The Panel shall receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Davey and Councillor Hunt. Councillor Clark was attending the meeting as a substitute for Councillor Hunt.

It was noted that Councillor Luxton was attending the meeting virtually.

The Panel are asked to declare any interests that they may have.

There were no declarations of interest received.

The Panel are to approve the minutes of the meetings held on 25^th January 2023 and 31^st January 2023 as a true and accurate record & discuss any actions arising.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the minutes of the meetings held on 25^th January 2023 and 31^st January 2023 were approved as a true and accurate record.

To receive an update from officers on progress since the last meeting in January, where the Panel considered a report which had been produced by the Youth Council. The report considered areas of the borough where street lighting coverage could be improved. The update will be delivered as a presentation at the meeting.

Alysse Strachan, Head of Neighbourhood Services, provided an update on street lighting across the borough since the Panel considered the report from the Youth Council at the last meeting. They had raised concerns about road safety, personal safety and lighting levels. The report made reference to a number of areas where street lighting was considered a concern. Representatives from the Youth Council had attended the last Place Overview & Scrutiny Panel meeting to present the report and discussed their concerns with officers and the Panel. It was agreed that a further investigation and discussion on the matter was required and an update would be brought back to the Panel.

Alysse Strachan highlighted that there was no legal requirement for local authorities to provide street lighting. However, there was a duty to ensure that lighting units were kept in a safe condition. Currently, there were 14,351 LED lights across the borough and there were plans to upgrade the remaining 711 lights to LED standard. LED lights produced a white light and were lit to the standard presently used across the country in line with guidance from the Institute of Lighting Professionals British Standard. The new LED lighting was recognised to discourage crime and enabled residents to gain a sense of safety whilst facilitating orientation for all road users. The LED lights provided better clarity and perception, increased energy efficiency and were more cost effective. The street lighting inventory was maintained through a contract with FMJ Solutions, which ran until 2038. The contract included LED street lighting and other electrical street furniture assets.

RBWM had participated in the National Highways and Transport Survey for the last ten years. Residents answered questions to gauge satisfaction with a range of highway and transport subjects. In 2022, the survey was sent to 3,300 households with nearly 700 responses being received. Street lighting scored high for importance and fairly high as an area for investment. Survey responses indicated that provision was ‘about the right amount’. Satisfaction scores for street lighting were in line with 2021 results and the national average. Considering responses by age group, 18-24 year olds in RBWM were less satisfied with street lighting than other age groups.

Alysse Strachan explained that officers had reviewed the specific locations listed in the report from the Youth Council and had offered further meetings with the Youth Council to discuss their concerns. Each location was different and had a specific set of considerations which needed to be taken into account alongside general considerations such as road safety and environmental impacts. Alysse Strachan highlighted a couple of specific examples, the full list of locations, maps and detail could be provided after the meeting. The following examples were discussed:

·         Southlea Road, Datchet – the road had street lighting, however it was a low lit area and was lit in line with guidance from the Institute of Lighting Professionals British Standard. Not all of the road was lit to avoid urbanising the area.

·         Brownfield Gardens to Ludlow Road, Maidenhead – the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

The Annual Scrutiny Report will contain information on the activity of scrutiny over the past municipal year and is due to be considered by Full Council in July 2023. This agenda item is an opportunity for the Panel to consider what they would like to include as part of the report.

Mark Beeley, Principal Democratic Services Officer – Overview and Scrutiny, explained that each year a report was produced which would go to Full Council and highlighted the work of scrutiny over the past municipal year. The Panel were asked if there were any comments or areas they would like to see included in the annual report.

The Chairman commented on the River Thames Scheme, this would be scoped and explored in the next municipal year.

ACTION – Item on River Thames Scheme to be added to the work programme.

Councillor Reynolds felt that one of the successes of the Panel had been the meeting considering the Place directorate budget items. It was a long meeting but had been productive and a lot of information had been explored and recommendations to Cabinet made. Next year, there could be an opportunity to include residents consultation feedback as part of the budget scrutiny process.

Councillor Taylor suggested that more work could be done in collaboration with the Youth Council, they did a good job with the street lighting project and it would be great to work with them in future.

The Panel are to note the work programme and items which are still outstanding to be taken forward to the next municipal year.

The Panel noted the work programme for the next municipal year.

Councillor Walters asked if the new homes bonus scheme was still happening.

ACTION – Councillor Walter’s question on the new homes bonus scheme to be passed on to the relevant officers to be answered after the meeting.

Councillor Singh asked whether the list of objectors to the lease of the site at Braywick Park to Maidenhead United FC could be provided.

Mark Beeley confirmed that he would chase this action up after the meeting in advance of the call in being considered.

ACTION – Mark Beeley to ask officers if the objections to the decision could be provided to the Panel.

Councillor Reynolds asked if the objectors would be directly notified that the call in meeting next week would be taking place.

Mark Beeley said that the objectors would not be notified directly but information regarding the meeting would be displayed on the Town Hall noticeboard and on the RBWM website. Any resident was welcome to attend the meeting or watch the meeting on YouTube.