To receive any apologies for absence.

None.

To receive any Declarations of Interest.

None received.

To confirm the Minutes of the previous meeting.

Resolved unanimously: that the minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2020 were approved as a true and correct record.

To consider the attached report.

The Chairman informed the Panel that this was the Panel’s opportunity to ask Lead Members questions regarding the proposed budget and agree any appropriate comments to Cabinet. 

The Panel were informed that they would only be considering areas that come under the Panels remit, other O&S Panels were also being ask to comment on the budget prior to the report going to Cabinet and then Council to approve.  Corporate O&S Panel would be looking the whole budget.

A local resident Mr Scarborough had registered to speak and addressed the Panel.  Mr Scarborough said that he did not feel that the proposed savings would positively influence behaviours to address the environment and climate emergency which the Council had recently declared.  Increasing green bin charges would result in more bonfires, more queuing at the tip, more waste in black bins and thus increase emissions. On public transport, cutting subsidies cannot be the right way to go and parking charges being increased can lead to longer journeys as people try and find cheaper spaces.

Cllr Clark, Lead Member for Transport and Infrastructure, informed the Panel that with regards to bus subsidies he had found out that some subsidies that the council were paying for a journey were more than the cost of a full  ticket so savings were possible, there were also subsidised large buses doing rounds that were often not used that would be better served with smaller buses and services that met public need.  There were also plans to look at the possibility of having electric buses, although this was for future years.

Cllr Stimson, Lead Member for Environmental Services, Climate Change, Sustainability, Parks and Countryside, informed the Panel that she was currently working on a climate change strategy and this would include looking at garden waste.  With regards to the cost it was planned to bring costs in line with other authorities, especially as council tax was so low.  Even with the increase, paying £2.50 for garden waste collection was excellent value for money and better than having to drive to a recycling centre. 

Cllr Da Costa said that with regards to green bins and Saturday waste collection there was a planned increase from £37 to £65 but predicting no change in volume was this realistic and should there be a prudent 10% drop in usage.  The Lead Member for Finance and Ascot replied that it was anticipated that at the start there would be a small drop in use but as it was realised the value for money that the service provided the public would revert to using the service as it only cost £2.50 per week collected.

Cllr Da Costa said that anticipated savings were overstated by £50,000 for a 10% fall in users.  Ben Smith replied that the line should read £25,000 and thus would be amended for Council.

Cllr Werner asked if the reduced usage for the increased charges had been factored into the budget and also the increase in black bin volume.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

To consider the attached report.

The Panel considered the report that provided a quarterly oversight of a range of performance measures that came under the Panels remit and supported the Council Plan.

The Managing Director informed the Panel that appendix A set out the Q2 Performance Report for all measures relating to the Panel’s remit, and included performance commentary, related business intelligence and an overview of achievements and key milestones reached for the period July – September 2019.  Footfall in Windsor and Maidenhead remained a concern, however this was a national issue.

Cllr W Da Costa asked what was being done regarding the drop in footfall, that with regards to homeliness the indicator was performing well but asked what the figure of 14 related to and with regards to pot holes should road satisfaction also be included.  In response the Panel were informed that with regards to pot holes this related to holes that were reported with regards to satisfaction this would come from an annual satisfaction survey that is carried out on condition and cleanliness, the borough was above average.  With regards to footfall Maidenhead would be affected by regeneration work but there would be long term benefits.  Windsor’s footfall figures had been distorted due to high profile events such as the Royal Wedding.  Both of the borough town centre managers worked hard with stakeholders on events to keep our highstreets vibrant.  With regards to homeliness the indicator had changed since last quarter and it would help if the number of presentations that received help was shown. 

Resolved unanimously: that the Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Panel notes the report and:

i) Notes the 2019/20 Q2 Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Panel Performance Report in Appendix A.

ii) Requests relevant Lead Members, Directors and Heads of Service to maintain focus on improving performance.

To consider the Panel’s work programme for the remainder of the Municipal year.

To include consideration of items scheduled on the Cabinet Forward Plan.

The Chairman introduced the Panel’s work programme and informed Members that this was an opportunity to identify any areas they wished to add to the work programme.  Members were informed that we were adding an additional meeting to consider items held over from this meeting so they could discuss the Budget. The task & finish group (T&FG) would need to produce their final recommendations so another meeting of the T&FG may be required.

Cllr Da Costa mentioned that with regards to the Homelessness T&FG he had been asked by another Cllr who attends to raise the following concerns.  There was a lack of progress, lack of adherence to the TOR, lack of minute taking (it was noted that minutes were not taken for T&FG just actions and supporting notes), lack of review of best practice in other boroughs, exclusion of the Brett Foundation, who are a key stakeholders and a lack of meetings.  The Chairman said that he would review the concerns raised.

The Chairman said that the Panel were also asked to produce an Annual Report that would be considered by Council in June 2020.  This was an opportunity for the Panel to say what they felt had gone well and to proposed improvements.  Appendix A had been attached to show analysis of the recent member survey on scrutiny to help in deliberations.

As Panel Members had no suggestions to add to the report the Chairman suggested that it be brought back to their next meeting.  Members were asked to consider what they wished to add. 

The Panel noted the work programme.