Agenda item

To receive the Leader’s report on the work of the Executive since the Council meeting held on 26 April 2017.

The Council is asked to resolve a recommendation in respect of:

·         the release of £20m capital funding in 2017/18 from the indicative 2018/19 Capital Programme in order to accelerate delivery of the Council's agreed Commercial Property Investment Strategy

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bettison OBE, presented his report on the work of the Executive since that reported at the Council meeting on 26 April 2017. The Executive had met three times on 9 May, 6 June and 12 July 2017.

The Leader highlighted the following matters that had been considered:

• The Residents’ Survey had sampled 1800 residents which reflected the demographics of the Borough within an of accuracy ± 3%. 90% of respondents were satisfied with the local area as place to live and 96% agreed that people from different backgrounds get on. 68% of respondents were satisfied with the way Bracknell Forest Council runs things and 62% agreed that the Council provided value for money. The highest satisfaction levels were reported for parks, open space, countryside, waste and recycling, leisure, sports and arts facilities. The Leader noted that many respondents felt they were unable to influence decisions.

·         The Citizen & Customer Contact “Plan” phase had been agreed as part of the Transformation programme. An integration of all access channels moving to digital where possible would be part of the key-enabling programme to facilitate digitalisation of services.  The Council would promote self-reliance but those in most need would be identified.

·         The Commercial Property Investment Strategy was on track to deliver £3M income by 2019/20. The Executive was proposing that £20M be released from 2018/19 capital programme to accelerate delivery of the programme.

·         Plans for community based intermediate care service had been agreed. The Bridgewell Centre would focus on intermediate care teams providing range of home centred medical and social care support.

·         Approval was given for offers to be sought from registered social landlords to develop purpose built accommodation for 10 residents with learning disabilities at The Lodge, Stoney Road. This would be more convenient local provision for clients, carers, families and would provide anticipated revenue savings of approximately £150k p.a.

·         The Community Based Support Service tender had been awarded to provide domiciliary care with five providers (reduced from eighteen). The new model would create greater capacity and resilience and require providers to work with the voluntary sector. Providers were incentivised to reduce requirements for support.

·         A two year contract was agreed for 0 – 19 Public Health nursing service covering Health Visiting and School Nursing.

·         A contract was agreed for 35 self-contained units in Holly House for a 15 year lease for young single homeless people. This would generate an annual saving of £70k.

·         Special meeting of the Executive agreed block contracts to provide up to twenty residential care places. This was considered an important way of maintaining affordability as demand currently exceeded supply.

·         The Community Safety Partnership Plan 2017-18 was agreed. The Plan’s priorities were:

·         The Overview & Scrutiny Commission had held a positive meeting as the Crime & Disorder Committee on 6 July 2017.

·         The issues and options public consultation had been agreed for the Joint Central & Eastern Berkshire Minerals & Waste Local Plan which was being developed for four councils.

·         It was agreed not to provide Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspaces (SANG) for large Prior Approval schemes beyond defined settlements. This protected the implementation of agreed Site Allocations Local Plan & Comprehensive Local Plan.

·         The Bracknell Town Centre new Marks and Spencer store would have a soft opening on 27 July with the main Lexicon opening on 7 September. Coral Reef was due to be opened later in September. 

Councillor Mrs Temperton stated that there had been an excellent response to the Residents’ Survey which was well done and provided excellent feedback to each Councillor about their ward. In response to her query about whether Councillors would be involved in proposals to remedy the position that people do not feel able to influence decision making Councillor Bettison OBE concurred that Councillors were best placed to understand what it was like to live in the borough and that this work would be done with elected Members.

On the proposition of Councillor Heydon, Executive Member for Transformation and Finance, seconded by Councillor Virgo, it was

RESOLVED that £20 million capital funding be released in 2017/18 from the indicative 2018/19 Capital Programme in order to accelerate delivery of the Council's agreed Commercial Property Investment Strategy.