Members considered details of progress that had been made against the Council’s 137 Manifesto Commitments.

 

The Deputy Lead Member explained that 21 (15%) of targets had been met, 113 (83%) were on target and 3 (2%) were unmet. The format of the report had been amended to improve transparency and now included breakdowns by Directorate and Lead Member.

 

The Lead Member for Highways and Transport highlighted that contractors were still out repairing roads as the weather was still suitable. The council would spend £1.65m plus some government grant on repairing roads. He highlighted that the council’s cycle strategy was about to go live. A report on working with utility companies would be discussed later on the agenda.

 

Ollie Grimes (Year 11) asked the following question:

 

‘What plans does the council have to improve the safety of students walking on the paths around our school which we think are dangerously narrow?’

 

The Lead Member responded that although this was a simple question, it did not have a simple answer. Footpaths needed to be flat and a solid continuous surface. The council aimed to repair all problems very quickly, following review by officers or notification of problems by residents. Ward Councillor Yong had told him that the path beside Heathermount was just 76cm wide, however the council did not own any land to enable the path to be widened. Councillor Dr L Evans was a governor at Heathermount and he would speak to her to see if the school would be able to give any land to allow this to happen. There was a 20mph zone around the school; most drivers did obey the limit but a speed survey would be set up to check.

 

Councillor Hilton commented that the Neighbourhood Action Group had worked with Charters pupils a few years previously put put together road safety videos.

 

Hannah Heitplatz (Year 12) asked the following question:

 

‘Please can you tell us where the three new cycle routes will be and what else can the borough do to support the school in its plans to make a safe cycle path from Sunninghill to the school?’

 

The Lead Member commented that the manifesto commitment stated three new paths by April 2017; the council hoped to do more in the next few years. The Ascot town centre and Heatherwood roundabout route would be upgraded, as would the Wells Lane route. Other schemes were being looked at for Heatherwood to the station and Sunninghill via Lynwood. He knew that the Deputy Ranger of the Crown Estate was supportive of people cycling to Windsor. The council also provided cycle training for those aged 11 and over.

 

Hannah Heitplatz commented that alternative routes were needed, particularly as the school grew. An additional benefit of cycling was the health and wellbeing of pupils.

 

A local resident in attendance commented that he had written to the council several times about excessive speed on the narrow Charters Road. To enable more cycling, the primary issue was to reduce the speed of vehicles. The council only had a few speed monitors and therefore they were only located in one place for a few days. The 20mph limit was only when the lights were flashing.

 

The Chairman requested that a report be brought to Cabinet to address the issues of speed in the area and pedestrian and cycle access.

 

The Lead Member for Planning explained that a business case was being developed for an additional enforcement officer, an issue the council took very seriously. The Borough Local Plan was being developed with a focus on protecting the Green Belt and the character and amenity of urban areas.

 

Emily Buist (Year 11) and Elyse Airey (Year 9) asked the following question:

 

‘We think it is really important that the community has a multi-sports centre at Charters which the whole community can use. How will the council support us in achieving this aim?’

 

The Lead Member commented that the council recognised the importance of leisure and community facilities in the borough; they were detailed in the Borough Local Plan. The Lead Member for Culture and Communities commented that the council supported that existing leisure centre; it had recently invested £300,000 in new changing facilities and a fully equipped gym. She was working with officers to see what else could be provided. The Chairman commented that as the council realised the land assets it held, it would ensure some of the money came to the south of the borough.

 

The Principal Member for Neighbourhood Planning, Ascot and the Sunnings commented that she was Ward Councillor for the area and a governor at Charters School. She highlighted that more volunteers had been found to help keep Ascot police station open for longer. This would be reviewed in October 2016. A roundabout was currently being designed for the London Road/Brockhurst Road crossroads.

 

Claudia Logan and Ben Miller (Year 7) asked the following question:

 

‘Please can you tell us more about the plans for Christmas lights? Are there plans for a Christmas tree?’

 

The Principal Member confirmed that more lights were planned for the south of the borough. A tree was a very good idea. She hoped there would be one put up in Sunningdale, but she would need to discuss with the landowner and the parish council. She would also look at options for Sunninghill and South Ascot. The Deputy Lead Member for Ascot Regeneration commented that as a member of the parish council, he would ensure the issue was put on the agenda for the next meeting.

 

Anni Syrjanen (Year 10) commented that her question had already been covered, therefore she asked how students walking along Dry arch Road could be protected?

 

The Principal Member agreed that the road was narrow. She would look into options including a bollard or pedestrian light. The Chairman suggested this was another issue that could be addressed by the proposed report to Cabinet.

 

The Lead Member for Culture and Communities commented that she had 20 targets; 2 were met and 18 were on target. She highlighted that the council had recently bought Thriftwood Farm for conversion to an open space for residents. Plans for a new garden in honour of Sir Nicholas Winton were being implemented in Maidenhead. A public arts scheme for the Heatherwood roundabout was being consulted on. A new fountain had been installed at Clarence Road.

 

Angel Thomas (Year 12) asked the following question:

 

‘How do you envisage the volunteering matching scheme to work? What opportunities are there for young people to get involved?’

 

The Lead Member stated that volunteers played a very important role in the borough. The council was working with charities and other volunteering groups to get them to register on the borough website to publicise volunteering opportunities. Businesses could also register and volunteer their staff to help in the community. Opportunities for young people included police cadets, Mencap, Sportsable, Scouts, libraries and museums. However, she appreciated a lot more could be done to expand the scheme.

 

David Butler and Hugo Webster (Year 9) asked the following question:

 

‘We recycle as best we can at school but we think we can do better. How can the council help our school community to do more?’

 

The Lead Member for Customer and Business Services responded on behalf of the Lead Member for Environmental Services. He would be happy to send the council’s Waste Recycling Marketing Officer into the school and offer advice. It would also be possible to help establish recycling champions who could share information on borough-wide initiatives.

 

The Lead Member for Children’s Services explained that when the manifesto had been created the intention had been to reward individual teachers, however feedback from schools had been that it would be better to recognise groups or teams rather than individuals. The council was working with schools to redesign the scheme. It had been recognised that the proposal to start a service for volunteers at school would not add any value as the WAM Get Involved database already existed. Therefore information would be sent to schools to link them with local volunteers. The commitment relating to the attainment gap for poor pupils was unmet as, although there was lots of activity, progress could not be evidenced until January 2017.

 

Beth Kelly and Kat Murtagh (Year 10) asked the following question:

 

‘When can we expect the mental health first aid courses to start at Charters and what will it involve?’

 

The Lead Member responded that a two day course had been developed but feedback from schools was that it was difficult to release staff for two whole days. Therefore a modular version of the course was being developed. The Lead Member for Finance thanked the pupils for raising such an important issue. He himself suffered from mental health issues and deeply regretted that the other 20% of the population that suffered did not feel as confident as he did in making such a declaration. Mental health needed to be addressed in an open and honest way to ensure it was better understood.

 

Richard Williams (Year 13) asked the following question:

 

‘What effect would ‘satellite grammars’ have on the funding and quality of my education?’

 

The Lead Member explained that the borough had been looking at the option of a satellite grammar in light of the fact that over 700 pupils crossed the borough border to go to a grammar school each day. It would not happen overnight, but the council was committed to working with all schools to ensure pupils received an excellent education. Parental and pupil preference was very important, and a grammar school would increase choice. She did not believe the argument that selective education lessened education elsewhere. The council was looking at all options as, given the change in government policy, a satellite grammar was not the only option. School funding followed the pupil therefore this aspect would not be affected.

 

Richard Williams asked whether it was not possible that the council would just add greater choice for those who were not disadvantaged and less choice for those who were disadvantaged?

 

The Lead Member explained that the borough wanted to ensure fairness for all and would not promote a system that disadvantaged those who could not afford extra tuition. The Chairman commented that the council had committed £200,000 to exploring a satellite grammar school. Of this, only £5000 had been spent therefore the remainder would be put back in. The DfE was now looking at broader opportunities to reintroduce selective education. As an administration, it had no interest in selective education only for those who could afford tuition. The DfE consultation also considered how those pupils just above the free school meals level could be identified.

 

The Lead Member for Adult Services and Health highlighted the commitment to maintain relationships with the NHS and Clinical Commissioning Groups to ensure access to local health services. He had earlier that day been discussing potential for new GP sites at Heatherwood hospital.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Cabinet:

i) Notes the progress in delivering the Council Manifesto Commitments