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Changes to Community Infrastructure Levy processing for householders

Householders who have become liable for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments due to mistakes made when completing paperwork will soon be able to appeal to a new panel.  CIL is a charge which developers pay towards infrastructure needs created by any new development. Anyone building their own house, residential annexes or extending their homes may be exempt from CIL payments, but must first complete paperwork to be formally assessed as being exempt. Explaining the issue, Acting Leader Jeff Brooks said: "This has been a difficult and stressful time for those residents who have found themselves literally paying the price for mistakes on the paperwork. The complex forms, provided by the Government, are overly confusing and easy to get wrong. "Coupled with there being no internal appeals process, householders were left with no opportunity to address mistakes made and complete the paperwork correctly. To correct this, we are introducing new processes to allow householders to apply to have charges reviewed where they mistakes were made or they think they have been unfairly assessed."

Household Waste Recycling Centre opening hours 

Following our recent consultation, we're updating the Household Waste Recycling Centre hours for both our Padworth and Newtown Road sites.

Starting from 1 April, weekday opening hours will now be 11:00am – 6:00pm. Rest assured, weekend and bank holiday hours will continue as usual and operate 9:00am - 6:00pm, including Easter Monday.

We are making these changes to increase efficiency as both sites are not being fully utilised, meaning we have several appointments unused every day. This will also see us save approximately £59,000 annually.

If you wish to visit one of our centres, please don't forget to book an appointment and ensure your household is registered for a permit. Further details can be found on our website.

Soil Conditioner Giveaway success

We gave away 52 tonnes of free soil conditioner that is created here in West Berkshire using the food and garden waste we collect from households across the district.

Keep up to date on road closures in your area by using the map of roadworks, including those of utility companies, on our website to plan your journeys. Click the link below for more information.

Local Nature Recovery Strategy

You are invited to participate in creating the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Berkshire.

Berkshire’s six councils, led by the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, are keen to involve you in shaping the strategy through workshops and a county-wide survey.

Join us at the Corn Exchange, Hungerford Town Hall on 23 April from 12-3pm, where you'll have the opportunity to delve deeper into the project, learn how to support local nature initiatives, and share your valuable insights.

Spaces are limited to two people max per organization. Register your interest on EventBrite or contact Braywick Nature Centre on 01628 777440.

You can also complete the survey online. Share your thoughts, ideas, and priorities up until 7 May.

Annual Health & Wellbeing Conference

If you have an interest in health and wellbeing in West Berkshire, the annual Health and Wellbeing Board Conference is for you. It’s on Friday 19 April, 9.30am to 1.30pm at the Council Offices, Market Street, Newbury.

With a focus on Primary Care and Community Outreach, it’s a great opportunity for people to come together and discuss health issues.

There will also be opportunities to network and meet a range of local providers in our stalls marketplace before and after the event.

Find out more and book your place here.

BOB Integrated Care Partnership meeting

The next Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West Integrated Care Partnership (BOB ICP) meeting in public is being held tomorrow (21 March) from 9.30am. You can take part via a live stream by registering in advance, or you can attend the meeting in person in Oxford.

Our ICP is a group of organisations which plan and provide health and care services for around 1.8 million people who live and work in the local authority areas of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire’s three westerly local authority areas of West Berkshire, Reading and Wokingham (known as ‘Berkshire West’).

Members include local authorities, local NHS organisations and GPs, public health, Healthwatch, care providers, voluntary sector, the Oxford Academic Health Science Network and other research partners.

Visit the website to find out more about the meeting agenda, how to ask a question or petition the partnership.

Respect for roadworkers

In partnership with VolkerHighways, we are working hard to improve the roads across West Berkshire. In 2023, we completed almost 1,000 emergency callouts, over 30,000m² of surfacing works and over 5,000 potholes.

Please be mindful of our workforce, there is no excuse for abuse towards roadworkers.

Anyone can watch our Council and Committee meetings in person at our Market Street offices in Newbury and live on our YouTube channel to view the important decisions made by councillors on issues such as planning, waste services and schools.

Upcoming public meetings include:

• Individual Executive Member Decisions - Monday, 25 March, 2024 10.00 am
• Environment Advisory Group Open Forum - Monday, 25 March, 2024 5.30 pm
• Council - Tuesday, 26 March, 2024 7.00 pm

Be a Better Biker course comes to Theale

Be a Better Biker is a workshop that allows fully licensed motorcyclists to take their skills to a level that helps improve safety and enjoyment.

Alongside other local councils, fire & rescue services and Thames Valley Police, we are supporting Thames Vale Advanced Motorcyclists,  Buckinghamshire Advanced Riders and Drivers and Milton Keynes Advanced Motorcyclists to deliver two of these workshops in Theale on 25 May, 10:00am-2:00pm and 22 June, 10:00am-2:00pm.

Nigel Lynn, CEO of West Berkshire Council said: "I’ve been a biker since 16 years old and ride about 250 miles a week. However, I am still learning as every issue I come across on the road is unique.  Other drivers just don’t see us, and the power of modern motorcycles continues to increase year on year, making riding a bike a dangerous way to travel.  Courses such as this should be a staple diet to all Bikers. Whether longstanding, a ‘newbie’ or returning to the fold, ride safe."

World Social Work Day

This year’s theme is Shared Future for Transformative Change which emphasises the need for Social Workers to adopt innovative community-led approaches. We’re very much on board with this message!

Easter family activity days

Join us at Shaw House and West Berkshire Museum during the Easter holidays for our Family Activity and Messy Museum days!

Family Activity Days: Wednesday 3 & 10 April | 10am-3pm | Shaw House | No need to book, just drop-in | £2.50 per child 

Messy Museum Days: Friday 5 & 12 April  | West Berkshire Museum | 10am-3pm | No need to book, just drop-in | £2.50 per child

Easter clubs at Waterside Centre, Newbury

Head down to the Waterside Centre in Newbury over Easter for sports, games, arts and crafts and various other workshops.

Berkshire Youth are running an Easter Junior Club for young people aged 8-11, starting on 3 April 9am - 1pm. They are also running an Easter Youth Club for secondary school aged young people, starting on 3 April 2pm - 6pm.

The sessions cost £5 with an optional £3 lunch available at the Junior Club (attendees are welcome to bring their own packed lunch), and an optional £3 dinner available at the Youth Club.

Love Local Artisan Fair

Join us to celebrate all things local and explore unique crafts from homeware, garden goods, and clothing to jewellery, food, and drink; there will be plenty for everyone. The ‘Heritage Hub’ will feature local venues and places of interest to showcase the vast history of the region with representatives from Sandham Memorial Chapel, The Corn Exchange, The Base, Greenham Control Tower, Welford Park and Bucklebury Farm Park. Enjoy lunch in our café or from outdoor caterers (Fink Street Food and Caroline’s Little Kitchen), and support the creative talent West Berkshire and surrounding areas have to offer! Shaw House | Sunday 14 April | 11am – 3pm | Adults £2, Children £1 (Free for children aged 3 years and under) | Pay on the door

And finally...