Issue - meetings

To receive the Leader’s report on the work of the Executive since the Council meeting held on 22 February 2023.

Council is asked to resolve a recommendation in respect of:

·       Local Authority Housing Fund

·       Joint Venture Business Plan Review

The Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Birch, presented the report on the work

of the Executive since that reported at the Council meeting on 22 February 2023. The

Executive had met once on the 21 March 2023.

The Deputy Leader highlighted the following matters that had been considered:

Planning and Transport | Proposed Main Modifications to the Bracknell Forest Local Plan

·       The making of Proposed Main Modifications to the Bracknell Forest Local Plan (Pre Submission version), and associated changes to the Policies Map had been agreed.

·       The Executive Director: Place, Planning and Regeneration, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Transport, was authorised to agree the draft wording.

·       The Proposed Main Modifications to the Bracknell Forest Local Plan would be consulted on for a period of at least six weeks over the Summer of 2023.

Planning and Transport | Highways and Transport Capital Programme 2023/24

·       The overall Highways and Transport Capital Programme for 2023/24 had been approved.

·       The Highways and Transport Capital Programme for 2023/24 totalled £4.55m.

·       Over 75% of funding was derived from external sources.

·       The programme included further DfT funding for electric vehicle charging provision following a successful bid.

·       An increase in core capital contribution to £1.2m in 2023/24 had been included for road maintenance.

·       Developer contributions via S106 agreements and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) supplemented the programme along with a local contribution from Borough Capital.

Planning and Transport | SANG capacity agreements between Bracknell Forest Council and Surrey Heath Borough Council

·       An agreement with Surrey Heath Borough Council (SHBC) had been agreed for land at Shepherd Meadows to serve as further Sustainable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG).

·       The Council would receive financial contributions at rates in line with the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area Supplementary Planning Document.

·       This would support the continued maintenance and enhancement of the SANG.

Children, Young People & Learning | School Places Plan & Capital Strategy 2023-2028

·       The School Places Plan and Capacity Strategy 2023-2028 had been approved.

·       This would be published in April 2023.

·       The Council had a statutory duty to provide sufficient school places and an agreed vision.

·       Headteachers and Further Education providers had been consulted on what planning for school places should look like.

Children, Young People & Learning | Household Support Fund (Phase four)

·       The Household Support Fund (phase four) would be distributed through: 

·       Purchasing supermarket vouchers, or for opted schools to make equivalent arrangements. Households would receive a £15 voucher per child per week of the holidays.

·       Purchasing pre-paid cards or supermarket vouchers to distribute to low income households.

·       Enhancing the Local Welfare Scheme provision.

·       Providing application-based grants to the voluntary, community and faith sector organisations to provide direct support to residents.

Council Strategy & Community Cohesion | Council Plan Overview Report

·       The Executive noted the performance of the council over the period from October to December 2022 highlighted in the Overview Report.

Council Strategy & Community Cohesion | Service Plans 2023

·       The Executive endorsed the new service plans and agreed that they be published on the website in April  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52