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22/04/2008 - Council - Agenda

TO: EVERY MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF WINDSOR & MAIDENHEAD

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED TO ATTEND the Meeting of the Council of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead to be held in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall, Maidenhead, on Tuesday 22 April 2008 at 7.30 pm for the purpose of transacting the business specified in the Agenda set out hereunder.

A G E N D A

PART I

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

To receive any apologies for absence.

2. COUNCIL MINUTES

To receive the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 26 February 2008.

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

To receive declarations of interests in respect of any item to be considered at this meeting.

4. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS (see report at foot of the page)

5. PETITIONS - To receive any petitions presented by Members on behalf of registered electors for the Borough under Rule A.10. Councillor Beer has given notice of two petitions, the first urgently requests the Royal Borough/First Group to reinstate the '43' bus service along Burfield Road/St Luke's Road, Old Windsor, and the second one urgently requests that the Royal Borough authorisies a village wide traffic survey in Old Windsor with a subsequent action plan to alleviate problems in the village with particular emphasis on the A308, St Peter's Road, Church Road intersection.

Councillor Mrs Howes has also given notice of a petition.

6. A NEW LOCAL AREA AGREEMENT - To consider the recommendation of Cabinet in relation to the above (see report and appendices at foot of the page)

7. COUNCIL BUDGET - AREA-BASED GRANTS AND EARMARKED RESERVES - To consider the recommendation of Cabinet in relation to the above (see report and appendices at foot of the page)

8. MEMBERS' QUESTIONS - To receive Questions submitted under Rule 11.2:

a) Question submitted by Councillor Fido to Councillor Burbage, Leader of the Council:

At the Council meeting on 26 February in the Budget for 2008/09 report, it was stated a number of vacant posts had been deleted. Exactly how many posts to-date have been affected since this administration took office, (a) by deletion, and (b) by existing or proposed remuneration costs?

b) Question submitted by Councillor Fido to Councillor Rayner, Lead Member for Highways, Transport and Environment:

The residents of Clewer North Ward, which is located in Windsor, would like to know exactly how they benefit from the much vaunted Residents Parking Scheme in their town as it would now appear they are classed as visitors to their town centre?

c) Question submitted by Councillor Mrs Proctor to Councillor Story, Lead Member for Adult Services:

Will the Lead Member for Adult Services now give Members some definite news about plans to reprovide the Brunel Day Centre on the Boyne Grove site?

d) Question submitted by Councillor Mrs Proctor to Councillor Story, Lead Member for Adult Services:

Now that the Lead Member has met with the Alzheimers Society has the administration got plans to provide a day centre for people suffering from dementia?

e) Question submitted by Councillor Beer to Councillor Rayner, Lead Member for Highways, Transport and Environment:

Has the Steering Group of the Thames Flood Forum failed to ensure the continuance of that body, which has been so valuable in protecting the interests of those threatened by flooding?

f) Question submitted by Councillor Beer to Councillor Mrs Bateson, Lead Member for Community Partnerships and Consultation:

Borough Officers encouraged community volunteers to seek EU "Tick Tock" funding for their organisations in recognition of their work, but despite requests none has been paid. What is going on?

g) Question submitted by Councillor Rayner to Councillor Burbage, Leader of the Council:

Please could the Leader answer the question how many of the manifesto commitments the Conservative Group have met in their first year in Office?

9. MOTIONS ON NOTICE - To consider the following Motions submitted under Rule A.12:-

i) By Councillor Mrs Napier - "This Council notes that the Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation TRust is reviewing provision of mental health care at St Mark's Hospital in Maidenhead. This Council reslves to oppose any downgrade in services that would detrimentally affect our community."

ii) By Councillor Mrs Newbound - "This Council notes the Secretary of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform is encouraging the Post Office to engage with local Authorities or community groups that wish to step in and fund some continuing post office provision. This Council therefore resolves to investigate the possibilities this opens to preserve the Borough's post offices."

iii) By Councillor Holness - "This Council supports the Public Sector (Energy Performance) Bill that was introduced into Parliament with cross-party support on 5 December 2007 This Bill gives legal force to the Government's commitment to procure only buildings in the top quartile of energy performance. This Council resolves to contact its local MPs asking them to support the Bill when it comes to its second reading on April 25."

iv) By Councillor Mrs Knight - "That this Council notes the consultation on the closure of South Ascot Post Office by Post Office Limited; further notes the importance of this Post Office, especially for elderly residents, demands that Post Office Limited keep this branch open; And requests the Leader of the Council write to the Managing Director of Post Office Limited expressing the Council's opposition to this closure."

v) By Councillor Meadowcroft - "That this Council notes the report on 28 February 2008 by the 'Drudge Report' exposing operational information about the deployment of British troops; further nptes that the Army feared this information would endangers the lives of personnel based in the Royal Borough; Demands an immediate apology from the websites editor Matt Drudge for endangering the lives of our residents; And Requests that the Mayor of Windsor and Maidenhead write to Mr Drudge demanding this apology on behalf of the residents of the Royal Borough."

vi) By Councillor D Wilson - "That this Council notes the pressure to 'in fill' develop by building on Green Gardens; further notes that most residents are opposed to this type of development; Demands action from the Government to provide authorities with the power to protect Green Gardens; And Requests that the Council campaigns to gain these powersfor the Royal Borough and for other authorities acorss the country."

vii) By Councillor Dudley - "That this Council notes the poor performance of First Great Western Railways - with 1 in 5 trains running late; further notes the Government requirement for them to produce a remedial plan to rectify this; supports the Government action to improve this failing service; demands action from First Great Western to improve the service given to Royal Borough residents; And requests the Leader of the Council to ensure the views of the Council are expressed to both First Great Western and the Deoartment of Transport."

10. ADDITIONAL URGENT ITEM - PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO MEMBERSHIP SIZES OF PANELS AND FORUMS - To consider proposed amendments from the Leader of the Council to the size of some Panels and Forums for implementation with effect from the Annual Council meeting on 20 May 2008. In accordance with Part 4 A6.2 of the Council's Constitution, the Mayor has granted his consent to this item being considered at this meeting as an urgent item, due to the need to consider this proposal in advance of the Annual Meeting of the Council on 20 May 2008. (see report and appendix at foot of page)