Issue - meetings

To receive the Leader’s report on the work of the Executive since the Council meeting held on 25 April 2018.

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 25 April 2018. The Executive had met twice on 8 May and 12 June 2018.

The Leader highlighted the following matters that had been considered:

Within the Transformation Programme:

·         Planning & Building Control Transformation Review

o   New strategic vision was agreed based on improved timeliness of decision making, maximising web service and contact centre for lower level enquiries

o   There would be a dedicated S106 resource

o   The increased Special Protection Area (SPA) facilitation fees had been agreed previously. 

·         Parks & Countryside

o   Feasibility work being undertaken around creation of Horseshoe Lake Country Park

o   Potential for biomass burner for green waste

o   Increased charge for SPA mitigation

Council Structure & Performance Management:

• New management structure was agreed and endorsed by Employment Committee on 2 July. Pay ranges have been linked to 25^th and 50^th percentile of Korn Ferry public and not for profit sector database.
• Enhanced performance management arrangements were agreed by Employment Committee.

Major projects:

• Considered potential of joint venture partnership approach for Council owned sites. 
• £2.448m capital investment in Bracknell Sports & Leisure Centre was recommended and agreed by Council on 23 May.

Key strategies:

• Re3 Waste Strategy 2018 – 2020 was endorsed which incorporated local collection recycling targets.
• Central/East Berkshire Draft Mineral & Waste Local Plan is a joint plan with Reading, Royal Borough Windsor & Maidenhead and Wokingham. The draft plan was agreed for consultation and had limited local impact as Planners Farm was the only site put forward. An eight week consultation was planned.

Councillor Mrs Temperton asked whether the joint venture partnership approach was in relation to retail, commercial or residential homes. Councillor Bettison OBE replied that this was open ended as some sites would suit more than one solution. He explained that the aim was to create a list of sites and then invite interested parties to submit proposals forward to see how the Council could benefit.