To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence received from Councillors Bateson, Bicknell and D Wilson.

To receive any declarations of interest

Councillor Cox declared an interest if the land at Ray Mill Road East in the Part II minutes was discussed as he has a property close by.

To consider the Part I minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 2016

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Part I minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 2016 be approved.

To consider the above report

Chris Hilton, Director of Planning, Development & Regeneration presented the Maidenhead Golf Club report. Two members of the Maidenhead Golf Club were present. Chris Hilton explained the further detail from the report and explained the recommendations to Members.

Members discussed the following points:

·         Councillor Love wanted clarity on the number of new homes. Chris Hilton explained that the exact number would not be confirmed until a consultant had been selected. This would be set out in the brief.

·         Councillor Saunders questioned why the consultancy company needed to be procured using the Home & Communities Agency (HCA) Panel when the council had a perfectly robust procurement process that could be used to employ all the contractors that were needed. He asked whether all consultants would be appointed by the council or whether they would be subcontracted to a lead consultant. Chris Hilton explained that the council had flexibility and could sub contract or directly appoint. It would not be a shorter or cheaper option if the council carried out the process themselves. If the HCA panel was not used then the council would be required to go through a transparent procedure to appoint another consultant. Chris Hilton informed Members that four or five consultants would be needed in total.

·         Councillor Cox requested any research of others that had used HCA. Chris Hilton explained that he was in the process of gathering this information but had been given positive feedback from GL Hearn. The councils Joint Venture used this panel to select GL Hearn. Chris Hilton informed Members that his team neither had the capability or capacity to carry out the project. Councillor Saunders highlighted that if the HCA process was used, all their criteria would have to be followed and if our process was used then we could manage ourselves. Chris Hilton was confident that the council would get the quality they were looking for with HCA. The HCA Panel was market focussed and very experienced in bringing forward major development sites.

·         Councillor Evans suggested delegating work to officers and Members to decide. The legal fees of £90K were also queried.

·         The Chairman queried if the budget of £250K was too high. Chris Hilton explained that this figure was at the top end of what was comfortable. The actual could be less.

·         Councillor Rankin explained that he wanted the highest quality for this huge development in Maidenhead.

Members discussed the incentives at 3 and 7 years for the Maidenhead Golf Club, the hand back point of July 2019, with a six month notice period. The Chairman advised that the 132 acres would not be fully developed as there would be a requirement for public open space. There would also be many other implications such as transport implications and new schools. Rob Stubbs, Head of Finance/Deputy Director Corporate & Community Services and Councillor Saunders confirmed that the consultancy costs would be capitalised.

Members looked at the diagrams of the land south of Harvest Hill, a total of 54 acres, 21 acres owned by Maidenhead Golf  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

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 items 6-7 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

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 items 6-7 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 consider the Part II minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 2016

To consider the above report