To consider the scoping document for Climate Change.

To consider the scoping document for Community Facilities Review. The cabinet report from September 2021 is also attached for information.

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 went through the work programme and that the next meeting, so far, consisted of Q3 Interim Performance Management Report and the resident item about parking on footpaths and verges. Also items still not scheduled included Community Safety Partnership and the Waste Management Strategy. There was also Serco update, Boulters Lock progress, Food Banks and Air Quality. The Clerk reminded all that a scoping document would be required if the item was to be put on the agenda with reasons why the item was down for scrutiny. Councillor Del Campo asked about Norden Farm and The Old Court. Councillor Del Campo had asked for the items to place before the budget discussion at Full Council which had not been possible. Andrew Durrant commented that conversations were taking place between Norden Farm and Officers. Andrew Durrant and the Clerk would check when the Norden Farm item would be available to be discussed at a public panel.

ACTION: Report back on Norden Farm

Councillor Price commented that the Waste contract item was on the cabinet forward plan, many changes had taken place, but the Panel had not been kept informed. Councillor Price suggested it be put on the work programme. The Clerk suggested speaking with Alysse Strachan first and discussing if the item needed to go on the work programme.

Councillor Price reminded the panel that the Sports strategy and leisure centres had been suggested previously for the work programme. Andrew Durrant commented that this was a good idea for a future meeting.

ACTION: Clerk to add to work programme under items not yet scheduled

The Clerk then referred to the first of the two scoping documents on Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy that Councillor Del Campo had prepared. The Clerk read out a statement from the Officers. It read:

We are currently drafting our End of Year Report which details progress against targets set out in the Environment and Climate Strategy. This was a commitment made in the strategy document itself. It details progress against the headline carbon target as well as against the actions detailed in the delivery plan. This will be published early in the Spring and may well cover much of what the Panel is looking for.

Many of the key headline targets rely on government being published by national government. This includes Borough carbon emissions and renewable energy generation in the Borough. These are only published once a year.

As agreed by Cabinet, we are currently going through the process of setting up an independent climate partnership that will support deliver of the Environment and Climate Strategy. This is due to be in place from Spring 2022.

In terms of current scrutiny of the work we undertake, we have bi-weekly Lead Member Briefings and month shadow lead member briefings.

Councillor Stimson added that a lot of work had been done and it would be better to leave to the summer.

Councillor Del Campo was very pleased that the borough were already working towards the borough’s targets. Councillor Del Campo wanted to add more to the scoping document with respect to the air particulate monitoring that had been agreed at Full Council, Clause 2, to review the borough’s air quality improvement action plan in light of the updated food guidelines.

ACTION: Ask James Thorpe for another update for April meeting and add to Agenda when mote timely. Keep on work programme.

The second scoping document was on the Community Facilities Review. Ian Brazier-Dubber, Property Manager for the RBWM Property Company, informed the Panel that the report had been produced by his predecessor, Barbara Richardson. The report was to group and develop a set of community facilities in the Holmanleaze area in Maidenhead and provide a new set of community facilities. The main idea was to generate some income from the development of the Ivy Leaf Club, where a multi-use community facility could be built along with affordable housing. Further work was required to see if the improvements to the community facilities accommodated those uses appropriately and also be able to find a source of funding for them.

Councillor Price made some comments on the scoping documents. These included including the neighbours of the site such as the mosque and the park users and broaden out the people who would have views on the proposals. The local community were unaware of the proposals for the project. Councillor Price felt that a lot more work was required. Councillor Price also commented that there was a corporate risk if the project did not go ahead as there would be a loss of affordable housing. The review timescale was 31 October which had been passed as it was only being discussed now. It had disappeared from the Cabinet forward plan so Councillor Price asked about the timeframe. The Clerk suggested adding all the comments to the scoping document and then it be sent to the Panel for comments again and then have on the April meeting agenda for another discussion.

Councillor Del Campo suggested that views from all around the sites be collated and the Disability and Inclusion Forum may have some views. The Clerk commented that the Property Manager had presented at the last Disability and Inclusion Forum and had been kept informed. And the Licensing Panel be kept informed as it was moving licenced premises out into residential areas from the town centre. Councillor Del Campo also suggested Community and Religious groups. The scoping document did not set out the success criteria and the resources. Councillor Del Campo suggested a site visit.