Issue - meetings

Executive Report

Meeting: 25/04/2018 - Council (Item 58)

58 Executive Report pdf icon PDF 234 KB

To receive the Leader’s report on the work of the Executive since the Council meeting held on 28 February 2018.

 

Council is asked to note the Executive decisions detailed in the report.

 

 

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bettison OBE, presented his report on the work of the Executive since that reported at the Council meeting on 28 February 2018. The Executive had met twice on 13 March and 10 April 2018.

 

The Council noted the Executive decisions detailed in the report. The Leader highlighted the following matters that had been considered:

 

·         The Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area Supplementary Planning Document (SPASPD) – Adoption. The review aimed to consolidate different policies into one document, update and increase SANG costs to remove S106 cross-subsidisation, introduce reduced rates for affordable housing and new SANG capacity with additional income. The public consultation on draft had taken place during January/February and 63 consultation responses were received which resulted in a number of changes.

 

·         The Capital programme for integrated transport 2018/19 had been approved. The programme supports priorities in Local Transport Plan and further Government funding of £3.29m had been secured for the conversion of Downshrie Way to a dual carriageway.

 

·         The Highway Maintenance Works Programme 2018/19 was agreed.

 

·         The Executive agreed that Easthampstead Park Conference Centre (EPCC) be sold to a high quality hotel and conference centre operator. EPCC transferred to Bracknell Forest Council in 1998 and had a history of variety of uses, poor maintenance and limited public access. Although some improvements were made by Bracknell Forest Council the annual losses of around £250k plus £4m backlog of maintenance work made its future unviable. Christie and Co were engaged to test market for hotel/conference centre operator to purchase the facility and four initial bids were received with three best and final offers. Key conditions of the sale would be that all existing booking would be honoured, staff would be transferred under TUPE and there would be no housing. There would be protection in the Draft Local Plan until at least 2034.

 

·         The Council Plan Overview Report (CPOR) noted that the Lexicon now had >8m visitors, there had been an 18% increase in bus usage, 32% reduction in reported shoplifting and 27% reduction in criminal damage.

 

·         The CPOR also reflected that there had been a number of recruitment & retention challenges with staff in demand following the success of the Lexicon and Ofsted and CQC, inspections. Korn Ferry & Penna were providing support to develop a response.

 

·         The Housing Strategy 2018-2036 had been agreed. Its key priorities were supporting the vibrant housing market, increasing % of affordable housing, providing the right homes for vulnerable people, contributing to sustainable communities and using Downshire Homes Ltd to reduce Council costs by providing housing to vulnerable people.

 

In relation to Easthampstead Park Conference Centre the Leader agreed with Councillor Mrs Temperton’s concerns that the building should be restored sympathetically and maintained. He stated that measures were being put in place to prevent the property being sold on quickly or ‘flipped’ but added that as the sale was subject to contract he was unable to give details publically but he was happy to meet with Councillor Mrs Temperton to discuss this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58


 

Contact Information

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Email: committee@bracknell-forest.gov.uk