To comment on the Cabinet report.

The Lead Member for Maidenhead Regeneration introduced the Cabinet report that sought approval for the construction of a new car park at Vicus Way, Maidenhead, creating 513 permanent car parking spaces for the use by local business, residents and commuters.

The Panel were informed that if approved the report would go to Council and if approved Council a new car park in Maidenhead would be completed by 2020. He added the car park was a central piece in a jigsaw to deliver more parking in the Town Centre of Maidenhead as promised.

The Lead Member informed that on the 26 September 2017 Council agreed a budget of £12,344,600 for the construction of new temporary and permanent parking provision across the Borough in line with the emerging parking plan. Delegated authority was provided to the executive director and Lead Member to finalise the parking plan and carry out procurement for temporary and permanent parking provision.

During the period September 17 to date several options and locations had been explored for the provision of car parking, including exploration on provision of additional permanent car parking, and reduction of the expenditure on

temporary car parking, which did not deliver value for money. The option for permanent car parking provision at Vicus Way, meant the Council could reduce

its planned expenditure on temporary parking, and provide good value for money by investing capital in a permanent public parking solution for the long term benefit of residents, visitors, commuters and businesses, in addition to delivering a financial return to the Council.

The Lead Member stated he expected work to begin in the last quarter of 2018 and for the car park to be completed by January 2020. The project could achieve about 10% savings if it went to open procurement but this would come at the cost of a 12 month delay. A planning application would be submitted for Broadway car park which would follow the completion of Vicus Way car park. Broadway car park and Vicus Way car park would give the Borough substantially more parking in the centre of Maidenhead. He had ensured at no point would there be a reduction in parking during the redevelopment of Maidenhead and the proposals in the report made sure that happened.

The Chairman mentioned that the proposed scheme needed to be of high quality and that he was not in favour of the two story car park being proposed for central Windsor. 

The Lead Member also informed that the report contained as an appendix the risk register and governance arrangements.

Cllr L Evans mentioned that there had been a press release already about the site and asked if a planning application had been submitted.  The Panel were informed that the press release was regarding engaging with the public and that a planning application would be submitted after Council approval of the report.

Cllr Brimacombe raised concern about the proposed governance arrangements shown as they did not confirm to Prince II standards and guidance, he would like to have seen which methodology they were following. Cllr Brimacombe also asked if disabled parking spaces and family spaces would be provided at the correct size.

In response the Panel were informed that there would be DDA compliant spaces and that the project management methodology used was the RIBA Plan of Work which has been the industry standard process for the building design and construction process.  Cllr Brimacombe was still concern about what was being shown especially as there was no tension built into the project methodology shown.  The Panel were informed that a report was due to be presented to the Council’s Audit and Performance Review Panel regarding project management arrangements.

The Chairman asked if we had allowed for future proofing the project fro example an increase in electric cars.  The Panel were informed that there would be a small number of charging points at the start but the infrastructure would allow for this to be expanded upon as and when required.

Cllr Quick mentioned that there were a lot of acronyms in the report that needed a key.

Cllr Brimacombe mentioned that it was important that the consultants consider traffic flow along the road especially at the Homebase exit.

Resolve unanimously: that the Corporate Services O&S Panel considered the Cabinet report and unanimously endorsed the recommendations.  Concern was raised about the project methodology being used but the Panel welcomed the project and felt that it was being undertaken at the right time, in the right place and would help reduce town centre traffic.

(Cllr L Evans left the meeting)