Issue - meetings

To discuss with the Chairman and Lead Officer of the Bracknell Forest Town Centre Theme Partnership its governance, performance management, financial management, and related issues, with reference to the questionnaire sent in advance of the meeting.

The Commission received the report of the Assistant Chief Executive and the questionnaire completed by the Chairman and Lead Officer of the Town Centre Partnership.

The Assistant Chief Executive gave a presentation to the Commission on the Bracknell Town Centre Partnership, whose purpose was to keep the town centre vibrant and alive.  He particularly referred to this partnership being completely separate to the Bracknell Town Centre Regeneration Partnership. 

The partnership was in the early stages of development and new terms of reference would be agreed in November.  The Commission noted the initial director level membership, and that it would in the future be expanded.  Sub groups operated under the partnership to complete the following actions –

• Review the short term improvements to physical fabric
• Review car parking
• Develop business plan
• Assessing viability of housing
• Events and promotions
• Planning application for re-modelling of Princess Square entrance
• Transport/rail/Airtrack

Arising from questions –

• The shops opposite Skimped Hill Health Centre were scheduled for redevelopment.
• Car parking costs – balancing the pricing, in order to take enough income without the cost deterring people coming into the town centre.
• The possibility of the partnership membership being expanded to include elected members and other organisations.  The Commission noted that other people are involved in the partnership through its sub groups.
• The Chairman referred to the success of Bracknell Forest Homes where local residents were involved in the Board right from the beginning.

The Chairman thanked the Assistant Chief Executive for an interesting presentation.