To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Dudley, Bicknell, Saunders and Bateson.

To receive any declarations of interest

Councillor Hill declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in the item West Street Supplementary Document. He left the room for the duration of the discussion and voting on the item.

Councillor Cox declared an interest in the items Trading Activities Update and the Part II Finance Update appendix, as he lived in close proximity to the site. He remained in the room for the duration of the discussion and voting on the items.

Councillor D. Wilson declared an interest in the item West Street Supplementary Document as a member of the Maidenhead Town Partnership Board and PRoM. He remained in the room for the duration of the discussion and voting on the items.

Councillor D. Wilson declared an interest in the item Tender for Residential and Nursing Support Contract for Older People as a council representative on Housing Solutions. He remained in the room for the duration of the discussion and voting on the items.

To consider the Part I minutes of the meeting held on 30 June 2016

To note the Part I minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Regeneration Sub Committee held on 28 June 2016

To note the Part I minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Regeneration Sub Committee held on 14 July 2016

To note the Part I minutes of the Cabinet Participatory Budget Sub Committee held on 14 July 2016

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That:

i)             The Part I minutes of the meeting held on 30 June  2016 be approved.

ii)            The Part I minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Regeneration Sub Committee held on 28 June 2016 be noted

iii)           The Part I minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Regeneration Sub Committee held on 14 July 2016 be noted, subject to the addition of apologies by Councillor Cox

iv)          The Part I minutes of the Cabinet Participatory Budget Sub Committee held on 14 July 2016 be noted

It was noted that Councillor D. Evans had been appointed Principal Member for Maidenhead Regeneration and Maidenhead.

The Chairman also welcomed Councillor David Hilton, Deputy Lead Member for Ascot Regeneration, to the meeting.

To consider the Forward Plan for the period August 2016 to November 2016

Cabinet considered the contents of the Forward Plan for the next four months and noted the changes that had been made to the plan since the last meeting. In addition it was noted that:

·         The item ‘Pocket Parks’, listed for October 2016 was no longer required.

Cabinet considered aproposed programme of school expansion. The Lead Member explained that the report was very important in that it requested significant investment in excellent education across the Borough. Cabinet had already approved expansion of £20m; the report proposed investment of £30m in school places. Officers were to be commended for their work with schools to find options that were best for the school and the community as a whole, not necessarily just the easiest or cheapest option.

The Deputy Lead Member for School Improvement referred to the new Prime Minister’s statement that it was the mission of the government to make a country that worked for everyone. This was also the mission of the council and it started with children’s education. The large investment was only possible because of the sound housekeeping by Lead Members and officers in recent years. The proposed investment would not simply increase the PAN for one year, it would serve all the children in the school for a substantial number of years. The data showed that the borough was spending above average per pupil (£23,000 compared to £18,000). It was important to take into account the actual structures of the schools, which had often started small and grown through popularity. The council was aiming for a 10% surplus in places.

Members noted an error in Table 3 of the report:

·         column D for Furze Platt Senior should read: 4.5 (D2)

·         column D for Dedworth Middle should read: 4.7 (C2)

Cabinet was addressed by Ms Heidi Swidenbank of Cox Green School. She stated that this was a landmark paper. Cox Green was passionate about delivering the best for young people through three core principles:  commitment, aspiration and collaboration. The school was holding its own in terms of exam results, which were significantly above the national average. The previous year’s Ofsted report showed the hard work of parents, teachers and pupils. Young people should be the powerful citizens of the future; this investment would allow them to achieve success. The school welcomed the opportunity to work with officers and the dialogue with councillors. Cox Green was a comprehensive school that catered for all needs and the local community. In recent years links had been established with the local primary schools and the parent body. The investment would provide a suitable dining facility at the school, which was important for pupil’s social skills.

Cabinet was addressed by Ms Tanya White of Furze Platt Senior School. She explained that governors at the school had been committed to the expansion plans since inception. Furze Platt was a school at the heart of the community; the vast majority of pupils lived within one mile. The school had excellent relationships with local primary schools. Whilst the school was highly successful, with exam results above the national average, the school wanted to do better. It had a clear vision for the campus so it could offer more to pupils of all abilities during the day, evening and in school holidays. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6a

Cabinet considered progress on the action plan relating to Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) following a report to Cabinet in 2015. The report highlighted that the Action Plan was now complete, however it was not an end in itself and ensured an ongoing system of prevention and protection beyond the council’s statutory duties. Operational arrangements were supported by the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub which went live in January 2016. An LGA peer review would take place in September 2016; CSE would be an area of particular focus. The Lead Member highlighted that the council was committed to the prevention of FGM and had worked with key partners in health to put in robust procedures for detection and reporting. CSE was not a Children’s Services issue, all directorates and portfolios were responsible.

The Lead Member for Environmental Services highlighted that in his portfolio, the licensing area had a particular duty to be aware of the risks and actively involved in the work on the issue.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Cabinet:

          i.        Notes the completion of the council’s action plan approved in Cabinet in March 2015.

         ii.        Notes the operational arrangements in place through the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub and Missing Children/Child Sexual Exploitation Operational Panel.

        iii.        Notes that the effectiveness of the arrangements will be tested through the Local Government Association safeguarding peer review in December 2016, the outcomes of which will be reported to Cabinet in January 2017.

Cabinet considered adoption of the West Street Opportunity Area Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

The Lead Member explained that West Street was one of the Maidenhead Opportunity areas and had already seen some regeneration including the building ‘The Point’. Regeneration in the area had attracted larger players such as Maersk, which had relocated from London to Maidenhead because of the good strategic transport links. The proposed SPD was the result of  a six week consultation. The SPD would provide guidance to anyone intending to develop in the area, including links to Kidwells Park and the conservation area of the High Street.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Cabinet agrees to adopt the West Street Opportunity Area Supplementary Planning Document.

(Councillor Hill left the meeting for the duration of the discussion and voting on the item)

Cabinet considered a procurement exercise to secure care provision in two older people’s residential and nursing homes owned by the Royal Borough, Clara Court in Maidenhead and Queens Court in Windsor. The Lead Member commented that all were aware of the ageing population, the growing need for beds in residential and care homes and the increasing costs. Members noted that Clara Court provided 76 beds and was run by Radian; Queen’s Court provided 24 nursing beds and 22 residential places and was run by Housing Solutions.

Two different companies provided care and nursing services. One of the contracts was due to end shortly; the other company wanted to exit the market. A high value procurement process was therefore required. The benefit of the proposal was to provide a high level of care at a cost £150-£200 a week per bed lower than the average market cost. The tender would not just be about the lowest price; it would be about the best possible care at the lowest price.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Cabinet:

i.       Approves a tender for two contracts for residential and nursing beds for older people in Clara Court and Queens Court at an estimated combined value of £2.5m a year. 

ii.      Delegates authority to the Managing Director/Strategic Director of Adults, Children and Health and the Lead Member for Adult Services, Health and Sustainability to agree the final specification and invitation to tender.  

Cabinet considered an update on the activities, priorities and progress of the Council’s trading companies. The Lead Member explained that if the proposals were approved, this would be the first report of three each year. The recommendations would also allow for the business plan and section 106 contribution for each property to be presented to Cabinet as it came forward. The report reflected the council’s current focus on property, to build an RBWM for everyone.  The council had taken on board feedback that the company lacked transparency and as a result its name was changed to RBWM Property Company. Members would also no longer be directors of the company; these roles would be filled by senior officers instead.

Cabinet was addressed by Brian Millin. Mr Millin commented that in December 2015 a member of the public asked questions at a full Council meeting about Two5Nine Ltd, the then Leader had given clear assurances that clear links would be placed on the RBWM website in relation to the company. He had said that it had been set up to generate profit to keep council tax low, however the first year showed a trading loss. Mr Millin asked Cabinet to ensure the RBWM website included clear details of the aims of the company and a list of the directors. David Thompson was shown on the report as the Managing Director, but was not listed as a Director. Mr Millin asked for information to be shown on the Transparency section of the webpage, for example monthly accounts. He also requested that year end accounts be clear and not use accounting terms such as related party transactions.

The Lead Member stated that Mr Millin had raised some fair criticisms; he agreed that the information requested including a list of Directors should be included on the website. He would ask officers to ensure this happened as a matter of urgency. He confirmed that David Thompson was an employee of the council and the trading company, but as not a Director. This would also be clarified on the website. he explained that although it remained true that the company’s aim was to make profit, there was now an added focus to build an RBWM for all; affordable housing and key worker housing would be considered as property assets were released.

The Deputy Lead Member for Ascot Regeneration commented that when he had been Lead Member for Finance he had spent a lot of time looking at how the council’s assets could be utilised to create a revenue stream to assist the council in providing services to residents, and other innovative actions. He was delighted that there was now a company with the strategy to use resources to achieve these aims.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Cabinet:

i)       Notes the content of the report

ii)     Receives an update on trading activities three times per annum 

iii)    Be presented (dependent on the level of budget required) with a business case for approval that covers all the financial implications for each  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6e

Cabinet considered the latest financial update. The Deputy Lead Member reported a projected £111,000 overspend, offset by an underspend of £70,000. Reserves remained at a healthy level. The Adults, Children & Health directorate was reporting a projected overspend of £155,000, which was £8,000 lower than had been reported in June 2016. It was noted that costs often related to a small number of individuals with high associated costs. The Key Worker Housing report considered by Cabinet the previous month demonstrated the council’s commitment to attracting the right staff and reducing agency costs.  There were some underspends, for example in relation to Children in Care and children with disabilities. Un-costed pressures related to Home to School Transport and ordinary residence. The Corporate and Community Services directorate had reported an underspend of £44,000, the Operations and Customer Services directorate projected a balanced budget.

Member noted changes to the Children’s Services capital programme as a result of a reduction in grant and a number of S06 schemes.

The Deputy Lead Member for Ascot Regeneration thanked Cabinet for approving funding for the Devenish Road roundabout, which had been a road safety issue for some time. A manually controlled pedestrian crossing had been installed on a route used by Charters pupils.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Cabinet:

i)             Notes the report and the projected outturn position.

ii)            Approves the changes to the Children’s Services capital programme mainly resulting from lower than anticipated Condition Grant (see paragraph 4.6 and appendix E).

iii)           Approves the addition of £89k s106 funded capital budget for the Youth Centre & Equipment Modernisation Programme. (see paragraph 4.7).

iv)          Approves the addition of £74k s106 funded capital budget  for additional works to the Devenish Road / Bagshot Road Roundabout scheme (see paragraph 4.8).

v)            Approves the addition of £64k s106 funded capital budget  for Local Safety Scheme - Clarence Road / Alma Road (see paragraph 4.9).

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 items 8-9 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"

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 took place on items 8-9 on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1-7 of part I of Schedule 12A of theAct.

To consider the Part II minutes of the meeting held on 30 June 2016

To note the Part II minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Regeneration Sub Committee held on 28 June 2016

To note the Part II minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Regeneration Sub Committee held on 14 July 2016