 Parking fee increase to protect services
A proposed increase in off-street car parking fees, our first in almost five years, has been given the go-ahead following further discussions.
Our overview and scrutiny management committee voted to confirm the decision originally made by our executive last month. That decision was “called in” shortly afterwards for closer examination, which our constitution allows to make sure we’re doing things democratically.
We’ve got to increase charges to make up an expected shortfall in parking revenue this financial year, caused partly by Covid-19 and changing work habits. This will help us maintain our highways at the current level without affecting services used by more vulnerable residents like children, the elderly or those on low incomes.
We’re facing unprecedented financial pressure as running costs like energy spiral upwards, but we’ve pledged to continue protecting those in need from the ongoing cost of living crisis.
We’ll soon be consulting on a traffic order to bring the increase into effect, which we expect could happen in January at the earliest.
 4,000 still to respond to annual canvass
Over the coming weeks, canvassers will approach around 4,000 households that have yet to respond to an annual canvass form.
We’ve been contacting residents since the start of September and further correspondence was sent out in October.
Canvassers will wear ID badges to identify themselves and will have a copy of the form that each household needs to complete.
The canvass is an important process, which we’re required by law to carry out every year. It ensures the electoral register is up to date and allows us to notify residents who are at risk of losing their voice at future elections.
Households must ensure their details are correct by Wednesday 30 November in preparation for the publication of the revised electoral register on Thursday 1 December.
 Children get more active on their way to school
More children in Wokingham Borough will be getting active by adding standing and movement to their daily routine in the classroom.
The Active Movement programme offers a unique approach to behaviour change within schools by encouraging children to sit less, stand regularly and move more.
We’re keen to promote the scheme following the success of last year’s pilot. This saw seven schools in the borough take part across the academic year, with more than 2,000 pupils and 82 teachers getting involved.
For 2022-23, Active Movement will be supporting an additional eight primary schools to walk, cycle and enjoy all kinds of physical movement throughout their day. Those that took part last time reported levels of activity increased across the school, with more participation in other sports as well.
Now children are going to get more active going to and from school as well. From 31 October to 25 November, children will take part in the programme’s Active Journey campaign, which aims to reduce the amount of time spent in cars, with activities including a walking bingo challenge.
Every child will receive a bingo card and each time they complete one of the active journeys featured, they can cross it off. Once they have completed all nine, they hand it into their school to be entered into a prize draw, which features a scooter and lots of other great rewards.
 Last week to have your say - new political map
A new pattern of wards is being developed for the area. The Local Government Boundary Commission has decided that the number of councillors in Wokingham should be 54, the same as now.
There’s just under a week left to respond to the proposals, with the closing date on 7 November. The commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries.
It is reviewing the borough to make sure councillors represent about the same number of electors, and that ward arrangements help the council work effectively. It wants to be sure that its proposals reflect community ties and identities.
The commission is interested in views on which communities should be part of the same ward. There will be a further round of consultation once proposals have been drawn up, likely early next year.
Celebration to mark Black History Month
There’s an event being held in Woodley to celebrate Black History Month.
There will be a taste of the Caribbean with food tasting as well as a range of performances for guests to enjoy. This will be held at Woodley Baptist Church on Hurricane Way (RG5 4UX) on Saturday 12 November, from 7pm to 9.30pm.
There is no need to book, just show up on the day and find your seat. This is a free event and open to all. The evening will include:
- Singing
- Dancing
- Spoken word
- Poetry
All performances will have local connection and celebrating African and Asian heritage. The event is being organised by Jeff Hinds, chairman of the African Caribbean Society, a member of the borough’s Residents Equality Forum, with support from Wokingham Borough Council.
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