 Keeping safe after winter weather warning
An amber cold weather alert has been issued by the Met Office, with severe cold weather and icy conditions with us until Monday. Temperatures are set to drop as low as -5°C.
It is important to know how to stay well this winter. Being cold isn’t just uncomfortable, it can also be bad for your health. Check the Met Office for the latest forecast.
Check on frail or older neighbours or relatives, especially those living alone or who have serious illnesses or long-term conditions to make sure they are safe, warm and well.
Babies and children under the age of five, as well as pregnant women, are more vulnerable to the cold. Some top NHS tips for keeping well this winter:
- Get regular exercise and keep moving to stay warm
- Try not to sit for more than an hour, go for a walk around the house and make a hot drink
- Wear a few layers of thin clothing rather than one thick layer as this will trap the heat better
- Wear shoes with good grip to prevent slips and falls and make sure you have spare medication for basic ailments if you are unable to go out
- Aim to eat five daily portions of fruit and vegetables
Warm spaces, gritting and rough sleepers
If you’re cold in the day, remember to check the borough’s network of warm spaces where you can go during the day to be with others and be warm.
The cold turn means the borough’s gritters are likely to be out across the weekend to keep roads safe.
It also means our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol for rough sleepers has been activated, meaning we can find them a bed for the night. Details on how to contact us can be found on our homelessness pages.
 Getting you a fairer deal on housing
The leader of Wokingham Borough Council has secured an audience with the Government as he continues to press for a reduction in the number of new homes the area is forced to take.
Cllr Clive Jones has been invited to take part in a round-table discussion on possible reforms to the national planning system by Lucy Frazer MP, the Minister of State for Housing and Planning.
The news comes just weeks after Cllr Jones wrote to Michael Gove MP following his recent reappointment as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Communities and Housing.
He urged Mr Gove, whom he met at the Local Government Association’s annual conference in Harrogate in June, to honour his previous commitment to visit the borough and discuss the matter in person. Mr Gove was replaced in a Cabinet reshuffle in July but has since returned to the post.
 Still time to sign up for Santa Dash
There’s still time to sign up for the Dinton Santa Dash 2022. You have until 12 noon on Monday (12 December) to buy your tickets.
This festive run organised by Barnes Fitness takes place on Saturday 17 December, with a 10.30am or 11am start depending on your distance. Entry includes a Santa suit, a Christmas medal and a finisher's treat.
Entry is £16 for 2km or £20 for 5km, with cheaper tickets for children and family options available.
The event is not "timed" and is purely for fun and charity. £2 of every entry will be donated to First Days Children's Charity for giving out warm beds to children in need.
 And while you’re feeling Christmassy…
Don’t forget you can drop in The Elevate Centre on Denmark Street in Wokingham (RG40 2AZ) to meet Santa tomorrow (Saturday 10 December) or next Saturday between 11am and 3pm.
It’s part of A Christmas Presence run by First Days, SHARE Wokingham and Wokingham Foodbank, with support from us, Wokingham Lions Club, Churches Together in Wokingham and more.
At the same location, there's also the Christmas shop for local supported families to go with their children so they can choose what they want from Santa (referral only).
Our help at Christmas pages outlines support from many local organisations if you’re struggling during this festive season.
 Youth MP joins debate in House of Commons
Youth MP for Wokingham Borough Holly Mackinnon joined other members of the Youth Parliament from across the UK last month at the annual debate in the House of Commons chamber.
Chaired by the Speaker of the House of Commons Rt Hon Lindsey Hoyle MP and Dame Rosie Winterton, Holly and her fellow members debated health related issues chosen by a ballot of young people from across the UK.
The event, broadcast on Parliament TV, included debates on the impact of discrimination on health, education and health, environment and health, cost of living and health and mental health services.
A letter from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasising his commitment to cost of living crisis and climate change was warmly received, with the cost of living and health being chosen as the younger generation’s priority.
What you might have missed
Here’s all our email updates from the last week, just in case you’ve missed anything:
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