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Have Your Say On Our New Council Strategy

Residents, businesses and other local stakeholders are invited to have their say on the priority areas and outcomes for West Berkshire Council over the next four years.

A new Council Strategy is set to be adopted in May 2023. It sets out what we want to prioritise and improve - whether that's a statutory service, e.g. emptying bins, fixing potholes or safeguarding vulnerable children, or a new area of focus such as reaching zero net carbon. It also explains how we propose to achieve our priorities and work with our communities and partner organisations to deliver the strategy.

The proposed priority areas for the next four years are:

• Providing opportunities for all and more help when you need it
• Protecting and enhancing our environment
• Stronger communities
• Great place to live, learn and do business
• Building public services for the future

The draft Council Strategy 2023-27 is open for consultation to residents before a final Strategy is submitted to Council for approval in May. 

Voter ID for May Elections

On Thursday 4 May, voters will go to the polls to elect councillors to represent West Berkshire Council and local town and parish councils.

Since elections were last held in May 2019, the UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections. This new requirement will apply for the first time in England at the May local elections.

You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable.  You can use any of the following:

• Passport
• Driving licence (including provisional license)
• Blue badge
• Certain concessionary travel cards
• Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
• Biometric Immigration document
• Defence identity card
• Certain national identity cards

If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate. You can apply for this on the Electoral Commission website and also find how to apply by post.

We’ll be sharing more information about the elections in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you can find out more about registering to vote, and voting by post or proxy on our website.

Roadworks on the Former Sterling Cables Site, Newbury

If you are travelling into Newbury, please note parts of Kings Road, Hambridge Road and Boundary Road will be undergoing modification work from week commencing 23 January 2023 for 12 weeks.

The works are being undertaken by Cognition Land and Water Limited to carry out highway and drainage improvements associated with the development of the adjacent former Sterling Cables site. It is proposed that the modifications to Kings Road and Boundary Road adjacent to the development will be undertaken until the end of April. However, the dates are flexible and could change depending on the progression of the different phases of work.

The planned phases are:

• Phase 1 - Kings Road South/Boundary Road (adjacent to development), including a temporary closure of Boundary Road (south) for southbound traffic.
• Phase 2 - Kings Road South/Boundary Road (adjacent to development), including a temporary closure of Boundary Road (south) for southbound traffic.
• Phase 3 - Kings Road (north east quadrant).
• Phase 4 - Kings Road (north).
• Phase 5 - Full night time road closure for the final carriageway re-surfacing.

Parking bays within the site will also be suspended for the duration of the works.

Please follow the diversion signs and use the A4 and the A339 during this time.

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:

• Customer Service Advisor

• Administration Officer

Health and Wellbeing Annual Conference

If you have an interest in Health and Wellbeing in West Berkshire, our annual Health and Wellbeing Conference is for you.

Taking place on 31 January 2022, from 2pm to 5pm (in person at the Council Chamber in Newbury or via Zoom), this year’s conference will focus on our local response to the challenges posed by the rising cost of living.

We’ll be running sessions covering a wide range of key health issues with presentations from partners and other organisations who are working with local residents, and Q&A sessions. In addition there will be a ‘marketplace’ where voluntary sector organisations and service providers will be available to discuss what they do.

This is a great opportunity for people to come together and discuss health issues via this hybrid conference so do come along and give your thoughts so we can make things better together.

Staying Well This Winter  

 With overnight temperatures dipping into minus figures this week, and day temperatures not forecast to rise above 5 degrees until at least the weekend, you can find lots of helpful information on our website about staying well during the cold snap.

Find tips including advice on recommended temperatures for your home during the day and overnight, particularly for those who are older, sedentary and young children. There is also advice on where to find financial help and how you can help by looking out for others online.

Information about winter vaccinations is also available on the website, including details of how to book if you are eligible for a flu or COVID vaccination.

Community Orchard Planting Day

Grab your gardening gloves and wellies and join the West Berkshire community this Saturday, 21 January, to help plant our new community orchard.

Staff and members of the public will join together to plant 30 fruit trees and hedges in the green space at Almond Avenue and Poplar Place, Newbury. This site has been chosen as it is owned by us and is a popular open space for recreational use with play areas and space for dog walking.

If you would like to lend a hand and do your bit for the environment, please do join us at 10:30am on Saturday 21 January at the park space behind Almond Avenue and Poplar Place, Newbury.

The tree pits will be pre-dug and all tools will be provided. We will also provide refreshments on site during the tree planting. Please come dressed for the great outdoors and bring your own gardening gloves to protect your hands.

For further information, please email Jo Watt.

We value your views on the decisions we take. There are several areas we are currently holding consultations on, including:

• Draft Newbury Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan

Local Health and Care System – Share Your Views

Your views are needed to help set the direction for a strategy on the local health and care system.

The Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Partnership (BOB ICP) is developing the strategy to further develop the local health and care system and reduce inequality. They are looking for feedback from wider partners and from people who live or work in the area.

You can have your say online.

You can also take part in one of the online meetings:

• Monday 23 January @ 6.30pm – 7.30pm
• Thursday 26 January @   5pm – 6pm
• Friday 27 January @ 11am – 12 noon

You can find the links to join the meetings online.

Holocaust Memorial Day

We’ll be marking Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January. Please join us outside our offices in Market Street, Newbury at 11.30am to reflect, light a memorial candle and listen to a song from the St Nicolas School Choir. We will also hear reflections on ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ and a prayer from Rabbi Zvi Solomans.

And finally...

• We’ve put together a webpage full of energy tips and bill advice which can be found on our website.

• Veganuary is encouraging people to think about their meat consumption, so why not have a go at meat-free Mondays at home to get started? Often choosing meat-free dishes can also save you money. Check out some tasty recipes here.

• It’s hard to say goodbye, but Andy Sharp, our Executive Director for People is moving on to pastures new and we’re happy to welcome Paul Coe as Interim Executive Director for People.

  Andy and his team supported local people during the pandemic, taking on a huge front line challenge helping the most vulnerable in our communities, along with our Children's Services being rated "good" under Andy's directorship.

  We’re grateful for everything Andy has done for West Berkshire and wish him well in his new role.