The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and advised that the meeting would be recorded.

The Chairman advised the Panel that the order of the Agenda would be changed so that Nick Rusling could present first, followed by Harjit Hunjan.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Majeed.

To receive Declarations of Interests from Members of the Panel in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

Andrew Brooker, Head of Finance advised Members that the discussion in Part II on Senior Leadership Consultation would affect all senior managers, hence Kevin Mist and Mark Taylor would leave the chamber during the discussions.

To confirm the Part I Minutes of the meetings of the Panel held on 22 October 2015.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Part I minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 22 October 2015 be confirmed.

To receive the Integrated Performance Management Report from Kevin Mist, Head of Leisure Services, and Mark Taylor, Head of Libraries, Arts and Heritage Services.

Mark Taylor, Head of Libraries, Arts and Heritage Services, talked Members through the museum income and the library finances. The libraries in Windsor and Maidenhead both now had third party partnership cafes which brought in income, the library spaces were also being marketed and two amazon lockers had been placed in Maidenhead library.

The museum finances were on track and the library was doing good with numbers of visitors in comparison to other boroughs.

Councillor Stretton highlighted that as a result of the s106 funding that had changed, the target was lower than last year. The targets had been changed to reflect the change, however, the targets remained challenging.

The Chairman was very pleased to hear of the new ideas such as the cafes and the amazon lockers and offered that the footfall rate at the museum was also very good.

Kevin Mist, Head of Community Services, informed Members that the figures of leisure centres were now individually listed by centre as requested by the Panel at the last meeting.

The leisure centres numbers were growing and attendance was higher this year to last year. The Windsor leisure centre figures were fluctuating as it attracted visitors whereas the Magnet leisure centre had more regular clients.

Kevin Mist informed Members that the quarter 4 results would be interesting as Bracknell leisure centre would be closing for refurbishments.

The Grounds Maintenance target was challenging because of the weather and a change in contractors where there had been a turnover in senior management. There had been considerable improvement in the last six weeks.

The percentage of empty shops was discussed, Kevin Mist informed Members that in Maidenhead, the situation was improving, however, in Windsor, the situation was below the national average. Kevin Mist was encouraged that the red status would change very soon.

The footfall in Maidenhead was declining, according to the national trend hence more events were being put on. A cinema screen had been purchased which would have more screenings next year.

The Chainman thought this was very encouraging and asked how the footfall in a high street was measured. The Chairman was advised that an electronic device was static in a certain part of the town. A device was being placed in Windsor too.

A few issues that were discussed by the Panel included membership, costs, swimming lessons and the booking online facility.

To receive the presentation from Nick Rusling, CEO, Human Race Group Ltd.

Nick Rusling gave a verbal presentation on the Windsor Triathlon which includes swimming, running and cycling. He advised the following points to Members:

·         Windsor Triathlon had taken place in Windsor for the last 26 years.

·         Human Race, of which Nick Rusling is the CEO, were the largest deliverers of sports events and are based in Chessington, Surrey with offices in Manchester too.

·         Windsor Triathlon has always taken place the weekend before Royal Ascot.

Nick Rusling highlighted the details and the scale of the Windsor Triathlon and the disruptions caused by it and what measures were taken to minimise the effect to locals. Nick Rusling advised Members that there were always road closures and with the assistance they received from Highways, the issues were always managed well.

All disruption information was communicated to local residents via letter drops, road marshals and good signage. Nick Rusling stressed the importance of working closely with the council to ensure the event running smoothly and with local businesses to ensure they lose no business during the event. The event organisers also work with the air training cadets, the Datchet running club, Windsor boys school for their car park use and many other local sports clubs. The local running clubs also get 25% off the cost of entering the event.

The Windsor Triathlon has been voted the best triathlon for the last seven times.

The Chairman thanked Nick Rusling for the verbal presentation and highlighted that a healthy nation was part of our strategic plan.

Councillor Stretton asked how many athletes took part and how many were local residents. Nick Rusling advised that 3000 people took part and Nick Rusling would advise on how many were local residents.

Councillor Grey asked if any famous athletes were participating. Nick Rusling advised that there were a few including Stuart Hayes.

The Chairman asked about the parking arrangements. Nick Rusling advised there were 200 cars, drivers registered on the Saturday and left early on the Sunday morning to avoid congestion on roads for Sunday shoppers. Nick Rusling advised that most cars left by 12 noon. The demand for the triathlon was very high and subscriptions had to be closed.

Nick Rusling suggested that the council could enter a team for fun at a cost of £99.

To receive the Report from Kevin Mist, Head of Leisure Services.

Harjit Hunjan, Community and Business Partnerships Manager, gave a verbal update on the report that had been distributed. The main points highlighted included:

·         The project had been ongoing since 2012.

·         Worked with all local residents to address all negative points about the Dedworth area.

·         A consultation took place, results of which produced an action plan with eleven priority areas of which 80% were achieved and further improvements were continuing.

·         The community was engaged through the radio, community centres, youth clubs, ward councillors and community champions.

Members congratulated Harjit Hunjan and his team and all that had taken part in the project.

Councillor Grey confirmed that it was a great initiative but asked why the project had taken so long and what if any lessons had been learnt.

Harjit Hunjan and Kevin Mist explained that many large projects were taking place at the same time causing delay to their project but there had been great improvement in the last twelve months.

Councillor Stretton informed Members that the team was looking for Ward councillors to come forward with their thoughts and ideas. The team was looking for intelligence, small, quick wins to get others interested.

To receive report on the Council Corporate Strategy Plan.

Andrew Brooker, Head of Finance, updated Members on the draft Council Corporate Strategic Plan. He advised that the purpose of the strategic plan was to describe to interested parties about what the council was all about. Andrew Brooker explained that the plan was designed as a macro document which had some measures within it but the main detail would be in the individual directorate plans which would support the corporate strategic plan.

The Chairman said the document was well set out but asked how it was going to be delivered. The Chairman was advised that it would be on the website and signposted to around the local borough. Members were advised that the corporate strategic plan would be discussed at Council on 15 December 2015.

The Culture and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel had no specific comments, but were highly in support of the document.

To consider the work programme for future meetings.

The Panel were happy with the work programme as it was but asked for the Regeneration on Maidenhead by Steph James to be added to the March 2016 agenda.

6.30pm – Monday 25 January 2016, Council Chamber,  Town Hall, Maidenhead

6.30pm – Monday 25 January 2016, Council Chamber,  Town Hall, Maidenhead

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 the remaining items on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 4 of part I of Schedule 12A of the Act"

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 the remaining items on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of part I of Schedule 12A of the Act

To receive an update on the Grounds Maintenance Contract from Kevin Mist, Head of Leisure Services.

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 the remaining items on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of part I of Schedule 12A of the Act"

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 20 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1-7 of part I of Schedule 12A of the Act"

To receive report on the Senior Leadership Consultation.