To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies for absence were received.

To receive any declarations of interest.

No declarations of interest were made.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th May 2022.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY: That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 May 2022 be a true and accurate record.

To receive an update from the RBWM Property Company on regeneration across the town centre and an update from the Executive Director of Place on Kidwells Park.

Emmanuel Ogedengbe, Head of Development with RBWM Property Company, who was standing in for Ian Brazier-Dubber, provided the forum with an update on the regeneration works that were occurring within Maidenhead.

The public square at York Road was opened by the former Prime Minister Theresa May back in May 2022. Phase 1 had been shortlisted recently at the British Homes Awards 2022. This was a great testimony to the design and to what the Council was trying to achieve. The site was previously a car park, which had now been transformed into a mixed-use scheme of residential and commercial. This would continue to inspire confidence and vibrancy in the local community.

Emmanuel Ogedengbe added that conversations were currently ongoing with Shanly in relation to York Road Phase 2 in resolving the access constraint and there was hope that the obstacles could be overcome, and issues could be ironed out. Regarding York Road Phase 3, RBWM Property Company Limited was continuing to liaise with Maidenhead Heritage Centre who had now appointed a Property Adviser in relation to property matters and their potential relocation to the Sports Able Pavilion in Braywick Park. Talks were ongoing on this and were looking positive.

In terms of St Clouds Way, planning permission was formally issued recently with the Section 106 agreement having been signed. The first phase of the process would be the demolition of the former Magnet Leisure Centre. The Council were working very closely with Countryside Partnerships to get to a point where this could start in a timely manner. Hoarding will soon be erected around the site. Pre-commencement planning conditions were being dealt with by the Local Planning Authority and the Construction Environmental Management Plan was currently being progressed in liaison with the LPA and Highways Department with a meaningful start on site anticipated by late August/September 2022.

Emmanuel Ogedengbe said that with Maidenhead Golf Course, SDP consultation was currently ongoing. There was also a current ongoing legal challenge against the Borough Local Plan, which was still awaiting decision from the High Court.

Councillor Greg Jones asked what was happening with the water feature within York Road. Emmanuel Ogedengbe replied by saying that he was not currently aware but was happy to take this offline and let Councillor Greg Jones know. He knew that Countryside Partnerships were looking to resolve the issue but would follow up on the progress offline.

ACTION: Emmanuel Ogedengbe to follow up with Countryside Partnerships and inform Councillor Greg Jones on the issues with the water fountain located at York Road.

Councillor Stimson asked if the closure of the public car parking at the former Magnet Leisure Centre site could be done as late as possible in the run up to demolition, in order to aid residents in parking close by the town centre. Emmanuel Ogedengbe said that it was imperative that information about the closure of the public car park from 1 July 2022 had to be released into the public domain to convey the anticipation of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 171.

To receive an update from the Maidenhead Town Manager.

The forum considered a written report by Robyn Bunyan, Maidenhead Town Manager.

Robyn Bunyan said that the good news was continuing in Maidenhead. ‘A Hoppy Place’ had recently opened next to the town hall, which gave a breath of fresh air into that area of the town. Wenzels had also now opened, along with Grilled Grub and Storia which had opened on the old Broadwick site. Robyn Bunyan said that a nice atmosphere had developed within the high street and that company employees had been seen more regularly attending sites within the town centre to purchase goods.

Robyn Bunyan said that the busiest day in May 2022 was Saturday 14 May with 26,335 visitors coming to the town centre. Visitor numbers on weekends were seen to be increasing and numbers were now back at pre-pandemic levels. Weekdays were also increasing. She acknowledged that there was more work to do, however the town centre was now a nice place to visit. Numerous other businesses were also coming to the town centre in the coming months. Premises licenses had also been applied for recently, suggesting further businesses coming to the town.

Robyn Bunyan said that in May 2022, social media engagement was very high. Events such as the craft market and the Jubilee shop window competition saw large amounts of engagement. The weekly produce market was being seen to also grow.

Robyn Bunyan said that June 2022 highlights included the Jubilee Craft in the Nicholsons centre, the farmers market, the world refill day, Father’s Day craft and make music day to name a few from the report. The baton relay had also taken place, which saw people attend and celebrate the event, which was well received within the community. There was also a lot of up-and-coming events that were coming to the town centre over the coming months.

Councillor Taylor thanked Robyn Bunyan for the achievements that she spoke of and asked if an increase in footfall in the town centre had been down to these events.

Robyn Bunyan replied by saying that more work had to be done to pinpoint footfall. She said that Thursday was a good day to use as a marker for footfall and it had been seen to increase on that day.

Councillor Bhangra asked how businesses and persons of interest were aware of Maidenhead and what things were out there to attract them to Maidenhead over other locations.

Robyn Bunyan admitted that more needed to be done, but things were happening. The Make Maidenhead social media platform was growing and was well engaged with. The My Royal Borough platform also existed, but more work needed to be done to shout about the good news that was out there about Maidenhead.

Councillor McWilliams credited Robyn Bunyan’s enthusiasm and said that Maidenhead had improved so much in recent years.  He asked how important it was for Maidenhead to have a mixed demographic.

Robyn Bunyan said that it was vital and that there was a huge mixed demographic of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 172.

The Forum is invited to make suggestions for future meetings.

Councillor Hill suggested an update on when the Nicholsons centre would be redeveloped and said that he and residents wished to be updated on a timeframe.

Any further suggestions could be made offline, with the addition of any suggestions made by residents also.

All future meetings to be held on the following dates (at 6.30pm):

·         Monday 5^th September 2022

·         Thursday 10^th November 2022

·         Thursday 16^th March 2023

The forum noted the dates of future meetings.

The Chairman ended the meeting by explaining why he had to have Councillor Singh removed from the meeting. This being said, Councillor Singh had left the meeting on his own accord and was not removed. The Chairman apologised for this but said that all members were required to be respectful to each other and to officers.