Agenda and minutes

Venue: Grey Room - York House - Windsor

Contact: Shilpa Manek  01628 796310 / Email: shilpa.manek@rbwm.gov.uk

Video Stream: Click here to watch this meeting on YouTube

Items
No. Item

13.

WELCOME FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting. All Panel Members and Officers introduced themselves. The Chairman informed all that the meeting was virtual due to some Panel Members awaiting PCR test results.

14.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

No apologies for absence were received.

15.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST pdf icon PDF 103 KB

To receive any declarations of interest.

Minutes:

Councillor Del Campo informed all, for transparency, that Oaken Grove Park backed onto her home in case it was discussed.

 

Councillor Price informed all, for transparency, that she was a member of Maidenhead Golf Course.

16.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING pdf icon PDF 213 KB

To agree the minutes of the meetings held on 7 October and 25 October.

Minutes:

Councillor Del Campo requested an amendment. The Panel agreed.

 

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY subject to amendment, that the minutes of 25th October were a true and accurate record.

 

This was proposed by Councillor Price and seconded by Councillor G Jones.

17.

REVIEW OF THE PERFORMANCE OF TIVOLI CONTRACT FOR GROUNDS MAINTENANCE pdf icon PDF 541 KB

To consider the report.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Alysse Strachan, Head of Neighbourhoods introduced the item. Naomi Markham, Environmental Services Manager, gave a presentation to the Panel and all present. Spencer Rock and Ian Mcllroy, from Tivoli gave a presentation to the Panel and all present. The Lead Member, Councillor Coppinger addressed the Panel and all present.

 

The floor was then open to all residents, parish councils and members that had registered to speak. The comments and questions were as follows:

 

Mr Ed Wilson commented that the services were disgraceful, especially in cemeteries. The grass had not been cut so grave stones could not be seen, there was graffiti on the gravestones which had been reported four times, the litter was increasing, the bushes had not been cut back and the hedges were overgrown. The Report It function could not be used specifically for cemeteries. Mr Ed Wilson suggested that there be a specific lead member for cemeteries, a specific contact number for cemeteries, to publish the charter for cemeteries, if anything reported, it should be cleared in 24 hours and grass cut within 21 days and hedges trimmed.

 

Mr John Webb commented that he wanted to mention a specific issue which was the public litter bins outside Dedworth library, not being emptied. This had been reported five times and many emails had been sent too but nothing had been done. The bins had not been emptied since June. Staff of the library were having to empty so that they could be used. The Report It tool had not actioned anything. This had been reported since August, but they had not been emptied.

 

Stephen Hedges, Cox Green Parish Council, commented that this year had been particularly bad, with operational tasks having been really bad. Stephen Hedges commented that there was a crossover between Tivoli and Volkner Highways and that caused confusion for residents. The footpaths were all getting narrower and the grass cutting year had changed. Stephen Hedges commented that climate change should have been factored in and excuses about broken equipment shouldn’t be made.

 

Valerie Pike, resident, commented that litter was not being picked, there was overhanging vegetation everywhere, signage was being covered by overgrown hedges and that the Report It function did not work and there was no feedback. If the service contract was functioning, there would be no need to complain but when not functioning, the Report It function would have be vital. There was possibly also a duplication of cost.

 

Councillor Bond commented on a number of incidents in Belmont Ward with one specific area being really bad and not safe for seven months, but this had still not been sorted. It was now the residents doing the work, but the mature trees could not be cut by the residents. The borough was encouraging walking and cycling so it was essential to keep the pavements clear. Councillor Bond took the opportunity to thank the residents.

 

Councillor Stimson commented that Oaken Grove and the sports field were in a very bad way especially at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

WORK PROGRAMME pdf icon PDF 212 KB

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.

 

 

Minutes:

The clerk then asked whether to carry on or not and requested that we carry on for a further five to ten minutes to look at the work programme very quickly. The Panel agreed.

 

The Clerk asked the Panel if the meeting to be held on 6 December was still required. This would have been a virtual meeting. There would be no briefing notes for items. The clerk commented that the overview side of the Panel would be looking at Norden Farm and The Old Court and what they were doing, how the future was looking and hear what the organisations had to say. The clerk suggested that these items could be taken later in the third quarter in February. The climate strategy was also on the work programme for the 6th December. Councillor Del Campo had completed an amazing scoping document which was with the Scrutiny Officer. The clerk continued that after the Scrutiny Officer had commented on the scoping document, it would be sent to Panel Members for comments. The clerk was not sure if the item would be ready for discussion by 6 December. And the final item on the work programme for that date was the Maidenhead Golf Course and the clerk would send the written update to the Panel the following day so that item could then come off the agenda. Councillors Del Campo and Price felt that the 6 December meeting should continue. Councillor Jones was concerned about receiving reports in time for meetings and felt the meeting was not necessary. Councillor Jones asked if the two organisations were truly past covid and if December was the right time for them. The clerk offered to check with officers and report back to the Panel.

 

The clerk asked for comments from the Panel on the Community Facilities Review scoping document by Wednesday 24 November.

 

The clerk went through items that had been requested for the work programme. The items suggested included information on food banks and Councillor Price would provide more detail. Another item suggested by the Infrastructure O & S Panel was air quality, the process against the national air quality resources and our air quality management areas. The clerk asked for comments on the air quality item.