 Cameras installed to improve safety around schools
New automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras are being installed outside two schools as a trial project to improve road safety.
We’ve been enforcing the School Keep Clear markings since 2017, mainly with officers on the ground issuing Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) to vehicles who stop in these restricted areas.
When officers are patrolling in the area an immediate reduction in people parking in the keep clear areas is seen. The ANPR cameras will monitor the School Keep Clear markings daily and a PCN will be issued to offending vehicles.
With up to 60 schools in the borough, it is not feasible to be at each school at drop-off and pick-up times.
The trial starts on Monday (11 September) at The Holt on Holt Lane in Wokingham and Loddon Primary on Hillside Road and Silverdale Road in Earley. If the trial is successful, the council will look to roll-out ANPR to other schools in the borough.
More details on rules for School Keep Clear markings and how we’ll roll out the new cameras outside the schools can be found on our news site.
 Keep an eye out for the annual canvass
We have started to contact households as we undertake the annual canvass, which allows us to check the electoral register is up-to-date. Initial letters and emails have been sent out to some residents in the borough, but not all correspondence will be sent straight away.
If you are unsure that it is genuinely us trying to contact you, you can be reassured that our emails will contain our official branding and come from the wokingham.borough.council.electoral.services@notifications.service.gov.uk address.
We are required by law to contact every property and since 2020 we have the ability to contact residents by email, as well as post.
All households are required to respond by the end of November, but not everyone will need to update their details and your correspondence will indicate if we think the information has changed.
As well as keeping the register up-to-date, the annual canvass helps to identity those at risk of losing their voice at future elections and encouraging them to register to vote before it is too late.
You can find out more about the annual canvass process on our website, which also has a link to the Household Response website, but you must use the security codes provided to respond online.
 Help your community by volunteering
Do you have a couple of hours a week to spare? Come along to the Wokingham Volunteer Fair on Saturday 16 September and find a way to help your community.
Organisations with a range of roles to fill will be there, making this a great way to give back and even make new friends in the process.
Drop in from 10am to 1pm at Wokingham Town Hall to find out more - it's free to attend and there is no need to book.
Organisations attending include The Link Visiting Scheme, Citizens Advice Wokingham, Home-Start and ABC to Read.
You can email the Wokingham Volunteer Centre to find out more about the event, or call (0118) 977 0749.
 Glow up for charity walk at Dinton Pastures
Following last year's success, First Days Children's Charity is organising another Glow Walk at Dinton Pastures Country Park to raise funds towards their work.
It will start at 5pm on 18 November (Saturday). Like the previous event, you can enjoy a two-mile starlight walk around Black Swan Lake and take in the illuminated woodland with various light features as well as jugglers, singers and illuminated stand-up paddleboarders.
Hot chocolate, hot dogs and mulled wine will be on sale, so you can bring something warm with you while immersing yourself in the lights.
You are also encouraged to make yourself glow with as many light-up accessories as you can, with glow sticks available to buy on-site.
There is tiered pricing to make the event accessible to as many people as possible, starting at £5 per adult. You can contribute based on your circumstances and how much you can afford. To find out more and book a ticket, visit the First Days website.
 Last chance – California Country Park paddling pool
It’s the last week of the paddling pool being open at California Country Park in Finchampstead. It looks like we’ve got a forecasted week of perfect weather for it.
It’s open daily from 10am to 5.45pm. Sessions are one hour and 45 minutes, they must be booked in advance online.
Tickets are £2.90 for anyone of any age entering the water and £1.20 for adults who need to enter the pool area to supervise children. The pool closes for the summer after Sunday (10 September).
What you might have missed
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Adult education courses to help you learn new skills are open for September including new life skills courses such as Money Management or how to make food go further with Love Food Hate Waste. Sign up on our adult education courses pages
- If you are unsure how to recycle a particular item, check out the list on the Recycling Locator website and enter your postcode to see your nearest recycling points
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Check our jobs board for our latest vacancies – including enforcement officers, social workers, homelessness prevention, business support officers and more
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