Issue - meetings

To receive the Leader’s report on the work of the Executive since the Council meeting held on 24 April 2019.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bettison, presented his report on the work of the Executive since that reported at the Council meeting on 24 April 2019. The Executive had met once since the last Council meeting on 18 June 2019.

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

•        The Member induction programme was being delivered to help support newly elected members to become effective in their role.

•        Preparations for developing the Council Plan 2019 – 2023 were underway. The Council Plan would translate the Conservative manifesto into deliverable plans. These would be considered by the Executive in October and then Council in November.

•        Bracknell Town continued to celebrate its 70^th Birthday.

•        Overview & Scrutiny Task and Finish Group report regarding ‘Improving the experience and outcomes of Pupil Premium children’ had been discussed. 12 recommendations were all agreed.

•        A Procurement plan was agreed for Horseshoe Lake Country Park. Concerns over traffic issues were acknowledged and would be addressed as part of planning application process.

•        Two property sales had been completed:

•        Commercial Unit, Waterside Park

•        Winkfield Manor (with Silva Homes)

Councillor Temperton asked whether the sale of land at Winkfield Manor could be sold as part of a joint interest venture rather than just selling it. Councillor Heydon replied that it was too small for such a scheme.

Councillor Parker asked how the Executive was planning to engage with organisations such as Sandhurst Residents’ Association on their concerns regarding the implementation of a new Country Park at Horseshoe Lake. Councillor Bettison OBE replied that he had also become aware at a meeting attended with the Sandhurst Residents’ Association that they would like to meet to discuss this further. He stated that it would be more productive to create a working group including their representatives to look at their specific concerns so that the Council could respond accordingly and the rationale of why the Council needed to do something could be explained.