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iCollege site set for £2m revamp

A brand new learning centre will be built on the iCollege site in Calcot as part of our investment in alternative education provision.

The new £2m building will provide a modern, purpose-built space for pupils who find it difficult to access mainstream education. The current facility is too small and no longer suitable for delivering the full curriculum.

Drawing courtesy of Quattro Design Architects

The redevelopment of the Calcot site comes soon after its recent Ofsted inspection, which rated it ‘Good’ for overall effectiveness. It was found to be ‘Good’ across the board including the quality of education, leadership and management, and behaviour and attitudes.

Building work is due to begin in September and last for the full 2022/23 academic year. Whilst the work is carried out staff and students currently based at the Calcot site will temporarily relocate to the former infant school in Thatcham. The bespoke nature of iCollege teaching means there will only be a maximum of 12 students on site at any one time. West Berkshire Council is working with iCollege and the Parsons Down Partnership of Schools (who will be adjacent to iCollege) to manage the move and ensure it goes smoothly for pupils, parents, school staff and the wider community.

Visit our website to find out more about the redevelopment of the iCollege site, and temporary relocation to Thatcham.

Are you beating the heat?

With the hot weather likely to continue into the start of next week, we hope you're managing to beat the heat.

Don't forget to visit our website for of advice on how you can stay cool and healthy when it's hot - but the top tips below are a good place to start. You can visit our hot weather page here.

• closing curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors
• drinking plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol
• keeping out of the sun between 11am to 3pm
• walking in the shade, apply sunscreen regularly and wear a wide brimmed hat, if you have to go out in the heat
• making sure you take water with you, if you are travelling

The heatwave alert has been extended to Tuesday 19 July, so expect it to remain hot until at least Tuesday.

Heatwave support for rough sleepers

Our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been activated - meaning rough sleepers can access supplies of water and shelter during this period of excessive heat. The support is provided from Two Saints accommodation at 107 London Road and 210 Newtown Road in Newbury.

As well as providing an enhanced support to rough sleepers during the hot weather, our outreach workers will check on people sleeping rough in the area to let them know accommodation is available. If you see anyone sleeping rough, or know someone who is at risk of sleeping rough, you can do one of the following:

• Visit the West Berkshire Council offices in Market Street, Newbury during office hours: 8:30am –5:00pm Monday to Thursday, and 8:30am – 4:30pm Friday
• Contact the Housing Service via telephone: 01635 519530 selecting option 2 (during office hours)
• Out of hours contact the council’s Emergency Duty Team on: 01344 786543
• Tell Streetlink – this allows members of the public to connect people sleeping rough with local services that can support them.

These arrangements will likely be in place all week and after the weekend, subject to the weather forecast.

Surge in demand for library services

West Berkshire Libraries are enjoying a surge in demand. Over the past 3 months, over 60,000 customers have visited our libraries, an 86% increase on the first quarter of last year. Have you visited one of our libraries or the online service recently?

Almost 150,000 items were borrowed during this period, and this is an increase of 20,000 or 15% on pre-pandemic figures. 

West Berkshire Libraries offer popular titles in all formats including e-books and e-audio and much more. You can find more information here.

With over 1,500 members of staff corporately, plus additional members of staff working across our local schools and education settings, we're one of the largest employers in the area. There are lots of reasons to consider a career with us - from the wide range of services we provide to the training and benefits we offer.

Current vacancies include:

• Digital Communications Officer
• Lawyers and Trainee Solicitors
• Ukraine Hub Support Officer

Shaw House Summer Fair

Don’t miss the annual Summer Fair which will be taking place at Shaw House on Sunday (17 July) from 11am – 4pm. Visitors can browse a wonderful selection of craft stalls offering unique gifts, homeware, jewellery and clothing. Or sit back and relax with live music from Giles Stellfox performing acoustic guitar and while you listen, why not get a refreshment from the Shaw House Bar which will be serving Pimms, gin and tonics, local beer and cider.

There will also be performances from Mr Muddle the Magician, a bouncy castle and children’s ride, and family crafts with Ugly Duckling Pottery and Creation Station. Unfortunately, due to the predicted high temperatures, the Dog Show hosted by the National Animal Welfare Trust has been cancelled for the safety of the dogs taking part.

The House, including the Exhibition Rooms, will be open.

Entry to the Fair: Adults £2, Children £1 (free for children aged 3 years and under).

For more information about the entertainment timings please visit: www.westberkshireheritage.org/whats-on

Still time to complete bus survey

Buses sustain town centres, strengthen communities and help towards protecting the environment. We're asking you to have your say in our Bus Survey to help inform how we can continue to ensure we provide bus vital services to you in West Berkshire and beyond.

We've recently been provisionally allocated £2.6m by the Department for Transport towards delivering our Bus Service Improvement Plan - and your views will help us to inform future schemes and updates to the plan.

Your views are extremely important to us. To take part, please complete the online Bus Survey by midnight on Sunday 31 July 2022. 

Newbury Calling: new TV campaign launched

Newbury Business Improvement District (BID) has been spreading the word far and wide to create awareness of its new summer marketing campaign ‘Newbury’s Calling: Summer Daycation.’

The campaign follows Newbury’s hugely successful Christmas marketing campaign: ‘12 Days of Newbury’, which put the town in front of thousands with its first-ever TV advert.

The TV advert for the summer campaign recently launched to local Sky TV and Virgin Media customers - watch it here.

Find out what’s on in Newbury this summer here.

And finally...

• Don't forget to check out our Summer Fun brochure - full of ideas and information about things to do locally during the summer holidays.

• Covid-19 infections have increased recently so remember to take precautions to keep yourself and loved ones safe. You can find out more here: https://www.berkshirepublichealth.co.uk/covid-19-hasnt-gone-away 

• The next Council meeting takes place at 7pm on Thursday, 19 July. You can read the agenda and reports here and watch it live on our YouTube channel.