Bracknell

Bracknell Forest Borough Council played host to the Executive Director of the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA), Lucy de Groot, on Monday (29th October).

Lucy's visit was to find out about how Bracknell Council works closely with its town and parish council partners and to find out more about its work. She had been interested to learn that Sandhurst Town Council had joined the Local Government Association (LGA) and was keen to meet both councils to learn more about the partnership.

During her visit to the Bracknell Council, Lucy was given presentations by Martin Gocke, Assistant Director, Children, Young People and Families, Ian Davey, Director of Social Services and Housing. Timothy Wheadon, Chief Executive and Victor Nicholls, Assistant Chief Executive, presented on the 'Biggest Regeneration in the South East', with the £750 million regeneration of Bracknell town centre.

However, one of the highlights of Lucy's visit, was being driven back to Bracknell train station by horse drawn dray, with the Council's shire horses Bracken and Bramble taking the strain.

Cllr Paul Bettison, Leader of Bracknell Forest, said: "This visit will help Lucy with the development programme at the IDeA to see how top tier authorities, like Bracknell Forest, can work successfully with high performing grass roots authorities, like Sandhurst.

"I really enjoyed our visit from Lucy and she made some really encouraging remarks about our partnership working here and about some of the major projects we are working on at the moment. She especially enjoyed meeting Bracken and Bramble too. I hope to welcome her back to the Council in the future."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council