Issue - meetings

To consider the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the QSR for the third quarter of 2013/14 (October to December 2013) relating to Environment, Culture and Communities.  An overview of the fourth quarter of 2013/14 will also be provided.

Please bring the previously circulated Quarterly Service Report to the meeting.  The QSR is attached to this agenda if viewed online.

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 2013/14 (October to December) relating to Environment, Culture and Communities (ECC).

Major variances in revenue had occurred in areas including The Look Out/Coral Reef Car Parking Income, Cemetery and Crematorium Income, Concessionary Fares, Planning Policy Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), Landscape Services, Development Control Income, Planning Policy Strategic Planning, and Departmental Running Expenses.

Capital schemes identified for carry forwards included: Replace Existing Combined Heat and Power Units, Disabled Facilities Grant, Linking Confirm to the Corporate Electronic Records and Document Management System – Smart Office, Skimped Hill/Market Street Accessibility Improvements Town Centre to Peel Centre, Town Centre Transport Capital Works Programme, Safer Routes to School, Upgrade Leisure Management System, Shoulder of Mutton junction roadworks, and Section 106 Parks and Open Spaces Improvements.

Key highlights included:  

• Twin Bridges;
• Economic Development;
• Town Centre;
• Procurement of Public Realm;
• e+ Smartcard was being upgraded and developed as pre-paid debit card in conjunction with the Adult Social Care, Health and Housing department;
• Bracknell Leisure Centre and Coral Reef awarded Customer Service Excellence ;
• For the fourth consecutive year Bracknell multi storey car parks had been awarded the Park Mark;
• Blue Mountain.

Forward Look included:

• Town Centre Regeneration continued;
• Public Realm contracts were due to be awarded by the end of March;
• 30th Anniversary Bracknell Half Marathon in April;
• Budgets;
• Adoption of the (CIL);
• Twin Bridges: work would progress to the northern side of the junction;
• Residents parking next step was to be agreed;
• Blue Mountain;
• Edgbarrow Sports Centre/Bracknell Leisure Centre artificial pitches.

The town centre capital works programme was on schedule, and sickness amongst staff had reduced compared to the previous year. The Chairman congratulated the team on their hard work.

In response to Members’ questions, the following points were made:

• It was the first time that test purchases had been undertaken for gambling and further details would be provided to Members. It was confirmed that this information would be considered by the Licensing and Safety Committee as well.
• There was a need to prioritise resources and so lighter fuel, fireworks and glue were unlikely to undergo similar test purchases at present. There was a current focus on alcohol sales and test purchases needed to be intelligence led and have the consent of court.
• Steps were being taken to recruit to a vacant enforcement officer post and the aim was for a quicker response to smaller concerns. The amount of enforcement work was increasing and officers were dealing with the backlog.
• The prosecution procedure was lengthy and officers were pursuing the process with the person charged with fly-tipping.
• Measures were being put into place to record compliments as well as complaints. This would need to be fed into the system and was being built up at present.