Wokingham Borough Council’s decision-making executive will meet on Thursday 29 July to discuss next steps on several climate emergency projects across Wokingham Borough, including public engagement, a tree planting project and a new solar farm.

The council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and the ambitious projects form part of its climate emergency action plan, aiming to make the borough net zero carbon by 2030.

Amongst the items set to be taken forward to the next phase are plans to invest in a tree strategy for Wokingham Borough, including planting the first set of trees The council has committed to planting 250,000 new trees during the next five years, adding to the 100,000 it already looks after. 

Converting land to woodlands will play a key part in capturing and storing excess carbon, however it is the woodland ecosystem as opposed to single trees that will make the difference. Undertaking a feasibility plan and developing a strategy will enable trees to be planted in locations and ways that will create the greatest benefit for the borough.

Also being discussed is the proposed solar farm in Barkham. A planning application has been submitted to build the solar farm on council owned land and is set to be considered by the planning committee in the Autumn. It is proposed that funds will be agreed now to avoid delays in starting the work should the application be approved.

The farm would cost around £20 million to develop and last for 25 years, after which time the land could revert to farmland. The energy it would generate is equivalent to offsetting the whole of the council’s own emissions, including offices, schools and civic buildings. The added benefit of the project is that excess energy can be sold, earning revenue that the council can spend on providing services for residents and projects across the borough.

Finally, the executive will be asked how to engage with the public on climate emergency. After a robust analysis of different methods of public engagement, it is proposed that the council use e-panels and focus groups, which topped the evaluation in terms of cost effectiveness, diverse participation opportunities and overall effectiveness.

Members of the public in the borough will be invited to participate from early 2022, which will give the council opportunities to hear their voices, collect their views and gather insight to inform future decisions.

Cllr Gregor Murray, executive member for resident services, communications and emissions, said: “Climate emergency is a key focus for Wokingham Borough Council, and we are committed to making Wokingham Borough net zero carbon by 2030. As a council we are implementing a wide range of schemes, including tree planting, a solar farm and public engagement.

“Having a solar farm will significantly offset our carbon emissions and is a big step in the right direction for a net zero carbon borough. There are, however, areas that it won’t be possible for us to completely eradicate carbon emissions.

“The tree project will help carbon that we can’t eradicate to be removed from the atmosphere. We need to carefully look at where these trees are planted. We think we will need around 250 hectares of land. We will be looking at our own land as well as talking to local landowners to identify the best locations.

“We also need support from our residents and businesses to look at how we can encourage people to make changes. Things such as recycling more, choosing green energy suppliers and cutting down on using our cars.

“Being able to speak directly with residents, businesses and schools to see how the council can support and encourage people to make changes, as well as finding out what are their key drivers in supporting the climate emergency is really important to us to understand how we can work together to make the borough net zero carbon.”

Town Mayor of Woodley presents Mini Medics certificates to students at Bulmershe School

Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, had the privilege to recently award Mini Medic certificates to students at The Bulmershe School. 

The students had learnt how to deal with a casualty not breathing, choking, allergies, recovery positions, talking to the emergency services and how to be Covid safe and still treat someone who is ill or injured. All of the students did remarkably well, particularly during the recent challenging times of the Covid 19 pandemic. 

“It was a privilege to watch the first aid skills that had been learnt and I was very impressed with the knowledge and proficiency of the students. Their confidence really shone through,” said the Town Mayor. 

Medical Lead at the school, Mrs Gaetan, praised the students for all the hard work they put in, despite the disruptions throughout the pandemic, particularly focusing on how resourceful they had been and the hard work they had put in to catch up and complete the course. 

The Town Mayor further commended the students for their hard work. 

“I would like to congratulate the students for their focused team-work, helping each other in different first aid situations, demonstrating skills that they will be able to carry on outside of school and support the wonderful community of Woodley. I hope you are all very proud of yourselves.”

If you would like to invite the Town Mayor or Deputy Town Mayor to an event, please email: Matthew.Filmore@woodley.gov.uk.

Wokingham Borough Council library buildings reopen from Monday 19 July, in line with the easing of national restrictions.  

Wokingham, Lower Early, Spencers Wood, Twyford, Wargrave, Finchampstead and Winnersh libraries will all open on their full operating hours and resume all services from Monday 19 July.  

Woodley library will be open for its full hours, apart from Sundays which will start again later in the summer.

The Arborfield pop-up library is implementing a staggered re-opening approach from Monday 2 August.

Full details will be available on the Council’s website. 

All library buildings have remained closed since the start of the pandemic, with only Wokingham, Woodley and Lower Early opening in between lockdowns for book browsing and borrowing; as well as the council’s popular digital library service, providing a range of ebooks and virtual events. 

Cllr Bill Soane, executive member for Neighbourhood and Communities said: “I am excited that we can finally reopen the many libraries we have in Wokingham borough. These are community hubs for our residents, offering useful learning resources and helpful services for all, so we look forward to welcoming people back.” 

To encourage the community to get back out utilising these services, the council has replaced all public computers and upgraded them with new software; there will also be a programme of activities in place throughout July and August, particularly focusing on supporting children’s literary development. These programmes include the Annual Summer Reading Challenge including a range virtual events, the Teen Writing Group, and some themed Storytime Sessions planned for later in the summer.  These activities are specifically aimed at children and young people, who have had a challenging experience this past year and a half; with the programmes designed to get them inspired through literary during the summer holidays. 

Cllr Bill Soane continues: “With the plethora of programmes scheduled for this summer, I am hoping our residents can take advantage and get involved in the activities created for them.” To find out more about the library programme of activities this summer, visit the council’s website: www.wokingham.gov.uk.

Please note that while cases are high and rising, the council feels it is important to maintain all social distancing measures and one-way systems in public buildings beyond Monday 19 July. Therefore, screens will remain in place in library receptions, hand sanitiser will be available, and visitors are encouraged to continue wearing face coverings and keeping their distance from others to protect themselves and staff. 

Face masks to continue to be worn after 19 July

As the UK government eases its Covid 19 restrictions, we are mindful that cases are high and rising, and have therefore taken the decision to remain cautious by asking users of our facilities to continue to wear a face covering* in communal areas, respect social distancing measures and sanitise their hands to protect themselves, others and staff. This will apply at all of our facilities including the Oakwood Centre and Woodford Park Leisure Centre. We will also continue to display the QR codes for NHS Test and Trace and encourage users of our facilities to check in to help the service identify people who may have the virus. 

Thank you for your cooperation. 

Woodley Town Council 

*Wearing a face covering does not apply if you are medically exempt. 

Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, was delighted to attend a family fun day held recently at The Shepherds House Inn. 

The event was held to raise money for Arrhythmia Alliance, an organisation which focuses on improving the treatment for those affected by heart rhythm disorders. 

The fun day was organised by Claire Page, whose daughter Lilly-May Page suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and died while at school on May 15, 2014 at just 5 years old.

Claire has since raised money for Arrhythmia Alliance and also heads up its A-A defibs save lives Lilly may page campaign. 

Cllr Sartorel said: “I was very pleased to attend the event to help raise the importance of defibrillators being readily available to the community. It was a fun event with a lot of information available.”

Click HERE for more information about the Defibs Saves Lives Campaign.

If you would like to book the Town Mayor or Deputy Mayor for an event please email: matthew.filmore@woodley.gov.uk

Wokingham Borough Council is using its remaining allocation of the government’s Covid Local Support grant to ensure pupils who receive benefits-related free school meals during term time continue to have access to healthy meals during the upcoming summer holidays. 

The government has extended the Covid Local Support Grant, which was set to end in June, until 30 September. The council is using the additional funds to provide food and grocery vouchers to support children and young people who receive benefits-related free school meals over the six weeks summer holiday to the value of £15 per child per week. The vouchers will be distributed to eligible families through schools.

Cllr Graham Howe, executive member for children’s services, said: “This has been a really difficult year for all of us, but particularly so for families with young children whose lives have been so disrupted. The council wants to ensure that no child in Wokingham Borough goes hungry this summer and that parents are given the support they need to feed their families in these difficult times.”

Borough pupils who receive benefits-related free school meals are also eligible to register for the council’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme, a new initiative funded by the Department for Education which provides free places at organised holiday activity sessions over the summer and Christmas holidays in 2021. A free healthy meal is provided at every session.

There is a programme for primary school aged children, secondary school pupils, pupils with SEND and a series of community activities for all families. Parents and carers of eligible pupils will have been contacted through their school. For more information about the programme, visit the council’s website www.wokingham.gov.uk and search for ‘Holiday Activities Programme’.

Cllr Howe continued: “We hope that the combination of providing food vouchers and free places at holiday activity sessions over the summer help our children and young people enjoy their summer holidays and help the families in the borough who most need our support. It’s been a challenging year and these young people have earned a bit of summer fun.”

In partnership with Wokingham Borough Council, a new wellbeing service delivered by Oxfordshire Mind, is hosting a series of regular, free forum events to bring the Wokingham Borough community together to discuss mental health and wellbeing needs.

The Wokingham Wellbeing Service will host its first two forums on Thursday 15 and Tuesday 27 July between 2pm and 3:30pm. Residents who have completed mental health first aid training are invited to attend the ‘Mental Health First Aiders in Wokingham’ forum on Thursday 15 July to share experiences and challenges, and to discuss how their invaluable skills, both individually and collectively, can be used to help Wokingham Borough residents suffering from mental health issues. To book free tickets at the first virtual forum, visit the Event Brite website.  

On Tuesday 27 July, the ‘Mental Health & Wellbeing Community Alliance’ forum will be available to voluntary or community sector (VCS) organisations or groups that have a focus on improving mental health and wellbeing within Wokingham Borough. Facilitated by Oxfordshire Mind, the Alliance will help develop and integrate the local VCS offer of mental health and wellbeing provision for residents. The aim of the Alliance is to improve the experience of people accessing mental health and wellbeing support. Organisations from VCS organisations or groups can book free tickets at this virtual forum by visiting the Event Brite website. 

Executive member for adult social care and public health Cllr Charles Margetts said: “Partnering with Oxfordshire Mind on this fantastic mental health and wellbeing pilot scheme will provide residents with an efficient and effective service that offers quality support, at the right time. We have a duty to protect the vulnerable, and the two forum events are an excellent opportunity for those who have an interest or work in services to improve wellbeing, to get involved and help their local community.” 

Oxfordshire Mind’s Wokingham primary care wellbeing project manager, Claire Shropshall, said: “We’re really excited to begin this next phase of the project – it’s a privilege to be able to  support the Wokingham community to identify and respond to local mental health needs in such a collaborative way. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to all our partners across the borough for their continued support with launching the new Wokingham Wellbeing Service.” 

Wokingham’s Wellbeing Service is an eighteen-month pilot project dedicated to help Borough residents suffering from mental health issues, including anxiety, isolation, and stress. The scheme was initiated by a generous donation of £250,000 to the Berkshire Community Foundation from a Remenham family earlier this year. The scheme will focus on recognising mental health issues early and intervening to prevent conditions deteriorating, ensuring timely referrals to specialists, coordinating the support available for those with mental health issues and promoting awareness issues within Wokingham Borough.

Plans are being drawn up to make it easier to cycle and walk between Woodley town centre and the Reading borough boundary at Palmer Park.

Wokingham Borough Council will be progressing with its Active Travel Fund proposals for the area following public engagement on plans for Woodley, Earley and Wokingham earlier this year. More than 600 responses were received on three proposed routes, with several options looked at for each area.

Respondents indicated that the Woodley/Reading route will have the most significant impact on reducing car dependency and increasing bike use. The first section of the route, between Woodley town centre and Bulmershe Leisure Centre, will be progressed as the first phase with the aim to complete construction by Spring 2022.

In total, the new route will cost almost £4 million and the first stage will be funded by the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund. The council will look for funding to provide the rest of the route in the years ahead. Further consultation with residents on detailed plans for the Woodley to Reading route will come forward later this year. 

“Feedback from our residents tells us they want to see segregated cycleways and these would lead to more of them feeling safe to travel around their area on their bikes,” said Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport.  “We’re hoping to bring that to Woodley over the next year, with the first section of the Woodley to Reading route between Woodley town centre and  Bulmershe Leisure Centre. We’re already looking at how to get funding in place to complete the rest of the route.” 

The council continues to invest in infrastructure across its road network to make it easier for residents to walk and cycle across the borough. This includes our growing greenways network and investment in cycle paths in other areas as better facilities will help cut the number of car journeys within the borough. It’s part of the council’s wider climate emergency agenda, with a goal to make Wokingham Borough carbon neutral by 2030.  

The other proposed routes will be progressed subject to further consultation and when funds allow. The full engagement summary from the initial consultation will be available to read on the MyJourney Wokingham website and as part of the an individual executive member decision will be made on the proposals on 8 July. 

Please click the link below to inspect the accounts and find contact details.

Financial Information

Thames Valley Police have been made aware of a Covid Vaccine Passport scam email going around that purports to be from the NHS and informs recipients that they can apply for their “Digital Coronavirus Passports”.

Clicking on the link within the email, takes you to a convincing but fake NHS website that asks forpersonal and payment details. (for an admin fee)

The website has since been taken down, but please be vigilant of similar emails or websites.

The vaccination status is obtained FREE through the NHS App, website or by calling the NHS on 119.

More information can be found on the gov.uk website;  
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad

Please note that any Phishing scams can be reported to  SERS (Suspicious Email Reporting Service):  report@phishing.gov.uk

Please download the latest activities and events on offer from the Friendship Alliance HERE.

Surge testing to contain Covid-19 variant

Extensive surveillance of Covid-19 has identified a small number of cases of the Covid-19 Delta variant that was first found in India in Wokingham Borough, that cannot be traced back to international travel.

As such, surge testing will be deployed in the following council wards between Monday 7 June and Monday 21 June:

• Bulmershe and Whitegates
• Evendons
• Norreys
• Wescott

This will enable Wokingham Borough Council to identify any community spread of the new variant and restrict further transmission.

To check what ward you live in and if you are affected, use the postcode checker on the Council’s  surge testing webpage.

All cases are now self-isolating and the Borough Council has conducted robust contact tracing to identify their contacts and ask them to self-isolate.

Testing

We are urging residents over the age of 12 who are living, working, or going to school in these areas to come forward for a Covid-19 test between Monday 7 and Monday 21 June if they are not showing symptoms and even if they have already been vaccinated.

• From Monday, residents in these areas can get a Covid-19 test at one of our dedicated surge testing sites. You do not need to book. Information on where these sites are located is available on the Council’s website
• Schools and businesses in these areas will be contacted by the council to arrange delivery of testing kits for pupils and staff
• Reading Borough Council will also be conducting surge testing in targeted areas
• If you have coronavirus symptoms you should continue to book a test through the uk website or via the NHS Covid-19 app.

Surge Testing Centres

• Shute End Eastern Car Park Test Centre (RG40 1BN) – Open 12pm to 6pm, Monday to Sunday
• Cantley Park Event Field Mobile Test Centre (RG40 5TU) – Open 12pm to 6pm, Monday tov Sunday
• Headley Road Car Park Mobile Test Centre (RG5 4JA) – Open 12pm to 6pm, Monday to Sunday
• Sindlesham Court Test Centre (RG41 5EA) – Open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday
• Microsoft Campus Test Centre (RG6 1WG) – Open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday
• Shute End Test Centre (RG40 1BN) – Open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday  

Doorstep visits

Wokingham Borough Council will also be door-knocking in the affected areas to inform residents of the surge testing programme. 

Please note that:

• Volunteers will be from Wokingham Borough Council – they will show you their official ID immediately
• The test is free – you will never be asked to pay or provide any financial information
• The testing team won’t enter your household and won’t do any testing for you.

Testing will, in combination with measures such as hands-face-space and fresh air, following national guidance, self-isolating when required and getting vaccinated when eligible, help to suppress and control the spread of the virus and new variants.

Vaccinations for 18-24 year olds in surge testing wards

All residents aged 18 to 24 who are living in Bulmershe & Whitegates, Evendons, Norreys and Wescott, are encouraged to come and get the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at the pop-up vaccination clinic.

The clinic will be at Bulmershe Leisure Centre between Tuesday 15 June and Sunday 27 June (inclusive). The site will be open 9.30am to 8.30pm by walk-in only; you cannot book in advance.

All those coming to the centre for a vaccination must bring proof of ID and proof of address because this programme is targeting those in the affected wards only.

Below is a checklist for those hoping to get a vaccine at Bulmershe Leisure Centre as part of surge vaccination:

• Don’t come to the centre if you have Covid-19 symptoms or have had a positive test in the past 28 days
• Check you are eligible – aged 18 to 24 (inclusive) and living in Bulmershe & Whitegates, Evendons, Norreys or Wescott ward – and bring proof of address and ID to the centre
• Check Wokingham Borough Council’s website or Facebook and Twitter feeds for updates
• Those living in target wards should still get tested this week as part of our surge testing offer, even if they have had the vaccination

There may be high demand for this service, so please be patient during this time. Anyone not living in these wards will be turned away. There will be NO parking at the leisure centre – nearest parking is in Woodley town centre or University of Reading/Woodley United FC car park (Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, RG6 1FR).

Anybody who does not know what ward they are in can check the postcode tracker on the Council’s surge testing webpage.

This service is for first doses only – second doses should also be booked through the NHS website. In addition, residents aged 25 and over can continue to book their vaccine at a mass vaccination centre through the NHS website.