To receive any apologies of absence.

Apologies for absence were received by Cllr Burbage, Cllr D Wilson attended as a substitute.

Cllr Brimacombe, Cllr D Wilson and Cllr Saunders reported they would be late.

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest received.

To approve the Part I minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2018.

The Part I minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2018 were approved as a true and correct record.

To comment on the Cabinet report.

The Head of Finance presented the latest Council’s financial statement for 2017-18.

The Panel were informed that the main headlines were that it was predicted that the Council remained in a strong financial position with combined general fund reserves of £7,255,000.  This was substantially above the recommended minimal level of reserves and that across the country many authorities were struggling to maintain reserves. 

In addition appendix A showed that we were carrying forward £2,073,000 of capital fund reserves for eventualities that may arise.  The Head of Finance outlined by directorate the variances against controllable budget, which were:

There were a number of challenges within the Children’s and Adults Services that the Lead Members and officers had been tasked to resolve.  There had also been adverse movement in Housing Benefit Subsidy. 

There were also two additional recommendations in the report.  The approval of a £250,000 transfer from the Borough Parking budget to the Braywick Leisure Centre budget to enable the early provision of 200 parking places and the implementation of new discounted Advantage Card tariffs in the Magnet and Windsor Leisure Centre car parks.

(Cllr Brimacombe, Cllr L Evans, Cllr D Wilson and Cllr Saunders joined the meeting)

The Chairman asked if the York House project was still within budget and for clarification as to why there needed to be additional discounts for the leisure centre parking.

The Head of Finance informed that the York House project was within budget.  With regards to the leisure centre parking tariffs there was already an existing discount for leisure centre users to have parking for three months for £10 to use the facilities.  The additional discount was to bring the parking discount in line with the other borough car parks for Advantage Card users.  

Cllr D Wilson informed that he had been contacted by a local resident saying that there were no parking season tickets available for local car parks and they were advised that they could park at the Braywick leisure centre.  Was it possible to park with the discount at the centre if you became a member.  The Panel were informed that residents with an Advantage Card could park free for three hours.

The Lead Member for Finance informed that the existing leisure centre discount are for residents using the leisure centre.  During the budget build he said that all advantage card users would receive a discount at our car parks; this recommendation was addressing this so our leisure centre parking also received the same discount.

The Chairman questioned the redundancy costs and how many people this covered.  The Lead Member for Finance replied that this had been considered by the Employment Panel under Part II.  The Employment Panel had requested a further report on the nature of the redundancies.  Cllr Quick mentioned that the boroughs redundancy packages were generous.  

Cllr L Evans questioned the delay in those eligible receiving business rate relief.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

To comment on the Cabinet report.

Cllr Brimacombe informed that at Council he declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in the item ‘Maidenhead Golf Club’ as he had property and business interests in the area. He made representations on the item, then took no part in the debate or vote on the item.

The Lead Member for Economic Development, Property, Communications and Deputy Finance introduced the report that set out the final questions and criteria for the procurement of a development partner for Maidenhead Golf Course.

The Panel were informed that the Royal Borough were committed to the development of this strategic site that would provide benefits such as an all through school and 30 percent affordable housing.  Following the publication of an OJEU notice seeking a development partner for the Maidenhead Golf Course 10 formal submissions were received to the initial selection questionnaire.  A list of 5 companies were subsequently invited to partake in dialogue.  These submissions had been scored and three companies had been invited to submit final tenders.  The Part II appendix to the report outlined the final stage questions and criteria.

Cllr Brimacombe mentioned that the report said that the site would deliver 30% affordable housing, however there was a lack of clarity on the definition of affordable housing.  He had asked questions to Council on this and felt that the statement was misleading.  Cllr Rankin replied that Council had been informed that RBWM would control the site and wok with a JV partner to deliver the development.  The definition of affordable housing was contained within the Borough Local Plan.

Cllr Brimacombe also mentioned that there was a lack of clarity within the report, for example education provision could be a single classroom or a school.  The Panel were informed that the report was about selection of the JV partner and that a detailed master plan would be refined and guide planning on the site for next 10-15 years.

Cllr Brimacombe mentioned that the public should be able to see the plans for the site and requested that when appropriate information be released in Part I.

Cllr Rankin said that the OJ process was selecting a partner against the criteria in the Part II section of the report.  After a selection process a development agreement would be produced.

Cllr Brimacombe raised concern about the risk register and that only the BLP and future property demand was listed, there was no mention of affordable housing.  Cllr Rankin replied that the risks within the report were for the procurement process, development risks were in other reports.

It was noted that the benefits of the site had been outlined in the report to Council, the Panel requested that this be referenced in this report to Cabinet.

Cllr D Wilson mentioned that as the site was controlled by the Council they could decide what the tenure mix would be and that the 30% affordable housing could be met.  As it was expected to have 2,000 properties on site there would be a need for education provision and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

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 9 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"

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.

To approve the Part II minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2018.

The Part II minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2018 were approved as a true and correct record.

To comment on the Cabinet report.

To receive a verbal update on progress.