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LOCAL
NEWS - February 2007
BERKSHIRE-WIDE
New internet
service launched for Berkshire residents
Friendly help to introduce Berkshire residents to the internet is now available
at myguide centres in Bracknell, Reading, Sandhurst and Slough. They are among
more than 60 centres in the South East offering the new services. To find out
details of your local myguide centre, ring 0800 015 8815.
Source: GNN, 24th January 2007
Most hosepipe bans lifted in South East
Most water companies in the South East and across Berkshire have lifted their
hosepipe bans. Thames Water believes that the rain over the last four months
should mean that groundwater levels are back to normal by February. However,
South East Water, which supplies 1.5 million customers in Berkshire and Sussex
is retaining its hosepipe ban and will review it at the end of January. The
Environment Agency believes that groundwater levels are still low in some parts
of the South East. If the remainder of the winter is dry, there may be problems
with drought again in the summer.
Sources: BBC online; icberkshire website, various dates
MPs join
in protest at new train timetable
MPs from the Conservative and Labour parties have met with train operating
company First Great Western to air their views about the company’s new
timetable. First Great Western has already made several emergency changes to
the timetable in response to criticism from passengers and politicians. Conservative
MPs Ed Vaizey, Richard Benyon, Theresa May, Rob Wilson, Boris Johnson and Labour
MP Martin Salter are considering contacting the Health and Safety Executive
due to the excessive overcrowding on some peak services.
The company has announced changes
to the Oxford, Didcot and Reading to Paddington services
and is continuing to review them.
Source: icberkshire website, 18th January 2007
Thames
Valley Chamber of Commerce awarded National Chamber
of the Year
The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group has been given the top award for
all chambers of commerce in the UK. The National Chamber of the Year award
is only given to the chamber that has proven vision, commitment, innovation
and all round excellence.
Paul Briggs, chief executive
of the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group, said: “I
am thoroughly delighted that the Chamber has been
named National Chamber of the Year. This award recognises
the dramatic changes within the Chamber which have
resulted in it becoming one of the largest and fastest
growing in the UK.”
Source: Thames Valley Chamber website, 9th January 2007
TVU offers
weekend business courses
Students can now complete a degree in business studies at TVU by attending
on Saturdays only. The university also offers an MBA course where students
attend just one Friday or Saturday each month. Courses available include:
Foundation Degree Business Management
BA (Hons) Business Studies
BA (Hons) Business Studies with Marketing
BA (Hons) in Marketing with Business
MBA (part-time)
Source: Thames Valley University Website, 8th January 2007
First
Berkshire Business Show on 14th and 15th February
Final preparations are being made for the first ever Berkshire Business Show
to be held on 14th and 15th February. Berkshire-based companies will have the
opportunity to promote themselves to prospective customers, network with other
companies and gain publicity in the Newbury Business News and Kick FM.
For more details about the Berkshire
Business Show please contact Chula Bishop on 01635
845298 or email c-bishop@newbury-college.ac.uk
Source: Newbury College website, 3rd January 2007
Inner
Distribution Road work on hold
A legal challenge to the plans for a one-way inner distribution road through
Reading has meant that work has been put on hold indefinitely. The work was
due to start on March 1. However, Wokingham District Council has applied to
the High Court for a legal review. Reading Borough Council is still hoping
that work can begin on the IDR this year.
Source: icberkshire website, 23rd January 2007
Plans
to expand Madejski stadium have been submitted
Reading Football Club’s chief executive confirmed that a planning application
for the extension of the Madejski stadium has been submitted to Reading Borough
Council. If the plans are approved then work will start in the close season.
The ground’s capacity will grow from 24,000 seats to 37,000-38,000.
Source: BBC online, 22nd January 2007
More than
1,600 army jobs to go by 2011
1,645 jobs will go at Arborfield Garrison due to a reorganization in army training.
Defence Training will be relocated to St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan. Both
Arborfield’s School of Electronic and Aeronautical Engineering (SEAE)
and REME Arms School are affected. The Defence Training Review aims to privatize
military training and create national centres of excellence. No significant
moves are planned before 2011. Initially, the base will have an increase in
staff as the Defence Food Service, which trains chefs for the army, moves from
Aldershot to Arborfield at the end of 2007.
Source: icberkshire website, 18th January 2007
Reading
B&Q seeks staff
B&Q’s Reading warehouse is completing a £2.5m refurbishment
and is looking for employees of all ages. The warehouse has over 250 staff
and is looking for 50 more. The warehouse has a 60 year age difference between
its oldest and youngest members of staff (aged 17 and 67) and is looking to
continue its policy of diversity in recruitment.
Source: icberkshire website, 11th January 2007
Residents
unhappy about school development plans
The Elvian School in Southcote has plans to build a sports centre and 90 homes
by demolishing the Oakfield Hall and Rotherfield Grange mansions in its grounds.
The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) which runs the school wants to increase the
number of students from 175 to 500 and rebuild the Presentation College complex,
opening a Next Generation sports club within the school’s grounds. However,
some local residents plan to fight the scheme, and are especially concerned
with the plans to demolish the mansions. The application may be submitted to
the council in April.
Source: icberkshire website, 11th January 2007
Exam results
best ever
In Reading there was an unprecedented 10% increase in the number of students
with five or more GCSEs with A*-C grades. The proportion of students with these
grades in Reading rose from 46.4% in 2005 to 56.1% in 2006, compared with a
2.1% rise nationally. Last year the results were in the bottom 20 nationally,
whereas this year they are 53rd out of 149 local authorities.
Wokingham District Council-run
schools were in sixth place, and West Berkshire Council
schools were 22nd.
Reading Girls' in Whitley showed
the greatest improvement, up 16%, while Blessed Hugh
Faringdon in Southcote’s results increased
by 11%, Prospect College in Tilehurst, was up by
18%, and the former Thamesbridge College (now The
Madejski Academy), up 22%.
A-level results were also good,
with the highest score per exam entry nationally,
at 221.9 points, compared with the national average
of 206.2. Reading was fourth nationally with an average
point score per student of 805.1, compared with the
national average of 721.5.
This year there is a new type
of value added score, taking into account factors
including gender, ethnicity, language and deprivation
when calculating how much progress pupils have made
between 11 and 16. Langtree School in Woodcote is
among the top 25% nationally for this measure.
Source: icberkshire website, 11th January 2007
More for
Less: Council tax to rise by 3.5%, while council
workforce shrinks by 10%
The rise in Council tax means that 41% of houses in the borough (in band C)
will be charged £36 more tax, while band D properties, constituting 15%
of Reading’s housing, will rise by £40. The increase is below the
rate of inflation which currently stands at 3.6%. Meanwhile the council’s
workforce of 2,468 will reduce by 10%. The council has not been filling jobs
when employees leave. It will also be encouraging voluntary redundancies.
Source: icberkshire website, 16th January 2007
Councillors’ Concerns
could halt £3m revamp of Bulmershe School
Approval has been given to rebuild Addington School on the Bulmershe site,
but Woodley town councillors have concerns about plans submitted for 12 all-weather
football pitches and parking for 156 cars by five-aside company Powerleague.
The £1.73m development would mean that the facilities are available to
students until 4.30pm and will then be used by the community and local leagues.
Bulmershe School also wants to improve its tennis courts, gymnasium and security
arrangements. However, councillors are concerned about the area’s Site
of Urban Landscape Value status and the likely traffic problems the development
of the football pitches may cause.
Source: icberkshire 4th January 2007
Minister
impressed with proposals for £78m development
of Reading station
The Reading Station Partnership Board has impressed Douglas Alexander with
its proposals for £78 million improvements for Reading station. The lobbying
group was led by Martin Salter, MP for Reading West. Apart from Birmingham
and London, Reading is the busiest station, with more than 20 million passengers.
The lobbyists believe the station does not have enough platforms or track capacity
at peak times.
Source: icberkshire website, 3rd January 2007
Employers
believe job market will improve
Manpower’s Employment Outlook survey has found that 22% of Reading’s
employers aim to recruit more staff while only 8% plan to reduce staff numbers
in the first quarter of 2007. The survey is conducted on a quarterly basis
and looks at employers’ plans for recruitment. The last two quarters
of 2006 were slow, but the forecast for 2007 is brighter.
Source: icberkshire website 21st December 2006
£61m
facelift for homes – if tenants will transfer
to housing association
Bracknell Forest council has promised £61m improvements to its council
housing if tenants agree to move to a housing association. Tenants are due
to vote at a ballot about council housing in March. The council has drawn up
a legal document that includes improvements to be made to 5,800 homes in the
first five years. The Bracknell Forest Standard in the document includes fitting
new kitchens, bathrooms and central heating systems. If the transfer does not
take place, the council can only spend £18m on tenants’ homes which
is not enough to cover these improvements.
Tenants will receive the document
in early February and can then feed back to the council
within 28 days.
Source: icberkshire website, 16th January 2007
Six new
Children's centres for Bracknell Forest
Six new children’s centres are planned across the borough over the next
two years. They are part of a £1.1m project to combine services for children
aged 0 to 5. The services provided by each centre will differ according to
local need, but all will have some education, some family support and some
health services.
The first children’s centre,
the Rowans Children’s Centre, is due to open
by mid-2007 on the Fox Hill Primary school site in
Easthampstead, Bracknell. The centre will include
an early years and childcare team, as well as local
health visitors and other professionals. The Oaks
Children’s centre will open later in 2007 in
Great Hollands School. Following this, the Family
Tree Children’s Centre will be opened for Bracknell
town centre, Binfield and Priestwood; the Alders
Children’s Centre for Sandhurst, Owlsmoor and
College Town; the Chestnuts Children’s centre
for Crowthorne and Little Sandhurst; and, the Maples
Children’s Centre for Warfield, Ascot, Winkfield
and Cranbourne. The centres are being funded by the
DfES’ Sure Start scheme.
Source: Bracknell Forest Council website, 10th January 2007
Multi-sensory
workshop receives £10,000 grant
Innersense, an arts and disability organization, has received a £10,000
grant to start multi-sensory theatre workshops. The workshops will be held
at South Hill Park to encourage people with severe learning difficulties to
participate in the arts – whether it be as a performer, observer or creative
artist. Innersense has a team of professional actors, dancers and musicians
who encourage participants to find new ways to express themselves.
The grant was given by Awards
for All England which is supported by the Arts Council
England, the Big Lottery Fund, the Heritage Lottery
Fund and Sport England.
Source: icberkshire website, 9th January 2007
Cash choice
for people with special needs
Under a scheme launched in December, people with learning difficulties can
apply for funds to spend on support and care for themselves. The council is
introducing the scheme, In Control, which involves each person being given
money based on their needs, alongside support from the council about where
to spend it. Over time, the scheme will be available to over 350 people with
learning disabilities.
The council will check to ensure
that the money is used legally and safely.
Source: icberkshire website, 9th January 2007
Planning
permission given for £750 million regeneration
Bracknell Forest Borough Council has granted Outline Planning Permission for
Bracknell Regeneration Partnership’s (BRP) £750 million regeneration
of Bracknell town centre. The aim of the scheme is to improve the mix and variety
of retail outlets in the town centre. Phased improvements are taking place
of the car park at Princess Square Shopping centre, and a £350,000 refurbishment
of units on west High Street is also taking shape.
The outline planning application
includes:
• 56,000 sq m of new retail
space
• 15,000 sq m of new bars, cafes, restaurants, leisure and entertainment
facilities
• 1,000 new homes
• 3,500 new car parking spaces
• 62,000 sq m new and replacement business space
• 4,000 sq m food store
There are also plans for a new
civic centre with a larger library, bus station,
better CCTV, police station, magistrates court, a
new health centre, extensively landscaped public
space and significant transport improvements. To
find out more, visit http://www.changebracknell.com
Source: Bracknell Forest Council website, 5th January 2007
Wokingham
granted borough status
In November, the Queen granted borough status to Wokingham. However, no official
announcement has been made. Wokingham District Council will become Wokingham
Borough Council, and the council’s chairman and vice-chairman will become
mayor and deputy mayor.
Source: getwokingham website, 17th January 2007
Ryeish
Green flies high in league tables
Ryeish Green school’s league table position has risen by almost 10%,
with one of the most improved results in the District. 33% of the school’s
students gained 5 or more GCSEs graded A* to C, compared with 24% in 2005.
The good results are more impressive given the threat of closure that still
hangs over the school.
Source: getwokingham website, 17th January 2007
Council
benefits service praised by Inspectorate
The council’s revenue and benefits service has been praised in a survey
by the Benefit and Fraud Inspectorate. The service has greatly improved since
it was brought back under in-house management. The proportion of rent allowance
claims rose over the last year from 75% to 82%; accuracy of payments is running
at 99% and claims are processed within 26 days – 10 days fewer than the
government’s target.
Source: icberkshire website, 16th January 2007
Berkshire
Community Foundation gives £62,000 grants
to projects
In the last three years, nine voluntary projects and social organizations in
Wokingham have received a total of £62,000 in funds from the Berkshire
Community Foundation (BCF). The grants contribute to the running costs of projects
such as transport, childcare, tools and equipment, and publicity. For other
funding opportunities on BCF’s website, see http://www.berksfoundation.org.uk
Source: Wokingham District Council website, 9th January 2007
National
award for special needs’ recruitment agency
Support Horizons in Broad Street, a recruitment agency for disabled people,
has won a national award. It came runner up in the Community Care Magazine
awards. The agency was registered in April 2006 and has since successfully
placed candidates with local employers.
Source: icberkshire website, 9th January 2007
Wokingham
Activity Group closes
Wokingham Activity Group (WAG) closed before Christmas after 34 years of providing
a sociable environment for local residents. The group was based at Wokingham
Youth and Community Centre in Reading Road.
Source: getwokingham website 13th December 2007
Wokingham’s
Primary schools are top of the league
Wokingham’s primary schools are the second best in the DfES’ latest
national league tables for Key Stage Two tests. Moreover, young science pupils
were at the top of the national tables.
Source: getwokingham website 13th December 2007
Dance
and Music club for children with ASD
The National Autistic Society (NAS) has commissioned a Saturday club to allow
children with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) to use dance and music to
express themselves. The classes at Riverside Community Centre in Turnpike have
been set up by two mothers of autistic children. For more information about
ASD or the club, see http://www.nas.org.uk
Source: Newbury Today, 23rd January 2007
AWE development
set for agreement
Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) in Aldermaston’s application for major
development is set to be agreed by council planning officers in spite of protests
by campaigners. Under the plan, there will be 21,000 sq.m. more office space
and a car park for 1500 cars. Also included are:
• an access road
• a reception building
• a gatehouse
• a facilities management building
Source: Newbury Today website, 22nd January 2007
Newbury
school adds best value in the country
Mary Hare Grammar School for the Deaf is the best nationwide for contextual
value added success between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4, according to the latest
league tables. This is the fourth time the school has come top since the value
added measure was introduced. Ofsted plans to inspect the school this year.
The school was rated as outstanding by two previous inspections.
Source: Newbury Today website, 15th January 2007
Plans
for 12 new warehouses on Hambridge Rd
A £10m plot has been purchased on Hambridge Road by Slough Estates plc.
The company has applied to build 6 large and 6 small warehouses on the 4.5
acre site. The six smaller warehouses will be trade counters, probably for
plumbing and electrical equipment.
Source: Newbury Today website, 8th January 2007
Council
u-turn over rise in school bus fares
West Berkshire Council has withdrawn plans to raise school bus fares by up
to 40% in January. A thorough review of school transport will be carried out
later in 2007. The move comes after parents objected to the rise, raising concerns
that traffic congestion would increase.
Source: Newbury Today website, 4th January 2007
First
Berkshire Business Show on 14th and 15th February
Final preparations are being made for the first ever Berkshire Business Show
to be held on 14th and 15th February. Berkshire-based companies will have the
opportunity to promote themselves to prospective customers, network with other
companies and gain publicity in the Newbury Business News and Kick FM.
For more details about the Berkshire
Business Show please contact Chula Bishop on 01635
845298 or email c-bishop@newbury-college.ac.uk
Source: Newbury College website, 3rd January 2007
Charters
school found outstanding by Ofsted
Charters school in Sunningdale has been rated as outstanding in 52 categories
by Ofsted inspectors. The school has specialist sports status and has a higher
than average proportion of students with learning difficulties/disabilities.
It includes a unit for 18 students with physical disabilities.
Commenting on the report, headteacher
Marcia Twelftree said, "This is a very special
moment for Charters School. It is one of the best
Ofsted reports that we have ever seen. We are particularly
proud that every single standard was graded outstanding
and that the Inspectors shared our view that this
is a truly spectacularly successful school where
the quality of teaching and learning is outstanding".
Source: icberkshire website, 19th January 2007
TK Maxx
to use Caleys’ site
T.K. Maxx will be moving into the Caley’s site in Windsor. The Caley’s
store was established in 1813 and closed last summer. In addition to TK Maxx
it is hoped that 3 or 4 other retailers will use the premises. It is proposed
that there will be a hotel at the top of the building. A full planning application
is due to be submitted to Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council in February.
It is hoped that reconstruction work can begin on the building in June and
end in March 2008.
Source: icberkshire website, 19th January 2007
Results
in borough GCSEs well above national average
The most recent league tables show that 64.2% of students gained five or more
GCSEs graded A* to C, an increase of nearly 5% on the 2005 (59.5%). Nationally,
59.2% of students obtained 5 or more A* to C grades.
Source: icberkshire website, 12th January 2007
Park-and-ride
plans for 2012 Olympics
New park-and-ride facilities are needed when the Royal Borough is to play host
to rowing at Dorney Lake for the 2012 Olympics. Funds have been given by the
South East of England Regional Assembly (SEERA) for more parking near the motorway,
to reduce traffic congestion. The council still requires more funds and a site.
Several sites are currently under consideration. When plans are confirmed,
the council can apply for a £7m grant from SEERA.
Other park-and-ride projects
include turning Stafferton Way car park in Maidenhead
into a permanent park-and-ride. The Royal Borough
has a £9.3m budget for transport for 2006/07.
Source: icberkshire website, 12th January 2007
Maidenhead
regeneration plans
New office space worth £30m currently being built by Bell Hammer and
Kenmore Property group is due to be complete by 2008 and may be filled by firms
from the IT, communications and pharmaceutical sectors. New office parks are
being formed in Norreys Drive and Concorde Park in Maidenhead, as well as Henley
Road, Hurley. In addition the £5 billion Crossrail plan would link Maidenhead
directly with central London, Essex and Kent.
Source: icberkshire website, 12th January 2007
Rise in train fares may push commuters onto the roads
Rail commuters are now thinking about hitting the roads as they face rises
of more than 7% on some journeys from Maidenhead, Windsor and Slough in the
New Year. The Rail Regulator estimates a 30% increase in passengers without
any more capacity up to 2014.
Source: icberkshire website, 3rd January 2007
New headteacher
for Windsor Girls’ School
Gill Labrum is the new Headteacher of Windsor Girls’ School. She comes
to the school after 16 years in the teaching profession – having been
head of Maths and assistant head at Bulmershe School, Woodley; and deputy head
at Maiden Erlegh School in Earley, Reading.
Source: icberkshire website, 10th January 2007
Plans
for Heathrow’s new runway under fire
The Government's Progress Report on the 2003 Aviation White Paper, has confirmed
that a third runway will be built at Heathrow. The Heathrow expansion is seen
as important for the British economy. However, environmental campaigners will
make their views felt.
MP’s, local authorities,
including Slough and Windsor and Maidenhead, and
residents’ groups are all against the building
of the third runway. They have formed the 2M Group,
which includes councils from South Bucks, Spelthorne
and the London boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith and
Fulham, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea,
Richmond and Wandsworth.
Source: icberkshire website 22nd December 2007
Slough
GCSE results are above national average
Slough’s schools have had their best GCSE results ever. 63.2% of students
achieved five or more A* to C grades, 4% above the national average. The schools
with the most improved results included: St Joseph’s Catholic School
where the proportion of students gaining 5 passes rose steeply from 22% in
2005 to 49% in 2006; Beechwood schools which saw a rise from 27% in 2005 to
44% in 2006; and, Westgate School which saw an increase from 32% to 44%.
Source: icberkshire website, 12th January 2007
Slough
to receive £8.5 million funding for ALMOs
Slough is to receive £8.5m to finance Arms Length Management Organisations
(ALMOs) to invest in social housing. This is part of a nationwide initiative
to refurbish and modernize social housing.
Source: GNN, 9th January 2007
Plans
for Slough borough’s 'Super-care home'
Plans have been revealed for a new 120-bed care home. 90 beds will be available
for older people on a new site in Wexham, replacing two care homes in Knolton
Way and Newbeech House in the Britwell area. The council has not yet identified
the company that will develop and manage the care home.
Source: BBC online 5th January 2007
Plans
for Heathrow’s new runway under fire
The Government's Progress Report on the 2003 Aviation White Paper, has confirmed
that a third runway will be built at Heathrow. The Heathrow expansion is seen
as important for the British economy. However, environmental campaigners will
make their views felt.
MP’s, local authorities,
including Slough and Windsor and Maidenhead, and
residents’ groups are all against the building
of the third runway. They have formed the 2M Group,
which includes councils from South Bucks, Spelthorne
and the London boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith and
Fulham, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea,
Richmond and Wandsworth.
Source: icberkshire website 22nd December 2007
5 year
wait for improvements in migration statistics 'too
late' for Slough
Slough’s council leader, Richard Stokes, has warned that improvements
to the way migration figures are calculated will come too late for Slough.
A report by the Inter-departmental task force on Migration Statistics includes
the following recommendations: more robust port surveys to identify short-term
migrants; better links between the National Insurance database, tax records,
school and patient registers and others bodies. However, some of the recommendations
to improve the situation will not come into force for 5 years. The council
leader is asking for interim action by the government to support councils such
as Slough where there is a mismatch between the official migration figures
and the situation on the ground.
Source: icberkshire website, 29th December 2007
Heart
of Slough scheme approved
Councillors have approved a scheme to build a new bus station and library in
Slough. The scheme also includes plans for restaurants, cafes, shops and open
spaces, with the Brunel roundabout being replaced by crossroads, 1300 new homes,
and 350,000 sq. feet of new office space. There are also plans to replace the
Thames Valley University building with a smaller building.
Source: icberkshire website 21st December 2007
