Wokingham

Private Wokingham landlords and tenants are invited to a free information event about privately rented housing taking place next month.

Organised by Wokingham Borough Council, the Landlord Summit will cover grants, legal issues, housing benefit and standards of good practice, as well as support available for vulnerable people in private tenancies.

A panel of experts will be on hand to offer free advice and information around letting domestic Wokingham properties, including the opportunity to:

• Meet other landlords and council officers responsible for private housing
• Learn about obligations as a landlord
• Find out about potential opportunities for renting
• Ask the experts on housing related issues
• Hear how private landlords can help people with housing needs

Potential Wokingham landlords are also encouraged to come along as properties of all sizes are needed, from rooms to houses, to provide more housing opportunities in the Wokingham Borough, benefiting local people.

For more information contact Wokingham Borough Council’s business support team on (0118) 974 6382.

Wokingham Borough Council

The musical talents of schoolchildren in the Wokingham Borough will be showcased this coming Sunday (March 30) when over 400 young voices will raise the roof at a special concert at the Hexagon Theatre.

A massed choir of pupils from 12 of the Wokingham Borough’s primary and junior schools will be taking to the stage to perform “Meet Our Folks”, a concert of songs, dance and drama focusing on parents from their children’s point of view.

The sell-out concert on Sunday is part of Wokingham Borough Council’s “Music for All” project, which aims to continue to develop a planned programme of concerts and events for primary-aged children. The concert is also being supported by local Rotary Clubs.

It will also mark the 61st year of the Wokingham Area Schools’ Music Association (WASMA), a voluntary partnership between local schools which has been staging performances since the 1950s. It continues to provide opportunities for pupils in Wokingham Borough schools to make music together, and this year sharing the experience of being part of a choir of over 400 voices. During WASMA’s history the format of performances has changed a number of times from individual school choirs singing familiar songs to spectacular staging of modern children’s operas with full technical wizardry.

The schools taking part this year are: Bearwood Primary School, Emmbrook Junior School, Finchampstead Church of England Primary School, Gorse Ride Junior School, Hawthorns Primary School, Keep Hatch Primary School, The Palmer Junior School, St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, St Paul’s Church of England Junior School, St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School, Westende Junior School and Winnersh Primary School.

The pupils will be taking to the stage under the baton of conductor Clive Waterman, who has put in months of hard work to organise the concert. After organising many massed concerts for the borough’s schools since 1975, Clive is now leading the “Music for All” project for the council, sharing his experience to ensure that as many children as possible get the opportunity to perform together.

Wokingham Borough Council’s senior advisor for music David Congdon will also be taking a hand in the concert, literally, as he will be taking to the piano as the accompanist for the evening.

Borough Mayor Cllr Annette Drake will be attending the concert. She said: “This concert will showcase the talent of many of our schools and it promises to be a great performance. I would like to say a thank you to all the teachers who are very committed to this concert and without their efforts the pupils would not have had the chance to take part. I would also like to thank Clive Waterman who has been instrumental over the years in making these concerts such a success.”

Clive Waterman, conductor, said: “Each year the efforts of the Wokingham Borough’s children and their teachers ensure that these concerts are very successful, and a tremendous pleasure for all involved. The ‘sell-out’ audience clearly indicates the level of support that parents and friends give, and I have no doubt that all concerned will once again be very proud of the children’s performance and achievement!”

The performance is the first of two festival concerts taking place at the Hexagon Theatre, Reading, this year which will involve many of the borough’s primary and junior schools and over 900 pupils will have the chance to take part in a musical performance.

Wokingham Borough Council

More than 120 members of the Wokingham community spoke about their aspirations for the Wokingham Borough’s economy, health, environment, safety and culture at a conference earlier this month.

The sixth annual Wokingham Borough Community Conference outlined the current state of the borough and also looked at the most important issues for representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors and local residents to address for the future.

The Wokingham Borough Strategic Partnership (WBSP), which is a group of representatives from the public, private, community and voluntary sector committed to jointly improving the quality of life of everyone who lives, works or visits the borough, organised the conference held at Sindlesham Court

Entitled ‘Shaping Wokingham Borough’, the conference was designed to get everyone involved in working together while highlighting and reviewing the community’s priorities.

The Wokingham conference began with a review of WBSP’s work throughout 2007. Key messages included: stronger leadership by this multi-agency community partnership across Wokingham Borough working together on most important priorities for example greater community cohesion, closer joint working with the police and primary care trust, launch of children and young people’s forum, older people’s conference, cultural partnership and community events around the borough, stronger focus on business and enterprise through regular business forums; and more education and training opportunities.

Cllr Dianne King, chairman of the WBSP and executive member for community development chaired the event while the review was led by Inspector Jim Weems from Thames Valley Police, John Ferguson from Wokingham Borough Voluntary Sector Forum, David Wallace from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue and Mark Ashwell from Wokingham Chamber of Commerce.

Guest speakers included Wokingham Borough Council chief executive Susan Law who addressed delegates on the council’s long-term vision and priorities including: working in partnership; providing value for money; providing excellent children’s services; better health for all and support for vulnerable people; a cleaner and greener environment; safer and stronger communities; customer satisfaction; keeping the borough moving; and quality development.

Wokingham Borough Council

The park and ride scheme that helps commuters get from the Wokingham Borough to central Reading, without the hassle of queuing in traffic jams is changing route next month.

Last year the park and ride, which operates from Loddon Bridge in Winnersh, added an extra stop at Winnersh Triangle for a trial run. But after only an extra four people, on average, used the stop per day and passengers complained the extra loop was slowing down the service, it was agreed to drop the Winnersh Triangle stop.

The passengers who used the Winnersh Triangle stop will still be able to use the service, as it will continue to be based at Loddon Bridge, which is a short walk from Winnersh Triangle.

Reverting back to the original Wokingham service, which picks up and drops off at Loddon Bridge and stops in central Reading, including outside Thames Valley University, The Oracle shopping centre and at Eldon Road for the Royal Berkshire Hospital, will mean the other 900 passengers, who use the service daily, will have their journey times reduced from March 31.

The park and ride is run by Wokingham Borough Council and Reading Borough Council as a cheaper, easier and greener way of getting from the Wokingham Borough to Reading. Double-decker buses have been introduced on to the route in the past year to make it more comfortable for passengers.

The cost of an adult ticket for the park and ride will remain at £3.10 and a child ticket will continue to be £1.50, which includes 12 hours’ free secure parking at Loddon Bridge, plus the return bus fare. The scheme is a greener way for people to travel and also reduces cost for commuters who could be forced to pay up to £20 for 12 hours parking in Reading.

From March 31, to cover rising costs of the service, a family ticket for five (maximum three adults) will rise from £5 to £5.50. The opportunity to bulk buy the Smartcard Product or 12 tripper paper tickets will still be available and will be at a reduced rate of £2.90 against the same cost of a daily adult paper ticket (£3.10) for each day purchased.
The change to fares reflects the rising cost of running the service, which is a self-financing scheme that both councils have agreed must not rely on any council tax contributions. Commuters have been informed ahead of the changes coming into effect on Monday March 31.

Cllr Rob Stanton, executive member for Wokingham corporate services, said: “Passengers using the park and ride were telling us the extra stop at Winnersh Triangle train station was slowing the service down. When we reviewed the figures we found there was low usage of the park and ride stop at Winnersh Triangle, so we’ve agreed to end that service stop from Monday March 31.

Wokingham Borough Council

Roll Up ....Roll Up....Roll Up....
for Wokingham’s 14th Annual May Fayre

When: Monday 5th May 2008
Where: Wokingham Town Centre, Market Square, Denmark Street and Elms Field
Time: 10am – 5pm

A fun filled family day of entertainment for your pleasure organised by Wokingham Lion’s Club and sponsored by Wokingham Town Council.

There will be live entertainment all day on the main stage located at the side of the Town Hall, Street entertainers on Denmark Street and On-going entertainment on Elms field including performances from St Sebastian’s Brass Band, Ferret Racing, Maypole dancing, Trampolines, Penalty Shoot Out and Children’s fun fair and a ‘FREE’ Hands-on-Arts pavilion.

There will be Country craft and Garden stalls together with a variety of refreshment stalls ranging from the traditional tea and cake tent to Indian BBQ, burgers, ice creams and Candy Floss.

Wokingham Lion’s Club

A new Wokingham drive to make sure children who go to live with friends or extended family stay safe has been launched by Wokingham Borough Council.

All over the country, children are privately fostered for a variety of reasons and often these arrangements are made without the involvement of the council. Private fostering occurs when a child aged under 16, or if disabled under 18, is looked after for more than 28 days by an adult who is not the child’s parent, step-parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt or uncle, as a result of a private arrangement having been made between the child’s parent and a carer.

The government has introduced new guidance on private fostering. Many professionals, private foster carers and parents are not aware of these requirements. Under the Children Act 1989 councils must be informed of both proposed and ongoing private fostering arrangements and are required by law to know where private fostered children are living and to carry out visits to make sure they are safe and well.

This awareness campaign steps up the council’s efforts to remind parents and private foster carers of their legal responsibilities. Sometimes families who are in difficult circumstances or who just need some short-term help may ask a member of their family or a friend to look after their child. John Terry, head of safeguarding, said: “If this is the case, parents must inform children’s services if their child is placed with friends or extended family for more than 28 days. We need to know about any arrangements people enter into, either as parents or carers.”

Cllr Norman Jorgensen, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “Most arrangements work well and the children are well cared for. In recent years however there have been a number of high profile cases in Britain where children who have been cared for outside of their family home through private arrangements, have been neglected or harmed in some way. The council has a legal duty to ensure that all children who are, or who will be, privately fostered, are looked after in a safe environment. Many parents already tell us what’s happening - but the change of law means we need to know about every private fostering arrangement.”

Anyone wanting more information or advice about private fostering, or wanting clarity on their responsibilities, should contact the adoption and permanence service on 0118 944 5468 or by email: adoption&permanenceservice@wokingham.gov.uk.

Wokingham Borough Council

The skate park in London Road in Wokingham has been given a life line after negotiations between Wokingham Borough Council, Wokingham Town Council and Leisure Connections were successful in allowing the skate park to remain on site until September.

The Wokingham skate park, located on land within St Crispin’s Sports Centre has been opened since 2006 and is used frequently by the borough’s young skaters and BMX riders. Over the past few months a number of issues have been highlighted with regard to graffiti, litter and noise and, as a result, Wokingham Borough Council’s parks and open spaces team will take over the maintenance of the site from Wokingham Town Council on April 1, 2008.

One of the first tasks to be undertaken by the borough council will be to clean up the site which is set to be completed just in time for the Easter school holidays when young people will be looking for a way to spend their time off. Following the clean up, the council’s contractor Quadrant will visit the site twice a week to ensure it is safe, clean and tidy.

Shrubs will also be cut back on the site plus a number of trees will be planted along the outside fence and fencing will be improved. The council also plans to erect a mesh-fence at the back of the skate park in order to prevent further graffiti from happening. Graffiti on the walls will also be removed.

Cllr Malcolm Bryant, champion for Wokingham youth and leisure, said: “Although we have had a number of issues with the skate park, it has given the young people of the local area something to do and it has been a success in many ways, with some days seeing families and young people enjoying the facilities. We are conscious of a number of issues regarding litter and graffiti and, as a result, the borough council will take over the maintenance and monitoring of the site on a more regular basis to ensure it is kept clean and tidy for the whole community.

“It is important the young people own and respect their skate park and we are looking for their co-operation. We have been given a life line until September and this is the young people’s chance to take ownership of it and to help look after it over the coming months to help us to negotiate for the park to remain at St Crispin’s Sports Centre. This youth facility is immensely popular with the young people and I am very keen it stays where it is but we all need to work together to make it an even bigger success.”

The borough council’s youth workers will visit the site on a regular basis.

Wokingham Borough Council

Local individuals, groups and communities are being invited to find out how they can have a say on health and social care services by taking part in the new Local Involvement Network (LINk) for Wokingham Borough.

The Wokingham LINk will be a network of local people, organisations and groups that will be able to influence how health and social care services are developed in the future. Funded by the government, it will be independent of the NHS and the council.

The public meeting, on Saturday March 29, is an opportunity for everyone to find out more including how they can take part.

Jane Holmes, Chairman of Peapods, a local Wokingham charity for families of children with physical disabilities, said: "I would strongly encourage local people to come along and see how they can get involved. The LINk will operate as a network, and provide a voice for local groups like Peopods to have a real influence on how care services are planned, developed and managed.”

Christine Holland, Chair of the Berkshire West Primary Care Patient and Public Involvement Forum said: “The LINk will provide a great opportunity for anyone to have their say on health and social care matters.”

The event takes place between 9.30am and noon and will be held at the civic offices, Shute End, Wokingham.

Wokingham Borough Council

Wokingham Borough Council’s tough stance against benefit fraud has been highlighted by the successful prosecution of a Winnersh woman for trying to cheat the system.

Deborah Corcoran, aged 40, of Rainbow Park, Winnersh, Wokingham admitted making false representations on housing and council tax benefit claim forms, namely that she was not in receipt of working or child tax credit when, in fact, she was receiving it. She was sentenced to a 12-month community order and to 120 hours’ unpaid work at Slough Magistrates’ Court on March 12, and was also ordered to pay £500 costs.

Corcoran falsely claimed £9,252.35 of housing benefit and £2,347.52 of Wokingham council tax benefit between March 2004 and December 2006. She will have to pay this money back in full.

The Wokingham council’s revenues and benefits services manager Kevin Mercer said: “Benefits fraud is stealing from every honest taxpayer and it is something we are determined to crackdown on. Our investigations team always work hard to ensure their case is watertight when we undertake a prosecution and they have, once again, saved the taxpayer money through their efforts. The message to anybody thinking of trying to get away with benefits fraud is: we will catch you.”

Wokingham Borough Council

A project that will help Wokingham borough meet the changing care needs of its older population is set to be a step nearer next week.

The Wokingham project to transform the outdated Crescent House sheltered housing units in South Lake Crescent, Woodley into modern Extra Care Housing accommodation is set for approval by the Borough Council’s decision making executive on March 27

Extra Care Housing provides self-contained accommodation for elderly people and offers care as required for their changing needs. The homes would be suitable for a range of older people – from those who are active and have few or no care needs, to those requiring 24-hour care and support. The care offered could be adapted as the occupier’s needs change – thus if an elderly resident moves into Extra Care Housing with no care needs but later develops them, it will be possible for additional care to be provided within their home. This will prevent the upheaval of elderly people having to move from their home into residential nursing or care homes as their needs increase.

In order to meet the changing demand from the Wokingham borough’s older population, Extra Care Housing will also offer larger and more comfortable homes than the existing sheltered housing scheme at Crescent House. The Extra Care Homes also have the advantage over residential homes of being private, individual homes that allow residents to keep their independence.

Executive member for social care Cllr David Lee said: “Extra Care Housing will help us meet the modern needs of older people and I am delighted the scheme at Crescent House is set for approval by the executive.”

The majority of the former sheltered housing residents at Crescent House have now been successfully found alternative homes. All of these former sheltered housing residents have been offered the chance to move back into the Extra Care Housing at Crescent House once it has been completed.

If the executive approves the proposal, Wokingham Borough Council will invite tender bids for both a Registered Social Landlord development partner and a care service provider for the site. Before partners are selected, Wokingham Borough Council will consult local residents and service users on what they would like to see on the site.

Wokingham Borough Council

At its meeting on March 27, Wokingham Borough Council’s decision-making executive will consider a report into the outcome of a review into the council’s contract with Home-Start, a local voluntary organisation which provides support to families with children aged under five. The executive members will be asked to approve funding for £50,340 to allow the contract with Home-Start to continue to run until March 31, 2009.

Earlier this year, Wokingham council officers proposed early termination of the Home-Start contract to help reduce budget pressures within children’s services.

Cllr Norman Jorgensen, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “The council’s budget is under severe pressure as we undertake statutory duties and support valuable voluntary services where possible. We must therefore review services for value for money and affordability. Home-Start mainly supports families who would not be eligible for council services. However the needs of some families receiving Home-Start support may escalate should the service be withdrawn. Having completed the review, the executive will be asked to allow the Home-Start contract to continue until March 2009.

“The council has recently introduced a new way of working with vulnerable children and young people with additional needs, by setting up teams of workers from different professional backgrounds to ensure children’s needs are identified earlier to prevent them escalating. The council will work with Home-Start over the coming year to explore possible options for them working with the council following the end of the contract next year.”

For financial year 2006-07 Home-Start’s own statistics indicate they helped 97 families during the year, of which only 10 were referred by the Wokingham council. Other referrals included 52 from health staff and 29 direct from families.

The executive will therefore consider a supplementary estimate of £50,340 to continue the contract with Home-Start until March 31, 2009.

Wokingham Borough Council

The Wokingham Borough has once again been rated as one of the best places to live in a national quality of life survey – despite under-funding from central government and the threat of over-development.

Wokingham Borough was rated as the second best place to live in the country by the survey in the supermarket Somerfield’s Quality of Life survey, which took into account: community spirit, job security, individual incomes, health, crime, amount of debt, neighbourliness, amount of volunteering and average commute of workers. Last October Wokingham borough came top of a similar survey carried out by Halifax Building Society.

For Wokingham, the highlights include being rated as top for health, fourth for fear of crime and fifth best for the low levels of debt. Overall, only Hart fared better than Wokingham across the whole country.

But the quality of life for Wokingham borough residents cannot be taken for granted in the face of the twin threats of under-funding from central government and over-development being forced upon the borough.

Leader of the council Cllr Frank Browne said: “For the Wokingham Borough to be rated so highly in another quality of life survey is an enormous credit to all the people who work hard to enhance residents’ lives – as well as to residents themselves. This survey was not just about money, it looked at how good neighbours residents are, how many people volunteer in the community and our community spirit as well as key factors such as fear of crime and job security.

“But, we cannot take this quality of life for granted and, at the moment, the greatest threat comes from central government’s worst efforts. They seem to have the crazy notion that they can financially squeeze us ever tighter while also requiring us to build more and more homes. Naturally, the borough council and its partners will strive to help residents maintain their quality of life – but it would be a lot easier to do so if we were helped rather than continually hindered by central government on these issues.”

Wokingham Borough Council is currently lobbying against the South East Plan that could, if it is not modified, require 623 homes to be built in the Wokingham borough every year for the next 20 years.

A report commission by Wokingham Borough Council by leading worldwide environmental planning and engineering experts Ove Arup identified how much investment would be required to build at a rate of 450 houses per year for the next 20 years. It concluded – even at this level of housing - that Wokingham Borough Council would need at least £800million to invest into basic infrastructure such as water supply, drainage, schools, highways, health and leisure facilities.

And national sustainability experts C4S to look at the sustainability implications. This concluded that a growth rate above 500 homes per annum threatened the very quality of life that made this area a success

Financially, Wokingham Borough Council is the worst funded unitary authority in the country per head of population, having to raise 80p from residents via the council tax for every £1 it spends on services, against an average of 53p for other unitary councils.

Wokingham Borough Council

Southfield School, Wokingham is a shining example of clean green renewable energy – now that it has its own solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, earned through the hard work of staff and pupils.

After an energy audit from Wokingham Borough Council’s energy officer Ian Gough, Southfield School learned how to save on fuel costs by making their buildings more energy efficient. And with the money they saved they have contributed to the purchase of renewable energy for their school. They now have solar PV panels on the roof and a solar hot water heating device inside the building.

On Monday March 10 the children gathered with headteacher Mike Pedley, executive member for the Wokingham environment Simon Weeks, Wayne Smith from British Gas and representatives from Ardenham Energy, Mark Group and SHARP, to look at the panels on the roof and get a closer look at some ‘dummy’ panels in the playground.

British Gas contributed more than £11,000 of grant funding to the scheme. SHARP contributed heavily discounted solar PV panels, and Ardenham Energy and Mark insulations have installed the devices at discounted rates.

Headteacher Mike Pedley said: “This has been a great opportunity for our pupils. Year seven pupils are monitoring the amount of energy we are generating in their science classes.

“And last week we had some energy-efficient lighting installed in the gym. Year eight pupils have done some numeracy work calculating how much energy the new lights save when compared with the old lights, and working out how much money we save using the new solar PV panels to power them. It’s given us scope for some fascinating work and we are grateful to all the companies and council officers who have helped to make it happen.”

Wokingham Borough Council’s energy officer Ian Gough said: “At peak production the solar PV panels will give 4KWh which is enough electricity to power 40 normal 100 watt lightbulbs or 222 low-energy lightbulbs. And the solar hot water heater should produce two thirds of the school’s hot water requirements for most of the year, which will be a significant cost saving to the school – not to mention reducing the school’s environmental footprint.”

Executive member for environment services Cllr Simon Weeks said: “Improving the energy efficiency of council buildings and schools has become a big priority for Wokingham Borough Council. I would like to thank British Gas who helped to fund the project, Ardenham Energy who installed the solar PV technology, Mark Group who installed the solar hot water heating and SHARP solar PV panels who contributed the panels at a discounted price.

“Without the help of council partners this kind of innovative project would not be possible and it is great to see what can be achieved when everyone works together.”

Wokingham Borough Council

A strong message not to buy or sell at the door will leave callers out in the cold this spring as Wokingham Borough Council launches its campaign to stop traders from pestering residents at home in a bid to stamp out fly-tipping.

Every Wokingham household in the borough will be delivered a sticker later this month, warning cold callers that residents will not buy or sell at the door. This is part of the council’s bid to tackle fly- tipping as there is a link between doorstep traders and dumped waste – mainly due to cold callers being less likely to have the correct waste systems in place.

Doorstep traders who cold-call Wokingham homes are rarely part of a legitimate business and so are less likely to have the correct waste disposal systems in place. Therefore business and trade waste can end up dumped on the highway, in residential areas, parks or fields – as traders try to avoid paying for rubbish to be disposed of properly.

The new stickers are endorsed by Wokingham Borough Council as well as Thames Valley Police and it is hoped that as many residents as possible will display the message over the coming months to act as a deterrent to cold callers.

Cllr Simon Weeks, executive member for environment, said: “As a way of cutting costs, some traders that are not part of a legitimate businesses, simply do not bother to follow the waste and recycling procedures that they must abide to by law.

“Unfortunately cold callers are renowned for not following the correct waste disposal procedures and continually fly-tip waste. So in a bid to stop unsightly and illegal waste dumping from taking place and despoiling our borough, we suggest residents display these signs to give a clear message that cold-calling and its associated criminal activity will not be tolerated in the Wokingham Borough.”
“The stickers are free to all Wokingham Borough residents and can be placed easily in windows or doors. They will be delivered with residents’ council tax bills later this month but for another free sticker residents should call the council’s waste and recycling team on (0118) 974 6302/ 6303.

Since April 1, 2007 the Wokingham council has spent more than £50,000 on clearing up fly-tipped and dumped waste, which is ultimately paid for by the taxpayer. Additionally, when waste is tipped on private land, the owner themselves has the expense and inconvenience of getting the dumped rubbish cleared by a registered waste carrier.

Fly-tipping waste is a criminal offence, which now carries a two-year prison sentence and/ or a fine of up to £50,000, and while Wokingham Borough Council wants to prevent waste from being dumped in the first place, it will also take steps to prosecute those responsible.

Peter Baveystock, Wokingham waste and recycling manager, said: “Fly-tipped waste is often linked to cold-calling and criminal activity so we want to stop cold calling in a bid to halt this unacceptable crime – which blights neighbourhoods and causes an unnecessary fear of crime.

“Cold calling is frequently linked to poor-workmanship, scams and conmen, so by putting a sticker up residents could help protect our environment and save themselves from the risk of being left out of pocket too.”

Wokingham Borough Council

Residents in Finchampstead have been doing there bit for the environment by recycling more than 1.5 tonnes of garden rubbish in the first week of the green waste scheme being rolled out in the area.

The fortnightly collection scheme, which has been progressively established across the Wokingham borough after a trial in 2005, was offered to people living in Finchampstead from February 21, with an unprecedented 1.5 tonnes being collected.

Wokingham Residents living in the area are now able to put out grass cuttings, leaves, garden clippings and weeds for free recycling collection and join the other 53,000 households in the borough who are already in areas covered by the scheme.

Through the scheme households are provided with a reusable green sack for garden waste that can be put out for free collection every fortnight. The collection takes place on the same day that household waste is collected but on the alternative week to the black box recycling collection. Up to two additional green sacks are available at a charge of £4 each. Green waste collected through the scheme is turned into compost rather than sent to rapidly diminishing landfill sites.

When the scheme was introduced in 2005 approximately 1,500 tonnes of green waste was collected per year, last year that had risen to more than 4,000 tonnes and, with the introduction of the Finchampstead area to the scheme, it is hoped this will rise again before the end of 2008.

Cllr Simon Weeks, executive member for Wokingham environment, said: “The green waste scheme is an important way of ensuring that Wokingham Borough residents can get rid of garden rubbish without having to send it to landfill, which is not only costly in landfill charges to the council and taxpayer, but also harmful to the environment.

“I’m pleased that so many residents of Finchampstead have already started to use the scheme and hope that as more and more people spring clean their gardens they too take advantage of this free scheme.”
Residents not currently part of the scheme can still have one bag of garden waste per property collected free of charge each week.

Composters are also available at a subsidised rate through the WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) Home Composting Scheme for anyone wanting an alternative way of dealing with green waste. They start from £17 including delivery and you can order one by calling 0845 077 0757 or by logging onto www.recyclenow.com/compost

Alternatively Wokingham borough residents can take green waste to Smallmead household waste and recycling centre, Island Road, Reading or to Longshot Lane civic amenity site in Bracknell. However anyone using Longshot Lane is advised to check its opening times from March 31, by calling freephone 0800 9883023 or visiting www.re3.org.uk, when work to redevelop the site starts. It will be closed to the public from Monday March 31 to Sunday April 6. From Monday April 7 the site will be open to residents from 5pm to 8pm on weekdays and will remain open at weekends and bank holidays from 8am to 6pm in the winter and until 8pm in the summer.

Wokingham Borough Council

Being a Wokingham foster carer is challenging but rewarding in every sense of the word and a carer can make a real difference to a child’s life. And now prospective foster carers can find out more about how to get involved on Wokingham Borough Council’s website.

The dedicated pages on fostering at www.wokingham.goc.uk/fostering have lots of information on who can be a foster carer, the support that is available, and how to contact the fostering team.

Cllr Dr Norman Jorgensen, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “Some people who would make excellent foster carers may not be coming forward because they are not sure how, or because they have questions which they are afraid to ask. Hopefully the frequently asked questions and straightforward information on our web pages will answer many of these queries. If you think you have got what it takes to be a foster carer, please get in touch with us.”

The council offers a comprehensive training and 24-hour support package and actively welcomes foster carers from all walks of life. All that is asked is that foster carers have patience, understanding and a genuine desire to help a child who, for that particular time in their life, needs a family. This will help them to return back to their own family or to a permanent suitable home. Full training support is given along with generous fostering allowances up to £450 paid per week per child. All foster carers are subject to criminal record bureau checks.

Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer can contact the fostering team on (0118) 974 6204 or by email: fostering@wokingham.gov.uk or by visiting the page at www.wokingham.gov.uk/fostering

Cllr Jorgensen said: “We want to hear from anyone who thinks they have got what it takes to be a foster carer. I hope that by providing as many sources of information as possible we are making it easier for people to come forward and make a difference to a child’s life.”

Wokingham Borough Council

The growth of the scouting movement has been commemorated in Wokingham with a memorial that keeps on growing.

The 4th Wokingham (All Saints Church) Scout Group has planted a memorial tree at All Saints Church to celebrate 100 years of the scouting movement, with help from Wokingham Borough Council’s tree and landscape team. The council’s tree contractors Heartwood Tree Services kindly agreed to donate and plant a small-leaved lime tree.

On Saturday March 1 scouts, cubs, beavers, parents and a church representative were joined by executive member for the environment Cllr Simon Weeks, Oliver Ward from Heartwood Tree Services, senior arboriculturalist Jon Matthews and other members of the council’s tree and landscape team for the tree planting.

Wokingham Cllr Weeks said: “Planting trees is an excellent way to commemorate a special event. A tree is a lasting symbol that a scout group or similar group can see growing over time. It also really adds something to the surroundings and improves the environment for local people. When local community groups want to plant trees, the council always tries to help if it can. I am delighted that Heartwood Tree Services have once again offered their services and would like to thank them for this good gesture.”

Pack leader Diana Coates said: “I am delighted and proud that our scout group has been able to plant this tree to celebrate the centenary of scouting. We shall enjoy watching it grow and flourish alongside scouting in the years ahead. Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen.”

Wokingham Borough Council

A big thank you went out last week to local Wokingham volunteers for their good work throughout the last year. On Tuesday February 26, Wokingham Borough Council’s Mayor Cllr Annette Drake hosted a reception for 100 people from over 50 voluntary organisations that work within the borough.

Guest speaker Lady Elizabeth Godsal talked about her experiences of voluntary work, and guests were entertained by the St James’s Finchampstead Handbell Ringers, led by Meg Hostler. The handbell ringers recently won a Heritage Lottery Grant for their work with older people and those less able.

Groups represented at the event were wide ranging, covering all kinds of community organisation from the African Caribbean Society to the Berkshire County Blind Society and from the Older People’s Forum to the Wokingham Job Support Centre.

Wokingham Mayor Cllr Annette Drake said: “Volunteers do so much good work in our community. I would like to thank them all for the time and effort they put in. Their contributions are vital and it is very important that we value and recognise them.”

Lady Elizabeth Godsal said: “I am so pleased to see so many voluntary groups represented here. Wokingham Borough is a wonderful place to live and we have a lot to be grateful for. Volunteers make such a difference to the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves and deserve this recognition.”

Wokingham Borough Council

Southfield School is a shining Wokingham example of clean green renewable energy – now that it has its own solar panels, earned through the hard work of staff and pupils.

After an energy audit from Wokingham Borough Council’s energy officer Ian Gough, Southfield School learned how to save on fuel costs by making their buildings more energy efficient. And with the money they saved they have contributed to the purchase of renewable energy provision for their school. They now have solar panels on the roof and a solar hot water heating device inside the building.

On Monday March 10 the children will be gathering with headteacher Mike Pedley, executive member for the Wokingham environment Simon Weeks, and representatives from British Gas, Ardenham Energy, Mark Insulations and Sharp, to look at the panels on the roof and get a closer look at some ‘dummy’ panels in the playground.

British Gas contributed more than £10,000 of grant funding to the scheme. Sharp contributed heavily discounted solar panels, and Ardenham Energy and Mark insulations have installed the devices at discounted rates.

Wokingham Borough Council

A visiting scheme piloted in Woodley for the past nine years is now able to further expand - thanks to a three-year funding agreement from Wokingham Borough Council.

The Wokingham Link Visiting Scheme, a partnership between Woodley Lookout Community Development Scheme, Woodley Age Concern and 15 churches, provides volunteers to visit those who are most isolated in their community. Thanks to funding from the council it can now expand across the Wokingham Borough through a network of churches.

Community development worker Jeremy Sharpe said: “Our key focus is on support for elderly and isolated people. Our volunteers help these people by dropping in to see them once a week or once a fortnight and simply having a chat over a cup of tea or coffee. For many isolated people this can be a real lifeline and provide a focus for them and their visitors to look forward to each week.”

Colin Preston, chairman of Woodley Age Concern, said: “It is very valuable to work collaboratively and in partnership with Woodley Lookout to provide a service like this. It can really add to the quality of life of those who for one reason or another are on their own or unable to get out and about.

“The funding will pay for the equivalent of a full time member of staff for the next three years, allowing us to continue to take referrals from local statutory and voluntary organisations such as Barkham Day Hospital, the council’s community services and local voluntary groups, and to expand the service across the borough. We’re delighted.”

Cllr David Lee, executive member for Wokingham social care services and housing, said: “It is important that the borough council supports projects that help people to remain healthy and independent within their own homes. In the country as a whole, more than a third of older
people don’t speak to a single person all week, and loneliness is one of the worst problems of old age.

“Befriending projects help with this. I would like to congratulate the churches and their volunteers for their achievements and wish them great success for the future.”

Wokingham Borough Council

Bus travel just got even easier – with Wokingham Borough Council’s new and improved travel guide and route map. The Council has published a Spring 2008 edition of the ‘Public Transport Map and Guide’ which clearly shows all bus and train services in the borough, together with detailed plans of Wokingham, Woodley and Lower Earley and information on how frequently buses run.

A new Wokingham edition of the ‘Western Area Travel Guide’ has also been published, with full details of bus and train timetables and other useful information for the western areas of the borough. This guide has been expanded to include much of Earley as well as Arborfield, Shinfield and Swallowfield. It includes Reading Buses’ and Thames Travel’s new timetables, which started on February 25, and will improve some services through Lower Earley with increased frequencies and one extended route.

With the existing Wokingham Travel Guide and the Twyford and Woodley Travel Guide, the entire borough is now included in the council’s easy-to-use guides, making planning a journey by public transport much more convenient.

Executive member for Wokingham highways and transport Cllr Keith Baker said: “The new guides are great – really easy to use. Hopefully they will help make bus travel easier for local people and encourage some residents to leave the car at home and plan a journey by bus now and then. As a council we want to encourage people to use public transport but we also appreciate that it has to be made as convenient as possible if people are to make it a part of their busy lives.”

Both publications can be obtained from local Wokingham libraries and other information centres or by contacting the council’s transport planning team at transportplanning@wokingham.gov.uk or on (0118) 974 6472.

Wokingham Borough Council

Bus services are now even better in the Wokingham Borough – thanks to a ground-breaking new agreement between Reading Buses and Wokingham Borough Council.

The Quality Bus Partnership will enhance routes in Earley, Lower Earley and Woodley, and is intended to help to reduce congestion, make bus services more reliable, and improve accessibility to buses for people with disabilities or low incomes.

Some seven new bus shelters, along with new poles, flags and timetable covers have recently been installed across Woodley and Earley, as part of the council’s contribution to the partnership, and a new fleet of modern, low-emission, fully accessible buses form part of Reading Buses’ contribution to the partnership.

Executive member for Wokingham highways and transport Cllr Keith Baker joined James Freeman, chief executive of Reading Buses, at the refurbished North Lake bus stop in Fairwater Drive, Woodley, on Thursday March 6.

Cllr Baker said: “This partnership will support a competitive alternative to car travel through Earley, Lower Earley and Woodley, by ensuring the service is reliable, economic, inclusive, accessible and focused upon passenger needs. This will reduce congestion and travel times for all road users. Both sides have worked hard on the detail of this agreement and I am confident that together we can increase the take-up of bus travel, which will be beneficial to all.”

Chief executive officer of Reading Buses James Freeman said: “Every bus journey starts at a bus stop, of course, and this investment in shelters and stops greatly enhances the passenger experience. We are delighted that Wokingham Borough has demonstrated its commitment to improving public transport in this very tangible way. This not only supports our extensive timetable improvements and new buses, but brings Premier Route standards to the bus services 63/64 in Woodley, as well as 20/21 in Lower Earley and Earley.”

Wokingham Borough Council

The number of secondary pupils permanently excluded from Wokingham Borough’s schools fell by almost a third last year (2006/07).

Only 27 Wokingham pupils were removed permanently from secondary and special schools in 2006/07 compared with 43 in 2005/06. And in the past two years, there has been a 36.5 per cent reduction in days lost by pupils through fixed-term exclusions and an 11.7 per cent decrease in the number of fixed-term exclusions in secondary schools.

A key driver in reducing exclusions in the Wokingham borough’s secondary schools is the development of the council’s behaviour strategy. It was introduced two years ago and supports secondary schools as they tackle exclusion rates including working with pupils to address their emotional, behaviour and social needs and working with school staff to develop their behavioural management skills so they can better deal with pupils whose behaviour is disruptive.

Examples of other work which has led to the reduction in permanent and fixed term exclusions includes a system which allows schools to ask for help from the council’s behavioural support team to look at alternatives to exclusion. Training has also been made available for both teaching and non-teaching staff in a number of key areas including positive behaviour management and running group work and transition programmes for year 6 and 7 pupils as they move from primary school to secondary schools.

Independent counselling support is also available to Wokingham pupils to help them should they have any issues or problems. Support is also given to parents to help them with their parenting skills and courses are available should they require them. The council has also set up a network for teachers and has helped schools consult with their staff on what support they need to tackle pupils’ disruptive behaviour.

Cllr Dr Norman Jorgensen, executive member for children’s services, said: “Permanent exclusions should be a last resort for troubled pupils. By finding out why a child is being disruptive, we can look at how to tackle the reasons why they are behaving in this way. We need to make sure that all pupils get the education they need.

“I am pleased with the council’s efforts to support schools and we now have a number of schemes in operation in the borough to tackle attendance and behaviour. The work we have carried out has had a significant impact this year, with the lowest rate of permanent exclusions in our secondary schools since becoming a unitary authority ten years ago. I hope we can continue to build on this in all our secondary and primary schools in future.”

A key priority for Wokingham secondary schools this year has been developing peer mentoring schemes. And last month (February) some 30 members of staff from across the borough’s secondary schools have taken part in a training day to offer advice on setting up, supporting or developing a peer mentoring scheme for their pupils.

Only one primary school pupil in the borough was permanently excluded last year. The council’s primary exclusion team has been working with primary schools over the past year to provide additional support to those pupils who pose a high risk for exclusion. And as a result, a number of pupils have attended special sessions to tackle their behavioural and complex needs.

Wokingham Borough Council

St Sebastian’s Primary School in Wokingham is the first school in the Wokingham Borough to be awarded the prestigious British Council’s international school award.

The Wokingham school, located on Nine Mile Ride, is celebrating being awarded the foundation level international school award: introducing internationalism. It has forged links with Mityana, a town in Uganda. Its pupils and teachers are working with children in schools in Mityana – one of the major towns in the district of Mubende which has a population of approximately 640,000.

The international school award recognises good practice and an international dimension in the school curriculum. Those that gain the award are given accreditation for three years and can then re-apply to renew their award to reflect their current achievements.

St Sebastian’s Primary School, Wokingham has been linked with Mityana in Uganda since 1995 and deputy headteacher Jean Ajin has visited several schools in Mityana six times over the past 13 years. She also arranged for a Ugandan teacher to visit the school in 1996. And this Easter four teachers from St Sebastian’s are set to visit the Orphanage School in Mityana to gain more information to allow them to develop the school’s curriculum and to help provide training for the Ugandan teachers.

Deputy headteacher Jean Ajin said: “We have demonstrated an excellent start in promoting the international dimension across the school and highlighting the benefits of learning in a global context. The school’s commitment to extending and embedding internationalism in its curriculum has become a valuable aspect of the school ethos. We are really looking forward to visiting Mityana at Easter.

“We are delighted that many parents and families from St Sebastian’s have also joined in visiting the town and several ex-pupils of the school, now at secondary school, have joined youth groups to visit. Some former students who are now in their gap years, have also spent more time there meeting up with the pen friends they had when they were at primary school. I am delighted to see that what they were taught at St Sebastian’s Primary School has now come full circle and is being passed on to the next generation.”

Cllr Dr Norman Jorgensen, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “I would like to congratulate St Sebastian’s Primary School which has worked so hard to develop its relationship with schools in Mityana in Uganda. It is good to see international dimensions in its curriculum. It has been rewarded for sharing ideas and learning with their peers in another country.”

Wokingham Borough Council

Wokingham borough residents are being urged to check the opening times of Longshot Lane Civic Amenity site in Bracknell from Monday March 31, when building work starts to completely redevelop the waste and recycling centre.

Longshot Lane, which is one of the two civic amenity sites available to Wokingham borough residents, will undergo a complete refurbishment to modernise facilities from March 31, with building work due to last around 15 months.

The improvements are much-needed and will include:

· Changing the site layout to provide better access and reduce queuing
· Providing covered bays for residents to unload their vehicles
· A greater range of recycling facilities

However, in order for the redevelopment to take place there will be some changes to the site’s opening hours, so work can be carried out as safely and quickly as possible. Therefore residents are being urged to check opening times before they set off and use the newly opened Smallmead household waste and recycling site in Reading as much as possible.

From Monday, March 31, to Sunday, April 6 – Longshot Lane site will be completely closed to the public to prepare it for the refurbishment.

Then, from Monday, April 7, the site will be open to residents from 5pm to 8pm on weekdays and will remain open at weekends and bank holidays from 8am to 6pm in the winter and until 8pm in the summer.

Wokingham Residents wanting to check the site’s opening time should log on to www.wokingham.gov.uk or www.re3.org.uk or call freephone 0800 9883023, where the latest up-to-date information will be available, including any further temporary changes to opening times.

Household rubbish and recycling collections, including the green waste scheme, will continue as normal throughout the redevelopment and all of the 40 recycling points across the Wokingham borough will continue to be in use.

The Smallmead household waste and recycling facility in Island Road, Reading, is open to all Wokingham borough residents seven days a week from 8am to 6pm from October 1 to March 31 and from 8am to 8pm from April 1 to September 30.

The redevelopment is being carried out by the re3 waste minimisation partnership, a 25-year joint project of Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham Borough Councils and the Waste Recycling Group to dispose of 200,000 tonnes of domestic waste collected each year.

Wokingham Cllr Rob Stanton, chairman of the RE3 project board and executive member for corporate services, said: “The change to Longshot Lane’s opening times is necessary to ensure that the building work can take place safely and quickly.

“In order to get the best possible facilities for all our residents as quickly and safely as possible there may be times when the site is closed at short notice for a very minimal amount of time, which is why we’re urging residents to check before they set off.

“Residents are also advised to use the new Smallmead household waste and recycling facility in Reading throughout the redevelopment, where they can deposit waste free of charge and recycle a whole host of materials from glass to paper to printer cartridges and lightbulbs.”

Wokingham Borough Council

Jeanette Birt, the founder of the Friday Night Project (FNP), will be receiving a special award next week, along with eight co-workers. Each month Wokingham Borough Council’s Mayor Cllr Annette Drake rewards a local person or group that has provided an outstanding service to the community and the FNP, which organises social activities for people with learning disabilities, has been chosen to win the award for February.

The FNP was initiated when people with a learning disability expressed a need to plan and organise their own social activities. It began in February 2005 with 23 members, at St John’s Hall in Woodley. Now based at the St Crispin’s Sports Centre Wokingham, with 300 registered members and rising, the project is again beginning to outgrow its venue. It employs 12 people with learning disabilities – some of them work in the project’s own Café in Bracknell, which helps to supplement the project’s funds. The Café runs specific activities each day to encourage real social interaction - art on a Monday, skittles on a Tuesday, bingo on a Wednesday and live music on a Thursday. The project has a target to employ 20 people with a learning disability by the end of 2008. It has reduced the social isolation that people with a learning disability often experience, and helped many people to build vital friendships.

The FNP was nominated for the Mayor’s award by social enterprise development manager Steve George and executive officer Sonia Lawlor. The presentation will also be attended by Paul Rickson from the Wokingham Learning Disability Partnership Board.

Wokingham Borough Council

A spate of mindless Wokingham vandalism on car park machines around Woodley has caused major inconvenience to users and cost Wokingham Borough Council hundreds of pounds in repair bills over the past few months. This has prompted the council to ask residents to report any suspicious behaviour.

Vandals have attacked four Wokingham pay and display parking machines around the town since December, and while the criminals have not managed to steal any money from the machines, there have been significant repair costs.

In a bid to stop any further attacks on the machines the council is asking anyone who spots someone acting suspiciously around parking machines to call Thames Valley Police on 0845 8505 505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The attacks happened at:

· Headley Road cark park on December 18, 2007
· Lytham Road East car park on January 23
· Lytham Road West car park on February 21
· Crockhamwell Road car park on February 21

Increased security features on car parking machines have meant the vandals, and potential thieves, have not been able to take any cash from the machines - which are emptied on a regular basis. However use of crowbars and other heavy objects on the machines has caused them to need some serious repair, with the machines in Headley Road, Lytham Road East and Crockhamwell Road so badly damaged that repairs are taking some time.

Dave Halley, assistant engineer at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “Considerable damage has been caused to several ticket machines in Woodley over the past few months. However the people responsible for this vandalism have not been able to get any money out of the machines because they have strong security features.

“Due to the extent of the damage we are still waiting for some of the machines to be repaired but they will be up and running as soon as possible.”

Cllr Keith Baker, executive member for Wokingham highways and transport, added: “This type of crime is completely unacceptable. Mindless vandalism like this costs the council, and ultimately the taxpayer; hundreds of pounds in both repair costs and lost car parking fees. Not to mention the major inconvenience as car park users have to go from machine to machine to find one that is working. Therefore it’s extremely important for anyone who spots someone acting suspiciously to contact the police or Crimestoppers immediately.

“Parking machines are much tougher than they used to be and are designed to stop thieves from getting their hands on the cash. While this stops the council from losing the funds in the machine it doesn’t stop the machines from becoming unusable due to extreme damage and can render them out of order while they await repair by specialist. All of this costs the council a considerable sum and is something that we have no control over, so we need the public’s help in tracing these criminals and stopping anyone else from acting in an irresponsible and illegal manner.”

Wokingham Borough Council

A host of improvements to increase road safety at the Wokingham California Crossroads junction in Finchampstead have been agreed by Wokingham Borough Council.

After taking into account the concerns of local Wokingham residents and parents, who submitted a petition for road safety improvements at the junction in November 2007, the council will be installing a range of measures to make the area safer for both pedestrians and road users.

The improvements will be put in over the next few months and include:

· Widening a footway to provide more pedestrian guard railings
· Replacing separation islands on Nine Mile Ride with a pedestrian island and guard railings on the eastern approach of the junction
· Putting anti-skid surfacing on all roads approaching the junction and painting the word ‘slow’ on all approaching roads.
· Repainting all the white lines and the two mini-roundabouts
· Repainting the guard railing yellow
· Replacing damaged kerbs near the shops and resurfacing the pavement

The council considered several schemes to improve the junction but in the interest of safety it was decided the options detailed above was the most suitable.

Cllr Keith Baker, executive member for Wokingham highways and transport, decided that the scheme should go ahead on Friday, February 22, after considering all the options and comments made by representatives including parents from Nine Mile Ride School, Finchampstead Parish Council and local ward members.
Cllr Keith Baker said: “Finchampstead residents and parents of children at Nine Mile Ride School told the council at the end of last year, backed up with a strong petition, that they were concerned about the safety of the California Crossroads junction.

“We listened to their concerns and as a direct result, looked at several ways of making the junction safer for everyone including schoolchildren, pedestrians and road-users. After extensive consultation including several meetings, it was agreed it wasn’t feasible to put in all the road safety changes that were proposed. However we all agreed the changes that are planned will improve the area considerably and provide a safer route for everyone using it.”

Nicky Race, a Finchamsptead resident who spearheaded the petition, said: “Along with Clare Erangey and Denise Hook, we would like to thank Wokingham Borough Council for their pro-active approach to this issue.

“We are excited that the improvements will shortly be underway and look forward to the works being complete. We were disappointed that a pedestrian crossing was not feasible, but feel really pleased that all of our hard work has paid off, based on the borough council and us working together. Hopefully the improvements will ensure that the whole community will find it easier to cross this junction.”

Work on the safety improvements will start in the next six weeks and will take a few months to complete.

Wokingham Borough Council

Managing your Wokingham council tax and benefits online just got easier, thanks to improvements on Wokingham Borough Council’s website.

The pages at www.wokingham.gov.uk/counciltax have been improved and simplified, with more information and an easier-to-read format. There are now individual sections on council tax, benefits and housing benefit, and a handy frequently-asked-questions section as well.

Website assistant Bridie Berry said: “Even though there’s more information, there’s less text and fewer pages, so it's easier to find what you're looking for. The names of the pages are more descriptive too - the page that contain forms is called 'Forms', details of how to pay council tax are on a page called 'How to pay' and the text has all been made much easier to follow. We aim to save residents from having to visit the council or make a phone call, by making it easier for everyone to manage their tax and benefits claims online.”

Although the Wokingham pages have been simplified, there are also downloadable documents for website visitors who would like to read more detailed information. PDF documents include 'What is Housing Benefit?', 'What is Council Tax?' and 'Council Tax Discounts and Exemptions' to help answer residents’ questions.

Champion for ICT Philip Mirfin said: “Our website becomes more user-friendly all the time. The section on council tax and benefits is important to all residents and I hope that this will help to save everybody time and effort by enabling easier online transactions with the council. I would also like to remind residents that access to the internet is free at all the borough’s libraries.”

Wokingham Borough Council

Wokingham Borough Council has pledged to lead the borough in exploring ways to respond to climate change issues in the local community, now that leader of the council Cllr Frank Browne and chief executive Susan Law have signed the Nottingham Declaration on climate change.

The Nottingham Declaration is a symbolic document committing the council to reducing its energy consumption and carbon footprint.

In future an assessment of predicted energy use will be included in the business case for all the council’s major projects, in order to ensure due consideration is given to energy consumption and the cost of energy. The Wokingham council’s energy, water and carbon management plan will also be monitored regularly and reviewed annually, with a view to extending it to cover all the council’s activities, and the council’s supplementary planning guidance will be amended to encourage more energy efficient and greener development. The Energy Saving Trust will also be asked for assistance in moving the council’s energy policies forward in line with best practice, through their programme of free consultancy.

In signing the Nottingham Declaration, Wokingham Borough Council is taking a significant step towards the aims laid out for councils by the Local Government Association (LGA) Independent Climate Change Commission.

A report published late last year by this commission was the first authoritative investigation into how well councils are doing in their duty to help combat global warming. It calls on councils to take measures to cut carbon dioxide emissions in the key areas of transport, planning, housing and tendering for services.

Leader of the Wokingham council Cllr Frank Browne said: “The chairman of the LGA’s Independent Climate Change Commission has acknowledged that councils face challenging financial conditions with tough decisions about what services they can afford to invest in when tackling climate change. But Wokingham Borough Council is finding ways to cut carbon emissions and is making energy and cost savings at the same time. The renewable energy projects in our schools are something of which we are particularly proud.

“In signing this document we are acknowledging the leadership for residents and local action on climate change that we have already begun, and looking forward to a future where even more can be achieved to improve our environmental footprint.”

Chief executive Susan Law said: “I believe that signing the Nottingham Declaration is a significant step towards improving our environmental impact in a number of different ways. It will help the council and its partners to co-ordinate efforts more effectively and make the Wokingham borough greener.”

The Wokingham council is already working on a number of energy efficiency initiatives in its offices and schools. The energy audit service provided by the council is proving popular with schools that want to reduce their carbon footprint, and it is hoped that more businesses will come forward to get involved in the initiative to make the Wokingham borough a greener place.

Schools and businesses who are interested in energy saving programmes are invited to contact energy officer Ian Gough at ian.gough@wokingham.gov.uk or on (0118) 974 6394.

Wokingham Borough Council

Wokingham Borough Council’s building support team knows every corner of the civic offices at Shute End. But when building support officer Michael Hawkes stumbled on a dusty old badge in the basement, he couldn’t have known the extraordinary piece of history he was about to uncover.

Michael had found the badge of the warship HMS Garth, and an inscription commemorating the Wokingham council’s adoption of this Hunt Class Royal Navy destroyer during World War II.

“As soon as I read the inscription I realised what the badge was,” said Michael. “But it took a lot of work to piece together the story behind it.”

Michael enlisted the help of the council’s librarian, Ray Piggott, to investigate the badge and the warship it remembers. Along with Ray and local historian Jim Bell, who has also been researching the ship’s history, Michael spent his spare time piecing together snippets of information from local residents, and official records and photographs from the National Archives at Kew.

“Ray and I took a day off work to go up to Kew,” says Michael. “But it was worth it – we were able to put together a lot of our other information after reading about the ship there. Ray also visited the Berkshire Records Office.”

In February 1942 Wokingham took part in National Warship Week, raising over £400,000 to fund the building and equipping of a warship. “That’s a lot of money now, but in 1942 it was a phenomenal amount,” Michael says.

“The ship was adopted because its name matched that of our local hunt – the Garth hunt,” he says. “It had a very active service defending our coast and took part in the Dieppe raid in 1942 and the Normandy landings in 1944. The two Wokingham councils encouraged residents to make it happen. What a great example of co-operation!”

The ship’s bell and a badge will be on display at Wokingham Town Hall during Heritage Week in September. The ship’s badge, which Michael uncovered in the civic offices basement, now has pride of place on the wall near the council’s reception area.

Jim Bell and Michael Hawkes have prepared a short booklet all about the history of the ship, which can be bought from the Town Hall or from Michael Hawkes with all proceeds going to charity.

Wokingham Borough Council

Safer Together, Safer Wherever ” an exhibition of artwork produced by children and young people from the Wokingham borough during a street art workshop was unveiled on Wednesday (February 27), at Wokingham Borough Council’s Mall Gallery at Shute End.

The workshop, run by local street artist Callum Kirkland, was held at Twyford Youth Centre as part of the council’s activities during Anti-Bullying Week in November. Through the theme Safer Together, Safer Wherever, they discussed the subject of bullying under the headings: Who bullies? How do people bully? Why do people bully? How does it feel to be bullied? Let’s talk about bullying. They then produced the street art exhibition that will be on display at the Mall Gallery until March 7.

During Anti-Bullying Week last year (November 19 to 23) some 60 pupils from 16 Wokingham schools took part in a special event where they discussed all aspects of bullying both in school and in the wider community. In particular, the week focused on the relatively new form of bullying known as cyber-bullying. The council is aware of issues around cyber bullying including text, MySpace and Bebo, and was keen to make sure young people are not harmed in this way or in the more conventional ways of bullying.

During the Wokingham workshop the children and young people took part in a number of sessions run by a variety of services within the council and artists from the Arts Forum and they considered ways of staying safe in the community. The council’s community wardens, traveller liaison service and youth officers were also on hand to answer any questions or worries young people had in relation to bullying.

The council also held a poster competition with entries submitted by pupils from across the borough. From these, 10 finalists were selected and these images have been reproduced as postcards along with the street art boards on display at The Mall Gallery. The postcards will be distributed to the children and young people across the borough.

The exhibition is open for the public to view until March 7, 8.30am to 5pm every weekday, in The Mall Gallery at the Civic Offices in Shute End.
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Cllr Annette Drake, Wokingham Mayor, officially opened the exhibition and said: “I am impressed with the passion behind the young people’s work and they have worked hard to get the message across that bullying is not acceptable. To build on the work carried out during Anti-Bullying Week, the council has developed two sets of postcards for children and young people, one set comprising the images from the poster competition and the other from the street art workshops. Important anti-bullying messages are printed on the reverse of the postcards with useful information on who to contact if they feel they are being bullied.

“It is wonderful to see the borough’s young people taking such positive steps to stop bullying in their own schools and the wider community.”

John Terry, head of sWokingham afeguarding, said: “Art allows us to express our emotions. It is a great way to tackle bullying by raising awareness and by helping those who’ve been bullied understand they are not alone. The exhibition is of high calibre and it clearly shows that the children and young people of the borough feel very strongly about the issue.

Wokingham Borough Council