Quarter 1 brought a positive start to the fourth year of the 2023 to 2027 Council Plan delivery. Below are some of the most significant achievements across the organisation over the last 3 months.
Further detail on actions, together with commentary on progress and outline any delivery issues and risks is provided under corporate performance on our strategic themes.
Further detail and the reasons for the status and information on the performance indicators and contextual indicators for each of the priorities in the Council Plan is provided under quarterly updates on key performance indicators.
Our draft SEND Reform Plan was submitted to the Department for Education on time.
The plan demonstrates our commitment to meet national requirements and continuing to deliver support for young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families.
The percentage of care leavers (aged 19 to 21 years) not in education, employment or training was at its lowest level for over 2 years, at 22%. This is below the 30% forecast.
Over 340 young people engaged in universal youth work activities in the quarter, the highest quarterly figure in over a year.
Bracknell Forest’s Youth Justice Service remains in the top quadrant of the Youth Justice Board’s oversight framework, which indicates strong performance across several key measures.
The new Stop Smoking Service has launched and is now fully mobilised, with targeted work underway to increase referrals from priority groups.
As part of focusing on tacking violence against girls and women, Cabinet approved the Domestic Abuse Strategy 2026 to 2032 (PDF, 0.7 MB) and the All-Age Exploitation Strategy 2026 to 2031 (PDF, 0.5 MB). This was following consultation with residents and partners.
The Armed Forces Day event was held in June, with strong community engagement and positive media coverage.
Planning is progressing well for Bracknell Forest Pride and the Bracknell Forest Communities Festival, events in the summer.
Latest figures show that 95.0% of children receiving a child development review before the age of 12 months, and 95.3% receiving a development review before 2 to 2-and-a-half years old, were assessed at or above expected child development levels.
Visits to Everyone Active leisure facilities exceeded target, with over 401,000 visits recorded during the quarter.
This demonstrates strong resident engagement in physical activity and wellbeing opportunities.
On 22 April, Council endorsed the partnership Stronger Together Communities Strategy.
At the end of the quarter, the strategy has been endorsed by over 15 organisations and forums, including the Place Committee and Health and Wellbeing Board.
Partners are now focusing on the delivery of the activities in the strategy.
Bridgewell supported living accommodation officially opened. Residents, families and representatives from Bracknell Forest Council, Hightown and Neilcott Construction celebrated and recognised all those who played a key role in delivering this specialist accommodation.
News item: Bridgewell opening celebration
Bracknell Forest Council’s community safety service has been awarded the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) PLEDGE from national charity, ASB Help.
The service received this award for demonstrating its process and commitment to the ASB Case review process
The Bracknell Forest Youth Employment Hub has met its target to support 140 young residents (aged 18 to 24) in receipt of Universal Credit into:
There was continued delivery from the Open Learning Centre.
The council supported young people through careers activity in quarter 1, including attendance at a careers event and mock interview sessions in local schools. There is further activity planned for the 2026 to 2027 academic year.
The Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was finalised and formally approved for adoption and publication by Cabinet.
Bus use has remained resilient, with overall patronage comparable to last year and bus pass use increasing.
A new bus shelter contract will also support greener infrastructure, including modern shelters with living roofs.
Community Infrastructure Levy receipts exceeded the quarter 1 forecast at £1.67 million, with the annual target likely to be met before the end of quarter 3.
Social value work is progressing, with the review of the social value matrix now aligned with the wider corporate social responsibility programme.
Cabinet approved a new Delivery Plan for the council’s Climate Change Strategy, containing 108 projects and deliverables.
Early progress includes the introduction of sustainable fuel across the waste fleet and support for further decarbonisation of council buildings.
News item: Updated climate change action plan approved
Following public consultations, Cabinet formally approved 4 new SPDs for adoption. Each SPD provides guidance to related policies in the adopted Bracknell Forest Local Plan.
The new SPDs are:
Building Control successfully addressed all actions arising from its Building Safety Regulator review, with the regulator confirming that the matter is now concluded. This provides assurance that the service is meeting required regulatory standards.
The council achieved a top 20 UK ranking in the Silktide website accessibility index, reflecting continued improvements to the accessibility and usability of online services for residents.
Bracknell Forest Council has been officially praised by the Local Government Association’s independent team of local government peers for providing good quality services to residents in a report published following their visit in March.
Peers also commented that the council is leading impressive work to support the regeneration of the area and the local economy. They said the council is well-regarded and innovative in many areas of its work – including housing and children’s social care.
News item: Council commended for providing good quality services
