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 We’re asking residents for their views on the main changes to the district’s future Local Plan following instructions from the Planning Inspector and subsequent modifications to the plan.
Our current Local Plan sets out our planning policies up to 2039. This latest review, if approved, will take us up to 2041 so it is vital that communities tell us what they think.
The consultation will be live until Friday 31 January 2025. You can read more about it here.
Following the consultation the Council will be able to make a brief written response to any submissions received. All submissions and the Council's response will then be sent to the Inspector so that he can prepare his final report.
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Free bus travel for Christmas |
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 To help get ready for a jolly holiday season, we are once again offering free bus travel in West Berkshire, providing an excellent chance to explore and enjoy various seasonal events and activities in the run up to Christmas!
Mark your calendars with the dates below as it's the perfect opportunity to shop locally for gifts, enjoy the festive lights, catch the panto at the Corn Exchange, dine at local eateries, or visit friends and family.
On these Saturdays, you can travel all day, any time, completely free (do check the timetables) within West Berkshire:
- Saturday 14 December 2024
- Saturday 21 December 2024
We have worked in partnership with our bus operators Reading Buses, Newbury & District, Thames Travel, and Stagecoach, along with the Council’s Connect Buses, to bring you this initiative over the festive period. Don’t forget, Concessionary Bus Passes are welcome as usual.
But that's not all, free travel extends beyond West Berkshire to our neighbouring areas such as Reading, Didcot, Basingstoke, and Swindon. If you start your journey in West Berkshire, your return journey is also free, but you need to request a return ticket from the driver when boarding to take advantage of this offer.
Information will be made available about the free bus travel offer on our website or you can email transport@westberks.gov.uk for more help.
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 It will not have escaped you that this year has been wet. Over the last two years, eighteen months have been above the average rainfall, and in September to November this year, we have experienced 351%, 100% and 141% respectively, of the average rainfall in Berkshire - so a lot of rain!
The above average rainfall has meant that the groundwater and the rivers in the area are all above where they would normally be. In addition, the soil is saturated so can’t hold any more water. As a result, we are very likely to experience groundwater, river and surface water flooding should we get significant rainfalls in the coming weeks and months.
We're working with the Environment Agency and Thames Water to reduce the risk of flooding. However, we can’t stop flooding altogether so we would encourage everyone now to take action to protect your property from flooding.
What to do now: Check for flooding in West Berkshire
More information about flooding, including the different types of flooding and getting prepared can be found 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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We are still consulting on proposals which will affect some of the services we provide next year. Before we make any decisions, we're inviting you to read more about our plans and tell us how you might be affected by them.
We're taking these decisions as, like many councils, we're facing significant financial pressures with funding failing to keep up with the cost of delivering services. No decisions will be taken until after the consultation has closed on Monday 23 December.
You can find out more about the proposals and have your say here.
Throughout the year we're out and about improving our roads.
From fixing potholes, resurfacing roads, and making sure our drains flow well, the work we do helps keep you on the move. Last month we fixed 251 potholes, cleaned 1,107 gullies and repaired 80 streetlights, as well as undertaking other maintenance.
We want to deliver services to be proud of - and you can help. If you spot a pothole, or see something else which needs fixing, you can tell us online.
 Last month, we welcomed Newbury Football Club back to Faraday Road to play their first game. Over the past 18 months, we've worked hard to get things in place for the community and organised football.
After Newbury FC’s first game back at Faraday Road, the Football League informed us that the changing rooms needed to be larger for the club to play there in the league.
Since that match, we have worked extremely hard to meet the required adjustments to the internal layouts of the changing facilities and have passed the FA Step 7 ground grading requirements so that Newbury FC can return to Faraday Road to play their home games on site starting this weekend.
As a result, we have now passed the FA Step 7 ground grading requirements meaning Newbury FC will now be able to return to Faraday Road and play their home games on site starting this weekend.
Nigel Foot, West Berkshire's Executive Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure, Sport, and Countryside said:
“I am delighted that Newbury will play their first league match for several years at Faraday Road this weekend. Within a very short time we have re-purposed some of the facilities to enable this to happen and I am very grateful to all involved at achieving this.”
 An exciting project to revamp the outside space at the Keevill Unit at Speenhamland School is well underway. First opened in 1973, the unit is a brilliant learning space for children with physical disabilities.
Work is due to complete early next year and the new space will be officially opened by Andy Stevenson, a former Speenhamland student who has gone on to work as a TV Presenter and Radio Reporter, including covering the Paris Olympics and Paralympics for BBC TV and American broadcaster NBC.
Andy says: "When my parents moved to Berkshire in the mid-80's because of my Dad's job, the reason they settled in the Newbury area was almost entirely because they were so keen on me going to school at Speenhamland and benefitting from the brilliant Keevill Unit. It was such an important, happy time in my life and I owe everyone connected with the Keevill Unit such a lot. I'm honoured to be asked to open this new outside space which I'm sure is going to benefit dozens of children."
West Berkshire Council has provided the funding to enable the school to oversee the work and appoint specialists, Timotay Playscapes, to design and build the new area.
A section of Pinchington Lane in Greenham will be closed from Monday 6 January to Friday 7 March 2025 due to utility works. The closure will be between Capability Way and Greenham Road and buses will not be allowed through.
During this time there will be changes to Newbury & District’s 2, 8, 9 and 103 bus services, on journeys that operate between Pigeon’s Farm and Tesco’s Triangle. Further information will be available on the Council’s Transport Service Changes or Disruption page and on Newbury & District’s website. There will also be notices on bus stops along the routes.
If you have any questions or queries you can email transport@westberks.gov.uk or telephone 01635 519394.
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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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We are carrying out a survey to gather feedback from parents/carers on our current Short Breaks services. Short Breaks are opportunities for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) to enjoy fun activities while giving their families a break from their caring responsibilities.
We want to hear your thoughts on our existing services, any concerns you may have and whether you feel there are any gaps in the Short Breaks offer. The survey should take approximately five minutes to complete, and your input will help us to improve and shape future services.
For more information on Short Breaks, please visit our Local Offer web page.
 Norovirus cases are increasing across England and laboratory reports are notably higher than the average of the last five seasons. You can help reduce the spread of norovirus:
- If you have symptoms, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water,
- Stay at home for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop,
- Disinfect surfaces using a bleach-based cleaner where possible.
Click here for more information.
We're working with Thames Valley Police to deliver free online bystander training to the community on 16 December at 7pm as part of the local Violence Against Women and Girls partnership working group.
The training will help you understand the concept of bystander intervention, be better able to recognise violence and abuse, and develop the skills and confidence to intervene safely if you witness inappropriate behaviour. The training lasts around an hour to an hour and a half and will also teach you how to recognise domestic abuse, sexual violence and sexual harassment.
. To register for your free place, email ThatchamNHPT2@thamesvalley.police.uk and the MS Teams link will be sent directly to you email address.
 As we enter the busy festive season, taking a taxi is a great way to ensure you get yourself home safely. West Berkshire taxi and private hire drivers and vehicles must be licensed by the Council and drivers have to undergo regular checks to ensure they are fit and proper to drive members of the public around.
Advice for staying safe:
- If possible, plan your journey in advance and book a taxi.
- If you do book a journey, use a licensed operator and agree the price before-hand.
- Check that the driver’s ID and vehicle details match your booking.
- If you haven’t booked a taxi, always carry a reputable private hire operator or taxi vehicle telephone number with you or go to a rank.
- If you flag a taxi or get into a taxi on the taxi rank, make sure the driver is wearing a valid identity badge. Only hackney carriages are allowed to be on the rank or flagged down.
- Never get into an unmarked vehicle and if you’re in any doubt, don’t get into a vehicle.
- Share your ride details with a friend or family member.
- Check for rear licence plates to confirm it’s a licensed taxi.
- When travelling alone, sit in the rear seat behind the driver.
 Cllr Vicky Poole visiting Green Machine pop-up at Newbury Community Furniture Project
If Santa delivers on your tech wish list, your old laptop could be recycled, refurbished, and potentially used for good by a school or community project through Green Machine.
If you have devices you want to recycle responsibly and potentially benefit schools and other worthy causes, you can drop them off at Newbury Community Furniture Project at Hambridge Road Industrial Estate, Bone Lane, Newbury RG14 5SS.
The Green Machine team will be hosting Pop Up shops at the Newbury Community Resource Centre on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 9am and 5pm until Saturday 21 December selling refurbished laptops as well as some smaller computer accessories such as keyboards and cables.
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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.
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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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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 online (Adults £5, Child £3)
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Marvellous Makers Winter mini reading challenge |
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The Marvellous Makers from our Summer Reading Challenge are back this month with an online Winter Mini Challenge for children. We are encouraging every child and their responsible adult to visit a West Berkshire library to pick up their books and start reading!
Sign up, set your own reading goal and finish your books by 20 February 2025 to join the fun. There are puzzles, games, author videos, suggestions for what to read next and lots of fun activities to keep youngsters busy over the coming weeks and it’s all free. Children can unlock a limited-edition digital badge and a new Winter Mini Challenge certificate once they meet their reading goal.
Children can also borrow books for the challenge from their school library or download library e-books and e-audiobooks for free. All reading counts! Visit the challenge website to find out more. Check out what other events are happening at our libraries this Winter here.
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And finally...
- The Innovation in SEND blog brings you the key developments and innovations linked to our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities services. You can read the latest post here.
- Don't forget to drop in to our Pop-up Library at Compton Village Hall on Thursday 12 December, 10am to 12pm. We will be visiting Compton again in the New Year, so tell us now about the sort of books you like to read and we'll choose a selection for you for next time. New library members especially welcome.
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