Agenda item

Including presentations from Martin Taylor from Redwood Technologies, and Rose Dalton from Relay for Life.

Mayoral Business Forum

The Mayor was proud to report that on 18 November he had hosted a successful Business Breakfast with speakers including Tony Pidgley of Berkley Homes, Martin Taylor of Redwood Technologies and Victor Nicholls, Assistant Chief Executive and Councillor Brunel-Walker. The event had raised £2k for his nominated charity, St. Sebastian’s Trust and was a fantastic networking event for all those who attended. 

Redwood Technologies Group Ltd

The Mayor welcomed Martin Taylor, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Redwood Technologies to provide background about the company being awarded the Queen’s award for innovation. Martin Taylor explained the growth of their business based at various locations within Bracknell. He described the basis of their business, its application and the scope of its applications used by its customers. In response to a question he confirmed that the company worked with local schools and the Peter Jones Enterprise to encourage students and to provide work experience. He confirmed in response to a question that part of their organisation had managed television telephone voting such as Pop Idol and Strictly Come Dancing but now supported selected Charity events such as Sports Relief in 2010 and interesting projects such as election surveys.

Relay for Life

The Mayor welcomed Rose Dalton, Chair of Ascot Relay for Life which had been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service this year. She explained to those present that it was an annual fundraising event held over a weekend which was a 24 hour team walking event to help fund finding a cure for cancer. The event had been running for ten years and had raised £122k from the 2016 event. They were aiming to reach their £1 million mark in 2017 and 28 teams had already registered for the event scheduled for 22 July 2017 at the Windsor Enclosure, Ascot Racecourse.

Local Democracy Events

The Mayor advised the meeting that he had attended 8 schools to promote local democracy and had participated in a number of different events with young people designed to get them talking about democracy. He was pleased to announce that there were more dates in the diary.

Executive Member for Culture, Corporate Services and Public Protection

Councillor McCracken was pleased to announce that 28 primary and junior schools had participated in tag rugby event and he congratulated Ascot Heath Junior School for winning the final of the games. 

Councillor McCracken advised the meeting that the Bracknell Half Marathon, which had run for 33 years, had secured three years of sponsorship from Lexicon.

Councillor McCracken asked everyone present to join him in congratulating two of the Corporate Services staff who had been shortlisted for awards recognizing their hard work and commitment in their fields. Donald Adams, Assistant Solicitor, had been shortlisted for Litigation Lawyer of the Year. Sarah Kingston’s team, Revenue Services, was shortlisted for the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation Most Improved Team of the year and were recognised for their improvements in collection, staff development and customer experience. Both teams were against much larger teams and the Members present acknowledged their achievement.

Councillor McCracken was proud to announce that Justin Whitlock, Enhanced IOM Case Manager, had received the John Latham Domestic Abuse Award from Thames Valley Police for his work combatting Domestic Violence and the work he had done to develop a programme called ‘Plain talking’ which provided 121 relationship support. The meeting joined Councillor McCracken in congratulating him on this recognition.

Talent within the Borough

The Mayor was pleased to announce that he had been impressed by Rob Onditi, a pupil at Garth Hill College who sang at a recent engagement and showed exceptional singing talent.

Executive Member for Planning and Transport

CouncillorTurrell reported that work would be starting during the week commencing 12 December at Bracknell Train Station until April 2017. The works would provide additional ticket machines, toilet facilities and a waiting area. He thanked Stuart Jefferies, Transport Strategy & Implementation Manager, for all his work with South East Trains.

CouncillorTurrell also reported that a National Highways & Transport Network public satisfaction survey had shown improved satisfaction with the road network including provision of cycle routes, speed control measures and road safety improvements to the A322 and A329 corridor. He recorded his thanks to the teams who have contributed to the improvements and in particular Antony Radford-Foley, Head of Highway Asset Management and Neil Mathews, Head of Transport Development.

Cinderella at South Hill Park

The Mayor encouraged everyone to attend the South Hill Park Pantomime, Cinderella, which was having its first show that evening.

Charity Meal

The Mayor encouraged colleagues to purchase tickets for his charity Burns Night meal which would be taking place on 10 February 2017 at Stirrups Country House Hotel in aid of his nominated charity St. Sebastian’s Trust.