The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting.

To elect a Vice Chairman for the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel for the new municipal year.

Councillor Del Campo proposed a motion to appoint Councillor Price as Vice Chairman for the municipal year. This was seconded by Councillor Price. A named vote was carried out, three members voted against and two for. This motion fell.

A second motion was made proposed by Councillor Bhangra that Councillor Greg Jones be appointed as Vice Chairman. This was seconded by Councillor Mrs Hunt. A named vote was carried out, three members voted for the motion and two against.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: to appoint Councillor Jones as Vice Chairman for the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel for the 2020/21 municipal year.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Greg Jones, Councillor Maureen Hunt was substituting.

Parish Councillor Pat McDonald had also sent his apologies.

To receive any declarations of interest.

Councillor Price asked Panel Members if they had been whipped and it was confirmed by all Panel Members that they had not been whipped.

Councillor Hunt declared an interest, not personal or pecuniary in that in Number 59 in Item 8, Braywick Leisure Centre, Councillor Hunt had dealt with a Grundig site in Wokingham.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 9 June 2020.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: that the minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2020 were agreed as an accurate record.

Councillor Price raised the following points for Matters Arising:

·         The overlap of O & S panels discussing items when budget item taking place. Discuss further in the Forward Work Programme item.

·         Update on Alternate Giving – David Scott informed the Panel that this was being progressed well. It was almost ready to launch in the four main towns. The Housing team who are leading on this scheme  were in the final stages of communications and promotional material.

·         The late arrival of documents for Norden Farm at the last meeting prevented scrutiny. This would also be discussed further in in the Forward Work Programme item.

To receive an update on Embedding the Community response.

Hilary Hall, Director of Adults, Health and Commissioning, gave a presentation to the Panel. Presentation attached to the minutes.

The Chairman thanked all staff at RBWM, especially Hilary Hall and her team and many other organisations in assisting during Covid-19.

Councillor Price said she had been involved in this project of creating an asset map of all community groups for over a year now and was very excited that the start of the pilot would take place in areas such as Dedworth and Clewer in Windsor as this would have great use there. Councillor Price enquired what the timeframe for all the work would be and was informed that the consultations were underway. The results would be analysed in the next few weeks and the solutions would follow on from there. The definite results would be available at the beginning of September 2020.

Councillor Price asked if RBWM would have the active role of holding the project together but was informed by Hilary Hall that the borough would be the facilitator to deliver the project and bring in expertise where and when required. The project would mainly sit with the community.

Councillor Price asked what system would be used for managing the volunteers since WAM had not been given any funding in the February 2020 budget. Councillor Price asked if it would be the national system or a RBWM system. Hilary Hall informed the Panel that both were currently being considered.

Councillor Del Campo asked if Maidenhead FoodShare would remain in the Nicholson’s Centre. Russell O’Keefe informed the Panel that the borough were in discussions with Maidenhead FoodShare and arrangements were in place at present. Councillor Del Campo informed the Panel that she had been assisting FoodShare to deliver food parcels to vulnerable residents. Councillor Del Campo was concerned that mental health issues were not being addressed as much as they could be. Councillor Del Campo had come across a great scheme that had been put into place by St Luke’s Church that would call and chat with those who were struggling. Councillor Del Campo asked if this was something the Council could do. Hilary Hall informed the Panel that it was easy to do the practical things like delivering food and collecting medicines. Mental Health was very high on the agenda, especially with winter approaching and the team were working very hard to get something in place, where there was no shame in accessing the services.

Councillor Hunt reiterated that the cooperation between the vulnerable people and the borough had been amazing. The local community groups had been amazing in leading and it was correct of the borough not to take over but to be there if they were required. Councillor Bhangra continued and informed the Panel that residents approached ward members if they needed specific help and assistance.

Councillor Bowden asked about the DBS checks for volunteers and how this had been taken forward within community groups. He was advised that during Covid-19 the requirements had been relaxed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

To receive an update on the Community Wardens.

David Scott, Head of Communities, gave a presentation updating the Panel on Community Wardens. Presentation will be attached to the minutes.

David Scott informed the Panel that a report had been presented to the Panel in September 2019 and the Panel had requested a further update.

Councillor Price complimented the service and informed the Panel that all queries had been responded to promptly, very courteously and to the satisfaction of councillors and residents. Councillor Price was also very happy to hear that body cameras were now provided, which would assist to protect the community wardens.

Andy Aldridge, Community Warden Lead, informed the Panel that he was very proud of all of the borough’s Community Wardens and their positive attitudes. A Community Warden had lost their life to Covid-19 but the others had carried on working even though it was very difficult. This would be passed on to them.

Councillor Del Campo echoed all that had been said and added that the great service was often above and beyond. She thanked all Community Wardens and expressed condolences to the family of Dave Lee and all the Community Wardens team. Councillor Del Campo requested a structure chart for the Community Wardens.

ACTION: Provide Panel with a structure chart of the Community Wardens

Councillor Del Campo asked if Community Wardens were trained to signpost to other support services. The Panel were informed that all Community Wardens were trained and armed with as much information as possible on such as mental health, increased cannabis use, hot spot areas and that safeguarding was at the forefront as well as enforcement. Andy Aldridge explained that recently 14-18 year olds were being identified as vulnerable and they had been signposted to the correct support groups.

Councillor Del Campo asked what new powers had now been also given to Community Wardens. Andy Aldridge said that Community Wardens could now ask for a name and address which they could not previously do, and said that Community Wardens could use their body videos and the cycling enforcement powers were being investigated to have a delegation from the police and given to Community Wardens. Also the borough could apply for additional powers if required, and these would be considered to be accredited by Thames Valley Police. The use of these powers under CSAS (Community Safety Accreditation Scheme) are reviewed every three months.

Councillor Bhangra agreed with the other Panel Members and added that the Community Wardens were always good in responding and taking action when required. The Community Warden in Boyn Hill ward had assisted in nitrogen oxide misuse, this was currently a national problem.

Councillor Hunt thanked Andy Aldridge and David Scott for all of their hard work over the years and requested an up to date Thames Valley Police contact list. Andy Aldridge to check with TVP and circulate to Panel Members.

ACTION: Andy Aldridge to circulate an up to date contact list for TVP

Councillor Stimson informed the Panel and the Community Warden Lead that many residents had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

To receive a progress update on Braywick Leisure Centre.

Graham Clarkson, Development Manager from Clarkson Alliance for Braywick Leisure Centre, updated the Panel on the progress of Braywick Leisure Centre.

The points included the following:

·         The progress on the site had been very good since the last update on 9 June 2020.

·         The scheme was moving into its final stages. A detailed summary document had been provided to the Panel as requested at the last meeting. The document was quite detailed.

·         A risk schedule had also been included.

·         The planned completion date on the project building work was currently 22 September 2020, this was a small delay from the last report and this was due to Covid-19. Work was ongoing to see if this date could be improved on.

·         The pool lift for the swimming pool was manufactured in the Netherlands and had been delayed but had arrived, been installed and the pool was slowly starting to be filled. The pool would be filled in three weeks and then the heat and ventilation would be slowly switched on.

·         The ‘soft landing’ team training will be taking place soon where operational staff will be walked around by the construction team and handover training provided.

·         The sauna and steam room were progressing well, this had also been delayed as a result of Covid-19.

·         The sound system was now in place in the sports hall and in the cultural spaces. It was now possible for  music to be played.

·         The floor had been finished in the fitness suites and currently had protective layer on it.

·         The catering area has progressed well, the kitchen equipment was in place.

·         The artificial turf pitches, goals and nets were all in place.

·         The paving was now nearly all complete.

·         Many people were on the site spread over a large area so social distancing had been possible. Waites had put measures into place, segregation and a way in and way out system. This had worked well.

·         The design team had been on site to carry out inspections as finishing was approaching.

Graham Clarkson talked the Panel through the photos in the Agenda pack.

Councillor Del Campo thanked Graham Clarkson for all the additional information and confirmed that even though challenges had been experienced, they had not greatly impacted the delivery path. Councillor Del Campo requested more photos and a risk table for the next meeting.

ACTION: BLC Update to include photos and risk table for next meeting

The opening date was discussed and David Scott informed the Panel that this was not definite yet but were working to end of September/early October 2020 currently.

Councillor Hunt asked the depth of the pool, David Scott confirmed it was 1.2 – 1.6 m and it was not suitable for diving. Councillor Hunt continued and asked if all spoil was to be deposited on site. David Scott informed the Panel that no contract for this was yet in place and alternate provision was work in progress, with some materials being used across the site

Councillor Samantha Rayner, Lead Member, thanked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

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 Panel talked through the forward work programme.

Points raised by the Panel included:

·         ACTION: To add a paragraph to the Members update about how to add items to the work programme and how residents could request something to be added for a scrutiny agenda.

·         ACTION: To add a briefing summary note to the work programme on Community Safety Partnership.

·         ACTION: To invite Head of Resources to next meeting to discuss the start of the budget process and encourage the correct division of items between other Overview and Scrutiny Panels, especially Corporate and Communities.

·         ACTION: Re look at 5 November date for additional COSP meeting as it is Bon fire night.

·         ACTION: To add Battlemead Common, the impacts of wildlife onto the work programme.

·         ACTION: An allotments update is on the January 2021 suggested items list, what is the scope of this item? – discuss further at the September meeting under the work programme item.

Councillors Del Campo and Price had requested a discussion at the Panel on four items, Parkwood Leisure, Norden Farm, Maidenhead Community Centre and SportsAble. These items were discussed in Part II. Both Councillors were happy that these items would be on the September Agenda and therefore there was no need for an additional meeting within 28 days of the request as per the Constitution.

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 the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as

defined in Paragraph 3 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 agree the Part II minutes of the last meeting held on 9 June 2020.