Wokingham

The Children’s Information Service (CIS) run by Wokingham District Council and based at the Ambleside Centre in Woodley has expanded its service to residents in the district and from Monday November 27 will be known as the Wokingham District Family Information Service (FIS).

The original service provided information and guidance on a full range of subjects about children from birth to 14 years, or 18 years in the case of children with additional needs, but the Wokingham Family Information Service has extended the age range to assist children and young people aged up to 20 years old, as well as their families and carers.

Childcare information will still be available and includes details of childminders, day nurseries, nursery schools, pre-school and playgroups, parent and toddler groups, after-school clubs and holiday play schemes, as well as nanny, au pair and babysitting agencies.

Wokingham Leisure, sport and recreational facilities information will also be covered and includes details about music groups and lessons, dance and drama classes, swimming lessons, toddler gym and gymnastics classes, martial arts classes, uniformed groups including guides, brownies, cubs and scouts, arts and crafts, youth clubs, junior football clubs, ideas and venues for children’s parties, library story times, horse riding lessons and toy libraries.

Now the Wokingham service is more ‘family centred’, it will provide information on subjects including:
- Family learning opportunities
- Education services and schools
- Extended schools
- Health services
- Sex and relationships
- Child development
- Safety

Jo Jolly, family information services manager, said: “Wokingham District Family Information Service provides a ‘one stop shop’ for all parent carers, children and young people in the Wokingham district. By broadening the range of information and advice we offer, we hope to meet the needs of all parents, carers, children and young people. In doing so, we will also meet statutory guidelines for information, advice and assistance duties within the Childcare Act. We have access to wide resources and will also signpost enquirers to other relevant sources.”

The Family Information Service will continue to be free, confidential and impartial, available by telephone, internet, drop-in and through outreach sessions. The opening hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays, have been retained.

Wokingham Cllr Frank Browne, executive member for children’s services, said: “I am very pleased at not only how quickly the changing need was identified, but also how effectively the service has been adapted. It’s essential that families in the district have access to the best possible information resources on many subjects, if they are to thrive.”

The Family Information Service can be identified in forthcoming publicity material by a new logo. The telephone number will remain as (0118) 935 2255. The email address will be fis@wokingham.gov.uk

The service also has a free direct public telephone link set up in the reception area of Wokingham District Council’s Shute End offices in Wokingham. The phoneline operates during the council’s opening hours from 8.30am to 5pm, and as FIS staff will be available from 9am to 5pm an answerphone service will be available outside those hours.

Wokingham District Council

The views and opinions of local Wokingham residents on future development in the region are set to be heard as Wokingham District Council gets ready to argue its position on the South East Plan to government inspectors.

An independent review of the plan – known as an Examination-in-Public (EiP) – is taking place between November 28 and March 30 and will provide an opportunity for the discussion and testing, in public and before a panel appointed by the Secretary of State, of particular aspects of the plan (selected by the panel after the period of public consultation in June).

More than half of all resident objections received by the panel during the summer’s public consultation came from the Wokingham district, adding to the weight of the council’s arguments against elements of the plan.

Wokingham District Council has been invited to three of the first eight sessions (November 28, November 30 and December 6) in Woking and will argue that:
· the level of development proposed in the plan is unacceptable to the Wokingham district.
· the district’s infrastructure - including roads, schools and health services - is inadequate for its current needs and could not withstand the increased development proposed by the plan.
· plan has not been properly informed by sustainability appraisal (the environmental, economic and social impacts and benefits from plans and policies)

The panel will also be holding sessions in Chichester, Maidstone and Reading during the EiP process.

The council will also attend the hearing of regional matters scheduled for March 2007.

Covering the period from 2006 to 2026, the draft South East Plan produced by the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) recommends that 523 homes are built in the Wokingham district every year for the next 20 years, a total of 10,460 for 2006 to 2026.

Wokingham District Council believes that this is too high and is arguing that it should be reduced to 310 - 320 houses a year.

“Wokingham was the only council to vote against the Regional Assembly’s proposals as we believe they are seriously flawed, unsustainable and do not satisfactorily address the infrastructure impact a further 500 homes a year will have for the next 20 years,” said leader of the council Cllr Frank Browne.

“The support of our residents has been invaluable as we continue to make our case. We received thousands of responses to our own consultation on the South East Plan and hundreds more residents wrote directly to the EiP panel to make their views known. In fact, more than half of the objections received by the panel came from the Wokingham district.

“As we get ready for the EiP, I’d like to thank residents for their support and assure them that we will continue to make every effort we can to fight their case.”

Anyone wanting more information the EiP process, participants and matters to be considered should visit www.eipsoutheast.co.uk.

Wokingham District Council

At its meeting on Thursday November 30, Wokingham District Council’s decision-making executive will look to combine some school services and local bus routes to offer the best service possible with the resource available.

Executive member for highways and transport Cllr Anthony Pollock said: “In recent months, the council has been disappointed to learn of Thames Travel and First Beeline’s intentions to withdraw commercial bus services that run in the Wokingham district. These are commercial decisions over which the council has no influence.

“The council has therefore been looking very closely at what services it can provide to assist local residents, whilst not expecting taxpayers to support less viable routes through increased subsidies. This has involved a thorough review of subsidised services across the district in order to look at where we can sensibly combine some routes to provide a better overall service.”

Should the 144 and 193 bus services be withdrawn altogether, the southern end of the district (Shinfield, Arborfield, Finchampstead, Barkham, Wokingham and Wokingham Without) would be left without any public bus services. In reviewing these services, the council identified that they currently carried few passengers, but attracted a substantial subsidy from council funds. The council is therefore proposing to combine the services to make them viable.

The proposed changes include combining the 144 and 193 services with the 244 and 219 school routes and the Wokingham town shuttle bus (known as the Tesco shopping bus).

This would result in an improved 144 service running every 30 minutes (7am to 6.30pm Monday to Saturday) between Arborfield and Reading via Shinfield. There would also continue to be a service between Arborfield and Wokingham once an hour. The route will also be amended to include the 219 school service to Ryeish Green School.*

Under the proposals the 193 service is set to be renamed the ‘Wokingham Link’ and would be re-routed to include the Wokingham town shuttle bus and the 244 school service from Shinfield via Arborfield, California Crossroads, Barkham, Holt School, Emmbrook School and Forest School.

Benefits from the proposed changes include:
· Earlier start times from Wokingham (7.16am), in response to requests from residents
· New late evening service on Saturdays until past midnight
· Increased running hours for the Wokingham town shuttle service, and a new shopping service for the Rances Lane area.

Cllr Pollock said: “We always face very difficult decisions when looking at the district’s bus services. When people don’t make use of the services on offer, private companies don’t find them viable to run. The council doesn’t want to place an unnecessary burden on the taxpayer, so we have to look very carefully where we put our limited resources.

“I hope that, should these proposals get the green light, our residents will benefit from continued service without the threat of withdrawal from bus companies or the burden of ever increasing subsidies for these services.”

Wokingham District Council

A group of adult learners from Gorse Ride estate in Finchampstead was awarded special certificates by Wokingham District Council Chairman Cllr Angus Ross, at the Gorse Ride Parish Centre at the Church of St Mary and St John on Tuesday (November 21).

Starting in September 2006, the Gorse Ride residents attended a specially designed Wokingham course, introducing them to skills that could be used to set up and run a home-based beauty business. The course included a series of taster sessions in nail care and beauty, along with IT training designed to help learners create publicity materials. All seven learners received certificates of attendance, in recognition of their achievements.

Yvonne Coombs, a Gorse Ride resident, was awarded an attendance certificate for studying IT and beauty and said: “I really enjoyed the course and it’s given me a big ego boost. More courses of this kind are definitely needed.”

Certificates also went to Sarah Bates, Stacey Tagg, Elizabeth O’Hare, Cara Else, Carol Bates and Annette Lenton.

The programme was a joint initiative between Wokingham District Council’s lifelong learning team, the local community development worker, and Bracknell and Wokingham College community development team, with guidance from the Gorse Ride Multi-Agency Steering Group. The team worked closely with local residents to identify what skills they particularly wanted to learn.

Wendy Crosson-Smith, lifelong learning manager for Wokingham District Council, said: “The project was really well received in Gorse Ride. It is a fantastic example of different organisations working together to make a real difference to local people. We’ve had some excellent feedback on this programme and are keen to develop similar courses in the near future.”

Cllr Angus Ross said: “This is an extremely important initiative as it allows us to reach out into the community and help people learn new skills. Everyone involved should be very pleased, especially the seven students for whom this is a commendable achievement. Congratulations are well deserved!”

Wokingham District Council

When is 12 months not 12 months? When it involves the shelf life of Wokingham District Council’s annual travel tokens!

Currently the local travel tokens are distributed every year but have a shelf life of 15 months – although issued annually, this allows for a period of grace where residents can still use their tokens.

“This can cause confusion and makes accounting more difficult,” said executive member for corporate services Cllr Rob Stanton.

This is set to change, however, as the council’s decision-making executive is to consider giving the annual tokens a 12 month shelf live at their meeting on Thursday November 30.

The tokens are currently issued every year and are valid from April 1 to June 30. The proposal is to change this to 12 months only, making the tokens valid from April 1 to the end of the financial year on March 31.

“This should not make any difference to the people who benefit from the tokens, other than they will have to use them up within 12 months. It will however save the council some £15,000 every year, which is very important in these cash-strapped times,” said Cllr Stanton.

Part of the council’s concessionary travel scheme for the district's 21,000 older people (over the age of 60) and those with disabilities, the travel tokens can be used on buses, trains and taxis. Over 16,000 take up the offer of £40 of travel tokens. A further 3,650 also benefit from a means-tested scheme which offers £80-worth of local travel tokens. Others opt for the free bus pass allowing free off peak travel on local buses. A subsidised railcard is also available.

If the executive decides to give the tokens a 12 month shelf life, people will be advised of the change when the application forms for next year’s issue are sent out in February 2007. The new expiry date will also be printed on a label attached to every bag of tokens and it will also be printed onto each individual token.

Wokingham District Council

A recent survey to find out what residents in the Wokingham district want from their libraries has been met with a big response. Nearly 2,000 responses were received during the one-week survey by Wokingham District Council’s cultural services and development team.

The survey, entitled ‘Adult PLUS’ (Public Library User Survey), was conducted in early October. Visitors to Wokingham district libraries were asked to rate their satisfaction with facilities and services, including books, DVDs, IT facilities, staff helpfulness and opening hours.

Over 2,200 questionnaires were issued to library visitors and 1,920 (87%) responded, expressing their opinions. Wokingham, Woodley and Lower Earley libraries exceeded their target of getting 75% of questionnaires completed, while the smaller libraries achieved an 84% response rate.

The survey data is now being analysed, including nearly 700 customer comments. The results are due to be completed in January and will be communicated to library users across the district. The service will develop an action plan based on the results of the survey, for consideration by the council.

Cllr Dianne King, executive member for community development, said: “Such an enthusiastic response is very encouraging. It is good to know that libraries in the Wokingham district are highly valued and I am pleased local residents are as keen as this to express their views. It really does help when planning future services. I would like to thank everybody who took part.”

Chris Hamilton, corporate head of cultural services and development, said: “We have over 85,000 registered members across nine libraries in the district and receive over 10,000 visits per week from library users borrowing books and audiovisual materials such as DVDs, using free internet and IT facilities, and attending events such as ‘baby bounce and rhyme’ and family history advice sessions. That’s equivalent to over 55% of the local population, so it is important we know the views of service users. We are confident that this survey will give us the information we need when planning for the future.”

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham Andrew Pearce is lucky to be alive. Although he doesn’t remember the details of his accident, his car hit a lorry and he was left with brain injuries, fractures of the sternum, broken ribs and vertebrae, a shattered humerus, and a hole in the lung.

But thanks to the emergency services and to the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance (TVCAA), Andrew has lived to tell the tale – and is working hard to prepare for a return to normal Wokingham working life.

“I suffered amnesia, which unfortunately means I cannot remember the details of the fine work done by the air ambulance, police and fire service,” said Andrew. “What I do know is that if I hadn't been able to transfer so safely and quickly to a hospital specialising in severe trauma and head injury, I might well have died.”

The Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance is funded by the businesses and people of the Thames Valley. The yellow Bolkow 105 helicopter carries life-saving equipment and is crewed by a pilot and two paramedics. The paramedics are provided by the NHS but all other costs are funded by the Trust. The helicopter is operated in daylight hours and is on call seven days a week. To date, the helicopter has answered over 8,000 emergency calls within the Thames Valley area, saving many lives.

TVCAA is the nominated charity of this year’s Wokingham District Council chairman, Cllr Angus Ross. Cllr Ross has organised numerous fundraising events for the charity, including a recent Christmas card sale at Wokingham Library’s tenth birthday party on November 3.

Following his accident, Andrew Pearce is now spending much of his recuperation at Wokingham Library, which is close to his home in Langborough Road.

“The biggest problem with my rehabilitation has been the traumatic head injury. Some aspects of my functionality are diminished - particularly my ability to cope with a busy or noisy environment. The library has been invaluable to me in this respect - I have been able to walk to the library where I can concentrate on reading and working on my laptop without interruptions or noise. I have been able to sit and work comfortably with excellent facilities, which has been invaluable in helping me prepare for a hopeful return to work sometime around Christmas,” he said. “I have also been able to read some excellent books on traumatic head injury!”

At the library’s tenth birthday party on November 3, Andrew was glad to meet Stevie Horton, the air ambulance’s chief fundraiser.

“Without TVCAA’s excellent work I certainly would not be here in the state I am today. One day I would like to thank the pilot and paramedics, and hopefully find out some more of the details,” said Andrew, who is now well on the way to recovery, and getting to know his second child – born two weeks after he returned home from hospital.

“Andrew’s recovery is an amazing story,” said council chairman Cllr Ross. “It is a great example of the vital role that the air ambulance is playing in saving lives. I would like to thank all those who are helping to raise funds for this invaluable service, and I do hope there will be more stories like Andrew’s, with happy endings, in the Trust’s future work!”

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council brought a ray of sunshine to a rainy day last Friday (November 17), when staff dressed in yellow and raised more than £500 for Children in Need.

Staff at Wokingham council offices across the district were invited to wear yellow for the day and make a donation to Children in Need. Staff also baked cakes to be sold in aid of the charity in the civic offices.

Many staff in mellow yellow outfits gathered in the mall for a photograph with council chairman Cllr Angus Ross. Bart and Lisa Simpson led the yellow brigade which included a ‘Bracknell Bees’ ice hockey team strip, a group wearing bright yellow rain capes and an outfit made entirely of yellow newsprint from the council’s reprographics unit!

Wokingham Cllr Angus Ross said: “I’m delighted to see so many good ideas for yellow outfits. Children in Need is a very worthy cause and it is good to see staff taking a little extra trouble to make a contribution.”

BBC Children in Need is an annual campaign that helps disadvantaged children to have a better life. These include children who are chronically ill or profoundly disabled, those who've been badly treated by the adults around them, children who live in poverty or inadequate housing, and some who are bullied, excluded or distressed. Last year Children in Need raised £33.2 million through fundraising events in schools, businesses and organisations across the country, and donations from members of the public.

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham has a new look Neighbourhood team following the appointment of a deputy commander and two new Inspectors.

Insp Jim Weems is the new Deputy Wokingham LPA Commander taking over from Insp Liz Kirk who has moved to a new role at headquarters.

Insp Weems was most recently the Wokingham East Neighbourhood Inspector and he oversaw the successful role out of neighbourhood policing on the LPA.

He said: “I’m delighted to take up this new role.

“My main priority is to reduce crime, focusing on criminal damage, burglary and auto crime and to continue the successes of neighbourhood policing by recruiting more Police Community Support Officers across the area.”

Insp Weems is replaced at Wokingham East by Insp Lindsay James who joins the team from the Reading.

Insp James joined Thames Valley Police in 1987 working initially at Bracknell as a response shift constable. He transferred to Reading as a constable. He went onto work as a firearms officer as a constable and a sergeant for the Tactical Firearms Team.

In between he was a sector sergeant covering the western side of Wokingham police area and as acting Detective Inspector during Operation Robbery where his team achieved a reduction of 30% in Robberies.

He said: “I am looking forward to my new role at Wokingham and continuing the success of Neighbourhood Policing in the area.”

Insp James will be responsible for the neighbourhoods of Wargrave & Remenham, Twyford & Ruscombe, Sonning, Charvil & Hurst, Winnersh East and West, Emmbrook & Woosehill, Norreys & Westcott, Wokingham town centre, Finchampstead & Barkham, and North Crowthorne.

Insp Jo Hackett also joins the team from Reading and she replaces Insp Rod Howell at Wokingham West.

Insp Hackett joined Thames Valley Police in 2005, following a nine year career with Avon and Somerset Constabulary, and has worked as a uniformed response team PC and sergeant and has spent time as a Detective Constable and Detective Sergeant in CID.

She was promoted to Inspector in January 2006 and has spent the last year as a response team Inspector at Reading.

She said: “I am looking forward to getting to know the local community and improving the quality of life for residents in our area who deserve to live without the fear of crime.”

Insp Hackett will be responsible for the Woodley, Earley and Shinfield, Swallowfield & Arborfield neighbourhoods.

Wokingham LPA Commander Tony Ismay is delighted with his new look Neighbourhood Policing team.

He said: “I believe we have the right people in place to build on the successful role out of Neighbourhood Policing in Wokingham.

“We have an excellent team in place and with the arrival of more PCSOs shortly it will be getting even stronger.

“Neighbourhood policing is about returning to grass roots level and developing closer ties with the community.

“And with this new team we will be working even closer with partners and residents to identify problems and develop solutions. Everyone has a part to play and it gives us great satisfaction when we can solve problems at a local level and really make a difference.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Wokingham

Adult learners from Gorse Ride estate in Finchampstead, Wokingham have been discovering a world of learning opportunities this autumn, with a series of learning taster sessions. As they complete the final sessions this week, the learners’ achievements will be recognised at a presentation ceremony where they will receive a certificate from Wokingham District Council chairman Cllr Angus Ross.

Starting in September 2006, the course offered an introduction to skills that could be used to set up and run a home-based beauty business. The seven Gorse Ride residents attended a series of taster sessions in nail care and beauty, along with IT training designed to help them create publicity materials.

The programme was set up as a joint initiative between Wokingham District Council’s lifelong learning team, the local community development worker, and the Bracknell and Wokingham College community development team, with guidance from the Gorse Ride Multi-Agency Steering Group. The team worked closely with local residents to identify what skills they were interested in learning.

The learners will attend their final session on November 21 at the Parish Centre at the Church of St Mary and St John. A special presentation ceremony will be held immediately after the session at 12 noon, with all seven learners receiving a certificate of attendance from Wokingham District Council chairman Cllr Angus Ross in recognition of their achievements.

Wokingham District Council

As we approach the Christmas season, ‘Brushing up on your consumer rights could help take much of the stress out of shopping for Christmas this year.’ That’s the message from Wokingham District Council and Consumer Direct South East.

Consumer Direct’s telephone and online consumer advice service is on hand to equip Wokingham people with knowledge they need to help them prepare for the festive season to run smoothly.

Wokingham Cllr Barrie Patman, executive member for community safety, said: “The days before and after Christmas are a busy time for us all. Knowing your rights can help take some of the stress out of Christmas shopping. And if you’re not sure where you stand when it comes to taking back faulty goods or a gift you’ve had second thoughts about, Consumer Direct is on hand to give you clear, practical advice.”

Advice for Wokingham shoppers includes:

#Keep all receipts in case you need to return any purchases. Although you will have many more receipts than usual at this time of year, do not be tempted to throw them away. Proof of purchase is invaluable if you need to return goods.

#If anything you buy, from gifts to a new set of fairy lights, turns out to be faulty, you have a right to claim a repair, replacement or a refund. If an item is faulty, it is up to the retailer you bought the goods from to sort the matter out, not the manufacturer.

#For more expensive gifts costing over £100, think about using a credit card. This way, should problems arise, you will get extra protection from your credit card company. If you do use a credit card, remember that you will be charged interest if you do not pay off the balance in full each month.

#Think twice when buying from street traders or at one-day sales. These stalls are often set up only for Christmas and you may not be able to find them again if something goes wrong.

#If shopping on the internet, remember to double check with the provider that the delivery date will be before Christmas. When buying online, use a credit card to give you extra protection.

#When buying toys, always look for suitable age warnings and safety marks – such as the CE Mark and the Lion Mark - on the packaging.

#Beware of cheap imitations, just as you would risk buying low quality or potentially unsafe products.

#Always remember that if you simply change your mind about a purchase, the retailer is not obliged to offer you a refund or an exchange. Many do offer a replacement or credit note, but this is a goodwill gesture and not a legal requirement.

Whatever the time of year, Wokingham Consumer Direct South East can give people information and confidence to avoid pitfalls and help resolve disputes. Whether the issue is about returning faulty goods, tackling shoddy workmanship or reporting scams, Consumer Direct’s trained advisers can be contacted by telephone on 08454 04 05 06 or online at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council is today paying tribute to former school crossing patroller Irene Green who sadly passed away on Saturday (November 11). Irene had been battling with cancer for some time.

Irene worked at the crossing site on Beechwood Avenue near Beechwood Primary School for over 20 years. She retired in September due to ill-health. School crossing patrol organiser Julie Pillai said: “Irene was a valued member of our team and she will be greatly missed. She was a well-known figure amongst the Woodley community and hugely popular.

“Our thoughts are with Irene’s family and friends at this sad time.”

Wokingham District Council

A ‘choice’ revolution will soon take place in the Wokingham district’s libraries, when a new, advanced computerised system called the South East Library Management System (SELMS) is implemented. The result will be a huge increase in the number of books, DVDs and other items available and it will be much easier to borrow and return items from libraries not in the immediate area.

SELMS is the culmination of over a year’s work by a consortium led by Wokingham District Council, including the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Brighton and Hove Council, Buckinghamshire County Council, Milton Keynes Council and West Berkshire Council.

Customers will be able to borrow items and return them to any library in the SELMS consortium, so if they are visiting or working in another area, or on holiday, they will be able to use their existing library card just as if they are at home.

Contracts are now being signed by the SELMS consortium and the system will go live in spring 2007, starting with libraries in the Wokingham district, followed by the other authorities.

Chris Hamilton, corporate head of cultural services and development, said: “We developed SELMS to make libraries easier for everyone, to offer exciting new features and reduce costs at the same time. We have incorporated ideas from customers and staff and the views of users of all ages who participated in an online survey. The resulting increase in choice and flexibility really does revolutionise what we offer.

“This project is the result of extensive cooperation between the six authorities to deliver a system that will improve choice and increase service, whilst also reducing costs. SELMS is a model of excellence that, once fully proven, could well be adopted elsewhere across the country.”

Cllr Philip Mirfin, champion for Wokingham information and communications technology, said: “The SELMS initiative shows how dynamic councils can be, going one step further to adapt technology to meet people’s real needs.”

Cllr Dianne King, executive member for community development, concluded: “Libraries are more than just places where people borrow books, but also centres of the community and this new initiative should add flexibility to their use.”

Wokingham District Council

Whilst some areas might be suffering from an adverse ‘Jamie Oliver’ effect, with the uptake of school meals decreasing, a growing number of Wokingham district’s pupils are enjoying fresh, healthy and tasty food thanks to the council’s successful new catering contract.

National headlines have been highlighting that the number of pupils choosing school dinners across the country has been in decline in recent months, pointing out Jamie Oliver’s television campaign as a reason. Yet Wokingham District Council has seen the take up of its school dinners increase by eight per cent since it introduced a new menu and new contract with Tunbridge Wells-based company Edwards & Ward.

Feedback had already suggested that Wokingham children were greatly enjoying the fresh, healthy and nutritionally balanced meals provided by the new contract since it began serving at the beginning of the September term. And monitoring of the meal take-up over the last three months has proved that it has really made a difference to the number of children choosing to have school dinners with the approximately 70,000 meals per month being served so far.

Cllr Rob Stanton, executive member for Wokingham corporate services, said: “We certainly haven’t suffered from the ‘Jamie effect’ in the Wokingham district. We thought when we negotiated the new contract that we made a good choice in catering provider Edwards and Ward and got a really good deal for the district’s school children. And now these recent figures show that, as well as enjoying the new menu, more pupils are choosing school dinners at lunchtime.

“A well-balanced nutritional meal goes a long way to increase attention levels in the classroom. So teachers are benefiting from this increased take-up as well as pupils themselves.”

Under the new contract arrangements, the council exceeds new government nutritional guidelines by providing fresh food that is cooked by the catering staff in 38 school kitchens across the district. Pupils are reaping the benefit of fresh meat, vegetables and organic produce from local suppliers across the south of England including Berkshire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire.

“I’d like to extend my thanks to the catering staff for their hard work in making the new arrangements such a success. In light of recent headlines, I really think the increased take-up is a significant achievement,” said Cllr Stanton.

Wokingham District Council

Police in Wokingham are urging residents to help them ‘Bolt out the Burglar’ by locking their front doors and windows.

Officers are increasingly concerned about poor home security which gives burglars an easy ride. One of the main problems has been reluctance by home-owners to lock their doors.

Wokingham LPA Commander, Ch Insp Tony Ismay, explained: “When we visit residents and ask them to lock their front doors a large number seem reluctant because they believe that could be dangerous in the event of a fire.

“However, the message we have received from the fire service is that there is no problem with locking the door as long as you know where the keys are and they are easily accessible in the event of an emergency.

“From a home security point of view locking your front door will dramatically reduce your chances of becoming a burglary victim. There has recently been a significant increase in the number of homes burgled and one of the main methods of gaining access to a property is through the front door letter box. Burglars simply use an implement to either hook keys left in or near the door out, or push the inside door handle down where the door has been left unlocked.”

Locking your door and removing the key makes it much harder for burglars to gain entry to peoples homes. Keys should either be kept securely out of sight or better still, take them upstairs with you when you retire for the evening. The same applies to handbags and mobile phones. Keep Wokingham safe.

“Help us to help you. Make your home as secure as possible or you could come down in the morning and find your property missing.”

Nicole Targett from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “In addition to the home security advice they receive from police, householders should ensure they have working smoke detectors in their home and a fire escape plan for their property.

“Anyone who would like a free home fire safety check should call 0800 587 6679 to arrange a visit.”

Other burglary prevention tips from the police include:

• Don’t leave your house unattended with windows and doors unlocked even if it is ‘just for a minute’

• Don’t leave car keys near to front doors where they can be “fished” or “hooked” out through the letter box

• Remember to remove keys from locked windows and keep them out of sight.

• Spare keys should never be left in a convenient hiding place such as under the door mat or in a flower pot - a thief will look there first.

• Easily accessible upstairs windows, every downstairs window and those which can’t be seen from the street, should be fitted with key operated window locks.

• High priced items such as jewellery and credit cards should be kept out of sight - do not tempt the thief.

• Sheds and garages also contain expensive items and they too should be securely locked.
• Consider looking at your house through the burglar’s eyes; are there places where they could break in unseen?

• Light up your house during the night. Fit low energy lights around your home. Thieves don’t like being seen and this will put offenders off.

• Install the best security you can afford in order to delay or deter the criminal. They really do prefer an easy target.

Ch Insp Ismay added: “At the end of the day these are sensible and simple steps which take a matter of minutes to do. The alternative is the risk of becoming a burglary victim.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Wokingham

People who have suffered through domestic violence are to have extra help as Wokingham District Council and West Berkshire Council have employed a new domestic violence reduction coordinator to help tackle the issue. This local initiative coincides with national White Ribbon Day (November 25, 2006), when domestic violence will be highlighted as a worldwide problem.

Domestic violence reduction coordinator Jo McIntyre will work with the Wokingham Domestic Violence Forum comprising representatives from local agencies such as Wokingham District Council, Thames Valley Police, Berkshire West Primary Care Trust, Berkshire Women’s Aid and the Sahara Asian Women’s Project. The forum members work together to help prevent domestic violence, to help those who are affected by it and look to raise awareness of the problem through local events.

Reports of domestic violence are on the increase and in the Wokingham district alone there were 681 incidents reported in 2005, although it is estimated that, despite encouragement from the police to report domestic violence, less than half of incidents are actually reported.

Cllr Barrie Patman, executive member for Wokingham community safety, said: “Domestic violence should not be tolerated. I approve of all measures to raise awareness of this issue and the forum aims to enable people to realise that help is closer at hand than they might think. This is a very important initiative for the council to be leading.”

Jo McIntyre, domestic violence co-ordinator for the council, said: “Domestic violence exists in all communities and affects people regardless of age, race, ability, sexuality or class. Research shows that females are assaulted approximately 35 times before they seek help and, in nine out of ten cases, children are in the same or next room when the violence occurs. By ‘domestic violence’ we also mean financial, verbal and emotional abuse.”

Leaflets, posters, helplines and emergency contact numbers will soon be distributed by The Wokingham Domestic Violence Forum.

More information on White Ribbon Day can be found on www.womankind.org.uk. The Wokingham Domestic Violence Forum can be contacted via the Wokingham District Council community safety team on (0118) 974 3797.

Wokingham District Council

It was fun in the mud this October when some 20 young people from Bulmershe Youth Centre’s Explorers Club, of whom 18 have additional needs, went on a camping expedition to Cheddar Gorge to complete their Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award.

Experiencing possibly the worst possible weather for a camping trip, including a magnificent thunderstorm, the group took part in activities including long hikes and camp-style cookery with enthusiasm and determination, in spite of being soggy!

“Trying to sleep in a flooded tent, with huge claps of thunder overhead, proved to be quite a challenge for all,” said group leader Kay Nicker. “But the Explorers were brilliant. Even on the walk when we were all very wet, they just kept asking “’what next?’”

Young people with special needs sometimes lack opportunities to prove themselves and to interact with their peers. The Explorers Club brings young people with special needs together with other teenagers in the Wokingham district, building their self esteem and self reliance with challenging activities, and offering them opportunities to gain mainstream accreditations such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

The Explorers Club, made up of 20 young people with special needs and five mainstream young people, meets every Thursday evening in a joint initiative between Wokingham District Council’s Bulmershe Youth Centre, Addington Special School, Bridges Resource Centre and Woodley Activity Group, a voluntary group staffed by youth workers, police representatives and teachers, who take groups of young people away for survival camps and team building activities.

Parents of Explorers have commented that their children have gained enormous confidence since joining the group. Liz Meek, headteacher at Addington Special School where many Explorers are pupils, said: “They are positively bursting with pride and I know their skills and self esteem have been enhanced by their experiences.”

Gaining mainstream accreditations such as Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards and Youth Achievement Awards gives the Wokingham young Explorers with special needs some recognisable common ground with their peers. And those Explorers with no special needs are also benefiting from the club’s activities, gaining skills as mentors and friends. Two of these Explorers are enjoying the club so much that they have requested work experience placements at Addington Special School. Emma Brown, a Year 13 pupil at the Bulmershe School who has been taking part in the Explorers’ Club since it began, recently won ‘Volunteer of the Year’ in the district-wide Childcare Awards.

Young people from as far afield as Shiplake and Farnborough have contacted the innovative group hoping to join, and the membership has grown from six young people to 25 within one year.

When the Wokingham Explorers were asked what they learnt on their expedition to Cheddar Gorge, responses included walking long distances, pegging a tent properly, map reading, cooking and teamwork – and also finding out where Cheddar cheese comes from! In spite of the weather, nearly all the Explorers thought that the campsite and the walking was good fun. They will all be receiving their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award certificates in a special ceremony on November 25 at Bulmershe Leisure Centre, Woodley.

“The Explorers Club is innovative because it combines the various specialist skills of youth workers, special needs teachers, activity group leaders and young people themselves,” said executive member for children’s services Cllr Frank Browne. “And the group’s achievements in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme prove how valuable this partnership is. I would like to congratulate all the explorers on completing their expedition, and I do hope that even more young people will be able to join the club in the future.”

Wokingham District Council

Local Wokingham shops that provide fair and easy access for disabled customers will be recognised for their facilities and services through a new award scheme that launches this month (Thursday November 16).

Believed to be one of the first of its kind in the UK, the awards are being organised by the Wokingham Area Access Group (WAAG) in partnership with the Wokingham Disability and Sensory Needs Partnership Board.

The awards are all inclusive by encouraging able bodied people and those who are disabled as well as parents with prams or pushchairs to nominate shops and businesses that are access friendly.

The awards are sponsored by the Wokingham Times newspaper who will print forms for residents to nominate businesses for the award and Wokingham District Council who will train members of WAAG about disabled access laws.

Members of WAAG will visit shops or business premises nominated by residents and each shop or business will be judged using criteria in line with the Disability Discrimination Act and using a star award system based on things like ease of access, signage and hearing loops.

If however some businesses find it difficult to provide comprehensive disabled access due to planning laws or limited space, but who help customers in other ways such as placing a bell or railings outside, they will receive a merit award if nominated.

Wokingham Residents nominating a business each month will automatically be entered into a prize draw worth £25.

Businesses winning the award will go onto a new Wokingham Access Guide to be developed online and launched early next year, aimed at people with sensory needs and special needs as well as the physically disabled and parents with young children.

The website will be linked to national access and disability sites making it easy for visitors from outside the district to find out which Wokingham district businesses can accommodate their needs.

WAGG also plans to send out information to coach tour operators to encourage them into the area by highlighting accessible local shops and disabled parking facilities that would accommodate their customers’ needs.

The scheme is thought to be the first of its kind due to it being run by a voluntary group of like-minded people with disabilities or who look after somebody with a disability. It is also independent of government, councils and businesses.

WAAG spokesperson, David Gaskin, said: “The awards will be based on 12 criteria set by disability access laws including ease of opening doors, getting to a till or goods they want to purchase, as well as aisles being clear of stock and the way the companies staff look after disabled customers or those with access difficulties, while they are shopping or using the services.”

Cllr Pauline Helliar-Symons, executive member for Wokingham social care services and housing, said: “We know that many local shops and businesses do their utmost to provide fair and easy access for parents with pushchairs, disabled customers and partially sighted people. Wokingham District Council has been looking at fair ways to award businesses in the community who have opened up their shops and we very much hope the awards will highlight awareness about the importance of access.

"I am very pleased to have been able to work with WAAG on this initiative, and hope members of the public will start sending names of businesses who address this well."

Wokingham District Council

Four young performers from Lower Earley and Woodley are dancing for joy at winning the Wokingham District Council chairman’s award for October.

The youngsters of the R-Te Crew, aged between 14 and 21, impressed Wokingham council chairman Cllr Angus Ross with their dedication and hard work when they won their category of Over 16 Newcomer Team at the United Dance Organisation’s World Street Dance Championships in Blackpool in August.

Training several days a week, for hours at a time at Loddon Valley Leisure in Lower Earley, Riccardo Jeffrey-Hinds (21), Joshua Barrow (15), Paige Ryan (14) and Lisa Boyles (14) put together a show stopping routine of their own choreography for the prestigious competition.

They R-Te crew put on a special display for the chairman on October 30 at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre, Lower Earley, and were presented with a commemorative shield and a gift of HMV vouchers.

Chairman Wokingham Cllr Angus Ross said: “The R-Te crew should be very proud of this outstanding achievement. They have worked hard to perfect their skills and I hope that their success in an international competition will inspire other young people to get involved in performing arts such as street dance. It is spectacular to watch.”

Wokingham District Council

Local horse owner Margaret Reeves is registered blind, but this did not stop her from joining more than 40 energetic local Wokingham riders and cyclists for a ten-mile riding challenge on Sunday November 5.

The sponsored ride at The Look Out on Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, raised over £1,000 towards the building of a new greenhouse for Growing Places Berkshire, the horticultural therapy charity who will manage the garden area at the new Wokingham Acorn Community Centre. People with learning disabilities who use the new centre will be able to take part in plant sales and other horticultural activities when the greenhouse is built – and the sponsored ride has got fundraising off to a flying start.

The ride was opened by Wokingham District Council chairman Cllr Angus Ross, who met the first riders on the course including Margaret Reeves and her horse Buster.

“Being blind does make some aspects of riding more difficult, but Buster loves an outing in the woods, and I think the new Growing Places green house is an excellent idea,” said Margaret. “I like a challenge and I hope we raise plenty of money today!”

Registered charity Growing Places Berkshire works with people who have a learning disability on horticulture projects. Members have their own gardening plots, as well as helping the charity to grow plants for sale. All money made on sales goes directly back into project. The charity will use the new Wokingham greenhouse to enable the people it supports to learn to grow plants and sell them to support the project’s ongoing work.

“It will be a base for our activities. We will be able to have a mini garden centre and teach users retail skills. It’s very exciting,” says horticulture project leader Margaret Larby, “Today has been a great success and made an excellent start to the fundraising – but there’s a long way to go still! We need to raise £20,000 to build the greenhouse. And it is an essential building if we are to really show the public what our gardeners can achieve and sell top quality produce.”
Service user Danny Pitts loves gardening with Growing Places. He said: “I am looking forward to the green house being built. I lifted the first turf on the site of the new Acorn Centre.”

John Baker, one of the other disabled gardeners at the project, raised over £200 in sponsor money. He cycled round the course with his Mum Val and he was awarded a trophy for his efforts.

Looking at some plans of the new centre, Wokingham council chairman Cllr Angus Ross said: “I am very interested in the plans that Growing Places Berkshire has for the garden at the Acorn Community Centre, and I look forward to seeing the project take shape. I am very pleased that so many riders have taken up this challenge to support the charity.”

Wokingham District Council

Children and adults are telling Wokingham district libraries what tickles their funny bone, as part of the libraries’ Laughter Lines comedy promotion which runs throughout November.

Adults in the Wokingham district are being asked to nominate their favourite comedy author and film or TV series. Voting forms are available in all Wokingham libraries until November 24 and there is also the option to vote online at www.wokingham.gov.uk/laughterlines. The votes will be collected across the district and the results will be publicised in libraries, so we can find out once and for all what makes Wokingham district residents giggle.

All voters will have the option to enter a free prize draw, for the opportunity to win a selection of books by the top five comedy authors chosen by readers. Ten runners-up will win a three-for-two discount on all audiovisual materials (such as DVDs and videos) for their next five library visits.

And younger readers aren’t being left out – children visiting the library are being asked for their favourite joke or funny rhyme. The funniest entries at each library in each age group (five to eight years old and nine to 11 years old) will win a £5 book token, kindly donated by Chapter One children’s bookshop in Wokingham. Competition forms are available in libraries until November 30.

“We want to get Wokingham residents talking about the books they read and comedy seems like a great place to start,” said corporate head of cultural services and development Chris Hamilton. “It is a very wide and well-loved genre and we have a huge range of books, audio CDs and DVDs in the libraries for comedy fans. It will be interesting to see what people’s favourites are when the results come out at the end of November.”

Wokingham District Council

A week of celebrations at Wokingham Library culminated in a big party on Friday November 3, when Wokingham District Council chairman Cllr Angus Ross joined staff to wish the library a happy tenth birthday. Cllr Ross, along with Wokingham Town Mayor Dianne King, attended the party and cut the library’s birthday cake, which was kindly provided by Waitrose in Wokingham. Library users joined staff past and present for the celebration, and £130 in donations was collected for the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust (TVCAA).

Wokingham Library on Denmark Street first opened its doors to the public on October 28, 1996. Ten years on, it is still a vital resource to the district’s residents, and boasts many new services and features. Cllr Ross said: “Many new service developments have been made over the past 10 years - including the creation of the Learning Zone and the LearnDirect centre, as well as the introduction of free internet access and refreshment facilities at the library. I have also been very impressed to see such a variety of community events taking place here - from children's storytimes to family history advice days. I would like to wish all the hardworking people involved in the library many happy returns.”

The chairman also thanked people for their donations to the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust, which is his nominated charity this year. It is a charity funded by the businesses and people of the Thames Valley supporting a Bolkow 105 helicopter carrying life-saving equipment and paramedics to emergencies best reached by air. To date, the helicopter has answered over 8,000 emergency calls within the Thames Valley area, saving many lives.

As well as raising money for a good cause, the week long celebration in the library included birthday themed children's activities, a children's "design a birthday cake" competition, an Indian dance workshop, and a staff party.

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council and John Lewis Partnership are working together to create an exciting and safe new playground for pupils at Shinfield St Mary’s Junior School.

The Wokingham project began earlier this year when Brian Matthews, Wokingham District Council children’s services play strategy advisor, carried out a detailed consultation exercise to find out exactly what the pupils wanted.

Brian Matthews said: “We spoke to every child in the school, then collated their views. They ranged from wanting more flowers and trees, to dance areas and benches. This enabled us to design a stimulating, modern playground where play and learning can be blended together.”

The school’s parent and teachers association (PTA) were involved at every stage in the process. Funding for the new playground is being provided by the school and the Diocese of Oxford.

Jane Morgan, headteacher at Shinfield St Mary’s School, said: “One of our main aims was to create a dynamic play environment, whilst increasing visual boundaries for the children. The new playground will contribute to raising standards throughout the school.”

The John Lewis Partnership then agreed to provide a team of volunteers from their ‘Time Bank’ team to create a fenced garden area. The ‘Time Bank’ is a company scheme that allows employees to get involved with voluntary projects during work time, with the support of the company.

Helen Mirrington of the John Lewis Partnership, said: “The initiative is all part of the business's commitment to our Corporate Social Responsibility programme. In practice, this means we build relationships with our local communities by involving partners in charitable projects. We are very pleased to be able to work with Wokingham District Council and St Mary's School, to regenerate their playground and make it a safer environment for the children.”

Cllr Frank Browne, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “We are always pleased when a community partnership brings practical benefits for schoolchildren in the Wokingham district. I look forward to the new playground being completed and would like to thank everyone involved.

“May I also thank everyone from the John Lewis ‘Time Bank’ for their help and support.”

The John Lewis ‘Time Bank’ team will start work today, Tuesday November 7. They hope to complete the work by Friday November 10.

Further information on the project can be obtained from Brian Matthews on (0118) 974 6108.

Wokingham District Council

A Wokingham GP referral scheme was launched last week (October 30) to help patients suffering from obesity, asthma, mild depression and arthritis, get prescriptions for exercise from their doctors.

Called ‘Active Wokingham’ and set up as a partnership between Wokingham District Council, Leisure Connection and Berkshire West Primary Care Trust, the scheme will enable referred patients to access facilities at three leisure centres in the district: Loddon Valley Leisure Centre, Rushey Way, Lower Earley, St Crispin’s Leisure Centre, London Road, Wokingham and Carnival Pool, Wellington Road, Wokingham.

The scheme is intended to help patients make positive changes to bring long-term health benefits, including reducing use of medication and encouraging more self responsibility.

Qualified instructors will be on hand to give those patients who are referred an exercise programme tailored to their individual needs. The first appointment will last approximately one hour, followed by an equipment induction in the gym and personal exercise plan.

The Wokingham district council is providing all GP surgeries in the district with details of scheme. It is then the patient’s responsibility to contact the leisure centre and organise a fitness programme for 12 weeks. The cost to the patient is £25 a month for a 12-week period.

Cllr Dianne King, executive member for Wokingham community development, said: “Exercise referral schemes are an excellent way for the district council to work with health professionals and fitness providers to help patients make positive changes in their lives to ensure long term health benefits. Regular exercise is a great way to keep fit and healthy and the scheme is an ideal introduction to sport and leisure activities.”

Janet Kent, senior health promotion specialist at Berkshire West Primary Care Trust, said: “We now have enough evidence to support the claim that exercise assists good mental health. Gym sessions, cycling and walking can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Through the exercise referral scheme we hope to empower people into much better health.”

Details of scheme are available on the council’s website at: www.wokingham.gov.uk or by calling (0118) 974 6254. Doctors can also give advice about the scheme.

Wokingham District Council

Having carefully analysed the ideas that were submitted in the first round of consultation on the exciting Key to the Gateway project back in the summer, Wokingham District Council has now prepared an outline brief and is inviting expressions of interest from the commercial sector.

“Your ideas are helping us move forward as we look for a commercial partner to help us deliver the new dynamic gateway we want at the south of the town centre,” said Wokingham District Council’s champion for town centres Cllr Chris Bowring.

The Key to the Gateway project aims to unlock the Wellington House and Elms Field area and make it the southern gateway to Wokingham town, developing and revitalising the south of the town centre.

The council’s brief includes enhancing the quality and value of open space at the site; encouraging pedestrian movement and improving linkages between the town centre, leisure area and station; introducing a range, mix and balance of uses and knocking down Wellington House.

The Wokingham council is inviting expressions of interest from developers from this month (November) and, once the responses are in, will look to select the best options to be worked up into full proposals. After this, the council will need to consider which proposals are viable and will then put suitable proposals before local residents, businesses and interested groups for their comments.

“We’re looking for strong, innovative proposals that will enhance this area of the town, complementing the existing market town and offering new development of which we can all be proud,” said Cllr Bowring

The area covered by the project encompasses Wellington House, Elms Field, the Paddocks car park and the nearby open space. Wellington House is becoming unsuitable for delivering council services and plans are being drawn up to vacate the building. Some of the existing open space is of low quality and the council wants to seize an exciting opportunity to make more of this area.

Wokingham District Council

“Wokingham District Council is to consider refocusing its limited social care resources to protect those people most in need in the Wokingham district and to look at investing in alternative, more cost-effective services for those who are less vulnerable. This is as a result of severe under-funding from central government for adult social care nationally and growing demand for these services which is putting more and more pressure on already stretched social care budgets. This is despite significant investment of an additional £5.5million in social care by the council over the past three years.”

That’s the message from Wokingham Cllr Debbie Lewis, lead member for social care finances, as the council’s decision-making executive prepares to consider consulting on proposals to review who is eligible to receive the adult social care services provided or arranged by its community care service.

Wokingham Cllr Lewis said: “If the council did nothing at all about this, the service would be unaffordable, or could need up to 4% extra council tax every year from everyone in the district to fund the increased demand. This would be on top of the council’s other normal growth pressures such as inflation, landfill tax and increasing energy costs.

"Indeed, to keep our eligibility criteria at current levels and cope with growing demand, we would have to put at least an extra £2.4million into our care budget next year, funding we simply do not have. And this could have to continue for future years.

“We can’t just increase our council tax, as residents have told us they want council tax increases to be kept as low as possible. Even if we wanted to raise council tax to the levels that would be needed to meet anticipated social care demand and other unavoidable cost pressures in the council, we wouldn’t be able to as any increase in the region of 5% or above is likely to be ‘capped’ by the government.

“It is important to clarify that we are not looking to reduce the overall amount we spend on social care but, because of the increasing demand for services and lack of growth in national funding, we are considering how best to target our scarce resources to those most in need.

“Therefore, to keep pace with increasing demands - more older people and the complex needs of some of our younger disabled clients - we need to tighten our eligibility criteria and to prioritise our limited resources to help those most at risk in our communities, as well as comprehensively reforming our services to have a greater focus on the preventive agenda. We have finite resources and we have to look at targeting these resources in the most effective way to safeguard services in the future for our most vulnerable residents.

“This situation is reflected the length and breadth of the country as the current national funding and service structures are not adequate to cope with the increase in our elderly population, and there seems little prospect of immediate national investment in much-needed preventive community-based services. What’s more, Wokingham District Council is one of the worst funded of all English councils for adult social care and this year received, overall, one of the lowest government financial settlements in the country. Furthermore, we expect a below inflation increase of 2.7% for 2007-08.”
The Wokingham council’s executive will be considering on Thursday November 9 whether or not to carry out formal consultation on proposed changes as to who can receive social care from the council. The proposal is to change the criteria from its current ‘moderate’ level so that only people classed as in ‘critical’ need would be eligible for adult social care services.

In brief, if the changes went ahead, they would mean that services for people most in need would be protected and safeguarded for the future, such as residential care, nursing care and supported living. Essential personal care services and mental health after-care would also be protected but other services such as shopping and housework, day care and carers’ services would have to be reviewed. Anyone living in a residential or nursing home or supported housing would not lose their right to continue to live there.

The council would also look to invest significantly in alternative support and prevention services by working closely with its public, private and voluntary partners.

The executive report explains how the consultation would ask local Wokingham social care service users, service providers and voluntary, community and partner organisations for their comments on the council’s reasons for the proposal and for ideas on how the changes could best be implemented if they went ahead. The consultation would also seek opinion on what community-based support and prevention services would be most effective and any suggestions that would help deliver services more efficiently.

Wokingham Cllr Lewis said: “I’m conscious this review may worry and unsettle some of our clients and carers and, if the decision is taken to proceed, the council would endeavour to take every possible step to ensure people are kept informed as to how these proposals could affect them. If the changes go ahead, everyone over 18 receiving social care services would have their needs re-assessed. Some people might not continue to receive services in the same way but we would ensure that they were made fully aware of where they could get alternative care.

“We would also seek to invest in alternative support and preventive services in order to minimise the numbers of people requiring specialist and intensive services in the future which, in turn, would help manage longer term cost pressures,” stressed Cllr Lewis.

Prevention aims to maintain independence and increase choice by achieving a balance between protecting Wokingham people and enabling them to manage their own lives. Measures include direct support such as intermediate care to help prevent hospital admission and to speed up discharge from hospital or more indirect and longer-term support such as fall prevention advice, supported employment and drop-in and advice services.

“This shift towards preventive community-based services would free up skilled care staff so they can concentrate more on those in greatest need, whilst enabling those people that councils can no longer directly support to look at other ways of meeting their needs. If Wokingham District Council chose to proceed then we would invest in a range of support and prevention services. Our aim would be to work actively in partnership with external stakeholders, including Community Voluntary Action - Wokingham District and the new Berkshire West Primary Care Trust, in order to develop support and prevention strategies that would complement the provision of social care services,” said Cllr Lewis.

If the executive approves the recommendation then the formal consultation period would begin at the start of December. Lasting for 10 weeks, the consultation would involve Wokingham service users, carers, partnership boards, partnership organisations, voluntary organisations and service providers. The closing date would be February 9, 2007, and the results would be considered at the February meeting of the executive. If the executive then approved the changes, some 2,700 clients would have their needs fully reassessed during next spring and summer but it is anticipated that only a relatively small percentage would be affected. No changes to care packages would be made until an individual’s re-assessment had been completed.

Wokingham District Council

Residents in the Westcott area of Wokingham are being urged to be on their guard following a recent spate of burglaries.

Since October 19 there have been a number of incidents in the area, south of the London Road and east of the Wokingham town centre, where offenders have gained entry to properties by smashing windows and kicking open doors.

Homes in Tudor Close, Sturges Road, Easthampstead Road, Milton Road and Denton Road have all been targeted recently and the property that has been taken ranges from televisions, laptops and jewellery to cash, alcohol and financial documents.

Wokingham LPA Commander Ch Insp Tony Ismay said: “This spate has emerged over the last couple of weeks and is characterised by the offenders using a lot of force to break into the properties and then stealing anything they can find.

“These types of offences are rare as most burglars will not bother if they have to make a lot of noise and effort to gain entry to a property. They are also opportunistic as the offenders grab whatever property they can.

“I would like to reassure residents that we have a number of operations in place to tackle this problem and catch those responsible.

“I am also keen to remind them of simple security steps that can be taken to reduce their chances of becoming a victim.

“For instance, I would recommend fitting visible burglar alarms, as this may make the offenders think twice about breaking in, and fitting timer switches to lights so that it looks like someone is always at home.

“Other good tips include fitting ‘dusk to dawn’ motion sensitive lights outside, fitting top and bottom locks to patio doors and fixing chains and bars to front doors.

“We know burglaries cause a lot of distress to residents but simple measures such as these really do work.”

Anyone with any information about these burglaries, which all took place between October 19 and this Thursday (2/11) should contact Loddon Valley CID via 0845 8 505 505.

Thames Valley Police ~ Wokingham

Wokingham Town centre traders and town and district councils are this week welcoming the news that Wokingham has a new town centre manager.

Appointed last week (Wednesday October 25), Brian Newman is set to take up the role on December 4. Bringing with him a wealth of experience as operations director for Euromarkets GB ltd – organisers of continental and specialist markets for local authorities – as well as four years’ experience as markets manager for Newbury Town Council, Brian will bring a new focus and energy to activities in Wokingham town centre.

Wokingham District Council’s executive member for community development Cllr Dianne King said: “I’m thrilled to have made this appointment. Brian has many years’ experience working with town centre managers and has an empathy with all town centre stakeholders. I’m excited about the opportunities he is going to open up for Wokingham.”

Cllr David Lee, leader of Wokingham Town Council, said: “I’m glad we’ve made this appointment and I’m looking forward to Brian coming on board and bringing new support for our town centre.”

Once in post, one of Brian’s first priorities will be getting to know the town’s traders, particularly in the busy lead up to Christmas. He will be based at Wokingham town council and be contacted (0118) 978 3185.

Brian said: “I’m looking forward to working with traders, councils, the chamber of commerce, residents and, of course, customers to bring forward Wokingham town centre. I really want to find out people’s aspirations for their town and discuss possibilities for the future, as well as tackling the day-to-day issues that arise.”

The appointment was made by Wokingham town centre steering committee made up of representatives from the district council, town council, Wokingham Chamber of Commerce and Wokingham Society. The post is jointly funded by Wokingham District Council and Wokingham Town Council.

Wokingham District Council

The Wokingham Oakwood Centre in Woodley throbbed with fun and dancing on Saturday October 28, when live performers took to the stage and played vibrant Caribbean music to a crowd of nearly seventy people.

It was a rousing end to a month of black history events organised by the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) forum of Wokingham, in partnership with Wokingham District Council.

An array of artists gave stunning performances, including Brown Sugar, G. String, Dave Batson, Clive Us, Cereal, Dame Polly Falconer, Rev B and the headline act, AJ’s All Stars.

The show was compered by Mr Jeff ‘De Admiral’ Hinds, vice chairman of the BME forum, who said: “Calypso has a deep history, but maintains its appeal as a fresh art form. This whole black history project has been so successful, we are already developing ideas on how we can carry it into the future, in partnership with the council.”

Ashwani Gupta, Wokingham District Council’s social inclusion officer, said: “We also had other successful events earlier in the month, such as a Question Time, an art exhibition in the civic offices and a performance evening with food tasting at the Baptist Church in Woodley. This is all a sign of the council’s commitment to cultural diversity.”

Wokingham District Council

With the firework season fast-approaching, Wokingham District Council is asking people to make sure their celebrations go with the right sort of bang as part of the national “Be Safe, Not Sorry” campaign.

Information from the Department for Trade and Industry (dti) shows 990 injuries caused by fireworks last year. Of the injuries 475 occurred at family or private parties to children under 16 years of age. Wokingham council’s environmental health officers have joined the campaign to encourage people to follow the firework safety code:

# Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114

# Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks

# Keep fireworks in a closed box

# Follow the instructions on each firework

# Light fireworks at arm’s length, using a taper

# Stand well back

# Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it doesn’t go off, it may still explode

# Never put fireworks in pockets or throw them

#Always supervise children around fireworks

# Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves

# Never give sparklers to a child under five

# Keep pets indoors

It is also important to remember that it is illegal to set fireworks off between 11pm and 7am except in the following cases: Diwali - October 21, 2006 (1am the following day), Guy Fawkes’ night - November 5 (until midnight), New Year’s Eve (1am the following day), Chinese New Year, February 18, 2007 (1am the following day). Anyone experiencing problems with fireworks being let off outside of these hours should contact the Wokingham police.

Executive member for Wokingham community safety Cllr Barrie Patman said: “We want to remind people to be careful with any type of firework. Even a simple sparkler can reach a temperature of up to 2,000ºC. That’s 20 times the boiling point of water. Please enjoy the celebrations whilst being very aware of the dangers.

“It’s also important for people to be considerate of their neighbours. Remember to give them advance warning if you intend to have a firework party. They may want to make other arrangements, or may have pets that need to be kept indoors.”

Wokingham District Council

An innovative new project to address the issue of climate change is holding its first meeting in Wokingham. A local Carbon Rationing Action Group (CRAG) has begun in Berkshire, as part of a growing network of CRAGs across the country – and their first public meeting will be held at the offices of Wokingham District Council.

While many local Wokingham people are concerned about climate change, some feel powerless to act. A CRAG is a simple, voluntary carbon rationing system which helps people to ensure they are controlling the amount of carbon they use.

The Berkshire CRAG will be holding a public meeting at the council offices at Shute End Wokingham on Monday November 13 at 7.30pm. An overview of the carbon rationing system will be given as well as guidance on how the public can take part.

The new group will help participants calculate the size of their personal Carbon Dioxide (CO2) footprint, and identify ways of reducing it. The meeting will also be a chance for people who are already tackling their carbon emissions to share practical knowledge and experience of lower carbon living.

CRAGs represent a growing community of carbon conscious people who are now lobbying for the adoption of similar schemes at a national level. “We hope to demonstrate that it is possible to reduce your carbon footprint without compromising your quality of life,” says Robin Smith, chairman of Berkshire CRAG.

Carbon rationers believe that everyone should aim to produce no more than their fair share, their personal carbon ration. This year carbon rationers have set themselves a ration of 4.5 tonnes of CO2 to cover household, car and air travel emissions. In the system, if they exceed this amount they pay a carbon ‘debt’ into the group’s carbon fund. How the fund is ultimately used is at the discretion of the whole group.

People who wish to attend the meeting should contact Robin Smith on 07786 078836.

Wokingham District Council

Now with better access to all the information about Wokingham council services - from when your bins are collected to information on choosing a school and from planning applications to pest control - Wokingham District Council’s website at www.wokingham.gov.uk has been redesigned and restructured with less jargon and clearer page design. Residents are being asked to tell us what they think online for a chance to win £50 in high street vouchers.

The new look Wokingham website, delivered on time after a period of involved consultation with staff and stakeholder groups, has been available online since October 16. Since this date the council’s web team have been making sure that everything is running smoothly and solving any initial queries from users. Now the council is asking for users’ views on the new changes and their ideas for future developments, so that the site can continue to improve.

Because Wokingham District Council would like the website to evolve with users’ needs, anyone who visits the site in the next month, leaving a comment on how the website can be improved, stands a chance of winning high street vouchers. Visitors to the site simply need to click on the slogan ‘Tell Us What You Think’ and then submit their details and any comments they might like to make on the improved site to be entered into the prize draw. Visitors to the website can submit their entry to the prize draw until November 14. The winner will be drawn on November 15.

Chief executive Doug Patterson said: “We know that many of our residents and businesses are highly IT literate and the Wokingham district has one of the highest rates of internet access in the country. Therefore it is important to us to have a website that makes more of our key information and services accessible online. This new look website has been designed in consultation with users and aims to make the whole process of finding out about the council online much easier.”

As well as providing information, the website is interactive and allows Wokingham residents to do many things instantly, online, which would otherwise require a phone call, letter or even a visit to the council offices. Anyone who hasn’t got access to the internet at home can use the computers in the district’s libraries for free access to the site.

Residents can go online to:

* Pay council tax

* Submit comments on planning applications

* Renew library books

* Join in ‘Online Live’ discussions with councillors

* Apply for job vacancies within Wokingham District Council

* Find clubs and voluntary organisations, with over 300 links to local web sites

* Read council agendas and minutes

* View photos of animals reported missing to the district’s animal warden

* Find out about school term dates and childcare

* Report abandoned vehicles, fly tipping, graffiti, pot holes and faulty street lights

* See information on waste and recycling collections

* Find a course or activity

* Check the air quality and risk of flooding in their area

* Report benefit fraud, illegal signs or a noise nuisance

* Pay parking fines

* View maps of the district with information on services, and facts and figures

* Check disabled access to public buildings

There is also a brand new postcode search facility where Wokingham residents can look up their property for links to useful information about property prices, council tax, waste collections, nearby doctors and other details of their immediate area.

The council’s ‘Community Network’ of mini-sites for community organisations who do not have the technology to create their own websites is even easier to access. Anyone interested in this aspect of the website should contact website manager Nicholas Spencer on (0118) 974 6109.

Doug said: “I’m pleased with the easier access to services that our residents now have. A website is not static, however, and we will continue to consider feedback and comments on the new site and develop it in line with growing technologies and new requirements. I hope that everyone will visit the site to give their feedback and try their luck at winning the vouchers.”

The Wokingham council’s web team will be holding a ‘surgery’ for people with questions about how to use the website, in the reception area at the Civic Offices, Shute End on November 9 from 10am until 4pm. Residents are invited to come along and find out more.

Wokingham District Council

Wokingham District Council is encouraging parents and carers to make early applications for their children, if they are eligible to start school in the next school year. There are three terms of entry: September 2007, January 2008 and April 2008.

Final Wokingham applications for each of the three terms of entry must be submitted by February 9, 2007.

Children eligible to start in school year 2007/8 are those born on or between September 1, 2002 and August 31, 2003.

Application forms, with supporting information, will soon be sent to Wokingham parents and carers and should be delivered by the end of November 2006. If parents or carers of eligible children have not received application forms by December 15, 2006, they should contact the school admission team at Wokingham District Council on (0118) 974 6245, or 974 6146.

Applications can also be made online at www.wokingham.gov.uk/admissions. Further details will be on the website from November.

Cllr Frank Browne, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said “Our school admissions team are keen to remind applicants that they must apply to the council, not directly to the preferred school. It is also vitally important that they don’t miss the final deadline of February 9, 2007.”

The scheme enables parents and carers to express a preference for up to three infant or primary schools. However, if applying for a place at a voluntary aided or foundation school, a supplementary information form may need to be completed in addition to the official application form. Even though parents and carers may still register an interest directly with schools, places will not be reserved if they do not use the official application form.

The new application process also applies to pupils transferring from infant to junior school to start in September 2007. The guide and application form will be sent to all year 2 children attending a Wokingham district infant school. The deadline for receipt of the application form is February 9, 2007. Again, if parents and carers do not receive their form by December 15, 2006 they should contact the school admissions team.

This co-ordinated system fits in with current government rules, meaning everyone applying for an infant, primary or junior school place in the Wokingham district will receive a single offer on the same day (March 30, 2007).

Parents should contact the school admissions team to register their child, so that a copy of the ‘Parents Guide to Primary School Admissions’ and an application form can be sent, by telephoning (0118) 974 6245 or (0118) 974 6146.

Wokingham District Council

Anyone wanting to give something back to the Wokingham community now has the perfect chance – October 28 is Make a Difference Day!

Make a Difference Day is a national event, organised by the national volunteering body Community Service Volunteers. The campaign is running from October 21 to November 4, and aims to get as many people as possible involved in volunteering activities.

To celebrate this event, Wokingham District Council’s cultural services team is highlighting how just a few hours of time can make a real difference, not jus