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 Last week, Councillor Jeff Brooks, Leader of West Berkshire Council signed the Armed Forces Covenant alongside Lt Col Tim Hebberd, PWRR, Denison Barracks to show West Berkshire Council's continued support for the military community.
West Berkshire has a strong Armed Forces history with many organisations having bases within our district. This means that we have many personnel working and living here as well as over 4000 Ex Regular or Reservists living in the area.
We recognise the contribution that Service personnel, both regular and reservist, veterans and military families make to our organisation, our community and to the country.
By signing the covenant, we are committed to uphold the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community to have the same access to services without being disadvantaged by their military service. This support is provided in several areas including housing and education.
You can find out more information here.
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Council considers response to request for new housing sites |
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 Additional sites for new homes are being considered by West Berkshire Council following an instruction from the Planning Inspector to increase the number of new homes earmarked for the district.
The findings follow an examination of the Local Plan Review and the publication of interim findings earlier this month in which he set out a number of actions for the Council to take before the Local Plan could be found to be sound. A response to the Planning Inspector is due to be submitted by Friday (16 August) and will propose additional sites to be included for development through the Local Plan. Failure to address the actions required by the Inspector would risk intervention from the Government, who could take over the Local Plan and which would mean future development would be determined in Westminster, not West Berkshire.
As a result of the findings, the Council must increase the number of homes proposed at North East Thatcham and put forward additional sites to boost the housing land supply for the district. You’ll be able to read more about this in next week’s bulletin.
To follow updates as they happen (including on Friday) you can also sign up to receive updates on the Local Plan Review by email here or find the latest information here.
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 Good luck to everyone waiting on A levels, GCSEs, Technical and Vocational qualifications over the next week. We know it’s tough waiting on results, then deciding what to do when you have them.
Unsure about what to do next? In the first instance you should contact your school, college or learning provider. The National Careers Service also provides free and impartial careers advice. If you’d like personalised advice from a qualified adviser, including on what to do when you leave school, there are lots of ways to get in touch including by phone, webchat or in person.
It can feel like there’s a lot riding on A Level, T Level and Vocational Technical Qualifications (VTQ) results day, but if you don’t get the grades you had hoped for, don’t worry - there are many great opportunities to consider, including a wide range of educational options. Find out more at the Education Hub.
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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.
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 Our Summer Reading challenge is going down so well at our libraries that Chairman Cllr Billy Drummond, Leader Cllr Jeff Brooks and CEO Nigel Lynn wanted to get involved too! Check out Jeff and Nigel's visits on our YouTube channel.
They visited Newbury and Thatcham libraries to sign up new participants and to give out prizes and certificates to some of those 280 children who have already completed the challenge.
There's still plenty of time to join the 2,500 children who have already signed up. Just head down to your local library before 15 September to join in the fun!
Remember we also have a Mini Challenge for under 4s which is a fantastic way to introduce young children to the joys of looking at books. This year you can opt to borrow one of our ‘Read and Learn’ packs as part of the Challenge. Each of these includes three books relating to getting ready for school, along with some fun items and tips for parents and carers on preparing your child for school. Please ask in the library for details.
There's even a challenge for everyone 12 years or over too – the West Berks Book Challenge! Pick up a Book Challenge card when you next visit a library to find suggestions of different types of books to read. Choose three of these and read your books before 15 September. If the suggestions you select are in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal row on your card, you can enter a prize draw in your local library.
 We'll be asking residents to complete satisfaction surveys at both of our recycling centres this month:
Conducted by Alfred H Knight on behalf of West Berkshire Council and Veolia, these surveys aim to gather your opinions on our recycling centres and household collection services.
You may spot a few people with clipboards who will ask for a few minutes of your time to have your say. Participation is optional, but your feedback is crucial in helping us enhance and shape our services for the future.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via email: recycle@westberks.gov.uk.
Thank you for helping us improve our services.
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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:
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Heritage Open Days return to Shaw House on Sunday 8 and Sunday 15 September.
Drop-in for introductory talks about the history of the House at 11.30am, 12.30, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, or you can explore at your own pace and visit the exhibition rooms, our historic costume exhibition ‘Dressed for Shaw’ and the English Civil War arms and armoury exhibition ‘Dressed for Battle’.
We're also offering the opportunity to pre-book a visit to our Elizabethan bake house which was discovered during restoration and is one of the very special features of Shaw House. Public access is not usually possible due to its location below the café but during the open days you will have the chance to climb below the ground floor and discover the well preserved elements of the 16th century kitchen.
Bake house viewings: 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm (30 minute duration), free but booking essential. Book online here.
 Heading to a festival this year? With Reading Festival just around the corner, make sure you're prepared to stay safe.
UKHSA has seen measles circulating in different parts of the UK. Measles is highly infectious, so check you've had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine for full protection.
 Take your first step and build the confidence you need to return to work. Don’t let numbers hold you back, unlock new opportunities with free adult numeracy courses.
For more information on Multiply programmes in West Berkshire and to sign up, click here.
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Help us shape the future of early help in West Berkshire |
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We are looking for participants who have had involvement with our Early Response Hub to help us make a video about Early Help. We want your voice to help tell the story of how Early Help can work with families to overcome problems they are facing.
You will be recorded as part of a group having a conversation about your experiences. Children and young people are encouraged to join too, their identity will be protected.
We recognise that the reason you came to Early Help may have been due to a difficult time for you and your family. We would like to assure you that we are not looking for your personal story, but for how we helped.
The commitment to this will be three preparation sessions which will be an hour long (location to be confirmed), followed by a recording session which will be for two hours. If you’re interested, please contact Flic on 07919 380839 or Flic.Ellmes1@westberks.gov.uk
And finally...
- Don’t miss the summer BBQ at The Phoenix Resource Centre, Newtown Rd, Newbury on Friday 15 August from 12-2.30pm. Enjoy tasty home cooked burgers and sausages, or just cake and a spot of wellie throwing, face painting and a great tombola raffle. Entrance is just £1!
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