Get your parish council talking about climate action!
We hold regular online West Berkshire Parish Climate Forums aimed at bringing together our environment team with local parish and town councils to share information, advice and support. Why not contact your local council to see if they are getting involved and encourage them to join us?
World Environment Day is on 5 June 2023. This year’s theme is focusing on beating plastic pollution so we thought we would share some ideas on how to reduce plastic use:
- Make a switch to shampoo and conditioner bars
- Ditch single use plastic wipes for reusable options
- Refill detergent bottles
- Give reusable nappies a try (visit our website here for information on support we can provide)
- Buy fruit and vegetables loose where you can
- Remember to take reusable shopping bags with you to the shops
- Use reusable water bottles and travel mugs (this can save you money each time you reuse too).
More information can be found on our website here
The Big Community Switch is back, offering an opportunity for households to save on their energy bills by securing competitive tariffs with trusted energy suppliers.
We understand that many households are frustrated with the high energy costs and have struggled over the last 18 months. That's why we're committed to seeking better deals through Big Community Switch.
What is the Big Community Switch? It’s a collective effort where community members come together to leverage their collective power to negotiate better energy deals with suppliers. The auction will be facilitated by iChoosr: an independent expert in group-buying.
In addition to financial benefits, the Big Community Switch also aligns with our shared commitment to the environment. By joining the auction, you contribute to the demand for clean energy and help drive transition to a more sustainable future.
Taking part in the West Berkshire Energy Switch is free, and there is no obligation to switch to the winning supplier once you receive your personal offer.
The UK has lost 97% of flower rich meadows since the 1970’s so pollinators have a lot less food around these days, Plantlife’s ‘No Mow May’ was created to help increase wildflowers and biodiversity in our gardens by letting lawns and their wildflowers grow. Whilst ceasing cutting of urban verges throughout May is not practical, West Berkshire Council does raise the cutting head of its grass cutting machinery so that the sward is cut longer, which helps to maintain wildflowers within the verges.
A healthy lawn with some long grass and wildflowers benefits wildlife, tackles pollution and can even lock away carbon below ground, so why not continue a ‘no mow’ area of your garden through June too. You can also put the lawn mower blade up a level this summer. This would leave the grass slightly longer, which would help protect the soils by keeping them cooler in hot weather, plus longer cut grass helps creates much needed protection for insects by becoming a safe ‘nature corridor’ away from heat and predators!
With 41% of the Earth's remaining five million insect species now 'threatened with extinction', we can all start helping insects where we live. To help you, download The FREE Wildlife Trust ‘Action for Insects’ guide which includes information and tips on insect-friendly gardening, going chemical-free and small actions that could make a big difference.
 This year, Clean Air Day focuses on the harm that air pollution causes to our mind and brain health.
It is important to consider how you may be affected by air pollution in your daily activities. One thing to consider is whether you could leave your car at home and take public transport, or walk or cycle instead. Why not look into Liftshare, our West Berkshire car sharing platform, to reduce the number of cars on the road and travelling costs. Or you could hire an electric vehicle from our Enterprise Car Club in Newbury. Take a look at our walking and cycling maps here to help you get to know your local area better.
Don't forget to make the most of the cheaper bus fares across West Berkshire.
A single journey is capped at £2, a return journey at £4. The list of those taking part in West Berkshire can be found here. If you are travelling with family or friends why not take advantage of the Connect Group Day Ticket (available for up to 4 people), the ticket can be purchased on the bus or in advance on Newbury & District's app.
An “early bird” concessionary fare ticket has proven to be very popular, it can be purchased for a reasonable rate before 9:30am on weekdays for anyone boarding with a valid bus pass.
The Government has announced that funding will be available to continue capping single bus fares at £2 until the 31 October 2023. There will then be another fare cap of £2.50 available from 1 November 2023 to 30 November 2024. Further information on which local bus companies will continue with this initiative will be available shortly.
 We have arranged installation of new cycle parking facilities in several locations, following on from the recent Active Travel Heat Map consultation.
The results of the consultation highlighted a number of potential locations for new cycle parking. After investigation and liaising with stakeholders, we have provided new stands at:
- Yattendon Square, beside the village shop
- The Croft, Hungerford, near to the doctors’ surgery and primary school
- St John’s Post Office, Newbury
- City Arts, Hampton Road, Newbury
We intend to pursue provision of additional cycle parking at local destinations, taking account of residents’ responses to the Active Travel consultation.
If you’re aged 65 and over, we’d like to hear from you about how you get around the district, and we have commissioned Stuart Michael Associates (SMA) to carry out a special study.
We'd like to know about any challenges you face when travelling locally, and the things you find most helpful when walking or using buses.
We'd also like to hear your suggestions on things that might encourage or support you to walk more, and changes that might make bus services more useful, convenient and attractive.
If you'd like to take part, please complete our survey by midnight on Friday 16 June 2023 (which should take about 5 to 10 minutes) and we’ll enter you into a prize draw for a £150 supermarket voucher if you take part and provide your email at the end of the survey.
We are delighted to have been awarded £275,000 by Active Travel England, the Government’s new executive agency responsible for boosting cycling and walking.
The funding will enable:
- Consultation on and introduction of an additional School Street scheme at Francis Baily School, Thatcham;
- Development of proposals to improve the pedestrian and cycle connection between Theale and Calcot;
- Assessment of scope to improve active travel routes adjoining Robin Hood Roundabout;
- Evolution of a scheme to connect the planned Stockcross active travel path into the Newbury area network at Speen.
The award from Active Travel England will assist us in evolving our ambitious programme of schemes to encourage and enable more cycling and walking in the District, in particular in towns and urban areas. This programme is in line with the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan adopted in June 2021.
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Our waste enforcements officers have been busy during April responding to 65 incidents of fly tipping, which have mainly been made up of general household rubbish.
Our officers investigate the fly tips and can issue fixed penalty notices or take the offenders to court. In the last three months we have issued 11 fixed penalty notices.
We all have a duty of care to ensure our district remains beautiful and that disposal of any rubbish is carried out responsibly. Please make sure you use a registered waste carrier to take away your waste. If you are unsure on what to do, more information can be found on our website.
The Sustainability Fund will provide cash sponsorship, in-kind resources or staff volunteers to support not-for-profit organisations and community groups to transform their local community or environment. A successful project will provide evidence of one or more of the following:
- Enhancing biodiversity
- Promoting sustainable waste behaviours (reduce, reuse and/or recycle)
- Protecting or preserving resources and the environment
- Its use of recycled, reused or reclaimed materials
With over £100,000 available for community groups across the country, check out their website here and apply today!
The fund supported 5 groups across West Berkshire last year and it would be great for the fund to be able to support more worthwhile causes within West Berkshire this year. The application deadline is 29 September 2023.
The Innovate UK Net Zero Living Digital Accelerator round 1 funding is open until 7 June 2023. The aim of this competition is to support ambitious, early stage digital focused businesses in developing and delivering net zero in relation to challenges based on place.
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £1.5 million to develop digital applications to solve challenges in delivering net zero for places.
We are pleased to announce that we have received a total of £597,994 in funding for our upcoming projects from the Department for Environment, Agriculture and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
The aim of this fund is to invest in rural capital, and we are grateful for DEFRA's support in our mission to create positive change in our community. The funding will be received over the next two financial years. Out of the total amount received, £297,994 will be allocated to the Business Capital Grant Scheme (name TBC), £100,000 will be allocated to the Village Halls Digital Infrastructure and Energy Grant Scheme, and £200,000 will be allocated to the Eling Cycle Way Extension project.
With this funding, we can support local businesses, improve digital infrastructure, promote energy efficiency, and extend sustainable transportation routes.
We will be updating the progress of this fund on our business website.
 The Town & Manor of Hungerford would like your thoughts and ideas to their proposal to create a 16ha (40 acre) wetland reserve on a site known as Undy's Meadow, between the Charnham Park Road and the River Kennet in Hungerford.
The proposed wetland will be within walking distance of Hungerford town centre, will be open to the public for free, and will include an Education & Information Centre.
40% of the worlds plants and animals depend on wetlands and this is a rare opportunity to restore an ancient water meadow and create a free public access wetland in West Berkshire.
Wetlands have a natural ability to absorb and store large amounts of carbon, act as natural sponges absorbing rainfall which helps flooding and drought, provide much needed habitats for our native species and give migratory birds a place to rest and refuel.
Please complete the survey with your thoughts and ideas - it should take less than 5 minutes and the submissions will remain anonymous.
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