Wokingham

Generous Wokingham charity fundraisers dressed up and dug deep into their pockets in aid of Children in Need. Youngsters and adults in Wokingham showed their support for the annual event on Friday - which by Monday had raised more than £17 million nationwide – and had some fun in the process.

At Gorse Ride Infant School in Finchampstead, Wokingham pupils brought along their own Pudsey bears to match the pyjamas they kitted themselves out in to raise money. Youngsters paid 50p each to come into school in their nightclothes and were treated to biscuits and chocolate for their efforts. James Johnstone, community governor at Gorse Ride Infant School, Wokingham said: “It went very well on Friday. “We got the children singing in the hall and we raised £120.80 just from the children paying to come to school in their PJs. “We were quite glad the children were able to get involved, because it’s something they can relate to as it’s Children in Need and the parents were really happy the kids were getting involved.”

At Clifton Ingram Solicitors in Broad Street, Wokingham staff dressed as a whole host of characters and employee Val Radley compiled a book of recipes from other members of staff, which was sold for £2 a copy. Ayesha Chubb, trainee solicitor who helped organise last week’s events, said: “Our total amount raised is £948 and we are not finished yet. We still have recipe books on sale. “We all did a walk about town on Friday, trying to get people to donate or buy a copy of the book.” “It was so much fun and we have done really well.”

St Nicholas Pre-School Playgroup in Hurst welcomed Wokingham District Council chairman Cllr Iain Brown to join in with their activities for the day. Wokingham Cllr Brown stayed with the children while they held colouring-in competitions and helped them to decorate cakes. Cllr Brown said: “We had to judge the fancy dress, its always difficult because they all do so well and in view of that they all got a present, but the prize went to a little boy for dressing up as Woody, the cowboy from Toy Story. “They also had to colour in a picture of Pudsey bear and a certain little girl won a cuddly toy Pudsey for her drawing. We had a wonderful morning.”

Teachers at Edgbarrow School, Wokingham had to delve into their photo albums for pictures of themselves as babies. Pupils then had to match the pictures to the right teacher to win a prize.

Wokingham District Council staff also got into the spirit of the event by coming into work in fancy dress and they managed to raise more than £900. Staff paid a donation to dress up as either a nursery or television character, or in their posh frocks last Friday. They also took part in a cake sale, quizzes and a ‘guess the baby’ photo competition.

get Wokingham ~ 24/11/2005

Wokingham Choral Society

17/12/05

'A Maiden Most Gentle'
Carols for Choir and Audience

Wokingham Choral Society & Keep Hatch Primary School Choir

Wokingham Choral Society
Conductor: Aidan Oliver

Keep Hatch Primary School Choir
Director: Ann Haycocks

Retiring Collection in aid of Make-A-Wish Foundation.

All Saints Church, Wokingham Saturday 17th December at 7.30pm
Doors open 7.00pm

Admission by programme - £5 (concessions £3) available from:

Bookends, Peach Street,
Wokingham Wokingham Information Bureau
Sue Bryant 0118 934 0283
Choir Members
and at the door

Wealth, health care and not smoking are allowing men in Wokingham to live longer than their counterparts across the country. Latest Government statistics show life expectancy for men in the district is the sixth highest in the country, at 79.6 years. The area where the average life expectancy for men was highest was Kensington and Chelsea, followed by East Dorset, Hart in Hampshire, Uttlesford and South Norfolk.

Glasgow, with an average life expectancy of 69.3 years, was bottom of the table, compiled by the Office for National Statistics.

Cllr Bob Wyatt, Older People’s Champion at Wokingham District Council, said Wokingham residents were more likely to use private health care and regular health checks.

He said the problem with this was when the population ages more demands are placed on local resources, such as home care and nursing.

Cllr Wyatt said: “People are living quite commonly into their 80s and quite commonly into their 90s and another strange significance that seems to be emerging is male life expectancy is increasing.

“One of the things you have to appreciate about the Wokingham area is we have a high proportion of people who are more wealthy, and of course money and wealth have something to do with life expectancy.

“There is a very high incidence of the use of private health care, which cuts out delays in receiving attention.

“People using private health care tend to have regular health checks, certainly when they have their retirement.”

He added: “We have a very low level of smoking. If you compare Wokingham with Glasgow, they suffer much higher levels of heart disease and respiratory illness because they have a much higher proportion of people who smoke.

“The thing about what we have here with our longer health expectancy, better quality of housing– all those things help to maintain a longer life – but they also present some problems to the community.

“The older you get the more frail you are likely to become, and you are more likely to have illnesses like Alzheimers.
“This means they are going to need more services. The older you get the more help and support you need and that’s something we are realising at the district council.”

Camilla Bashaarat, spokeswoman for Wokingham Primary Care Trust, said: “Wokingham is the least deprived area in Berkshire and one of the least deprived areas in the country.

“Although the women aren’t in the top ten highest life expectancy chart they would not be far behind as women in general live longer than men.”

Life expectancy for women in Wokingham did not make it into the top 10. Again Kensington and Chelsea was top – at 85.8 years – while Glasgow was bottom with a life expectancy for women of 76.4 years.

get Wokingham ~ 24/11/2005

Services for the Wokingham district’s under-fives are really beginning to take root as the district’s state-of-the art family centre celebrates its official launch on Monday November 21.

And to commemorate the official opening, a tree - donated by the proprietors of Heartwood Tree Specialists Oliver Ward and Richard Clarke - will be planted by Wokingham District Council chairman Cllr Iain Brown and the Rt Hon Theresa May MP, shadow secretary of state for the family, culture, media and sports. They will be joined by over 100 children and 60 guests to mark the occasion.

The Ambleside Centre in Woodley, spearheaded by Wokingham District Council, brings together childcare, education and services to meet social care and health needs for children aged under five. It opened its doors in September 2004 and has gone from strength-to-strength since then, making it more straightforward for young children and their parents to get the information, help and support they need in one place.

Since it opened last year, the centre which at first was a nursery and then offered day care for children, has branched out further to provide the home for a whole raft of other Wokingham council, voluntary and health services for the under fives. Teams of council workers involved in areas such as special needs for the under fives and developing childcare training are based at the centre as is the children’s information centre and the district’s toy library.

One of just 107 early excellence centres across the country, the Ambleside Centre is a one-stop shop for parents, providing early education and childcare as an integrated and inclusive service. The building of the £1.5 million centre – which won around £1 million in government grant funding – started in December 2003 and was completed in the summer of 2004. Built on the site of the former Woodley Nursery School, the Wokingham district centre provides:

* The Pastures – a nursery for children aged six months to three years
* The Meadows – a nursery for children aged between three and five years
* Community room
* Meeting rooms
* Offices
* Council services for children and families in the Wokingham district
* Lend and Play Toy Library and Scrap Store
* Workforce Development Team
* Children’s Information Service
* Early Education Team

The first phase of the project saw improvements being made to the existing nursery whilst the second phase saw a two-storey extension being built along with further refurbishments to the original building being completed. A new entrance and reception area to the centre was built along with two new meeting rooms and new toilet facilities.

The main hall was refurbished and a new conservatory kitchen and dining area was also built. Internal alterations and refurbishment were carried out in existing classrooms to form day care areas that also have their own kitchen and toilet facilities.

The centre is also home to the Wokingham district council’s Children’s Information Service which provides a drop-in source of information for parents and carers on childcare and activities for children in the district to add to the service’s already successful telephone hotline on (0118) 935 2255.

Wokingham District Council’s chairman Cllr Iain Brown said: “The Ambleside Centre is a tremendous boost for parents looking for high quality childcare and early years education locally. This centre was designed to be a beacon of excellence for early years and childcare services. They show how education, care and other family support can be brought together to offer integrated and inclusive services for parents and young children all day. The council is ahead of the game on meeting the national drive to better co-ordinate children’s services.

“The success of the centre in its first year is great news for families across the district.”

Rt Hon Theresa May MP, shadow secretary of state for the family, culture, media and sports, said: “The Ambleside Centre is an excellent example of how council services can be brought together to make life easier for families. This innovative approach shows what can be achieved by putting children and parents first. Congratulations are due to all involved in putting this exciting project together and in ensuring its continuing success.”

Headteacher of the Ambleside Centre Gill Allen is delighted with the success of the first year of the centre and added: “It is a real privilege to be a part of the transformation of a traditional nursery school to a thriving learning community offering services to families and children in a coherent way. My thanks go to an ever-increasing team of practitioners who have responded to the challenge to innovate and integrate. We look forward to continuing developments of services with the children at the heart of all we do.”

Wokingham District Council ~ 21/11/2005

Delighted protesters campaigning against a Wokingham housing development burst into applause when councillors unanimously voted against the controversial scheme.

Hundreds of people with placards and banners were outside Wokingham District Council's offices at Shute End on Thursday to demonstrate against the planned 220-home development at Plough Lane.

A meeting of the development control committee was called specially to decide Beazer Homes's outline application to build the housing estate on a green field on Wokingham's border with Binfield.

Campaigner Chris Nabavi said: "I was ticking them off as they put their hands up. To get a unanimous vote is brilliant."

The meeting was so well attended by members of the public that the main Wokingham council chamber had to be rigged with a sound system to cope with the overspill from the committee room where the meeting was being held.

Residents and councillors were worried the estate would encroach on the green fields which divide Wokingham from neighbouring towns and villages.

Ward councillor for Norreys Cllr Iain Brown said that green gaps should not be eroded further.

He said: "Development is creeping ever closer from the Bracknell side of the boundary between the two local authorities.

"Without restraint, the only gap will be the central reservation of the A329M."

The land was earmarked as a reserve housing site by a local plan inspector in 2003.

Campaigners held a protest outside the council offices ahead of the meeting to lobby members of the committee with placards saying 'Keep Plough Lane green' and 'No more strain on local infrastructure'.

Nearly 500 letters of objection were sent to the council, including a letter from Wokingham MP John Redwood, along with an 862-signature petition opposing the project.

The plans were rejected by the Wokingham committee because roads would not be able to cope with increased traffic, the scheme does not have enough affordable housing, would not provide good enough services and infrastructure, and it would put extra pressure on nearby special protection areas.

Mr Nabavi said: "It's fantastic - we have worked long and hard to get this result. It was the result we expected but to hear it officially is great."

But Norreys member Wokingham Cllr Marian Robertson said: "We must be ready to fight again as I am sure there will be more applications on this site."

icBerkshire ~ Wokingham ~ Nov 24 2005

Parents and carers in the Wokingham district are playing their part in helping ChildLine by donating their old coins and old mobile phones as part of this year’s Blue Peter “Treasure Trail Appeal”.

Being led locally by Wokingham District Council’s early years and childcare team, the appeal is collecting old coins from any country and old mobile phones which will be converted into cash to help ChildLine answer 5,000 more calls a year and maintain their night service which is under threat of closing. Donation buckets are in place at breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and other childcare setting throughout the Wokingham district in a bid to collect as many donations as possible.

The ChildLine charity provides a free helpline for children and young people in the UK who face difficulties and desperately need support. Counsellors at the end of the line talk through and help sort out a range of problems experienced by children and young people. The ChildLine helpline is open 24 hours every day of the year and has proved to be an invaluable source of help. Without continual funding, the helpline may have to shut during the night, which is when some of the most desperate children need the support of the helpline.

Brian Matthews, area manager for play development at Wokingham District Council, said: “We have sent out 60 donation buckets to the many childcare settings in the district in a bid to help raise much needed funds. The early years and childcare development team at the council are giving their support to the appeal as ChildLine provides an excellent service to local youngsters who need help.”

Cllr Chris Edmunds, deputy executive member for children’s services, said: “Wokingham District Council is delighted to be helping the Blue Peter Treasure Trail Appeal and I am pleased that so many people are donating generously to such a worthwhile charity. The tremendous work ChildLine does in supporting children and young people at times of crisis is to be praised, and we must do all we can to help sustain this steadfast work.”

Youngsters visiting Wokingham district libraries will now be able to gain a better understanding of disabilities thanks to local charity Peapods who have donated money to buy books featuring characters with disabilities.

Peapods is a local charity and support group whose aim is to bring families of those with disabilities together. With their donation of £500, Wokingham District Council has bought for the ten public libraries within the district a variety of fiction and non-fiction books aimed at different ages which help raise awareness of children and young people with disabilities.

Mother of three and Peapods committee member Sarah Barnard said: “Peapods decided to do something positive which would benefit the entire community and Wokingham district libraries were very keen to be a partner in this project. The idea was not only to buy non-fiction ‘medical’ books which would help families further their understanding of certain conditions, but also to choose carefully a selection of fiction books with disabled children in the story to interest young readers everywhere. There are some great books out there with disabled children as heroes, heroines and as supporting characters in stories. We are pleased that Wokingham libraries have been active in helping us purchase books which reflect society properly. We hope that families throughout the Wokingham district enjoy the new books.”

Wokingham Cllr Iain Brown, chairman of the council, said: “We are delighted that Peapods have donated money for us to buy these books. It is important that we include everybody in our society and this is an excellent way of educating children about people with disabilities.”

As part of National Youth Work Week, Wokingham District Council’s youth service in partnership with young people organised a celebration to congratulate all those who received national and local awards and certificates over the past year.

Over 80 young people attended the awards ceremony on Tuesday November 1 along with their parents and friends. Youth achievement awards celebrate the achievements of young Wokingham people who have gained a nationally recognised qualification for the activities and interests in which they are engaged. Local awards were also presented to the young people who have undertaken courses at one of the district council’s six youth clubs.

A group of young dancers from Wokingham Youth and Community Centre impressed the audience with a dance exhibition, which was followed by an opening address by district council chairman Cllr Iain Brown.

Before certificates and awards were presented, the young people gave a short presentation or display on each activity. Tom Monro from Twyford gave a presentation on first aid, followed by Roxy Webb from Wokingham who talked to the audience about the baby-sitting courses, which have been a huge success with local young people. And, Adam Swallow from Wokingham gave an interesting presentation about the Duke of Edinburgh’s award. Woodley youngsters Sophia Lemming, Kirsten Rankin, Ashley Scott, and Shelby Fry performed two scenes from the play The Shakers, which they have been studying as part of their youth achievement award. They hope to perform the entire play for family and friends in the near future.

Youth worker Rachel Bentham was carried into the council chamber in her canoe whilst she demonstrated canoeing techniques to the enthusiastic crowd. Rachel, who is well known by youngsters in Winnersh and Wokingham, is leaving the council to travel the Far East for six months, much to the disappointment of the young people she has worked with and influenced the lives of over the past 18 months.

Each young person received a commemorative certificate which was presented to them by Wokingham District Council’s vice-chairman Cllr Angus Ross and champion for youth and leisure Cllr Malcolm Bryant.

The evening ended with a street dance display by the Silverdale Youth Centre street dance group. In July these young dancers, along with those from Wokingham Youth Club who danced earlier on in the evening, performed in front of a packed international audience at the British Council in London to mark the first official event to celebrate the handover of the European presidency to the UK.

Nigel Shaw, head of youth service, said: “So often the feeling is that young people do nothing but ‘hang around’. It simply is not true and over the past year so many young people have taken part in a wide range of activities which they have received either local or national awards.

“In welcoming the young people to this event we are recognising for many that these awards haven’t come Photo: young people celebrate their achievements at a special ceremony held by Wokingham District Council’s youth service.easily and that behind each award is a personal learning journey beyond the award itself. Quite rightly this evening was a celebration of the young people’s achievements but it also enabled the district council’s youth workers to celebrate the achievements as well.”

Cllr Iain Brown, chairman of Wokingham District Council, said: “The district council’s youth service organise many great activities for young people to take part in. The activities are challenging and a good example of how young people and the youth service can work together. I would like to congratulate everyone who received an award and hope they continue to be inspired to take part in these activities.”

Wokingham District Council ~ November 14, 2005

Angry residents have branded a developer’s plan to turn derelict wasteland in a Wokingham town centre industrial estate into 374 flats as “appalling” and “depressing”.

More than 30 residents, town and district councillors viewed the outline plan proposed by Cala Homes Ltd for six four-storey blocks of flats in Ashville Way, off Molly Millar’s Lane, at the Wokingham council’s Shute End offices last Thursday night.

The consensus from the meeting was a deep concern that hundreds of extra cars would snarl up local roads if the flats planned for the former site of aircraft manufacturer CF Taylor, Wokingham were built.

Residents and councillors also said the design of the blocks of one, two and three-bedroom flats would be an eyesore to neighbours and those travelling to and from work through the industrial estate.

Members of Wokingham conservation group Friends of the Emm Brook said they hoped the developer would take the “golden opportunity” to ensure the waterway was above ground if the development went ahead.

Sue Farrington said: “As far as the design of the flats, I think it is appalling. It’s too big and is depressing.
“Wokingham is a historic market town and the developer wants to put something this ugly here.” But, she added, if the Emm Brook was opened up it would prove a great attraction for the town to see. She said: “If Cala Homes does leave the Emm Brook underground as it is now and not open it up to allow wildlife to thrive it would be a one off, golden opportunity missed.
“It’s a lovely feature which many people in this part of town could benefit from as well as those who might live there.”
A 60-year-old Wokingham resident who lives in Oaklands Drive, said he was “deeply concerned” about extra traffic as it took him 10 minutes to get out of his road during rush hour.

Emmbrook and Woosehill PC Adrian Hodges said the police’s main concern was that potentially 500 extra cars would be turning out of the new estate and onto one of the town’s busiest roads, making it more difficult for police to get through to incidents along the road.

David Carter, transport and planning spokesman for Wokingham Chamber of Commerce, said he thought the application was a “disaster” in a primarily industrial area.

Mr Carter had previously warned the development could encourage other businesses to sell up to property developers and move out of town.

Some who attended, however, said they would be happy to see residential flats or houses on the Wokingham site but thought the design was inappropriate and some wanted to see a mix of houses instead of 374 flats.

David Lawrence, director of Chelsea-based architects Hamilton Associates which designed the scheme, said the comments had been “fairly predictable”.

Mr Lawrence said Cala Homes had only submitted an outline planning application, to assess whether the site was suitable for the type and size of development proposed.

He said: “When you propose a scheme of this scale it takes a lot of getting used to and to develop this part of Wokingham is a real opportunity.”

John Allan, managing director of Cala Homes, said he would never be able to satisfy everyone but the firm had put a lot of effort into a contemporary design.

get Wokingham ~ 17/11/2005

An army of volunteers are gearing up to make this year's Wokingham Winter Carnival one to remember.

More than 400 stalwarts from charities, organisations and businesses have spent months preparing for the biggest family winter event on Wokingham's calendar and will be giving hours of their time to ensure its success.

From 5.30am on Sunday, November 27, a team of 20 marshals, under the wing of the West Forest Round Table, will be helping guide traffic around the town and ensure the smooth running of the entertainment and stalls.

Hundreds of helpers from charities and organisations around the district will be setting up their stalls from 6.30am in Denmark Street, Market Place, Broad Street, Peach Street and Elms Field selling their wares.

School children and those taking part in the event's procession have spent many hours designing their floats based on the winter carnival's theme ‘Wokingham 2020: a vision for the future' and will be gathering at the council's offices in Shute End before the event putting them all together.

Maurice Monk, chairman of the Wokingham Winter Carnival committee, said the carnival would not happen if it were not for the people who gave their time in the run up to the event and on the day itself.

Mr Monk said: “So many people are involved in the carnival and without them there would not be an event, it is as simple as that. “The day starts very early and exciting things will be happening all over town long before people have left their homes to come and enjoy the day.

“There is so much to do to make sure this is a successful event from getting the right quality of the entertainment, selling of the programmes, getting lots for the charity auction, preparing the procession and making sure everyone knows where they need to be.

“Everyone who has been involved in the preparation for what will be a brilliant day and also those who are helping out at the carnival itself are invaluable and we could not do it without them.”

As well as the volunteers, members of the Wokingham Winter Carnival committee have also spent almost a year gearing up for the annual event hoping their hours of hard work will pay off.

Dozens of acts booked by Cathy Valentine, from Circus Scene, have been busy over the last few months polishing up their performances ready to entertain the thousands of families expected to turn out.

John Bingham, former town centre manager, and Mervyn Clark, treasurer of Wokingham Lion's Club, will be using their expertise and knowledge of the town to prepare the fairground, food stalls and oversee the organisation of all the stalls and attractions.

Stan Hetherington, vice chairman of the Winter Carnival committee, is in charge of safety around the route of the procession and will be working with Gwynneth Hewetson who has been charged with organising the futuristic spectacular.

Tessa Allen, according to Mr Monk, is the “inspiration” behind the charity auction taking place at the town hall on Friday, November 25.

Mr Monk said she has worked tirelessly to persuade companies and businesses from miles around to donate lots for the night.

The Winter Carnival committee would like to hear from anyone who can give two hours of their time marshalling the event as well as firms who may be able to donate a truck which could be used as a float in the procession.

get Wokingham ~ 17/11/2005

Nanny McPhee star Jenny Daykin cut the ribbon to launch this year’s Wokingham Times Giving Tree appeal to put smiles on the faces of hundreds of children this Christmas.

The 10-year-old actress from Wokingham, who played Lily Brown in the autumn cinema box office smash, was thrilled to be asked to get the appeal underway at Tesco in Finchampstead Road, Wokingham.

She said: “The Giving Tree is very important because it helps so many children in need whose families may not have much money.

“Some children are luckier than others. I think I have been very lucky to have my family and I appreciate that because some children don’t and I think it’s nice to help out.

“I am very proud and excited to be part of this appeal as it will make so many children happier this Christmas.”

Jenny was joined by Wokingham MP John Redwood, Cllr Iain Brown, chairman of Wokingham District Council, and even Mr Blobby, along with supporters and representatives from some of the charitable organisations that benefit from the appeal.

The Giving Tree appeal asks people to take tags from trees in Wokingham and Bracknell that include the details of a child in need and buy them the present they have wished for this Christmas.

Jenny bought a toy telephone for a baby girl while Mr Redwood bought a pair of racing cars and two Barbie dolls.

Mr Redwood, who has given to the appeal since it began seven years ago, said he was delighted to support the appeal again.

He said: “Wokingham is a very generous community and the Giving Tree appeal gives people a chance to support children and their families who do not get the back-up we would like.”

Wokingham Cllr Iain Brown added: “There are so many children that are disadvantaged in this area and the Giving Tree appeal will, I am sure, help brighten up their Christmas – The Wokingham Times has come up trumps again.”

As well as Tesco in Finchampstead Road, trees can also be found at The Wokingham Times office in Denmark Street, Wokingham District Council’s Shute End offices, Newbury Building Society in Broad Street, Sultan Balti Indian restaurant in Market Place and Nirvana Spa and Pulse8 health and fitness clubs in Sindlesham.

Bracknell shoppers can donate at Tesco in Whitton Road, Martins Heron and the company’s store in Jig’s Lane, South Warfield.

Simon Brown, deputy chairman of Nirvana Spa, said: “Christmas is a time to think about giving and Nirvana members have always been extremely generous.

“We are, once again, delighted, to be supporting this worthwhile appeal.”

Last year more than 2,000 presents were bought and distributed to children, teenagers and young adults through various charitable organisations including Barnardos, Home-Start, Berkshire Women’s Aid and Parents and Children Together (PACT).

Rose Mahoney, deputy principal at Barnardos High Close School in Wokingham, said: “I think The Wokingham Times does a fantastic job and anyone who makes a contribution can be assured it will be gratefully received.”

Pat Reynolds, from Wokingham district Home-Start, added: “People think of this area as being affluent but there are many people with little money and these presents will help make their children’s Christmas brilliant.

“We have been involved with the appeal for five years and each year it just gets bigger and better and we are always astounded at the presents people buy – it’s absolutely fantastic.”

Wokingham Times promotions manager Sandy Bandy hoped this year’s Giving Tree appeal would see even more presents being bought for needy children.

She said: “I would like to thank everyone for their support and help in getting this year’s Giving Tree appeal off to a fantastic start.

“I am sure this year’s appeal will be equally as big a success as last year if not better making this Christmas an extra special and happy one for many needy youngsters”

get Wokingham ~ 17/11/2005

Reading East MP Rob Wilson is accusing chancellor Gordon Brown of not putting his money where his mouth by failing to keep his free-bus-passes-for-all promise to Woodley pensioners.

Mr Wilson has written to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott demanding assurances that the government plans to honour the chancellor's promises with hard cash.

The pre-election Budget sweetener, guaranteeing free local bus travel to 21,000 over-60s in Wokingham, will cost the district council £800,000.

Some councils, like Reading borough, already provide free passes but Mr Wilson said: "I hope this budget item is properly accounted for and reimbursed, and does not end up as another stealth tax to be picked up by the council taxpayer."

If the council has to foot the bill its taxpayers can expect a big hike in their 2006 demands.

The chancellor's March charm offensive on pensioners also included a oneoff £200 council tax relief package for over 65s.

Mr Wilson told the Chronicle: "It's my duty to raise this matter with the Deputy Prime Minister direct because he will be costing my constituents almost a two per cent rise in their council tax to pay for the policy.

"As this was nothing to do with Wokingham District Council or my constituents, is it right that they should have to pay?"

Treasury spokesman John Battersbey suggested John Prescott's department would be picking up the bill.

He said: "At the moment there's an existing stream that pays every council in England half the price of pensioners' bus travel, which is administered by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

"And the idea is that the amount paid to councils is doubled as of April 2006, which would therefore cover the full fare."

But Mr Prescott's spokesman David Nieberg would say only the full farefunding would arrive as part of the "government finance settlement" - details of which are scheduled for release shortly.

ic Berkshire ~ Wokingham ~ Nov 17 2005

The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) will be carrying out an inspection of care services provided by Wokingham District Council to older people as part of a national series of statutory inspections.

Two CSCI inspectors will be spending a fortnight in the district talking to councillors, service users, carers, and service providers as well as council staff and managers right up to the chief executive. CSCI sent questionnaires to 100 service users and 50 carers in the district seeking their views. During the inspection the inspectors will be finding out what people think about the council’s services for older people, what the council is doing well and what it needs to improve.

The Commission will evaluate Wokingham older people’s services against six standards which include quality of services, fair access, cost and efficiency.

Following the inspection, a report will be produced by the CSCI which will rate older people’s services provided by the council as serving some, most or all people well and state whether the council’s prospects in service provision are poor, uncertain, promising or excellent. This will also be accompanied by an evaluation of the services and a set of recommendations. The council will then be required to produce an action plan to address the inspectors’ findings.

“We welcome the CSCI inspection which is an independent assessment of the services we provide to older people,” says Cllr Bob Wyatt, the council’s older people’s champion. “The inspection will highlight our strengths and areas of good practice. This is also an opportunity to learn how we can improve our services which can only be good news for service users and their carers living in the Wokingham district.”

Wokingham District Council ~ November 11, 2005

This is the third year of monitoring the 13 custom-built barn owl nesxt boxes installed by Wokingham District Council’s countryside service. Last year was a bad year for barn owls nationally and only two chicks were recorded in the Wokingham district. This year, however, the population has bounced back and a bumper 18 chicks were found during recent monitoring. One nest box in Swallowfield contained seven chicks. Colin Shawyer of the Wildlife Conservation Partnership said: “This is the largest known fully matured brood we have encountered in England this year.”

Barn owls pair-bond for life and are remarkably faithful to their nest sites, with the same pairis likely to return to the same box for years to come. Andy Glencross, Wokingham District Council’s biodiversity officer, said: “Barn owl nest sites are hard to come by in an area where many barns have been converted into houses, so it’s extremely gratifying to know that practical action by the project partners has caused a really significant increase in the local population. We are hopeful that if the weather holds some pairs may even have a second brood.”

Building on this success, Wokingham District Council has secured funding from Cemex (formerly Ready Mixed Concrete), Reading Ornithological Club and the Environment Agency for a further six boxes to be installed. Since the first boxes were put in three years ago, 27 barn owls have been raised, and with the extra boxes it is hoped this total will grow and grow and that barn owls will become a common site throughout the Wokingham district.

Executive member for human resources and environment services Cllr Rob Stanton said: “It is really good news that the district has this many barn owl chicks this year, and I hope that the additional boxes will see the number rise again next year.

“The council is all too aware of the pressure this area faces for increased development and it is measures like this that will help to balance the effects on the district’s non-human population. Hopefully, these are new homes that the neighbours will be more than happy to have!”

Alex Hazel of the Environment Agency said: “We are very pleased with the success of the Wokingham District Barn Owl Project. It is a good indicator to show the health of the wider river corridor.”

Derek Wiseman from CEMEX said: “We were very pleased to hear that our Moor Green Lakes site was considered suitable for a barn owl box this year. Hopefully next year we will be celebrating the first barn owl chicks raised on the site.”

Wokingham District Council ~ November 9, 2005

A man fined £12,000 last year for running a waste transfer station without a licence has now been jailed for refusing to stop the illegal Wokingham activities.

Richard Spencer had initially denied taking new waste material onto his site in Finchampstead, Wokingham, after the court case in April 2004. But Environment Agency officers said material found on the site in June 2004 had been brought in after Mr Spencer's conviction.

Hopefully the quality of life of people living close to Mr Spencer's premises will improve as a result of this conviction.
- Martin Sawyer, Environment Agency Mr Spencer, of Eversley, Hampshire, was jailed for 24 weeks under the Environmental Protection Act after changing his plea to guilty mid-trial.

The court heard that the Finchampstead, Wokingham site, on which Mr Spencer's company Arborfield Waste Management Services operated, was located in an Area of Special Landscape Importance.

Environment Agency officers observed that about 2,000 cubic metres of material had been illegally deposited on the Wokingham site, which they estimated could have represented as much as £43,000 in income for Mr Spencer.

The court was also told that the site did not have the necessary infrastructure, including proper drainage, to process the waste without causing a risk to the environment. The Wokingham site also had no planning permission for the activities being carried out.

Martin Sawyer, investigating officer for the Agency, said: "Hopefully the quality of life of people living close to Mr Spencer's premises will improve as a result of this conviction. One of our priorities is to protect the environment against problems caused by illegal waste transfer stations.

He added: "We will continue to enforce the law in this area in order to create a level playing field for those involved in the waste industry who make every effort to comply with the regulations."

letsrecycle.com 08.11.05

Bangers and sparklers lit up the night sky above Cantley Field when the 17th annual Wokingham Charity Firework Spectacular went off with a bang.

The event, organised by the Windsor Forest Unicorn Club, started with a torchlight procession from Market Place, which was led by Wokingham District Council chairman Cllr Iain Brown.

Children and adults got out their glo-sticks and marched to the field off Twyford Road behind the chairman and members of St Sebastian's Band.

Once at the field a host of fireworks in an abundance of colours wowed the crowd while children had a fun-filled time on fairground rides.

A giant bonfire with a Guy made by local scouts was set alight and started to blow in the wind for an even greater impact on the crowd.

The charity spectacular raised more than £16,000 for local organisations including The Thames Valley and Chilterns Air Ambulance, The Berkshire Autistic Society and Wokingham Cancer Trust.

Jack Rayner, Unicorn Club member and one of the organisers, said: “It all went very well. We were very pleased with the event and lucky to have such good weather on the actual day itself.

“We raised between £16,000 and £17,000 which was really good considering there was so much competition on the day.

“Usually we hold it on the weekend before or after the actual day but this year because Bonfire Night was actually on the Saturday we had 10 or 11 different local events to compete with.”

Mr Rayner thanked all the Wokingham shops and business that had helped make the evening a great success – without which he said the event would not be able to run.

He said the Unicorns Club would be looking to carry on the fundraising event next year and would start preparing for it in the spring – however more volunteers and members were needed to safeguard the town's traditional display.

He said: “We have about 20-odd members at the moment but this display really needs between 50 and 70 people to help out.

“We always manage to get people to help but more people are needed to come forward to join the Unicorns.”

getWokingham ~ 10/11/2005

Voting in the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) elections is set to take place in the Wokingham district between November 28 and December 2. Hundreds of young people aged between 11-and -18 years will cast their votes at the annual elections and polling stations will be found at local schools and youth centres across the district during that week.

The UKYP gives young people a voice at the heart of both national and local government and is supported and organised locally by Wokingham District Council’s youth service. Before the elections take place, the four candidates - Michael Burgess, Hattie Stockley, Shabana Karim and Georgia Stevens – are busy canvassing in the bid to become the district’s sixth youth MP (MYP).

The four candidates are:

Michael Burgess aged 15 from Winnersh, Wokingham - A pupil at the Forest School, Michael is the current deputy MYP. He will be campaigning for a youth café in Wokingham, promoting greater access to sexual health advice in and around the district as well as more youth shelters.

Hattie Stockley aged 16 from Wokingham - Hattie attends the Holt School and she will be campaigning for cheaper transport for young people, more safety measures for young people including personal alarms, as well as more youth workers out on the streets.

Shabana Karim aged 13 from Earley - Wargrave Piggott School pupil Shabana will be campaigning for action against bullying in schools and throughout the district, as well as action against racism. She also hopes to introduce a healthy lifestyle campaign.

Georgia Stevens aged13 from Wokingham - Georgia is a pupil at the Holt School. She will be campaigning for more facilities and activities for local youth clubs like Barkham Youth Club, which she attends. She also wants to see more events taking place where young people from across the district could meet.

The four candidates have each made a film outlining their election manifestos. Over the coming weeks they will be showing their films to other local Wokingham youngsters before they head to the polls to choose their new youth MP.

Cllr Malcolm Bryant, Wokingham District Council’s champion for youth and leisure, said: “The four young people have now filmed their election manifestos and will spend the next few weeks on the campaign trail. I am sure they will each make a very positive contribution in giving young people a voice and I wish them all good luck in the forthcoming elections. Some great ideas have been put forward in their manifestos – and it’s now time for the young people to cast their vote!

“I am delighted with the system of having a youth parliament and hope this will stand them in good stead in a few years’ time when they might like to enter politics either nationally or locally.”

Wokingham District Council ~ November 4, 2005

A Christmas-crazy dad who decorates his house with singing Santas and fairy lights says he could get an unwanted Yuletide gift from police this year – an ASBO.

Vic Moszcyznski, of West Drive in Sonning, has wowed flocks of visitors – and upset neighbours – with his illuminated winter wonderland for the last seven years.

But after a spate of thefts and vandalism when more than 5,000 people turned out to see the spectacular sight last Christmas, Mr Moszczynski claims police have warned him not to repeat the feat this year.

The former firefighter, 49, said Wokingham officers told him if he decorated his house and there was a surge of crime in the area, he risked being slapped with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

The police dispute saying this.

But Mr Moszczynski, who adorns his house in lights to raise thousands of pounds for children’s charity Daisy’s Dream, says he is undeterred by the warning.

He said: “I had discussions with the police in March and they told me that I was in danger of receiving an ASBO if I made the decorations as big as last year.”

Mr Moszczynski added: “There were problems with vandalism and visitors getting stuff stolen from their cars, but there must be other ways of dealing with that.

“I love Christmas and I love decorating the house because it brings so much joy to so many people.

We had bus loads of children and disabled people come to marvel at the lights and we raised more than £5,000 for a wonderful children’s charity.

“I find it mind blowing I could get an ASBO for putting some decorations on my house, but I have been put through enough hassle in the past to stop me wanting to do it again.”

But Wokingham district police inspector Jim Weems denied Mr Moszczynski had ever been threatened with an Asbo. He told the Evening Post: “I have never threatened Vic or said I would put an ASBO on him if he put up the lights.

ASBOs take months of work and are not something we have in our back pockets to serve at will.

“The discussions I had with him were around the fact I would tackle any anti social behaviour and crime that arises as a result of these lights – be that from the street or from people who visit the street for the lights.”

ASBOs are usually dished out to troublemakers who make life a misery for neighbourhoods by causing problems through, for example, drug dealing and vandalism.

Wokingham Insp Weems continued: “My efforts to work with him continue. I remain open to any conversation he wishes to have. We have to work together to resolve this and I can assure him the issue is being taken seriously – we meet daily to discuss the action plan of how we are going to deal with the lights.

“There are 50-odd other houses in the street who experience thousands of people coming to the area every night for six weeks.

“Crime figures show that in the years when the lights have been there, vehicle crime, anti social behaviour and even assaults increase. This is not fair on other residents – or the people who come to the area and leave as victims of crime.”

Father-of-two, Mr Moszczynski, spent a night in a police cell last January on suspicion of criminal damage after trouble flared in the area. Police did not press charges.

Mr Moszczynski has made a start to the decorations this year but needs some help to make sure the they will be up and running again.

He said: “I’ve been really busy at work, so I’ve had no time to get started on the decorations.

It’s a three and a half week job, but I only have the weekends to do it, so it may not be as great as years before unless we get help.

“My kids and their friends have been helping out, but what we really need is the help of a few strapping lads on a couple of weekends to get the whole job done.”

Wokingham District Council issued Mr Moszczynski with a noise abatement order last year after Environmental Health ruled his carol signing Father Christmases were too loud.

A spokeswoman said they would investigate complaints from neighbours about noise pollution, but did not have a problem with the lights.

Driving to their own homes could soon be illegal for people living in six Finchampstead, Wokingham roads under new government laws.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act aims to improve everyone's access to open spaces by extending where people can walk and where they can go.

But part of the law which has changed roads used as public paths (RUPPs) to restricted byways means residents in the six roads around Heath Ride, Wokingham could be breaking the law if they drive up to their house.

Many houses do not have it in the title deeds that they have a right to enter them from restricted byways.

Homeowners could walk, ride a bike or ride a horse but not drive to their homes.

The sale of one house - whose two elderly owners can no longer look after themselves and want to move into a retirement home - has fallen through because of the risk of being banned from using the path to get home.

Residents, Wokingham District Council and local MP Andrew MacKay have joined forces to amend the law and allow those homeowners the access they need.

The law has not been brought into force yet, but the process of turning a road from a restricted byway to a Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT) is a lengthy one.

But Wokingham District Council environment leader Cllr Rob Stanton said the council would be unlikely to take action against people using restricted byways if they had put in an application and were waiting to have their road turned to a BOAT.

He added: "Although this law has not come in yet, it is affecting people already. This can be seen in the couple who could not sell their house.

"People need to get to their houses; it is not an unreasonable thing to want to do. It is not an acceptable situation when we could have a law stopping that. It's not on.

"Some affected roads, like Heath Ride, have around 60 houses and they will all need access for their cars.

"It also implicates the postman, the dustbin man and any visitors in breaking the law as well."

ic Berkshire~ Nov 8 2005

'A Soldiers Christmas' Make It 'n' Take It Club (MINTI)

Sunday 10 December, 10.30 till 12.30 or 1 - 3 pm.

£6 per child (accompanying adult free)

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more details about workshops and family events or to book places please call the Education Officer on 0118 976 3375. To find out about other forthcoming MINTI Club workshops and family events check out our web site at www.rememuseum.org.uk

REME Museum, Isaac Newton Road, Arborfield, Berkshire
RG2 9NJ

'The Blitz'  Family Event at the REME Museum Technology. 

20 November 05

 11 - 3.30 p.m. 

A series of sketches, demonstrations and displays of life during WW2, including a 10 minute re-enactment of the Blitz in London . 

There will also be displays of WW2 ephemeral and memorabilia from private collections. 

Normal prices for admission.

For more details about workshops and family events or to book places please call the Education Officer on 0118 976 3375. To find out about other forthcoming MINTI Club workshops and family events check out our web site at www.rememuseum.org.uk

REME Museum, Isaac Newton Road, Arborfield, Berkshire
RG2 9NJ

It was lights, camera, action for a group of local people with learning disabilities when they went before the cameras to make their own information DVD.

Premiering on Monday November 7 at the South Hill Park cinema at Ringmead, Bracknell, from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, the short film entitled: ‘We’re on Our Way’ was produced by service users who attend Wokingham District Council’s resources and opportunity centre (WROC) in Woosehill.

And the WROC Players - as they have now become known - not only did all the front of camera acting, they were heavily involved in script-writing, filming and developing the DVD as well.

Made by and for people with learning disabilities, the video focuses on person centred planning (PCP) – an approach to developing and providing services which puts the individual at the heart of all thinking and planning.

Funded by Wokingham District Council and the Wokingham Learning Disability Partnership Board, with additional support from independent agencies - Wokingham Theatre and the Fire Stone Rock Band - the DVD took six months to produce and involved 29 of WROC’s 120 members.

PCP coordinator Jodie Newman said: “This is an excellent and exciting project, involving many local people with people with learning disabilities. We are all very proud of the results and hope it will do a great job of raising awareness of person centred planning in the Wokingham district.”

WROC member Janine Sewell, who took part in the video, said: “It was hard work but great fun; we had a good laugh making it. I hope it helps people to know more about person centred planning.”

Cllr Pauline Helliar-Symons, executive member for social care services and housing, said: “This is such an exciting project and one that will be of great use to many people. This council is always looking at different ways of improving its services for people and this latest innovation is one of which everyone involved can be very proud. I hope that other councils will want to make use of the DVD."

Copies of ‘We’re on Our Way’ will be made available for all people in the Wokingham district who have a learning disability. Local authorities will be able to hire or purchase copies from WROC.

Wokingham District Council ~ November 1, 2005

Council chiefs have been warned they might not be able to stop developers building on greenfield sites from Winnersh to Spencers Wood because they are missing their house-building targets.

Tory-controlled Wokingham District Council must build at least 817 homes by the end of this financial year just to meet government targets.

And opposition councillors fear it will leave the district vulnerable if developers exploit the shortage by making them building offers they cannot refuse.

Lib Dem councillor Prue Bray said: "If we don't prove we have sufficient sites, developers can come along and demand permission to build on even more inappropriate sites.

"We're getting into a difficult situation and are desperately running out of time."

Planning leader Wokingham Cllr Gary Cowan told colleagues green-field developments are inevitable in order to meet the target set by the government.

The council has already earmarked reserve sites, including land off Poplar Lane, Winnersh, at Sandford Farm, Woodley, and in Spencers Wood, north of Hyde End Road and east of Basingstoke Road, which could be used to meet the shortfall.

Cllr Cowan said: "It should be noted that if we were to rule against the present sites identified in the Local Plan we would just have to choose other green-field sites to fill that void."

Until April Wokingham council was claiming it would not need to use its reserve sites because it had calculated a building surplus of five homes.

But the Housing Land Supply survey revealed the 817 shortfall, potentially increasing to 2,500 by 2016.

Lib Dem leader Coling Lawley said: "The Tory council has clearly mismanaged the issue of where the required government housing is to be built.

"By not arranging a sufficient supply of managed development land, developers will be able to win permission on appeal to build on land less favoured by the council.

"If we have to have the houses, the least the council can do is control where they go."

Wokingham Council leader Frank Browne said: "The council currently has to build just over 500 houses a year, as a result of the Lib Dems signing us up to 8,100 houses.

"Our officers have advised us that we are running out of time to meet that commitment and we need to carefully consider which of the reserve sites identified are released to enable us to meet the Lib Dems commitment."

Nov 3 2005 ~ icBerkshire

Parents of truanting schoolchildren in Wokingham could be slapped with on-the-spot fines of up to £100 under a new council crackdown.

As of last Monday, Wokingham District Council has powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to punish school dodgers by issuing parents or carers fines of either £50 or £100.

Education bosses will first issue parents with warnings of their children's poor attendance which includes pupils caught on truancy sweeps, taking excessive holidays in school term or persistent lateness.

These warnings will be issued once the child has less than an 80% attendance record, and will come in the form of a letter to their parents.

But if the problem persists after 15 days Wokingham parents will be landed with a fine - which will lead to court action if it is not paid within 42 days.

Cllr Frank Browne, lead councillor for children's services, said: "It is a well-known fact there is a link between absence by pupils and poor academic achievement.

"We consider regular attendance of such importance that penalty notices may be used to stamp out persistent and unacceptable unauthorised absences."

He added: "The district council will take the steps necessary to ensure children get their education.

"We would much rather work with parents and carers to improve attendance without having to resort to enforcement actions but these tools can secure a child's schooling if there is no other option."

The Wokingham council says it is prepared to use the new powers because truancy can damage pupils' learning, disrupts school routines and can make the young truants vulnerable to anti-social behaviour.

Nov 3 2005 ~ ic Berkshire

Wokingham District councillors are unhappy the Government's new legislation to provide pensioners with free travel tokens could hit council tax payers in the pocket.

The council already offers half fare bus passes, Wokingham District Council travel tokens and a third off most rail travel to its OAPs and disabled residents.

But the Government has decided all local authorities must provide free off-peak bus passes to elderly and disabled people by next spring - and could leave the council to foot the bill.

Wokingham District council chief executive Doug Patterson has written to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to ask that Wokingham is fully funded from a national pot.

At a meeting of the full council last Thursday, Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Coling Lawley said: "I welcome the Government's decision regarding the provision of free off-peak bus passes for elder-ly and disabled residents.

"Having introduced such a scheme then it would be expected that the Government fully fund it and not put pressure on the council tax.

"However, that remains to be seen."

Wokingham Deputy Lib Dem leader Cllr Prue Bray said: "Making local authorities pay for a national Government initiative is fundamentally unfair and all councils should be writing to the Government to say so."

The council has also committed to continue with its current concessionary fares scheme and will look at ways of increasing the value of its free travel tokens, which can be used for trains and taxis as well as buses.

"It will also continue to provide its discounted rail pass scheme."

Cllr Bray said: "Our residents want a choice when it comes to concessionary fares.

"Bus services in this area are not comprehensive enough to cover all the journeys people need to make and some people cannot actually get on buses in any case."

Wokingham Transport leader Cllr Anthony Pollock said: "I do think the tokens will continue to be popular with local residents and we would like to keep them."

ic Berkshire ~ Nov 3 2005

A well-loved handyman who has carried out work in the homes of thousands of older residents in Berkshire has been formally recognised by Wokingham District Council.

Each month, council chairman Councillor Iain Brown presents an engraved plaque and a gift to a person, group or organisation that has given good service to the community.

October's award went to Jim Brown from Age Concern Berkshire at a surprise presentation attended by many of his family, friends and colleagues.

Jim has been employed by Age Concern Berkshire as a part-time handyman for the last four and a half years and provides a service on behalf of Wokingham District Council, carrying out ‘odd jobs’ in the homes of older residents.

These jobs range from fitting grab rails and putting on door treads to hanging curtains and fitting smoke alarms.

Although these are small jobs, they often make a huge difference to the lives of many older people as it can help them to stay in their own homes or return to their homes following a stay in hospital.

Jim is often highly praised by the older people for having a “kind and warm attitude” and for taking the time to listen to them to find out what their needs are.

Jim, who has now completed almost 3,000 odd jobs for the council, was the first handyman in Berkshire to provide a service of this kind to older people and since the service commenced, a number of other handyman services have been established in other areas across Berkshire.

It was after retiring from his job as an engineer in 2000, that Jim decided to join Age Concern Berkshire. Having already spent many years carrying out odd jobs in his spare time in the local area, Jim had built up a reputation as a handyman and was already well known by many local Wokingham residents.

Jim said: “It was a great honour to be recognised in this way and to receive a visit from Councillor Iain Brown. The presentation was also a lovely surprise and it was great to see my friends and family there.

“I don’t see my job as hard as I get a great amount of satisfaction from it and am just glad to be able to help some of the district’s older people.”

Councillor Brown said: “I am very glad to be able to thank Jim for the vital service that he provides. It is a great asset to our older people to have someone like Jim, whom they can trust, to do work in their houses.

"They also enjoy Jim’s company and enjoy talking to him. And what is extra special about Jim is that he always does that bit extra, making the handyman service one that we can be proud of."

Publisher: Jon Land ~ 24 dash.com ~ 2005-11-02

Tough new measures have been introduced to tackle truancy and misbehaviour in Wokingham district’s schools.

A fine of either £50 or £100 could be handed out to pupils with unauthorised absence from school, their parents or carers.

And parents will have up to 42 days to pay the penalty notice in full or the matter will be taken to court.

Penalty Notices are seen as a way to stop unauthorised absence developing rather than a punishment.

If a pupil has less than 80% attendance, a warning of a penalty notice will be issued to their parents/carers outlining the extent of their absence and giving a maximum of 15 school days to improve.

However, if the child is still playing truant, a penalty notice will be issued by post to a pupil’s home.

Cases of absence without acceptable cause include pupils caught on truancy sweeps or excessive unauthorised holidays in school term time or persistent late arrival at school.

Wokingham local education authority believes penalty notices provide a much quicker and more effective way of sanctioning parents to focus their attention on improving their child’s attendance.

Every school in the district will have new powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to tackle poor school attendance.

Penalty notices expand the range of options available to offer support to help parents change the anti-social behaviour of their children, or sanctions where appropriate.

Reducing absence from school is a key priority for Wokingham District Council.

Councillor Frank Browne, executive member for children’s services, said: “The penalty notice is another tool which the local education authority and schools can use to tackle unauthorised absences. It is a well-known fact there is a link between absence by pupils and poor academic achievement.

“We consider regular attendance of such importance that penalty notices may be used to stamp out persistent and unacceptable unauthorised absences.

“Support and guidance on attendance is always available to parents and carers and I would encourage them to contact either their school or one of the district council’s education welfare officers to seek advice if they have any concerns.

“However the district council will take the steps necessary to ensure children get their education. We would much rather work with parents and carers to improve attendance without having to resort to enforcement actions but these tools can secure a child’s schooling if there is no other option.”

Ian Morgan ~ 24dash.com ~ 2005-11-02

Children and young people will have their voices heard in Wokingham thanks to a promise made by the district council's youth service.

The youth pledge was agreed by a select band of youngsters at the It's Your Shout Re-visited conference in October, after a six-month-long consultation with officers from Wokingham District.

The pledge recognises young people have a right to be heard, have opinions and should be valued.

It says the youth service will work with youngsters to provide safe, comfortable facilities, such as youth centres, where they can be themselves and will challenge them with creative and adventurous activities.

And it promises mobile youth units so children can have services near where they live.

Youth worker Sandi Evans said: "Ideas for the pledge have been brought about by engaging young people in community decisions.

"The youth pledge is a young people-led agreement with the district council's youth service on the services they can expect us to provide."

Wokingham Youth Club member Adam Swallow took the lead in brain- storming ideas to be included in the pledge.

A focus group called the Youth 10 Forum was set up to finalise what should be included in the youth service's promise.

Youth champion Cllr Malcolm Bryant said: "The youth pledge is an agreement that we will offer a quality youth service that values young people's rights and expectations.

"I am very impressed with the hard work that has been undertaken by the young people to agree this pledge with their peers plus officers from the council."

Cllr Bryant added: "The council is committed to ensuring that all young people are engaged in the decisionmaking process.

"This is a landmark agreement between the council and young people in the Wokingham district and makes it clear people's views are very important to us."

By Vicky Huntley ~ ic Berkshire ~ Nov 1 2005