To discuss the arrangements being put in place for the Royal Wedding.

http://rbwm.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s17331/Windsor%20Improvement%20programme.pdf

The Chairman stated that the capital programme of works that were planned for Windsor Town Centre had been brought forward to be completed in time for the Royal Wedding. Andrew Scott, Civic Team Manager, explained the civic team were working with partners following the announcement of the wedding in December 2017. So far, only the time of the wedding and the procession route had been revealed and so arrangements were in their infancy at that point. In order to make sure visitors were looked after, the team had been working with rail companies to ensure there were enough train carriages and more trains running during the event. Temporary car parks were to be introduced to help with parking and the team would manage people along the route so that they were in a safe environment. The Civic Manager added he was working with the police to ensure the day ran smoothly and was also working with neighbouring authorities to ensure all traffic was managed.

Councillor Bowden stated he noticed scaffolding was being erected in the Town and hoped it would be removed in time for the wedding. The Civic Team Manager said he would ask contractors to move the scaffolding but, he suspected it was being erected ahead of the weeding to make the local buildings look their best come the big day. The Chairman explained to the Forum that the York House site would be appropriately covered in time for the wedding and the local residents would have some involvement as to how that covering should look. The Chairman said letters would be sent out to residents that lived along the procession route.

Susie Shearer stated there were a number of key buildings that required repairs to stone work such as the Guildhall. The Chairman responded the capital programme of works had been carried forward to carry out repair works to the Guildhall.

In response to questions regarding the removal of anti-vehicular attack barriers in Sheet Street, the Civic Team Manager confirmed he had raised the removal of barriers with the police and the military.

Councillor E. Wilson stated he looked at the £2.6m investment of capital spending and said to Full Council it was a lot of work to undertake in a very short space of time. But, the improvements would benefit the Town and not just for the wedding. It was a very big list of capital works so he wanted to know how that was being communicated to residents and who was managing all of the works. Councillor Bicknell stated it was a very fluid picture as there was so much to do. The commissioning team were working on the programme day and night to get it all completed on time. Some manufacturing dates would not be met in time for the wedding deadline such as the anti-vehicular attack barriers; but, new tarmac was being laid through the procession route and the pavements on the High Street and Peascod Street were due to be completed in time. Councillor Bicknell added the Town Manager should publish a report  on the Borough’s website communicating progress of the works. Marjory, a local resident stated Peascod Street had been in need of repair for years and it was disappointing that the only reason it was being repaired now was because of the weeding. The Chairman responded that those repairs were on the list of capital works due to take place in 2018 but, that due to the weeding, they were brought forward. Councillor Bicknell added that the repairs were relating to the grouting between the cobbles; the Town Centre would be on TV for millions to see, the Council was selling Windsor to the world and wanted to make residents proud to be Windsorians.

Councillor Bowden requested to reduce the weight limit of vehicles using Peascod Street as that was the reason for the cobbles and paving being in a state of disrepair. Councillor Bicknell stated there were issues with large vehicles but, a lot of the shops received deliveries through their front doors and so drivers could stop on the Street. He suggested seeing if officers could tighten the rules up for drivers stopping on the street.

Councillor E. Wilson said improvements would last beyond the Royal wedding and asked for an update on the Old Court refurbishment. The Head of Communities, Enforcement & Partnerships confirmed work was ongoing and he would provide an update at the next Forum meeting.

Local resident, Michael, stated the cleanliness of the Town Centre needed improving. He stated there were often bad smells from garbage trucks and rubbish bags being left outside shops. Susie Shearer also mentioned that Charles Street underwent improvements but the railings were removed, she said it would be lovely to replace them with flower boxes instead. Councillor Bicknell said he would talk to officers about instating some flower boxes along Charles Street.

The Town Manager said one of the things the Town Partnership Boards looked at was how the Town looked and felt. It was really important the Town looked right and he had been talking to key businesses about making the shopfronts look better. A review of planting had been carried out and as a result of that, hanging baskets were to be put up in time for May so that Windsor could be in full bloom. Councillor Bicknell stated he was surprised to hear there was detritus on the streets of the Town Centre as Windsor had won awards for its cleanliness. Contracts for street cleaning had just been changed so, if there was any leftover rubbish, he wanted to know about it. The Town Manager said part of the review he had carried out covered deep cleaning. The cleaning of the streets was programmed in and would happen when it was requested. Local residents stated they felt Windsor was known as clean but, it could be improved if the main streets were washed every now and again. Councillor Bicknell confirmed the Street Care Team could be called in by the Town Manager when required.

v  Action – The Civic Team Manager and Chairman to liaise with the neighbours residing in York Terrace and Regents Court as to how the covering of York House should look.

v  Action – The Head of Communities, Enforcement & Partnerships to provide an update on The Old Court at the

v  Action – Councillor Bicknell to talk to officers to see if flower boxes could be installed where the railings were along Charles Street.