Residents are invited to make suggestions on agenda items for future forum meetings and ask any questions.

Wilma, a resident, asked whether certain parking spaces could be allocated for electric vehicle (EV) charging points, explaining that there were few electric charging points in Windsor and some vehicles park in EV bays.

While highways and parking were outside of her remit, Councillor K. Davies informed that the Borough was keen to establish more electric charging points as there was a high level of electric car users. She informed Wilma that there were electric charging bays under York House which were available on weekends. She suggested that information regarding EV charging bays could be fed back to the Forum at the next meeting.

Donald, a resident, raised a couple of points. Firstly, he highlighted that there were rats in Alexandra Gardens and that he had been reported to the Borough; but after some inspection, they informed that they could not do much about it. Councillor Wilson informed that Councillor Devon Davies was handling the issue and that it was tricky issue to resolve. The Chair suggested to take the question. Paul Roach said that he could add this to his list issues around Windsor.

Donald then suggested an agenda item on the strategy for high-speed broadband in the centre of Windsor.

Donald then asked if the Borough had any control over the aesthetics on the NatWest Bank. Paul Roach replied that the display of country flags does not require planning permission, while flags with any branding on them did require permission or advertisement consistency. He also informed that there was no legislation which forced private individuals and properties to look after their publicly-displayed aesthetic. He added that he could chat to the landlord of NatWest to see if they could either remove the particular flag or replace.

On the subject of flags, Councillor Tisi raised that some residents were concerned of the lack of a flag flying above the Guildhall. She mentioned that she would chasing up with facilities to see if this could be done.

John Webb requested an agenda item on digital strategy, such as broadband and 5G. The Chair suggested that this could be brought up at an Overview and Scrutiny panel as well as see if it could be added to a future agenda.

Nigel Griffin, a resident, requested an item on tree management, elaborating that there been trees which had been cut down or dying at Bachelor’s Lane.

Claire Milne asked a couple of questions. She asked Councillor Wilson for an update on the situation with the walkway which had been tarmacked without planning permission between Alma Road and Vansittart Road. Councillor Wilson replied that he had followed up with the Planning Enforcement Team around two weeks ago and that they were investigating this, but they were still trying to communicate with the landowners. He stated that he would follow this up on any update.

Claire Milne then informed that there was a consultation happening at the moment with the new owners/developers of some office and residential building works on Alma Road, adding that there were some concerns on the density and height of the planned infrastructure. She asked if the Borough had a height strategy for buildings in Windsor and whether the next Forum meeting could feed into a more formal sense from the balance of the process. Councillor Knowles, who was not part of the Planning panel, informed that there was a draft policy on tall buildings which was on track in being adopted.

John Bowden highlighted that Victoria Street car park had been going through some resurfacing. He mentioned that he had asked the Lead (Cabinet) Member on whether there would be a structural survey of Victoria Street as it was showing signs of damage and that it would impactful if the car park was closed down. From this, he suggested an agenda item covering this. Councillor Tisi informed that in late-2022 that the Parking Team was commissioned to investigate multi-storey car parks to ensure there were no issues and that there was a programme of works being undertaken on Hines Meadow in Maidenhead and Victoria Street.

Anil Singh requested that Vision for Windsor to be included in the next meeting’s agenda, namely including the final vision and its current status. The Chair replied that the Forum would be seeking to add Vision for Windsor in the agenda in September 2023. He also informed that Anil Singh could access the RBWM Together website where he could find some information on the Vision for Windsor.

Councillor Da Costa suggested an item on RBWM’s response to Heathrow’s consultation on noise disturbance from aircraft. He then suggested that certain items could be set at different meetings over the year, such as annually covering planning consultation, local youth services, transport issues, the library, leisure and the environment as well as inviting the police at every meeting. The Chair replied that she wanted to include a variety of topics and that the topics should be based on resident requests.

Councillor Davies suggested an item on informing residents on the role and powers of parish and town councils on the grounds that the unparished areas of Windsor had not experienced this. The Chair agreed to the idea, particularly due to the objective of establishing a Windsor Town Council.

Councillor Knowles informed that the Windsor Festival would begin on 14^th September 2023 until October 2023 and tickets would be on sale very soon.

Councillor Wilson conveyed some questions on behalf of a couple of residents. They asked if the road at Adelaide Square could be made into a one-way street and commented that many roads in Windsor were too narrow for two cars to pass by each other. They wondered whether it would be beneficial to have an extensive one-way system around the Town Centre and suggested that this could be a topic of discussion.

Councillor Da Costa reiterated his request for an action to investigate grants available from central government had been noted and whether they could be allocated to Windsor Town Forum. Laurence Ellis responded that he would investigate this.

Item suggestions:

·       Vision for Windsor,

·       Digital strategy and broadband in Windsor,

·       Tree management,

·       Victoria Street car park,

·       RBWM’s response to Heathrow’s consultation on noise disturbance from aircraft

·       Grass cutting with an officer in attendance,

·       Powers and responsibilities of parish and town councils,

·       Streets and traffic in Windsor,

·       Agenda items which Councillor W. Da Costa suggested could be brought to the meetings annually or regularly:

o   Regulatory: Planning consultation, local youth services, transport issues, the library, leisure and the environment,

o   Every meeting: police update