To consider the above report

Members considered 17 capital schemes within the proposed 2018-19 budget that the council was seeking to bring forward into 2017-18 in order to start carrying out the improvement works in 2017-18.

Councillor Bicknell stated that this was probably the most important paper to bring to Full Council for approval because it was driven by the announcement on 27 November 2017 by Prince Harry that he intended to get married in Windsor in May 2018. He acknowledged the small amount of notice for the report but it was important that Windsor town looked at its very best. The town was used to state visits and Royal Horse Shows but the wedding was happening in St Georges chapel within the castle. Windsor received over 7 million visitors a year who spent nearly half a billion pounds, which in turn resulted in about 10,000 jobs. This was impressively 13% of all jobs in the borough. Prince Harry would marry Meghan Markle, an American citizen born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Americans loved a big occasion and he was sure many thousands would travel to be part of the history being made.

The report was asking for 17 capital scheme bids to be brought forward, which covered three lead member portfolios. They had been scrutinised and all scrutiny comments had been incorporated. If the recommendations were approved the much needed improvements could start in January 2018, not only for the main TV shots up and down Thames Street and Castle Hill, but the surrounding parks and adjacent street scenes. The total spend was £2.6 million of which just over £1 million was funded from external sources. The cost of borrowing for bringing the schemes forward was about £70,000. He believed this was a price worth paying to help make the world class town continue being a ?must-visit? destination for many more years to come.

Councillor Dudley stated that the council wanted to ensure Windsor was a town fit for a prince and a princess. When the council had heard that the wedding would be in Windsor, it was suggested works should be accelerated to  ensure the town looked as good as possible. It would also be important to ensure that works were not being undertaken at the time of the wedding.  Councillor Dudley requested the wrap around York House be improved to be more attractive and include the borough logo. 

Councillor Beer referred to the proposal for safety checks on play equipment and questioned why this was not already done on a yearly basis. Councillor S Rayner stated that she fully supported the proposals; the wedding gave the opportunity to show Windsor to the world.  She confirmed safety checks were performed each year, it was just that the checks were being brought forward.

Councillor Dudley confirmed that the council was working with Thames Valley Police on the hostile vehicle mitigation measures, it was hoped that the replacements could be accelerated before the wedding to be more aesthetically pleasing.

Councillor E. Wilson commented that the £2.6m was not just for the wedding, but would also provide improvements that would last for years and would benefit residents and business as well. He referred to the need for improved litter facilities in the town centre, particularly for the day of the wedding. He would speak to the new Lead Member about this issue.

It was proposed by Councillor Bicknell and seconded by Councillor Dudley, and:

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Councilnotes the report and:

i)     Approves the bringing forward and approval of £2,600,000 of capital expenditure from the proposed 2018-19 budget to 2017-18;

ii)    Delegates authority to the Executive Director in conjunction with the Lead Member for Highways, Transport and Windsor to carry out the improvement works.

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