Issue - meetings

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

The Chairman has asked that any detailed or procedural questions arising from the QSR should be referred to the Director of Environment, Culture and Communities in advance.  Only issues of strategic importance or of wider implications need then be raised at the meeting.

To update the Panel in respect of the latest available departmental performance as reported in the QSR for the first quarter of 2015/16 (April to June 2015) relating to Environment, Culture and Communities.  An overview of the second quarter of 2015/16 will also be provided.

The Director of Environment, Culture and Communities gave a presentation updating the Panel in respect of the latest available departmental performance information as reported in the QSR for the first quarter of 2015/16 (April to June 2015). The presentation featured revenue finance, major variances on revenue, capital finance, carry forward of capital budgets, staffing, key highlights and a forward look.

The Council had negotiated a £150k rate reduction for the Bracknell Forest Leisure Centre and it was expected to reduce the legal fees associated with the waste management contract.

Some capital projects over £50k that were included in this year’s budget would partly take place in the next financial year.

These projects were:

·                     Disabled Facilities Grant

·                     Capitalisation of Highways Work

·                     Maintenance – Street Lighting

·                     Land Drainage

·                     Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace Enhancement Works

·                     Maintenance Car Parks

·                     Town Centre Highways Works

·                     Coral Reef - Refurbishment Works

·                     Coral Reef – Roundabout Signalisation

Members noted that pricing for the leisure centre activities was reviewed annually leading up to the budget setting process after a competitive analysis of similar facilities was undertaken.

The Panel requested that leisure activity price concessions, particularly at the Downshire golf complex, be reviewed.