Summary of topics raised at September’s public meeting 

Windsor Forum meeting 18 September

RBWM youth council and the borough’s Girls Forum kicked off the Windsor Forum on 18 September with presentations of the work they were doing and future plans.

Four young people addressed the forum and gave an interesting talk. They outlined their plans to engage young people with the work of the council and their aims to give young people a voice. Councillor Wisdom da Costa asked the group if there was a specific way in which the council could provide support. The group replied that they needed help recruiting people to ease the burden on the those already volunteering. They needed one person from each school and ward. Forum chair Mark Wilson said they would look at how they can sponsor young people. 

Local resident Louise Wilson suggested that the youth council and Girls Forum could approach youth groups attached to local churches.

Steve Harris, organiser of Windsor Pride, said he would give both groups a platform at the event next year.

Town Manager report

Windsor Town Manager Paul Roach delivered a report on town centre shopping activity for August. He reported on footfall in Peascod Street, St Leonards Road and Riverside. Paul reported that central Windsor had 1,750,000 visits in August which was a year-on-year increase of 17.4 per cent. He put the increase down to fair weather, an easing of price inflation and the summer holidays. However, retailers are not reporting comparable increases in sales. 

Footfall in Peascod street was up marginally by 1.19 per cent to 467,000, while for St Leonards Road visits stood at 335,000, which was 10,800 visits per day (up by 8.17 per cent).

Retail space vacancy rates have stayed steady over the summer at seven per cent, which nearly half the national average of 13.9 per cent. The town centre manager reported that he expected the figure to reduce in the coming months, with a number of units under development. He said he expected Trailfinders travel agent open in the coming months, while he was aware that a developer had contractors and agreements in place to create a boutique cinema, office space, a 104-apartment hotel and a 22-room extension to the Travelodge at the Windsor Yards. 

The vacancy rates for Dedworth remain unchanged from July at 1.5 per cent.

Car parking usage moved into positive usage for August of 1%. Large increase in Victoria Street in August was main reason with an increase of over 1,000 users.

Retailers still concerned over the general poor level of footfall in the town centre and, anecdotally, customers are reporting parking fees are putting them off coming into the town centre. There is a new parking strategy being developed for the Royal Borough, with an alternative pricing policy for Windsor. 

Cllr da Costa asked if there were any figures for how much income the car parks were generating. The Chair said he would ask the parking department to supply the figures at the next meeting. 

On the subject of parking, a park Street resident complained that she was not able to drive along her street during the Battle of Britain parade recently. The resident reported that a man was rudely addressing drivers who were trying to use the road and that no there had been no warning of rad closures. The town centre manager said he would investigate the matter and report back.

Extinction Rebellion protest

Paul also reported on the Extinction Rebellion – Upgrade Democracy protest that was held in Windsor from 30 August to 1 September.

Alongside proposed camp site on Home Park, Extinction Rebellion’s schedule included three days of protests including speeches, marches: ‘Die in’ , ‘Oil Slick’ and ‘MASSembly’ on the Long Walk.

The group delivered a Post Box to Windsor Castle containing letters for HM The King from children about their concerns on Climate Change. This box was quickly moved by the police for security reasons.

A poster and banner campaign coordinated to cover the town centre information.

Authority response

Paul said that authorities were made aware of demonstration in August and RBWM contacted Extinction Rebellion to understand their plans.

Council made clear that ER plans for a music event and march could not be approved due to their size, scale and disruption to existing user groups of Home Park.

ER, without approval, confirmed that they would still come and set up a much smaller camp and workshop area. Including food tent and activity areas.

Thames Valley Police led a multiagency response to what was the first multiday protest ever held in Windsor

RBWM coordinated a number of monitoring visits from licensing, Environmental Health, Parking and community safety teams to  make sure that ER were clear on their obligations to public safety.

Paul reported that ER camped in Home Park’s Stephenson’s Field, away from the sports pitches. They kept to the paths for their march on Saturday but go bolder on Saturday and marched on roads to the Long Walk.

They promised to leave the site in a better condition than when they found it, and true to their word they tidied their camp site and much of the park.

• TVP led a multi-agency response to what was the first multiday protest ever held in Windsor.
• Projected attendance was up to 3,000 people but only up to 400 people took part. 
• Enhanced Police patrols throughout the three days included Mounted police. Town centre footfall in main trading areas was down for the weekend between 11 – 19 per cent and traders reported some losses as it was expected to be a strong weekend.
• Paul shared a slide of future events which showed the below information
• 13 Sept – 1 Oct Windsor Festival

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• Future events
• 20 Sept – 12 Oct – Windsor Fringe Festival
• 26 Oct – Pumpkin Party.
• 11 Nov – Remembrance Sunday Civic Service and Parade.
• 13 Nov – Daniel Christmas Late Night Shopping
• 14 Nov – 21 Gun Salute HM The Kings Birthday.
• 15 Nov – Windsor Illuminate
• 14 Nov- Eton Christmas Lights Switch on.
• 15 Nov – Windsor On Ice
• 16 Nov – Windsor Christmas Lights Switch on
• 22 Nov – Theatre Royal Dick Whittington
• 24 Nov – Clewer and Dedworth Together Christmas Fair.
• 24 Nov – Alexandra Devine Santas Dash
• 23/24 Nov – Windsor Racecourse Christmas Fair
• 23/24 Nov – Christmas Market, Peascod Street
• 30 Nov – Vegan Market
• 30 Nov – Vegan Christmas Market
• 1Dec – Living Advent Calendar starts
• 1 Dec – Santa’s Dash
• 13 Dec – Carols on the Hill
• 14/15 Dec– Windsor Royal Weekend
• 24 Dec – Windsor Living Advent Calendar Finale
• Dates TBC – Breakfast with Santa, Santa’s Grotto, Afternoon Tea with Santa.
• Paul explained that the Windsor Festival was run 

The chair asked the forum or public had topics to discuss at future meetings. 

Cllr da Costa asked if the forum could be informed of the car parking capacities and income.

He also asked if the forum could discuss the outcome of the council’s next aviation forum.

WWRA Chair Frankie Theobalds asked if the forum could ask the environmental department about recycling provision in the town. Does the energy equation work for taking bulk recycling to Stafferton Road, and would more provision in Windsor be a worthwhile  alternative to pursue.