 Keeping up the pressure to cut housing targets
We’re keeping up pressure on the Government to reduce the number of new homes that the borough is being forced to take - and to reform national planning rules to put more power in local hands.
Leader of the council Cllr Clive Jones, Chief Executive Susan Parsonage and other council representatives met the former prime minister and MP for Maidenhead Theresa May to seek her support for our call for a planning system that works for local communities.
Cllr Jones has also written to Greg Clark MP, who is responsible for the system as the Government’s new housing minister, urging him to honour his predecessor Michael Gove’s commitment to visit the borough and discuss this urgent issue in person.
Mr Gove promised to visit when he met Cllr Jones at the Local Government Association’s annual conference in Harrogate a few weeks ago, but has since been replaced.
 Plans to relocate Twyford Library move forward
Proposals to relocate Twyford Library from its existing site to a new home have moved forward.
Our executive voted to complete the lease for the Old Polehampton Boys school building and allocate an additional £330,000 towards the works.
This funding is on top of the £720,000 already put aside for the project and reflects the rising cost of materials nationally and an ongoing desire to make the new library as energy efficient as possible.
The additional funding will come from Section 106 (S106) contributions, paid by developers to help deliver infrastructure projects across the borough and support local growth.
The Old Polehampton Boys School is a Grade 2 listed building in Polehampton Close. It is owned by the Polehampton Trust, a local charity who seek to support residents in need as well as children’s educational development in the Twyford area.
 Improving support for those in need
We’ve committed to improving our Local Welfare Provision Scheme (otherwise known as emergency hardship payments), and a motion was passed at full council last month to support this.
We’ll be reviewing the effectiveness of our help to people who are in a crisis or emergency, and who would benefit from financial support, goods, vouchers or services to prevent the situation from escalating.
This includes people who may have recently left care or prison, or who have been experiencing domestic abuse, and who need help accessing white goods.
In the meantime, you can learn more about the support available from us:
- If you are struggling to pay for food, energy bills and other household essentials you might be eligible for food, fuel, or cash vouchers through the Household Support Fund
- If you are in an emergency situation you may be eligible for help accessing good, vouchers, or services, through the existing Local Welfare Provisionscheme
- If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax, you may be eligible to a Council Tax discount or exemption
- 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 Paymentto help
- If you are a local business and need help with business rates, or are struggling to pay, you may be eligible for a reduction and further support
- If you receive certain benefits your child may be eligible for free school meals
 Fly-tipper paints himself into a corner
A man from Woodley painted himself into a corner when he was caught fly-tipping a bag of paint tins and cans in a public car park. The incident took place in Lytham Road in Woodley on the morning of 30 April 2022.
A witness watched the man fly-tip a black bin bag and took a photo of the van and number plate. The witness immediately contacted our anti-social behaviour team and provided them with the evidence.
We worked with Thames Valley Police to trace the van’s registration plate to an address in Woodley.
The perpetrator was presented with the evidence and issued with a £400 fixed penalty notice, which has since been paid. The man cannot be named as he has paid the fixed penalty notice which discharges any further action.
Report online
You can report fly-tipping in the borough by visiting our website. All information is treated in confidence and if the information results in a successful prosecution, you will receive a gift card of their choice to the value of £100.
 Let’s set a new record for Cycle September
We’re urging residents and workplaces across Wokingham borough to help us make this year’s Love to Ride Cycle September challenge the most successful yet.
Our My Journey Wokingham active travel team is calling on at least 1,000 businesses, charities or community groups to saddle up and jointly rack up at least 150,000 miles throughout the month.
Anyone can sign up their company and start encouraging colleagues to take part, and the scheme is open to everybody over the age of 13 who lives, works or studies in the borough.
A new bike of the winner’s choice, worth up to £1,000, is up for grabs in a prize draw for anyone who registers before 1 September. Other prizes include £4,000 towards a dream holiday.
The challenge is fun, friendly and welcoming to all riders, regardless of experience or ability, and offers a little gentle rivalry as people compete to top the local leaderboard. We’re proud to back it as part of our commitment to promoting active and sustainable alternatives to driving.
What you might have missed
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