To consider the above report

Members considered the results of the borough-wide and geographic area Participatory Budget consultation. 2048 responses had been received in total; 766 on paper and 1282 online. This compared to 1743 responses in 2015/16; 707 on paper and 1036 online.

As in previous years the budget was £100,000 for borough wide schemes, £50,000 for Maidenhead, £50,000 for Windsor and £25,000 for Ascot and the Sunnings.

As in recent years, the borough wide consultation showed that resident would like the council to focus the funding towards roads and pavement repairs. This issue had come top in the three area consultations as well.

The Lead Member for Culture and Communities suggested that a significant proportion of funding in the borough-wide consultation be allocated to highway issues to allow for the area consultation funding to focus on specific local community schemes.  The Lead Member for Planning commented that the borough already spent a significant amount of money on road and pavement repairs. He questioned whether residents were fully aware of this when responding to the consultation and suggested that the format of questions being asked in future surveys should be reviewed. The Chairman noted the comments of Members but highlighted that funding should be allocated in line with the results of the consultation.

It was confirmed that the list of topics was generated by a pre-consultation with parish councils, councillors and stakeholders.  The final survey was issued with council tax bills and was also promoted via a press release, the website, Twitter and Facebook.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That:

i)             Borough wide consultation:

·         £35,000 be allocated to road and pavement repairs

·         £15,000 be allocated to facilities/activities for older people

·         £10,000 be allocated to traffic congestion reduction

·         £7,000 be allocated to facilities/activities for young people

·         £10,000 be allocated to improved facilities for cyclists

·         £6,000 be allocated to street cleaning and litter removal

·         £10,000 be allocated to improved parking for residents

·         £6,000 be allocated to tree and flower bed planting throughout the borough

In relation to the Ascot and the Sunnings consultation, the Principal Member for Neighbourhood Planning, Ascot and the Sunnings, and Communications commented that additional formal paths and board walks in Allen’s Field, Ascot would be dealt with by the SANG, which received funding from developers.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That:

ii)            Ascot and The Sunnings

·         £13,000 be allocated to road and pavement repairs

·         £6,000 be allocated to skate park in Broomhall Recreation Ground

·         £6,000 be allocated to events in Ascot and the Sunnings

The Principal Member for Neighbourhood Planning, Ascot and the Sunnings, and Communications left the meeting at 5.28pm.

In relation to the Maidenhead consultation, it was noted that the community noticeboards in Furze Platt would be covered by Member Participatory Budgets.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That:

iii)           Maidenhead consultation:

·         £20,000 be allocated to road and pavement repairs

·         £15,000 be allocated to Maidenhead Waterways

·         £9,000 be allocated to monthly independent craft market

·         £2,000 be allocated to Summer of sport

·         £2,000 be allocated to summer of arts and entertainment

·         £2,000 be allocated to improved parking at Littlewick Green Village Hall and Cox Green Scout Hut

iv)          Windsor consultation:

·         £20,000 be allocated to road and pavement repairs

·         £15,000 be allocated to Holy Trinity Garrison and Parish Church Community Gardens

·         £10,000 be allocated to Events in Windsor – including Baths Island movies, Windsor night light trail

·         £5,000 be allocated to structural work at Eton Wick Animal Sanctuary