Agenda

To receive any declarations of interest in any matters on the agenda for the meeting.

To receive the Leader’s report on the work of the Executive since the Council meeting on 4 December 2002.

Notice has been received of the following questions submitted on behalf of the Bracknell Forest Coalition on Charging.

Questions to the Executive Member for Social and Health Care Services and Housing

1.         In its Guidance on Fairer Charging, published in February 2002, the Government asked local authorities to consult on and approve their new charging policies by October 2002 in order to give sufficient time for implementing the very considerable changes contained therein.   Please could you tell us why Bracknell Forest has yet to approve its new policy and is not set to do so until March 2003, despite this policy being a major change, and having significant impact on the Councils budget?

2.         The Voluntary Sector Compact has a code of good practice for communication and consultation which says that partners will ensure that when consultation takes place, the outcome is able to influence decisions.   As a partner to the compact, can you describe how you have followed this code in the case of the clear feedback from service users in the consultation on fairer charging and the development of that policy?

Notice has been received of the following questions to Members of the Executive

By Councillor Glasson to the Executive Member for Social and Health Care Services and Housing

Having withheld the results of last year’s consultation on service charges for some three months, how does he now hope to provide for any kind of adequate discussion on the outcome of the consultation, and of the policy which must flow from it, when the policy must be agreed by the Executive and implemented by the 1st April?

By Councillor Fawcett to the Executive Member for Public & Environmental Services and Parish Liaison

In the light of Councillor Mills’ expressed concern about the inadequacy of the bus services from Bracknell to Heatherwood and Wexham Park, would he please indicate what steps he has taken with officers and within the executive to improve the situation?

By Councillor Adams to the Executive Member for Public & Environmental Services and Parish Liaison

How will Bracknell Forest Borough Council achieve the Government target of 18% recycled household waste by April 2003?

By Councillor Jones to the Executive Member for Planning & Transportation

The CPA Improvement Plan calls for a quality partnership, with our local transport provider, to be instituted by March 2003.  Could the portfolio holder for Planning and Transportation inform the Council on the progress that has been made towards meeting this target?

By Councillor Piasecki to the Executive Member for Planning & Transportation

The CPA Improvement Plan calls for a development of Travel Plans within the Council and amongst businesses in the Borough. Could the portfolio holder for Planning and Transportation inform the Council which businesses are currently actively involved with the Council in achieving this objective?

By Councillor McCormack to the Leader of the Council

In accordance with current legislation, what opportunities do residents have to make their views known on the Council’s proposed spending plans for 2003/04?

Motion 1/2003 submitted by Councillors Jones and Adams

That this Council has failed the residents of the Borough in its inability to secure adequate central government funding for its Local Transport Plan.