Agenda item

Bracknell Camera Club 

The Mayor advised that she had attended the Bracknell Camera Club for a prize giving event and thanked Jeff Lawrence, Chair and the team for providing the resource for friendship and improving camera skills.     

Tree Planting 

In honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the Queen’s Green Canopy project the Mayor joined the Leader of the Council, Councillor Bettison OBE, the Chief Executive, Timothy Wheadon and the Lexicon team to plant a wild cherry tree in Bond Square.

Sandhurst Town Council Civic Service

The Mayor attended the Mayor of Sandhurst, Councillor Mrs Davenport’s civic service on Sunday 27 February. The event was followed by the Community Awards ceremony honouring local residents for their voluntary service.       

Mayor's Challenge - Mum and Baby Group

The Mayor completed the challenge to read and sing at a mum and toddler group in Great Hollands on 28 February and thanked Councillor Temperton for supporting her ‘Challenge the Mayor’ initiative.

Queens Award for Voluntary Service

The Mayor attended the event in Newbury honouring voluntary groups across Berkshire being considered for The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The Mayor observed that the Queen’s Award is considered to be the highest award given to volunteer groups, that to be nominated is a considerable achievement and congratulated all the groups being considered.      

Meet the Mayor for new citizens

During the pandemic citizenship ceremonies had been held virtually. A series of ‘Meet the Mayor’ events had been held at South Hill Park to enable new citizens to have photographs with the Mayor in full regalia and to share their journeys and aspirations for the future.

Ground-breaking for new Binfield Community and Health Hub

The Mayor was pleased to report that she had attended the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Binfield Community and Health Hub on 18 March. The development of a double-height hall, multi-use meeting and activity space including General Practice consultation and examination rooms and minor procedures room was being built at the heart of the Blue Mountain site. 

Deputy Mayor events

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Gbadebo had attended the English Language Café end of term celebration at Open Learning Centre. The Mayor thanked all the volunteers and organisers for the resource which helped with language skills for many nationalities.

The Deputy Mayor had also attended the Bracknell and Wokingham Police Cadet Awards Ceremony and the performance of Shrek at South Hill Park.

Pride of Bracknell

The Pride of Bracknell Forest Awards took place at Wellington College on Friday 1 April. Homestart had won the Gold award for Charity of the Year and the Mayor thanked everyone who had been nominated.

  
50 years of Crowthorne Good Neighbours

The Mayor had attended the celebration to recognise the 50^th birthday of Crowthorne Good Neighbours which not only provided transport to medical appointments but gave residents support and friendship.

 
Forest Springs

The Mayor reflected that the unique initiatives within the town centre were valuable to local businesses, residents and maintained the town’s profile. The Forest Springs event over Easter including an interactive digital art installation, water themed attractions and exhibits in the town centre had proven popular.

New High Sheriff

The Mayor was pleased to attend the swearing in of the new High Sheriff, Alka Kharbanda who had chosen two themes for her year of office: Education and Hidden Heroes. The Mayor thanked the previous High Sheriff, Willie Harley Russell, for everything he brought to the role, his hard work and achievements.     

Welcoming visitors from Ukraine

Both the Mayor and the Leader, Councillor Bettison OBE reflected that they had been pleased to see the overwhelmingly positive response from Bracknell Forest residents to support those affected by the war in Ukraine. The Leader would add further information as part of his executive report.

Executive Member for Children, Young People and Learning

Councillor Dr Barnard was proud to announce that 97.3% of schools within Bracknell Forest were rated good or better by Ofsted which was a significant improvement for the school leadership team. He paid tribute to the hard work going on within schools for the last two years.

Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing

Councillor Birch was pleased to report that on 28 March the doors of Heathlands were opened to admit people for re-enablement services to support their return home after being in hospital. This work was joined up with health colleagues who went into people’s homes to makes sure they remained safe. He stated that Heathlands was a key element of an integrated care system for people with health and care issues. He advised that Frimley began taking in patients with dementia, on the same day, and were up to ten patients at the moment with another three or four being admitted by the end of the week. He noted that within the next week or two they would have utilised all their beds. He congratulated and thanked everyone involved in getting this initiative to this point.

Councillor Birch concluded by advising that Heatherwood Hospital also opened on 28 March. The new elective planned care hospital was a £100 million project with six operating theatres with day surgery facilities with a commitment towards reducing backlogs in waiting lists. 

Executive Member for Environment

Councillor Mrs Hayes advised the meeting that the Council had been recognised at the National Energy Efficiency Awards which were designed to reward individuals and organisations that demonstrate commitment to energy and efficiency. Bracknell Forest Council had achieved a Special Commendation and Hazel Hill, Energy Sustainability Officer achieved 3^rd place for her role in energy efficiency, recognising the council had achieved an average of Band C across all our properties. The Mayor asked everyone to join her in congratulating her for the award.