 Post office faces bright future after protective listing
We’ve granted extra protection to a historic building in Wokingham town centre which recently marked its ninetieth birthday.
Following a nomination by the Wokingham Society, a civic group set up to protect the town's architectural heritage, we’ve added the former Post Office at 16 Broad Street to our register of buildings of traditional local character.
This means it is now recognised as locally significant, which we must consider when assessing any planning application that could have an impact on it. In these circumstances, permission would only be given if the scheme would preserve its special characteristics.
The mostly red brick building was completed in 1932 and the society describes it as a "fine example" of the neo-Georgian style popular in the early 20th century. It was designed by architect David Dyke, who worked on similar projects across the South East.
The nomination was supported by Wokingham Town Council while Royal Mail, the landowner, raised no objections. Buildings of traditional local character can be designated when they fall just short of the criteria for national listing.
 Partnership to reduce waste and period poverty
We’re partnering with local businesses and charities to help reduce period poverty and help to get more people using reusable sanitary products.
To encourage people to try these products, Maya’s Refillables, based in Wokingham town centre, will provide them at discounted rates for residents, helping them to save money and reduce waste.
The council is also working in partnership with First Days Children’s Charity and Wokingham Foodbank to provide reusable sanitary pads and Mooncups to people struggling financially.
People who access these services will be provided with products free of charge directly by these charities, with funding support from us.
Discount codes if you’re looking to buy reusable products are available on our website.
 New parliamentary boundaries consultation
Parliament constituency boundaries are changing and this is your final chance to help shape the new map locally.
The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) is required by Parliament to undertake an independent and impartial review of all constituencies in England, to rebalance the number of electors in each constituency.
The new map proposed will make sure each constituency has between 69,724 and 77,062 electors, so that each MP represents roughly the same number of electors.
The 2023 Boundary Review also requires that the number of constituencies in England increases from 533 to 543. The Commission has listened to the feedback sent in from the public from previous stages and changed nearly half of the initial proposals published last year.
A final public consultation is open now until 5 December and is the last chance to provide your views on new constituency boundaries.
 Primary school applications now open
If you have a child who is due to start primary or infant school next year, then applications are now open.
Parents of children who were born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019 have until 15 January 2023 to apply, with National Offer Day on 17 April 2023.
We have lots of information on our starting primary school hub, including:
- How to apply
- Which schools can I apply to?
- When can my child start school?
- Schooling for children with special educational needs or disabilities
- Admission policies
 Have your say - waste collections, libraries and more
We’re consulting residents on a number of issues at the moment, including:
In Friday’s (11 November) Residents’ Round-up we said you can make donations to Wokingham Foodbank as part of the Mayor’s reverse advent calendar appeal from Monday to Friday at the charities site in Winnersh (498 Reading Road, Winnersh, RG41 5EX).
This was incorrect and donations are only accepted on Mondays and Fridays between 10am to 12 noon. Apologies for any confusions this has caused. Please keep donating to the appeal!
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