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This is our second last update before Christmas, with the final one on Tuesday (20 December) morning. We’ll then pause and be back with you on Friday 6 January.
In case next week gets a bit busy, here’s the Christmas bin schedule changes or download the handy PDF guide to screengrab to save to your phone. Or we can send you weekly reminders for the next few weeks, just sign up for Rubbish and Recycling updates using the button below.
 Supermarket sweep as two store plans move forward
Residents of Shinfield parish and the former Arborfield Garrison are set to benefit from new supermarkets coming forward under planning applications that we agreed.
Sainsbury's has just unveiled its proposals for a "neighbourhood hub" store at the forthcoming district centre in Arborfield Green, which would serve the growing new community in this area.
This would be a larger version of its convenience stores as part of the area’s proposed district centre, which has outline permission with a more detailed application to follow from developer Crest Nicholson. The store itself would require an application from Sainsbury’s.
Meanwhile, we’ve given the go-ahead for a Lidl store in Shinfield village to accompany homes being built on the Shinfield West development.
This will be built on land off Hollow Lane, with features including an in-store bakery, 87 parking places including electric vehicle charging points, improvements to surrounding footpaths and more.
 Overwhelming response on waste collection future
More than 9,000 of you took part in our consultation on potential changes to your rubbish and recycling collections, which ended earlier this month.
We’re now analysing feedback received from the eight-week consultation, which will help form a new waste strategy that will go to our decision making executive in February next year. Initial findings show:
- 67 per cent of respondents like or can accept fortnightly collections
- 70 per cent of respondents don’t support changing to three weekly rubbish collections
- 69 per cent of respondents like or can accept wheeled bins
More details on the initial breakdown of results can be seen on our news site.
 Harvey reaps rewards of getting active
One lucky boy is riding to school with joy after he won a brand-new micro scooter in a competition aimed at keeping children active.
From the 180 entries in the prize draw, Harvey, a Year 4 pupil at Gorse Ride Junior School in Finchampstead, was randomly chosen after taking part in this year’s Active Journey campaign.
The campaign is part of the Active Movement programme, which encourages children to get active by adding standing and movement to their daily routine in the classroom. From 31 October to 25 November children took part in Active Journey activities aimed at reducing the amount of time spent in cars and on buses, including a walking bingo challenge.
Active Journey is supported by Wokingham Borough Council’s public health team in partnership with My Journey Wokingham. It aims to improve physical activity among young people within a school setting, which supports the council’s overall aim to reduce levels of childhood obesity.
 WATCH: Lights, camera, action as film studio builds
The owners of Shinfield Studios, a major international film and TV centre which we awarded planning permission last year, are making fantastic progress as they move towards a partial opening early next year.
The complex, based south of the M4 at Thames Valley Science Park as part of the University of Reading's Cine Valley creative hub, will have 18 sound stages with supporting facilities when it opens fully in 2024.
It has already confirmed Disney among its first clients and we're hoping to share more news as things move forward. Our senior councillors recently visited and were impressed with what they saw, and several local schools have also had a glimpse behind the scenes.
We're now working with the owners and other agencies to identify the skills they need most - including roles in front of the camera and others like carpentry, catering and technology. This will ensure we make the most of the employment opportunities it presents to residents.
The studio's owners have shared a stunning aerial video of the scheme as it takes shape, including a spectacular fly-through of the site.
 New school opens in January to meet demand
A new primary school in North Wokingham will take on its first pupils from Key Stage 2 (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6) only next month.
We’re partly opening St Cecilia’s Church of England Primary off Queen’s Road for the spring term on Monday, 9 January.
This will meet growing demand in the juniors age group, due largely to the numbers of families moving to the area, and take pressure off existing schools.
St Cecilia’s has capacity for 90 juniors and will be run by the Keys Academy Trust, which has been given access to the building with a full tenancy to follow. No date is set for a full opening, which would see capacity increase to 210, as demand is still lower than expected in younger age groups.
St Cecilia’s didn’t open this September because only a very small number of applicants named it as their first preference. Opening wouldn’t have been viable and would have affected capacity at other primaries but we’re monitoring this closely.
The complex also includes a community space and we’re considering possible uses for this. We’ll keep you posted as soon as there’s any more news.
Free help to reduce your energy costs
Residents on low incomes could get up to £25,000 of home improvements free of charge. Anyone who owns and lives in a property with a low energy efficiency rating could make use of measures like loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and solar panels.
The Sustainable Warmth Scheme provides Government grants to fund improvements for people struggling with energy costs, especially with rising bills and the cost of living crisis. We're administering the fund alongside our partner City Energy.
Households heated by alternative fuels such as oil heating or electric only heaters, and with an annual income of less than £30,000, could be eligible for up to £25,000 at no cost to them.
Households with the lowest Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of G, F or E and an annual income of less than £30,000 could be eligible for up to £10,000, also at no cost.
Possible improvements available include low carbon heating systems with air source heat pumps, energy efficient hot water, solar panels and energy efficient lighting.
Don't forget there's free parking in our town centre car parks tomorrow (Saturday) and next Saturday (Christmas Eve) if you need to grab a final few Christmas bits.
What you might have missed
There’s all our updates from the last week. If you’ve seen something you’re interested sign up for more newsletter updates on our website.
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