 It’s Clean Air Day today (17 June), and we want to say thank you everyone doing their bit to look after the environment in West Berkshire.
Last year we declared a climate emergency, and as we exit the pandemic we are committed to delivering a green recovery for the district. During the pandemic traffic was reduced with people spending more time at home which has had a positive impact on local air quality. It has also led to a greater appreciation of the countryside and the local environment more generally.
As we recover, we will be promoting active travel options, improving local walking and cycling infrastructure, delivering new electric vehicle charging points and investing more in our parks, open spaces and public rights of way.
You can read our Recovery Strategy online, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter as we share more about our plans and how you can help us maintain our green district. Don’t forget you can also stay up to date on our environment news by subscribing to our Environment newsletter.
 We've allocated £140,000 from our Capital Budget to upgrade storage for cycles at some of our schools.
The Willink, The Downs, Denefield, Kennet, Little Heath, Westwood Farm, Calcot, and Hungerford will all benefit from the new secure and covered cycle storage units.
Cycling is a great way to start the day, boosts wellbeing and helps the environment too. We hope the new storage will make this active travel choice easier.
All upgrades are expected to be completed by September 2021 in time for the new school term.
Northcroft Lido Newbury opens 21 June - book tickets
 You know summer is really here when the Lido opens at Northcroft Leisure Centre in Newbury.
We’re so excited to be counting down to the opening on Monday 21 June and for what is building up to be a great summer season at the Lido.
At an impressive 72 metres, it’s Berkshire’s largest heated open air pool and a fabulous day out for all the family.
All sessions must be pre-booked so that shared areas don’t become too crowded and people can enjoy their swim safely. For further information please call Northcroft Leisure Centre on tel. 01635 31199.
Switch to energy savings
We're one of the top ten councils when it comes to switching
 West Berkshire residents are savvy switchers when it comes to energy tariffs new research shows. Energy UK has published a report which shows West Berkshire is in the top-10 local authorities for residents switching tariffs. It can take just a few minutes to shop around and find the right deal, and can save hundreds of pounds a year on energy bills.
In West Berkshire it’s even easier to get a good deal through the West Berkshire Collective Energy Switch. It’s already saved residents £690,000 since it launched in 2016 – and it’s not too late to take part.
The scheme runs in partnership with Big Community Switch and offers a no-obligation collective energy switching scheme giving people the opportunity to group together and pay less for their energy. All energy will be 100% renewable and will be available for both electric and dual fuel tariffs.
If you want to take part you have until 6 July to register and/or accept your personal offer.
Open daily until Sunday 27 June | 11am – 4pm | Free
The Orangery Lawn at Shaw House has been transformed into an open air sculpture exhibition where you can discover artworks by acclaimed sculptors in the grounds of our lovely historic setting.
Sculptures are well spaced apart to allow social distancing in the grounds.
Monday to Friday: Visitors will have access to the grounds only. Toilets will be available. We ask you to please respect the space around those celebrating their weddings and other ceremonies within the House.
Weekends: The House and grounds will be available. The shop and café will be open. The café will be running a take-out service. Toilets will be available and we will have limits on single person/households in the lifts.
Entrance is free from 11am to 4pm every day up to and including Sunday, 27 June and there is no need to book. Suitable for all the family, and dogs on leads are very welcome.
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We are supporting Drowning Prevention Week (19-26 June 2021), launched by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK).
RLSS UK has free online resources about the skills children should learn to enjoy a lifetime of fun in the water.
We also strongly encourage residents to consider the potential dangers at beaches and inland water locations this summer. For more information, download the water safety code by clicking on the link below.
 We want to remind residents how to stay weather-aware and protect themselves when hot weather spells occur.
Although the warmer weather is something we all look forward to, excessive exposure to heat is particularly dangerous for those who are more vulnerable i.e. the young/old, those with medical conditions and those whose housing/economic circumstances put them at greater risk.
Being weather aware will help reduce the negative impacts of excessive heat on our health and also help prevent excess deaths. During warmer spells be sure to:
• Check on vulnerable friends/family
• Stay hydrated
• Keep your environment cool
• Spend time in the shade between 11 am and 3 pm
• Wear sun cream
 We're regularly emptying the bins in our parks and open spaces - but with more people outside enjoying the warm weather, the bins fill up rapidly.
As part of our ‘Respect our Parks and Open Spaces’ campaign we are asking people to take their rubbish home with them rather than pile it up around already full bins.
The same goes for dog poo. If there aren’t any dog waste bins or if they are full, please bag it and either put it in a litter bin or take it home and bin it.
Watch our fun video for more information.
Find out more about our Respect our Parks and Open Spaces campaign.
 Did you know that the appearance of everything around us is the result of a complex interaction between the underlying landscape, flora and fauna, and people over the centuries?
The West Berkshire Historic Environment Record (HER) is the primary source of information about the physical remains of past human activity in West Berkshire. The HER is a register of all known archaeological and historical sites in West Berkshire. Some of the buildings, monuments and places are designated as being nationally important or locally significant, but all elements make an important contribution to the story of our past.
West Berkshire Council’s HER was audited by Historic England in 2020-21 and obtained the highest and second highest rating in all four of its service areas. Historic England’s final report stated that the West Berkshire HER shows strengths in every area of the Audit assessment, and the record is of good quality and incorporates a wide variety of data.
 West Berkshire Libraries will be again working with national charity The Reading Agency during the school summer holidays to bring children a Summer Reading Challenge!
We’ll be challenging primary age children to read up to six library books between 1 July and 15 September and to collect incentives from their local library for their achievements as they read. Invitations to take part in this year's challenge are being sent out to schools.
There will also be challenges for adults so that you can join in the fun as well.
Stay up to date on the Summer Reading Challenge news by signing up for our monthly West Berkshire Libraries newsletter (if you aren't already a subscriber). You can also visit our West Berkshire Libraries Facebook and Twitter pages.
West Berkshire Local Police Area and partnership agencies are united in tackling hate crime and building safer communities for all and would encourage reporting of any hate crimes / incidents,
Superintendent Aziz, head of West Berkshire local police area states: “I am committed to making West Berkshire an area where people can live and go about their business without fearing being subjected to crimes or incidents of hate. No one should suffer from these types of incidents.
"I encourage people to report incidents if they experience or witness such crimes so that we as the police, working with our partners, can investigate and support the victims, and prevent further offences."
A report issued by the Care Quality Commission on 4 June 2021, following an inspection at Birchwood Care Home in Newbury, has rated the home as ‘Good.’ The report also provides positive feedback on the high standard of care provided by experienced and knowledgeable staff at the home. Birchwood is one of three care homes that we run.
West Berkshire Council executive member for Adult Social Care, Joanne Stewart said: “I am thrilled to see the report from this inspection and hope that this reassures residents and families of our commitment to the highest standards of care. I would like to thank all the staff for the efforts they put in day to day to provide excellent care for all our residents, particularly given the challenging circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
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