 We need your help – get the borough a better deal
After years of low funding from the Government we’re calling on everybody to join the campaign for a Fair Funding Deal.
The situation is stark. You get £30million less towards your services than an average council that's £400 less per household on average.
We believe this puts an unfair burden on you. We’re asking you to support our campaign. Contact your MP and Government boss for councils Michael Gove to call for change. Our message calls for:
- Mr Gove to come to the area and understand the true state of local finances
- Future funding settlements matching local needs for vulnerable children and adults (where most of Council Tax goes)
- Funding being for longer periods of time, to allow for better planning
What to do
We ask you do one thing. Contact your MP and Michael Gove calling for a better deal for our area. It takes less than 30 seconds.
Press the relevant link below and it will open a new email with the pre-written call for a better deal. All you have to do is send it:
 Free bus travel this festive season
We’re planning to offer free bus travel on the six Saturdays leading up to Christmas, and free bus travel and town centre parking for those attending two Sunday Christmas events in Wokingham and Woodley, paid for from national grant funding.
A decision will be made later today whether free bus travel can be offered for all local routes every Saturday from 18 November until 23 December for services starting in the borough. There is also extra free travel for those travelling to and from the Wokingham Winter Carnival and Woodley Christmas Extravaganza.
Free parking has already been agreed for visitors to Wokingham and Woodley town centres for their festive events to help support local businesses and stallholders. Wokingham town centre car parks will be free on 26 November and Woodley town centre car parks on 3 December.
Parking will be free from 10pm on the Saturday evening prior to the event and you will not need to enter a registration or purchase a ticket. Please note the ticket machines and RingGo will not be changed on these dates and if you do purchase a ticket, refunds will not be available. Notices will be on display in the car parks.
 New Twyford library beginning to take shape
Twyford’s new library remains on track to open next year.
The new library will be located in the former Old Polehampton Boys school building, helping breathe new life into this listed historic landmark and bringing it back into community use.
On opening it will offer residents a fantastic new space with a large flexible conversion of the main hall and a new children’s library space.
Users will also benefit from other popular library features including free access to computers.
 Upcoming event road closures
Between now and Christmas, there are some road closures for occasions including fireworks, Remembrance parades and Christmas events. Please be aware of the closures below to help plan your journey:
Remembrance Sunday
Remembrance parades needing road closures will be happening on Sunday 12 November in three areas of the borough:
Other Remembrance events take place this weekend across the area. Your local church or parish council will have more information for your area.
Christmas events
 Double award recognition for social workers
A big congratulations to two of our long-serving social workers, who achieved silver honours at this year's Social Worker of the Year Awards.
Jen Daines was representing us in the Adult Social Worker of the Year category, while Jan Ledbrook was up for the Team Leader of the Year for adult services prize.
The awards night was held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Friday 3 November to recognise excellence and hard work in the industry.
With more than 50 years of experience between them, both are team managers and they were named as finalists for their respective awards after being nominated by colleagues.
If you are interested in becoming a social worker with us, visit our website or search for ‘careers in social work in Wokingham’ to find out more.
What you might have missed
Here’s all the updates we’ve sent in the last week:
Get the latest straight to your inbox by signing up for updates on these topics on our website.
|
