To receive any apologies for absence.

None.

To receive any Declarations of Interest.

Cllr Shelim – Declared a personal interest in the report on Hostile Vehicle Measures as the report had been discussed at the Tourism Development Forum of which he is a Member and he owned a business in Windsor Town Centre where the measures were being implement. Councillor Shelim confirmed he attended Panel with an open mind.

To confirm the Part I Minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2018.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2018 be approved subject to the following amendments:

Councillor Da Costa noted some people were stockpiling visitor parking vouchers but, there were people that had busy social lives and the new allocation might not be enough and so would be negatively affected by the scheme.

Councillor Quick asked if residents would know what the scheme entailed as it would only be implemented if residents wanted the scheme in their street.

Councillor Da Costa asked when or if the scheme became unworkable, the scheme could be reviewed and amended.

To consider the above report.

Anna Robinson, Strategy and Performance Manager stated it was the first full quarterly report for 2018/19. Members noted all five KPIs for the Highways, Transport and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel areas were on target.

There were eight measures for 2017/18 and four had been met, three were almost met and one was unmet. The commentary for those KPIs were detailed in appendix B of the report. New measures had been included in the report before Panel and paragraphs 2.4 and 2.5 of the report listed the differences and changes; and although it was only three months into the new municipal year, all KPIs were on target to be met.

The Chairman asked for more information regarding the number of cycling trips between Windsor and Maidenhead as the target was still showing as red. He wanted to know where the Borough was failing in increasing the number of cyclists. Chris Wheeler, Strategic Asset Management Principal responded the survey carried out was an annual snapshot and a number of factors could affect the figures on the day the survey was carried out. It was difficult to know what impacted the figures; however, the Cycle Forum was investigating the causes of reduced cycling rates and capital bids had been submitted to improved and encourage cycling in the Borough. The bids would help improve cycle parking facilities and cycle routes and could also support people in purchasing bikes and provide Bike Ability training programmes in schools. The Chairman stated the Highways, Transport and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel set up a task and finish group to try and improve cycling in the Borough. The recommendations were produced in a report based on the findings of the task and finish group. He suggested officers looked at the report to help improve cycling in the Borough.

Councillor Hunt asked how many claims had been made against the Council with regards to defects in road surfaces. The Strategic Asset Management Principal said he did not have that information to had but, he would find out and pass the information onto Councillors. He added the Borough had a good history of defending claims but would get the exact figures of claims submitted and claims paid out.

v  Action – The Strategic Asset Management Principal to confirm to Councillors of the Panel the number of claims made against the Council with regards to defective roads, and how many were successful, including the values of those claims paid out.

Councillor Quick stated on page 12, paragraph 4.3.2 referred to cycling trips between Windsor and Maidenhead Town Centres. She wanted to know how the survey was carried out. The Strategic Asset Management Principal said he did not have the exact details, however, he would circulated the details of how the survey was carried out to Members once he had received it.

v  Action – The Strategic Asset Management Principal to circulated details of how the cycling survey was carried out to Members.

Councillor Sharpe said the target for fly tipping  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

To comment on the Cabinet Report.

David Scott, Head of Communities Enforcement and Partnerships, explained to Members that the report was an update on the programme to date and sought delegation to exceed expenditure.

At Full Council, the Borough took the view after the temporary measures were installed, that a further risk assessment be carried out on predictable activities such as the changing of the guard that hostile vehicle measures (HMV) could be implemented to protect the changing of the guard, visitors and residents when the Town was busy. Following the assessment, an additional deployment was added at St Albans Street and Castle Hill. The Borough agreed to put a sum into the capital programme of £1.5m and the report was now seeking Cabinet agreement to extend that sum and proceed with the works.

The Head of Communities Enforcement and Partnerships stated a lot of the design work for the permanent HVM had already been undertaken and the programme needed to proceed in a phased way. The temporary measures were labelled in the report as phase 1a. Work on phase 1b was taking place and he was looking to implement measures that improved the area while preventing an attack.

Thames Valley Police (TVP) had commissioned work to be carried out by a company that had lots of experience in producing HVM and they completed a feasibility study. The Borough then used that study and carried out some more detailed work. The services found in the ground are numerous and complex so work being done was to look at the best solution for each location.

Members noted the Head of Communities Enforcement and Partnerships continued to seek third party contributions to help pay for the measures and he had received confirmation from TVP and the Royal Collection Trust that they will be contributing to the works. The Royal Collection Trust were going to remodel their entrance to improve their visitor experience while keeping their visitors safe and that entrance would work with the new measures.

Phase two and three were looking at a wider foot print and achieving the same level of security as the current temporary barriers while being more aesthetically pleasing. The new barriers would link with new bus routes to help maintain traffic movement during the guard changes.

The Head of Communities Enforcement and Partnerships stated the Borough was pursuing contributions from the Home Office due to the national prominence of the Castle. The Leader wrote to the Home Officer to try and attract a grant. London received a grant for their HVM so it was only fair that RBWM should try and obtain that too.

The Chairman stated it was a great scheme and it showed the Borough was taking the safety of residents and visitors very seriously. He asked if any of the proposed measures would be automatic bollards. The Head of Communities Enforcement and Partnerships responded there were a number of solutions that could be activated. He confirmed to Members that the current barriers had been tested and they were a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

To comment on the above Cabinet report.

Barbara Richardson, Managing Director, RBWM Property Company Ltd, explained to Members the Broadway Car Par, also known as the Nicholsons Car Park, had some desperate maintenance issues which needed some attention. The budget of £8m had been approved to expand the car park and planning permission was obtained but, the scheme never progressed. Several reviews were undertaken in light of the large regeneration of Maidenhead taking place, on how to improve parking in the Town.

It was decided a new car park would be built following the demolition of the current car park. 1,335 would be built, and although the demolition would cause disruption, Members moved to not allow a decrease in parking spaces in the Town; therefore, temporary and additional parking had been approved. Vicus Way would provide 500 new spaces and incentivisation schemes were being looked at to encourage permit holders of Broadway Car Park and Hindes Meadow Car Park to use Vicus Way instead.

Vicus Way Car Park was to be completed in December 2019 and then the demolition and building works would begin at Broadway Car Park with a completion date of January 2020. The idea was that the Borough would have the new car park which was fit for purpose and that would remove the repair and maintenance costs that were required if the current car park was kept. The new car park would provide electric car charging parking spaces, disability parking spaces and Shopmobility.

The Managing Director, RBWM Property Company Ltd stated the design and construction of the new car park would not be simplistic and engagement with partners and stakeholders had taken place, as well as with the public. Cabinet approval was required for the scheme and Full Council approval was required for the budget. The rate of return should attract a private investment if the Council chose to sell the new car park as an asset.

The report contained procurement routes the Council could use and there was time to test the market and go through a full procurement exercise. Councillor E. Wilson stated it was interesting the Council was managing its data and performance and also its own transformation. He was pleased the Council was getting on with it and this was a welcomed step towards regeneration. There were risks but, with potential benefits and he added it was interesting that parking at Braywick Park would be available for train commuters. The Managing Director, RBWM Property Company Ltd explained the risks were listed in the paper and were categorised. There were no significant or extreme risks, there were some moderate risk. The key risks were around land ownership, although the Council had freehold of the car park but, it was adjoining the shopping centre.

The Managing Director, RBWM Property Company Ltd informed Members that substantial surveys had been carried out and asbestos was present in the car park so it would be demolished floor by floor. The key risk was how the Borough was going to transport lorry loads of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

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 and 9 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1-7 of Part I of Schedule 12 A of the Act.”

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public can be excluded from the remainder of the meeting whilst discussion takes place on item 7 and 8 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 – 7 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the act.

To consider the Part II appendix of the Cabinet report.

To comment on the above Part II Cabinet report.