To receive an update from the Maidenhead Town Manager.

Robyn Bunyan discussed the issue of theft in the town centre, there was a significant issue. There was a plan to reintroduce the Shops in Maidenhead Against Retail Theft (SMART) scheme, this originally existed before the pandemic and opened up a communication network between retailers. It would also help to ensure that crimes were reported effectively. SMART was planned to meet quarterly with representatives from the business community along with an ongoing forum online. There would also be an audit of the town link radios. Looking ahead to winter, Robyn Bunyan was keen to ensure that retailers and the local community were aware of what was in place to support them. The Royal Borough Christmas guide had now been completed and launched. On footfall, Robyn Bunyan shared the data from October, Maidenhead was down 1.1% compared to 2019 which was pleasing and residents were using the town in a positive way as a result. Car parking usage was at 90% for Grove Road, 40% for Hines Meadow, 60% for Nicholsons, 20% for Stafferton Way and 90% for West Street. Robyn Bunyan concluded her update by encouraging residents to shop local over the festive period.

Councillor Baldwin asked for a progress update on the Maidenhead town team.

Robyn Bunyan explained that the town team was pushing forward, there had been some delays as officers determined the best approach to take. There would be a period for the vision and charter relaunch and work would be done to recruit town team representatives. The aim was for the first meeting of the town team to take place in March 2023.

Councillor Baldwin highlighted that the paper had been agreed by Cabinet in June 2022, he asked why the town team had not yet launched.

Robyn Bunyan clarified that the initial timeline was that the town team was planned to be launched in September. However, the whole of September had been focused on Operation London Bridge but there had also been a number of issues to work through, to ensure the town team was launched at the right time. Town team representatives would be recruited before the inaugural meeting in March. While the town team had not yet formally been launched, a significant amount of work had been undertaken behind the scenes.

Councillor Bhangra said it was good to see footfall improving in the town centre, he asked if there were any new businesses due to be opening in the near future.

Robyn Bunyan highlighted that Knead Pizza would be launching before Christmas, there were a few things happening on the high street. There was some interest in the empty units on the high street, details of which were confidential at the moment. Tesco and Superdrug would be opening on the high street, the latter of which had moved from the Nicholsons Shopping Centre.

Councillor Singh felt that it was good to see the SMART scheme returning along with the retail radio system. Cost of living was having an effect on residents and work needed to be done to understand why some people were shoplifting and why there had been such a big increase in recent months. Councillor Singh asked how the footfall data was collected.

Robyn Bunyan explained that footfall was recorded using a static camera on the high street, there were plans for a new system to be put in place with a new provider. This would allow officers to analyse things like dwell time which would allow for a more sophisticated picture on footfall.

Councillor Singh asked if retailers were doing well overall.

Robyn Bunyan said that it was a mixed view, the town partnership was there to support retailers. Things were looking positive.

Councillor Singh commented on the upcoming Christmas light switch on outside the Town Hall. He informed Robyn Bunyan that there was a lack of bins around the site.

Robyn Bunyan confirmed that she was aware of the issue, she would bringing it up with different officers at the council to see what could be done.

Councillor Taylor said that there was a bin on the high street which had recently had a fire in the cigarette section and needed to be repaired.

Robyn Bunyan said that she would report this, she encouraged residents and Members to let her know of any other problems and she would report them to the relevant team to deal with.