PRESENT: Councillors Bursnall (Chairman), Mrs Quick (Vice-Chairman), Bathurst, Bicknell, Fido and Grey (sub for Maxwell).

Officers: Tanya Leftwich, Craig Miller and Paul Roach.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Councillors J Evans and Maxwell.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest.

MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Forum held on 21 February 2011 were approved subject to the following changes:

Page i – to read ‘Members were informed that 2,482 responses had been received and that residents had voted for additional cycling facilities, tree planting projects, extra grit boxes and a small gritter with a mini snow plough.’
Page ix – to read ‘Councillor Fido explained that a Big Society Day would take place on the 2^nd March 2011 (10am – 4pm) as Windsor Racecourse and that a NAG might be interested in attending as they could use the opportunity to encourage people to join in’.

AIR QUALITY IN ARTHUR ROAD

The Waste and Environmental Protection Manager, Craig Miller, gave Members a presentation on local air quality management (Arthur Road, Windsor) in response to an item request by Marc Green, a local resident. A copy of the presentation was available from the Clerk on request.

Members were informed that pollution levels of Nitrogen Dioxide at two out of three monitoring locations on Arthur Road were currently above the national air quality objective. It was noted that a 2003 World Health Organisation (WHO) report claimed that Nitrogen Dioxide was a pollutant emitted from cars/lorries which was known to impair lung development in children and cause bronchial problems. The Waste and Environmental Protection Manager explained that Arthur Road was located adjacent to two local schools which were the Windsor Boys’ School and St Stephens School.

The Forum was informed that air quality in Arthur Road was monitored with the use of passive diffusion tubes and air quality modelling tools. It was noted that no short-term exposure issues had been found to be present in Arthur Road.

The Waste and Environmental Protection Manager informed the Forum that the following would be done to improve air quality in Windsor:

Ø Air Quality review and assessment progress report to be submitted to DEFRA – Summer 2011.
Ø Further assessment to be undertaken for Arthur Road area – Summer 2011.
Ø Update and Screening Assessment – Spring 2012.
Ø National Fleet improvements.
Ø National review of the Local Air Quality regime.

In response to questions, it was confirmed that:

· Weather conditions were a factor and that results were corrected using national correction factors.
· The Royal Borough’s Environmental Protection Team and the Highways Team continue to progress the actions within the air quality action plan in order to improve air quality and pursue compliance with the national air quality objective.
· A review was currently taking place which was looking into whether junctions with traffic lights could be turned into roundabouts, with particular regard to the junction near the Windsor Leisure Centre. It was noted that if this was successful the scheme would be rolled out.
· For the last four months there had been no right turns permitted when driving out of the coach park.
· It was suggested that a park and ride scheme, similar to the one used in Oxford, be put in place to help with the traffic coming in and out of the future Norma Road Office Development. Members suggested that this idea be raised with the Slough Council as it was not something the Royal Borough was able to consider on their behalf.
· Councillor Bicknell believed that cars which ran on electricity, such as the Nissan Leaf, which took pollution away from the Town Centre was the way forward.

WHAT IS BEING DONE TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF LATE NIGHT ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN THE TOWN CENTRE

The Chairman explained to Members that Colin Hague, a local resident, had requested that this item appear on the agenda but that due to unforeseen circumstances Inspector Millward from the Thames Valley Police was unable to attend the meeting to address this item. It was noted that Inspector Millward was more than happy to arrange a convenient meeting with Mr Hague to discuss this item and the Clerk agreed to pass on Colin Hague’s contact details to Inspector Millward.

Colin Hague informed the Forum that he wished to explain his reasons for requesting the item. The Forum noted that Colin Hague had been a resident of Windsor since 1971. It was explained that the Windsor Express had written an article approximately three weeks ago which had reported an incident that had subsequently not been pursued by the Thames Valley Police due to the fact that no-one involved had wanted to report the assault. Colin Hague believed this not to be a solitary incident and therefore asked what was being done to reduce the impact of late night anti-social behaviour in the Town Centre.

Colin Hague explained that he believed more action was required by the Councils Licensing Authority against offending premises within the Town Centre and that increased visibility from the Thames Valley Police was also required.

In response to questions, it was confirmed that:

· The Chairman had been in discussions with Superintendent De Meyer with regard to effective dispersement of the Thames Valley Police into other areas of Windsor, such as Thames Street, Peascod Street, William Street and Goswell Hill, to help people feel safe when leaving premises such as restaurants and theatres.
· Problems would exist until the Government revised at the 2003 Licensing Act to allow local authorities more control.
· Initiatives such as the taxi-marshalling scheme helped the Thames Valley Police to disperse people from the Town Centre. It was noted that Section 27 notices were also being issued by the Thames Valley People which related to their behaviour and which gave the person the option to leave the area or be arrested.
· National Government was now considering using ‘Polluter Pays’ which is where establishments that were open after midnight paid the costs of cleaning the area, the costs of Policing, etc.

STEPS THAT COULD BE TAKEN TO IMPROVE TRADE AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN WINDSOR TOWN CENTRE

In response to Councillor Bathurst’s item request which he raised as a result of questions he had received whilst he was canvassing in the run up to the election the Windsor Town Manager, Paul Roach, explained what steps were currently being undertaken to improve trade and employment opportunities in the Town Centre:

Ø Regular Retail Management Forums on the first Friday of every month where subjects such as vacancy rates were discussed.
Ø Businesses were signposted to services the Council provided.
Ø Help to promote and offer discounts to local businesses via the ‘self business portal’.
Ø ‘Grow Our Own’ where local people are directed toward local jobs.
Ø Key links formed with the Chambers of Commerce and the visitor economy.

With regard to steps that could be take to improve employment opportunities, the Windsor Town Manager gave examples of short-term, medium-term and long-term steps.

Short-term:

Ø More resources to help with the beautification of the town such as all year round planting of hanging baskets, the removal of additional commercial waste bins from the town and face-lifts for businesses within the town with particular regard to empty shop units.
Ø Enforcement of mobile advertisements (e.g. sandwich boards) with the use of Cleaner Neighbourhoods Act as used in Oxford Street, London.
Ø Produce a key list of landlords within the Town Centre and encourage landlords to improve the frontage of their properties.
Ø Increase promotional activity within the Town Centre to increase the footfall in areas such as Lower Peascod Street.
Ø Issue more official permits for street performers.
Ø Use colourful vinals on empty shop fronts with the agreement of landlords.
Ø Empty shop units to be used by social enterprise groups as temporary units / galleries.

Medium-term:

Ø Windsor face-lift in 2012 – to look at all aspects of the town.
Ø Reinstatement of old monuments.
Ø Adopt a street programme.
Ø The Big Society.
Ø Hosting a retailer’s seminar annually.
Ø Get estate agents on board and find out their key issues when letting empty properties in Windsor.
Ø Support local marketing initiatives.
Ø Producing a comprehensive business directory.

Long-term:

Ø Commission a report on shopping and dining in Windsor and identify key gaps in retail offer where you could encourage new big brands into the town.
Ø Look at parking strategy in Windsor as rising prices in both private and public were found to be deterring people from visiting the Town Centre.

In response to questions, it was confirmed that:

· The car parking charges in Windsor was believed to be a very pertinent issue. An example of Waitrose was given and it was explained that it was free to park in the Maidenhead Waitrose but that it cost in the region of £3.50 per hour to park in Waitrose in Windsor. It was agreed that discussions needed to take place with the landlords concerned.
· It was suggested that a link with Belgium / Germany be formed as possible twin towns to help develop and exchange ideas.
· Only private Shopping Centres such as Kind Edward Court could control the mix of shops present.
· Councillor Mrs Quick and Councillor Dudley would look into putting a paper together to be presented to Cabinet which would look at work placements, internships and ways in which to encourage small and large companies to give both the young and old opportunities in order to gain the experience they need to further their careers.

HM JUBILEE 2012

In response to Garry Williams item request the Democratic and Civic Services Manager, Andrew Scott, provided a statement with regard to the Diamond Jubilee which was as follows:

"Last month officers from the Council met with the Lord Lieutenant and representatives from her office to discuss the Diamond Jubilee. Following those discussions, a formal proposal was submitted, through the Lord Lieutenant's office, to the Royal Household for a celebration in Windsor to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. As the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are due to be very busy on the Diamond Jubilee week-end, it was not considered appropriate to hold an event similar to the one that was held to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee. There are other events being planned locally which could be linked to this celebration, such as the unveiling of the Golden Jubilee statue in King Edward Court, and as soon as confirmation has been received from the Royal Household on the proposal further details will be disclosed and plans drawn up".


In response to questions, it was confirmed that:

· The Windsor Town Manager had started discussions with local partnerships and had also written to the local MP to ask whether he would be interested in leading on an event to celebrate the Jubilee in 2012. Feedback to be brought back to the next meeting in October.

TRAFFIC HUMPS AND POTHOLE REPAIRS UPDATE

In response to Garry Williams item request “Traffic humps and pothole repairs situation – it is alleged that ‘island’ humps (e.g. Frances Road) tear tyre inner walls especially if humps are the wrong size or have rough edges” the Head of Highways & Engineering provided the following briefing note:

“Traffic Humps:

The size and shape of traffic “humps” (full width of road) and “cushions” (where 2 or 3 are placed across the road) are set out by Department for Transport specifications.

Cushions are used to enable buses and emergency vehicles to straddle them whilst car drivers are encouraged to slow down.

Although occasionally drivers say that these cushions have damaged their tyres, this is not bourne out by the number of insurance claims we receive. Only very occasionally do we get such a claim and provided drivers slow down as appropriate when crossing the cushion, there should be no damage to their tyres or vehicles.

However we have identified that some of the older cushions around the Borough’s roads are in need of repair. Last year we set aside funds for a trial repair solution that has worked well and so later this year we are planning a more extensive repair programme.

Councillors and Residents can contact us via the website ‘Fix-it Card’ system or email engineering@rbwm.gov.uk if they feel particular streets need attention.

Potholes:

Following last year’s exceptionally cold winter, we have had to escalate the rate we repair potholes.

We have a team of Inspectors out constantly surveying the roads and they, together with reports from the public, are used to prioritise repairs. Urgent repairs are generally dealt with within 24 hours of us becoming aware of them. This has two outcomes:-

· Residents and drivers are not exposed to risks once we become aware of the problem which reduces the number of incidents reported.
· Our spend on compensation claims is kept an absolute minimum which means the money can be spent on more repairs rather than insurance payments.

Following the bad winter, the Department for Transport allocated a countrywide budget to repair the worst of the winter damage. The Royal Borough received £550,000 from the Government and this has been added to our annual road resurfacing programme to permanently repair badly damaged roads. This year approximately £1.5m will be spent and work started in mid May and will run through until the autumn.”

In response to questions, it was confirmed that:

· Over the next two weeks an intensive programme of road surfacing and improvements were due to take place with minimal disruption to traffic.
· The Chairman had requested that the gradient of some traffic humps in certain areas of Windsor be lowered.
· Traffic humps were of a standard level; however they were known to change shape. It was explained that the Council was trying to make traffic humps tougher so that they did not require as much maintenance.
· A report of traffic humps was currently taking place which would take six to eight weeks to complete.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was noted that the next meeting would take place on Thursday 6 October 2011 at 7.00pm in the Guildhall, Windsor.

Any items suggestions for the next meeting were requested to be emailed to the Chairman (Cllr.Bursnall@rbwm.gov.uk).

It was also announced that the Annual Police Consultative Meeting was due to be held in the Guildhall at 6.30pm on Wednesday 8 June 2011 and that the subject of Anti-Social Behaviour was due to feature on the agenda.

MEETING

The meeting, which began at 7.00pm, ended at 8.50pm.