Cabinet considered the report regarding the proposed creation of a robust vision for the future of Windsor.

The Deputy Leader of the Council, Corporate & Resident Services, Culture and Heritage and Windsor informed Cabinet that Windsor was an historical ton with the castle at its heart, this paper provided an excellent opportunity to engage with stackholders and residents about the fututre of the town. 

The purpose of this project was to create a robust vision for the future of Windsor. The vision would incorporate the relevant emerging and existing strategies and plans for the area, whilst drawing on the many strengths and assets of the historic Town.

The paper sought approval to commission The Prince’s Foundation to support the Council to engage collaboratively with key stakeholders and residents through an Enquiry by Design approach. It’s estimated the project will last for a period of nine-months and will include a number of engagement opportunities and three key workshops to ultimately shape a Vision for Windsor.

The Chairman said he supported the paper and that there had been a lot of needed work regarding the regeneration of Maidenhead.  Work was planned for Ascot and given the pandemic it was now the right time to look at Windsor with an integrated vision being driven by the aid of the Prince’s Foundation.  Cllr Stimpson agreed that the Princes Foundation were an excellent organisation to undertake this work with excellent records of community engagement. 

The Lead Member for Asset Management & Commercialisation, Finance and Ascot said that this was an appropriate time to undertake the work and that it was important to get the views of residents.  The foundation had undertaken work in Ascot that was now being implemented. 

The Lead Member who help the responsibility for Maidenhead mentioned that the town centre vision for Maidenhead had been delayed by the pandemic but he would be bringing a report to Cabinet soon.

Cllr Davies said she broadly welcomed the paper and was pleased to see lessons learnt from the work undertaken for Maidenhead, she asked how residents could get involved.  She was informed that the council wanted to maximise resident participation and this would be driven by the work of the Foundation and supported by the council where appropriate. 

Cllr Jones mentioned that the report mentioned that there would be work with stockholders before going to the wider group and asked who they would be.  She also asked if the Windsor 2030 NP was still going.  She was informed that the Council wanted as many participants in the consultation as possible so any ideas were welcome, with regards to Windsor 2030 this was still underway lead by the Town Centre Manager.

Mr Ed Wilson addressed Cabinet and said that he was pleased to see the Princes Foundation being used as he had seen the excellent work they had done in York and Guildford.  It was important to have a vision and the people to implement it.  He asked how will RBWM communicate this to residents and businesses, will residents get their say and not just specialists groups and will there be work undertaken in Windsor whilst the project is being undertaken.  Cllr Rayner replied that the Council’s communications team would support the Foundation in getting the message out to as many people as possible.  Work would continue within Windsor whilst the consultation was being undertaken such as a deep clean for the Queens Jubilee and associated events. 

Cllr Singh said that there had been a lot of backlash from the consultation for a Windsor Town Council and he asked if this work would be listened to.  The Chairman replied that given the low level of response to that consultation there was no mandate to proceed, when given a mandate it was important not to ignore.  

Resolved unanimously:  that Cabinet notes the report and:

i)            Agrees the scope for a ‘Vision for Windsor’ project to commence.

ii)          Agrees to commission The Prince’s Foundation and implement the Enquiry by Design (EbD) approach for engagement with stakeholders and residents.