Councillor Claire Rowles, who represents the Hungerford and Kintbury Ward, was appointed as the first Safer Street Champion, at the Annual Council meeting held on 4 May 2021.
As Safer Streets Champion, Cllr Rowles will work with West Berkshire communities to understand their concerns about street harassment and receive suggestions on how the issue should be addressed.
West Berkshire has a low rate of violent and sexual crime which is below the national and regional average, but at the Council, we want people to feel safe, as well as be safe, when they go out.
Cllr Claire Rowles is a qualified lawyer and will bring her understanding of the criminal justice system and police powers to her role as Safer Streets Champion.
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Thank you to the residents who voted in the 6 May Local Elections by poll or post. The local elections included the parish by-elections requested and delayed due to Covid-19, as well as for the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner.
Results have now been announced for:
- Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council - 3 seats
- Newbury Town Council Clay Hill Ward - 1 seat
- Lambourn Parish Council - 1 seat in Lambourn Ward (no election held)
- Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner
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Coverage across rural West Berkshire now at 98%
 
More than 14,000 homes and businesses in West Berkshire have now been connected to Superfast Berkshire under Government's Rural broadband programme.
Since work began in 2015, our partner Gigaclear has laid more than 435 miles (700km) of broadband fibre cables across rural West Berkshire - with coverage now at 98% of the area. This project has been made possible thanks to a £1.8 million investment from the Government to connect both commercial and residential properties to its full-fibre gigabit capable network.
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Connect, Be active, Keep learning, Give to others, Take notice - the Five Ways to Wellbeing
This week we are focusing on using the Five Ways to Wellbeing to get in touch with nature, the theme of Mental Health Awareness Week taking place until Sunday, 16 May.
Throughout the week we are sharing information on our Twitter channel and Facebook page about connecting to nature through the Five Ways to Wellbeing - come join us! We have also published a webpage and poster with ideas and tips.
Try some of our Reading Well books to help you manage your health and wellbeing. Our libraries have special collections for children, young people and adults, covering mental and physical health conditions, all recommended by health professionals. Pick up a Reading Well book list in your local library or check our online catalogue and reserve the title you would like to read.
Considering how important nature and the outdoors are to our mental health and well-being, it's vital that we ensure our Public Rights of Way are accessible and well-maintained. A public right of way is a path that anyone has the legal right to walk on, and some can also be used by cyclists, horse riders or motorists.
Please take a moment in our survey to provide feedback on what matters most to you for the Public Rights of Way in West Berkshire. Your feedback will help us plan how to improve our Public Rights of Way so that they can be fully enjoyed by all.
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How the rules will change from 17 May
From Monday 17 May, up to 6 people or 2 households will be able to meet indoors and up to 30 people outdoors. Indoor hospitality, saunas and steam rooms, indoor sport and exercise classes, and cinemas, theatres and other indoor entertainment can all reopen, as well as all remaining outdoor entertainment. Larger events including business conferences and sports events can also resume, subject to the restrictions on numbers of attendees previously set out. International travel to green list countries can begin to safely resume.
Care home visits from 17 May
From 17 May, care home residents will be able to have up to five named visitors, with two visitors able to attend for each visit, provided they are tested and follow infection control measures. Residents will also have greater freedoms to leave their home without having to isolate on their return.
West Berkshire Libraries, Museum and Shaw House
West Berkshire Libraries will revert to our normal opening hours from Monday, 17 May, in accordance with Step 3.
Please limit your visits to about 30 minutes for choosing books or an hour to use a PC, and continue to wear face coverings and follow other government guidelines when you are in our libraries in order to keep everyone safe.
Not all of our usual services will be available yet and our Mobile Library will continue to provide book collections only until further notice. Please watch our video to find out more about what to expect when you visit:
You can find details of current opening hours for each library on our website.
West Berkshire Museum will re-open on Wednesday, 19 May. Opening hours: Wednesdays to Saturdays, 10am – 4pm. See more information and Covid security measures.
Shaw House and grounds will be open for visits starting Saturday, 29 May, from 11am to 4pm, and continue most weekends until Sunday, 26 September, as well as every Monday to Friday during school holidays from 10am to 4pm. Check website for details.
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