Agenda item

That the Slough Labour Party Manifesto 2016 be adopted as Council policy for the period to the next Borough Elections in May 2018.

The Cabinet received the Slough Labour Party Manifesto Commitments for the Borough elections held on Thursday 5^th May 2016.

Commissioners formally agreed to adopt the Manifesto commitments as Council policy for delivery in the period up to the next Borough elections scheduled for May 2018.  However, the Leader highlighted that the implications of the result of referendum to leave the European Union were likely to impact on the Council’s financial position, the national policy context and other circumstances, which may result in the need to review some of the items in the Manifesto in the future.

Several questions were asked by others Members under Rule 30 which are summarised as follows:

·  Councillor Pantelic asked the Commissioner for Education & Children’s Services how she intended to take forward the commitment to work with and support Slough Children’s Services Trust.  The Commissioner stated that developing a better relationship with the Trust was a priority and was crucial to improving outcomes for children in Slough.

·  Councillor Swindlehurst asked about the timescales for the delivery for the proposed community hubs.  It was noted that progress was well advanced on the Trelawney Avenue Redevelopment Plan, which included the Langley hub, and the Cabinet would consider a further report in the near future.

·  In view of the Manifesto commitment to upgrade the Ice Arena, Councillor Swindlehurst asked a number of questions about temporary provision during the nine month period of closure for refurbishment, including whether the impact of closure on current users such as Slough Jets would result in a potential loss of income for the new facility.  The Strategic Director of Customer & Community Services responded that discussions had taken place with a range of users to try to find alternative provision or activities and it was hoped that the Jets would return to the newly refurbished arena. The full financial impacts of the specific usage of the refurbished arena were not quantified, however, the development included several new facilities which would help drive footfall.  The revenue cost of temporary provision was in excess of £500,000 and the Council would continue to look at all viable options to support users through the period of closure.

At the conclusion of the discussion, it was agreed to adopt the Manifesto as Council policy, noting the review of any relevant items in light of the national economic situation and other circumstances.

Resolved –  That the Slough Labour Party Manifesto 2016 be adopted as Council policy for the period to the next Borough Elections in May 2018.