To receive an update from the Town Manager.

The Chairman explained that the Town Manager was unable to attend the Forum meeting and so he would provide the Town Manager update. The key points highlighted were as follows:

Ø  The White Company was now open and trading in Windsor Yards

Ø  The unit where Next used to be was temporarily occupied with a pop-up shop.

Ø  Another new children’s wear shop had opened up in the town.

Ø  Karen Millen had closed.

Ø  The William Hill shop was still vacant and for it to become a different retail unit, it may need a change of use

Ø  J. Hunt, the butchers, was still vacant.

Ø  Madam Posh was reopening in April 2020 following their refurbishment.

Ø  Gayle’s Bakery was opening in the town.

Ø  Lakeland was closing at the end of the week commencing 13 January 2020, and there were no plans for that site as yet to become a cinema.

The Chairman stated that Windsor Yards and Windsor Royal Station were private areas and the Council had no jurisdiction over the units in those areas.

The Ivy restaurant at the Harte & Garter had been delayed and may need some additional planning permission due to the refurbishment being undertaken in a listed building and in a conservation area.

Susy Shearer stated Pure Spa had not closed but it had moved and she was also aware of questions over Metro Bank and Superdry so she wanted to raise that to see if the Councillors knew anything about them potentially closing. The Chairman stated a nail bar and men’s groomers had opened up in Peascod Street and Metro Bank was subject to financial discussions.

Residents asked if there were any future plans for the Town or, any updates on any ongoing plans regarding the Town. Councillor Rayner responded that there was a Windsor Project but, that was not going to Cabinet until February 2020. However, she would request the Managing Director of the RBWM Property Company attends the next meeting of the Windsor Town Forum to discuss the strategy for the Town.

Councillor Davey stated that he agreed with the residents. there was always a lot of talking done at the Windsor Town forum, but he would like to see more action with Councillors being more involved and voting on stuff. He wanted to be more engaged and proactive. The Chairman responded that the Windsor Town Forum did not have any voting powers and as a resident, he would also like things to get done. The Windsor Town Forum was for discussion and then officers and Members reported back to the Council for things to move forward. Councillor Knowles stated there was nobody there to hold to account which meant the Forum lacked accountability; the public wanted to attend the meetings and challenge the Council over services and other important issues. He wanted to challenge officers regarding the Hostile Vehicle Measures but, no officers were in attendance. Councillor Knowles added there was scope for the Council to allow the Forum to bring things forward to move them along.

Councillor Tisi stated the Terms of Reference for the Windsor Town Forum talked about commissioning small projects or investigating projects that could be done. There were no reports at the Forum so it was not possible for read up on matters. Councillor Bateson stated that this was her first Windsor Town Forum meeting and all the items on the agenda should have an officer present so they can answer questions. It was very unfortunate as there was not a full Panel and no officers were present. She hoped the next meeting had a better attendance for each item. The Chairman responded it was the first meeting that officers were not in attendance. It was a Forum with Councillors from the local area that could answer questions relevant to their Wards and the surrounding areas.

The Town Manager had been working with the MEAM Coordinator and the community Wardens to take positive action with rough sleepers as there had been encampments set up with tents in the Goswells area and so the tents had been removed and offers of accommodation and assistance made to the rough sleepers. The Chairman said he had carried out walk rounds of the Town Centre and had been talking to the owners of Zizzi’s to resolve issues so he could identify where his land ended; he then went up onto the High Street and spoke to the Town Manager as there were three people that had laid out their belongings on the street and a container for donations outside the Castle. All the items had been left unattended and cardboard had been placed in bus shelters too so he had been patrolling every day.  Trinity Church was being used five days per week and there had been an application for a caravan to be placed on Council land by the Coach Park to help the homeless. SWEP was ongoing and resources were being directed to alleviate homelessness.

Councillor Shelim stated the Forum used to be held quarterly and well attended by the public. Now that the meetings were bi-monthly, attendance by the public was dropping and he felt it was because there were too many meetings.

Susy Shearer stated she had concerns about place making and the appearance of the Town. She was aware that JTP were providing information on how Windsor would look and what to expect. The unit vacancies were higher than usual and it was important to get them filled as it impacted the look of the Town. She added that in the Borough Local Plan, there was a lot of place making for Maidenhead and Ascot, but very little for Windsor. Councillor Knowles said the homelessness issue was to divide the line between beggars and homeless rough sleepers; Westminster Council used to give passes to homeless people so they were able to be identified and separate from professional beggars. Homeless people should have somewhere safe to sleep so they can stay in Windsor.

Councillor Rayner responded the Council were looking into a three stage plan so the Borough could accommodate rough sleepers. Susy shearer stated More than a Shelter were concentrated in the Town Centre and provided people a safe, comfortable and hospitable place to stay, seven days a week. Information on the service provided could be found on the More than a Shelter Website. Susy Shearer added she helped to provide food to Trinity church to help and she wanted all the agencies to come together and work instead of working separately. Councillor Rayner responded the future was the Council had to work better with charities.

One local resident said the process was not quite right, and residents were being quite upset as there were serious incidents happening where the police were called but then no update provided afterwards. The Chairman stated the police would be invited to the next Windsor Town Forum meeting to answer any questions from the public.

v  Action – The Clerk to invite Tracy Hendren, Head of Housing, and the MEAM Coordinator to the next Windsor Town Forum meeting with a report on the council’s approach to homelessness.

v  Action – The clerk to invite the Managing Director of the RBWM Property Company to the next Windsor Town Forum meeting to discuss the ongoing strategy of the Town.

v  Action – The Clerk to invite Thames Valley Police to the next Town Forum meeting to provide an update on crime figures for the Windsor area and to answer any questions from residents.