The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) Council meeting on 23 September 2025 included discussion of a new licensing policy, a finance report, and a youth justice plan. Councillors were also scheduled to discuss concerns raised by residents and other councillors.

Statement of Licensing Policy

The council was scheduled to note the report from Councillor Richard Coe, Cabinet Member for Household & Regulatory Services, regarding the Statement of Licensing Policy and to:

Agree to adopt the RBWM Statement of Licensing Policy 2026 - 2030 with effect from 01 January 2026

The Statement of Licensing Policy ¹ is a document that outlines how the council will regulate the sale of alcohol, provision of entertainment, and late-night refreshment.

Finance Summary Report

The council was scheduled to note the report from Councillor Lynne Jones, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, regarding the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) ² reviews and external auditor's comments, and to:

Agree that no further investigation of the issues is required for the reasons given in section 7 below.

Youth Justice Plan

The council was scheduled to note the report from Councillor Amy Tisi, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education & Windsor, and to:

• Adopt the Youth Justice Plan 2025/26
• Note the progress achieved in 2024/25

Public Questions

Members of the public were scheduled to ask questions of cabinet members.

• Ed Wilson of Clewer and Dedworth West ward was scheduled to ask Councillor Adam Bermange, Cabinet Member for Planning, Governance and Asset Management, about the timeline of key events leading up to the sale of RBWM's freehold interest at the King Edward Court/Windsor Yards Shopping Centre and how the proceeds from the sale would be used.
• Simon Williamson of Datchet, Horton & Wraysbury ward was scheduled to ask Councillor Adam Bermange about why the S215 notice ³ was not reinstated for the Hythe End Goat Field, given the owner's alleged non-compliance with the notice, the continued raising of the floodplain field with building waste, the presence of two horse boxes, the resurrection of a stable previously refused , the removal of numerous Tree Preservation Order (TPO) trees without replacement, and continued residential caravan use, despite being declared illegal in April.
• Corinne Nabavi of St Mary's ward was scheduled to ask Councillor Geoff Hill, Cabinet Member for Highways & Transport and Customer Service Centre, about the current maintenance plans for Maidenhead Bridge, a Grade 1 listed structure, and to provide written details of the most recent structural inspections.
• Paul Strzelecki of Bisham and Cookham ward was scheduled to ask Councillor Richard Coe how the cabinet could lawfully adopt a Licensing Policy when parish councils, the statutory representatives of residents , were not consulted; when the only detailed consultation response was excluded from review, without reason; and when the policy and practice permit outdoor events at unspecified and unchecked venue noise levels.
• Andrew Hill of Boyn Hill ward was scheduled to ask Councillor Adam Bermange whether any modular housing organisations (or individuals) had approached RBWM (or vice versa) with a view to providing modular housing, and what land RBWM owns that could be suitable for such an innovation.
• Andrew Hill of Boyn Hill ward was scheduled to ask Councillor Lynne Jones what the current planned infrastructure borrowing requirement is for the golf club site, and the projected overall cost of interest payments on this debt.
• Will Scawn of Belmont ward was scheduled to ask Councillor Richard Coe what the council was doing to tidy up and improve the public realm, including dealing with the problems of overflowing bins, litter on footpaths, and the imminent risk of fallen leaves piling up on pavements this autumn.

Councillor Questions

Councillors were scheduled to ask questions of cabinet members.

• Councillor Ewan Larcombe was scheduled to ask Councillor Geoff Hill about an improvement programme for the road bridge over the Jubilee River between Eton and Datchet, citing its hideous appearance and misuse.
• Councillor Ewan Larcombe was scheduled to ask Councillor Geoff Hill to confirm that RBWM is responsible for the Myrke Footbridge (number 19) also known as Michael's Bridge.
• Councillor Mark Howard was scheduled to ask Councillor Geoff Hill if the council has an active policy to liaise with Thames Valley Police (TVP) to identify drivers and vehicles that have damaged RBWM property such as street lights, and then claiming against their insurance for repair and admin costs.
• Councillor Mark Howard was scheduled to ask Councillor Jack Douglas, Cabinet Member for Communities and Leisure, if the council would be interested in discussing with private sector companies the idea of adding a crematorium to the Oakley Green Cemetery site complex.
• Councillor Helen Price was scheduled to ask Councillor Lynne Jones whether RBWM submits a claim for both monetary and opportunity costs when Windsor is hosting State Visits, and whether central government pays in full. She also asked how many senior officers' hours were diverted to this activity during President Macron's visit.
• Councillor Sally Coneron, Leader of the Conservative Group, was scheduled to ask Councillor Simon Werner, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Community Partnerships, what proactive steps are being taken to involve all stakeholders in devolution and local government reorganisation discussions, and when that engagement will formally begin.
• Councillor Sally Coneron was scheduled to ask Councillor Geoff Hill when he will act and state a clear position, and give a firm timeline for removal or retention of the unauthorised St George's flags and painted crossed on Maidenhead roundabouts.
• Councillor Julian Sharpe, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group, was scheduled to ask Councillor Lynne Jones how RBWM can reduce its reliance on borrowing for day-to-day services, while still maintaining statutory obligations in Adults and Children's Services, and outline what the optimal balance is, from a financial point of view, between council tax increases and service transformation to restore financial resilience.
• Councillor Genevieve Gosling was scheduled to ask Councillor Richard Coe if the administration has checked how each of the government's two plans for a third Heathrow runway would affect the Royal Borough, which areas face the worst impacts, and what the plan is to keep residents informed and protected.

Motion on Notice

Councillor Helen Taylor was scheduled to present a motion that the council:

Recognises the wishes of the Maidenhead Town Forum's current membership, to be known hence forth as Maidenhead Forum.