To receive an update from the Maidenhead Town Manager.

Robyn Bunyan, Maidenhead Town Manager, informed that there were some positive updates in spite of difficulties in trade due to the cost-of-living crisis, a closed car park and the start of the year. The larger retailers had good business in January 2023, though smaller retailers were struggling. In response, local businesses would continue to be promoted and supported as part of the Maidenhead brand. In addition, the ‘My Royal Borough’ brand was also being promoted amongst local businesses in which they would be offered support, networking and opportunities for further training.

Robyn Bunyan also informed that football was up by 6% in January 2023, a positive compared to the issues in which the Borough was experiencing. She also reported that residents continued to use and invest in Maidenhead, such as a slight return of officer workers, contracts being signed and businesses continuing to open.

On parking, Robyn Bunyan reported that the ‘Where Can I Park?’ campaign was successful to inform residents on the most convenient places to park. She also discussed Hines Meadow car park in which parking usage had increased.

Robyn Bunyan then explained that she sought to ensure car parks had a good welcome to residents, namely being user friendly, free and tidy. With Hines Meadow, for instance, the lifts in a stairwell were fully functional. In the following week, she stated, teams would be sent to clean the car park, stairwell and lifts to ensure the car park was clean. Officers were also looking into the options to ensure that residents had a good experience, such as auditing the signage.

Robyn Bunyan also requested for Forum members to report anything that appeared or dirty on the RBWM website or directly email herself.

Robyn Bunyan then reported that the six-week sign-up period had started where residents could register their interest in the Town Team and its proposed action groups. Any resident who lived, worked or were part of any organisation or group were welcomed to register their interest. She mentioned that many residents and stakeholders had already expressed interest. The initial six-week period would be followed by a workshop session in Maidenhead Town Centre where interested people and parties would be invited to share ideas and ways to move forward.

Robyn Bunyan also informed that seed funding had been acquired through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which would support the Town Team initiative for three years.

Following the workshop session, Town Team representatives would be appointed who would then lead on the agreed program and projects with the support from Robyn Bunyan as the Town Team coordinator.

Robyn Bunyan stated that this was a positive step in engaging of the local community with Maidenhead as well as creating innovative ideas and projects along the way.

The Chair was delighted that the Town Team initiative had started.

Councillor Del Campo asked if seed funding was funding in the business sense rather than funding for seeds. Robyn Bunyan replied that the seed funding was through UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Through this, there would be three blocks of funding over three years: the first year of funding would go to the Maidenhead Town Team; the following years of funding would go to supporting the Town Team in other areas.

On parking, Councillor Del Campo then asked about shop mobility. Robyn Bunyan replied that there had been a drop in use of shop mobility, partly due to it being quieter at the start of the year. She affirmed that this was still on the radar amongst officers.

Councillor Jones asked if Robyn Bunyan could get the freeholders of Providence Place to clean it up the building, claiming it looked tired and dirty. He also asked if a new tenant was moving into a building near Providence Place. Robyn Bunyan confirmed that a new tenant was moving into the South Rotunda building. Regarding the Providence Place building, she informed that the freeholders were doing some work to change the cladding. She agreed that the building looked tired, and it was worth having a conversation on cleaning the building.

ACTION: Robyn Bunyan to raise discussions on cleaning the building in Providence Place.

Councillor Singh explained that due to some development of a crossing over the A4 Bath Road in Holmanleaze (as part of section 106), the Islamic Trust, which were carrying out some redevelopment of their own, were promised to be allowed to use parking at 10-Pin Bowling. However, he explained, the Trust was excluded from using it due it being predominantly a parking permit-only area, which had caused some concern about parking and congestion. Based on this, Councillor Singh asked if there was anything which Robyn Bunyan could do, such as informing residents in Holmanleaze of alternative parking available or encourage walking and cycling.

Robyn Bunyan responded that she could share maps with the local mosque and the local area to promote the available areas for parking. Regarding the crossing over the A4 Bath Road, she informed that the crossing was still planned but was uncertain of the timings, adding that Ian Brazier-Dubber would be more aware of this.

ACTION: Robyn Bunyan to share available areas for parking in Holmanleaze to the local mosque and local area.

The Chair added that the crossing was still going ahead though he was uncertain of the date.

After Councillor Singh commented on the slow progress of development, Councillor Haseler explained that Council Officers had to follow a process before the designs and the installation of the crossing could take place, namely the payment of Section 106 agreement. He mentioned that these would take place before development started. He also added that he did not know the timeframe. He then stated that there were some parking spaces in Holmanleaze to facilitate mosque attendees alongside Hines Meadow and the underpass of St Clare’s Road.

Councillor Singh then asked about the support for retailers in Nicholson’s Shopping Centre who were struggling and experiencing lose due to the issue with the Broadway car park as well as rents and rates. Robyn Bunyan answered that she had been in contact with businesses in Nicholson’s Shopping Centre and the wider town to promote opportunities for free marketing and support. In addition, businesses were also contacted on business rate reductions and also sharing rateable values so that they were aware of their potential business rates for the forthcoming year. Robyn Bunyan added that the Borough was seeking to be as connected as possible to its businesses.

The Chair asked what the situation was on in-store theft. Robyn Bunyan replied that anti-social behaviour and shop theft was still an issue as it was still being reported but also being under-reported to the police. She added that the Borough was encouraging retailers to report cases of shoplifting.

PCSO Matthew Wingrove, Thames Valley Police, agreed that, while continuously being reported, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour was underreported. He explained that Thames Valley Police were seeking to establish connections with retailer stores through direct engagement and the use of the town radio systems to communicate with them. He also encouraged more reporting of any incidents.

Councillor McWilliams asked about the contrast in figures between the centre of Maidenhead and the highstreets in the south-east. Robyn Bunyan replied that Maidenhead Town Centre highstreets, while receiving visitors, was primarily and consistently used by its local residents. Meanwhile, the south-east had towns where residents dropped in and out.

Councillor McWilliams followed-up by asking if local independence distinguished Maidenhead from neighbouring towns. Robyn Bunyan believed so.

Councillor Jones commented on the lack of reporting on shop theft from local businesses and that shops needed to report on any incidents so that resources could be put in place. Robyn Bunyan stated that police resourcing issues may have discouraged reporting to the police. She reiterated that shop owners needed to report any cases. PCSO Matthew Wingrove reiterated that the police needed to be notified so that they could get an idea of the issues and resolve them. He added that Thames Valley Police had been increasingly hosting ‘Have Your Say’ surgeries and were open to having other public drop-in sessions.