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 An expanded kerbside recycling collection service has started this week.
In response to public feedback, certain plastic pots, tubs, and trays can now be included with your regular recycling - making it easier than ever to recycle everyday items.
Alongside plastic bottles, cans, and aerosols, residents can now recycle items such as clear yoghurt pots, spread tubs, clean ready meal trays (without film lids), and fruit punnets (without film lids). Communal bin users can also dispose of these items in the red-topped wheelie bins.
To ensure recyclability, please rinse items and remove any plastic film and lids before placing them in your recycling bag. Need more space? Squash plastic bottles to make room.
We're pleased to be able to launch this new service over a year ahead of the Government’s Simpler Recycling deadline, thanks to the work our waste team have done in partnership with Veolia.
Together, let’s reduce waste, enhance recycling, and create a brighter, greener future for West Berkshire.
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Have your say on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities services |
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 We're sharing a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Thematic Review on behalf of Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission so they can jointly inspect the arrangements in local areas for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Inspectors will visit the district to assess a particular aspect of the SEND system in depth, in a small number of areas. The theme that will be explored in West Berkshire is children who are not in school.
Gathering the experiences and views of children, young people, parents/carers and professionals is an important part of the thematic review. The inspectors want to hear from as many people as possible who have accessed or worked with services to help them better understand the local experience.
The anonymous online survey closes on 13 February. It should take around 5-10 minutes to complete. Your answers will not contribute to any judgements in West Berkshire, and you won't be asked for any details that may identify you. There are three surveys: one for parents/carers, one for young people with SEND aged over 11 and the third, for professionals.
If you have any questions about the survey or the inspection process, please email area.send@ofsted.gov.uk
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 Private fostering happens when a child under 16 (or 18 if disabled) is cared for by someone who isn’t their parent or close relative for more than 28 days. Examples include:
- A child living with a friend’s family due to a family breakdown.
- Children sent to the UK for education or medical care while their parents remain abroad.
- Teenagers staying with their boyfriend or girlfriend’s family.
These arrangements are not uncommon, but they are often hidden. As a community, we can help identify these situations to ensure children receive the support and protection they deserve.
We're hosting a Private Fostering Awareness Seminar on Tuesday 11 February from 3:00pm-5:00pm in the Chandos Room at Shaw House. This free session is open to professionals and others in the community who may come across private fostering arrangements. You will learn how learn to identify children in private fostering arrangements and report these cases to the local authority effectively.
If you’re aware of a private fostering arrangement, call our team on 01635 503090 or email child@westberks.gov.uk.
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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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 West Berkshire has the fewest pharmacies in the country – on average there is one for every 10,000 people.
We’re currently working to assess our needs for the coming years and you can help us by sharing your experiences of using pharmacies in West Berkshire. Your views are very important as they will help us to understand what you need, and this will help shape future pharmacy services in your area.
You can find out more and complete the survey before 16 February here.
 ‘Risking It All’ is a thought-provoking drama being performed at all West Berkshire mainstream secondary schools next month. There’s also an evening performance for parents and professionals on Wednesday 5 February at the Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury.
This free event offers a unique opportunity for parents of secondary school students and those working with young people to gain insight into the consequences of risky behaviour and how to navigate difficult situations.
Parents often feel overwhelmed by the risks and concerns their children may face. ‘Risking It All’ provides a clear, open space for learning about the realities young people encounter, identifying warning signs, and understanding how to offer the right support.
Professionals will be on hand to answer questions and offer valuable advice and support.
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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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 Imported American sweets and fizzy drinks are becoming increasingly popular in the UK market. Consumers are being urged to check the ingredients as they might contain additives that aren’t authorised to be sold in the UK and might not include allergy labelling information.
Trading Standards are cautioning that the imported items may also contain dangerous ingredients such as mineral oil and bleached flour and consumers should look out for additives, which may cause hyperactivity or cancer in children, such as:
- Sunset yellow FCF (E110)
- quinoline yellow (E104)
- carmoisine (E122)
- allura red (E129)
- tartrazine (E102) - Yellow 5
- ponceau 4R (E124)
The following are allowed in food but not in drinks:
- Calcium disodium EDTA (E385)
- Erythorbic acid (E315)
Retailers should urgently remove items from sale if they contain unauthorised ingredients. Citizens Advice can provide advice and support on 0808 223 1133. Enquiries can be directed to our Trading Standards team via email tsadvice@westberks.gov.uk or 01635 519930.
 Lunar New Year, sometimes called Chinese New Year, marks the beginning of the new lunisolar calendar. On Wednesday, 29 January, communities around the world will be joined by residents in Berkshire celebrating the start of the new lunar year. However, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is warning revellers to take care this Lunar New Year as the risk of fire could ruin the festivities.
While flying lanterns are commonly associated with Lunar New Year celebrations, RBFRS strongly advises against using them. Once flying lanterns are launched, they are impossible to control and pose a serious fire risk to any property, livestock or woodland downwind of them.
Instead, celebrate the Lunar New Year safely by following the safety tips on the RBFRS website.
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Half term activities with West Berkshire Heritage |
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And finally...
- Next week is Children's Mental Health Week and this year’s theme is Know Yourself, Grow Yourself. Talking about any issues or things that may be troubling you is a good way to start moving forward. We’re so lucky to have the brilliant Time to Talk team in West Berkshire. You can self-refer and get chatting! Find out more and see how others have been helped here. You can also find more resources for Children's Mental Health Week on our Emotional Health Academy Facebook page.
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