Agenda and minutes

Venue: Grey Room - York House - Windsor

Contact: David Cook  01628 796560

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Dudley and Hilton.  The Deputy Chairman was acting Chairman for the meeting.

2.

Declarations of Interest pdf icon PDF 219 KB

To receive any declarations of interest

Minutes:

No declarations of interest were declared.  

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 80 KB

To consider the Part I minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2019.

Minutes:

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Part I minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2019 were approved.  Cllr Jones requested that she be referred to by name instead as the Independent Opposition Group leader.

4.

Appointments

Minutes:

None

5.

Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 35 KB

To consider the Forward Plan for the period September 2019 to December 2019.

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the contents of the Forward Plan for the next four months and noted the changes made since it was last published.  In addition it was noted that the September 2019 Sierra House report would now be considered by Cabinet in October 2019.

6.

Cabinet Members' Reports

6a

Parking Enforcement - Contract Review pdf icon PDF 413 KB

Minutes:

The Lead Member for Public Protection introduced the report regarding the extension to the parking enforcement contract.

 

The Lead Member informed that in July 2017, Cabinet awarded a contract to ‘NSL’ for the delivery of parking enforcement services. The contract commenced on the 1st December 2017 for an initial 2-year period with options to extend for a further 2-years.

 

Cabinet were informed that contract performance levels had been consistently high with a majority of performance indicators regularly being achieved and in addition, ‘NSL’ had been a valuable external partner supporting events such as The Royal Wedding and Royal Ascot.  They had also established excellent working relationships with the Community Wardens and other partners such as Thames Valley Police.

 

The Lead Member highlighted that the current delivery model had been a successful example of a commissioned service which had improved performance levels directly benefitting residents.  However customer feedback had highlighted concerns around the visibility and presence in rural and out of town areas.

 

In response to the concerns raised it was recommended that, as a one year pilot, the contracted deployed hours within the contract are uplifted by 25%.  This additional resource would focus on enforcement in rural and out of town areas and would be directed by resident reports through the updated report it function on the website and direct liaison with Ward Councillors and parish councils. 

 

The Chairman agreed that NSL provided an excellent service to our residents and welcomed the extended hours that would give flexibility, residents could report issues via the RBWM website.

 

Resolved unanimously: that Cabinet notes the report and:

 

i)          Approves the award of a two-year contract extension for parking enforcement to NSL commencing on 1 December 2019

 

ii)         Approves one-off additional funding of £69,336 to run a one year pilot scheme to address enforcement issues in rural and out of town areas by uplifting the contracted weekly deployed hours of NSL by 25%.

6b

Designation of the Cox Green Neighbourhood Area pdf icon PDF 907 KB

Minutes:

The Lead Member for Planning introduced the report that recommended the designation of the Cox Green Neighbourhood Area to cover the whole parish of Cox Green. 

 

The Lead Member informed that at the last meeting Cabinet approved the Old Windsor Neighbourhood Plan.  This was at the start of the process where under the Localism Act 2011 designated area plans could be prepared. 

 

Cabinet were informed that Maidenhead and Cox Green originally looked at a joint designation, however this was too unwieldly.  Cox Green parish council then applied for a separate designation that covered the parish boundaries.

 

The Chairman asked who would lead the plan and was informed that it would be the parish council.  

 

Resolved unanimously:  that Cabinet notes the report and:

 

i)          Approves the neighbourhood area designation for the parish of Cox Green, with the boundaries shown in Appendix B

 

ii)         Gives delegated authority to the Head of Planning in consultation with the Lead Member for Planning to agree, if suggested by Cox Green Parish council, a proposal to delegate preparation of a neighbourhood plan to a steering group which is constituted with a formal delegation agreement.

6c

Financial Update pdf icon PDF 259 KB

Minutes:

In the absence of the Lead Member for Finance and Ascot the Chairman introduced the latest financial update report.

 

Cabinet were informed that the report set out the Councils financial position at period three in the financial year 2019-20 and forecasts an overspend for the year of £512,000.  The council’s base budget was £92,773,000 and reserves stood at £9,770,000 (10.53% of budget) which remained in excess of the £5,810,000 (6.26% of budget) recommended minimum level set at council.

 

The Chairman informed that there had been an increase to the projected overspend since last reported of £153,000 due to the 12 week secure placement of a vulnerable resident and the decision to continue to support the tourism function until funding came from stakeholders.

 

Cllr Jones reported that the update mentioned that there were pressures in children’s and adult services that were being managed within service.  She asked what were the pressures and could they continued to be managed. 

 

With regards to Children’s Services the director reported that section 4.4 of the report covered the issues; due to a family bereavement it had been necessary to appoint an interim service manager, there was an expected Ofsted inspection, increased caseloads and court costs.  With regards to Adult Services the interim director informed that this was due to pressures relating to placements, particularly learning disability and continuing healthcare, and domiciliary care.

 

Resolved unanimously:  that Cabinet notes the report and notes the council’s projected outturn position for 2019-20.

6d

Communications Strategy 2019-2023 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Minutes:

In the absence of the Leader of Council the Chairman for this meeting introduced the updated communication strategy.

 

The Chairman informed Cabinet that for the next four years, the plan on the page would support the overall strategic direction of the council’s communications, providing key messages for residents, staff, councillors and stakeholders follow the six key priorities of the Council Plan.  There would also be an increased emphasis on sustainability and climate change.

 

Resolved unanimously:  that Cabinet notes the report and:

 

i)          Approves the strategic direction of communications 2019-2023 which ensures monthly comms campaigns are delivered against the six priorities within the Council Plan.

ii)         Approve the plan on the page, the council’s commitments to residents and our key messages.

6e

RBWM Property Company Ltd – Business Plan 2019-2024 pdf icon PDF 198 KB

Minutes:

The Lead Member for Infrastructure, Transport Policy, Housing and Property introduced the RBWM Property Company Ltd latest Business Plan for 2019 to 2024.

 

The Lead Member informed Cabinet that the property company fulfilled two main functions for the council; providing consultative work for regeneration and managing a small portfolio of properties.  The business plan had been updated following a detailed review. The updated business plan assumed a growth of assets from 13 existing properties to 126 from 2019-2024 and enabled the delivery of up to 4,000 homes, 30% of which will be affordable by 2034.

 

Councillor Jones asked how the council would fund the increased growth it property assets and was informed that 67 had already been approved via capital bids funded by the council.  Each opportunity was assessed by the property companies board and by the council on its own merit.

 

Resolved unanimously:  that  Cabinet notes the report and:

 

i)    Approves the updated Business Plan for 2019-2024.

ii)   Approves the amendments to the shareholder operating protocol.

7.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 - EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

To consider passing the following resolution:-

 

“That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting whilst discussion takes place on item 8 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1-7 of part I of Schedule 12A of the Act"

Minutes:

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting whilst discussion takes place on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1-7 of part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

8.

Cabinet Members' Reports

8a

RBWM Property Company Ltd – Business Plan 2019-2024- Part II Appendix

8b

Maidenhead Station Project - Car Park Lease Agreement