 Have you seen the latest Carnival Hub progress?
It’s getting exciting in Wokingham as the new Carnival Hub leisure centre, library and cultural space is beginning to take shape inside.
Our contractors, Pellikaan, have been working hard with completing the swimming pools and tiling the stylish new changing areas. Alongside this we're continuing to put up interior walls and starting to fit out spaces like the reception and café area.
The Carnival Hub will include a range of great facilities including a main swimming pool and a teaching pool with moveable depth floor to accommodate a wider range of users. There will also be a children’s splash pad, two large studios for classes, a specialist spin studio, larger gym and fitness area, spa area and a four-court sports hall which can convert into a performance space with tiered bleacher seating, stage and a range of great equipment for putting on community events.
Along with a large café area, viewing gallery over the pool and a fantastic new home for Wokingham Library, the Hub is sure to prove a hit when it opens later this summer.
We’re finalising details about the opening now so keep an eye out for more information in the coming weeks. In the meantime, why not check out our latest photo galleries on Facebook and Instagram to see how it’s progressing for yourself?
 Support with Council Tax and other payments
Council tax bills will be landing on doorsteps this week. We know it can feel overwhelming if you’re worried about money - especially knowing that we are still in a pandemic, which has hit many households hard, so please remember help is here:
- From April, households in Council Tax bands A to D will receive a one-off £150 rebate to help with increased energy costs. If you don’t already pay by Direct Debit, sign up now to ensure your rebate is paid as quickly as possible
- We will also deliver discretionary funding to support vulnerable people on low incomes that do not pay Council Tax, or whose household is in bands E to H – more information to follow
- If you are struggling to pay, you may be eligible for a Council Tax discount or exemption – more information on discounts and exemptions is available on our website
- If you receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit and it doesn’t cover all your rent, you may be able to get a Discretionary Housing Payment to help
This is not an extensive list. You can find more information about help available in the borough on our online Local Support Hub. If you are worried about debt you can also contact One Front Door, led by Citizens Advice Wokingham, for a confidential chat, on 0808 278 7958 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), or via the One Front Door website.
 15 years of borough status
This month marks 15 years since Wokingham was granted borough status by the Queen. Prior to March 2007, Wokingham was a district council with a Chairman as civic head.
Since becoming a borough council, Wokingham has had a Mayor each year to chair the authority as well as serving to represent and support the council, residents and businesses within the borough.
The photo above shows the current Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Keith Baker MBE and borough's first Mayor Cllr Angus Ross, next to a tree which was gifted by Clifton Ingram Solicitors back in 2007 to mark the occasion.
 Reconsidering cycleway plans for Woodley
We’re now reconsidering plans for a Woodley to Reading cycle link following feedback from residents.
Last month we asked residents for their views on a proposed cycle link to improve the cycling and walking connection between Woodley town centre and the Reading borough boundary at Palmer Park.
Early analysis of the feedback shows that overall the design was not popular, leading the council to go back to the drawing board and rethink the draft plan based on resident feedback.
The proposed cycleway is part of the Government’s Active Travel Fund, which aims to improve cycling and walking across the country. Because the proposal is grant funded, the design must meet very specific technical compliance requirements.
More than half of the people who took the survey liked something about the proposal, including that it would make it safer and more attractive for cyclists, reduce motor vehicle speeds and make it safer for pedestrians in the area. However, respondents also thought it might create traffic congestion, make it harder to reach their destinations and that it would give too much priority to cyclists and pedestrians.
The council will now look closely at the consultation results and look to revise the proposal. Residents will be consulted on a new design in the coming months.
What you might have missed
- We’re set to expand three secondary schools in the borough by investing almost £7million during the next three three years. Piggott (Wargrave), St Crispin’s and The Emmbrook (both Wokingham) will be developed to meet an increase in the number of pupils entering secondary school for the next five years
- Berkshire Digital Infrastructure Group is running a survey on how residents and businesses use the internet in our area. They’re looking into what you use the internet for mostly at home, how does what you do at home and work differ, or what challenges do you have when using digital technology
- We are consulting on our Joint Minerals and Waste Local Plan. The joint plan (produced in partnership with our neighbouring councils in Bracknell Forest, Reading Borough and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead) was submitted to the Secretary of State in February 2021. Consultation on the proposed Main Modifications will run for six weeks, and take place between Monday 28 February and 5pm on Monday 11 April 2022. Respond now to these changes on the Joint Minerals and Waste Plan website
-
Weekend trips, televisions and Brompton bicycle hire subscriptions are among the rewards available to Wokingham borough residents who join a high-tech new challenge to travel actively and use public transport more instead of driving. Innovation Valley Rewards is easy to use as it can automatically record and categorise journeys using various methods including a device’s GPS and other sensors
-
Our planning committee has approved proposals to redevelop the Hare Hatch Sheeplands site at Hare Hatch near Wargrave. The owners sought our permission to convert the business off the A4 Bath Road, which currently serves mixed uses including a horticultural nursery, farm shop and café, into a retail garden centre with a play area, allotments, new parking and overflow car park and a replacement café with 250 seats
- We've got more than 30 roles currently open for recruitment to join us. Take a look at the jobs listing webpage to find out more
|
