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Wokingham Leisure Centre at Carnival Hub opened yesterday. This fantastic community facility is a special asset to the area - so special, we’ll be running a whole newsletter on the project in Friday’s Residents’ Round-up.
There will be membership offers, updates on the opening of Wokingham Library and more, so keep your eyes peeled later in the week.
If you can't wait take a look at the opening day pictures – check our Facebook and Twitter pages.
 Shape our strategies and plans
We currently have multiple consultations running on walking and cycling infrastructure, pharmacy services, tree stories and more on Engage Wokingham Borough, our public engagement platform.
Take part and your contributions shape what the future of our borough looks like. Respond and find out more using the links below:
 Still time to claim your energy rebate
Almost £5million of council tax energy rebates have been paid to residents in recent months, but we’re still waiting for applications from some households.
The one-off rebate, which does not need to be repaid, is part of a national scheme aimed at helping offset the rising costs of energy bills.
It is available to households paying council tax and living in a home in council tax bands A to D. Those living in properties rated E who qualify for the disabled band reduction may also be eligible for this scheme.
We have been able to automatically rebate residents paying their council tax by direct debit, people paying by other means need to apply for the rebate. This is to verify they are the council taxpayer and confirm their bank details for the payment to be made.
 Inspector backs protection of ancient woodland
Two landowners have again been told to stop unlawfully storing building materials in protected woodland after a planning inspector upheld our enforcement notice.
Dean and Candice Jules had appealed against the notice which we issued last November following a visit by its officers to land at The Coombes, off Coombes Lane in Barkham.
Now inspector Graham Self has dismissed their appeal, agreeing that the Jules' use of this site amounted to unauthorised development and we were within our rights to tell them to cease.
All items, except those legitimately needed for forestry, must be removed by 4 August.
 Wokingham Festival returns next month
Live music returns to Cantley Park later this summer with Wokingham Festival running on the August bank holiday weekend.
More than 40 artists are appearing from Saturday to Monday (27 to 29 August), so there should be something for everyone.
Beyond the music there's a range of food and drink stands, and children will find a number of activities to keep them amused, including circus skills, face painting and table-top games, plus a Hands-On Art tent run by MoreArts.
The Beer Festival Bar, run by the Twyford Beer Festival crew, will stock a wide selection of specialist craft beers, ciders and perries from local and national breweries.
Festival photo by Andrew Merritt Photography
What you might have missed
- Artist Nicola Antony is looking for stories from the people of the borough for a new public art piece set to go outside the Carnival Hub in Wokingham. Submit your story online now
- Lower Earley Library has science kits with experiments to borrow this summer. The boxes from Reading Sparks are available from this week
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Restoration work on the collapsed section of The Ridges in Finchampstead has begun, with it set to reopen by 4 November
- New information boards have been installed at Charvil Meadows Country Park to help visitors. You can see pictures of the new boards being fitted on our Facebook page
- We’re looking for casual sports instructors to help with classes and programmes in the borough. This will be for our over 55s SHINE programme, adult exercises classes and outdoor classes. Rate is £25 per hour, with relevant qualifications, if you want more details email sport@wokingham.gov.uk
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