Changes have been made to the electoral ward boundaries in Wokingham borough, with two new constituencies. 

Important changes to the parliamentary constituencies and ward boundaries in Wokingham Borough have been made following independent reviews.

There will be all-out borough elections in May 2024, with all 54 seats up for contention on Wokingham Borough Council.

Ward boundaries

Following a review by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE), changes have been made to the electoral ward boundaries in the borough. The LGBCE began this process in August 2022 and held two rounds of consultation to gauge public opinion on its recommendations. The final proposal was approved by Parliament in November.

The review was conducted to ensure councillors represent roughly the same number of electors and that ward arrangements will help the council work effectively. The number of councillors will remain at 54 but there will now be 18 wards, represented by three members each, which are as follows:

• Barkham & Arborfield
• Bulmershe & Coronation
• Emmbrook
• Evendons
• Finchampstead
• Hawkedon
• Hillside
• Loddon
• Maiden Erlegh & Whitegates
• Norreys
• Shinfield
• South Lake
• Spencers Wood & Swallowfield
• Thames
• Twyford, Ruscombe & Hurst
• Winnersh
• Wescott
• Wokingham Without

Both the new and current boundaries can be viewed online, while full details of the LGBCE review are available on the commission website.

Check your poll card

This means that some residents will be voting in a different ward to the one in which they last cast their vote. It is therefore important to read your poll card carefully when it arrives in April, as it will tell you which polling station you can vote at. Any new polling stations will be confirmed at the end of January.

Parliamentary constituencies

In addition to the ward boundary changes, there are also new parliamentary constituency boundaries to elect Members of Parliament.

There are now two constituencies in Wokingham Borough which are:

• Wokingham
• Earley and Woodley

The Wokingham and the new Earley and Woodley constituency are administered by Wokingham Borough Council.

This change came because of a different review, which was carried out by the Boundary Commission for England.

Andrew Moulton, returning officer at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “Our message to residents is to get ready for this year’s elections as soon as possible. There are significant changes being introduced to elections and the voting process, but by planning ahead you can cast your vote with confidence in May. Remember to read your polling card carefully when it arrives, as this will tell you where to vote and remind you to bring photo ID.”

To administer the election, the council is currently reviewing the polling places used. A four-week consultation was held on proposed changes to polling places and any changes will be confirmed by Council this month.

What you can do now

With all of these changes in mind, it is important to ensure you are prepared and able to cast your vote in May. Make sure you are registered to vote by midnight on Tuesday 16 April and remember to bring suitable photo ID with you to the polling station. A list of accepted forms of ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website.

If you do not have suitable ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate online. Those residents wishing to vote by post or proxy in May can also apply online.

In May 2024, there is also a Police and Crime Commissioner election for Thames Valley, with the possibility of parish council elections if there are any contested seats. Residents should not only be prepared for the elections in May, but also the next general election. Although a date for the next election has not yet been announced, it must be held by 28 January 2025, although it could be called sooner.

Don’t bin it – fix it!

Woodley Repair Café will be launching on Sunday 7 January, at Christ Church on Crockhamwell Road (RG5 3LA). It will be running on the first Sunday of each month, from 2pm to 4pm.

Same as other repair cafés, there will be volunteers standing by to help you fix your broken household items. 

Get involved

If you want to lend a hand with the repairs, or for any other information, please email Carol Jewell, the organiser of Woodley Repair Café, direct. 

You can also stay up-to-date on its Facebook page or website.

Other repair cafés in January

Also this Sunday, the regular repair café at Spencers Wood Village Hall (RG7 1AP) will be on from 10am to 1pm. 

The repair café at Lambs Lane Primary School (RG7 1YG) will continue to be held on the third Sunday of the month, that is, 21 January, from 10am to 1pm. 

From 31 December 2023, new regulations will allow residents of Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham Boroughs to dispose of small amounts of DIY waste for free at re3 Recycling Centres.

Free allowance

Up to 100 litres of rubble, soil, plasterboard or asbestos OR one bulky sanitary ware item no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x700mm in size (the approximate size of a bathtub).

A free allowance will only apply where the household has deposited ‘DIY waste’ on fewer than 4 occasions in any 4-week period. DIY waste brought in during any additional visits within this period will be chargeable.

Any excess DIY waste brought in during a single visit will be chargeable.

Re3

Head to the Re3 website for more information.

Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) is updating its Local Transport Plan, an official document guiding how WBC improves footways, cycle lanes, roads, bus services and other ways of getting around for years to come.

Positive change

This will offer more chances to leave the car at home, especially for shorter journeys, helping us all to reduce air pollution and tackle climate emergency while helping us to live more healthily.

The Local Transport Plan aims to improve access to public spaces like parks and leisure centres, as this is good for people’s physical and mental wellbeing, and also to workplaces and local services.

Specific goals include reducing serious or fatal road traffic collisions, less traffic congestion, more active journeys in built-up areas, and better travel options in more rural areas.

As well as tackling your priorities, the Local Transport Plan will ensure WBC is complying with national policies and help it get funding from the Government towards improvements.

Have your say

Please fill in the survey to have your say about transport across the borough.

You can find out more about the Plan and take the survey HERE. 

The survey closes on Friday 23rd February 2024.

We are looking for a part time evening caretaker for one of our well used community halls. The role involves opening, closing, cleaning and looking after the hall. Hours will be in the evening and as required by bookings in the hall. 

Apply

Please apply using the application form on our vacancies page, which can be accessed HERE.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Bin collection schedule changes during festive period

To give the waste collection crews a well-deserved break, the regular waste collection dates will be adjusted temporarily over the Christmas and New Year period.

All rubbish and recycling collections, including garden waste, from 25 December 2023 to 12 January 2024 will change to a revised schedule:

• There will be no collections on Christmas Day (25 December), Boxing Day (26 December) and New Year’s Day (1 January).
• Crews will work on Saturdays during this period (30 December, 6 January and 13 January).
• Garden waste collections will follow the same schedule.
• Normal collections will resume from Monday 15 January.

You can check the revised collection schedule on Wokingham Borough Council’s website to find when your waste will be collected. 

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 Council’s YouTube channel.

Wokingham Borough Council is inviting residents to give their views on the second stage of a proposed new cycling and walking link between Wokingham town centre and Winnersh, this time covering a 270m section of the A329 Reading Road from Emmbrook Road to Mill Close. 

The survey is open until Thursday, 21 December on this part of the route, which the council hopes to build along a 1.6-mile (2.5km) stretch of the A329 if external funding is available. This would support its ongoing efforts to encourage sustainable travel and address the climate emergency.

This second phase, incorporating the Woosehill Spine Road junction, could include the installation of toucan crossings to help pedestrians and cyclists to cross the roundabout safely and more conveniently, without needing to use the existing subway.

Design work is being paid for through the Government’s Active Travel Fund. Construction, which is subject to residents’ views, would be funded by further external grants and contributions from housing developers. No funding is confirmed yet, but the council is looking for opportunities.

Access the survey HERE.

A safer, greener link between key destinations

The overall goal is for a better, safer cycling and walking route along both sides of the A329 between Sadler’s Lane at Winnersh, near the M4 overbridge and petrol station, and the western end of Broad Street in Wokingham town centre.

It would have a one-way cycle track, separated from both the road and the pavement, plus safer junctions at side roads with raised crossings to help pedestrians and give cyclists priority along with new toucan crossings. Bus stops would also be separated from cycle traffic.

The A329 would remain two-way for motor traffic, but the speed limit would be reduced from 40mph to 30mph to make it safer for everyone.

The scheme is going forward with Wokingham Town Council and Winnersh Parish Council’s guidance and will help meet the goals of the council’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). This  long-term, high-level vision strategy was extensively consulted on, then adopted in March 2023.

Listening to the community at all stages

Earlier this autumn, residents’ views were sought on the first phase between Sadler’s Lane and Emmbrook Road. A total of 486 people responded, mostly those living near the area, including 279 (57.4 per cent) expressing support and 52 people (10.7 per cent) either neutral or uncertain.

Some 74 people either expressed concern about the design or suggested amendments, and these comments will be passed to the designer for consideration in the next stages. To view the second phase plans and give feedback, visit engage.wokingham.gov.uk.

Cllr Paul Fishwick, executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said: “We’re pleased that so many people gave their views on the first phase of this project and hope this will continue. 

“Given that most short commutes under 5km (three miles) are made by car, we need to provide people with a sustainable alternative and want to be sure our proposal will be helpful.

“We know from consulting on the LCWIP that there are concerns about personal safety and traffic speeds in this area, so it’s important to remove any barriers that deter people from travelling in a far healthier and less polluting way.

“This is just one of many proposals to reduce air pollution and lower carbon emissions to meet our climate commitments, and we promise to keep consulting our residents as these move forward.”

What’s set to happen next                         

There will be further consultation on the remaining two phases, with the third continuing eastwards until just before Station Approach and the fourth ending at the western end of Broad Street.

This will be carried out as soon as possible, and all comments will be considered before the designs are finalised and the next steps decided.

Where you can get help and support this festive season

Help on Christmas Day

Anyone who might be spending Christmas Day alone can get help from the Link Visiting Scheme.

They’ll be offering a traditional Christmas dinner on 25 December at a local venue in the borough, with people to talk too and a gift of treats. Open to anyone who might be spending the day alone:

• Register to attend or refer someone for the event
• Register your interest to volunteer

Cowshed Christmas sacks for children

The Cowshed’s Christmas project aims to provide children with a memorable and joyous holiday experience.

Each sack will be filled with approximately five thoughtfully selected presents, a book, stocking fillers, and a delicious selection pack of treats. All gifts will be provided wrapped and in fabric sacks made by the Cowshed’s Craft Group Volunteers.

• The Cowshed will contact families to confirm children’s preferences
• Refer those who most need help
• Capacity is capped at 2,000 children – refer early
• Referrals are online
• Gifts are for children only

Make a Christmas sack referral to the Cowshed on its website. If you have any questions contact christmas@thecowshed.org

A Christmas Presence

A community Christmas project brought to you by First Days Children’s Charity, SHARE Wokingham, Wokingham Foodbank and other local charities and Christas.

A Christmas Presence helps Wokingham Borough families which cannot afford gifts for their children or Christmas food items.

The teams will be transforming the Elevate Centre in Denmark Street into a Christmas Grotto, and setting up a ‘shop’ where parents/carers are invited to come and choose exactly what they know their children will love.

Anyone struggling to afford everything they need for Christmas can request help.

Anyone who works with people who may need this help, can apply on their behalf. Please ensure that the resident knows you are passing on their contact details and has given permission for you to share their details.

• Apply or refer someone for help through a Christmas Presence

Help with food

Wokingham Foodbank will be:

• Closed on the bank holidays but otherwise open
• Delivering food parcels only between Christmas and New Year
• Emergency energy support vouchers will be distributed throughout the festive period

If you need help before Christmas, check the help with food page in Wokingham Brough Council‘s cost of living help hub.

Wokingham Salvation Army Christmas support

Wokingham Salvation Army (RG40 2HD) services are operating as normal during the festive period:

• Coffee shop on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to 1pm, last day before Christmas is Monday 20 December. Reopens from Wednesday 3 January
• Advent services run at 10.30am on the 3, 10, 17 and 24 December
• Christingle service and Carols by Candlelight, from 6pm on Sunday 17 December
• Christmas Day service from 10am on Monday 25 December
• Service will run at 10.30am on Sunday 31 December

Anyone needing help between Christmas and New Year can visit between 10am and 12 noon on 29 December.

CLASP

CLASP will be running a full December timetable for people with learning disabilities, full of festive events and fun.

Check the what’s on information on the CLASP website for full timetables.

Travel

Free bus travel when you get on a most stops in the borough on Saturdays in the run up to Christmas:

• Check routes and dates

Donate

• Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Beth Rowland is running a reverse advent calendar appeal with Woodley Foodbank – donate food items for Christmas for those in need
• Wokingham Foodbank is also running a Reverse Advent Appeal you can donate to
• You can donate to support The Link Visiting Scheme’s festive programme, including Christmas Day
• You can donate to support the Cowshed’s Christmas gift sacks
• You can donate to support a Christmas Presence through donating, buying gifts or volunteering.