Agenda

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 2 March 2005.

Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interest, and the nature of that interest, in respect of any matters to be considered at this meeting.

To receive the Leader’s report on the work of the Executive since the Council meeting held on 2 March 2005.

(i)         Scheme of Delegation to Officers

(ii)        Amendment to Structure of Decision Reports

To consider the reports of the Constitution Review Group.

Questions to the Executive Member for Education by Councillor Brunel-Walker.

Can the Executive Member for Education answer the following questions which have been raised with me by my constituents?

1.         What percentages of primary and secondary school pupils take a school lunch currently?

2.         When was the current contract list last tendered and what criteria did the LEA require the contract to work to, in order to reach acceptable nutritional levels?

3.         What safeguards have the LEA in place to ensure that these standards are met?

4.         A recent survey by the Soil Association published in The Guardian newspaper and reported in the local press indicated that Bracknell Forest had the second lowest take up of school meals in the country.  What do we know of this survey and do we have any explanation for its apparent outcome?

Question to the Executive Member for Social Services and Housing by Councillor Earwicker.

“What discussions have taken place with the voluntary and healthcare sectors concerning the provision of adult day care centre services in Bracknell Forest since the closure of Johnstone Court last year?  Under what circumstances would the Council be willing to allow the voluntary sector to provide a day care centre facility at Johnstone Court?

Question to the Executive Member for Public and Environmental Services and Parish Liaison by Councillor Piasecki

“What actions do we have planned to reduce the damage to grass verges which is being caused by anti-social parking?”

Motion 3/2005 submitted by Councillors Mrs Ballin and Leake

“This Council calls for the abolition of SEERA and the return of its statutory and other powers, including housing allocations, to local authorities, which are best placed to assess, determine and champion the interests and needs of local people.”

Motion 4/2005 submitted by Councillors Ward and McLean

“This Council urges HM Government to review, as a matter of urgency, the current disparity in the funding of school places which sees pupils in Bracknell Forest disadvantaged in comparison to those in other areas.  Examples of this are Slough Borough which receives £18,000 per primary class more than Bracknell Forest, Nottingham which receives £14,000 more per class and Newham which receives £35,000 per class.”

Motion 5/2005 submitted by Councillors Mrs Shillcock and Beadsley

“The Council has failed to diversify the services to support independent living and reduce the risk of social isolation for its older residents, as it undertook in its justification for the closure of Johnstone Court, and now commits itself to do the necessary research and to develop appropriate new services to match the undertakings it gave.”