The Disability and Inclusion Forum were scheduled to meet on Monday 8 September 2025 to discuss updates to the Local Transport Plan, the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and revisions to the Forum's terms of reference. They were also scheduled to receive an update on actions taken around emergency evacuation procedures and health and safety at the Town Hall. Additionally, the forum was scheduled to discuss the draft Maidenhead Town Centre Shopfront SPD¹ and the Borough Local Plan.

Town Hall Emergency Procedures and Health and Safety

The forum was scheduled to receive an update on actions taken to support health and safety at the Maidenhead Town Hall.

The update was to detail progress on key issues identified during a recent fire evacuation drill, including:

• Access doors: Contractors were assessing the existing access system and door controls, with plans to move to a new cloud-based system. Some internal doors that had previously caused problems were adjusted.
• Access security: New passes for visitors and contractors had been introduced.
• Evacuation chairs: New equipment had been purchased and installed, and six colleagues were trained to be trainers on evacuation chair use. Health and safety colleagues were also supporting with Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs).
• Alarm System: The refuge alarm system issue had been fixed and tested, enabling two-way communication in designated refuge areas of the Town Hall.
• Fire Evacuation Strategy: The current evacuation procedures had been assessed, and a revised strategy was being developed.
• Communications: Internal communications were being sent to council colleagues to encourage positive behaviours to support health and safety throughout the Town Hall.

Local Transport Plan

Dug Tremellen, Transport Policy Manager, was scheduled to provide an update on the development of a new Local Transport Plan (LTP). The forum was invited to comment on the draft aim that Our streets and services are welcoming and accessible to all and to suggest where the council should focus its attention to work towards that aim.

Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy

The forum was scheduled to receive an update on the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy from Ellen Gavin and Sarah Shanks, from Public Health. The update was to include population health data, service intelligence, and insights from community engagement activities. The four priority themes of the strategy are:

• Best Start in Life
• Living Well
• Healthy Ageing
• Healthy Place

The forum was informed that a public consultation was scheduled for October, and that the council was committed to working in partnership with voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations and residents throughout the strategy's 10-year lifespan.

Review of Terms of Reference

The forum was scheduled to review and approve updated Terms of Reference. The draft revision aimed to modernise and clarify the Forum's purpose, structure, and functions, with a focus on promoting accessibility and inclusion across services, facilities, and the built environment in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM). The draft outlined a clear set of functions for the Forum, including:

• Liaising with local groups and individuals on access and disability issues.
• Considering the impact of local and national consultations.
• Making recommendations to Cabinet or relevant panels.
• Examining council services and policies to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Advising on promoting disability inclusion awareness.
• Providing guidance on accessibility improvements across buildings, digital services, and communications.

The operational structure of the forum was also addressed, with meetings to be held in a hybrid format, both in person and via Zoom, when possible. Meetings would be open to the public, with the Chair retaining discretion over public participation.

Other Matters

• Lucinda Pinhorne-Smy, Planning Policy Officer, was scheduled to provide a verbal report to promote engagement with the upcoming draft Maidenhead Town Centre Shopfront SPD and consultation.
• Ian Manktelow, Principal Planning Policy Officer, was scheduled to provide a presentation on the Borough Local Plan.
• Kate Concannon, Deputy Director of Adult Social Care Operations, was scheduled to provide a verbal update on the Autism Partnership.