July 2025 - Woodley Town Council

Town Council News Post

Woodley Town Council’s New Youth Services Programme to Launch This Autumn

Targeted and Inclusive Activities for Woodley's Young People

Woodley Town Council has taken a significant step towards strengthening youth engagement and support by approving a diverse programme of youth services set to launch this autumn. The initiative, shaped by the Council’s Youth Support Services Task & Finish Working Group, brings together three experienced providers to deliver a range of targeted and inclusive activities for young people in the community.

Following a series of discussions by the working group and approval at an extraordinary Leisure Services Committee Meeting on 15 July, a package of youth services is to be funded within the Council’s 2025/26 youth budget of £15,000. The chosen offerings include:

Targeted Intervention Programme: Designed for vulnerable 12 to 15 year-olds identified by a multi-disciplinary team. This programme will offer structured support including mentoring, diversionary activities, and reporting on individual outcomes.
Youth Club Sessions: Weekly youth club sessions on Friday evenings during school terms, offering recreational and developmental activities in collaboration with young people themselves.
Holiday Activity Programme: Enriching holiday experiences for children aged 9–16 from low-income households.

The Councill will be working in partnership with the Storyy Group, Berkshire Youth and Wokingham Borough Council’s Holiday, Activities and Food team to deliver the programme.

“We’re excited to launch this new youth programme for Woodley. By combining targeted intervention with inclusive activities and leadership opportunities, we are taking a meaningful step toward building confidence, resilience, and community spirit in our young people. This is a long-term investment in the next generation, and we’re proud to be delivering something that reflects their needs and voices,” said Chair of the Youth Support Services Working Group, Cllr Kay Gilder.

Youth Strategy

The new services align with the Council’s recently updated Youth Strategy. which commits to providing a flexible, activity-led programme of youth services which is delivered within the town or accessible to its residents.

The new youth provision is expected to begin in the autumn term, with a new Youth Service Sub Committee setup to monitor the service and guide future development of the programme.

Anuszka Ransley July 17, 2025 0

Town Council News Post

Share Your Views On New Cycle Route in Woodley

Have Your Say by completing Wokingham Borough Council's Survey

If you live in the Woodley area, or travel frequently between Woodley and Reading, Wokingham Borough Council wants to hear about how you get around.

The Council is asking about people’s travel habits before it starts work on a new cycle link from Woodley town centre to Palmer Park, at the Reading borough boundary.

The new link will run via Woodlands Avenue, Church Road, Palmerstone Road and Culver Lane, with work due to start later this year.

It’s being funded by the Department for Transport and the money is ‘ring fenced’ for this project, meaning the Council isn’t allowed to spend it on anything else.

Complete the Survey by 12 midnight, Sunday 3 August, for the chance to win one of five £20 vouchers. Note, you must be aged 16 or over.

Complete The Survey

Anuszka Ransley July 17, 2025 0

Town Council News Post

Planning & Community Committee meeting – 22 July 2025

Please click here to view the full agenda for this meeting.

You can watch this meeting live, or after the event via a recording, on the Town Council’s YouTube channel.

If you have any issues accessing this meeting, either in person or virtually, then please contact the Deputy Town Clerk: [email protected] / 0118 969 0356

Matthew Filmore July 17, 2025 0

Town Council News Post

New Water Bottle Filling Station Installed in Woodley Town Centre Thanks to Rotary Club Support

A Greener Future

Woodley Town Centre has taken another step towards a greener future with the installation of a new water bottle filling station, generously supported by a joint donation from the Rotary Club of Loddon Vale and Reading Maiden Erlegh. This new facility offers free, fresh drinking water to residents and visitors alike, encouraging the use of reusable bottles and helping to cut down on single-use plastic waste.

A Boost for Sustainability and Community Wellbeing

Strategically located in a busy area of the town centre, the filling station aligns closely with Woodley Town Council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan, which aims to make the town more environmentally sustainable through practical, everyday solutions. The Council has committed to reducing carbon emissions and promoting eco-friendly behaviours, and this initiative represents a tangible step in that direction.

Brian Fennelly, Town Centre Manager, welcomed the development, saying: “This is a fantastic addition to our town centre. It not only provides a practical service for shoppers and visitors, but also supports our shared vision for a cleaner, greener Woodley. We’re very grateful to the Rotary Club for their generous support in making this happen.”

Cllr Keith Baker, Chairman of the Strategy & Resources Committee, added: “The installation of this water bottle filling station is a clear example of Woodley Town Council’s ongoing commitment to tackling climate change. By reducing single-use plastics and encouraging sustainable practices, we’re investing in facilities that support both the environment and the wellbeing of our community.”

Rotary’s Ongoing Community Support

Scott Trathen of the Rotary Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh explained how the initiative reflects Rotary’s broader environmental goals:

“The idea to donate a refill station came from the shared aspirations of two local Rotary clubs – Loddon Vale and Maiden Erlegh. We’re proud to support our local communities and promote sustainable living. Reducing plastic waste is critical, and we’re delighted to work with Woodley Town Council to make a lasting difference. We hope everyone passing through the precinct takes full advantage of this facility.”

Rotary Clubs continue to be a pillar of community support in Woodley and Earley and always welcome new members or volunteers. Learn more at www.readingmaidenerlegh.org.

Looking Ahead

On behalf of Woodley Town Council, Cllr Keith Baker, Council Leader, extends his heartfelt thanks to the Rotary Club of Loddon Vale and Reading Maiden Erlegh for their support and partnership.

“This initiative marks another important milestone in the Council’s climate action journey and its mission to create a more sustainable, accessible, and community-focused town.”

Anuszka Ransley July 16, 2025 0

Town Council News Post

Woodford Park Celebrates 8th Consecutive Green Flag Award

Woodley’s flagship park remains the only site in Wokingham Borough with this prestigious accolade

Woodley Town Council is delighted to announce that Woodford Park has been awarded the coveted Green Flag Award for the eighth year running, once again officially recognising it as one of the best parks in the UK.

This international quality mark, awarded by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, highlights Woodford Park as the only park in Wokingham Borough to receive this honour – an ongoing testament to the park’s exceptional standards in cleanliness, safety, biodiversity, and community engagement.

“Congratulations to everyone involved in Woodford Park who have worked tirelessly to ensure that it achieves the high standards required for the Green Flag Award,” said Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager.

“Quality parks and green spaces like Woodford Park make the country a healthier place to live and work, and a stronger place in which to invest. Woodford Park is a vital green space for the Woodley community to enjoy nature, particularly during the ongoing cost of living crisis, offering a free, safe space for families and providing physical and mental health benefits for all,” he added.

A Park For Everyone

Set in the heart of Woodley, Woodford Park offers a wide range of facilities that appeal to all ages. Visitors can enjoy:

Extensive children’s play areas
A lake and nature trails
A sensory garden
A multi-use games area
Tennis courts and football pitches
Skate park and basketball area
And most recently, the newly established Orchard Garden, which has been widely praised and enjoyed by local residents for its beauty, tranquillity, and environmental value.

The continued success of Woodford Park would not be possible without the dedicated work of the Town Council’s Grounds Maintenance Team and the invaluable support of local volunteer group, the Friends of Woodford Park.

“We are extremely proud to receive the Green Flag Award for the eighth consecutive year. This recognition is a reflection of the commitment and dedication of our Amenities Team and the support from the voluntary group Friends of Woodford Park. I’d like to personally thank the team for their efforts in maintaining and improving the park, particularly with the recent addition of our beautiful Orchard Garden, which has already become a much-loved feature of the community,” said Kevin Murray, Woodley Town Council Town Clerk.

While, Cllr Keith Baker, Woodley Town Council Leader added: “Many residents often ask about what benefit a Town Council gives them. This eighth consecutive Green Flag, recognising the excellent quality of Woodford Park, is a classic example of what having a Town Council gives you. We do not have the large budget that Wokingham Borough has but we still manage to provide a public green space to match any that the Borough provides. Each year the criteria gets tougher, and it is a credit to the staff of the Town Council that they repeatedly excel. Well done to everyone involved – here’s to a ninth award next year.”

Woodley Town Council remains committed to preserving and enhancing Woodford Park as an accessible, inclusive, and inspiring green space for all residents and visitors to enjoy now, and in the future.

Anuszka Ransley July 15, 2025 0

Town Council News Post

Understanding the Planning Process: How Woodley Town Council Supports Your Voice

Helping residents to better understand how planning decisions are made and how the local community can play a role in shaping the town’s future.

What is our role in planning?

When someone submits a planning application in Woodley, Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) is the planning authority and with legal responsibility for determining whether to approve or reject each application.

Woodley Town Council is a statutory consultee, meaning we are invited to review and comment on every planning application that affects our area. While we have no power with regards to the ultimate decision, our recommendations represent the voice of the local community and can influence outcomes.

We consider each application carefully, looking at factors such as traffic, parking, building design, local character, conservation, and environmental impact.

However, it is important that residents understand that our comments do not negate the need for residents to lodge their own personal comments on any application.

How much impact do we have?

During the 2024/25 municipal year, Woodley Town Council reviewed numerous applications submitted within the town. Out of these:

115 decisions made by Wokingham Borough Council were in line with our comments
- 112 applications were approved as we recommended
- 3 applications were refused following our objection
Only 14 decisions went against our recommendations
- 3 applications were refused where we had raised no objection
- 11 were approved where we had raised concerns or objections.

This means Wokingham Borough Council agreed with our comments 89% of the time, demonstrating the value of our input in the process.

Your voice matters too

We strongly encourage residents to:

Attend Planning & Community Committee meetings, especially if there is an application which affects your neighbourhood – these are open to the public and are a great opportunity to hear about current applications and share your views.
Submit comments directly to Wokingham Borough Council – the final decisions rest with them, and your input can make a difference. You can comment online via their planning portal: Wokingham Borough Council Planning Portal

“Planning applications affect the way our town grows and evolves, and it’s so important that the voices of local residents are part of that process. While Woodley Town Council doesn’t make the final decision, our comments are considered seriously and, with nearly 90% of our recommendations aligning with Wokingham Borough Council’s decisions this year, it shows how impactful our local input can be. I strongly encourage residents to attend our meetings, share their views, and submit comments directly to the Borough Council. Your perspective really does matter,” said Cllr Bill Soane, Chair of the Planning & Community Committee, Woodley Town Council.

Get involved

Check our website and noticeboards for agendas, application summaries, and meeting dates. Engaging early in the planning process ensures that your voice is heard.

Anuszka Ransley July 7, 2025 0