 Help us to hit fly-tippers in the pocket
Can you help us catch whoever selfishly fly-tipped this building waste at Hatch Ride, between Nine Mile Ride and Honey Hill near Crowthorne, before Thursday, 5 January?
Please tell us anything you know about this, or report any other incidents, by reporting to us online or calling us on 0118 974 6000.
Removing dumped goods from the public highway wastes our money at a time when we're fighting to protect essential services for vulnerable residents through the cost of living crisis.
We'll do all we can to trace fly-tippers and people who employ them without checking they're properly licensed, and will fine both up to £400. The penalties are higher if prosecuted in a court.
Check if your contractor has a Waste Carrier's Licence, find out more about the re3 recycling centres in Bracknell and Reading or read all about our large unwanted item collections.
 Adult education maintains its good rating
Adult education in the borough has maintained a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating.
The adult education service offers courses across the borough to inspire and support residents to develop skills, knowledge and confidence for work, home and everyday life.
The inspection, carried out in November 2022, highlighted that the council targeted the courses to meet the needs of the community, with almost 400 learners taking part in courses last year.
The inspectors found that learners enjoy the lessons and value the knowledge and skills they gained, as well as the opportunity to socialise. People have learnt skills that are relevant to them, with examples from Ofsted including how retired learners are learning digital skills, helping them to communicate and plan trips and regain confidence lost during Covid-19.
 Tackling youth vaping and curbing underage sales
We're warning young people about the risks of vaping and working to make it safer for others by enforcing the law.
The campaign by the Public Protection Partnership, which we’re part of, will remind retailers of the law surrounding vape products. These are typically marketed as an alternative to cigarettes for those trying to quit smoking.
It covers under-age sales, which is a concern as the number of young teenagers who vape is rising even though many have never touched a cigarette, as well as things like legal limits and disposing of electronic vaping devices safely.
The partnership’s teams will visit shops to carry out spot checks and work with schools to warn young people about nicotine addiction and the health problems it can cause. They’ll also talk with teachers about dealing with students who vape.
According to recent research by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, illegal vape products on high streets are the biggest concern among industry professionals.
 Land sought to meet needs of Gypsy and Traveller community
We have to plan for all sections of the community and want to hear from anyone who would like to suggest potential sites for Gypsy and Traveller pitches.
We’re asking individuals, landowners, parish and town councils and housing developers to suggest sites that might be available, either now or in the future, which they think might be suitable.
Anyone who can help should visit our Engage Wokingham Borough page to download a form and return it by 5pm on Friday, 17 February for their submission to be considered.
This ‘call for sites’ is part of the process for our ongoing Local Plan Update, which will set policies to manage all kinds of development within the borough for many years to come in line with Government requirements.
We know we’ll need to provide more homes that are suitable for Gypsy and Traveller communities in the future and might need more to meet local need, so we’re keen to explore any other opportunities.
 Views sought on taxi licence rules
We’ve drawn up some improvements to how taxi licences are awarded in Wokingham Borough, and we’d like you to share your thoughts by Sunday, 5 March.
We’re planning to build on existing protections, which already include a medical exam, proof of insurance and a check of applicant's identities, criminal record and their right to work, through a revised licensing policy that would run until 2028.
Updates include sharing information about revoked or refused licences with other councils, meaning if a driver failed to disclose past issues or concerns they would still come to light. The new policy also requires English language and driving proficiency tests.
However, vehicles would no longer be retired after eight years, meaning some are scrapped while still roadworthy. Instead, they would undergo periodic inspections and emissions checks to ensure all vehicles, whatever their age, aren't having a disproportionate impact on the environment.
What you might have missed
Here are all the updates we’ve sent in the last week:
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