Decision details

To consider any recommendations from the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Scrutiny Panels. To include:

• Raising Pupil Achievement Strategy and Policy (recommended by Ed & CS Scrutiny Panel);
• Protocol for working with Academies and Free Schools (recommended by Ed & CS Scrutiny Panel); and
• Town Centre Car Parking (recommendations from T&F group).

Recommendations from the Education & Children’s Services Scrutiny Panel:

·  That the SBC Raising Pupil Achievement Strategy and Policy, as at Appendices A and B to the report, be adopted.

·  That the SBC Protocol for working with Academies and Free Schools, as at Appendix C to the report, be adopted.

Recommendations from the Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Town Centre Car Parking Task & Finish Group:

(a)  That recommendations 4 and 8 be approved, namely: 

4.  That land adoption be used to increase SBC’s control of parking (e.g. Kittiwake House, the area in Mill Street outside Foundry Court).

8.  That the size of loading and unloading bays be reviewed to facilitate their use by larger vehicles.

(b)  That it be noted that recommendations 1 and 5 would be taken forward as part of the review of the Local Plan.

1.  That the current policy of zero parking be reviewed, with a future ratio to be specified subject to further research by Slough Borough Council (SBC) and justification.

5.  That the current limit of 5,000 parking spaces be reviewed, using the justification for at the time of its creation and variations in the situation since this time (e.g. parking at Tesco’s, Crossrail) to reappraise the figure.

(c)  That officers responses and actions detailed in the report on recommendations 2, 3 and 7 be noted, namely:

2.  That the potential hire of, or use of parking permits with time restrictions in neighbouring parking facilities (e.g. Tesco car park) be researched;

3.  That the time restrictions on areas with single yellow lines be reduced to 6pm in suitable areas (subject to research by SBC); and

7.  That the potential expansion of car parking facilities at Slough railway station be investigated.

(d)  That no further immediate action be taken in relation to Recommendations 6 and 9, namely:

6.  That the parking at Slough railway station be removed from SBC’s allocation of parking spaces.

9.  That further research be conducted into the continuation of free parking after 3pm, or cheaper parking through the use of a ‘Slough Card’, with a view to a potential increase in high street trade.