Decision details

The Panel considered the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the Quarterly Service Report (QSR) for the third quarter of 2011/12 (October to December) relating to Environment, Culture and Communities.

The Director of Environment, Culture and Communities gave a presentation in respect of the Environment, Culture and Communities Department’s QSR and Service Plan.

There had been a £500,000 underspend across the budget and some of this had been transferred into the budget for the current year. There had been major budget changes in relation to Street Cleaning, Bracknell Forest Homes and additional works, Highway Maintenance Potholes Grant, Supporting People Handyman Grant and Housing Benefit initial claim.

Major variances in revenue had occurred in relation to the Coroner’s Service, the Safer Roads Partnership (SRP), Edgbarrow and Sandhurst Sports Centres income, Bracknell Leisure Centre and Coral Reef income, cemetery and crematorium income, building control, Joint Strategic Planning Unit (JSPU), concessionary fares, Easthampstead Park Conference Centre (EPCC) income, landscape services, and waste management.

Efficiencies had been made in relation to the SRP but there would be the same enforcement and education. The Edgbarrow and Sandhurst Sports Centres income was still recovering from the fire but promotions were being undertaken, and Coral Reef had an excellent year. There had been a loss of business related income at EPCC but business in relation to weddings was booming with bookings up to two years in advance. Economies had been made in relation to landscape services and legal fees. Bracknell Forest Council would be responsible for surface water drainage, and less waste going to landfill sites had led to savings being made.

There had been good performance in relation to capital finance. Capital schemes now identified for carry forwards were refurbishment works in relation to Bracknell Leisure Centre, the Horse and Groom roundabout capacity improvement scheme, mortgages for low cost home ownership properties, South Hill Park Grounds Restoration Project, Special Protection Area (SPA) Mitigation Strategy, bridge structural maintenance, road maintenance surface treatment, Suitable Alternative Natural Green Spaces (SANGS) enhancement works, enabling more affordable housing, Cash Incentive Scheme, Cemetery and Crematorium Mercury Abatement, Bracknell Forest Council My Home Buy, Waymead Flats refurbishment, and Local Transport Plan (LTP) Integrated Transport Grant.

SANGS enhancement works was a capacity issue and planning was needed in relation to this. More affordable housing had been agreed but was not yet completed; Waymead Flats would be used for affordable housing after refurbishment.

In relation to staffing, the average vacancy factor was 8.5%, and in relation to the sickness rate, the percentage was lower for the quarter and the year end compared to 2010/11.

Key highlights included the roll out of brown bins for garden waste, the consideration of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) by the Executive in June, and legal enforcement and car parking charges at The Look Out. When consulted, 44% of users of The Look Out said this would not change their use of the car park, 28% said they would not visit, and 16% said they would try to find alternative ways of accessing the SPA which was of concern. There was a need to demonstrate to Natural England (NE) that there would be no impact on the SPA. The air quality assessment continued, and the review of bus services was complete and would be considered by the Executive on 22 May.

From 1 April 2012, the Chief Officer: Housing had transferred to the Adult Social Care, Health and Housing Department from Environment, Culture and Communities as Housing Services were now incorporated within that department. Foresters Way would be closed for four days from 30 April 2012, a new Regulatory Services Section would bring more consistencies and efficiencies, and significant land transfers to Parks and Countryside were due to take place in relation to Jennett’s Park, Church Hill House and The Parks developments.

Arising from Members’ questions and comments the following points were made:

• Some households had two or three brown bins but only the brown bins registered would be emptied. The difference in number in relation to households with multiple brown bins was approximately 500.
• The government expected air quality monitoring and after a preliminary assessment, two areas of concern were found. Further work would be undertaken and submitted to the government. The Bracknell area would be enlarged slightly in relation to the area assessed and the Crowthorne area would be slightly reduced and compared over a longer period of time. There would be another statutory process and consultation and then an action plan would be submitted to the government in relation to cost effective solutions but there was no specific time frame for work to be undertaken. The greatest benefit to air quality was changes in technology over time.
• For residents interested in being involved in coppicing and litter picking, further information could be provided via the Ranger office on 01344 354441. Conservation volunteering was linked to the Take Pride initiative and there was further information on the Council’s website at: http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/takepridevolunteering and also http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/countrysideconservation .
• Landscaping and the provision of brown bins were two unrelated areas of spend and leaves on public roads and paths would be dealt with as part of street cleansing. Additional street cleansing sweeps were a possibility if problem areas were identified and reported to the Borough Council but some areas of land would possibly be owned by Bracknell Forest Homes or another land owner. There was a need to identify the owner of the land first.
• Panel Members would be provided with figures in relation to the reduction in waste going to landfill sites. It was felt that this was due to people producing less waste in the current economic climate and not purely because of recycling schemes. New machines were being used for composting where possible instead of sending waste to landfill.
• The CIL would be introduced as soon as was practical. As soon as the levy was set it could be reviewed but would need to run for a period of time to assess it and there was an 18 month to two year process in relation to the consultation to gauge impact.
• Progress against the key action to continue to protect the green belt and avoid coalescence of existing communities involved the use of SANGS and recreational space to maintain open space buffers between communities. However, protection of the green belt created more development pressure elsewhere.

The Chairman thanked everyone involved in work on the QSR.