 We are pleased to announce the appointment of Educafe as our Diverse Ethnic Communities Support Agency. Our common goal is to ensure that residents from diverse ethnic communities are made aware of support that the Council, NHS and voluntary organisations can offer. Educafe will help to provide residents from diverse ethnic communities with representation and a voice, as well as educate local service providers and the wider community about their needs.
As part of their activities, Educafe will be setting up 'pop up' Community Cafés and other events to create opportunities for local providers to meet residents and discuss their services.
Carbon savings grants secured from the Government so far this year are being used to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy bills. Furthermore, the projects support our district's target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 as part of our Environment Strategy.
The Downs School £232k carbon reduction project completes ahead of schedule
 Earlier this year, The Downs School in Compton was awarded a Government grant of £232,000 to be spent on decarbonisation projects to help the school be greener.
The funding was used to install 31 new aluminium windows across various buildings in the school, LED lighting to 80% of the school buildings, and solar panels to two buildings.
We congratulate The Downs School on completing this project in a tight timescale, especially as the work coincided with the return of pupils to school after the Covid-19 lockdown.
Further carbon reduction projects worth £487k secured for three schools and a community centre
We have successfully secured a grant of £487,000 from the Government for further decarbonisation works. Projects have been put forward for schools in Hermitage, Hungerford, and Thatcham Park, along with Thatcham Family Hub, to benefit from the grant.
The work will include replacing existing heating systems with "greener" solutions such as air source heat pumps, solar electricity, LED lighting, and building management systems. Detailed design is underway and work is expected to be carried out over the summer of 2021 with a completion date expected by the end of September 2021.
 The proportion of children given a place at their preferred primary school has increased this year, with almost 95% given their first choice for September 2021.
Choosing the right primary school is something parents think about very carefully so we’re delighted to be able to offer most people their top choice of school this year.
Active Travel walking and cycling proposals
  You have until this Friday, 23 April, to comment on our West Berks Active Streets and Calcot School Streets proposed schemes to make streets safer for walking and cycling. Find out more about what School Streets schemes are by clicking on the video link:
Also, if you have any specific walking and cycling proposals of your own, please use the West Berkshire Active Travel Heat Map in our engagement platform to choose a location and add your suggestion in the comments by Friday, 2 July 2021.
Environment Strategy draft Delivery Plan
Our proposed Environment Strategy draft Delivery Plan supports the implementation of our Environment Strategy 2020-2030.
We welcome your views - please provide your feedback on our draft Delivery Plan by 11.59pm on Monday, 26 April.
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Public Rights of Way improvement plan
Work has started on an improvement plan for public rights of way across West Berkshire. In order to ensure that the plan meets the needs of residents, we welcome your views. Please take our online survey to let us know:
• about your experience of using public rights of way
• how important the network is to your health and wellbeing
• if you've encountered any problems using public rights of way and whether your concerns were addressed.
The survey closes on 30 May 2021.
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 Water Safety Week is between 26 April and 2 May, and the national theme is "Be Water Aware". We are supporting Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) with this public awareness campaign by encouraging West Berkshire residents not to be complacent if you are spending time in and around water, and to stay safe by being aware of the risks.
In 2019, 223 people tragically lost their lives in accidental drownings, but there are simple steps that residents can take to reduce the likelihood of an accident happening in and around water.
These steps include looking out for trips and slip hazards around water, avoiding routes near water if under the influence of alcohol and not jumping straight into open water, as this can cause potentially fatal cold water shock, even on the warmest day.
If you do find yourself unexpectedly in the water, don’t panic. Float on your back until the effects of cold water shock pass. If you see someone else in trouble in water, never enter the water yourself. Instead call 999 and ask for the Fire Service if inland, and the Coastguard if at the coast.
You can pick up free Covid-19 home testing kits from our community testing centres, our mobile collect van, and participating pharmacies.
These rapid tests - also known as "lateral flow tests" - are only to be used with people who don't have coronavirus symptoms.
Using this method for twice-weekly testing in the months ahead can help us all get back to normal.
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 Greenham Trust’s next Community Forum will be held on 30 April, 10 to 11.30 am. The free online event will cover mental health and wellbeing, and highlight the resources available to help everyone affected by mental health issues across West Berkshire.
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Don't forget that we now collect rubbish and recycling on bank holidays.
If your normal collection day falls over a bank holiday, please ensure that your bin or recycling containers are out by 6am that day.
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West Berkshire Lottery tickets purchased by 24 April will be entered into a national prize draw for a chance to win a £1,000 Currys PC World Gift Voucher
Don't miss this weekend's draw for your chance to WIN a £1,000 Currys PC World voucher! Remember there are also chances to win weekly cash prizes up to £25,000 when you play the West Berkshire Lottery.
As things start to open back up there is hope for some normality in the future, however, the local good causes and community will take a long time to recover. Your help really is needed now more than ever. Did you know that 50% of each £1 ticket goes directly to the good cause you choose to support?
Enter before this Saturday, 24 April, for your chance to win a £1,000 Currys PC World voucher while supporting your chosen good cause at the same time.
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