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Council Tax 2023/24 – Information about your bill

Annual council tax bills will start arriving on doormats from next week.

Your bill will explain how much council tax you will need to pay in 2023/24 as well as how much we will be collecting on behalf of the fire and police services, and your town or parish council.

How much you pay depends on the value of your property and it is spent providing a wide range of services across the district, supporting communities and helping the district develop to meet future need. 

If you pay by direct debit the good news is that you don’t need to do anything – the payments will be adjusted accordingly beginning with your scheduled April payment.

We know that you may have a question about your bill or need to tell us about a change in your circumstances. You can find more information on our Council Tax webpages including:

• Paying your council tax
• Council Tax Reduction, Discounts and Exemptions
• Telling us you’ve changed your address

New £6m project to provide homes for Ukrainian and Afghan families

Seventeen residential properties will be delivered as part of our ongoing support for Ukrainian and Afghan families settling in the district. 

The new £6m scheme – which includes a £2.5m contribution from central Government - will see a mix of flats and houses purchased.

In recent months West Berkshire has seen Ukrainian families arrive in the district following Russia's invasion of the country. In the past couple of years, the district has also taken in a number of families as part of the Afghan resettlement scheme. 

Recognising the impact of resettlement schemes on local authorities, the Government has allocated £500m to English councils facing the most significant housing pressures. It is intended to help address the immediate pressures as well as build a sustainable stock of affordable housing for the future.

Work is already underway to look at options for delivering this new housing which will delivered within the next 18 months. 

Cold Weather Update

You can never be too prepared when it comes to changing weather conditions. Visit our webpage for handy tips and advice from keeping warm and well to ensuring your house can withstand what nature may throw at it.

A key part of our Winter Plan, Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is activated. Anyone at risk of sleeping rough on the streets tonight should visit West Berkshire Council’s offices in Market Street, Newbury. Anyone who becomes homeless when the offices are closed should contact the council’s Emergency Duty Team on 01344 786543. If you see someone you’re worried about, tell Streetlink and they’ll tell us. More information about the support available for rough sleepers can be found here.

We work hard to keep rubbish and recycling collections going, but if we’re not able to collect during cold weather, they may be delayed. Keep up to date with our service status page and/or keep an eye on our social media channels.

Schools may have to close for a variety of reasons. Your school should be your first port of call, but as soon as we know about a school closure, we’ll post the info here.

Soil Conditioner Give-Away

Back by popular demand! Residents of West Berkshire will be able to pick up Veolia West Berkshire's locally produced soil conditioner for free! 

On Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 March 2023 there will be a soil conditioner give-away event at the Padworth Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF), Padworth Lane, RG7 4JF, between 10am and 4pm.

You'll need bring along your own bags/boxes and will be responsible for collecting and loading the soil conditioner from the site to your vehicle. Shovels will be provided for collecting the material so you don’t have to bring your own. No booking is necessary, but please bring ID or a utility bill to prove you're a West Berkshire Resident. Please be patient, this is a free event and demand for our last give away was huge, so there may be some queueing during busy parts of the day.

To help ease waiting times, we've increased the number of collection points and we will be re-stocking throughout the day so there's no need to get to the site early.

Visit our website for more information. 

Phonics Scheme adopted by Department for Education

We’re delighted that the Department of Education (DfE) has validated our phonics scheme for national use.

The scheme, ‘A Flying Start with Letters & Sounds’ has been added to a list of approved schemes that can be used nationally in early years settings and schools.

It’s a systematic, synthetic phonics programme that enables children to develop good language skills and a wide vocabulary, acquire the skills to read independently, and foster a love of reading.

This impressive piece of work has been led by the Early Years Foundation Stage Improvement Adviser & Phonics Lead alongside The Parsons Down Partnership of Schools and Victoria Park Nursery and Family Hub. 

The programme provides a wide range of teaching tools including a comprehensive teaching manual, daily teaching plans, and progression charts.

Ten pilot schools in West Berkshire have reported that children are enjoying the multisensory approach and making rapid progress.

For further information you can contact the team by email.

National Campaign for Learning

And that’s not all! We've also been shortlisted for the national Campaign for Learning, Family Learning Early Years Award in recognition of the early year’s parent courses we provide here in West Berkshire. A Flying Start to Early Literacy & Early Maths and the Reading Together courses were written and developed by our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) team. The courses support parents to enhance their child’s learning at home through fun, everyday activities, helping them to feel more confident and empowered in nurturing their child’s learning and development at home. The need for this support has been even more vital since the pandemic and helps families feel better prepared when starting school. Kirstie Hanson, Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Improvement Adviser, and Louise Griffiths of Victoria Park Nursery and Family Hub, wrote and developed the courses. They attended the launch of the National Centre for Family Learning earlier this month at the House of Lords with other shortlisted organisations. The winner will be announced at the end of March. Amazing work!! We have our fingers crossed for them.

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:

• Reablement Practitioners

• Trading Standards Officer

Could you be a Rights of Way Ranger?

We’re looking for two more Public Rights of Way Rangers to help look after our public paths so residents can access and enjoy the wonderful West Berkshire countryside.

This work is part of our vision to make West Berkshire an even greater place to live, work and visit.  The Rangers clear vegetation and repair signage, gates and surfaces to make sure that our rights of way are kept safe and easy to find and follow.

If you, or someone you know, would like to join the team click here to find out more.

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

• Digital Inclusion Survey January 2023

• Draft Local Transport Plan (LTP4) Strategy 2024-2039

Puppy Love - Pets As Therapy

One of our valued members of staff has achieved success in becoming Pets As Therapy (PAT) dog! PAT is a national charity that enhances the health and wellbeing of thousands of people across the UK. They work to make sure that everyone, no matter their circumstances, has access to the companionship of an animal. Ruby became a valued member of the council’s IT team when she joined us as a puppy during the pandemic. It became clear how much happier the office was when she came in with her owner Julie, one of our key workers. She comes from a family of therapy dogs, her brother and dad Quinn have worked in Southampton’s Children’s Hospital. Now she's completed her PAT training, Ruby is a popular visitor to our Notrees, Birchwood and The Willows care homes, and in her ‘spare time’ enjoys dog agility.

A 17th Century Day Out at Shaw House

Immerse yourself in history with The Earl Rivers Regiment Muster (Members of The Sealed Knot) at Shaw House this Saturday 11 March. Discover what life was like for those who had to take up arms against their fellow countrymen. Witness soldiers training to use swords, muskets and pikes and visit some of the tradesmen and civilians who accompanied the armies. Plus Living History demonstrations inside the Great Hall.

Saturday 11 March  | Shaw House  |  11am – 4pm  | Free

War.Art.Hope Exhibition

Don't forget the War.Art.Hope exhibition showcasing artwork from 3 Ukrainian artists is open at West Berkshire Museum until 26 March 2023. As part of the exhibition, a video series talking to two guests from Ukraine and a West Berkshire family who have welcomed their home to a Ukrainian couple, is also on show.

And finally...

• As part of Food Waste Action Week, free compostable food waste caddy liners are available from 6-11 March 2023 from all West Berkshire Council Libraries, including the mobile libraries, and from the reception area at the Council office in Market Street, Newbury.
  Come and collect 1 free roll per household, by showing proof of West Berkshire address to confirm you live within the district.