To consider the report.

Andrew Durrant (Executive Director of Place Services) began by stating that in terms of the Q1 Performance Report, the council was currently working to an interim strategy, which was adopted on the 30th July 2020. The date and performance report provided progress updates against key priorities in the interim strategy and the remainder of the report sets out performance and related commentary for metrics in the current performance management framework that were relevant to the panel's remit.

Andrew Durrant continued by stating that the council was currently developing a new corporate plan to succeed the interim strategy, and it had been agreed that performance reporting against the interim strategy, continued through to such a time as when the corporate plan was adopted, and a new performance management framework was approved.

Andrew Durrant noted that a metric related to highways was previously reported under the heading commissioning or commissioning infrastructure and this was now listed under neighbourhood services after the organisational and structural change which was in effect from April. Alysse Stracham had now been appointed as Head of Neighbourhood Services.

Andrew Durrant referred to table 2, page 13, which gave an overview of performance metrics versus set targets.

At the close of quarter one of 2021/22:

·     6 out of 8 performance metrics were meeting or exceeding set targets.

·     1 was just short of target but still within the accepted tolerance threshold.

·     The remaining metric, which was volume of homeless households and temporary accommodation continued to be untargeted as the effects of the pandemic could still be felt in many areas.

Reflections on Q1 included the recovery strategy in terms of the successful initiative rolled out in Windsor using technology for good through the engagement tool ‘Hello Lamppost’. This innovative platform let people talk to street objects and share their thoughts on what they wanted to see in their towns and then these comments were considered as part of the local recovery plan as it moved forwards.

The ‘don't let your guard down campaign’ was noted as now being well established and that people had become used to that brand, out and about in towns and it was providing reassurance to visitors returning to the borough’s town centres. Town centre footfall trends had also risen steadily with the easing of restrictions. Page 26 demonstrated a further increase of over a million visitors across Windsor and Maidenhead for the month of June.

Andrew Durrant identified that time had elapsed since then, when now reporting on Q1, but the positive trend had continued over the summer and the data continued all the way through.

Andrew Durrant then discussed the RBWM recovery strategy and stated that it would continue to promote the commercial centres of the borough as a safe place to visit and focus on retaining local spend. The number of households where prevention duty had successfully ended was above target and this was even with a previously increased target to 17 per quarter this year when compared to 15 per quarter last year.

Councillor Taylor asked if the effects of covid 19 had been considered on these figures when comparing the figures from 2019/20 and 2020/21?

Andrew Durrant replied by stating that the year-on-year figure was generally compared, however it did consider periods of time where the pandemic had an impact. In June last year, the combined footfall for town centres was 500,000, whereas 2 years ago it was 1.2 million and 3 years ago it was 1.6 million. June 2021 saw just over 1 million.

Councillor Taylor referred to page 29 of the report with discussion on footfall.

Councillor Taylor asked whether the borough was receiving a complete picture in terms of its footfall.  This was with reference to Ascot especially as there was no mechanism present to track footfall there. During the redevelopments of Maidenhead town centre, this was where residents may visit. Andrew Durrant noted that tracking footfall here could potentially be done through CCTV provision. He would provide an answer offline.

Andrew Durrant said that the feedback for the proposed technology advancements had been well received. Discussions were ongoing as to whether this technology could be integrated into Maidenhead town centre. This would be done through potential QR codes on building site boards, which would allow for resident interaction.

Councillor Singh asked about homeless households in temporary housing. Andrew Durrant would provide a response to this question offline. Councillor Singh also asked for clarity on planning applications and definitions of what was minor or major.

Andrew Durrant said that if there were 10 or more dwellings, then this is categorised as major. Planning applications were only just in the amber zone, and this has been partly due to an increased amount of staff vacancies placing extra strain upon the team.

Councillor Singh expressed his concern due to this being a positive section of the council and asked if Andrew Durrant had figures on this. Andrew Durrant would reply to this offline.

Councillor Singh expressed his concern with the agenda items and the level of scrutiny that was attached to them. Shilpa Manek (supporting clerk) stated that there was a new process in place where before items were brought to the agenda, members had to approach lead officers directly. The Chairman agreed with this stance.

The Chairman asked Andrew Durrant how many shops had closed in Windsor town centre. Andrew Durrant said that some smaller businesses had opened, which residents had enjoyed. He said that he would reply offline with some clarity around specific numbers.

Councillor Singh asked about the cost of car parking and resident discounts. He asked if there was any data showing what impact the loss of the advantage card parking discount has had on footfall in the borough. Andrew Durrant said that this was possible, however footfall was increasing and footfall now was now 500,000, split between Windsor and Maidenhead, whereas 3 years ago this was 537,000. Discussions were ongoing on how to best attract residents to the town centres, including through parking charges. Councillor Singh welcomed this.

Councillor Taylor asked if there were any statistics on empty units and businesses leaving and businesses entering in their place. Councillor Taylor asked if there were any trends here. Andrew Durrant replied by saying he would answer this offline.

Councillor Shelim asked about a specific issue behind the Guild Hall in Windsor. Andrew Durrant said he would investigate and reply to this offline.

Councillor Singh asked about town centre regenerations and if there were any plans in place to temporarily house retailers, whilst work was underway. Andrew Durrant replied by stating that these conversations would be underway with the developers and the borough. Greenspaces, box parks and temporary units were all under consideration. 

ACTIONS:

Andrew Durrant to update the panel on:

·       How footfall would be calculated for places such as Ascot and are there any statistics for this

·       Statistics on empty retail units and if there were any trends between businesses leaving and coming in?

·       Statistical data for how many shops have closed in Windsor town centre

·       Exact numerical figures for planning applications, opposed to a %

·       An issue behind the Guild Hall in Windsor town centre, regarding a seating area

• A breakdown of the Numbers of households in temporary accommodation, including types of accommodation and whether in or out of Borough
• What the plan is to reduce the numbers quarter by quarter, how is this going to happen?
• The number of households on the housing list and further information about this
• A breakdown of cost of temporary housing and associated charges at present which should include taxis and transportation. 

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Panel noted the report and:

i)               Noted the 2021/22 Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Panel Q1 Data & Performance Report in Appendix A.

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