News Bulletin - January 2013

Slough Conservative Group News – January 2013

1. Council Motion 29th January 2013

Cllr Dexter Smith proposed:-

That any member found to be in breach of planning, licensing or trading

standards guidelines and regulations, resulting in a successful prosecution, a

fine, an enforcement notice and/or a withdrawal of a license, should not be

appointed to a commissionership post or serve on any quasi-judicial

committee of the Council, not only for the duration of the penalty but for a

rehabilitation period.

This motion was rejected by the leading group.

2. Cabinet Portfolio reshuffle

From 4 January, Cllr Pavitar Mann takes on the role of commissioner for education and children. Cllr Natasa Pantelic has been given responsibility for the community and leisure portfolio and Cllr Sohail Munawar will lead the new social and economic inclusion portfolio, focusing on business and economic development, as well as areas like transport and crime.

Cllr Anderson said: ‘‘With Cllr Pantelic progressing through her training as a teacher, it seemed the right time to make changes in order to avoid any future conflict of interest with the responsibilities of the education brief. I am proud of the work that all our cabinet members have been doing with the officers of SBC to improve life for our residents, and I look forward to that excellent work continuing in the year ahead.’’

3. Slough Wellbeing Strategy (SWS)

The new Slough Wellbeing Strategy (SWS) will replace the Slough Community Strategy (SCS) as the overall strategic plan for the Council.  Key priorities in Slough Well Being Strategy include:

• Health – By 2028, Slough will be healthier, with reduced inequalities,

improved wellbeing and opportunities for our residents to live positive, active

independent lives.

• Economy and Skills – By 2028, Slough will be an accessible location,

competitive on the world stage with a sustainable and varied business sector

and strong knowledge economy, supported by a local workforce who have

the skills to meet local businesses’ changing needs.

• Housing – By 2028 Slough will possess a strong, attractive and balanced

housing market which recognises the importance of housing in supporting

economic growth.

• Regeneration and Environment – By 2028, Slough will be distinctive from

our competitors, harnessing the diversity and creativity of our people and our

cultural and physical fabric to create an attractive local environment for our

residents and businesses.

• Safer Communities – By 2028, Slough will have levels of crime and

disorder that are not significantly higher than in any other town in the

Thames Valley. Agencies will be working collaboratively to address the

underlying causes of crime and communities will feel safe and able to play

an active part in making Slough a better place to live, work and visit.

4. Community Governance Review of Parish Council Arrangements within the Borough of Slough

Slough Borough Council is required to undertake a Community Governance Review of its parishes and their electoral arrangements in accordance with the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. As part of the requirements, a Working Group will be appointed comprising the Commissioner for Neighbourhoods and Renewal, two further Labour Group Members and a member of the opposition (none of whom are on an existing parish council) to consider the Review and make recommendations to the Council.

5. Revised Ward Boundaries and Polling District Review

Revised Ward Boundaries will take effect from 2014 as agreed by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) and seek agreement to the commencement of a Polling District Review.

A Polling District Review will commence with a timetable and

Terms of Reference .The Member Working Group established for the Community Governance Review will consider and make proposals on the Polling District Review.

6. Armed Forces Community Covenant

The Covenant and associated action plan demonstrate how the council is working in partnership with the armed forces to ensure that veterans and serving staff are supported in a range of ways and that where appropriate the council also receives armed forces support. Cabinet decided on Monday 21st January 2013 that the Armed Forces Community Covenant pledge must be signed and an action plan be agreed. The Commissioner for Social & Economic Inclusion will act as the champion for support for veterans’ issues.

The demolition of the Wentworth Avenue flats began is underway. Demolition of other buildings and the removal of internal fixtures and fittings has been ongoing for the past six weeks, but work to start removing the main tower block has now begun.

Councillor James Swindlehurst, commissioner for neighbourhoods and renewal, said: “Everywhere on the Britwell estate, evidence of the regeneration can now be seen – but the removal of the tower block is the single biggest act of transforming this neighbourhood.

The success of the council’s partnership with arvato could mean more services are to move under the contract. Since April 2012, arvato has been providing transactional services – including council tax, payments, payroll and benefits – to residents and staff on behalf of the council.

Under the new system transactional staff previously employed directly by the council transferred to arvato and became part of the company.

Now, the council is looking at the possibility of transferring its IT and customer services functions to arvato as well.

Discussions with arvato are already underway and the final decision on whether services move to the partnership is due to be made by the council’s cabinet later in the year.