Cabinet reviews manifesto commitments - 'Important we do what we said we'd do'

Cabinet reviewed the council's progress against its manifesto commitments when it met last night (Thursday 27 September) - noting those already achieved and resolving to continue the efforts.

Cabinet members flagged up some of the key successes to date, including:

• keeping the weekly bin collection and enhancing recycling, in particular the imminent introduction of food waste recycling
• limiting council tax rises without cutting services - in fact council tax has been reduced in each of the past three years
• helping parents by streamlining the schools admissions procedure as far as possible
• protecting the green belt - supported by 89.5% of residents surveyed in the recent Borough Local Plan consultation
• the growing number of groups, schools, businesses, fast food outlets and individuals signing up for Adopt-a-Street
• using the council's property portfolio to assist redevelopment and service improvement while retaining the Town Hall
• progressing the regeneration of Maidenhead, with the waterways scheme approved and York Stream, St Ives and Data Houses to be vacated, freeing up the sites as part of the York Road Opportunity Area. The council has identified five potential redevelopment partners and a selection process is under way
• improving the library offer including wi-fi in Maidenhead and Windsor libraries, a new library planned for Boyn Grove and piloting of Sunday opening at Maidenhead, Windsor and two other libraries
• keeping a 24/7 fire service in Windsor.

After a challenging borough-wide search for an appropriate site, plans were announced at the meeting to plant 6,000 tree whips in Eton Wick to create a Jubilee wood close to the Jubilee River.

Cllr David Burbage, council leader, said: "We as a cabinet are delighted to see the progress that has been made on the administration's manifesto commitments - these are the issues that the electorate voted for and it's important we do what we said we'd do.

"We want to assure residents that each commitment is being reviewed regularly by our lead members and the responsible officers and is progressing to the set timetable and to budget."

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