Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 17 September 2014.

Annexed to the minutes for information, is a letter of response from the Chief Executive Officer at Heathrow Airport responding to the Council’s recent concerns around the lack of consultation around the flight path trials over the Borough.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 17 September 2014 be approved and signed by the Deputy Mayor as a correct record.

Any Member with a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest or an Affected Interest in a matter should withdraw from the meeting when the matter is under consideration and should notify the Democratic Services Officer in attendance that they are withdrawing as they have such an interest. If the Interest is not entered on the register of Members interests the Monitoring Officer must be notified of the interest within 28 days.

There were no declarations of interest.

Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund

The Deputy Mayor announced that for the remainder of the municipal year he would be pleased to continue to support and raise funds for the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund that Councillor Alan Kendall had so tirelessly supported during his time as Mayor.

Executive Member for Culture, Corporate Services & Public Protection

Councillor McCracken was pleased to announce that the Council’s customer portal had been set up as part of the Customer Contact Strategy and had been live since October 2014. The portal enabled residents to log enquiries and to chart the progress of their queries by logging into the portal. 1250 people had used the portal over the last two months, indicating the success of this work.

Councillor McCracken was pleased to announce that 28 primary and junior schools had participated in tag rugby which had taken place at the Great Hollands Recreation Ground. This included 300 children participating in 80 games. The Executive Member congratulated Whitegrove Primary School for winning the final of the games. 

Councillor McCracken was pleased to announce that in a recent publication Bracknell Forest was listed in the top ten for sporting and fitness activity. This was clear to see with the many opportunities available across the borough including the success of Bracknell hockey clubs, Bracknell Forest runners membership which had almost doubled to 300 adult members and the excellent mountain bike trails available.

Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Health & Housing

Councillor Birch was pleased to announce that the Council had achieved national recognition for the extra care work carried out for vulnerable groups. The Prime Minister’s Office had carried out a parliamentary review of care and had chosen Bracknell Forest to celebrate the work undertaken in this service area. The borough had featured among the top ten nationally for its performance in this area. Councillor Birch reported that this was recognition of the excellent work of staff and officers and he extended his thanks to all staff involved in this service area.

Executive Member for Children, Young People & Learning

Councillor Dr Barnard was pleased to announce that there had been a royal visit to the borough in the preceding week by the Duke of Gloucester, Prince Richard to formally open the newly built part of Crown Wood School. The royal visit had been a huge success and Prince Richard had congratulated the Council on the quality of the environment at Crown Wood School.

Councillor Dr Barnard was pleased to announce that this year’s School’s Carol Concert on 7 December 2014 would be dedicated to Councillor Alan Kendall as recognition of his dedication and contribution to music and all proceeds would go to the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund.

Executive Member for Planning & Transport

CouncillorTurrell was pleased to announce that Berkshire Youth who managed the Wayz Youth Centre had made a special award to Liz Hassock, Youth Support Manager for her outstanding work for the community in working with them on youth provision.

CouncillorTurrell was pleased to announce  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

To receive the Leader’s report on the work of the Executive since the Council meeting held on 17 September 2014.

Council is asked to resolve a recommendation in respect of:

• Polling Districts and Polling Places

The Executive will be meeting on 18 November 2014, if any matters arise at that meeting which require a decision by Council, a supplementary report will be circulated.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bettison, presented his report on the work of the Executive since that reported at the Council meeting on 17 September 2014. The Executive had met three times on 23 September 2014, 21 October 2014 and 18 November 2014.

The Leader highlighted the following matters that had been considered:

·         Community Hubs, five new community hubs were planned before 2026. It was intended that the community hubs would be managed by town and parish councils.

·         Polling District and Polling Places Review, No changes were proposed for 31 out of the 33 polling districts and the Council was recommended to create two new polling districts.

·         Local Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report:

-          Key areas last year included the: Child Sexual Exploitation (CES) Strategy, Children’s Society Survey of more than 2000 children/young people and a conference on neglect with Frank Field MP.

-          The focus for 2014/15 included further development of CSE protection and support, early intervention framework, domestic abuse, reducing the impact of substance and alcohol misuse in children and young people, reducing impact of parental mental illness on children and understanding harm associated with misuse of technology.  

·         Binfield Learning Village and Community Facilities, since 2003 more than 5000 new school places had been created however additional capacity in the north of the borough was still essential. The Blue Mountain proposals would deliver a nursery, a two form entry primary school, a seven form entry secondary school and special educational needs provision. This would amount to 1,851 additional places.

·         Customer Contact Strategy 2011-2014: progress over the last three years included improved online access to libraries, increased numbers of school admission applications being completed online, the Digital Inclusion Project, an automated telephony service and a redesigned Benefits and Housing Service.

·         Other significant issues considered by the Executive included:

-          Office Accommodation Strategy

-          Enforcement Policy

-          Amendment to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) Policy

-          Roles and responsibilities of the Director of Children’s Services and Lead Member clarified.

-          Business and Enterprise Work Plan

-          Complaints Procedure

-          Corporate Performance

Councillor Mrs Temperton asked for clarification regarding the cost to parents of the Kidz Saturday and holiday schemes, as the report in the agenda papers was unclear on page 18. In addition, Councillor Mrs Temperton asked if the John Nike holiday scheme would no longer be supported by Aiming High, as this scheme was being reduced by half.

Councillor Dr Barnard confirmed that the cost to parents for the Kidz Saturday and holiday scheme would be rising from £12 to £20 and that the John Nike holiday scheme would no longer be supported by the Aiming High programme. These changes had been made following consultation with parents and carers and the options chosen were supported by parent and carers as well as providers. 

Councillor Mrs Temperton asked that given that this respite offered a lifeline to families with disabled children in particular and was vital, could the funding not be found from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

To establish an Appointment Committee to recruit to the post of Borough Solicitor from June 2015.

The Council considered a report regarding the establishment of an Appointment Committee to appoint to the position of Borough Solicitor.

On the proposition of Councillor McCracken, Executive Member for Culture, Corporate Services and Public Protection seconded by Councillor Birch it was RESOLVED that the tabled revised recommendations be approved:

i)                    That a Committee of the Council of five members (4:1), including at least one Member of the Executive (plus up to two substitute members per group) be appointed, with the following terms of reference:

“To interview and appoint on behalf of the Council to the post of Borough Solicitor”

ii)                  that Councillors Leake, McCracken, McLean, Mrs Temperton and Thompson be confirmed as the nominated members

iii)                that Councillors Ms Brown, Heydon and Ms Miller be confirmed as the substitute members.

To approve the proposed Schedule of Meetings 2015/16.

The Council considered a report seeking approval of the revised Schedule of Meetings for 2015/16 tabled at the meeting. 

On the proposition of Councillor McCracken, Executive Member for Culture, Corporate Services and Public Protection seconded by Councillor Birch it was RESOLVED that the tabled Schedule of Meetings for 2015/16 be approved.

(i)         By Councillor Ms Brown to Councillor Brunel-Walker, Executive Member for         Economic Development and Regeneration

Now that Fenwick have finally signed to be the second anchor store in Bracknell Town’s regeneration, can the Council give the residents their much requested  definitive time scale  of month and year for the following:-

1.      Start of building M&S, Fenwick and other shops

2.      Completion of this build and opening of the shops

3.      Start of rebuild of Charles’ Square

4.      Completion of this rebuild and opening of the  shops

5.      Demolition of  the 3M building

6.      Completion of the rebuild of its replacement flats and shops

7.      Completion of the bus station renovation

8.      Demolition of Coopers Hill

9.      Rebuild of the Youth Hub and flats

10.  Opening of this central Youth facility promised 2 years ago?

(ii)        By Councillor Mrs Temperton to Councillor Dr Barnard, Executive Member for      Children, Young People & Learning

            Evidence shows that there will again be pressures on the budget from the need to support an increased number of children taken into care.

‘Homestart’ is a local organisation that trains volunteers to work with vulnerable families in their homes; providing support, building confidence and resilience; helping to prevent family crises and breakdown. At this time last year, it was proposed that the budget to ‘Homestart’ be cut by £20,000, a 1/3^rd of their budget. In the actual budget this cut was ‘reprieved for just one year to allow a review of funding’. I trust the Council will again recognise that supporting ‘Homestart’s’ early intervention is an investment to save a lot of money.

Can we be assured there will be no cut in ‘Homestart’s’ funding in the 2015/2016 budget?

(iii)               By Councillor Mrs Temperton to Councillor Dr Barnard, Executive Member for Children, Young People & Learning

Piloting the web-based “Mindfull” programme in two secondary schools was a welcome recognition of the urgent need for counselling, to support young people’s mental well-being.

In light of the collapse of this programme and before another such is commissioned, what extra support is being offered to our young people in the interim?

(i)                  Councillor Ms Brown asked Councillor Brunel-Walker, Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration the following published question:

Now that Fenwick have finally signed to be the second anchor store in Bracknell Town’s regeneration, can the Council give the residents their much requested definitive time scale of month and year for the following:-

1.      Start of building M&S, Fenwick and other shops

2.      Completion of this build and opening of the shops

3.      Start of rebuild of Charles’ Square

4.      Completion of this rebuild and opening of the shops

5.      Demolition of the 3M building

6.      Completion of the rebuild of its replacement flats and shops

7.      Completion of the bus station renovation

8.      Demolition of Coopers Hill

9.      Rebuild of the Youth Hub and flats

10.  Opening of this central Youth facility promised 2 years ago?

In response to part 1-7 of the question, Councillor Brunel-Walker stated that as a multi-million pound project, the regeneration remained hugely complicated and everybody working on the scheme was eager to make progress as quickly as possible. The Council continued to play a pivotal role in enabling the regeneration to happen although, ultimately, very substantial financial investment (£200m for the next phase) would be made by development partners, the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership. The decision on timing would ultimately be theirs and it simply was not possible to give a “definitive” timetable.

Councillor Brunel-Walker stated that having said that, the very significant landmark of securing Fenwick of Bond Street as an anchor for the scheme meant that June/July 2015 should see the start of construction work for the Northern Retail Quarter West, which would include the new Fenwick, Marks and Spencer and other shops and restaurants, together with the new Cineworld multiscreen cinema.  The redevelopment of Charles Square would start a little later but be coordinated as part of the same construction programme, which should all be completed in September 2017, ready for opening at Christmas 2017.

In response to a supplementary question from Councillor Ms Brown, Councillor Brunel-Walker confirmed that the refurbishment of the bus station would take place in early spring next year.

In response to part 8-10 of the question, Councillor Dr Barnard stated that the Coopers Hill Scheme would come forward over the next few months.  The Council was working with a local housing provider to secure new youth accommodation which it was planned would include a theatre, dance studio, technology suites, cafe and a number of flexible spaces. This was still at the proposal stage so it was too early to give any definite dates. Outline plans for the construction of this town centre facility for young people and 123 affordable housing one and two bedroomed flats had been produced. A report was due to be presented to the Executive in January 2015.

In response to a supplementary question from Councillor Ms Brown regarding the finalisation of the plans for the youth facility, Councillor Dr Barnard stated that it was not possible to give a definitive timescale, it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.