Agenda item

To receive the Leader’s report on the work of the Executive since the Council meeting held on 18 January 2017.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bettison, presented his report on the work of the Executive since that reported at the Council meeting on 18 January 2017. The Executive had met twice on 24 January and 14 February 2017.

The Leader highlighted the following things which had been considered:

·         Procurement plan for outsourcing of Bracknell Sports & Leisure Centre, Coral Reef and Downshire Golf Course as part of the Leisure Services Transformation Project had been agreed. Either all three sites would be offered as a package or Downshire Golf Course would be offered separately from a combined package of the other two sites.

·         One Public Estate pan Berkshire governance had been agreed.

·         It had been agreed to develop a business case for jointly commissioned Elderly Mental Infirm Care Home with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and the Clinical Commissioning Group.

·         The Executive gave approval to pursue the making of a non-immediate Article 4 Direction to remove the permitted development rights in Bracknell Western; Eastern and Southern Business Areas. This responded to concerns of major employers at potential changes to the nature of key business areas but the implementation of the change had been delayed by one year to avoid potential compensation claims.

·         A new Learning and Improvement Strategy had been agreed which gave a “harder edge” to improvement work with schools and had been welcomed by schools.

·         The School capacity and places plan had been agreed which outlined how the Council was going to respond to 20% and 27% increases in the primary and secondary aged population within the borough.

·         The Executive agreed High Needs Block Funding arrangements.

·         A Council Tax exemption would be granted to Care Leavers aged 18-21 as an important statement of the Council’s role as corporate parent.

·         The Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2017 – 2020 had been agreed.

·         A consultation on the charging options for care and support at home had been agreed. There was a strong preventative focus to the charging proposals which included developing a role for Forestcare to offer a paid for “pop in”  when needed as opposed to “live in“ care. It was acknowledged that a gap in night time in-home support could increase the likelihood of residential or hospital care.

In response to a query about the Learning Improvement Strategy Framework Councillor Dr Barnard responded that although there would be a wider consultation, the authority was clear about how it would fulfil its statutory duties. The Framework showed a clear change to intent and achieving wider buy-in would take time but it had been developed with Head Teachers and explained the stages of intervention when a school’s performance caused concern.

In response to a query on the anticipated cuts to High Needs Funding and how this would be consulted upon Councillor Dr Barnard responded that the changes would affect all schools and specialist providers in the area. It was proposed for young people with additional needs to be supported within the borough and discussions would involve all schools, Kennel Lane School, College Hall as well as out of area providers and additional resource centres. The Schools Forum was only one part of the consultation.