Celebrate the King’s Coronation
It’s almost time for the biggest national event of the year - The King’s Coronation.
There will be an extra Bank Holiday on Monday 8 May, proclaimed in honour of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, giving the opportunity for families and communities across the country to come together to celebrate the royal occasion.
We’re inviting all residents, including town and parish councils, businesses, voluntary and community groups, organisations, multi-faith and local groups to take part in our online celebration of The King’s Coronation.
There is also information on how to take part in The Coronation Big Lunch and The Big Help Out.
Road closures
There will also be a dedicated section for residents to view the borough’s road closures for the bank holiday weekend on our Engage website.
We're making it easy for residents living in cul-de-sacs and roads to hold street parties by waiving road closure charges during the bank holiday weekend of 6, 7 and 8 May. Applications must be submitted by 16 April.
Voter ID for local elections in May
This year’s local elections are taking place on Thursday 4 May and we want to make sure you have all the information you need to have your say.
Registering to vote is quick and easy and must be done by Monday 17 April. It is also a necessary requirement if you need to apply for voter ID.
Not everyone will need to apply for this free ID, as many forms of photo ID, such as a driving licence or passport, are already suitable. You can find a full list of accepted forms of ID on the Electoral Commission’s website.
Poll cards for this year have now been posted, you should get yours soon. Remember bringing your poll card alone will not entitle you to vote.
Other key dates to be aware of:
- Tuesday 18 April at 5pm - deadline to cancel or amend existing postal or proxy arrangements, as well as any new postal vote applications
- Tuesday 25 April at 5pm - deadline for proxy vote applications
- Friday 5 May - counting of votes
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm, but if you fail to bring ID with you, you will not be able to vote.
If you need help applying for voter ID, email our electoral services team or call (0118) 974 6000.
Have your say – community safety and future services
There’s still time to respond to a number of consultations to shape the future of our services. These include:
Welcome new pilates studio to Wokingham
We’re delighted to welcome Core Connexion, a boutique Pilates studio, to the newly developed Elms Walk in Wokingham. Core Connexion signed a new lease with the council last December and officially opened its doors earlier this month.
Core Connexion offers a range of group and private Pilates sessions focusing on strength, posture, balance, breathing and relaxation, which are available to people of all abilities and experience levels.
To celebrate the studio opening, the first 50 monthly members will receive extra perks with the Founding Membership package which includes complimentary grip socks and a Huskee 8oz coffee cup, a free guest pass per month and exclusive membership discounts.
Residents who would like to bring Pilates into their weekly workout schedule can sign up to the studio’s introductory offer of three sessions for £50. Core Connexion's opening hours are:
- Monday to Friday, 7am to 8.30pm
- Saturday, 8am to 2pm
- Sunday, 9am to 2pm
Test alarms regularly to save lives
In the event of a fire, smoke alarms give you precious time to escape and so it is vital that they are properly maintained.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging you to do just that by testing them regularly and knowing when to change an alarm.
Although the majority of homes have an alarm fitted, most people do not know the average lifespan of a smoke alarm is 10 years. After that, the entire unit should be replaced.
As well as testing alarms weekly, it is recommended that you change the batteries at least once a year and gently vacuum the alarm twice a year to remove dust.
Other tips to consider:
- Make sure there is at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home
- Test your smoke alarms by pushing the button, ideally once a week
- Take a moment to check on friends and relatives who may need help
- Fit alarms in the right place – on landings and hallways and near bedrooms
What you might have missed
We’re sending fewer updates than normal in the run up to local elections in May but we’ve still got some newsletters for you. Here’s everything from the last week:
Sign up for any of these newsletters, and many more, on our website.
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