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Developer Lochailort has withdrawn planning appeals related to redevelopment of the Kennet Centre in Newbury – a move which we welcome.
Lochailort Newbury Ltd is looking to redevelop the shopping centre but has re-started discussions to understand our concerns which led to previous planning applications being refused. A new planning application for the area, which is being called the Eagle Quarter, is expected soon.
Councillor Tony Vickers, Executive Member for Planning, said: "I am pleased that the developer has reflected on our concerns and those put forward by the local community. It is important we have a plan for the area which helps the town develop in the coming years while protecting the heritage and character which makes the place so special.”
The planning application, once submitted, will be published on the West Berkshire Council website and will be open for people to comment on.
You can read more about the latest developments this week on our website.
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Schools to open as usual as checks find no crumbly concrete |
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As pupils return to the classroom this week, schools across West Berkshire will be opening as usual with none of the problematic crumbly concrete (RAAC) having been identified locally.
We’ve been following Department for Education guidance and had already completed a visual inspection of all our schools that fall within this guidance. This has not found any indication of the use of RAAC in any of the school buildings we’re responsible for and as such all schools are safe to open as usual this week.
In addition to the visual inspections, and with safety our utmost priority, we will be undertaking some further, more intrusive, work at a number of schools in the district (for example, where access has been difficult). Although this is being done as a precautionary measure we have plans in place in the unlikely event that this material is found to be present.
You can read more about this here.
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Free compostable food waste caddy liners will be available from 4-30 September 2023 from all West Berkshire Council Libraries and from the Council Office reception at Market Street in Newbury, while stocks last.
This offer is only open to West Berkshire residents, and we ask that you only take one roll per household to give as many residents as possible the opportunity to collect a free roll. Proof of address or your library card is required.
Please make sure to check opening times before visiting. Let’s all work together to recycle our food waste weekly!
If you’re not already a member of your local library, why not sign up for a free membership at the same time as collecting your liners!
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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:
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Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture. Stories are told, traditions are explored, histories are brought to life, and it is all free! Check out what is happening in West Berkshire.
On Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September from 11am to 4pm, Shaw House will be welcoming visitors to explore and learn about the history of the house, including costume exhibitions and viewings of the Elizabethan bake house.
The bake house viewings must be pre-booked online and spaces will be limited. There is no need to book for the introductory talks or to explore the rest of the House and exhibitions.
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From 10:30am to 3pm on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September, you can meet members of the Kennet Valley Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers at West Berkshire Museum who will show you some of the traditional skills associated with the original purpose of the seventeenth century Cloth Hall.
You can then explore the attic of the historic Cloth Hall which is part of the museum building that is not usually open to visitors and can only be accessed by a narrow and steep staircase. Although this is a drop-in event, you might be asked to wait a short time to gain access to the attic, as the number of visitors will be restricted.
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A new School Street Scheme has been introduced at Francis Baily School in Thatcham.
The School Street Scheme will involve the temporary closure of roads adjacent to the primary school during drop-off and pick-up times. The aim of this initiative is to enhance safety and promote sustainable modes of transportation, such as walking, cycling, and push scooters, as important measures of the school commute experience.
It follows a pilot scheme introduced in Calcot two years ago, which has reduced the number of vehicles driving through or parking in restricted areas during school drop-off and pickup times.
Thank you to everyone who is helping to create a clean and safe space for children who walk or bike to school.
Find out more about the School Streets Scheme, why we have introduced it and what it entails on our website.
In the Spring 2023 Budget the government announced several measures to support education and help parents with childcare so they can return to work more easily.
Eligible working parents in England will be able to access 30 hours of free childcare per week, for 38 weeks of the year (although parents can use fewer hours over more weeks of the year), from when their child is nine months old to when they start school. You can find out more information about when this will start and eligibility here.
Are you a parent/carer of a child aged 0-14 or a parent/carer of a child with a disability aged 0-18? If so, our Early Years Service would like to hear your views on Early Years childcare provision and/or out of school childcare that you use, and any difficulties you have encountered accessing the provision to meet your requirements. You can share your thoughts with us via the Childcare and Out of School Provision Parents Survey.
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We value your views on the decisions we take. There are several areas we are currently holding consultations on, including:
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Measles is an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious problems for some people. The infection usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth.
Having the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent it and two doses can give lifelong protection against measles, mumps, and rubella. Ask at your GP surgery if you're not sure if you or your child have had the vaccine.
If you think you or your child may have measles, don't go to the emergency room, urgent care, or doctor's office without calling first. Call your doctor immediately and let them know about your symptoms so that they can tell you what to do next.
You can find out more about measles here.
Emergency Services Day is this Saturday and it is our opportunity to give thanks to our NHS and emergency service heroes.
There are six main branches of the emergency services: Police, Fire and Rescue, Ambulance, NHS, Maritime including: coastguard and lifeboats and Search and Rescue which operate across mountains, lowlands, mines and caves. We are forever grateful for their courage, commitment and dedication.
At 9am on 9 September there will be a two minutes silence to remember all who have been killed as a result of their service to our nation. We invite you to join us in taking part in this act of remembrance, or take a moment during the day to reflect on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the course of their duties.
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Interested in a local government legal career? |
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Berkshire Councils are joining together to host a webinar where our legal professionals talk candidly and discuss their journey into law, challenges faced and share their experiences.
If you currently work in the legal profession and would like more information about working in local government, please register for the webinar here.
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And finally...
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There's one month left to apply for the Sustainability Fund! You could gain £1,000 to help make a positive and sustainable change in your local community. Got an idea? Find out more and apply here.
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Every day, people across the UK are making a difference by volunteering. Each year, outstanding examples of this work are celebrated through the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. There are many fantastic voluntary groups across Berkshire making a difference in their communities and now’s your chance to show them what a huge impact they are having and nominate them for this prestigious Award. Nominations for this year’s awards are open until 15 September, 2023 – you can nominate a group here.
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