To receive updates on the following matters arising:

4.1 Maidenhead Town Centre Regeneration - Kirandeep Hunjan                                      

4.2 St Marks/Courthouse Road junction - Cllr Hollingsworth

4.3 Guildhall Access - Lynne Penn

4.4 Nicholsons Car Park - Neil Walter

4.5 Local Access Forum - Lisa Hughes

4.6 Outsourcing of Childrens and Adults Services – author TBC

4.1 Maidenhead Town Centre Regeneration - Kirandeep Hunjan

Kirandeep Hunjan, Regeneration Manager, gave a presentation on the Maidenhead Town Centre Regeneration, presentation attached.

Points discussed by Forum Members included:

·         The Chairman enquired what the proposal for the Nicolson’s car park was and was advised that it would be knocked down and rebuilt with more flow from the train station through to the high street.

·         The Chairman enquired how the car parking would be managed whilst the car park was being built and was informed that the Regeneration team were working very closely with the Parking team and many options were being considered.

·         John Norris, ShopMobility, asked what the plans were for ShopMobility. Discussions were being had with ShopMobility about moving back to Nicolson’s car park or finding a new location. Further discussions were required.

·         The Chairman highlighted that parking was an important issue and there was already a problem in Maidenhead. The Chairman requested that consideration must be given to disabled car parking spaces.

·         Sharon Carrigan asked if the Magnet Leisure Centre would remain open until the new leisure centre was built and up and running. It was confirmed that it would be.

·         Councillor Love asked about new accommodation and new car parking spaces. How and where are an additional 5000/6000 spaces going to be created. The teams were discussing this with the developers and asking them to provide provision for parking for own flats and/or public parking. Alternative sites were being looked at too. Both short term and long term parking being looked at as well as a number of projects, all simultaneously.

·         Dominic Manley highlighted that current parking spaces were not big enough for the average cars anymore so that could reduce the number of spaces.

·         The football ground in Maidenhead was discussed.

4.2 St Marks/Courthouse Road junction - Cllr Hollingsworth

Councillor Hollingsworth informed the Forum that the scheme was included in the current year’s capital programme, but only as a ‘Reserve Scheme’. A ‘Reserve Scheme’ means that it would only be delivered if the agreed schemes in the programme proved not to be feasible or could not be delivered for one reason or another. It looks as though the Council were going to deliver the agreed schemes this year, so the Council would need to secure funding for the scheme for next financial year.  

Although a capital bid for funding for the scheme in 2017/18 had been submitted, it had not yet been agreed.

The Chairman highlighted that as the Access Advisory Forum, they would agree with Councillor Hollingsworth and support that a traffic light is installed instead of a roundabout.

4.3 Guildhall Access - Lynne Penn

Lynne Penn informed Members that options were still being investigated in putting a toilet on the first floor along with access. Julia White was now leading on this project.

ACTION: Julia White to attend next meeting to give update.

4.4 Nicholsons Car Park - Neil Walter

Neil Walter, Parking Principal, informed the Forum that a new system had been installed in the car park in March 2016. There were a number of teething problems. There was plenty of signage in place. The Chairman suggested that a barrier be placed for exit from ShopMobility and on exit, it be automatic. John Norris from ShopMobility thought this was a great idea and would prevent an accident which was waiting to happen. This would be looked into and completed in the New Year. Lisa Hughes was concerned that a number of abled body drivers were going into the ShopMobility office and yelling at staff thinking they were council staff. John Norris confirmed that this was occurring regularly.

ACTION: Neil Walter to action additional barrier in Nicolson’s car park.

Lisa Hughes highlighted the blue badge user issues when using the Nicolson’s car park. The barrier would sometimes allow entry and not exit, sometimes only allow exit and sometimes neither. The help button call was never answered. Other blue badge holders were experiencing similar issues. As a blue badge holder, registration had taken place. Lisa Hughes had complaint on 14 October and had still received no response except an automated reply.

Neil Walters advised that 1500 registered users entered the car park and there were relatively low number of problems. The helpline was manned between 7.30am and 7.00pm everyday offering a support role and being the first port of call. It was an external remote company with six people working on our system. Neil Walter was no aware of the complaint but would look into it and respond. Neil Walter informed Forum Members that further changes to the system were planned in the next few months. If staff were approached on site, they can manually operate systems to allow entry, exit, registration and a number of other tasks.

ACTION: Neil Walter to look into Lisa Hughes complaint.

4.5 Local Access Forum - Lisa Hughes

Lisa Hughes attended the Local Access Forum. The East Berkshire Ramblers are carrying a survey of public pathways. Lisa Hughes asked if additional questions could be included and they were keen to add questions and walk together with Lisa Hughes. The width of the restricted access points were discussed. Lisa Hughes asked the Forum for their thoughts and ideas over the next couple of weeks.

ACTION: Forum Members to send any thoughts and ideas to Lisa Hughes by Friday 30 December 2016.

4.6 Outsourcing of Children’s and Adults Services

Lynne Penn, Transport and Access Team Leader, gave a brief update on the outsourcing of Children’s services, Adult services and Highways. Everything was still in progress and would be more firmed up in the New Year. Therefore this item was deferred to the next meeting.