Wokingham Borough News Winter 2017

Wokingham Borough

NEWS Your magazine from Wokingham Borough Council

See back page for Christmas waste and recycling calendar

Winter 2017

In this issue‌

Our new home page 11

Wokingham Open for Business page 14

Parking changes page 27

Funded childcare for working parents

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C-HR Dynamic 5 door Coupe FWD 1.2 Manual. Official Fuel Consumption Figures in mpg (l/100km): Urban 38.2 (7.4), Extra Urban 55.4 (5.1), Combined 47.1 (6.0).

CO2 Emissions 136g/km. The mpg & CO2 figures quoted are sourced from official EU regulated test results. These are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience.

LEXUS SELF-CHARGING HYBRID RANGE

ALWAYS CHARGED. ALWAYS READY.

Lexus Reading Rose Kiln Lane, Reading, RG2 0HS. Tel 0118 907 9769 www.reading.lexus.co.uk Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for Lexus Hybrid range: Urban 38.1 (7.3) - 78.5 (3.6), Extra Urban 47.1 (6) - 80.7 (3.5), Combined 43.5 (6.5) - 78.5 (3.6), CO2 137 - 81 g/km. BIK from 18 - 28%.

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Keeping in touch with us www.wokingham.gov.uk customerservice@wokingham.gov.uk (0118) 974 6000 /wokinghamboroughcouncil /wokinghamboroughcouncil @WokinghamBC

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Welcome As we reach the end of 2017 and look forward to the coming year, we reflect once more on the serious challenges facing local government finances – being expected to do more with far less.

/WokinghamBC Visit us: Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5pm Write to us: Wokingham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1BN Find out more information by: Email and text updates - register at: www.wokingham.gov.uk/signup

Also in this issue...

8

Play 3G sports

9

School days

We have always been an ambitious Council, looking at ways to innovate, to enhance and safeguard your services because you, our residents and businesses, demand and deserve that.

This edition highlights some of our innovative thinking, starting here at the Council. Our 21st Century Council programme (page 6) is redefining the way we operate, so that we can give you services that better respond to your needs.

We continue to give our children and young people inspiring learning environments. This autumn, students at Bohunt Wokingham moved into the brand new, stateof-the-art school we built for them (page 9).

Our housing companies are blazing a trail nationally in building affordable homes (pages 10 and 11), and our trading company Optalis leads in adult social care.

We do understand roadworks are irritating but, with car ownership in our Borough being one of the highest in the country, our existing

16/17

Local Plan latest

30

Got the bottle?

highways network has to be enhanced so that it can cope. We’re investing in roads (page 26), new homes (pages 8 and 20), and other infrastructure (pages 16/ 17 and 13) to make the Borough a better place in which to live, work and move around.

Unlike the majority of local councils, we’ve maintained your weekly waste collections, and we also hope to add food recycling (page 30).

This autumn, parking enforcement powers (page 27) were transferred to us from the police so that we can make parking in the Borough fairer.

We still have many difficult challenges ahead, but I truly believe that by working together we will overcome them.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. If you have any questions or comments, please get in touch with me at: Charlotte.Haitham.Taylor@ wokingham.gov.uk Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor Leader of the Council

Editorial: Wokingham Borough Council’s Communications Team Design and printed by: Digital Solutions on 60gsm UPM Matt C paper Cost: 7p per person / 18p per household To advertise in Wokingham Borough News, or if any other queries about this magazine including delivery, please contact: communications@wokingham.gov.uk. A pdf version of this magazine is available online at: news.wokingham.gov.uk/wokingham-borough-news

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Tell us what you think We have two major consultations this winter - Budget Priorities and Transport and Highways – and there’s still time to give us your views.

Our Borough is going through vast changes with new houses, roads, schools and other facilities being built, and towns are being transformed – but all while government funding is being reduced.

These two important consultations will be used to help us understand your views on some of the key issues and the main priorities and concerns you may have. They are not referenda on exactly how we spend limited funds or what roadworks to carry out, but your feedback will be used to help us plan the best way forward.

The Budget Consultation is the first part of a two-year process to help us make the really difficult funding decisions we will face in 2019/20. That is when the basic revenue funding that comes from central government will be cut to zero. So this consultation is asking you about what services you value most and what your priorities are. This will be followed by a more detailed consultation next year.

We’ve made significant efficiency savings, and continue to do so through our 21st Century Council programme (see page 6) but still face challenges ahead.

The consultation findings will be used alongside other factors, such as our legal requirements and our commitment to vulnerable people for example, to help us make the best decisions with limited funds.

We held evening Budget Engagement Roadshows the last two years at community venues across the Borough. Although they produced useful and interesting conversations with you, we want to capture more quantifiable feedback from a wider range of people. This is why the consultation is available online this year.

The Transport and Highways survey, on the other hand, will help to increase our understanding of how we can best communicate with you on highways issues and how your day-to-day lives are affected by roadworks and other transport matters. It also seeks your views on ways to reduce reliance on using cars, and so reduce congestion.

Both of the consultations run until 30 December via: www.wokingham.gov.uk (search ‘consultation’) Alternatively contact our Community Engagement Team at: communityengagement@wokingham.gov.uk or (0118) 974 6066 to request a hard copy.

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New era for funded childcare No one day is ever the same for childminding husband and wife team, Kirk and Lisa Soper.

They can be browsing books in the library, and the next foraging in the forest.

But what days do have in common, is that they’re fun and fulfilling.

The couple is embracing a new era for their childminding business, as they open their doors to parents taking advantage of the government’s new 30 hours a week free childcare.

And they admit it was a change that initially filled them with trepidation.

“Jumping from 15 free hours to 30 hours was quite a drastic leap,” said Lisa. “I will admit I was worried about the potential impact it could’ve had on our business.

“But at the heart of what we do is putting the children first, and providing a service that helps parents work.

“And so far, so good. It’s all working well.”

Most days Kirk and Lisa, along with Kim, another fully registered childminder, look after six children aged from seven months to four years - in addition to their own five-month-old twins.

Two of the children in their care are receiving the 30 hours a week free childcare.

Kirk and Lisa receive payments that cover the free hours, direct from our Children’s Services department.

And it’s quite clear that whatever changes may happen in their industry, for the Sopers childminding is a vocation - not surprising for a couple that met while both working at a day care nursery.

They launched their Kiddiwinks Childminding business two years ago, and have never looked back.

“We just love the freedom being a childminder affords us,” Lisa said.

“We have a very loose routine around meal and sleep times, but other than that we’re very spontaneous and no two days are the same.

“Wherever possible we try to go outdoors, as we’re great believers in outdoor learning. So we’ll go to the forest or the local park.

“Other times we might go to the library, and another day it might be the soft play area. Our job is fun and very, very fulfilling.”

Since September working parents, meeting the earnings threshold, are entitled to 30 hours a week funded childcare for 38 weeks.

This can be provided by Ofsted registered childcare providers, including day care nurseries, pre-schools and childminders.

More information: www.wokingham.gov.uk (search ‘free childcare’)

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First phase of transformation is a success It’s been more than five months since we successfully launched Phase 1 of our far-reaching 21st Century Council programme.

Redesigning our services is at the heart of this exciting programme. This isn’t about cutting services. It’s about changing the way we work and making our services more efficient.

Phase 1 saw changes to the ‘back office,’ so you shouldn’t have noticed any difference when contacting us. It also saved £2million on staffing costs this year, with a further £2million

savings identified in Phase 2. Phase 1 was also delivered on time and to budget.

The programme is underpinned by technology improvements.

Self-serve technology will be available for those who wish to use it, at any time from any place. You should see swifter solutions to your issues and queries, as Phase 2 is implemented.

Changes so far

What’s coming next?

More than 21,800 people have already signed up to our online Customer Account where you can access some services, make requests or report issues online. It’s easy.

Simply sign up at: https://selfservice.wokingham.gov.uk/ register or download our app to a mobile device from iTunes and Android stores.

You’ll be able to access our services by a variety of channels, and these will be user tested before going live. Anyone interested in being involved in this user testing can get in touch by emailing: 21c.Communications@wokingham.gov.uk

For those less confident with technology, other channels will still be available, such as telephone or visiting our offices.

What we’re doing is simplifying processes, making it easier to interact with us.

We’ll soon be launching our online Council Tax system, where you’ll be able to view your bill and tell us if you move.

Next year will see the launches of our new mapping system and online planning application search. You’ll be able to search and retrieve planning applications for any Borough location, and/or search the map by address or planning application reference, and interactively select planning applications within distance of a location. We’ll tell you more about this next year.

Executive View Cllr Oliver Whittle, Executive Member for Finance, 21st Century Council, Internal Services and Human Resources “We are moving many of our activities to self-serve, to enable residents to do as much as they can for themselves through more efficient and easier online processes. However, we recognise that for some people, and for some processes too, there will need to be more support, and that will be in place.”

RECLAIM YOUR CONSERVATORY THIS WINTER www.twitter.com/WokinghamBC

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Major Developments The scale of housebuilding is obvious to all across the Wokingham Borough, with the long-planned major developments taking shape at Arborfield Garrison, around Shinfield parish and to the north and south of Wokingham town.

Most of the developments have planning permission and many are well underway, with new residents moving into homes in all the developments.

More information: www.wokingham.gov.uk (search ‘major developments’) The infrastructure needed was planned alongside the housing and is now being built at the same time. We’ve secured more than £300million from developers to fund the work

and been successful in getting funding from government and other agencies to get the infrastructure built as early in the development as possible.

We also carry out annual satisfaction surveys among new residents. The latest survey, earlier this year, showed that 84% of people were happy with their new home; up 4% from last year. Other findings included positive feedback about safety, attractiveness of neighbourhoods, space in their homes, knowing travel options available and having enough public/ open space.

More information: www.wokingham.gov.uk (search ‘consultation’)

Back of the net!

Footballers across the Borough can now enjoy refining their skills at a brand new 3G football pitch in Arborfield.

The high-quality surfaces will be used by students from Bohunt School Wokingham for PE lessons, after-school activities, and matches during the day. The site is also open to the community during evenings and weekends.

The new site also hosts two new floodlit netball courts and three floodlit tennis courts, available for clubs and individuals to hire.

Courts are available from 5.30pm onwards weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday. Discounts are available for FA Charter Standard games. Goals are available for training and game use.

In other good news, we’ve also received a £240,000 Football Foundation grant towards changing facilities at the new 3G pitch at Ryeish Green. We’re working with two local clubs – Shinfield FC and Spencers Wood FC – as well The Oakbank School and Reading Football Club on a five-year football development plan.

Work has already started on the changing facilities and we’re also upgrading the current leisure centre installing 50 new gym stations and a four court sports hall. We’ll tell you more about this in the next edition of the magazine.

More information: sport@wokingham.gov.uk (0118) 974 3728

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My brilliant first year It’s been an exciting journey for students at Bohunt Wokingham.

The school opened in September 2016 in Arborfield Garrison legacy facilities, before moving into its purposebuilt buildings at the start of this autumn term. We talk to Head Girl, Isabelle Snaith.

“At the end of my very first day here in 2016 I went home inspired by my teachers’ enthusiasm about the future. There were so many opportunities, making me want to throw myself into school life.

“My first trip was about encouraging women into scientific careers, and something I’m really interested in. We also visited The Globe Theatre.

“I enjoyed taking part in the Inter-Bohunt Math’s Competition, against students from other Bohunt schools. And we won! We also gave math’s tuition to pupils at a local school before their SATs. This gave us an insight into what it’s like teaching at a school.

“Children’s University was very significant here. The amount of hours you spend doing extra-curricular activities such as robotics and art club are added up. Those of us with the highest hours were taken to Reading University to be presented with a certificate. We dressed up in graduation mortar boards and gowns, which was great.

“At the end of each term we’re also presented with badges for demonstrating our school’s ethos of ‘enjoy, respect, and achieve’.

“As the summer term came to an end, we put together mini scenes and a dance to ‘Jai Ho’ for the new Year 7s, which was a great way to end our brilliant first year.

“Already this autumn term, the Year 7s and staff have settled well into the new buildings. It was like we came together as a family, to create a lovely atmosphere to learn. We enjoy using all of the new facilities such as the 3G Astroturf pitches, climbing wall, and amphitheatre. We also use a wide range of technology in our learning.

“We’re all very proud of our school and how it’s developing and can’t wait to see the positive impact it’s going to have on the community. Everyone is a leader in our school and we expect to see that every day. We’re told to, ‘Be a game changer, the world has enough followers’ and this is what we intend to do!”

Executive View Cllr Mark Ashwell, Executive Member for Children’s Services “While planning and building a new school, we talk about the benefits for its future students and the community surrounding it. But it’s only when the school opens and it comes to life, do you appreciate the true colour it brings to the lives of the young people in it.”

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Extra care schemes in Woodley opening soon Fosters has 34 one-bedroom, self-contained apartments, while The Birches has 60 one-and-two-bedroom apartments for sale under shared ownership, as well as for rent.

Optalis will be on site as background support 24/7, at the press of a button in an emergency. They’ll also provide washing, dressing or domestic support, and cater for a range of needs.

Both have been specifically designed for people in their later years so they can live independently in the security and privacy of their own home with additional facilities and care if needed, provided by our social care provider Optalis.

If you’re interested in working at Fosters, or The Birches, visit: www.optalis.org/jobs

Building the future brick by brick In October, the Prime Minister announced a £2billion grant pot available for councils and housing associations to propel the construction of much needed social and affordable homes.

But our housing development company Wokingham Housing (WHL) is already ahead of the curve building a sustainable supply of new homes for local people on the housing register.

WHL is due to complete 125 new homes and apartments across the Borough during 2017 including our flagship developments at Phoenix Avenue (see page 11), a £13million scheme in the heart of Wokingham’s Norreys community, and Fosters an independent living scheme as featured above. This has been built to meet the increasing demand for specialised adult social care.

At 52 Reading Road, in Wokingham, construction is nearing completion for a young care leavers’ scheme. This new house comprising two self-contained bedsits and seven single rooms with ensuite bathrooms, will give vulnerable 16-25 year olds a helping hand to independence.

WHL’s success lies in making resources go further by developing unused council assets. For example, empty garages at Barret

Crescent and Elizabeth Road, in Wokingham, have been demolished to make way for four new shared ownership homes.

Unused land in Anson Crescent will now be better used as four apartments for affordable rent. And at Norton Road, Wokingham, a former council owned print works has been demolished to be replaced with a mixed tenure development of six two-bedroom shared ownership apartments and three affordable rental houses.

Government is encouraging councils nationally to adopt methods similar to those WHL has been using for the last six years. The WHL model is a leading light in showing how innovation and determination can help with the country’s housing problem.

WHL will continue to deliver upwards of 50 to 70 homes across the Borough annually, to help meet rising demand for affordable housing.

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The key to a new life When Helen received the keys to her new home in Phoenix Avenue she knew at once her life was set to change for the better.

For years, the teaching assistant and partner Ian had struggled to keep a roof above their heads.

Along with their ten yearold daughter Kayleigh, the family had been living in private rented accommodation trying to keep up with a rent that was two-thirds their combined salary.

Towards the end of every month they would face the dreaded prospect of where the money would come from to pay for food, and everyday life’s necessities.

Helen just knew something had to give or her family could face being homeless.

Thankfully the answer to her prayers came in the shape of our new affordable housing development at Phoenix Avenue.

“This has changed my life, it’s been a Godsend,” said Helen.

“When they rang to say we had a house on the new development I don’t think they realised just how much this meant to me – it’s got us out of a huge hole.”

In private rented accommodation, Helen and Ian were paying around £1,200 on rent alone – with bills still to pay on top.

With the couple earning a combined £2,000 a month the pair had very little to live on each month.

“We were getting in a spiral of debt,” Helen recalled. “We needed to go into our overdrafts and sometimes even credit cards, just to get by.

“We were just average working people in a very horrible situation.”

Living in Phoenix Avenue they now pay rent of around £550 a month, on a long-term, five-year tenancy, for their two-bedroom semi-detached house.

“I can’t describe how happy we are – this will literally change our lives.”

Phoenix Avenue has 68 affordable homes for rent, from onebedroom apartments up to four-bedroom houses, situated in the heart of Wokingham’s Norreys community.

Commissioned by us and built by our own housing company Wokingham Housing (WHL), upon completion the properties transferred to our housing company Berry Brook Homes as landlord.

“You cannot beat the genuine appreciation that people have when signing up and being given the keys to their new home,” said Bill Flood, WHL’s Managing Director.

“The difference these homes will make to the lives of the new residents, is what all the effort to get to here is about.”

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‘Rad’ new skate park New skate park facilities are rolling in, thanks to developer contributions.

Gravity Engineering Ltd has designed for us an innovative bespoke concrete skate park to replace the existing tired metal equipment at the London Road site, near St Crispin’s Leisure Centre, in Wokingham.

The new design creates a multiuse area that will cater for skateboarders, BMX riders, scooters and inline skaters of all abilities and ages.

The main body of the new design has two sections, which will use various heights and transitions allowing people to develop their skills. It will also have obstacles specially modelled to meet the needs of users as their skills progress.

A separate ‘rhythm’ section will split off the faster routes, making the park safer for all. A third section, which is a holdover from the old equipment (shown in the dark grey in the picture), will create an additional area good for learning and skills development, and will allow the park to accommodate more people on busy days.

The new park is expected to open in the next few months.

More information: communityengagement@wokingham.gov.uk

Executive View Cllr Simon Weeks, Executive Member for Planning and Enforcement “This fantastic new skate park for our Borough’s young people is a great example of how developer contributions are used to benefit all ages in our communities with new leisure facilities.”

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Transforming Market Place For those of you who’ve visited Wokingham recently, you’ll have seen Market Place refurbishment well underway.

While we recognise work is disruptive to businesses and residents, wherever possible we’re working hard to minimise this.

We’re also working with retailers and businesses to get the message out that it’s ‘business as usual’ in the town. There are plenty of great things to buy, particularly in the run up to Christmas.

We’re transforming Market Place into an attractive continentalstyle space with café tables, market stalls, attractive trees and stylish paving. The £3.8million joint Borough and Town Council project is replacing the poor quality, root damaged paving, cluttered street scene and inconvenient bus lane with a smart new natural look that is pedestrian-friendly, and fully inclusive - perfect to support a flourishing market, successful shops and bustling outdoor living.

Local restaurants, coffee shops and cafes are already expressing an interest in enjoying a pitch in the heart of the town. This is exactly what the vision is all about – businesses and residents sharing a great community spirit.

Despite extensive scanning and comprehensive trial holes, the complexities of the project were only fully revealed when the pavement was lifted, with the historic utilities proving the most challenging.

We will ensure these utilities are in the best condition before the foundations

and new stone is laid, which will future-proof the area for years to come.

Market Place will see the first of what will be a rather unique feature in the regenerated town centre. A series of bespoke mosaics will be incorporated in the surfaces to be followed as a trail or enjoyed individually. Each will mark an aspect of Wokingham’s history, or a significant event.

Wokingham Methodist Church hopes to have a special wall mounted piece of public art, which will include mosaic fish. This will help locate the church and provide a real focal point for the new Peach Place. An App is also being developed to show their positions and explain their backgrounds. Wokingham Town Councillor, Gwynneth Hewetson, has been spearheading this initiative through local sponsorship.

Don’t forget you can park ‘Free After Three’ in Wokingham town centre council car parks from 3pm to 8am until the end of January. The car parks included in the scheme are: Carnival Multi-Storey, Cockpit Path, Shute End Council Offices, Denmark Street, Easthampstead Road (east and west), The Paddocks and Wellington House.

More information: www.wokingham.gov.uk (search ‘car parking’)

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INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES FOR OUR COMMUNITIES

Wokingham’s regeneration is making real progress this year.

During the past 12 months, we’ve started work at Peach Place, opened a brand new multi-storey car park at the Carnival site with a new state-of-the-art Wokingham Superbowl facility on the ground floor, and begun pre-construction work on Elms Field. And last month (November) planning permission was granted for a brand new leisure facility and library at the Carnival site.

But the regeneration is about far more than just the new facilities we’re building for local residents, with work in the town centre set to benefit everyone living or working in the Borough for years to come.

With central government funding rapidly drying up, we must be creative about how we fund the services you need and we’re investing in great new facilities across Wokingham. This has made us look at how we can be more entrepreneurial and start making public money better work for you. So how does this fit in with the town’s regeneration?

It’s a commercial project. We’ve always said our regeneration project had to be financially viable and able to stand on its own feet without any subsidy from local tax payers. We also said the project should generate profit for the Council, either through selling everything off to raise money, or by keeping it and receiving an annual income from commercial rents.

And, when it comes to the regeneration, it’s proving to be a great investment for all residents because it is set to generate an initial income of around £4million per year once it’s all complete, which will enable us to pay back the debt and contribute millions of pounds to fund services like social care, regenerate our other towns and villages, or fund brand new facilities in other areas of Wokingham Borough.

Executive View Cllr Stuart Munro, Executive Member for Business and Economic Development and Regeneration “This is a really exciting project for all residents whether they live near the town centre or not.

By managing it as a commercial project we’re delivering all these new facilities at no cost to local tax payers. We’re also generating money for the Council which will support residents across the entire Borough for years to come.”

More information: www.regenerationcompany.co.uk

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LOCAL PLAN UPDATE Wokingham Borough is being compelled to accommodate a lot of new homes. We have no choice in this: the government is determined to increase the supply of housing and, whether we like it or not, Wokingham Borough will take a significant amount of development.

But we do believe the Borough is in danger of having too many houses forced upon it and, at the same time as preparing for the inevitable extra homes, we’re lobbying government for greater protection against unscrupulous developers who push for more and more housing in inappropriate places. And we need your support for this.

How we’re planning for the housing that will come: the Local Plan Update Local Plans set out what land can and cannot be used for housing, leisure, industrial and other uses during a set period. They are vital to protect the area from inappropriate development being granted by appeal inspectors.

The Borough Council has a Local Plan dating from 2010 that is now being refreshed (in a process known as the Local Plan Update) for the period up to 2036.

Although we’re producing our own Local Plan, we have to do so within government policy; if it is not, the Local Plan will not be approved by a government planning inspector.

Two of the key legal requirements are that: (i) The Local Plan must identify enough land for new housing to meet our housing target. The starting point for this is the area’s Objectively Assessed Need (OAN), set by a government formula and likely to be somewhere between 850 and 880 homes per year. (ii) In producing our Local Plan, we must look at all potential options for housing land, including considering the future of the Green Belt. If we haven’t considered all options, the Local Plan faces being rejected by a government planning inspector.

How the new Local Plan is being produced: To fulfil the legal requirement to look at all options for housing land, we invited nominations for potential development land.

This ‘call for sites’ resulted in more than 260 bits of land (sites) being nominated. They must all be considered, but housing won’t be allowed on all of the sites. We will only allocate enough sites for housing to meet the OAN. All the sites put forward can be found at the web link below.

The next stage of process saw a consultation last year to ask you about how the housing should be provided. In general, you supported providing most of the housing in large developments, supplemented by some smaller sites. The findings can be found at: www.wokingham.gov.uk (search ‘local plan update’)

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What is happening now

Join our call for fairer system

The potential development sites are being assessed for their suitability to be developed. For the smaller sites, this assessment is being carried out by our officers. For three of the larger potential options, land around Grazeley, Barkham Square (which is directly to the north of the current Arborfield Green development) and around Twyford, masterplanning has been commissioned as part of this assessment process. These areas are some of the larger and more complicated clusters of nominated sites that need much more detailed work to assess whether they can accommodate housing. We also need to understand what infrastructure they would need if the decision was taken to allocate them for housing.

We understand the need for more housing and are playing our part to deliver it. We want homes that will be affordable for our children and grandchildren, as well as those that will house the workers vital to our economic success.

Next steps: Before any decision is taken on where housing should be located, we will be talking to Town and Parish Councils in detail about all sites and will also carry out a full public consultation.

To find out more visit: http://www.wokingham.gov.uk (search ‘planning policy’)

We want to work with partners across Berkshire to put pressure on government about these issues, and all residents can join us in this.

To find out more please email: communityengagement@wokingham.gov.uk

Executive View Cllr David Lee, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Highways “We believe the system to allocate housing targets, needs to be reformed. It is in danger of over burdening the south east of the country with housing, without providing the infrastructure needed. It also does not offer enough protection against unscrupulous developers.”

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Winter 2017 19

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Young filmmakers showcase what’s on offer at college The first day at school, college and work is daunting for most of us, but can you imagine what it’s like for a young person with additional needs?

A group of talented students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has made a series of videos, to give advice and support to young people about starting college.

In three short films, the students take you on a tour of Reading College.

Kyle Andrews, 17, wanted to be part of the videos so other young people didn’t feel lost like he did.

“When I joined Reading College it was difficult for me to walk into the building and I was worried about finding my classrooms and remembering things.”

These are feelings all of us can encounter, but for Kyle there were extra worries.

“I’m bad at meeting new people,” he said. “I like to chew on tooth picks and was worried I wouldn’t be able to do this at college.

“And when I’m stressed I sometimes swear without realising it, and thought the teachers at college might take it badly.”

The college tailored support suited to Kyle’s needs.

The extra SEND services available at the college are highlighted in the videos.

Fellow videographer, Adam Knott, said: “Learning support assistants and the college’s ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) Centre were lifesavers.”

The 19-year-old believes these videos will be crucial in supporting others before they join college, alongside the work the college already does with students while they are still at school.

“I think the videos will help young people to understand another student’s point of view and what the process is like for starting college,” said Adam.

“These videos would have eased my anxiety before going to my course interview as I would have seen what college looked like and the support they offer.

“And the videos would have helped me on my first day to understand what it’s like going to college.”

The videos are now a valuable resource on our Local Offer – our online council platform where we champion services available in the area for children and young people with additional needs.

You can also view the videos on our Wokingham Borough Council YouTube channel. To find out more about SEND services across the Borough go to: www.wokingham.gov.uk (search ‘local offer’)

20 Winter 2017

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Gorse Ride residents’ leading role Residents on the Gorse Ride estate are helping to shape the area’s future as it prepares for regeneration.

With the planning application for Phase One of the Gorse Ride Estate regeneration due next year, a Residents’ Steering Group of local stakeholders and volunteers has been formed to make sure local people take a leading role.

Phase One will see the rehousing and subsequent demolition and redevelopment of Cockayne Court, some properties in Arnett Avenue (97 – 107 odd numbers) and 154 Barkham Ride.

It will keep residents fully informed and involved and help us engage with them as the project progresses from inception to construction, and to post occupation. Through the group, residents will be able to influence proposals at the earliest opportunity before decisions are made.

The Residents’ Steering Group, which held its first meeting on 31 October, will help residents and community groups work with us and our partners to raise and address any issues and concerns regarding the project.

The group consists of local residents, which include council tenants, private leaseholders and owner-occupiers, within the Gorse Ride Project boundary as well as community representatives, our officers and members.

California Country Park improvements

Work is going well improving the car park at California Country Park in Finchampstead.

We’re changing the layout of the car park and widening the access road for two-way traffic, but in a way to ensure vehicles drive slowly and safely.

Before we removed trees and vegetation to start this work, we relocated reptiles and glow worms living in this area to a new home elsewhere in the park.

Ecologists were on hand to ensure the creatures were safe and well during the move, and also made sure there were no nesting birds in the trees earmarked for removal.

These improvements are needed because the country park is near the major development at Arborfield, so the number of visitors is expected to rise. The redesigned car park and access road will make it easier to get in and out.

The current phase of work, which is due to be finished this spring, marks the start of a wider plan of enhancements that include an improved café with a new all-weather outdoor seating area to encourage an evening café culture, a new play area, as well as new signs and information boards around the country park.

Winter 2017 21

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NHS health checks This free check with your GP helps to identify potential risks early.

Everyone is at some risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and certain forms of dementia. An NHS health check aims to help you lower your risk of developing these common, but often preventable diseases.

How it works You’re invited for the free NHS health check once every five years if you’re between 40 and 74, and haven’t already been diagnosed with vascular diseases or have certain risk factors such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol treated by medication.

The check will take around 20 to 30 minutes: • You’ll be asked some simple questions about your family history, whether or not you smoke, and how much alcohol you drink • Your height, weight, sex, ethnicity and age will be recorded • Your blood pressure will be taken • A simple blood test will check your cholesterol level

Advice Following the check, you’ll receive free personalised advice about what you can do to stay healthy.

If the health check does highlight any potential problems you’ll be offered plenty of advice and support to help you address them.

More information: www.healthcheck.nhs.uk

• Your body mass index (BMI) will be calculated. BMI is a measure of whether you’re a healthy weight for your height To book a health check, contact your GP. They can also provide information on healthier living.

Executive View Cllr Julian McGhee-Sumner, Executive Member for Adults’ Services, Health, Wellbeing, and Housing “Making simple changes to your lifestyle and taking half an hour of your time to visit your GP for a health check, can make a huge difference to your physical and mental fitness. Don’t let the winter blues hold you back.”

Five ways to stay healthy this winter

This needn’t be the unhealthiest time of year for you and your family.

Banish winter tiredness

• Get outdoors in natural daylight • Get a good night’s sleep • De-stress with exercise or meditation

Eat more fruit and veg

• Try fruity sugary treats such as satsumas • Carrots, parsnips, swede and turnips can be roasted, mashed or made into soup

Eat and drink more dairy

• Low fat are also full of protein, vitamins A and B12, and calcium • ‘Dairy-free’ options are just as good

Try new activities for the whole family

• Ice skating perhaps, or a bracing walk • Regular exercise helps control your weight, boost your immune system

Have a hearty breakfast

• Porridge is perfect and is full of nutrients. It helps you feel fuller for longer, so you don’t snack mid-morning

22 Winter 2017

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What do you think of health and social care services in Wokingham Borough?

We’re Healthwatch.

We’re here to help make care better. We listen to your experiences of services, and share them with those with the power to make change happen.

Join the hundreds of people in your community who share their stories with Healthwatch. No matter how big or small the issue, we want to hear about it. Together we can help make care better for everyone.

#ItStartsWithYou www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk t: 0118 418 1418 e: enquiries@healthwatchwokingham.co.uk @HWWokingham HWWokingham

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Winter 2017 23

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Mayor’s Column

Build a child’s confidence through fostering More than 100 foster carers, support workers and the young people they look after came together for a Big Adventure Challenge Fun Day at the Oakwood Centre.

From rock climbing to mountain boarding, youngsters and adults supported each other to complete a range of challenging activities.

“It was a real joy to see staff, carers and support workers get involved alongside the children,” said Anisha Reed, Team Manager in the Children in Care and Young People’s Team.

“A number of the young people struggle with confidence and self-esteem, but they really pushed and challenged themselves. They showed perseverance, resilience and most of all a sense of success and accomplishment.

“They were spurred on by their peers, and foster carers, and you could see just how much everyone got out of it.”

We’d love even more people to step forward to become foster carers.

“When you foster young people it’s so rewarding to make a difference to their life,” said foster carer Joanne Haines, “especially when you see them as adults with their own children and they cross the road to give you a big hug.”

More information: www.fostering.wokingham.gov.uk www.facebook.com/wokinghamfostering fostering@wokingham.gov.uk (0118) 974 6204

The Borough’s charities and volunteers “Since being elected as Mayor of Wokingham in May, my wife and I have had the privilege of representing the Borough at many community events and awards ceremonies touching countless lives,” said Cllr Rob Stanton “We’ve been amazed at the massive amount of work from volunteers of all ages across the community to set up and run these events all around the Borough, such as dragon boat racing on the River Thames where the competition was serious – and all for charity.

“We’ve spent a lot of time with children visiting schools, including a junior golf day where the eight-year olds were clearly far better than I. “So many charity events, community lunches and excellent fetes. Too many to list, but bringing joy to so many. I’ve found myself as a guest at a number of charity AGMs and am also amazed at the excellent work so many of our charities do in Wokingham Borough every single day of the year, particularly for children and our more senior citizens.

“All our local charities and volunteers are the hidden army of so much good and generous giving. We owe them so much.”

The Mayor’s civic charities this year are The Royal Berkshire Hospital Cancer Care Unit and cancer charities.

24 Winter 2017

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“Roll-up” to Woodley markets

Scoring success on and off the pitch

READING BLUE COAT SCHOOL An Independent Day School for Boys, with a Co-Educational Sixth Form

Woodley Town Council has been busy upgrading the facilities at Woodford Park Leisure Centre.

The brand new 3G pitch is open to residents and sports clubs alike. It’s already used by Woodley Wanderers, Woodley United, Berkshire’s youth development league, Woodley Zebras and Soccer Sixes, to name a few. There is also the option to pay as you play.

Another exciting new addition is the Gym on the Park. This is proving very popular and has now been boosted by an even larger group exercise timetable, included in gym membership.

New additions include licensed Les Mills Body Balance classes and an afternoon silver circuits class for over-50s.

For younger members, there’s a new Judo class. Held Saturday mornings, the children are guided up the belt grades.

More information: www.woodley.gov.uk/woodford-park-leisure-centre.aspx sports@woodley.gov.uk (0118) 921 6969

Tasty fruit and veg, breads and cakes are on sale at the weekly market on Saturdays from 9am to 3pm.

It’s not just food on sale. Saturday stalls also sell clothing, shoes and crafts.

And on the third Wednesday of every month, from 9am to 1.30pm, pick up fresh produce from the Farmers’ Market.

More information: www.woodleytowncentre.co.uk/ woodleymarkets.aspx

Come along and take a closer look

Call us for an informal chat with our Admissions team www.rbcs.org.uk •0118 944 1005 •Sonning Lane, Sonning, Berks RG4 6SU

Winter 2017 25

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‘Love-all’ for tennis club

A community tennis club launched on the back of the London Olympics is set to make a ‘racquet’ as it celebrates its fifth birthday.

Charvil Community Tennis Club, based on East Park Farm, has been serving up coaching and sporting facilities for the last five years as part of the Olympic legacy to encourage more people to take up sport.

The non-profit organisation, which was formed by tennis loving residents with our support, has two tennis courts and has seen its membership grow. It’s registered with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).

Regular coaching is available on Sundays in the autumn and spring terms, for both juniors and adults.

There are also club nights, focused Tuesday evening sessions and Saturday doubles aimed at building skills.

“We see tennis as an all-year round sociable game. We’re a friendly and welcoming club for people of all ages and all abilities,” said Club Chairman, Carl Emerson-Dam. More information: www.charvilcommunitytennis.org.uk membership@charvilcommunitytennis.org.uk

A raft of fun at Wokingham Waterside Centre From canoeing to dragon boating and more, there’re activities for everyone regardless of age, fitness or disability.

This charitable-run centre offers a unique riverside setting, water sports and conference venue set on a picturesque stretch of the River Thames.

On the river you can also have a go at kayaking, katakanuing, stand-up paddle boarding and raft building. This can be coupled with team building challenges on land, and warm pool sessions to perfect your canoeing and kayaking skills all year round.

“We run everything from beginners’ taster sessions Executive View to British Canoeing star courses, additional needs sessions, plus professional one-to-one coaching and coaching courses,” said Cllr Norman Jorgensen, Kathryn Hall, Centre Manager.

Executive Member for “We’re passionate about delivering accessible water sports for all, and dedicated to professionalism and excellence.”

It also has a function and meeting rooms which can be hired. The new coffee counter offers coffee and cake for your post paddling recovery.

It holds school holiday activities, birthday parties and seasonal events; such as a hot chocolate paddle near Christmas.

We own the centre, and lease it to the charity.

More information: www.wokinghamwatersidecentre.com

Environment, Sports, Environmental Health, Leisure and Libraries

“A lot of people don’t know about the Wokingham Waterside Centre in Earley. It’s just one of the many diverse leisure facilities across our Borough, catering for everyone whatever their age, sporting ability, or enthusiasm.”

26 Winter 2017

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NEW ROADS UPDATE Arborfield Relief Road

Eastern Gateway

The planning application for this project is due to be determined very soon.

A planning decision is due early next year on this, the second phase of the South Wokingham Distributor Road (SWDR).

The road will help ease congestion in Arborfield and carry future traffic from the 3,500 homes being built at the former Arborfield Garrison.

If agreed by planners, it will run to the west and south of Arborfield. It will connect with the A327 in the north at a roundabout near Bridge Farm, run parallel to Greensward Lane to a new staggered junction with Swallowfield Road, and continue to the south of Arborfield Court to connect to the A327 Eversley Road.

It will also feature a ‘green bridge’ for ramblers, cyclists and horse riders, and an ecology corridor for wildlife.

Subject to planning approval, detailed design for the scheme and preparatory build work will start next year, with construction due in 2019.

If agreed by planners, the Eastern Gateway will run south from Montague Park over the Waterloo/Reading railway line on a new bridge, and then link to Waterloo Road. The current Waterloo Road level crossing would then close.

The first phase of the SWDR was William Heelas Way through Montague Park. Later phases will continue to a new junction at Easthampstead Road and onto Finchampstead Road, connecting to the existing Tesco roundabout.

The SWDR will serve the new 2,500 homes in the South Wokingham Strategic Development Location.

Subject to planning approval for the Eastern Gateway, its detailed design and construction are due to start next year.

Winnersh Relief Road Phase 2 The planning application for this phase of the Winnersh Relief Road is due to be submitted any time now.

This new road would run parallel to the M4 between B3030 King Street Lane and A329 Reading Road, by extending the existing Longdon Road. It would also feature a new roundabout onto the A329 Reading Road, north of the M4 overbridge. A further roundabout would be created on Reading Road, south of the M4 overbridge.

The first phase, now completed, runs between the B3270 Lower Earley Way and B3030 King Street Lane.

The completed relief road will ease congestion through Winnersh village and the wider network.

More information www.wokingham.gov.uk (search ‘major new roads’)

Winter 2017 27

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What CPE means for you Putting an end to dangerous parking is at the top of our list now we’ve taken over parking enforcement from the police.

In October we became responsible for civil parking enforcement (CPE) to ensure safe and legal parking across the Borough.

This covers yellow lines, loading restrictions and timelimited/ residents/ disabled bays. Police still retain powers to deal with certain restrictions.

A survey in 2015 revealed that one in four cars was parked illegally in and around Wokingham and Woodley town centres, and central Twyford.

Illegal parking can be dangerous – particularly for emergency vehicles’ access – and overstaying can create too many cars driving around unable to find a space. But CPE will also make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

And parking enforcement is good for local economies because it improves traffic flow so people can find suitable spaces nearer to shops and businesses.

Contrary to what many people think, parking enforcement isn’t simply a money bag for councils.

Income from it can only be ploughed back into funding the service itself and investing in parking and transport.

Our parking officers wear clearly marked uniforms and wear body cameras for their own and also the safety of road users. They are out and about 24/7.

Pay or appeal a parking fine

Executive View

You can do this all online at: www.wokingham.gov.uk (search for ‘pay or appeal a parking fine’).

Cllr Chris Bowring, Executive Member for Highways and Transport

Virtual permits

“Please be patient with us while civil parking enforcement beds in. You may want us to introduce a new traffic regulation order, but we first need to see if the existing ones are still right for the environments they’re in before we add new ones.”

This applies to resident parking permits and season tickets, and means you no longer need to display a paper permit in your car. When you apply online, your permit is instantly active.

If your permit is due to run out or has expired, please apply for your new virtual one by visiting the car parking permit section on our website. You can also update your details already on there, if needed.

Sadly, we can no longer send reminder letters when your permit is due to expire, so please make a note when you need to renew it.

TROs For the first time, the Borough’s 400+ Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) have been converted from written documents to detailed visual maps.

This makes it easier for you to see how parking enforcement affects where you live and work.

Visit www.wokingham.gov.uk (search for ‘traffic regulation orders’)

28 Winter 2017

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Winter 2017 29

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What’s On this season… dark , e b y It ma out there ld t and co on’t let tha but d your fun. stop

Visit www.wokingham.gov.uk and click on ‘news and events’ and then ‘what’s on’ to access The Wokingham Directory, which lists lots of things to see and do.

Events in Wokingham Borough Libraries are also on our website listed under the ‘libraries’ pages. For Outdoors, Sports and Countryside, find information on our site under ‘sports and activities’ and ‘countryside, parks and conservation’.

Remember Parish and Town Councils across our Borough also have activities planned.

Search on our website for ‘parish and town councils’ for links to their web pages.

Your daily Christmas treat

Get Arty Festive Crafts

There’s still time to enjoy the Wokingham Living Advent Calendar, which started at the beginning of December.

Weekdays 6pm and 4pm weekends it’s held at different venues across Wokingham town centre. (It’ll be at Wokingham Library on 18 December at 6.15pm, for example.)

For children aged three to 11. £1.50. Just drop-in: • Maiden Erlegh Library, 15 December, 3.30 to 4.15pm • Woodley Library, 21 December, 10.30 to 11.30am • Wokingham Library, 22 December, 10.30 to 11.30am

Bring along friends and family for free music, dance and theatre. Like a real advent calendar, a new act is announced every day. So join the advent’s special Facebook page for automatic updates. Each night is also supported by a different local charity.

More information: www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk/advent www.facebook.com/wokinghamadvent Twitter @Wokingham_TC

Igniting Writing for teens Free Saturday morning creative writing sessions for 11-18 year-olds at Wokingham Library, 10.30am to noon.

It’s a fun relaxed group that covers everything from building settings to fantasy writing.

Newcomers are welcome.

More information: Twitter: @IgnitingWriting Facebook: Igniting Writing - Wokingham Library Teen Writing Group Tumblr: http://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/

Calling all young bookworms Don’t forget the Winter Reading Challenge for Young People, which runs until 8 January.

Free for Wokingham Borough library members aged four to 16, sign up in the library and get a free collectors card. Borrow and read three books by the deadline, and get a certificate. You can also write a book review to add to our Winter Reading Challenge wall, and once you’ve completed the challenge enter our book-themed prize draw.

Christmas Scavenger Hunt During December, find the characters in participating Wokingham businesses for the chance to win prizes including an annual family Merlin ticket. The event is organised by Specsavers. www.lovewokingham.co.uk

30 Winter 2017

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Recycling your food waste Plans to introduce a new weekly food waste service are being looked at in greater detail, before we make a final decision.

The new service would be in addition to our current weekly recycling and general waste collections. It would help people recycle more.

Wokingham Borough currently recycles almost 40% of its waste, but under government guidelines this must rise to 50% by 2020.

Some 30% of the general waste we collect in the Wokingham Borough is food. If even only half of that is put in a separate food container, this would boost recycling by 5,000 tonnes a year.

The new service would see Borough residents given a 23 litre sealed fox and rat proof food waste bin, plus a smaller caddie to keep in their kitchens.

The food waste bin would be collected weekly alongside the black box of dry recyclables and blue bags for general waste.

Collecting general waste costs the council £170 per tonne whereas recyclable items cost just £60 per tonne.

Should the new service get the green light, food waste collections could get underway in 2019.

HAVE YOU GOT THE BOTTLE? Your community group could win up to £1,000 in a glass recycling campaign from re3, our waste management partner.

To take part in the prize draw, your school, charity or voluntary/ community organisation needs to show its commitment to increasing recycling at re3 glass banks.

This could mean collecting hot drink jars following a fundraising coffee morning and taking them to a glass bank; telling others about the initiative through social media; encouraging supporters to use a glass bank on their way to work; giving a school assembly or writing an article in a community newsletter on the benefits of glass recycling.

Prizes for residents on social media using the #alottabottle hashtag are also planned.

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Winter 2017 31

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This is 110g of cooked pasta.

It costs about 10p, so probably no big deal if it isn’t eaten and ends up in the bin.

It soon adds up, though, and the average UK family throws away £700 of food every year.

By binning food, we pay for it twice – from our grocery bills and from the Council Tax we pay for waste disposal.

If every household in the re3 area reduced their daily food waste by only 110g a day for a year, we would save £1m in waste management costs.

And that means more money for your family, and more money for our communities.

For food and money saving tips, visit www.re3.org.uk re3 is a waste management partnership between Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham Borough Councils and FCC Environment. www.re3.org.uk

Waste and recycling collections Christmas and New Year Normal Collection Day

Actual Collection Date

Delay

Christmas Day (Mon) Boxing Day (Tues) 27 December (Wed) 28 December (Thurs) 29 December (Fri) New Year’s Day (Mon) 2 January (Tues) 3 January (Wed) 4 January (Thurs) 5 January (Fri) 8 January (Mon) 9 January (Tues) 10 January (Wed) 11 January (Thurs) 12 January (Fri)

27 December (Wed) 28 December (Thurs) 29 December (Fri) 30 December (Sat) 2 January (Tues) 3 January (Wed) 4 January (Thurs) 5 January (Fri) 6 January (Sat) 8 January (Mon) 9 January (Tues) 10 January (Wed) 11 January (Thurs) 12 January (Fri) 13 January (Sat)

2 days 2 days 2 days 2 days 2 days 2 days 2 days 2 days 2 days 2 days 1 day 1 day 1 day 1 day 1 day

Normal service resumes on Monday 15 January

Time of collection Please place your waste out the night before, as collections start earlier than normal

Garden waste Collections will coincide with the above schedule

Christmas Trees If you’re part of the garden waste collection scheme, please cut up your real tree and place it in your brown wheelie-bin or compostable sacks and put out as normal

Christmas cards Many charities collect these for fundraising.

Put cards made from paper into your black recycling box

Did you know?

Wrapping paper Put this in your recycling box. Metallic paper must be put in your blue bag

Wokingham Borough’s current recycling rate is 38.9%. Every 1% increase equates to 745 tonnes of waste, which could save the public purse £64,825.

www.wokingham.gov.uk