realm project.

Members were informed that there had been developer interest in the conversion of Berkshire House into residential accommodation.

In the ensuing discussions the following points were noted:

v Bob Dulson informed the Forum that he strongly supported the current regeneration approach, on behalf of PRoM.
v It was noted that a certain amount of phasing the schemes could be done via the Planning Department as a lot of businesses / properties needed to be relocated and buildings needed to be built.
v The Head of Planning and Property Services informed Members that a very constructive meeting had taken place between Michael Shanly and Sainsbury’s with regard to the replacement of part of their car park, whilst key meetings had recently taken place with ING about transport / service access, and the Waterways Board had met to discuss the risks involved.
v It was suggested that other water related items such as fountains, permanent statues of boats and a water effect be added in the Town Centre to link the town to the Waterways scheme.
v The Chairman suggested creating a town website that could be accessed by overseas visitors which could include the reasons for coming to Maidenhead as listed on the Adobe website.

The Chairman thanked the Head of Planning and Property Services for addressing Members.

OVERVIEW OF THE MAIDENHEAD AND COX GREEN NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN AND THE BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN (TO INCLUDE THE FURZE PLATT PETITION AND AN UPDATE ON OCKWELLS MANOR)

At the request of Bob Dulson Simon Hurrell, the Head of Planning and Property Services, was invited to give an overview of the Maidenhead and Cox Green Neighbourhood Plan and the Borough Local Plan.

The Head of Planning and Property Services assured Members that the Royal Borough would use their best efforts via the Borough Local Plan to bring the land north of Ockwells Manor, which was privately owned and subject to an extant planning permission for residential development, into the Green Belt. It was noted that public consultation with Cox Green residents would commence as part of the Borough Local Plan later in the summer.

The Head of Planning and Property Services informed Members that the Borough Local Plan made strategic decisions whilst the Neighbourhood Plan concentrated on the details, for example in what areas additional housing could be placed. Members were informed that phone calls expressing interest in joining the four topic groups for the Maidenhead/Cox Green Neighbourhood Plan had been received and that three public events would be taking place over the next three to five weeks.

The Head of Planning and Property Services explained that, in relation to the Borough Local Plan, he was reporting on this to Cabinet on 26 July and that, if agreed, the Council would be embarking on another phase of consultations with stakeholders later in the summer with regard to housing numbers and other key issues.

In the ensuing discussion the following points were raised:

· A petition had been submitted which related to the Spencer’s Farm Development / Furze Platt School which had consisted of over 2000 signatures and would be considered in the context of the Borough Local Plan.
· The Head of Planning and Property Services explained that the plan was to get the Borough Local Plan ready for submission in the early part of next year with the hope that it would be adopted in 2013.
· The timetable for the Maidenhead and Cox Green Neighbourhood Plan was still to be decided by the steering group. It was noted that the next Steering Group meeting was due to be held in the third or fourth week in September when the timetable was to be discussed.
· It was noted that Cabinet had to agree to consult on the Spencer Farm Development as part of the Borough Local Plan before consultation papers could be sent out. It was hoped that the report would be submitted to the July Cabinet meeting.
· It was noted that the Neighbourhood Plan needed to broadly conform to the Borough Local Plan before it could go through the local referendum process.
· Bob Dulson requested that the Civic Society remained as a statutory consultative body in responding to planning applications
· Bob Dulson requested that serious caution be urged with regard to use of the Green Belt land as the Civic Society was against any erosion of this land. It was noted that whilst Bob Dulson understood that ‘trade offs’ of land might be required he did want them to become the norm. The Head of Planning and Property Services reminded the Forum that Cabinet had previously agreed to the principle of ‘Green Belt swaps’ but that he expected the total area of the Royal Borough, as a % of land area, would remain broadly the same.

The Chairman thanked the Head of Planning and Property Services for addressing Members.


DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Members noted that the date of the next meeting was Tuesday 30 October 2012 at 6.30pm and would be held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Maidenhead.

The Chairman requested that agenda item suggestions be emailed to the Clerk of the Forum.


MEETING

The meeting, which began at 6.30pm, ended at 8.25pm.