Wokingham Borough News - Summer 2013

Wokingham Borough

Summer 2013

Your magazine from Wokingham Borough Council

In this issue...

Off with a bang

Dive into free swimming this Summer! www.wokingham.gov.uk

page 3

Home is where the heart is

page 4

Visit our country parks

page 6

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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 www.twitter.com/wokinghamdirect 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 Woodfree Silk 70gsm.

Cost 11p per person/22p per copy.

Driving Wokingham Borough’s economy forward is key to improving the quality of your life and making the Borough a great place to live and an even better place to do business.

Our plans for regenerating Wokingham town centre come together this summer as work starts on refurbishing the buildings on Peach Place corner including parts of Rose Street and Market Place. We’ve also signed Premier Inn to the scheme which is a major confidence boost in our investment programme and a fantastic leap forward for the project as a whole.

We’ve also been working hard to bring investment to our Borough.

You can find out more on page 21 how we’ve secured almost £25million with the University of Reading for the Shinfield Eastern Relief Road - a key part of the infrastructure to support the major developments in the area.

And it’s not too late to get involved in any of the community forums that are taking place in each of the Strategic Development Locations – details can be found on page 21.

The Bulmershe School in Woodley were approved and work has started in earnest to bring first-class facilities to our students in tandem with raising academic standards (page 5).

And September will see the opening of three brand new primary schools to ensure our children have the best possible start to their education (page 5). A unique learning and skills centre for our young people, known as Aspire@Wokingham, will also open in September (page 26).

Our tenants are benefitting from new kitchens and bathrooms under our Decent Homes programme (page 4).

And, after 39 years in the NHS, public health responsibilities returned to local government in April. You can find out more about their work (pages 12/13 and 14), and much more, throughout this magazine.

Despite tough financial pressures, which are set to continue for many years to come, work is ongoing across the Borough to improve your lives and invest in local projects.

2013 continues to be a challenging year but there are also opportunities for all of us. As always, I am happy to hear your views and ideas, so please drop me an email at: david.lee@wokingham.gov.uk

We were delighted to learn last month (June) our £6million plans for

Cllr David Lee Leader

Summer 2013

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Off with a bang!

Brainiac's Jon Tickle officially opens St Crispin's School's new science block

The official opening of St Crispin’s School’s £5.5million science block certainly went with a bang!

In this edition Home is where the heart is....................4 Visit our countryside..........................6/7 Focus on Remenham..........................8/9

VIP guests at the event in Wokingham included TV science presenter on Brainiac Jon Tickle (pictured above), Professor George Marston, Dean of Science at Reading University and our Mayor Cllr UllaKarin Clark.

Our investment gives students the very latest science learning environment and includes nine new laboratories, a lecture theatre and multi-use teaching space. The scheme also includes a new multi-use games area.

Live Well ........................................... 12/13 Recycling journey...................................15 What’s on......................................... 16/17 Wokingham regeneration............ 18/19 Live Well Rehab Gym........................... 24 Dignity in care........................................ 30

Leave your car at home

People will be able to leave their cars at home and travel by bike soon thanks to a new cycleway set to be installed later this year on Lower Earley Way. A £1.1million cycleway will run the entire length of Lower Earley Way (two and a half kilometres) offering cyclists a safe three metre-wide cycle and footway, linking Winnersh to Shinfield.

We successfully bid for nearly £750,000 for the scheme from the Department of Transport and we’ve also allocated £350,000 of developer funding from the Marsh Farm estate in Lower Earley.

Tackling flooding................................... 31

Do you have any views about where you vote? Would you like to see a change in location?

If the answer is yes, keep an eye out for our consultation coming this autumn.

Watch out for details on our website nearer the time. Any changes wouldn’t come into effect until 2015. www.wokingham.gov.uk/elections

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www.wokingham.gov.uk

Home is where the heart is Their new kitchen and bathroom under our Decent Homes Programme means everything to great grandparents Fred and June Pieper.

Fred and June say the new kitchen and bathroom in their Cobham House flat in Shinfield really has changed their lives, and benefits not just them but all their family.

Theirs is among more than 800 Council-owned homes in the Wokingham Borough which have had their facilities transformed under the £8million scheme, which has helped some of the Borough’s most vulnerable residents.

“It’s made such a difference and lifted us up a lot because we’ve had health problems. We now have a shower instead of a bath and our kitchen has been modernised. They’re absolutely beautiful!” said Mrs Pieper.

“We live close to our family and they visit us all the time. They love it. Our granddaughter also has a new bathroom and kitchen and says they are awesome.

“The Council workmen were brilliant. They worked really hard, cleaned up after themselves, were polite and helped us. I’m a stickler for that sort of thing.”

So far 655 kitchens and 591 bathrooms have been replaced, and 127 heating systems upgraded under the scheme.

Executive view Cllr John Kaiser, Executive Member for General Planning and Affordable Housing “These are more than properties.

These are people’s homes, and we want to make sure all our Council properties are of high standard.

“Our Decent Homes Programme does this, and we’ve already seen the huge difference these improvements make to people’s lives.

“We’d like to thank our tenants for their support and feedback.”

Fred and June Pieper This year we hope to install a further 388 new kitchens and 466 new bathrooms.

Our Tenant Services has been carrying out the work in partnership with our Decent Homes contractor Apollo.

Primary school expansion in Twyford going well Work is progressing well at The Colleton Primary School in Twyford thanks to our £3.5million investment to expand this popular school.

A new single-storey extension to the side of the school has been built to create additional classroom space and associated office and toilet facilities.

And to the rear of the school there’s a larger sports hall and new swimming pool changing room, which is now finished and being used by pupils.

Summer 2013

Work starts on Bulmershe School It’s full steam ahead for The Bulmershe School’s exciting £6million building programme.

The construction of the new buildings in Woodley is due to start in the autumn, now that we have secured planning permission but the refurbishment of classrooms has already begun.

The major project is being funded and managed by us, in partnership with the school to further raise students aspirations and achievement which is already having a positive impact.

Renovated classrooms are just the beginning of this exciting phase of

development for the school.

A significant part of the learning environment for students is being transformed; covering also the sixth form and student inclusion centre, library and information centre, and dining hall.The new facilities will also

be available for community use.

Headteacher Emma Reynolds said: “Our vision is to be a vibrant, dynamic and ambitious place of learning where every student is valued and treated as an individual.”

Getting ready for the autumn term Wokingham Borough’s new primary schools are now a hive of activity as work continues to prepare them for their pupils starting this September.

Additional places are also being created from this September at Shinfield Infant and Grazeley Primary Schools, which are being permanently expanded.

The new schools at Charvil, Woosehill and Winnersh are creating an additional 90 primary places for our Borough’s children.

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

Thanks to modern manufacturing techniques these schools are being built in a quarter of the time it would take to construct them traditionally.

Modular builds are as robust as traditional constructions and will last as long, if taken care of. They also comply with strict building standards and legislation, which apply to all buildings of every type.

Work on the sites is being carried out both inside and outside the new school buildings. Inside, fixtures and fittings are being added, floors laid, and top coats to walls applied.

Outside, the schools’ grounds are being landscaped, fencing erected, playgrounds and car parks laid and multi-use games areas set out.

Executive view Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor, Executive Member for Children’s Services “Our three new primaries are nearly ready to welcome their first young pupils on their exciting journey into education.

“This whole process started more than a year ago. It was driven by feedback from the thousands of parents who took part in our consultation, plus some creative thinking from the members of our schools team.

“We’re confident these new primaries will become valuable, and in time even treasured parts of the communities they serve.”

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www.wokingham.gov.uk

New natural green spaces coming to the Borough With 14 country and nature reserves already within the Borough, we’re set to see more than 160 hectares of new natural green spaces the equivalent of more than 210 football pitches or four times the size of California Country Park - being brought to the Borough as part of the major developments in the area during the next ten years or so.

The new parks will open up new opportunities for walkers and other nature lovers across the Borough and provide a major increase in the amount of open, accessible countryside for you.

Natural parks will be opened in or around all the Strategic Development Locations (SDLs) and the developers will be paying for them to be built and maintained initially - although it’s likely that most will be handed to us or local groups to manage.

Work is starting on the first three new parks; near Plough Lane and Kentwood Farm in Wokingham - both of which will be relatively small (about the size of three football pitches each) and Buckhurst Meadows, also in Wokingham, which will be the size of about 10 football pitches.

Planning consent has also been granted for two parks near Shinfield and applications

have been submitted for two more near Spencers Wood.

The parks being created as part of the SDLs will be the first in Wokingham Borough since the opening of Rooks Nest Wood near Barkham in 2011, which is an 18.5 hectare site (about 25 football pitches) and includes a new 20 space car park leading to more than two kilometres of new surfaced footpaths. The landscaping complimented existing wildflower meadows and woodlands through the planting of around 11,000 new trees and shrubs including oak, birch, ash, hazel, hawthorn, field maple and rowan. The site has wetland areas and this has provided the opportunity to create four new wildlife ponds.

The new parks will be created over a number of years, but in the meantime our Borough has a wealth of green spaces to be enjoyed and rediscovered.

Destination Dinton Every year, Dinton Pastures attracts more than half a million visitors. With just over 335 acres, it’s a great place to explore or join in the many activities that take place there daily. The park has seven lakes, two rivers, three public bird hides, and meadows. A free Dinton Walks leaflet is available at the Dragonfly Café.

The Dinton Activity Centre also offers a wide range of activities including sailing, canoeing, rock climbing, bush craft, orienteering and team building days.

Visit our website for the latest events programme: www.wokingham.gov.uk. For bookings call (0118) 974 6343.

At the time of going to press, we were putting the finishing touches to designs for a new £500,000 destination play area at the park (pictured right) and work will start in September. Read more about it in the next edition of Wokingham Borough News.

Executive view Cllr Angus Ross, Executive Member for Environment “We are committed to ensuring that our residents have good and easy access to the countryside in our Borough and although we need to provide much-needed new homes, we know that it’s equally important to maintain and extend our accessible green spaces. I am delighted that these new natural green spaces will help us to balance both requirements.”

Summer 2013

Visit our countryside Remenham

Wargrave

Charvil Meadows

Charvil Country Park Twyford Charvil

Ruscombe

Sonning

Aldermoors Nature Reserve

Lavell’s Lake Nature Reserve

Woodley

Highwood Nature Reserve

Dinton Pastures Hurst Country Park Winnersh

Earley

Pearmans Copse Nature Reserve Wokingham

Nores Hill Wood Nature Reserve

Rooks Nest Wood

Arborfield Shinfield

Barkham

The Moors Swallowfield

Keephatch Park Nature Reserve

California Country Park

Warren Wood

Wokingham Without

Heathlake

Finchampstead

www.wokingham.gov.uk/parks

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www.wokingham.gov.uk

Focus on Remenham Remenham sits in the north of the Wokingham Borough on one of the most beautiful stretches of the River Thames.

The village has a rebuilt parish church, originally a Norman building, retaining one 14th Century window. The tower has chequerwork corner turrets and the beautifully wrought iron gates in the chancel came from Siena in Italy.

set with hanging woods upon a chalk cliff rising 300 feet above the Thames.

Frederick, Prince of Wales, owned Park Place from 1738 until his death in 1751.

His son, who later became George III, lived there.

From Henley Bridge the road climbs steeply through a chalk cutting to Remenham Hill with its splendid beech woods. This picturesque road was made

by Humphrey Gainsborough, brother of the great artist, who also carried out the construction of some of the local locks.

On the river Henley Reach, located in Remenham, is where the annual Henley Royal Regatta has been held for more than 150 years.

The regatta lasts for five days (Wednesday to Sunday) during the first weekend in July. Races are head-to-head knock out competitions, raced over a course of one mile, 550 yards. The most prestigious event at the regatta is the Grand Challenge Cup for Men’s Eights, which has been awarded since the regatta was first staged. Remenham is also home to Leander Club. Founded in 1818, the Club

In this secluded and beautiful part of the Borough is the hamlet of Aston, which had a ferry across to the Buckinghamshire bank below the richly wooded Chilterns, the hamlet of Remenham Hill, and the estate of Park Place, which is attractively

Student’s design feature at Sol Joel Park, Earley Earley Town Council is building a new Pavilion at Sol Joel Park. The demolition of the old pavilion, built in 1928 and opened by the then Duke of York, later to become King George VI, was completed in 2012 in commemoration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and Team GB’s success in the Olympics and Paralympics.

judged by a panel including Deputy Headteacher Mike Haddrell, Earley Council Town Clerk Philip Truppin and Architect Jim Sutton. And student Karan Dahele’s winning design (shown right) will now be made with the help of a professional metal artist.

During the demolition of the old building, one of the metal foundation supports was salvaged. The Council thought it could feature as a sundial.

Sol Joel Park has also been designated as a Queen Elizabeth II Field as part of the Fields in Trust QEII Jubilee Challenge, preserving the park’s status as a recreation facility. There have been many enhancements to the facilities during the past two years, including play park equipment, a completely new concrete Skatepark and the first Parkour (street running) course in the Borough.

Students at Maiden Erlegh School were invited to design the sundial feature. A number of entries were submitted and

www.earley-tc.gov.uk (0118) 986 8995 administration@earley-tc.gov.uk

Winning design

Summer 2013

boasts an unsurpassed record in rowing achievements. In fact, Leander Club members have won more Olympic and Paralympic medals (112) than any other single-sport club in the world.

Another rowing club is Remenham Club, founded in 1909 during a meeting of metropolitan and up-river clubs. The annual Remenham Challenge is a long distance race held every January involving crews from all seven founding clubs on the Tideway section of the Thames.

Rewind 80s festival featuring Kim Wilde, ABC and Chesney Hawkes to name just a few.

Neighbourhood Planning Under The Localism Act, town and parish councils can prepare a neighbourhood plan and formally apply for consent to designate an area to be covered by the plan.

The neighbourhood plan for Remenham is now being prepared following consent by the Borough Council.

Festival time Earlier this month (July), Remenham hosted the world-famous Henley Festival which included acts such as the Beach Boys and Jamie Cullum.

Neighbourhood planning is designed to enable local communities to have a real voice in deciding the look and feel of future development in their area.

And it’s not too late to head to Temple Island Meadows in August for the popular

Why not take some take out this summer to discover Remenham?

• Various locations in the village have appeared in Midsomer Murders

DID KN YOU OW ?

• The plague wiped out Remenham’s population in 1665 • The Henley Regatta course starts at the Greek-style temple on Temple Island, Remenham More information: www.henley-festival.co.uk www.rewindfestival.com www.leander.co.uk www.remenhamclub.co.uk/about-us Check out local walks at: www.walk4life.info/walk/ remenham-circular www.lvra.org.uk

Dedicating Shinfield Parish Council’s meeting room Shinfield Parish Council has formally renamed its meeting room at Shinfield Parish Hall as The John Heggadon Room in memory of the late John Heggadon who served as parish councillor between 1992 until his untimely death in July 2012.

The dedication held in May was attended

by John’s wife, Christina and their daughter Ilona. They kindly provided a family photo of John which now adorns the meeting room wall.

Not only was John a dedicated parish councillor and a true believer of the value of local decision-making, he represented the

town and parish council sector as Chairman of Berkshire Association of Local Councils and as Chairman of Wokingham District Association of Local Councils for many years.

John’s work was greatly respected by local government in Wokingham Borough and his commitment and contribution has been exceptional. Shinfield Parish Council is pleased to remember John by naming their meeting room in his memory as it’s a place where he spent many hours diligently working on the Council’s behalf. www.shinfieldparish.gov.uk (0118) 988 8220

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Making a difference to children and young people in our community

Thanks to all of you who’ve been involved in helping us shape the future of youth services and children’s centres in the Borough.

Following our tough financial position and the way these services are funded from central government, we’ve had to look at the way we deliver services to children’s and youth centres.

We want to transform the way we work so that we can continue to provide a first-class service, despite the severe financial pressures we face. And to do this, we needed the help of the community to enable us to deliver the right services in their areas. We’ve asked you, including young people, what you value most from the services

you receive, what works well in your local community already, and any ideas that you might have to make improvements.

Our decision-making Executive will take on board your views and consider a number of proposals during the summer.

Things are moving at pace, so check out our website.

More information: www.wokingham.gov.uk

Benefits have changed and there’s more to come – make sure you are prepared

You’ll be aware a number of changes were introduced nationally to welfare benefits in April and there are more to come later this year.

A quick reminder of those already in place: • Local welfare provision (formally Social Fund) – now dealt with by us rather than the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) • Under occupancy in the social sector – working age claimants will have a reduction in their housing benefit if their home has more bedrooms than they need • Council tax benefit has been replaced with council tax reduction.

All customers have been told how this change affects them • Universal credit trials started in pilot areas in April 2013 • Personal independence payments will replace disability living allowance from June for all new claims. Existing customers will be advised directly by the DWP when this will affect them.

Still to come: • From July 15, the benefit cap will be introduced. The maximum amount of benefit income for a couple or lone parent will be restricted to £500 a week, or £350 for a single person. If payments go over this amount deductions will be made from housing benefit Most of the above changes don’t affect pensioners but may change the amount of benefit received by those under pension age.

More information: www.wokingham.gov.uk/counciltax/welfare-reform

Summer 2013 11

Downing Street reception for local charity A charity founded by a Wokingham Borough resident Elizabeth Burton Philips and supported by us had an exclusive reception at No 10 Downing Street, hosted

by Samantha Cameron.

The event was held to recognise the achievements of DrugFAM in supporting families, friends and carers through the nightmare of drug and alcohol addiction.

Guests included Home Secretary and MP for Maidenhead The Rt Hon Theresa May, Fern Britton, artist Annie Tempest, author Clare Francis and American philanthropist Linda Noe Laine.

Elizabeth Burton Philips (centre left) with Samantha Cameron

Members of our own Drug and Alcohol Action Team were also there.

“It’s a unique and very special opportunity for DrugFAM to thank all of those who have been involved in supporting the charity and helping us change the lives of so many families.”

Elizabeth said: “We’re so grateful that Samantha Cameron has chosen to honour the charity in this way.

www.drugfam.co.uk 0845 3883853

Station and Link Road on track It’s all go in and around Wokingham Station with work transforming it and creating the new Station Link Road moving along at pace.

We’ve been busy for the past few months preparing the site of the new Link Road, and construction is due to start in the autumn; with completion the following summer.

Network Rail says it hopes all of the new station will be open to passengers by the end of the summer.

Eustace Crescent – update At the time of going to press, our decision-making Executive was due to consider a number of proposals for Eustace Crescent regeneration in Wokingham including allocating approximately £13million for the project, selecting Wokingham Housing Limited as our development partner, and transferring the land to them.

We hope to submit the planning application in September and a further consultation event will be held before this.

Under our proposals, approximately 72 homes, comprising a mix of spacious apartments and family housing would be built.

A central green space would be retained, allowing for community activities to take place. All houses and ground floor apartments would have gardens and all upper floor apartments would have generous private balconies.

As part of the public consultation already carried out, local residents and tenants have suggested we consider changing the name of the development. This will be further explored over the coming months.

Check out our website for further details later this summer. www.wokingham.gov.uk

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Live well in Woking Back in April, we welcomed public health back to local government after 39 years in the NHS. Public health is about helping people stay healthy and avoid getting ill. And we’ve an important role to play in enabling individuals and families to live healthier lifestyles.

In December 2012, a joint Director of Public Health,

Dr Lise Llewellyn, was appointed for Berkshire. Together the unitary authorities in Berkshire are sharing expertise and knowledge to tackle some of our biggest health challenges such as the increase in the number of people developing heart disease or diabetes, and the stresses in life which can lead to anxiety and depression. In Wokingham Borough, the local team, led by Public Health Consultant Darrell Gale is settling in well. He is joined by Programme Manager Helene Dyson and Claudette Maharaj and Jane Magan.

Dive in to free swimming this summer

See cen p tre a for eve ges acro nts h app ss this the Bo ening sum roug mer h

You will probably agree the past two summers have been a wash out, but we’re not going to let the bad weather stop our young people from getting active this summer. We’ve teamed up with Leisure Connection and Woodley Town Council to offer free swimming for all our young residents.

To be eligible to swim for free you must be aged 18 or under and hold a valid Wokingham Borough library card. Young residents can swim for free at general public sessions from July 20 until September 1 at Carnival Pool, Wokingham; Loddon Valley Leisure Centre, Lower Earley and Bulmershe Leisure Centre, Woodley. Young people who are not library members can join at any of our branches for free.

We’re hoping the scheme will build on the Olympic and Paralympic legacy and open up opportunities to all our young people especially those who don’t normally take part in activities.

In addition to the scheme for under 18s, we also run a wider range of swimming sessions for all ages. Here in the Borough, fewer of us than in the rest of the country take part in physical activity, so now’s the time to get active. So whatever the weather this summer, dig out your swimming costume and dive in!

More information: (0118) 974 6000 wokinghamdirect@wokingham.gov.uk

Summer March 2013 2011 13

ham Borough The lost generation – never too late to get measles protection

In recent months there’s been a lot of media coverage about the measles epidemic in Swansea.

Experts say the legacy of public concerns over the now discredited links between the MMR vaccine and autism in the 1990s is largely to blame, and some 10 to 16-year-olds were not fully vaccinated at the time meaning they aren’t protected.

Having the first dose of the MMR jab offers 95 per cent protection against measles while the second dose leads to almost complete protection.

Some 93.3 per cent of five-year-old children in the Borough have had two recorded doses of the MMR vaccine, whilst 95 per cent have had one dose - both figures are higher than the average for England. However, among 12 to 18-yearolds in the Wokingham Borough, coverage for the full two doses of the MMR vaccine is only 78 per cent.

Darrell Gale said: “Whilst there have been no reported cases in the Borough, I’d urge you to check whether your children have had both doses of the MMR vaccine, and if not, visit your GP as it’s never too late.

Measles is very unpleasant and can lead to serious complications.”

Improving health in Wokingham Borough The need for us to keep active, eat well and look after not just our bodies but our minds is recognised by many of us.

Elle Ford High levels of stress in our everyday lives adversely affects the way we live from regularly eating easy option takeouts to not having enough time to spend with our families or take part in exercise.

Unfortunately not all of us are able to access many of the opportunities open to our residents due to reasons such as transport issues and expensive session/ membership costs.

So to help, Get Berkshire Active, with funding from Wokingham CCG has recruited Elle Ford as our new Health Improvement Officer. She will be working in five pilot areas where people aren’t as active as they could be including: • Norreys, Wokingham • Shinfield North and South

Improving carer support

• Bulmershe, Whitegate and Southlake, Woodley • North Finchampstead

Carers are often the forgotten people of our local communities. By caring for someone else, a carer’s own health and wellbeing is often affected and goes unnoticed by others. Here in the Wokingham Borough we have around 13,000 residents who receive unpaid care, usually by a family member.

• Rainbow Park, Winnersh

We will be working with NHS Wokingham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the voluntary sector during the coming year to gain a better understanding of the impact caring has on individual carer’s health. This will help us and the CCG to know what type of services we commission for our local people and how we can make improvements to a carer’s own health and wellbeing.

The CCG launched a survey last month (June) and it runs until September. You can access the survey at: www.wokinghamccg.nhs.uk or by calling (0118) 929 9469 for a hard copy. It’s really important we hear your views on health and your needs and hope you can spare some time to complete the survey.

Ge t – youinv o r v lve coun ie d ws t

Elle works Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. She said: “Initially I will be talking to communities to find out what residents would like to see happening in their areas. I will find out what the main barriers are preventing them from doing physical activity. Following these discussions, I’ll work with the local communities and other partners such as health to launch a programme of activities to benefit our residents and provide a healthier environment for families and individuals to live in.”

More information: elle.ford@wokingham.gov.uk 07809 309474

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Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Wokingham Borough Together with the introduction of the new Health and Wellbeing Board, this April saw the launch of a new Borough Health and Wellbeing Strategy outlining priority areas for the Board to address in its first year.

Why has the Health and Wellbeing Board produced a strategy?

The main role of the Board is to lead on improving the health and wellbeing of everyone in Wokingham Borough and the purpose of it is to share its vision along with local priorities for 2013-14 and actions identified against which its progress can be measured.

What does the Health and Wellbeing Strategy include?

The first version of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy draws together current priorities from the individual organisations that make up the Health and Wellbeing Board and covers: • Promoting good health throughout life • Building health and wellbeing into new communities • Improving life chances • Emotional health and wellbeing • Older people and those with long term conditions

How has the Health and Wellbeing Board agreed these priorities?

Priorities have been developed from analysis and evaluation of health and social care data on the population of the Borough, the needs of a growing population and feedback on what areas need to be developed and improved.

This data is reviewed annually.

What happens to the areas not included in the strategy?

It concentrates on areas where joint working across health, local government and other partners can make significant improvements to our health and wellbeing. Individual health and social care services still have their own plans in place for continuing to deliver health and social care services in addition to this.

Where can I find the strategy?

Visit our website: www.wokingham.gov.uk

Executive view Cllr Julian McGhee-Sumner, Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing “The health and wellbeing of people in Wokingham Borough is generally good, but some communities are healthier than others.

The strategy paves the way for improving the health and wellbeing of everyone in the Borough. It will ensure we have the right services in place to meet our residents’ needs.

“This is just the start of our plans to reduce health inequalities and make significant improvements. You will see in this magazine some of the great schemes happening to address our key priorities. We are determind to make a positive impact on everyone’s health and wellbeing.”

Championing health and social care services Since April, Healthwatch Wokingham Borough is the new consumer champion for health and social care services. It gives a voice to patients as well as being there to provide or signpost to the right information and advice. It also gives you the opportunity to share views and concerns about the quality of services and helps people have a stronger voice to influence and challenge how local services are provided.

Healthwatch Wokingham Borough is a social enterprise, which has its own Board of Directors and

is supported in its work through a partnership between the Citizens Advice Bureau and Help and Care.

Healthwatch Wokingham Borough replaces The Wokingham Local Involvement Network (LINk).

More information: www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk (0118) 418 1418 You can also call into the Citizen’s Advice Bureau in Wokingham.

Summer March 2013 2011 15

Where does our waste and recycling go when it’s collected?

Step one Waste and recycling is collected together from your house every week. Our refuse lorries are split so that they only need to make one trip to your house and to the tip – saving fuel and being more energy efficient.

Step two

Step three The sorted cans, plastic bottles and cardboard then get pushed through to a baling machine which squashes these materials into separate bales.

They are then ready to be transported to different factories where they are made into new products such as newspapers, cardboard packaging, milk bottles, fleeces and drinks cans that we can use again.

Once the lorry is full (between five and eight tonnes), your waste and recycling is taken to Smallmead, Reading where the blue bag waste and recycling are tipped in separate areas. Blue bag waste is sent on to Colnbrook to create energy from waste. The recycling starts its journey through the MRF (Materials Recycling Facility), otherwise known as the big green recycling machine. It’s transferred onto a conveyor belt and into a trommel, which is a huge rotating drum. This drum allows plastic bottles and tins to drop through onto a separate conveyor belt to be sorted while the paper and card goes onto another conveyor belt. These both go to a pre-sort cabin where staff hand pick items that can’t be recycled, such as carrier bags.

• This is only one day’s paper recycling

U YO ?

D DI NOW K

• Our Refuse Collectors walk approximately 60 miles every week

• You can also bring your own refuse and unwanted items, such as garden waste, electrical goods, paint and textiles to Smallmead, Reading and Longshot Lane, Bracknell. A lot of the items that can be re-sold are donated to Sue Ryder in Reading, amounting to 30,000 tonnes per year!

16 www.wokingham.gov.uk

What’s on…

Summer and autumn fun and frolics across the Wokingham Borough whatever the weather! …in the countryside Thursdays in July and Fridays in August Summer Night Paddles – Moonlight paddle on Black Swan Lake by glowsticks 9pm to11pm Dinton Activity Centre, Dinton Pastures Country Park £12 adults £9 children July 21, August 18 and September 22 Paddle Boarding ‘Ready to Ride’ – learn how to board Hawaii 5-0 style!

9.30am to 4.30pm Dinton Activity Centre, Dinton Pastures Country Park Ages 14+ £75 July 25, 30, August 7, 13 and15 Pond Dipping – Discover amazing underwater creatures 11am or 2pm Café Garden, Dinton Pastures Country Park £5 per child August 8 Summer Treasure Trail – Explore the park and answer a quiz to win a treat 1pm to 3pm Café Garden, Dinton Pastures Country Park £3 per child aged five to 12

August 15 and 22 Bat Walk and Talk – Play detective to find the live bats 8pm to10pm main car park, Dinton Pastures Country Park £5

September 21 Pirate Day – Come dressed up and find coins in the treasure map challenge 11am to 4pm Dinton Activity Centre, Dinton Pastures Country Park £12 adults £9 children

August 26 Climb Mount Everest in a day – or its equivalent height!

11am to 4pm Dinton Activity Centre’s climbing wall, Dinton Pastures Country Park £1

October 6 California Speedway – See the original motor bikes from the 1930s to1950s 11am California Country Park Free

September 7 to October 12 Kids Kayaking Club – Great fun on the water 2.30pm to 4.30pm Dinton Activity Centre, Dinton Pastures Country Park For ages eight to 12. Children must have a paddle power passport £15 for the course

October 20 Fungus Foray - Hands-on learning about these wonderful life forms 11am and 2pm California Country Park £5 (suitable for ages12+) October 25 and 26 Spooky Night Paddles - Sail the black waters and hear creepy stories 7pm to 9pm Dinton Activity Centre, Dinton Pastures Country Park £12 adults £9 children

Summer March 2013 2011 17

…in your local library July 13 to September 21 Creepy House – Children’s Summer Reading Challenge Discover the secrets of Creepy House and meet its hair-raising residents. Read six books from the library to win a medal and certificate. Also poetry events with James Carter, Creepy House stories and crafts.

Children aged five to 12 July 13 to September 21 Teen Reading Challenge – Read six books from the library during the summer holidays for the chance to win an iPod Nano and other prizes. To support the challenge there’s a Teen Afternoon at Wokingham Library on August 15 including Manga workshops and Origami July 18 A Colourful Treasure from the Age of the Pyramids – A talk by Paolo Scremin from the Oxford Expedition 6.30pm Wokingham Library £3 July 24 Family Heritage Walk around Wokingham – Find out about the story of James ‘Sooty’ Seaward, probable inspiration for Tom in The Water Babies 11am Wokingham Library Suitable for families with children aged six to 12

July 25 Grrr! – Dinos, Dragons and Other Beastie Poems Poetry Show with James Carter 10.30am to11.30am Wokingham Library 1pm to 2pm Lower Earley Library 3pm to 4pm Woodley Library £3.50 per person or £12 for family of four August 1 Children’s Chess Club – 3.30pm to 5pm Woodley Library Children aged eight and above Just drop in! (free) August 3 Introduction to Drawing and Still Life – Drawing Taster Day 11am to 3pm Woodley Library £28 August 8 Get Arty – Just drop in and make some mysterious crafts 2pm to 4pm Wokingham Library For children aged 12 and under £1 August 15 Make Friends with Change – Talk by conflict management expert Peter Burton 6.30pm Wokingham Library £3 Throughout the year Book Groups – meet monthly and discuss a range of titles, including best-sellers, non-fiction, prize winners and classics.

Details on your local library or our website

…other events Greenfingers – Wokingham Town gardening competition Closing date July 29 www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk Sunny Saturdays – entertainment in the Market Place through to the end of September www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk July 18 to 27 The Suicide – a farce by Nikolai Erdman 7.45pm Wokingham Theatre £9 www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk July 21 and 28 Super Sunday Markets – 10am to 4pm Market Place in Wokingham town centre www.wokinghamtownteam.co.uk/ super-sundays August 16 to 18 Rewind 80s Festival – Remenham www.rewindfestival.com August 23, 24 and 25 Wokingham Festival – Elms Field www.wokinghamfestival.co.uk September 14 and 15 Heritage Weekend – Wokingham joins the national event; activites in the library and cultural activities in and around WokinghamTown Hall www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk/towncentre-events Throughout the year Wokingham Music Club – www.wokinghammusicclub.co.uk Why not check out www.morearts. org.uk for a list of events taking place around the Borough and beyond?

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

18 www.wokingham.gov.uk

All go for Wokingham town centre regeneration After many months of talking about our regeneration plans, you will finally get to see some action this summer as works starts to refurbish Rose Street and Market Place.

We're in the process of appointing a contractor to carry out this work including re-cladding the existing facades and converting the derelict offices to residential units. It’s due to be completed in June 2014.

We are also busy putting the finishing touches to the planning application for the wider regeneration scheme including Elms Field and Peach Place Plaza and we expect it to be considered by the Planning Committee towards the end of 2013.

Getting a great night’s sleep!

We’ve signed up award-winning Premier Inn, the UK’s largest hotel chain, to the scheme.

The 80-bedrooom hotel and restaurant will be developed on the corner of Wellington Road and Denmark Street, creating the gateway into the town centre.

John Bates, Head of acquisitions, UK and Ireland, Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants, said: “Wokingham has been on our target list for a long time and I am very pleased we have signed this agreement. The town centre site is an ideal location for a new Premier Inn hotel and restaurant. Our

investment will create approximately 35 new jobs, attract additional visitors and support key businesses in the area.”

It’s expected the hotel and restaurant will attract more than 2,000 visitors every month.

Executive view Cllr Alistair Corrie, Executive Member for Regeneration

“Signing Premier Inn is a significant step forward, highlighting the confidence which the private sector has both in Wokingham and in our plans themselves.

“A large number of those who travel on business to the area have to stay outside of the town and many would prefer to stay in an environment which offers them greater choice. The hotel will have a restaurant, but it’s also expected visitors will make use of the town’s businesses during their stay. This will bring trade and ongoing investment into the shops, bars and restaurants in the town centre, which is good news for everyone.”

Summer 2013 19

The need for a foodstore A few local residents still wonder why a new foodstore is included in our regeneration plans.

So we thought we’d take this opportunity to tell you more about why we need one.

In the next 13 years, more than 4,000 new homes will be built on the edge of the town. We have carried out a further retail study this year and this confirms previous studies which highlight there will be a shortage in convenience (foodstuffs) retail needed to cope with the town’s growth.

Many town centres have been killed off with people abandoning them in favour of big standalone retail parks or preferring to shop online. If you talk to local traders many of them saw an enormous fall in trade when Tesco moved out of the town centre.

We feel it’s important to bring the foodstore back into the centre to not only support other traders but also strengthen the town’s vitality.

We know some people simply do their food shopping and leave but national research and local studies show a large number of shoppers will link trips to a foodstore and other shopping and leisure if the offer is right.

UR YO TIONS : D ES QU SWERE AN

By placing important shops, known as anchors, at key points within the town it encourages people to move between these locations and strengthen retail circuits. By locating the foodstore at the south of town, and reinforcing anchors at other main points such as Peach Place, we will be able to draw people through the town and create increased footfall past the areas where the majority of our smaller, local and independent shops are located.

A foodstore also brings in good investment and supports the overall scheme viability. Having the foodstore helps guarantee that the regeneration will go ahead when other local and national schemes have failed.

Things are moving at pace, so check out our website for all the latest developments on planning applications and much, much more!

More information: www.wokingham.gov.uk (0118) 974 6000

Emerging ideas for Wokingham’s streets and open spaces Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their views on our emerging plans to revamp the ‘public realm’ in Wokingham town centre.

These improvements are part of our plans to make Wokingham an even better place to live, work and visit. Our work to develop a public realm strategy is key. Public realm is the space between buildings among other things and includes the pavements we walk on, the streets we drive down, the seats we sit on and the art we look at.

We’re analysing all the comments received so far. But don’t worry, there will be a further chance to get involved when we formally consult on plans in the autumn.

20 www.wokingham.gov.uk

New communities in

Major changes are coming to the Borough with some 10,000 new homes being built in four locations known as Strategic Development Locations (SDLs).

These SDLs are around Arborfield; Shinfield, Spencers Wood and Three Mile Cross; North of Wokingham Town and South of Wokingham Town.

They are more than just housing developments and will include new schools, playgrounds, parks, nature reserves, shops, businesses, and community facilities, as well as the necessary roads and other transport links.

You can get involved…

IN GET Wokingham Borough’s VO LVE Community Forums have D been set up to bring together existing residents, landowners, developers, town and parish councils, and the Borough Council, to share information and views on these major developments.

The forums cover the four SDLs as well as Woodley, which is not an SDL but will see major growth in the years ahead.

By creating community dialogue between those directly involved in the developments and the existing

communities, major issues can be discussed to help shape decisions such as design, the development of schools and shops, what community facilities are provided and where, as well as how the open spaces could be used.

The forums have received regular updates from us and the developers about the progress of the SDLs, and are giving residents a voice on issues, such as roads.

They have also contributed to improved relationships and understanding between the key people involved.

Some issues, such as housing numbers and where they are built, are already set and cannot be changed, so the forums disseminate this information.

But other things, such as transport, community and leisure facilities and design details for buildings, are still open for discussion and are being influenced by residents’ views.

More information: (0118) 974 6066 SDL.Forums@wokingham.gov.uk www.wokingham.gov.uk/ communityforums

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

“For new communities to survive and flourish they need heart and soul, but they can only achieve this with the support and guidance of people already living there.

“This is why I urge people living in the SDL areas to come along to the community forums and help shape these new communities.

“You really can play a huge part in their future.”

Summer 2013 21

Wokingham Borough Come along to a Community Forum…

Arborfield Community Forum

Monday September 9 7pm to 9pm at Henry Street Garden Centre, Arborfield

Thursday December 12 7pm to 9pm Venue TBC

Monday March 10 7pm to 9pm at Henry Street Garden Centre, Arborfield

North Wokingham Community Forum

Monday October 14 7pm to 8.45pm at Wokingham Town Hall

Monday January 20 7pm to 8.45pm at Wokingham Town Hall

South of M4 Community Wednesday September 11 Forum (Shinfield, Spencers 6pm to 7.45pm at Shinfield Wood and Three Mile Cross) Parish Offices

Monday December 2 6pm to 7.45pm at Shinfield Parish Offices

Monday February 24 6pm to 7.45pm at Shinfield Parish Offices

South Wokingham Community Forum

Wednesday October 9 6pm to 7.45pm in the Methodist Church, Bradbury Centre, Rose Street

Wednesday January 29 6pm to 7.45pm in the Methodist Church, Bradbury Centre, Rose Street

Wednesday July 17 6pm to 7.45pm in the Methodist Church, Bradbury Centre, Rose Street

Times and venues maybe subject to change

The Shinfield Eastern Relief Road Transport and road links help new developments be great places to live - and thanks to central government we’ve received a multi-million pound boost in Shinfield.

In partnership with the University of Reading, we’ve secured an investment of almost £25million for the Shinfield Eastern Relief Road; a key part of the infrastructure to support the major developments in the area.

of the SDL development, so reducing the impact of construction traffic.

It will also provide an early access route for the University of Reading’s planned Science and Innovation Park, near Shinfield.

(HCA) to the University of Reading.

We heard we’d won the funding from Minister of State for Housing and Local Government Mark Prisk (pictured below) when he announced the news during a visit to the area.

The investment for the road was secured by a joint bid involving the Borough Council and the University of Reading.

We will work to make sure all the major developments in the Borough come with highways and transport improvements to offset the effects of a larger population. These improvements will be funded by developers.

It will come in the form of a loan from The Homes and Communities Agency

The Eastern Relief Road is a vital part of our vision for the South of M4 Strategic Development Location (SDL), which covers parts of Shinfield, Spencers Wood and Three Mile Cross.

The new road will help reduce the impact of increased traffic caused by the developments, by easing pressure on the A327 in Shinfield. It will link the A327 south of Shinfield with the Black Boy roundabout and will include a new road bridge over the M4.

The money will also enable the relief road to be built at an early stage

Council Leader Cllr David Lee; Wokingham MP John Redwood; Bovis Homes Group Development Officer Michael Black, Minister for Housing Mark Prisk; Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading Sir David Bell

22 www.wokingham.gov.uk

Engaging with businesses Our Vision is for a great place to live, an even better place to do business and we are transferring those words into action.

A Business Bulletin to keep local businesses informed of key news and events within the Borough is now available.

Each edition contains updates on our major projects such as the Wokingham town centre regeneration, Aspire@Wokingham and new roads. It will also include procurement opportunities with the Borough Council, information about potential funding for businesses from the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership and business events in the Borough and beyond.

The bulletin will be sent directly to businesses registering their interest and is also available online.

As well as launching the Business Bulletin, we are hosting or promoting a range of events aimed at boosting business and employment in the Borough. These include Apprenticeship Roadshows, Business Breakfasts and Careers Fairs.

In addition we’re working with business

partners on Aspire@Wokingham, a new education centre for 14 to 19-year-olds at IQ Winnersh. We've also launched a Business Engagement Plan to improve the way we work with businesses of all sizes.

As part of the Business Engagement Plan, we will be focussing on developing strong relationships with large businesses in the Borough to encourage them to remain locally and promote the benefits of doing business in the Borough to encourage inward investment.

Wokingham Borough offers major advantages to businesses including great transport links, a well-educated workforce, a strong economy with major corporations and hi-tech firms, and the presence of the University of Reading.

It also offers a high quality of life and excellent schools.

The Engagement Plan will also look at increasing the benefit brought to the Borough by businesses’ Corporate Social Responsibility programmes. In this

companies support community projects either through funding, and supporting their staff to volunteer.

More information: economicdevelopment@ wokingham.gov.uk www.wokingham.gov.uk/ business/advice

Executive view Cllr Rob Stanton, Deputy Leader “We know that there are many advantages to doing business in the Wokingham Borough and our strong local economy benefits all our residents. Our Engagement Plan aims to help build on our relationships with businesses. We are listening to what businesses in the Borough have to say and we are making it easier than ever to be heard.”

Summer 2013 23

Help us crack down on fly-tipping So what is fly-tipping? It’s any item such as garden waste, sofas and mattresses, household or builders bags, asbestos or car parts dumped anywhere other than the tip.

By law, if you have rubbish taken away from your house you have a duty of care to take reasonable steps to ensure it’s disposed of responsibly. If your rubbish is found fly-tipped you could be prosecuted, as well as the person who did it.

If you give your rubbish to someone else to take away, here are some tips on how you can help prevent fly-tipping: • Always ask where rubbish is being taken • Always ask for a receipt on headed paper

• Always obtain an estimate on headed paper giving details of waste disposal • Check the trader has a valid waste carriers licence. Anyone who carries waste must have a licence to do so. This can be checked online at: www.environment-agency.gov.uk or by calling the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.

Reporting fly-tipping Thames Valley Police: 101 to report a crime or 999 if an emergency Wokingham Borough Council: (0118) 974 6000 Wokingham and West Berks Trading Standards (for any concerns you have about a trader): (01635) 519 930

Reading Well Books on Prescription Wokingham Borough libraries is working with local health partners on the new national Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme.

The scheme aims to bring healing benefits of reading to six million people with anxiety and depression. There is growing evidence showing that self-help reading can help people with certain mental health conditions.

Reading Well Books on Prescription will enable GPs and other mental health professionals prescribe self-help reading based on cognitive behavioural therapy. Patients will be able to borrow books free of charge from the library on a range of common mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, phobias and some eating disorders.

The scheme uses 30 books endorsed by health partners.

Books are now available in our libraries.

More information: www.readingagency. org.uk

Library ebooks Library members will soon have access to a downloadable e-book service. A selection of books will be available for customers to download from home via our website.

Customers will simply have to enter their library card number and PIN and will then be able to ‘borrow’ up to six e-books for free for up to three weeks at a time.

Library members will be able to download to home computers and to iPads, iPhones, android devices and a range of popular e-readers. The service will be available any time night or day. www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries

24 www.wokingham.gov.uk

Live Well Rehab Gym at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre Amanda Speck has joined us as our new Physical Activity Coordinator and she’s leading activity sessions at our new Rehabilitation Gym at Loddon Valley Leisure, Lower Earley.

We want to get those with long-term health conditions more active and we hope it will lead them to join a local club or carry on taking part in exercise.

New Mayor for Wokingham Borough Cllr UllaKarin Clark has been elected as the new Wokingham Borough Mayor for 2013-2014 taking over from Cllr Bob Wyatt. Cllr Clark lives in Wokingham with her husband Joseph, and has represented the residents of Emmbrook ward since 2003. She was previously a member of the Executive with responsibility for among other things Legal, Human Resources, Culture, Sports, Trading Standards and Customer Service.

Amanda will also be working at six areas across the Borough; Wokingham, Earley, Woodley, Shinfield/ Swallowfield, North of the Borough and Finchampstead for those with the following conditions:

Cllr Chris Singleton has been appointed as Deputy Mayor.

• Multiple Sclerosis

Cllr Clark is particularly interested in protecting and supporting older peoples’ rights to lead a productive and active life. She has therefore chosen as her charity, Age Concern Slough and Berkshire East, which is committed to this and is in the process of increasing it’s presence in the Borough.

• Parkinson’s • Stroke recovery • Diabetes • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease • Cardiovascular disease • Physical disabilities

Amanda Speck

Sessions began this month (July) and cover a 10-week period.

The Live Well Rehab Gym, which opens soon, includes equipment such as small weights, steps, mats, and medicine balls.

Amanda said: “Those individuals with long-term health conditions will benefit from the new rehabilitation gym as it provides them with a purpose-built facility where they can exercise and take part in activities with the support of qualified experienced instructors.

Cllr Clark says: “It’s an honour to have been voted into office as Mayor of the Council and as first citizen of the Borough by my peers. I look forward to my year as Mayor and will do all I can to be of service to residents, groups and businesses.”

More information: (0118) 974 6004 Mayor@wokingham.gov.uk

“Appropriate exercise will help improve breathing, activities of daily living and slow down progression of long-term conditions, as well as being a great way of socialising. This is a much needed, exciting project and I look forward to seeing the many benefits it will bring to the Borough.”

More information: Amanda Speck on 07809 309582

New Mayor Cllr UllaKarin Clark with Deputy Mayor Chris Singleton

Summer March 2013 2011 25

Helping to keep the borough’s streets clean and tidy If you’re interested in keeping your own street or neighbourhood litter free why not join our adopt-a-street scheme? We’ll provide litter pickers and hi-viz tabards for volunteers to use and special waste bags which can be put out with your normal household waste for collection.

So far over 500 residents have joined.

We spoke to Sue Goddard (pictured right) who looks after an army of volunteers in Twyford…

“We’ve come across some strange items including three Pyrex casserole dishes full of socks – why people dump these things I’ll never know!

“We’ve been running the scheme for approximately 18 months and have 36 volunteers. Roughly three-quarters of the streets in Twyford and Ruscombe are adopted.

Although numbers have grown steadily we still have a few areas not completely covered so we’d love more volunteers.

“Many volunteers say they join not only to help keep the area clean and tidy, but because they meet their neighbours and it builds community spirit.

“We have no rules or set time to go out; it depends on the time volunteers have available.

Some collect rubbish when they see it walking to school, or to the shops and some prefer to go out on a more regular basis.

rd

Sue Godda

“It’s very rewarding, people say what a wonderful job we’re doing and how clean and tidy the area looks.”

Adopt -a

-street

More information: www.wokingham.gov.uk/litterpick (0118) 974 6000

volunte

ers

Twyford scheme: Contact Sue via Twyford Village Partnership: tvp@live.co.uk

Berkshire Maestros – 30 Years of Music Making!

In May 1983, Berkshire Maestros or The Berkshire Young Musicians’ Trust as the organisation was then known, played it’s inaugural concert at St Crispin’s School in Wokingham. Earlier this year to mark it’s 30th anniversary, the Maestros returned to St Crispin’s for two concerts highlighting what a talented bunch of youngsters we have.

Since 1983, the Berkshire Maestros has been delivering music tuition in our schools and today, nearly 4,000 of the Borough’s children enjoy learning

a diverse range of instruments, from drumming to playing the French horn and piano. Pupils have a choice of 49 bands, choirs and orchestras to take in, and many of our young people have gone on to experience and enjoy performing at every level and at a variety of venues.

The celebrations will culminate in spring next year when 17 of our schools, as part of the Berkshire Maestros, will replicate it’s

inaugural concert at the most prestigious venue of all, the Royal Albert Hall.

More information: info@berkshiremaestros.org.uk @BMaestros

26 www.wokingham.gov.uk

Unique learning & skills centre coming soon A unique learning and skills centre helping young people in the Wokingham Borough is due to open in September.

Sarah C oncanno n

Work to convert an existing building at IQ Winnersh into the new Aspire@Wokingham centre started in May after planning permission was granted.

Sarah Concannon (pictured right) from The Piggott School has been appointed as the centre’s manager.

Sarah said: “I see this as an exciting opportunity to lead, manage and develop a tailored curriculum for young people that will allow them to develop their skills and attitudes to assist them in an effective transition to further training and employment. I relish the challenges offered by leading Aspire@Wokingham.”

What makes the scheme unique is the cutting edge technology, state-of-the-art strong partnership and support between us, design and space for dance and drama. local businesses, schools and colleges, and the landowner SEGRO. The aim is to not only equip young people with the work and life skills they need to The centre won’t just be used for training succeed as adults, but also inspire them to and developing young people’s skills, but will recognise their strengths, build on these, also generate enterprise and employment and understand the mechanics of the opportunities for them by creating business world. sustainable small business projects on site.

Aspire@Wokingham’s facilities will also be The building itself is being fitted out to available for community use during the create an innovative workplace feel, with evenings and weekends.

Overcoming personal barriers Adult learners who have overcome personal barriers to successfully take part in courses had their achievements recognised at an awards event at the Karten Centre, Ravenswood Village.

There were three individual categories: Overcoming Barriers to Learning, Outstanding Personal Achievement and Inspiring Fellow Learners - a new category this year. In addition the Learner Group of the Year was won by Dyslexia Action (Tracy Young, Georgina Shilton, Elizabeth Callis, Jo Brookes). Another new category this year was the Young Learner of the Year, which was won by Dean Corcoran.

The Overall Learner of the Year was Philip Jones, who attends the My Family Matters course at the Riverdale Children’s Centre in Earley.

people who have personal challenges such as mental health issues, physical or learning disabilities or those who for other reasons have not thrived in formal learning.

Community Learning courses in the Wokingham Borough cover areas such as healthy eating, basic skills (English, Maths and IT), parenting skills and return-to-work skills. They are aimed at

More information: (0118) 974 6278 www.wokingham.gov.uk/adultlearning

Summer March 2013 2011 27

A little bird told me...

Tweeting has now become an everyday activity for many. But rather than just following their favourite movie star, business leader or music artist, it seems many of our residents are starting to use this channel to let us know about issues that need attention.

Wokingham Direct, our Customer Service Centre, now has its own Twitter account @wokinghamdirect giving residents another channel to report everything from faulty streetlights to potholes, as well as requesting information or more specialist support.

So how does Wokingham Direct make sure it captures all the relevant tweets that are flying around in the social stratosphere? We asked Sarah Barrow, Head of Customer Services and Administration, to explain: “Any tweets mentioning @wokinghamdirect are automatically channelled into our customer contact system and queued just like an email or text. This means our Customer Service Advisors can spot them immediately in the Twitter queue and respond. In addition they are able to toggle between channels, so if a resident has tweeted, but the information we need to respond with is more detailed or private, we can reply back by email, text or phone.

“We get all sorts of tweets such as customers asking for guidance on what can

Executive view Cllr Pauline Jorgenson, Executive Member for Internal Services

be put in a black recycling box, to service requests for highways faults or signposting requests for Council information. Requests are varied and this channel is definitely growing in popularity. Also being a big commuter borough, it’s a quick and simple way for customers to get in touch when they are travelling to and from work."

Next time you see something that needs fixing, don’t just ignore it, get out your smart phone or tablet and tweet about it.

More information: @wokinghamdirect wokinghamdirect@wokingham.gov.uk www.wokingham.gov.uk (0118) 974 6000

“By using social media channels it opens up even more opportunities for us to talk directly and instantly with as many people in the Wokingham Borough as possible.

We want to enable our residents to access Council services via the channels that are most convenient to them and social media hits the mark with many these days.

“We are soon to launch our Wokingham Direct Facebook page as we know some customers prefer this channel. So check out the Wokingham Direct contact us pages on the website for more details.”

Early learning and childcare From September, two-year-old children from families that meet certain criteria will be entitled to free early years education and care.

This entitlement can be accessed at high quality pre-schools, day nurseries, and childminders across the Wokingham Borough.

The free entitlement for two-year-olds will help children to learn, play and interact with others in a safe and caring environment.

expanding the use of childminders. Childminders are early year’s professionals providing learning opportunities for small numbers of children in a secure homely environment.

We are also looking to increase the number of spaces available for the free entitlement by

More information: (0118) 908 8260

28 www.wokingham.gov.uk

Do you need paint?

If you want to decorate your home or if your community group, charity or sports club premises need a coat of paint why not contact the Green Machine?

The Green Machine is a community interest company which runs Community RePaint (East Berkshire) and they have a vast range of colours, finishes, woodstains and masonry paints on offer, at £1 a litre.

More information: www.communityrepaint.org.uk 0844 800 5362

We’re a good corporate parent Children in care in the Borough, and those who’ve now left it, say we’re keeping our promises as a good corporate parent.

Wokingham’s Children in Care Council whose members are in our care, or are supported as care leavers, carried out a survey among their peers asking if we’re sticking to our pledge giving them everything a good parent should.

Wokingham’s Pledge covers their home life, education, health, leisure, views and support when they become adults.

Creating a Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan Improvements to water network going strong South East Water continues to invest in the local area as work to install 1.5 kilometres of new water main in Sandhurst Road, Finchampstead is underway.

Securing water supplies to Wokingham and Crowthorne, construction of the new pipeline began in May and will finish at the end of August.

James Smith, Delivery Manager at South East Water, said: “This will increase our capacity to move water around the network and will also reduce the number of bursts that have disrupted residents and motorists.

“To keep the public and our workforce safe we have closed Sandhurst Road to through traffic.”

The water company completed its £2million programme of investment to upgrade 7.1 kilometres of pipe in Wokingham earlier this year. James added: “We want to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation while we worked in the town. www.southeastwater.co.uk/finchampstead

As with all local authorities we have a duty to assess how much gypsy and traveller accommodation is needed in our Borough, and then develop strategies to create it.

We carried out an assessment last year looking at the current need for gypsy and traveller accommodation, as well as projected forecasts.

It showed us that we have a low-level need for additional pitches during the next 15 years.

Despite this, we still need to show how we will make these a reality. So we are using the evidence from this assessment to help prepare a Local Plan to allocate space - known as pitches - to accommodate gypsies and travellers within the Borough.

The first stage of this process is to work out where the required new pitches should go.

To assist us in this, we will be consulting later this summer with residents and organisations, including town and parish councils, on the issues and options for providing these pitches. www.wokingham.gov.uk/ gypsytravellerlocalplan

Summer 2013 29

Simply the best We have one of the best council tax collection rates in the country – 99.5 per cent according to latest statistics. The national average is 97.3% (2011/12) and each percentage point equates to about £750,000 of council tax for the Council – meaning that the efficiency of our collection systems effectively generated in excess of £1.5million more than if it had been an average performing authority.

Executive view Cllr Anthony Pollock, Executive Member for Finance “We face big challenges in 2013 following the worst finance settlement from central government we have ever faced in one year, so it’s important that we handle our resources efficiently in order to have money to spend on vital services.

“I realise that paying your council tax is not the highlight of people’s months, but it’s important to stress the link between paying it and the services the Council provides – your money is vital to a more than 200 services – from caring for elderly people, those with physical disabilities and learning difficulties to emptying bins and cleaning streets to leisure and recreation.”

Changing Places High-tech toilet and changing rooms are now available for those with disabilities at Dinton Pastures Country Park. The specialised Changing Places facilities include a shower, hoist and changing table and were built following community and staff-led fundraising efforts that helped raise funds towards the £27,000 needed.

We’ve also opening a new Changing Places facility at Alexandra Court in Wokingham. People can register to become a key holder to use it by calling Wokingham Direct on (0118) 974 6000.

Answering your questions Mr Hudson from Earley got in touch after the last edition of Wokingham Borough News and wanted to know about central government funding.

Is there any reward element in it for the VAT we send to the Treasury?

Local authorities must submit a monthly VAT return to HM Revenue and Customs, similar to many companies and public bodies.

To complete this monthly return, we work out how much VAT we’ve paid on supplies and services, fuel and other items subject to VAT. We also see how much VAT income we’ve collected for services on which we levy a VAT charge.

Most councils find they’ve paid out much more in VAT than they’ve collected. The government reimburses this net cost to councils so that as far as possible the impact is neutral.

In terms of a reward, the real beneficiaries are tax payers. If local authorities couldn’t reclaim the VAT, the net cost of their services would substantially increase. This would mean council tax could go up, services be cut, or councils forced to ask for additional government grants to offset the effect of VAT. If you have a question you would like us to answer please email: communications@ wokingham.gov.uk

30 www.wokingham.gov.uk

Dignity in Care for our older residents We’re passionate about making sure people living in care homes, their families and friends are happy with their experiences.

We’ve recently joined the Dignity in Care campaign network, in partnership with the Berkshire Care Association (BCA).

We want residents and those close to them to be able to say whatever they want to, and to have their views addressed.

But staff also need to feel empowered to act in people’s best interests; to recognise and promote best practice, help share and support it, and encourage improvement if it’s needed.

June O’Connell (pictured below) has joined BCA as our Dignity in Care Lead.

She said: “Having spent many years working as a nurse and project manager in various health and social care settings, I’m delighted to bring my experience to this post.

“I’m meeting every home manager together with the residents. This is so we can have frank discussions about what issues need to be addressed.

“There are many care providers doing an excellent job already - but working together, we’ll be able to do more!”

We put a few questions to June…

What is the Dignity in Care network?

It’s a campaign led by the National Dignity Council aimed at putting dignity and respect at the heart of care services.

ell June O’Conn

How will it improve the care we give?

Dignity is about treating somebody in the way we ourselves would like to be treated in every aspect of care. It’s about understanding that we are all individuals

and have different needs. It’s about involving residents and relatives in any arrangements we make. It’s about remembering to communicate with others so everybody understands what’s happening.

How will training be delivered?

We understand that it’s difficult for staff to get time to attend training sessions.

So we will take the training to them, and deliver it at a time convenient for them.

How much will it cost?

It will be free to care homes in the Wokingham Borough.

What subjects are likely to be covered?

From my initial discussions with home managers, we’ll be looking at what constitutes dignity, good communication techniques, and examples of good and poor practice, discrimination, recordkeeping and caring for people when ill or at the end of life.

How can we contact you?

Please email me at: dignity@berkscare.org

Summer 2013 31

Tackling flooding

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

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

If you don’t 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.

More information: (0118) 908 8002 r&at@wokingham. gov.uk www.wokingham.gov. uk/safeguarding

Green ‘n’ Tidy G ardening S cheme

Do you need help with your garden?

Are you: • Over 65 or disabled?

• Unable to maintain your own garden?

• Without friends or family to help?

• Unable to pay for a private or commercial gardener?

Our team of volunteers may be able to help you.

Our scheme is funded by Wokingham Borough Council and our volunteers are DBS checked. We just ask for a small donation.

More information: Libby Lewis (0118) 979 1340

Residents often ask us what we do to try and prevent flooding across the Wokingham Borough.

In addition to our regular gully cleansing programme and maintenance of ditches and water courses we are responsible for, we’ve been successful in obtaining £180,000 from DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) for Individual Property Protection schemes in Swallowfield and Wokingham.

We’re spending £100,000 on drainage schemes throughout the Borough and have an additional £40,000 for land drainage works. Four times a year we meet with members of the public and organisations such as the Environment Agency, Thames Water, the National Flood Forum and Loddon Valley Residents Association so that they can raise and address any concerns. We are also working to ensure installation of sound, reliable sustainable drainage systems and their on-going maintenance - in all major developments across the Borough.

Flooding is not just caused from river and streams, there are several types: River flooding (Fluvial) – A river bursting its banks leading to flooding is usually caused by prolonged periods of heavy rainfall. Within the Borough area, there are around 369 properties with a significant risk of fluvial flooding.

Groundwater flooding – Groundwater flooding is the result of a rise in the water table to above the rock or soil that makes up the land surface.

Surface water flooding (Pluvial) – This usually happens where drainage systems are unable to cope with heavy spells of rainfall. It’s most problematic when areas are already saturated or frozen and in urban areas with impermeable surfaces. It will usually occur rapidly, but be relatively short lived.

More information: (0118) 974 6000 wokinghamdirect@wokingham.gov.uk www.wokingham.gov.uk (search ‘flooding’)

Our foster carers come from all walks of life and are as different as the children they look after. It’s a big commitment providing a child or young person with the love, care and home life they’d otherwise miss out on. But, as all foster carers learn, it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences that you can have and there will be lots of support available to you.

Could you support a child or young person when they need it most? Whether just for a few weeks or for much longer, could you help them turn their lives around?

If you are over 21, have a spare room and think you could make a difference, we would love to hear from you. The difference you make could last a lifetime.

›› www.besomeoneamazing.co.uk