Wokingham Borough News - Spring 2013

Wokingham Borough

Spring 2013

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Your magazine from Wokingham Borough Council

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In this issue...

Thanks to your efforts Recycling up 24% Waste down 22% www.wokingham.gov.uk

Health and wellbeing

page 4

Customer experience

page 7

Your school needs you

page 26

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www.wokingham.gov.uk

Keeping in touch with us Phone: (0118) 974 6000 Fax: (0118) 978 9078 Email: wokinghamdirect@wokingham.gov.uk Text message: 07786 200 974 Website including webchat: www.wokingham.gov.uk

Welcome

Visit us Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5pm at the Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 IBN. Social networking sites www.facebook.com/ wokinghamboroughcouncil

www.twitter.com/wokinghamBC

Looking Local iPhone and Android app – Report abandoned vehicles, fly-tipping and vandalism, or check out news and events, job vacancies and the latest travel information.

Go to app store and search for the free Looking Local app.

Email and text updates – Register at: www.wokingham.gov.uk/online Information kiosks – Available at Woodley and Lower Earley libraries and the Civic Offices.

Looking Local – Access local information and services using your digital television remote control.

(Virgin Community Channel – 233 or Sky Community Channel – 539) We’d like to hear what you think of Wokingham Borough News, and in particular if you would like to contribute to future editions. Please also give your views on our social networking sites and what else you would like to use them for – Tweet us, send us a message on Facebook or an email to: communications@wokingham.gov.uk Editorial Communications Team at Wokingham Borough Council.

Design and printed by Whatever Design Ltd on Ability Offset 80gsm FSC. Cost 7p per person/19p per copy.

Back in December, central government announced our finance settlement – one of the toughest we’ve ever faced in a single year.

Although national headlines highlighted a reduction of £2million, or 1.7% in our funding from central government, the reality is somewhat worse. In real terms it means we face a loss of approximately £5million, and this is due to get worse in 2014/15 when we face a 16% reduction in our grant.

For several years we’ve been working hard to ensure we’re efficient and a lean organisation, to allow us to protect frontline services. However, this settlement means we’ll have to dig even deeper to find extra savings on top of savings already made; (£16.5million) since 2009/10.

You can read more about our budget in the centre pages of this magazine.

We’ve had to make some difficult decisions, but I’m confident we will be well placed to respond to the challenges ahead.

Despite the gloom, there’s been a number of successes in the past year. This month (March) students

at St Crispin’s School are reaping the benefits of a brand new science block thanks to our £5.5million investment (page 9), and our plans to regenerate Eustace Crescent (page 11) are progressing well. Our new recycling and waste scheme has also delivered savings of nearly a million pounds (page 12) thanks to your continued efforts.

The importance of a vibrant economy, pleasant surroundings, low rates of crime, good shops and a supportive community cannot be underestimated, and these are vital to the quality of life for our residents. This is a priority and I’m proud that once again we’ve been ranked third in the Halifax’s Quality of Life survey. From April we will have responsibility for public health and tackling inequalities in health, and you can learn more about this on page 4.

As always, I’m happy to hear your views and ideas, so please drop me an email at: david.lee@wokingham.gov.uk Cllr David Lee Leader

Spring 2013

Making history

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In this edition Health and wellbeing is for life........4/5

Wokingham Borough’s outgoing Youth MP (MYP) Sumaiya Karim, a student at Maiden Erlegh School, has become the first woman to wear a Hijab whilst speaking at the despatch box in the House of Commons. We caught up with her to find out more…

Improving the customer experience..................................................7 Every child counts...............................8/9 Superfast broadband.............................11 Recycling and waste....................... 12/13 Council tax/Budget....................... 15/18 Community forums...............................19 Wokingham Station.............................. 25

journalist from the Press Association, I learnt I was the first woman to wear a Hijab at the despatch box.

“I was extremely nervous when Mr Speaker, The Rt Hon John Bercow, called upon me to deliver my speech: ‘A Curriculum to Prepare Us For Life’.

It was followed by a speech against the motion and then a debate from the MYPs about whether or not it should be the national campaign for 2013.

“I felt, and still feel extremely privileged. The response was overwhelming but I was humbled with the articles being published and the comments I received. Both the experience and the fact I made history are something I will cherish dearly for the rest of my life.”

“Votes were cast and my particular issue received 154 votes. It was really pleasing to learn what I had argued for was to be the campaign for next year. But there was more good news to follow; after an interview with a

Get on your bike A great way to improve your health and wellbeing is to get on your bike!

And thanks to our £160,000 investment, local people will soon have a safe way to travel between Woodley and Earley without using their cars.

The new cycleway and footpath will pass under the A3290 and the Reading to Waterloo railway line. We’re going to widen the existing footpath to three metres along Woodlands Avenue, Fairwater Drive, Nightingale Road, and School Drive as well as the subway under the A3290 near Pond Head Lane.

We’ll also be improving the pedestrian crossing to make it more cycle friendly. It’s due to be completed at the end of March.

Your school needs you......................... 26 Parish news............................................. 30 What’s on................................................ 31

A new flood warning system at Land’s End Ford We’ve recently installed some warning lights at Land’s End Ford, Charvil to warn drivers when the river is high.

Costing £30,000, the flashing lights have been placed at 100metres and 30metres from the ford and are triggered when flood water makes it impassable.

These are in addition to the warning signs already in place.

Photo courtesy of the Twyford Advertiser

“Back in November, I led a debate at the Youth Parliament in the House of Commons.

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www.wokingham.gov.uk

Health and Wellbeing

is for life Improving health, wellbeing and quality of life is one of the underpinning priorities in our Vision.

It’s an exciting time in the Wokingham Borough as public health services move from the NHS into the Borough Council in April. You may wonder what public health is. In simplistic terms it is services and initiatives to prevent people from getting ill rather than treating sickness. And, work is ongoing to prepare the Council for its new duties including the appointment of a Director of Public Health to lead this work (see below). We have also appointed Darrell Gale as our Consultant in Public Health and a small number of NHS staff will move over to the Borough Council.

We’ve also been told by government that we will receive £3.8million to fund public health services in the Borough.

The move is part of major changes the government is making to the NHS which also includes the replacement of primary care trusts by GP-led Clinical Commissioning Groups which will be responsible for commissioning most NHS services.

Welcome to Dr Lise Llewellyn We caught up with Dr Lise Llewellyn, the newly appointed Director of Public Health for Berkshire.

“I’m thrilled about taking up this new role, which will provide new opportunities for public health work across six Berkshire unitary councils.

“I’m looking forward to maximising the opportunities which will come with moving public health from the NHS to local government, including working with departments such as planning, environmental health, leisure, housing and education and social care across Berkshire.

“It’s very important to me that we come up with new ways to keep residents healthy and happy.”

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We’ve published Your Local Account – our annual report for adult social care featuring our achievements and challenges for 2011/12 and priorities for the coming years.

Many of you will have been involved in developing it and we’ve used your feedback and suggestions to ensure it’s an interesting and informative read.

Instead of reporting performance to central government, councils are now expected to report directly to their local communities through an annual Local Account.

We’d like to hear what you think of the Local Account, as well as get involved in future editions, so please get in touch if you are interested.

(0118) 974 6794 localaccount@wokingham.gov.uk www.wokingham.gov.uk/localaccount

Spring 2013

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Want to quit smoking?

SmokefreelifeBerkshire has been helping hundreds of people to quit smoking.

In Wokingham, clinics are run at Woosehill Practice, Rectory Road Surgery, Wokingham Hospital and Tudor House Surgery. All clinics can be accessed even if you’re not a registered patient. If you live elsewhere in the Borough, talk to your GP to see if you can be referred to the service.

A 28-year-old man from Winnersh recently quit smoking after 13 years. He tried several times to quit by going cold turkey and trying Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), known as patches, but neither worked.

At his last attempt he visited the POD at Broad Street Mall in Reading and joined the 12-week programme. With NRT and professional support he finally quit smoking.

He said the approach was great, the advisor phoned him when he was late and reminded him of the appointment. He received professional support, when he had difficulties and issues, and liked the fact that he had someone to talk to about these when he needed to.

“It is a very supportive service that helped me in times of difficulties; I rate this service ten out of ten” The service provides 12-weeks’ support plus NRT. By using both of these things you have four times more chance of quitting smoking. Sessions also run at Wokingham Library on Saturdays between 10am and 4pm and Woodley Library on Sundays between 11am and 4pm.

Interesting fact: If you quit for 28 days, you are more likely to quit for good.

Make an appointment: 0800 622 6360 www.smokefreelifeBerkshire.com

Executive view Cllr Julian McGhee-Sumner, Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing “Our new public health role sits alongside the work we are already undertaking to help our residents lead healthier lives. We are well positioned to lead this work because of our close links to our communities. The Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board is made up of key people who are the driving force behind improving the wellbeing and good health of you all.”

Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board

By April 1, we have to set up a Health and Wellbeing Board as a committee of the Council. We are ahead of the game as our Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board has been meeting since May 2011 to decide its priorities and how the members work together.

They are responsible for improving the health and wellbeing of the population and reduce health inequalities. The shadow board includes key people from the main organisations responsible for health and care services including: • Three Borough councillors • Director with responsibility for Adult Social Services • Director with responsibility for Children’s Services • Director of Public Health • Two representatives from the Clinical Commissioning Group • Representative from Healthwatch (Healthwatch is a new, independant consumer champion for health and social care) • Representative from the National Commissioning Board (its role is to ensure that the NHS delivers better outcomes for patients within its available resources) The Shadow Board has agreed draft terms of reference that describe how it will operate. The first meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board will take place in public in April and every month thereafter. Agendas and minutes of the meetings will be available on our website. www.wokingham.gov.uk/council/meetings

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www.wokingham.gov.uk

Community Safety Partnership Warm and Well in Priorities 2013/14 Following a study of crime and anti-social behaviour in the Wokingham Borough, the Council and its partners have set the community safety priorities for the year ahead.

Each year between August and December, the Wokingham Borough Community Safety Partnership considers its strategic assessment of crime and disorder and uses this assessment to guide its work. This includes reducing offending by the most prolific offenders through a combination of support and firm action to catch and convict those who continue to commit crimes.

Wokingham Borough

During the winter, we gave out lots of advice to our elderly and disabled residents about keeping warm and well. And over 500 winter emergency packs containing items such as blankets, thermal socks, thermal mugs and hot water bottles were given to them by local organisations including several parish councils, local churches and community groups. Visit our website for more details. www.wokingham.gov.uk/warm

Following the latest assessment, the priorities for 2013/14 are: Priority 1: Reduce the impact of social, economic and environmental factors on key crimes and disorder Priority 2: Identify and tackle community concerns and neighbourhood level issues Priority 3: Prevent hidden crimes and the effect on high risk and vulnerable victims and their families Priority 4: Manage young adult and youth offending linked to violence, theft, anti-social behaviour and drivers of crime This approach has delivered significant levels of crime reduction for another year. And the Community Safety Partnership is already looking at new and innovative ways to tackle anti-social behaviour and prevent lower level offending escalating to more serious and damaging behaviour.

The Community Safety Partnership welcomes the opportunity to work with the new Police and Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfield (pictured above) and the Crime Panel for the Thames Valley, using this comprehensive assessment as a first step in establishing a shared understanding of crime and disorder across our Borough.

Flying tribute A commemorative stone has been unveiled at The Lodge, Shinfield Park to mark the former site of the headquarters of the Royal Air Force Flying Training Command.

The Lodge is a listed building and was the headquarters between 1940 and 1968. It was responsible for organising the training of all aircrew during and after World War Two, ensuring sufficient crews were available for the war and later conflicts.

It has been restored and is now a private house.

Loving it!

Year 5 children at Bearwood Primary School, Sindlesham love their brand new classrooms!

We’ve installed a modular building housing two classrooms, a small group work room, toilets, play space and a cycle shelter.

The building project is part of our ÂŁ12 million investment to ensure primary and secondary schools across the Borough have quality buildings and facilities for pupils and staff.

Spring 2013

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Improving the customer experience We take great pride in the customer service we offer you If you’ve been to our Shute End offices recently you may have noticed some changes. Children and Adults’ Services reception has moved to the ground floor and Planning and Building Control receptions will be joining them soon.

To make it simpler for you, we’ve introduced new ways of paying which mean you don’t have to visit our Shute End offices to make a payment.

For council tax, business rates and rents, the simplest method of payment is direct debit.

You can sign up over the phone without the need to fill in any forms.

If you want to pay by regular instalments for services, we’ve introduced key fobs and bar codes. This means payment can be made in any Post Office or Pay Zone payment point in the UK, free of charge. There are 28 in the Borough.

Check out our website to find one near you.

For those who want to use our self-service options, you can pay via the website (free access at our libraries), an automated payment line and a self-service kiosk at our Shute End offices. If you need more support, our staff can take payment over the phone for most council services.

We’ve now closed the cashiers point at Shute End. But don’t worry, staff are on hand to help you with the new payment options (0118) 974 6000 wokinghamdirect@wokingham.gov.uk www.wokingham.gov.uk

In April, a number of adult social care services including brokerage, blue badge and assessment teams, as well as Optalis will be moving to Shute End.

The results are in!

Thank you to the hundreds of you who took the time to complete the readership survey in the Autumn edition of Wokingham Borough News. Here’s what you told us: • 65.4 % believe it keeps you informed about council services • Over 90% believe the content is interesting • 73.9% believe the news is up-to-date Many said you would like more news about your locality and hopefully you will enjoy some of the articles in this edition featuring Shinfield, Woodley and Finchampstead. Please get in touch if you have a local story you would like featured.

We’ll continue to make sure the magazine keeps improving and keeps you informed.

(0118) 974 6010 communications@wokingham.gov.uk www.wokingham.gov.uk/news

Executive view Cllr Pauline Jorgenson, Executive Member for Internal Services “As part of our commitment to improving customer choice around payment options, we have brought in these new channels which should avoid the need for our residents to travel in to Shute End to make a payment. We hope that both the local and selfservice payment options will be more convenient for our customers.”

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www.wokingham.gov.uk

Every child We are committed to improving the education of all of our children and focusing on every child achieving their potential at school.

Primary school places Plans are going well to create additional primary school places needed in parts of the Borough, ready for this September.

At least 45 additional places will be offered at established schools this April. Following extensive public consultation to identify sites and designs, work is also well underway to open three new primary schools in Charvil, Winnersh and Woosehill creating 90 additional places. Plans are due to be considered by the Planning Committee later this month (March).

We are working with the Department for Education (DfE) to recruit the organisations that will run these schools as Academies or Free Schools. The Piggott School has agreed to run the Charvil school.

Once the DfE has confirmed the successful providers, a separate admissions process for each school can start so offers can be made later this year (this will be after offer day on April 16).

To find out the latest developments, including the separate admissions process, please check our website or click onto the Wokingham Borough schools dedicated Facebook page.

More time to find your way Young people are being encouraged to have a think about their next move after Year 11, following a change in the law about leaving education and training.

There are lots of different options available to them including apprenticeships, work with training, colleges and sixth form, and volunteering.

Those students who have just started Year 11 will need to be in training or education until the end of the academic year in which they turn 17 and those currently in Year 10 or below, until their 18th birthday.

(0118) 903 6950 www.raisingparticipationpartnership.org

counts Back to school In the Wokingham Borough we have 49 infant, junior and primary schools, eight secondary schools, and two special schools. Over the past year or so you may have heard about new types of schools such as Academies and Free Schools. But do you know what they are? Here’s a quick guide: Maintained schools Most of our schools are known as maintained schools. They are funded by government via the Council and have full control of their budget. The categories of maintained school are: community, voluntary aided and voluntary controlled.

The Council monitors school standards and has statutory powers to take action if the school is judged by OFSTED to be inadequate.

Academies Academies are publicly-funded independent schools and have full control of their budget. The Department for Education monitors their standards. In the Wokingham Borough we have three academies: Maiden Erlegh, The Piggott and The Holt. The Forest School has decided to apply for academy status and work has started on their application.

Free Schools Free Schools are state-funded schools set up in response to what local people say they want and need.

Their standards are monitored by the Department for Education. It has become much easier for charities, universities, businesses, educational groups, teachers and groups of parents to get involved and start new schools.

Oakbank School in the South West of the Borough is our only free school.

University Technical Colleges UTCs offer technical and vocational courses for students.

UTC Reading specialises in computer science and engineering and is due to open in September. Local students, aged 14 to 19, living within a 15 mile radius of RG1 5RQ can apply.

Aspire Also opening in September is a Skills and Enterprise Centre for 14 to 19-yearolds, known as Aspire.

Spring 2013

School scientists reaping benefits As Wokingham Borough News was going to press, we were putting the finishing touches to the new £5.5million science block at St Crispin’s School in Wokingham featuring nine laboratories, a lecture theatre and improved teaching spaces.

An official opening is planned in the summer and you can read more about it in the next edition of the magazine.

Headteacher Ginny Rhodes said: “The architects and construction team have created an invigorating and inspirational building for students to work in. The new, well-equipped science labs will provide an ideal learning environment in which budding young scientists can work and prosper.”

This is a unique partnership between education and business. We will use the expertise of local businesses to support and help improve the skills and employability of some of our most vulnerable young people. The centre will be based at Winnersh IQ, and we are leasing a building from SEGRO. You can read more about Aspire in the Summer edition of Wokingham Borough News.

More information Our website will signpost you to individual school websites where you can find out more about their curriculum, pastoral support and contact details. www.wokingham.gov.uk/schools

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Executive view Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor, Executive Member for Children’s Services “Our priority is to give our children and young people the best education possible. Our schools are above the national average for being good or outstanding, according to recent figures published

by OFSTED. We continue to focus on working with headteachers and governing bodies to increase the number of good and outstanding schools locally and it’s wonderful to see such great progress being made.”

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Could you support a child or young person when they need it most?

Fostering is one of the most rewarding experiences possible.

We’re always looking for caring people to foster children and support young people who haven’t had the best start in life.

Could you make a difference by giving them the stable home environment, guidance, and extra support they need? It may only be for a few weeks, or for much longer, but you could help turn their lives around.

Safer Places

We’ll give you the training, financial and practical support that you need to enhance a child’s life.

As well as foster carers interested in fostering older children and sibling groups, we have a need for parent and baby, respite, supported lodgings and carers for young people with particularly complex needs.

More than 40 shops, businesses and public buildings across the Borough are Safer Places.

The difference you make could last a lifetime. So if you’re interested, live in a non-smoking household, have a spare room and believe that you could make a difference, why not get in touch?

Places in the scheme display a green ‘Safer Place’ sticker in their windows.

(0118) 974 6204 fostering@wokingham.gov.uk www.besomeoneamazing.co.uk

The scheme provides safe havens for vulnerable people feeling scared or needing help. It’s supported by the Police and other local organisations.

David: “I’m really glad the Safer Places Scheme was there because I was able to help somebody who felt poorly, as I told her to go into a place with a green sticker displayed on the front.”

Local business: “The Safer Places scheme is a great way to put something back into the community simply by making your business available to help a vulnerable person who needs a bit of support.”

(0118) 974 6976 johan.baker@wokingham.gov.uk www.wokingham.gov.uk/ saferplaces

Get involved in the annual community litter pick Why not join the annual community litter pick taking place on weekends this month (March)?

They’re happening at various times and locations across the Borough.

Check out our website for details. www.wokingham.gov.uk/litterpick (0118) 974 6000

IN GET VO LV ED

Spring 2013 11

UR O S IT VIS RARIE LIB

up!

On the Visits to libraries nationally fell by 3.4% during 2011/12, whilst here in the Borough, visits rose by 2% - an increase for the second year running.

We provide a good range of services, including free access to the internet, a free book loan service, DVDs and audio books to hire, and access to reference materials, newspapers and magazines.

There’s also a range of events and activities for all ages to enjoy – see page 31 for upcoming events.

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Superfast broadband could be yours at a click

GI YO STE R IN TE UR RE ST

www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries

A new flagship community Our plans to regenerate Eustace Crescent in Wokingham are gathering pace. We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who came along to the event in January. It was a great chance to hear your views on our plans so far and see potential design options for the area.

The next steps will see more detailed plans drawn up which we hope to submit for planning approval in the summer.

(0118) 908 8317 des.robinson@wokingham.gov.uk

We’re urging you to back a campaign to improve broadband speeds across the Borough.

Improved broadband is being rolled out across the country, so if you want to increase the chances of your part of the Borough getting it, please register your interest at: www.superfastberkshire.org.uk.

Registration is free, easy and doesn’t commit you to any additional expense. Registration simply shows internet providers there is demand for superfast broadband in your area.

Some 5,200 homes and businesses – 8% of the Borough - currently don’t have good broadband access. This campaign wants to help locations such as these.

The government has given £1.43million to Berkshire to help roll-out the new technology, and the county’s local authorities are match-funding this including us. The missing investment needs to come from the internet providers to upgrade local telecoms cabinets with fibre optic connections. If enough residents and businesses register their interest, the internet providers will invest.

The campaign is also seeking Digital Champions to help boost registrations in their town and parishes.

They could do this by word-of-mouth, organising promotional events, or by downloading and disseminating the publicity material on the website. Interested?

Please get in touch.

(0118) 974 6018 andrew.nicholls@ wokingham.gov.uk

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Let’s talk more about recycling and waste It’s been nearly a year since we started collecting your recycling and waste in a different way. And thanks to your efforts, we’ve seen black box recycling rates continue to increase by 24 per cent and landfill waste reduce by 22 per cent.

Over the past year, a lot has been said about the new service and we’ve listened to your views to make improvements. You’ll notice we’ve improved the quality of the blue bags for 2013/14.

This year there are no changes to collection days. However if you are unsure, please visit our website and use the postcode search.

Not received your blue bags? email: bluebags@ wokingham.gov.uk call: (0118) 974 6307

Blue bags By now you should have received your 80 blue bags.

If for some reason you haven’t, please get in touch with us by emailing: bluebags@wokingham.gov.uk or calling (0118) 974 6307.

This is your allocation for the whole year. If you’ve already registered as a larger household of five or more, you will automatically receive your additional bags by April. If you are a new resident or you need to register as a larger household, please contact us.

And if you have some left over from last year, you can still use them.

Black boxes Which bag, box or bin can my recycling and rubbish go in?

• Black recycling box – Food tins, drinks cans, paper, card, plastic bottles (no lids), aerosols • Blue bag – Rubbish that cannot be recycled (no garden waste) • Brown-wheeled bin and compostable brown sacks – leaves, grass, twigs, clippings, roots, shoots and weeds

If you require a new or replacement black recycling box, please get in touch.

Spring March 2013 2011 13

Recycling Bring Banks There are some things you can’t put in your black recycling box, such as Tetra Pak, glass, foil and textiles but you can recycle these and many other items across the Borough at our recycling bring banks.

There are over 40 local bring banks situated around the Borough – visit our website for locations.

Don’t throw away things you don’t need any more - there’s somebody out there who could benefit from them. The bring banks often accept textiles, shoes and books that people no longer want and pass them on to someone else who needs them.

And don’t forget many supermarkets also have recycling facilities for plastic bags and hangers, so why not recycle as you shop?

Household Waste and Recycling Centres (Longshot Lane, Bracknell and Smallmead, Reading) You can take waste to our Household Waste and Recycling Centres. They recycle many items that we don’t currently collect, including computers, car batteries, wood, rubble, car oil and furniture. For opening times and details of the wide range of materials which can be recycled at Smallmead and Longshot Lane, visit www.re3.org.uk

Garden waste

R or ENE JO W 20 IN f 13 /14 or

If you wish to carry on using the brown-wheeled bin garden waste service from April, you must renew your subscription (£60).

We’d prefer you to renew or register for the service online at: www.wokingham.gov.uk/gardenonline. However, if you prefer you can send us a cheque quoting your name and address. Please make the cheque payable to Wokingham Borough Council and pop it in the post to us at PO Box 152, Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1WJ. To help with the cost, why not share a bin with your neighbour?

If you don’t want to join the bin scheme you can buy 75-litre compostable sacks for £1 each and we’ll collect them. You can now buy compostable sacks at even more places across the Borough including council offices and libraries.

Visit our website for more details.

Home composting The best way to dispose of your garden waste is to home compost. We’re offering a £10 reduction on home composters from April 1 – meaning a 220-litre home composter will cost you just over £12. We have 2,000 available at this price and they will be sold on a first come, first served basis (one per household). There are also hot bins and kitchen bins on offer too.

Visit: www.getcomposting.com

Executive view Cllr Angus Ross, Executive Member for Environment “Many of you ask why we don’t collect all plastics in our scheme.

It’s because there are no UK markets for non-bottle plastics and we don’t want to send them to unknown destinations abroad. Some 25,000 tonnes (virtually all) of our non-recyclable waste we collect goes to the Energy from Waste plant at Colnbrook. A small amount of the energy produced is used to power the plant itself whilst the vast majority is exported to the National Grid.

“We continue to encourage you to recycle. Not only do we pay for the cost of collection and disposal of waste, we also pay large landfill taxes. Please remember these taxes are increasing over the coming years, and we face penalties if we send more waste to landfill than our allocation, so we have to reduce our waste even more. Thanks again for all your efforts.”

Assisted collections If you struggle to carry your blue bags or recycling boxes to the edge of your property due to disability or ill health, we might be able to help. Our assisted collection service means we will collect your rubbish from a convenient place outside your home.

If you think you could benefit from this service or know someone who is struggling, please get in touch.

Any questions?

Our website has lots of information about the scheme and also how to reduce the amount of waste we throw out.

Call: (0118) 974 6000 Email: wokinghamdirect@ wokingham.gov.uk Visit: www.wokingham.gov. uk/rubbish

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Helping voluntary groups help our communities Key roles are being funded to help valuable voluntary and community groups thrive across the Borough.

Our support will fund four workers who will provide fundraising advice, training coordination, development work for the sector, and a manager for the Wokingham Volunteer Centre.

These roles will be funded up to March 2014.

Wokingham Volunteer Centre Manager Christine Knox said: “The posts supported by this funding will help to strengthen local voluntary groups at a time when the services they provide to the most vulnerable are more necessary than ever.”

They will be managed by the voluntary sector itself via the Voluntary Sector Forum, the Volunteer Centre and the CResCent Centre in Earley. This arrangement reflects the wishes of the sector following consultation held last year.

Executive view Cllr Rob Stanton, Deputy Leader “We have listened to the community and voluntary sector and developed this package of support in line with what we’ve been told is needed. I think it’s important that, although the money is coming from the Borough Council, the roles will be managed by the key organisations from the sector itself, this will allow them to truly understand the needs of community and voluntary groups and help ensure this sector thrives.”

The roles will provide: Development Worker: • Support for the sector as a whole through production of a newsletter The Chain, maintenance of the Voluntary Sector Forum website; promotion of user-led organisations, representation of the sector and administration support for the Voluntary Sector Forum Training Coordinator: • Identifying training needs of the sector and directly providing a range of courses • Development of online training resources • Production and distribution of monthly training bulletin highlighting local and web-based provision

Funding Advice Service: • Providing advice on funding sources specific to the sector • Promoting funding opportunities across the sector Volunteer Centre Manager: • Providing strategic management of the Volunteer Centre • Coordinating the placement and support of volunteers with community and voluntary organisations in the Borough.

The services of the volunteer centre are open to all community and voluntary groups in the Borough.

(0118) 977 0749 wok-vol@btconnect.com www.volunteercentrewokingham.org.uk

Keeping our children and young people safe Our children and young people are kept safe according to OFSTED in a recent report.

Our safeguarding services are adequate, and we work well with our partners in the way we recognise children and young people who are at risk of harm, and act quickly to protect them.

Lots of services and support are quickly available to help children and their families, and this helps parents and carers improve the way they look after their children, says the report. When children and families need expert help from social workers, risks to children are immediately assessed and our services swiftly provided to protect them.

Changes in staffing during the past two years had slowed the speed of service improvements, says OFSTED. But it noted positive developments in performance management, and our use of best practice from other authorities, to develop the quality of our services.

Information on 2013/2014 Council Tax

Message from the Council Leader It was bitterly disappointing to learn government had slashed our grant funding for 2013/14.

efforts it’s a great result so far – black box recycling is up by 24% whilst landfill waste has reduced by 22% . You can read more about the scheme on our website at: www.wokingham.gov.uk/rubbish

Despite the national headlines stating we’ve suffered an overall grant reduction of only 1.7% (£2million), the reality is very different. In fact it’s brutal. We actually lose £5million – councils are bearing the brunt of public spending cuts and it means we have some very difficult decisions to take.

Each year we work hard to ensure we don’t overspend and set a balanced budget for the following year and its becoming harder and harder every year.

We remain the lowest funded unitary authority in England. We receive £86.6 per head of the population compared with the national average for unitary authorities of £313.1 – nearly four times more.

Although the budget is approved in February every year, work starts during the summer months when our accountants look at projections for income and expenditure. Services across the Council begin to look at how the authority can reduce its costs by reviewing working practices.

And we don’t fair much better in comparison to our neighbours in Berkshire – with Slough receiving £329.3, Reading receiving £287.4 and Bracknell receiving £165.7.

During the autumn, the Executive is presented with a list of possible savings and it decides which proposals should be taken forward for further consideration. Once the government settlement is announced in December, we start to finalise our plans for the budget for the following year.

However, this will not stop us in our bid to safeguard the most vulnerable in our communities. These tough times are not going to go away. Over the past four years we’ve saved in the region of £16.5million. Much of this has been achieved without having a serious impact on the services most valued by residents, but it’s clear that achieving the efficiencies required over the coming years is going to be a challenge especially when we face a 16.5 % cut in funding in 2014/15.

I hope this four-page pull-out helps to explain more about the budget.

The next few years are going to be a challenge but I am confident we are well placed to meet them.

Since the launch of our new recycling and waste scheme last April, we have saved nearly £1million. We’ve all worked really hard to achieve this and thanks to your

Cllr David Lee Leader of the Council

Financial Facts ●● Approx 30pence in every £1

●● Each member of staff serves

the Council spends comes from government

●● We’ve saved approx £16.5million

approx 176 residents – one of the highest resident to staff ratios in the country

since 2009

Wokingham Borough Council’s Budget £113million 45

44

40 35 30

£m

25 20

24

15 10

12

5

1

0 Children’s social care

Adult social service (health and wellbeing)

Housing

Waste and street care services

8

2

Highways and transport

Libraries

10 Other frontline services

What the Council spends its share of your council tax on

www.wokingham.gov.uk Information on 2013/2014 Council Tax

5

7

Debt charges and investment income

Corporate and democratic core

WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES Elements of a Band D Council Tax: 2012/13 2013/14

Wokingham Borough Council Parish Precept (average) Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley Royal Berkshire Fire Authority

Percentage Change

£1,199.24 £52.71 £154.30 £55.66

£1,222.50 £53.44 £157.38 £60.66

1.94% 1.38% 2.00% 8.98%

The average total Council Tax bill for a Band D property (which £1,461.91 includes the charges made by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, Royal Berkshire Fire Authority and your town or parish council).

£1,493.98

2.19%

COST OF SERVICES PROVIDED 2012/13 Staffing Costs £000

Other Costs £000

2013/14

Service Income (e.g. fees & charges, grants) £000

Other Costs £000

Service Income (e.g. fees & charges, grants) £000

Net Expenditure £000

70,481 11,215 3,881

34,141 14,366 56,457

(104,622) (1,556) (16,269)

0 24,025 44,069

817 11,869

286 110

21,816 13,659

(21,298) (1,688)

804 12,081

6,616 2,328 11,801

1,778 1,097 4,953

9,157 1,533 10,067

(3,161) (421) (4,955)

7,774 2,208 10,065

5,482

6,700

0

0

6,700

4,630

0

5,239

(343)

4,896

102,121

Net Expenditure £000

Staffing Costs £000

0 19,946 38,632

Schools and Education 77,082 42,950 (120,032) Children’s Social Care 11,046 17,124 (8,224) Adult Social Services 3,861 51,312 (16,541) (health and wellbeing) Housing 273 26,850 (26,306) Waste and Street 109 13,438 (1,678) Care Services Highways and transport 1,086 5,791 (261) Libraries 1,247 1,471 (390) Other frontline services 5,778 12,393 (6,370) (e.g. health and protection services, planning, revenues and benefits, countryside and leisure, rental income etc.)

Corporate and Democratic 5,482 0 0 Core (corporate management and democratic representation) Debt Charges and 0 5,472 (842) Investment Income

Total Expenditure on Services

Transfer to/(from) balances

Total Budget

112,622

848

102,969

(37) 112,585

HOW THESE SERVICES ARE FUNDED: Government Support

New Homes Bonus

Collection Fund Surplus

Council Tax for Borough Council

22,175

1,175

595

79,025

102,969

33,261 1,750 23 77,551 112,585

COUNCIL TAX LEVELS AND PARISH PRECEPTS

Parishes

Council Tax Levels

Each town and parish council decides what it is going to spend. This is charged to the Borough Council and added to your council tax bill. Your final bill varies depending on how much your parish council charges (or precepts).

The full council tax that you are required to pay covers the precepts for Wokingham Borough Council, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, Royal Berkshire Fire Authority and your parish council. The charge per band in each Parish is listed over the page:

www.wokingham.gov.uk Information on 2013/2014 Council Tax

Council tax levels and parish precepts continued

Town / Parish

Precepts 2012/13 £

Arborfield & Newland Barkham Charvil Earley Finchampstead Remenham Ruscombe St Nicholas Hurst Shinfield Sonning Swallowfield Twyford Wargrave Winnersh Wokingham Town Wokingham Without Woodley

Full Council Tax

2013/14

81,800 34,000 37,618 721,624 106,630 6,400 10,475 22,500 212,753 31,654 13,000 59,552 146,370 107,881 604,777 143,382 1,132,983 3,473,399

Band A

Band B

Band C

80,341 1,003.51 37,142 977.70 38,353 978.97 711,300 1,001.59 105,955 973.03 21,000 1,005.61 9,575 973.53 22,500 975.15 205,143 991.56 31,459 987.41 15,000 971.23 58,191 973.68 147,253 1,008.23 104,606 978.99 604,764 990.35 138,092 990.67 1,059,676 1,036.79 3,390,350

£

1,170.76 1,140.65 1,142.13 1,168.53 1,135.20 1,173.21 1,135.78 1,137.67 1,156.82 1,151.98 1,133.10 1,135.96 1,176.27 1,142.16 1,155.41 1,155.78 1,209.59

1,338.01 1,303.60 1,305.29 1,335.46 1,297.37 1,340.81 1,298.04 1,300.20 1,322.08 1,316.55 1,294.97 1,298.25 1,344.31 1,305.32 1,320.47 1,320.90 1,382.39

2013/14 Band D Band E

Band F

Band G

Band H

1,505.26 1,839.76 2,174.26 2,508.76 3,010.52 1,466.55 1,792.45 2,118.35 2,444.25 2,933.10 1,468.45 1,794.78 2,121.10 2,447.42 2,936.90 1,502.39 1,836.25 2,170.12 2,503.98 3,004.78 1,459.54 1,783.88 2,108.22 2,432.57 2,919.08 1,508.41 1,843.62 2,178.82 2,514.02 3,016.82 1,460.29 1,784.80 2,109.31 2,433.82 2,920.58 1,462.72 1,787.77 2,112.82 2,437.87 2,925.44 1,487.34 1,817.86 2,148.38 2,478.90 2,974.68 1,481.12 1,810.26 2,139.40 2,468.54 2,962.24 1,456.84 1,780.59 2,104.33 2,428.07 2,913.68 1,460.53 1,785.09 2,109.65 2,434.21 2,921.06 1,512.35 1,848.42 2,184.50 2,520.58 3,024.70 1,468.49 1,794.82 2,121.15 2,447.48 2,936.98 1,485.52 1,815.64 2,145.76 2,475.87 2,971.04 1,486.01 1,816.23 2,146.45 2,476.68 2,972.02 1,555.19 1,900.79 2,246.39 2,591.98 3,110.38

For details of the respective charges made by Wokingham Borough Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, Royal Berkshire Fire Authority and your Parish Council for your property, please refer to your Council Tax Demand Notice.

CHANGES TO COUNCIL TAX With effect from April 1, 2013 exemptions under class A (unfurnished properties undergoing structural alterations or major repairs) and class C (empty and unfurnished) will be abolished and will be replaced by a discount.

For unfurnished properties that are undergoing structural alterations or major repairs there will be a discount of 50% for a maximum period of 12 months, or until the property is re-occupied (whichever happens sooner). For properties that are empty and unfurnished there will be a discount of 100% for the first month followed by a discount of 50% for the second month, or until the property is re-occupied (whichever happens sooner).

Second homes (furnished and unoccupied) will no longer receive a 10% discount.

These properties will be charged the full council tax. Long term empty properties (empty two years or more). These properties will be charged a premium of 50% in addition to the normal council tax due. This is an incentive to bring these properties back into use.

EXEMPT DWELLINGS Some dwellings are exempt, including empty caravan pitches and houseboat moorings. Other exempt properties are: Properties occupied only by: • Full-time students • Student nurses • Members of visiting forces • People under 18 • People who are severely mentally impaired

• Diplomats • ‘Granny’ annexes occupied by elderly or disabled relatives Vacant dwellings which: • Are owned by a charity (exempt for up to six months) • Are left empty by someone who has moved to receive personal care in a hospital or home or elsewhere, where the person is unable to manage alone and the move is permanent • Are left empty by someone who has moved in order to provide personal care to a sick or disabled person who is unable to manage alone • Are waiting for probate or letters of administration to be granted following the death of the owner or tenant (and up to six months afterwards) • Are repossessed • Are left empty by a liable person who is a trustee in bankruptcy • Are empty because their occupation is forbidden by law • Are left empty by full-time students or student nurses • Are waiting to be occupied by a minister of religion • Are left empty by someone who has gone to prison for a reason other than the non-payment of council tax or fines • Form part of a single property and may not be let separately due to planning restrictions

DISCOUNTS The full council tax is charged on the basis of two adults living in a dwelling. If there is only one adult living in a dwelling (as their main home), a reduction in council tax of 25% can be claimed.

A 50% discount may apply where the property is no-one’s main home and is a caravan pitch or boat mooring or you are liable for council tax on a dwelling provided by an employer (tied accommodation).

Certain people are not counted when looking at the number of adults resident in a dwelling.

These are: • Full-time students, student nurses, apprentices and youth training trainees • Patients resident in hospital • People who are being looked after in care homes • Severely mentally impaired people • People staying in certain hostels or night shelters • 18 or 19-year-olds who are still at school, and those who leave school after March for the months up to November • Careworkers working for low pay (below £44/week) usually for a charity • People caring for someone with a disability or long term illness who is not a spouse, partner or child under 18 • Members of visiting forces and certain international institutions • Members of religious communities monks and nuns • People in prison (except those in prison for non-payment of council tax or a fine) If your bill shows that an exemption or discount is allowed, you must tell the Council of any change of circumstances which affects your entitlement to that discount. If you fail to do so the Council can impose a financial penalty on you. The level of penalty is fixed by government.

www.wokingham.gov.uk Information on 2013/2014 Council Tax

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES If you, or someone who lives with you, needs a room or extra bathroom or kitchen, or extra space in your property to allow the use of a wheelchair indoors or has had adaptations to meet special needs arising from a disability, you may be entitled to a reduced council tax bill. The bill may be reduced to that of the property in the valuation band immediately below that shown in the valuation list for your property (e.g the bill for a dwelling in Band C would be calculated as if the dwelling was in Band B.) These reductions are available to try to ensure that disabled people do not pay more tax on account of space needed because of a disability.

If your home is in Band A, the lowest tax band, your council tax will be reduced to 5/9ths of the Band D tax.

If your home has any special fixtures which have been added for a disabled resident which reduce the home’s value and you do not think they have been taken into account in the valuation of the property, you should contact the Listing Officer at the Valuation Office.

(See section on Appeals.)

COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION Council tax reduction helps you pay for your council tax bill if you are on a low income.

Any savings below £6,000, or £10,000 for pensioners, are ignored when working out what reduction is received. Council tax reduction is means-tested and you will need to provide originals of all documents when making a claim.

There are some different rules for pensioners. Please see our website for full details.

COUNCIL TAX AND BENEFITS ENQUIRIES How to contact us: If you would like further details about any of the issues covered in this leaflet, or for any query about your bill or benefit, please contact us by: • Telephone on the number shown on your bill or notification letter • Writing to us at: Wokingham Borough Council PO Box 152 Shute End Wokingham RG40 IWJ • Visiting our Reception Desk at the Shute End office.

Our office hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

• Emailing us at: ctax@wokingham.gov.uk benefits@wokingham.gov.uk

APPEALS ABOUT THE COUNCIL TAX YOU PAY You may also appeal if you consider that you are not liable to pay council tax, for example, because you are not the resident or owner or because your property is empty, or if a mistake is made in calculating your bill.

If you wish to appeal on these grounds please write to the Council Tax Office, Wokingham Borough Council, PO Box 152, Shute End, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 IWJ. If you are still unhappy with the decision you have a further right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

APPEALS ABOUT VALUATION Valuation of the property for council tax is dealt with by the Listing Officer of the Valuation Office Agency, an agency of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

New taxpayers have a period of six months in which to make an appeal, providing an appeal on the same grounds has not been dealt with for a previous taxpayer for the property. In certain circumstances, a new six month period in which an appeal can be made is allowed. This occurs when: • The property is structurally altered so that its value is changed • The area around the property is so changed that it adversely affects the valuation of the property i.e. major road changes • The mix of the property alters i.e. a property comprising part business and part domestic use becomes wholly domestic • Where the Listing Officer alters the valuation band for your property without a proposal having been made by a taxpayer Appeals or queries about council tax valuation should be made to: The Listing Officer, District Valuer and Valuation Officer, Kings Wharf, 20-30 Kings Road, Reading, RG1 3ER. Tel: 03000 501501.

Making an appeal against your valuation does not allow you to withhold payment of any tax owing. If your appeal is successful you will be entitled to a refund of any overpaid tax.

REVENUES AND BENEFITS ON THE WEB If you have access to the internet why not visit us at: www.wokingham.gov.uk?

You will find more details about the various discounts, exemptions and reductions mentioned in this leaflet.

You can download copies of our forms and other useful documents, so you can make a claim for any type of discount, exemption or reductions without having to wait for us to post these documents to you.

BENEFIT FRAUD HOTLINE 0800 454 240 www.wokingham.gov.uk Information on 2013/2014 Council Tax

Spring 2013 19

Government funding and community forums

IN GET VO LV ED

A major funding boost is helping our drive to ensure good quality housing developments for our residents are accompanied by the schools, transport links and sporting, community and youth facilities and other infrastructure that are needed.

The Wokingham Borough will see major development in the years up to 2026, with around 10,000 homes being built in four major sites, known as Strategic Development Locations (SDLs). The SDLs are North of Wokingham, South of Wokingham, around Arborfield and South of the M4. These were selected to accommodate the majority of houses the Borough is required to build following extensive consultation in 2004 and 2006.

Our objective is to make sure these homes complement existing towns and villages and become successful, sustainable and thriving communities, and the government has provided funding of £2.5million, over the next two years, to support this.

The funding will be used to build up our SDL Project Team and ensure we have the right resources and expertise, and to pay for design work on some of the major building projects such as schools, roads, bridges and community and sports facilities.

Strategic Director for Development and Regeneration Heather Thwaites said: “We have built up a team with a dedicated lead planning officer for each SDL and specialists from across the Council in order to make sure we have a

Executive view Cllr Keith Baker, Executive Member for Highways and Planning

unified team with the right people involved.”

“The SDLs will play a major role in the future of the Wokingham Borough and this funding from central government is a huge vote of confidence that they recognise our Borough can deliver quality communities that will become great places to live along with good quality infrastructure.

As well as establishing the SDL project team, we have established Community Forums “Through the funding we can further ensure that we have to ensure all interested the right resources and expertise to make the Wokingham parties, including Borough an exciting and prosperous place to live and work.” residents, community groups, town and parish councils, (which will also see development in the developers and landowners have a coming years). Dates of the meetings can chance to get together to discuss the be found on our website. developments.

The Community Forums have been established for the four SDLs, Arborfield, South of the M4, North Wokingham and South Wokingham, as well as Woodley

www.wokingham.gov.uk/ communityforums sdl.forums@wokingham.gov.uk.

20 www.wokingham.gov.uk

Mayor’s view “As my year in office comes to an end, I want to reflect on the great achievement of 2012. I feel proud to be British.

“Community spirit was well and truly alive in our Borough as we marked the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. We saw street parties bringing many neighbourhoods together and it was a great opportunity for us to get to know our neighbours better, whilst having some fun.

IN GET VO LV ED

The Link Visiting Scheme Just a few hours a week will change their lives and enrich yours with a new friend.

“We were swept along with Olympic and Paralympic fever as the London Games defied pessimists and became one of the best ever Games in our history. And the Borough’s volunteers played a vital role in making it such a success and a highlight of my civic year was joining them and some of our dedicated athletes at two civic events. Both have inspired the nation and this is the legacy of the Games, which hopefully will continue for many years to come.

“My chosen charity this year is The Link Visiting Scheme. You can read more about what it’s like to be a volunteer in the article opposite – I hope it gives you an insight to what its like to volunteer and maybe give you the motivation to find some time to help a worthwhile cause.”

Cllr Bob Wyatt Mayor (0118) 974 6004 mayor@wokingham.gov.uk

Caroline Reina is a volunteer for The Link Visiting Scheme.

“ Sometimes we go into town for shopping and a coffee, sometimes we stay in. Our time together is her time.”

“There are 160 volunteers who regularly visit about 145 people across the Wokingham Borough.

Although the service is mainly for the over-60s, we also befriend people with disabilities, dementia or mental health issues.

“Volunteers and Link friends are matched on their similar interests. For example the lady, who I visit for a couple of hours a week, likes shopping, reading, TV and gardening, like me. So we always have lots to talk about.

“Sometimes we go into town for shopping and a coffee, sometimes we stay in. Our time together is her time.

We’ve got to know each other well now, and I count her as a friend. Her family are happy that I’m there just for her.”

As well as home visits the charity organises activities such as coffee mornings, singalongs and Pie and Pint club.

Would you like to help?

The Link Visiting Scheme is always looking for more volunteers - if you think you can spare some time to visit a ‘friend’, please get in touch.

(0118) 979 8019 marjie@linkvisiting.org www.linkvisiting.org

Spring 2013 21

Planning the best way forward We receive up to 700 planning complaints a year, which we then investigate.

We talk to one of our Planning Enforcement Officers, David Mann, about his work and what to do if you think there’s been a planning breach.

“People believe that because they object to something, it should be refused. But that’s not the case. I can understand this though. Planning is a very emotive subject.

“I don’t like the word ‘enforcement’ in my job title. It sounds like we’re forcing people to do something. My job is about engaging with someone to help them understand what’s required, and what they need to do.

“Before you make a complaint, find out if there has been a planning breach.

Look on the government website at: www.legislation.gov.uk under General Permitted Development Order 1955 As Amended. This will tell you what does and doesn’t need a planning application.

“We serve about ten notices per year.

Notices are only served when all else has failed. About half of the ‘complaints’ we receive turn out not to be planning breaches. 30% comply voluntarily - by stopping what they’re doing or by submitting a planning application.

That’s the bit that upsets people. They don’t realise you can legally submit a retrospective planning application, which could then be agreed.

“I deal with all types of breaches such as land occupied by travellers, freestanding structures in gardens, business advertisements bigger than they should be, and conservatories. We get a lot of complaints about conservatories. But people don’t necessarily need to submit a planning application, even though they are an extension. So before you build one, check with us first.”

“You can also contact us if in doubt. We’re here to help.”

Are you getting the most out of life?

Following the success of the Celebration of Age event last autumn, another is being planned for April 25, from 10am to 3pm.

The subject for the day is ‘Money, Utilities and Health - Are you getting the most out of life?’

Find out about the major changes taking place in health care services across the Borough. There will also be market stalls from local services showcasing information about other important topics such as benefits, fuel allowances and waste and recycling.

The venue is yet to be confirmed, but if you want to find out more please contact Amanda Gordon (0118) 974 6850 amanda.gordon@wokingham.gov.uk (0118) 974 6375 development.control@wokingham.gov.uk www.wokingham.gov.uk/planningcontrol

“ My job is about engaging with someone to help them understand what’s required, and what they need to do.”

22 www.wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham town centre regeneration update Our plans for Elms Field For a while there’s been much speculation over our plans for Elms Field. We thought we’d take the opportunity to tell you a bit more about the open space planned.

Key facts Other improvements include moving the existing Elms Road from the centre of the park to the far edge, to create a clear link between the open space and the town centre.

• The open space equates to approximately two football pitches • The dimension across the park measured along the south west to north east path is 157metres and 90meters along the west to east path

Many of you have asked whether the park will remain and the answer is yes. In fact, we • The new events field is approximately one want to improve the area and the rumours and a half times bigger than space currently about us selling it off and only leaving a small The new park will also see used for the Wokingham Festival area for you to enjoy are simply not true. a specially designed events area including levelledThe park will be around the size of two out areas, points providing water and Events organiser Stan Hetherington football pitches, offering a range of facilities power, and reinforced surfaces designed said: ”Putting on events in the current catering for lots of different people. for vehicles delivering equipment such Elms Field is a difficult task due to the as stages and marquees. slope and uneven nature of the field.

We’ve agreed Wokingham Town Council could take control of maintaining and managing Elms Field as they have an Cllr Alistair Corrie, Executive Member for excellent track record in managing areas Regeneration and Affordable Housing like this and organising major events.

This responsibility would be transferred “The retention of a large part of Elms Field is a key part of the to the Town Council once the project is regeneration plans. Currently there are a handful of events taking completed. place during the summer on Elms Field and their success is limited by the lack of facilities and Following your feedback we’ve changed our the design of the area. This project allows us to plans to ensure more of the park remains a work alongside event organisers to design a park grassed open space suitable for leisure and offering the right infrastructure for running the events, with the remainder containing a new existing events, and also a wider range of new play area, with seating and areas of planting events for the town centre throughout the year.” where people can relax.

Executive view

Spring 2013 23

Building work: Peach Place

Wokingham Town Team

Major changes are coming soon to Peach Place corner down to Bush Walk, as we replace the derelict offices above Clarks with three new flats.

Everybody who cares about Wokingham is being urged to get behind the recently formed Wokingham Town Team.

Rather than just a lick of paint, the refurbishment involves extensive remodelling of the buildings as well as removing and rebuilding the existing frontages to the buildings and cutting back some of the façade to reduce the overhang in Rose Street.

“It also suffers from a lack of water connection points, foul drainage and electrical services. The new park will overcome all of these issues and I’m really looking forward to bringing events to the town centre which currently cannot be accommodated.” And, the Borough Council wants to see these excellent events continue in its town centre.

Plans for the new park will be included as part of the wider regeneration planning application due to be submitted shortly.

Things are moving at pace, so check out our website for all the latest developments on planning applications and much, much more! www.wokinghamregeneration.co.uk (0118) 974 6000 info@wokinghamregeneration.co.uk Follow us on twitter: @wokinghamregen

The team has been established by shop owners, traders, other business people and interested residents in order to work together to increase the vibrancy and the attractiveness of the town centre. It’s supported by the Town and Borough Councils but is led by local business people.

Georgina Hustler, who runs Antique Rose in Bush Walk, said: “As a local business owner and resident I see the Town Team as an ideal opportunity to get involved and help shape the future of our town. Wokingham is a great place to live, work, socialise, shop and just be. I believe the Town Team can help promote and improve this experience for all; helping to ensure it is still a great community and commercial hub for the next generation!”

The team is led by a steering group but any interested group or individual can get involved and the group will meet in public four times a year, where new ideas can be aired.

The team secured £10,000 from government to kick-start its endeavours and will be seeking sustainable funding to make improvements in the town.

More information Contact President of the Wokingham Chamber of Commerce Mark Walton (0118) 989 3875 mark.w@rpsltd.co.uk

24 www.wokingham.gov.uk

Need to know something about Wokingham? Why not visit the Information Centre?

Wokingham residents and the town’s many visitors are now able to enjoy a newly refurbished Information Centre situated at the Town Hall in Market Place.

Wokingham Town Council recognised the Information Centre needed an upgrade to better serve the community.

Residents and visitors are now able to browse a variety of local information including travel, places for families to visit, local walks and further afield information about London, its theatres, museums and galleries.

Local history books are also for sale.

And with internet access available, local organisations are using the centre to promote their events on a large screen.

Knowledgeable staff offer visitors a warm welcome. And in response to local residents’ requests, Town Council bills can now be paid online or with credit and debit cards at the centre.

Democracy alive and kicking Over 5,000 young people headed to the polls recently to elect Andrew Preston as their new Member of Youth Parliament (MYP).

17-year-old Andrew (pictured left), who attends the Piggott School, will formally take over from Sumaiya Karim in March. 14-yearold Connor Rose (right), a student at The Emmbrook, was voted in as Deputy MYP.

The Town Council is also working in partnership with The Wokingham Society whose volunteers ensure the Information Centre is now open on Saturdays.

Those who have popped in already have fed back with comments including: “Wow – what a great improvement!” and “What a fantastic lot of information you have available.” When you’re next in town, why not pay the Information Centre a visit?

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10am to 2pm Saturday: 10am to 3pm (0118) 978 3185 info@wokingham-tc.gov.uk

Optalis Visual Impairment Team The Optalis Visual Impairment Team provides rehabilitation services for people who have a significant and diagnosed sight loss.

The team consists of qualified Rehabilitation Workers whose remit is to provide advice and training in the core areas of communication, independent living and orientation and mobility skills. Workers also explore with clients and family and carers the emotional impact of sight loss, as well as ways of overcoming the limitations and frustrations.

The clients’ needs and the outcomes that they wish to achieve will be central to any training programme, most of which will be carried out in the person’s home.

Optalis is our adult care and support services provider.

(0118) 974 6896 visualimpairment@optalis.org

Spring March 2013 2011 25

All change in and around Wokingham Station

The multi-million pound scheme to transform Wokingham train station, and the area around it, is now moving at pace.

Network Rail’s contractor began work on the new station building in January. It’s hoped it will be ready for travellers to use from May onwards, and the whole station will be completed by August.

Train services are unaffected by the works, but access to the station interchange is restricted at times. The existing station platform footbridge and new lifts are being replaced by South West Trains.

The new station will have better access and retail facilities, new waiting areas and information screens.

Preparation work is also being carried out on the station link road, before construction can start. This includes an archaeology check, installation of temporary site access, removal of Japanese knotweed, reptile mitigation, drainage and earthworks.

More than 626 parking spaces would be available at Mereoak, near junction 11 of the M4; and more than 400 at Winnersh Triangle near Winnersh Station. (This

Businesses in Wokingham remain open as South East Water enters the latter stages of its work to upgrade 7.1km of water mains.

The £2million programme of work is due to be completed in the next few months.

All works on the site will be subject to strict construction environmental management plans to reduce effects on residents and the travelling public.

The main construction work of the road is due to start in autumn 2013, with completion the following summer.

Park and Ride plans More than a 1,000 park and ride spaces could be created at Mereoak and at Winnersh Triangle. We are due to hear in the early summer if planners agree to the new park and ride projects, which we are running in partnership with Reading Borough Council.

Wokingham’s water mains upgrade

would eventually replace the Loddon Bridge Park and Ride.)

Negotiations between the two authorities are underway for the joint delivery of the schemes.

Future Park and Ride facilities are also planned to the east of the Borough near to Coppid Beech junction although this does not form part of the proposals planned this year.

James Smith, Delivery Manager for South East Water, said: “The majority of our recent work has been in the town centre areas and although road closures and diversion routes are in place, Wokingham is still very much open for business.

“I’d like to thank the local community for their continued patience while this important work to reduce the number of water mains bursts and improve supplies is carried out.” www.southeastwater.co.uk/ wokingham

26 www.wokingham.gov.uk

Your school needs you!

There’s a school in the Wokingham Borough that needs you. If you’re full of fresh ideas, want to help your community and are excited about improving the education of children – you would make a great school governor.

You’d be at the heart of your school helping it provide a good standard of education, while also driving its future development.

“We have a former banker, a charity Chief Executive, an HR Manager and IT people among our governing body. There’s a real mix,” said Mark A’Bear, who is Vice Chair of Governors at Shinfield St Mary’s Junior School.

Mark is a longstanding experienced governor who has been a Chair of Governors at two schools and has also chaired an Interim Executive Board on behalf of the Borough Council.

”Being a governor is great for personal development,” he said. “As well as the opportunity to work as part of a team, the role develops a wide range of skills valued in the workplace such as communication, planning and organisation, strategic leadership, finances and people management.”

Andrew Beckett, Chair of Governors at Nine Mile Ride Primary School says people with different types of experience and from all stages of life bring a mixture of skills and perspectives to the table.

Skills and experience in finance, marketing, human resources, project

Chair of Governors Andrew Beckett with the Governor Mark Standard and fellow governors at Nine Mile Ride Primary School

management and health and safety are particularly valuable to a governing body.

“They’re working for the benefit of the children and the school community,” he said.

“Governors are involved in everything.

We’ve recently set the school budget, our development plan, and appointed a headteacher.

“Our governing body also became the first in the Borough to achieve Governor Mark which is a national accreditation for effective governance.”

There is a perception that governors must spend every waking hour in meetings at school.

“This is not the case at all,” said Mark.

“Even with my two governor posts I probably have one meeting per week and these vary between early mornings – before work - and evenings.”

Andrew says that most governors attend no more than two meetings a month but do have to prepare by reading previous minutes in advance.

There are more than 300,000 school governors nationally. It is one of the largest volunteer groups in the UK. (0118) 974 6131 or (0118) 974 6161 school.governors@wokingham.gov.uk. www.wokingham.gov.uk/ schoolgovernors

Mark A’Bear (centre), Vice Chair of Governors at Shinfield St Mary’s Junior School

Spring March 2013 2011 27

Neighbourhood Planning Local communities hoping to get involved in long-term development of their areas now have the opportunity to contact us for tailored advice and support.

The introduction of Neighbourhood Development Plans has added another mechanism for local people to have some say in what development they would like to see in their community. However, it’s not the only method and may not be the best for all communities.

Other mechanisms for communities to help shape their local area include Village Design Statements which help identify and preserve unique local characteristics, and

Parish Plans, which reflect how residents wish to see their community develop over the coming years.

We’ve appointed a Neighbourhood Planning Officer, Emma Critchley, to help towns and parishes decide what, if any, types of approach they may want to take.

Emma said: “Neighbourhood Development Plans are a way of bringing a local community together to set out what it wants from development.

However they can be lengthy and costly to produce - they are not free for town or parish councils. There are other ways for local communities to shape their local areas. I am here to help local people select whichever approach is best for them and to support them through the process.”

Neighbourhood and Development Plans, which were introduced in the Localism Act, give communities the right to set out policies on the development and use of land in a parish or neighbourhood area.

The plans must reflect local people’s views and must also conform to the strategic policies of WBC’s Local Plan. They can allocate more development than specified in these documents but cannot be used to prevent development. To take effect as planning policy, a Neighbourhood and Development Plan must pass an external examination and win a majority vote in a referendum in the area where it will apply.

(0118) 974 6456 emma.critchley@wokingham.gov.uk

28 www.wokingham.gov.uk

Changes to the blue badge scheme The blue badge scheme enables people with severe mobility problems to park close to where they need to go.

Since January 2012, as part of the reform of this parking scheme, a more secure blue badge has been issued to new applicants and those who renew their parking badges. New security features include holograms, barcode and a digital photograph and the badges are printed using special inks and processes.

parking badges themselves is held in a national database and the badges are printed in a secure environment. All these measures have been put in place to reduce fraud and make it easier for genuine blue badge holders to park.

Although we process blue badge applications and issue badges, information about the

(0118) 974 6000 www.wokingham.gov.uk/bluebadge

The fee for this new, more secure blue badge is £10 and covers the three year period for which the blue badge is valid.

Welfare Reforms From April, some changes are being introduced nationally to benefits.

These include: • Local Housing Allowance (LHA) increasing by Consumer Price Index (CPI) - This means the LHA rates used to assess awards of housing benefit, will increase by the CPI and will stand until April 2014. However, this does not mean your benefit will increase • Local Welfare Provision – Social fund payments will be administered by us rather than the Department for Work and Pensions • Under occupancy in the social sector – working age claimants will see a reduction in their housing benefit award if they occupy properties that have more bedrooms than they need • Council tax benefit will be replaced with a local scheme known as council tax reduction • Other changes to come later in 2013 include Universal Credit replacing six existing benefits (including housing benefit) with a single payment and will see payment of the housing element made to the tenant rather than the landlord in the social sector. Personal Independence Payments will replace Disability Living Allowance and the Benefit Cap will be introduced Most of the above changes do not affect pensioners but may change the amount of benefit received by those under state pensionable age. www.wokingham.gov.uk/counciltax/welfare-reform

Executive view Cllr Anthony Pollock, Executive Member for Finance “Benefits for pensioners and people receiving child benefit payments will be protected under our new council tax support scheme. Looking after the Borough’s most vulnerable residents is central to the new local scheme, called the Council Tax Reduction, which will help fill a £600,000 hole in funding from central government. We didn’t want to absorb this shortfall in funding and pass its effects onto local residents.

“We felt the best and fairest way was to cover this grant loss by adjusting the current rules and altering the charges for empty properties. In this way we protect our most vulnerable residents.”

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Keeping children safe Keeping children safe in the Wokingham Borough is everyone’s business – including yours.

If you have concerns about whether a child or young person is not being properly cared for or you are worried they may be physically, emotionally or sexually abused, or neglected, get in touch confidentially with our Referral and Assessment Team. Children and their parents may need help urgently.

If you do not feel comfortable about telling us, or you are not sure if you are right, you can also speak to a police officer, teacher, health visitor, doctor or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.

The most important thing is to tell someone who can help.

If you believe a child is in immediate danger you should call the police on 999.

(0118) 908 8002 R&AT@wokingham.gov.uk www.wokingham.gov.uk/ safeguarding

Wokingham information for adults and for families The Wokingham Information Network (WIN) is a free online and telephone guide to services and organisations in the Wokingham Borough, separated into two directories – ‘For Adults’ and ‘For Families.’

For Families

For Adults

• Advice and support Money, benefits and support services • Children with additional needs Support groups and short break care • Childcare and early years Childminders and day nurseries • Health and wellbeing Support for new parents and healthy living • Holiday schemes Ofsted registered schemes and sports clubs • Learning and development Training courses and further education information • Leisure and activities Parent and toddler groups, sports and family days • Young people Things to do, advice and support

• Carers Support groups, advice and training • Community organisations and services Charities, financial support and safety • Day care and short breaks For carers and people with specific needs • Health and wellbeing Healthy living and health conditions • Home and personal help Homecare, adaptations and domestic help • Housing Disability and 50+ housing and advice

(0118) 935 2255 info.families@wokingham.gov.uk www.wokingham.gov.uk/win

• Learning and development Training, courses and volunteering • Leisure and activities Clubs, support groups and events • Transport Mobility hire, disability and 50+ transport (0118) 974 6772 info.win@wokingham.gov.uk www.wokingham.gov.uk/win

30 www.wokingham.gov.uk

New community flat opens its doors in Shinfield The Shinfield Rise Community Flat opened its doors to the public last November.

Since then they have been running a programme to respond to initial needs of the local community, including: • Housing surgeries with the Tenant Involvement Team and local Housing Officer • Councillor surgeries • Have your say meetings with the local neighbourhood Police Team • Getting back into work sessions and advice, run in partnership with the CResCent Centre

The flat is a space for local people, and it’s up to them to decide how it should be used and what it should look like. If you have a suggestion for an event or would like more information contact Cherish Risi-Elford (pictured right). Alternatively why not visit it and get involved in some of the activities?

Cherish Risi-Elford Shinfield Rise Community Flat 36 Frensham Green, RG2 8EH 07885 983396 cherish.risi-elford@wokingham.gov.uk You can also keep in touch with the community flat on Facebook by searching for the Shinfield Rise Community Flat page.

Finchampstead round-up Green-fingered enthusiasts in Finchampstead have been given a boost after the Parish Council opened its long awaited allotments. There are 50 tenants and after a wet and cold winter everyone is hoping spring brings better growing conditions!

And there’s more happening to improve the local area including projects at Avery Corner car park, the war memorial and local footpaths.

Residents are welcome to attend any parish meeting, and especially the ‘annual gathering’ on March 28.

Finchampstead Parish Council is based at the FBC Centre.

(0118) 908 8164 clerk@finchampstead-pc.gov.uk www.finchampstead-pc.gov.uk

School plans on track Plans for The Bulmershe School’s £6million building programme are progressing well and we hope to submit a planning application this month (March).

The major construction is being funded and managed by us, in partnership with the school’s aims to further raise students’ aspirations and achievement.

The building programme includes priority work on some existing buildings, refurbishment of existing classrooms, a new post-16 learning centre, a remodelled library and information centre, an improved dining facility and an on-site student inclusion centre. Watch this space!

We set the maximum fare a taxi can charge, but it’s possible for you to negotiate a lower fare with the driver before your journey starts. However, they are not allowed to charge you more.

U YO ?

D DI NOW K

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What’s on?

Lots to see and do in Wokingham Borough for you and your family to put spring in your steps! …in the countryside

April 3, 2013 Little Explorers Birthday Storytime Special: March 10, 2013 Celebrating the first anniversary of The Little Mother’s Day Wildlife Paddle at Dinton Pastures Explorers Book Club.

10.30am to 12:30pm 10.15am to 10.45am at Winnersh Library Adults £12 and children £9 April 4, 2013 March 30 and 31, 2013 Little Explorers Birthday Storytime Special: Easter Egg hunt on the water at Dinton Celebrating the first anniversary of The Little Pastures: Find eggs around the lake and islands Explorers Book Club.

10am to 4pm at Dinton Multi-Activity Centre 2.30pm to 3pm at Spencers Wood and Lower Adults £12 and children £9 Earley libraries March 31, 2013 April 5, 2013 Easter Egg hunt at California Country Park Little Explorers Birthday Storytime Special: From 12noon onwards. £1. Meet in the car park Celebrating the first anniversary of The Little April 9, 2013 Easter Treasure Trail at Dinton Pastures: Follow the trail and answer the quiz for a treat! 1pm to 3pm. For ages 5 to 12. £3 May 5, 2013 Dawn Chorus at Dinton Pastures: Morning stroll with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. 5am. £1 May 6, 2013 Geocaching: Bring your own GPS and complete our special trail 11am to 4pm Dinton Multi-Activity Centre Adults £5 and children £2

…in your local library March 14, 2013 Eat Wild: Duncan McKay gives a talk about wild food foraging and rough cooking; the antidote to fine dining 6.30pm at Wokingham Library. £2 March 20, 2013 King Henry VIII: A historical costume presentation by The Select Society.

2pm at Wokingham Library. £3

Explorers Book Club.

11.15am to 11.45am at Twyford and Finchampstead libraries April 6, 2013 Little Explorers Birthday Storytime Special: Celebrating the first anniversary of The Little Explorers Book Club.

11am to 11.30am at Wargrave Library April 11, 2013 Make Conflict Your Friend: A talk by Peter Burton, a specialist in conflict and anger management.

6.30pm at Wokingham Library. £3 April 27, 2013 Aspects of Autism: A talk by Caroline Hurst.

10.30am at Wokingham Library. £3

Other events May 6, 2013 Wokingham May Fayre. 10am to 5pm From May 4 to September 28, 2013 Sunny Saturdays: Various activities Market Place, Wokingham

May 25, 2013 Fun Day: Entertainment by local March 21, 2013 Hypnotherapy: A talk by Ann Lawrence from performers and bands.

10am to 4pm at Howard Palmer Gardens, the Wokingham Wellbeing Centre.

Wokingham 6.45pm at Wokingham Library. £2 April 2, 2013 Little Explorers Birthday Storytime Special: Celebrating the first anniversary of The Little Explorers Book Club 2.15pm to 2.45pm at Maiden Erlegh and Wokingham libraries 4pm to 4.30pm at Woodley Library

June 29, 2013 Open Air Classical Concert Following the success of last year’s Jubilee celebrations, Wokingham Town Council is organising another Classical Concert on Elms Field. Keep the date free and visit www.wokingham-tc.gov. uk and check the local press nearer the time for more details.

For details of these events and more, please see… www.wokingham.gov.uk/events www.wokingham.gov.uk/childrenscentres www.facebook.com/wokinghamboroughcouncil www.facebook.com/wokinghamboroughlibraries www.twitter.com/WokinghamBC www.wokingham–tc.gov.uk

Last year was great for local recycling. This year we need your help to collect even more of the right recycling material. Check that you’re putting all the right materials in your black boxes every week. All items can go in the same box but please do not place items inside carrier/plastic bags. You’ll help avoid waste, conserve energy, reduce pollution and expensive disposal costs.

Plus if you join Recyclebank, you’ll get rewarded for recycling at home.