To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor McWilliams.

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest received.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th November 2022.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th November 2022 were approved as a true and accurate record.

To receive an update on the progress of the former Magnet Leisure Centre site.

Ian Brazier-Dubber, Managing Director of RBWM Property Company, gave an update on progress at the St Cloud Way site. The sale of the site had been completed towards the end of September 2022, with Countryside Properties commencing the demolition of the old Magnet Leisure Centre. Phase 1 of the project would contain 351 residential units, 87 of which were affordable. Demolition of the main structure was planned to be completed by the end of the month and work would then commence on the ground in early February. This would continue until August 2023, when a new basement and groundworks would be completed. Affordable housing on the site would be managed by Abri, the organisation currently managed about 24,000 homes. Countryside had been providing RBWM with monthly updates through the project board. More people would be working on the site going into the summer as the project developed. Phase 1 at the site was planned to be completed in spring of 2025.

Councillor Del Campo noted that there would be affordable housing, she asked if the tenure mix had been confirmed.

She was informed that of the 87 affordable units, 33 were for affordable rent and 57 would be at a range of shared ownership. Councillor Del Campo then asked if there was any social rent, to which Ian Brazier-Dubber confirmed there was not.

Councillor Del Campo asked about the crossing which would be created to replace the footbridge, which had now been removed.

Ian Brazier-Dubber confirmed that a crossing would be part of the work, this had been funded from S106 contributions. This was planned to be completed in early spring.

Councillor G Jones asked about parking arrangements around the site.

Ian Brazier-Dubber said that the doctors surgery and pharmacy had parking permits to allow residents to park on the ten pin bowling site. There were 20 spaces that had been provided for patients just north of the doctors surgery. This was a distance of about 20 metres.

Councillor G Jones asked what would happen once the ten pin bowling site had been removed.

Ian Brazier-Dubber explained that this would be subject to future arrangements as Countryside brought forward plans for this area of the site.

Councillor G Jones commented that the parking situation was a concern, for both residents at the new St Cloud Way site and those who were using the doctors surgery.

Councillor Singh asked why the new surface level crossing had not been installed before the footbridge had been removed.

Ian Brazier-Dubber said that the crossing was being funded from money raised through S106 contributions, which was attached to the planning consent for the site. Now that the funding had come through, the council could start work on implementing the crossing at the site.

Councillor Singh asked if the council had received the S106 contribution for the site from the developer. He commented that for the majority of developments, S106 funding was received on commencement of the project. He said that there had been funding for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 198.

To receive an update from the Maidenhead Town Manager.

Robyn Bunyan, Maidenhead Town Manager, said that she had circulated her report as part of the agenda which covered October and November 2022. The Christmas free bus travel offer had been positively received by residents and there had been a promising increase in bus usage as a result. This included the busiest day of November, which was Saturday 26^th, as this was also the Christmas light switch on event. Considering data from across the whole of 2022, over 6 million people had visited the town centre which was up 22% on 2021. The week in the lead up to Christmas saw over 116,000 visitors to the high street, this was up 17% compared to the same period the previous year. On vacancy rates, there were 297 units available and 248 were being used. This left 49 units which was 16% of all units, this was 2% higher than the national average but this did not take into account units which were unused but were coming into let. There was interest in the town centre from office occupiers, if these were taken up there would be a positive increase in footfall.

Robyn Bunyan considered car parking usage across Maidenhead in December. There were 75,000 spaces used and Stafferton Way car park had a 215% increase compared to December last year. Work was still on track to launch the Maidenhead Town Team, with the first meeting anticipated for mid-March. The Lunar new year celebrations, celebrating the year of the rabbit, would be returning at the end of the month. The parade would be held on 28^th January while there would be some free craft activities on 21^st January. The pancake race would also be returning on Shrove Tuesday.

The Chairman asked about the closure of the Nicholsons Shopping Centre car park.

Robyn Bunyan explained that the car park had been closed on new years eve due to health and safety concerns. The car park was fully closed and would remain so until contractors had made a further assessment of the work required. This would continue for several weeks until next steps had been planned.

Councillor Taylor raised concerns about elderly residents and those with health issues that faced being forced to park further outside the town centre and would be a significant inconvenience. She suggested that contingency plans should be considered, for example a shuttle bus service from other car parks.

Robyn Bunyan agreed with the comments made by Councillor Taylor, vulnerable residents needed to be considered. There was suitable capacity at other car parks in the town centre, she would be doing a walk round of car parks to gain a better understanding of the situation.

Councillor Taylor commented on the look of the high street and that improvements had been proposed. One idea was for businesses to sponsor flower boxes, she asked if this suggestion was still being explored.

Robyn Bunyan said that visual improvements were something that she always considered, work was being done with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 199.

The Forum is invited to make suggestions for future meetings.

Councillor Taylor asked if it would be possible to have an update on the Maidenhead Town Team.

Robyn Bunyan gave a brief update, the project was on track with the next step being to relaunch the Maidenhead town charter. Town team representatives would then be recruited before the inaugural meeting.

Councillor Del Campo asked if there were any plans to mark the coronation of the King in Maidenhead, if there were then this could be a future agenda item.

Robyn Bunyan said that plans were currently being discussed and how the coronation would affect RBWM.

Councillor G Jones highlighted an event which had previously taken place in the Riverside ward, a classical music concert on the River Thames. He asked if this event could be brought back.

Robyn Bunyan said that she was happy to look into this to see what the event was.

ACTION – Robyn Bunyan to explore the suggestion made by Councillor G Jones.

Councillor Singh added that there had been a fireworks show as part of the event, he would also like to see it return. He asked if the library service team could be invited to a Forum meeting to outline the activities which they provided to residents.

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

·         Thursday 16^th March 2023

The next meeting would take place on Thursday 16^th March 2023 at 6.30pm.