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Scrutiny Commission meeting to focus on flooding issues

This Thursday, we'll be holding a special scrutiny commission meeting focussing on flooding across West Berkshire. Thames Water and the Environment agency will be there along with local Flood Wardens who will be asking questions.

The aim of this meeting is to have a discussion with the different bodies and ask questions on important matters including improvement plans, flooding in the local area and the sewage discharge we face. Find out how to watch the meeting here.

Community focus at West Berkshire Council

Looking for a career that makes a real impact? At West Berkshire Council, every role contributes to the community and helps improve the lives of residents. From the work of our frontline services to behind-the-scenes roles, each employee has a role that matters.

We're committed to making West Berkshire a better place to live and work, and you can play a part in that mission. Join us and be part of something bigger.

You can hear more about this from Dave, one of our Emergency Planning Officers, here.

Who's your Community Champion?

The Community Champion Awards are back - and we want your nominations.

Once again we will be celebrating the amazing work that residents and volunteers do in the area, but we need your help.

This year there are four categories: Community Group of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Pat Eastop MBE Junior Citizen of the Year Award and Volunteer of the Year. The nominee should live within West Berkshire or their contributions should benefit the residents of West Berkshire.

You can make your nominations by going online and filling in the nomination form. Nominations close on Monday 11 November.

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:

• Administrative Assistant (Safeguarding)
• Employee Experience Advisor
• Parking Officer

Flooding: be prepared

As winter approaches, we know that unpredictable weather can bring heavy downpours, flash flooding, and freezing conditions. It’s important to stay prepared and protect communities from the potential risk of flooding, especially in areas more prone to heavy rainfall and rising rivers.

We want to help you stay safe and resilient, so here are a few simple first steps that residents and businesses can take now to be ready and help prepare for flooding:

• Check if you’re in a flood-risk area: Visit the GOV.UK flood risk page to check if your home or business is at risk of flooding. You can also check for flooding alerts in West Berkshire here: check for flooding.
• Sign up for flood alerts: Sign up for flood warnings if your home or business in England is at risk of flooding. This service is free and helpful to keep you updated quickly.
• Prepare an emergency kit: Have a flood kit ready with essentials like a torch, batteries, first aid supplies, medication, food, warm clothing, and important documents. This helps you respond quickly and not gather supplies las minute should you need to evacuate or stay indoors without access to essential services.
• Report flooding: Where you report flooding depends on the location and cause of the flooding. Find out more here.
• To stay up to date on the latest road closure details, please visit the road closures map.
• Flood Forums: In West Berkshire, Flood Forums engage with the Council, Thames Water and the Environment Agency. There Flood Forums in West Berkshire who work with your local Flood Wardens:
• The Pang Valley Flood Forum
• Lambourn Valley Flood Forum
• Newbury Flood and Drainage Action Group Facebook page

For more information, visit our website where you'll find further detailed guidance on flood preparedness, safety tips, available resources to help protect your home or business, plus much more. You can also download our Be Prepared Flooding booklet which is a handy keepsake guide.

Let's Get Mindful fund

West Berkshire Council and Greenham Trust have once again collaborated to launch a new fund to help support voluntary and community sector organisations working to enhance mental health and wellbeing across West Berkshire.

A total of £90,000 is available for the Let's Get Mindful funding scheme, and will be allocated to projects as applications are approved.

The fund will enable not-for-profit groups to implement meaningful and impactful projects that support people with mental health challenges. It also ensures that organisations have access to financial resources to expand their work, offer additional support, purchase necessary equipment, or launch new initiatives.

Where possible, the fund will focus on areas in West Berkshire that are considered most in need and projects that support people that are considered vulnerable and/or isolated.

AWE drop in information sessions

The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) protects the UK through nuclear science and technology. AWE is a major employer and neighbour in West Berkshire, providing unique employment opportunities, alongside apprenticeship and graduate schemes.

This autumn they’re holding community drop-in sessions where you can find out more about the organisation, its history, significant role in national defence, and plans to update its infrastructure.

The first drop-in event is tomorrow (Thursday) in Aldermaston Parish Hall from 2-8pm. Other locations in the coming weeks include Reading, Burghfield and Newbury. You can see the full programme on the webpage below.

Flu vaccination – why is it important?

Flu is a viral infection that circulates in our communities every year. It’s a highly infectious disease with very unpleasant symptoms that come on very quickly, including fever, extreme tiredness, aching muscles and joints, stuffy nose, dry cough and sore throat. Healthy people usually recover within two to seven days, however, for some the disease can be a serious or life-threatening illness, requiring hospitalisation.  

The flu vaccine helps protect against flu. It's offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu. Most people who are eligible for a free flu vaccine will be able to receive the vaccine from 3 October 2024.

Book or manage a free NHS flu vaccine at a pharmacy near you. Visit the NHS website for further information, including eligibility.

We value your views on the decisions we take. There are several areas we are currently holding consultations on, including:

• Draft Carers Strategy 2024-2027
• Draft Waste Management Strategy 2025-2032
• Extension to Newbury Town Centre pedestrianisation hours

Nominate your adult learner of the year!

Every year, we meet people who’ve exceeded all expectations in adult learning. You know these people in our district and their stories. Please tell us about them so we can recognise and celebrate their successes.

Supporting global majority children in care

Black History Month is important for carers, especially when supporting children from the global majority, as it helps create an environment that acknowledges and celebrates their heritage. For children in care, having their culture and identity valued is crucial for their sense of belonging and self-worth. Black History Month offers carers the opportunity to learn more about the cultures, histories, and achievements of people from the global majority, which helps them better understand and support the unique experiences of these children. Local Authority Fostering South East have designed a series of workshops for carers and staff, in supporting children from the global majority. Join them every Tuesday, throughout October, to explore different topics and discussions, from culture and cookery to hair care and more.

Half term cycling courses

Did you know that we have cycling training courses for children to learn how to cycle safely and enjoyably?

Bikeability courses are a great way to boost your child's cycling skills and confidence.

We have 12 child (must be aged 10+) cycle training places available over the October half term, you can enrol your child here.

Talk: The Second Battle of Newbury

Join us to commemorate the 380th anniversary of the Second Battle of Newbury at Shaw House, which became an integral part of the Royalists defensive position during the battle on Sunday 27th October 1644.

Bringing history to life, Dr. Christopher Scott will explore the campaign and battle that saw the Royalist army defending northern Newbury against the combined Parliamentarian forces of Essex, Waller and Manchester. And where the first Civil War could so easily have been brought to a dramatic early end with the capture of the King.

Shaw House | Friday 25 October | £5 | Audio Tours & Private View from 6pm, Talk 7pm. Book your place here.

Join us to discover arts this half-term

Achieve your Discover Arts Award Discover in a morning, in three fun-filled sessions at central Newbury venues!

Start your journey at the Corn Exchange with a drama session, then move to Newbury Library for a story-based session and on to West Berkshire Museum for a craft and museum trail. You will finish at the Corn Exchange again, to complete your ‘Discover’ level Arts Award (Arts and Culture Passport).

Tuesday 29 October | West Berkshire Museum | 10am - 12.30pm | £6.50 per child | Book here with the Corn Exchange.

Half term dinosaur quiz trail

This half-term, you can find dinosaurs hidden throughout Newbury library from 26 October to 2 November! Each dinosaur will help you answer a question on our themed quiz. Children can also help us choose a name for our special library Pterodactyl by voting for their favourite option. Suitable for children aged 7+. This is a free drop-in activity, with no need to book in advance.

And finally...

• Don't forget to head down to our soil conditioner giveaway this weekend (19 and 20 October between 10am and 4pm) at our Padworth Waste Management Facility. No appointment is needed but do bring along ID or a recent utility bill to prove you're a West Berkshire resident. Please bring your own container so you can easily carry and load the soil conditioner into your car as these will not be provided. Find out what else we're doing for Recycling Week here.