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 We’re running a dedicated drop-in session at Theale Library on Monday 2 December, 1pm - 3pm, to help people find out if they’re eligible for pension credit benefit, which could include winter fuel payments.
Around 10 million pensioners are set to lose their winter fuel payments under changes being brought in by the Government. In West Berkshire alone it is estimated that around 600 pensioners have not yet claimed pension credit or applied to see if they're eligible.
Pension credit is separate from the State Pension and is worth, on average, over £3,900 a year and could provide extra cash to help with living costs to many people who need financial support.
Representatives from the Council’s Revenue and Benefits and Community Engagement teams will be on hand to help alongside Citizens Advice, Community Support, Fire Service and Berkshire Department for Work and Pensions. Our Libraries Digital Services Officer will also be there to provide 1 to 1 support sessions if needed.
If you, or a family member or friend are aged 66 or over, you or they may be eligible for pension credit, so please spread the word about the session and come along if you can.
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Tackling the climate and ecological emergency |
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 Our Council Strategy for 2023 to 2027 sets out the strategic direction for the Council's services. It defines our priorities over the next four years and our contribution toward the aspirations of the West Berkshire Vision 2036.
Listen to Cllr Stuart Gourley explain how we're tackling the climate and ecological emergency in the latest of our Council Strategy video series.
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 Following the heavy rain this weekend, there is a flood risk as river levels continue to rise.
You can check for flood alerts and sign up to receive flood warnings for your area by visiting the gov.uk website, where you can also check if you’re in a flood-risk area.
Learn more about how to prepare for and deal with flooding on our website, where you can also report any problems for our teams to address.
Please be careful when walking near flood water and keep children and pets away from it too, as it can contain hidden dangers and health hazards.
 We have now rescheduled our Community Forum on Cost of Living and Winter Preparedness. Please join us online at 6:30pm on Tuesday 3 December for the next community forum, an informative session focussing on winter preparedness in West Berkshire.
The aim of this forum is to make you aware of resources available to help you out during times when you might need a bit of extra help. You will have the opportunity to find out more about current resilience plans, support that is available, local community initiatives and ask any questions you may have.
Topics that will be discussed include:
- Flood Prevention
- Cost of Living
- Welcome Spaces and Local Community Initiatives
Please email CommunityForumQuestions@westberks.gov.uk to register your attendance. We will be sending out the link to join the forum virtually via Zoom, closer to the time.
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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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We’ve teamed up with local domestic abuse services to bring Christmas to those in need. You can get involved in the gift of giving online or in person. In person, you can select a label from our libraries in Newbury and Theale, or at the Council Offices in Market Street, Newbury. All labels will contain anonymised information on the person you will be buying for, for example 'Girl aged 3-4' or 'Male Adult'.
You can buy a corresponding gift and drop it back to where the label was collected, or at one of our other locations if easier. Please note, you will also need to include a gift bag for your present, which should be unwrapped.
The Giving Tree will be live until 6 December. Find out more here.
 Join us at Shaw House this Sunday (1 December), 11am - 3pm to begin the festive season with our annual Christmas Fair.
The House will be host to over 70 stalls selling locally made gifts, food, drink, decorations and craft; the perfect time for a spot of Christmas shopping. Warm up with hot mulled wine from our outdoor bar whilst enjoying the carol singing, as well as getting lunch and seasonal treats in our café and from outdoor caterers.
For our younger visitors there will be themed craft in our Activity Room. All to be enjoyed with the pleasure of vintage music from Gramofun at the bottom of the main oak staircase. Plus the Newbury Living Calendar!
The fair is pay on the day with entrance costing £2 for adults, £1 for children (three years and under go free).
 Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber is asking residents to share views on which areas they would like the policing element of council tax to be focused in the 2025/26 budget.
The Police and Crime Commissioner is due to set the 2025/26 policing budget by the end of January 2025. The allocation of central government funding for forces is expected to be received in December.
The deadline for sharing your views is 12pm on 3 January.
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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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Before you head out to a restaurant this festive period, don’t forget to check the Food Standards Agency’s Food Hygiene Rating of the premises you are visiting.
The scheme helps you choose where to eat out or shop for food by giving you information about the hygiene standards in restaurants, pubs, cafés, takeaways, hotels and other places you eat, as well as in supermarkets and other food shops.
Our Environment Health Officers visit the premises and each food business is given a food hygiene rating on a scale from 0 to 5 when it is inspected. Look out for a sticker like the one above, showing you the food hygiene rating for that business. You might find it displayed in the window, on the door, or as a certificate, or you can check the rating here.
Read more about the scheme here and find out how to reports concerns here.
Private fostering is when a child lives with someone other than their parents or legal guardians for 28 days or more. This can be a friend, family member, or someone else. Private fostering arrangements need to be registered with the local authority to ensure the child's safety and well-being.
Join us on 5 December, 12:00pm-1:00pm for a webinar to learn more about private fostering, why it's important to notify Children's Services and how you can help identify and support children in private fostering arrangements.
Don't miss this opportunity to increase your knowledge and make a difference in the lives of children.
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Christmas fun for the children this December |
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Children’s Magic Show
It’s show time at Shaw House on Sunday 15 December, at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm! Featuring Mr Muddle the charming, if muddlesome magician, who captivates and amazes children with his comical slapstick magic and laugh-out-loud antics! Each child ticket (£8) includes one free adult. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Movie in the Hall: A Christmas Carol
Head to Shaw House on Monday 23 December for an animated retelling of Charles Dickens' classic novel about a Victorian-era miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions.
The café will be open serving themed cinema sweets and treats. Feel free to come along in fancy dress!
Doors open at 10am, film starts at 10.30am. Book your tickets here (Adults £5, Child £3)
Messy Museum Morning
Tree-ific festive fun at West Berkshire Museum on Friday 20 December, 10am - 1pm! Decorate a ceramic Christmas tree hanging decoration with porcelain pens and glitter. You can then take it home to put on the tree. This is a drop-in session which costs £2.50 per child.
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And finally...
- The next issue of our environment newsletter goes out on 28 November and is packed with sustainable Christmas ideas, tons of links to help shop locally and practical tips on how to reduce Christmas waste at home this year. There's also a section on local events, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and some inspiring local environmental stories from all over West Berkshire. You can sign up to this free, monthly newsletter here.
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