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 With the first year of the new administration complete, Acting Leader Councillor Jeff Brooks has taken a look back at some of the council’s achievements over the last 12 months.
From balancing the budget, reintroducing community forums and digitising our planning service, to bringing football back to Faraday Road, launching AI technology into our road maintenance programme and building more affordable housing through projects such as Sterling Gardens, it’s been a very busy year.
Councillor Brooks said: “It’s been a big learning curve for us. We’ve done everything we feel we could’ve done in the first year to improve services, but there’s so much more to come. As we get into our stride, you will see some really important changes”.
In the year ahead, some of the areas we will be focussing on include road improvements, building more affordable homes and funding sports facilities across the district.
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Your West Berkshire – a new magazine from West Berkshire Council |
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 Your West Berkshire is a new magazine which will keep you up to date about things your Council is doing for you and your community.
We’ll be sharing news, events and stories about our work, our achievements and the services which we provide throughout the district every single day.
Speaking about the new magazine Councillor Jeff Brooks, Acting Leader of West Berkshire Council said: “In the Council Strategy we committed to exploring new ways to inform and engage with residents – building our connection with you, the people we serve.
"In this first edition you can read more about residents who are making a real difference, about a new flexible bus service we’ve introduced and a look ahead to the first full season of the new Northcroft Lido. That, and of course, lots more too.
"I hope you find Your West Berkshire a useful and enjoyable read.”
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Matthew Barber was re-elected Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley Police Area at Newbury Racecourse this weekend.
See the announcement made by our CEO Nigel Lynn in his role as Police Area Returning Officer here.
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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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 Grab your goggles and make a splash at Northcroft Lido this week! We’re excited to be running more family sessions so that people can enjoy not only our amazing outdoor pool, but the flumes and splash pad too.
Bring on the summer fun and book your place now.
 From September 2024, eligible working parents of children who are nine months and above will be able to access 15 hours of funded childcare for 38 weeks of the year. This will then extend to 30 hours from September 2025.
This works out at up to 570 hours of funded early learning and childcare per year. From September 2025 this works out at up to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare per year, usually taken as 30 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year though some providers will allow you to use less hours per week over more weeks of the year.
Applications for 15 hour funding for children aged nine months and above will be open from 12 May.
Multiply is a government funded programme of free numeracy courses that support adults, aged 19+, to develop their maths skills both within the home and at work.
Designed to provide confidence in numbers or simply as a maths refresher, the courses are short and flexible to fit around busy lives. The subjects vary from working out percentages and ratios, to everyday activities like household budgeting, cooking for families or helping children with homework. There are also courses to support progression to maths qualifications, using spreadsheets and understanding payslips.
Multiply offers accessible and relevant courses, friendly tutors, and a range of options to provide a positive and rewarding experience. Residents can choose from locally based one-off courses, to multiple sessions in-person or online.
Click here for more information or contact the Community Learning Team on 01635 519060 or aclteam@westberks.gov.uk
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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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 As part of Age UK Berkshire, Dementia Friendly West Berkshire (DFWB) is a group of individuals and organisations from across the community, working together to make West Berkshire more dementia friendly.
They deliver a wide range of events, activities and services including dementia cafes, dementia walks, carers support groups and dementia information sessions. Why not check out the monthly calendar of dementia friendly activities?
DFWB's work is driven by the enthusiastic support of local businesses, organisations and individuals and they're always looking for new members to get involved. If this sounds like you, please contact coordinator Sue Young at DFWBerkshire@AgeUKBerkshire.org.uk for more information.
 We know that many students will be preparing for public exams this month. We have study spaces in all West Berkshire libraries where you can enjoy free WiFi, use library computers or bring your own laptop or other device (we have charging points too).
If you prefer to study at home, don’t forget that many of our e-resources are available to library members remotely, 24/7. This includes resources which are great for revision and homework help, such as Brillder and Britannica Student Edition.
Find a guide to using Britannica for 11-16 year olds on the West Berkshire Libraries YouTube channel.
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Shaw House open days in May |
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Join us for the Shaw House open days where you will have the opportunity to access many areas of the house which are not usually open to the public, including the ‘Forbidden Corridor’ on the second floor, the basement tunnel and the Elizabethan bake house.
You can also visit the exhibition rooms including our historic costume exhibition ‘Dressed for Shaw’ and the English Civil War arms and armoury exhibition ‘Dressed for Battle’.
Come along for free on Sunday 26 and Monday 27 May, 11am – 4pm. Bake house viewings take place at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, and are free, but online booking is essential.
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And finally...
- Anyone aged 75 and over can now book their seasonal COVID-19 vaccine online or on the NHS App. You don't need to wait to be invited. Find out more on the NHS website.
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