Purpose

To review progress made by Bracknell Forest
Cambium Partnership 2023- 2024 and to agree the aims and strategy
for the Joint Venture Business Plan for 2024-2027.

Decision

RESOLVED that
 
      
i.        
the
progress made by Bracknell Forest Cambium Partnership for
the
period
December 2022 to December 2023 be noted.
 
    
ii.        
the
proposed JV Business Plan for the Bracknell Forest
Cambium
Partnership as set out in Annex A and the financial budget and
forecast as set out in Confidential Annex B.

Reasons for the decision

      
i.        
The
recommendations 2.1 and 2.2 support the fulfilment of Bracknell
Forest
Cambium
Partnership’s objectives and aligns with the legal agreements
entered into by the partners, which require the agreed JV Business
Plan to be formally reviewed each year.
 
    
ii.        
The scope
of the JV Business Plan has not changed materially since inception
in 2020, although the Jubilee Gardens site is now be considered as
part of a wider master planning of secondary sites, such as the
Southern Gateway and Eastern Gateway Development area, The Southern
Gateway also now includes High Street car park as Phase 1 of the
Southern Gateway development. To note a separate report is being
considered by Executive in March 2024 on the proposals for the
Southern gateway and wider consultation. There is no obligation for
the Council to enter into any exclusivity arrangements on
additional sites and each site will be subject to Executive
approval prior to any initial site development proposal (ISDP)
being put to the Council for consideration.

 
   
iii.        
The
Executive has agreed the ISDP for the Depot side in October 2023
which will now be developed for planning submission and
subsequently a Settled Site Development Plan will be put to
Executive for approval prior to land being drawn down into the
JV.
 
   
iv.        
The
Business Plan includes ambitions for the Southern Gateway which
supports the council in its vision for the Town centre. The key
points are to blend build form and landscape, improve connectivity
on foot; cycling and for public transport; supporting the town
centre economy with new cultural activities; mixed use; green
spaces and high-quality offices and homes.

Alternative options considered

Members could choose not to endorse the
Business Plan and instruct the
Partnership to rework any parts that cause
concern. However, as there are no
proposed significant amendments to the
Business Plan 2020-23 that have not
previously been considered and endorsed by
Members, it is felt that this would not be
easily justified.