Minutes:
Mayor’s Announcements
The Mayor welcomed Councillors Mrs Ballin and Miss Wilson back to the Council.
The Mayor had the honour of attending the official opening of the Royal Bracknell Clinic by her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex on 8 February 2012. The new clinic provides non-hospital based chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments for cancer patients.
The Mayor had attended the launch of the Scottish & Southern Energy “New Thames Valley Vision” project on 21 February. The project would radically change the movement of power across the borough and was a significant piece of work.
The Mayor was proud to have attended the celebration of young people’s achievement at the Bracknell Awards for Teenagers (BAFTAs) on 25 February at Edgbarrow Sports Centre.
Six different Bracknell Forest Council projects or individual staff members were recognised at the Bracknell Forest Partnership Commendations Awards which the Mayor attended on 27 February:
· Louise Hopkinson, Children’s Participation Development Officer for her work on implementing the Participation Strategy
Mayor’s Charity Events
The Mayor thanked all those who had attended his charity Masquerade Ball on 11 February as the event had been very successful and he was grateful to local businesses for their generosity.
The Mayor reminded the meeting that he was hosting a buffet for his charity on 19 March at the Tamarind Tree and tickets were available through the Mayor’s PA, Sue Brunt.
Executive Member for Planning, Transport and Economic Development
Councillor Mrs Ballin reported that all departments had efficiently dealt with the impact of the recent snow and ice and that the investment in equipment such as the Salt Barn and snow ploughs had increased the Council’s effectiveness.
Executive Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing
Councillor Birch congratulated Mark Sanders, Development Manager, for his work with ‘Green Machine’ which was a community interest project engaging disabled or disadvantaged people to clear up after major events and recycle what was left behind. Nick Heard MP had written to Councilor Birch to commend the project’s success and he asked the Director to pass on the Council’s thanks to Mark and his team.
Councillor Birch also recognised Jillian Hunt, DAAT Manager, for her team’s work on drug and alcohol treatment as commended by the Secretary of State for Health. The team was one of only nine authorities in the country to be selected to pilot a payment by results scheme. Danielle Ettia, Substance Misuse Officer, was thanked by the Council for her hard work with young people as demonstrated by an email from a parent praising the positive influence of the service.
Executive Member for Culture, Corporate Services and Public Protection
Councillor McCracken was pleased to report that there had been a record number of entries for the primary schools hockey festival.
He was also pleased to advise the Council that 600 children were taking part in the Bracknell Schools Invitation Cross Country Relays at Swinley Forest on 29 February. The event was an example of good partnership working with the Crown Estate.
Councillor McCracken advised the Council that Councillors Brunel-Walker, Ms Hayes and Dudley as Ward Councillors for Crown Wood had encouraged Thames Water to clear the channels leading onto the balancing pond at Savernake Park. The Council had then successfully carried out extensive site improvements including upgrading the car park, installing new furniture and woodland management works.
He also reported that the facility to browse, borrow and read e-books from the Council’s libraries had been launched using three suppliers and that more information could be found on the Council’s website.