The Covid 19 bus is back this weekend for 1st, 2nd, and booster jabs for the over-16s. No need to book – just turn up! 💉

📌 Saturday 4th December 10.00-16.00 – St Sebastian’s Church Hall

📌 Sunday 5th December 10.00-16.00 – Lower Earley Library

Dozens of electric vehicle charging points are set to be installed across Wokingham borough in a bid to reduce its carbon emissions and tackle the climate emergency on a local level.

Wokingham Borough Council’s executive has approved a small-scale rollout of about 36 on-street points in residential areas.

This would be subject to public consultation once preferred sites are agreed and several more could be provided in about 10 of the authority’s car parks. 

They would be owned by the council and maintained by a supplier with expertise in the field who would cover any costs, and the scheme would operate at no net expense to the taxpayer.

The council would invest £66,000, a quarter of the cost, which it would get back from income generated, as long as it secures the remainder through Government funding this financial year.

Green gains in the long run

After 18 months, the charging points’ effectiveness will be reviewed and the findings will inform the council’s electric vehicle strategy for years to come.

This, in turn, will help the authority meet its pledge to do as much as it can to bring the borough’s carbon emissions down to net zero by 2030 and will also improve air quality.

Road travel is the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases and nitrogen dioxide, a harmful pollutant created by burning fossil fuels, so moving away from them is key to meeting these goals.

However, many residents don’t have their own driveways and this is where electric vehicles are most often charged.

Because of this, charging points will be installed in areas where off-street parking isn’t available and residents broadly support the idea.

On-street charging is easier and cheaper than using rapid hubs, which are the EV equivalent of petrol stations, and typically save drivers more than £100 a year by comparison.

The council will identify sites by working with the Energy Saving Trust to work out where demand is greatest using previous resident surveys, number of EV registrations and other data including numbers of properties with no parking.

The Government’s share of funding would come from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles’ On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme.

‘Leading by example’

Councillor Gregor Murray, executive member for resident services, communications and emissions, said: “The climate emergency requires immediate action and we’ve committed to playing as full a role as possible, leading by example as well as encouragement, in achieving a net zero carbon borough by 2030.

“Electric vehicles are a crucial element in this because transport, and cars in particular, account for more than a quarter of carbon emissions so there is a clear benefit in achieving a reduction in this area.

“However, lack of off-street parking is a major hurdle for many residents who want to make the switch so we’re doing all we can to help them realise the benefits, and at no net cost to our finances.”

Councillor Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport, added: “This is just the latest in a series of measures we’re taking to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions while keeping traffic moving on our roads. 

“These also include smart traffic signals whose timings can be changed according to demand as well as electronic message signs which warn users of disruption and suggest alternatives including public transport.

“This not only fights congestion but reduces emissions by ensuring vehicles spend less time idling.”

Please download the Friendship Alliance’s latest newsletter sharing local activities, groups, events, and services HERE.

Measures for schools to consider until end of term

Wokingham Borough Council is continuing to work closely with headteachers of local schools to keep local education settings as safe as possible for children and young people.

The Council has recently written to headteachers asking them to consider implementing a number of measures until the end of term, based on recommendations from the Berkshire West Health Protection Board.

Find out more about these recommendations in the Council’s Keeping schools safe this Autumn term flyer (PDF document).

This week, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) announced that in addition to those aged over 50 years and at higher risk from Covid-19, all adults aged 40 to 49 years should now be offered a booster jab 6 months after their second dose.

Booster vaccinations should be with either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, with both expected to give a good level of extra protection. The NHS expects bookings to open to over 40s from Monday 22 November. Keep an eye on the NHS website for more information.

In addition, the JCVI is advising that all 16 to 17 year olds should be offered a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. This should be given 12+ weeks from their first dose, or 12 weeks following a positive Covid-19 test result – whichever is later.

For a full breakdown of information, check out Wokingham Borough Council’s quick guide to who is eligible for what vaccine (PDF document). If you have any further questions, email the vaccine support team on [email protected].

Free parking every weekend in December – including the first weekend of January and Christmas and New Year’s Day!

Wokingham Borough Council will be offering free parking on certain dates in December and January to those parking in council owned town and village car parks. 

Dates

December dates for free parking are 4, 11, 18, 25, 26, 27 and 28, while an extra two dates have been added in January this year, on the 1 and 3.

Car Parks

The following car parks will be free to park in on the above dates.

Twyford

Polehampton Close, Twyford

Wargrave

School Lane, Wargrave

Wokingham

Carnival Pool Multi Storey, Wokingham

Cockpit Path, Wokingham

Denmark Street, Wokingham

Easthampstead Road (East and West), Wokingham

Rose Street, Wokingham

Shute End, Wokingham

Woodley

Crockhamwell Road

Headley Road

Lytham Road (East and West)

Users of the car park should note that all restrictions, such as maximum stays, parking in the right bays and ‘no return’ times still apply so that people get fair access to the free spaces. Don’t have your Christmas ruined by receiving a Penalty Charge Notice!

11th November 2021

Hundreds of local residents gathered at Woodley Town Council’s Armistice Day event today. 

Organised with the Winnersh & District Royal British Legion, Woodley Town Council hosted its annual Armistice Day event to honour and remember those who have fallen, been injured and all who have served in conflicts and wars. 

Trevor Knights, president of the Winnersh & District Royal British Legion read the Exhortation to the Fallen prior to the Last Post and two minutes silence, followed by the Kohima Epitaph after the Reveille. 

Wokingham Borough Council Mayor and Woodley Town Council Leader Cllr Keith Baker MBE was the first to lay a wreath at the War Memorial in Woodford Park, followed by Woodley Town Mayor Cllr Janet Sartorel. MP Matt Rodda also laid a wreath, followed by Trevor Knights and Rosemary Edington from the Women’s Section of the Winnersh & District Royal British Legion. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Members of the Reservists, Thames Valley Police, Woodley Girl Guides, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Woodley schools, Woodley War Memorial Group, The Rotary Club of Loddon Vale, Woodley Women’s Club, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Woodley Ward), Woodley United FC and Woodley Covid Group also laid wreaths. 

• 

• 

• 

Following the wreath laying, Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, addressed the crowd with pride and emotion at representing the residents of Woodley. 

“As we stand here in peace and safety, I would like to thank you for joining Woodley Town Council and the Winnersh and District Royal British Legion to pay our respects and remember all of those who have fallen; all of the wounded; and all who have served in conflicts and wars.

Armistice Day is the day we all remember the brave who have served and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace. We remember those who volunteered, sacrificed, served, fought and died for our freedom.

I am honoured to represent the residents of Woodley today and I wear my poppy with pride as a symbol of remembrance and hope for a positive future and peaceful world. Thank you.”

Cllr Keith Baker was very proud to be the first Wokingham Borough Mayor to attend Woodley Town Council’s Armistice Day event.

“I have lived in Woodley for over 27 years and it was an honour to attend as a proud resident, Woodley Town Council leader and, for the first time, Wokingham Borough Mayor.”

The event was concluded by Trevor Knights, who also thanked everyone for attending and announced that 2021 marks 100 years since the nation’s collective remembrance traditions were first brought together.

Woodley Town Council would like to thank those who attended and all who laid wreaths. We would also like to thank those who took the time to thank us for hosting the event. 

Tackling financial hardship in Wokingham borough – have your say

Wokingham Borough Council is asking for residents’ input to help shape a brand-new strategy aimed at tackling financial hardship and related challenges in the borough, and ensuring all residents have access to the support they need.

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about many challenges for local people, impacting their standards of living and health and wellbeing. By taking part in the survey, you will help the Council to understand more about the issues that are affecting people, with key topics including family and home life, employment and income, and access to support.

The information will be used alongside other key data points to help inform the strategy and ensure the Council has the right support in place to help residents who are on low income, or who are facing financial hardship for the first time.

The engagement is taking place on the Council’s new online platform, Engage Wokingham Borough, which is being used to improve how Wokingham Borough Council listen to residents and ensure there is a two-way dialogue. You can sign up to Engage Wokingham Borough and take part in the survey and others via the Engage Wokingham Borough webpage.

Don’t miss your chance to shape your community’s future

A revised blueprint for new homes and supporting infrastructure across Wokingham Borough is set to go before residents for their views.

When it next meets on 12 November, Wokingham Borough Council’s  executive is expected to agree to launch a public consultation on the authority’s new Local Plan Update: Revised Growth Strategy.

This would run from 22 November to 17 January next year and everyone should take part because the finished document will help meet demand for new housing, schools, roads, green spaces, community and leisure facilities and other amenities for many years.

Unlike the previous draft Local Plan, which people were consulted on last year, a new town of about 15,000 homes at Grazeley is no longer proposed. Following an unexpected extension of the emergency planning zone around AWE Burghfield to include that area, the Ministry of Defence now opposes development so it isn’t considered achievable.

The Council therefore suggest an alternative approach which will continue allocating most new development to carefully planned major new communities so suitable infrastructure can be provided.

Public meetings will be held from 7pm to 9pm at St Crispin’s School in Wokingham on 22 November or at Arborfield Green Leisure Centre on 30 November. Please consider taking a Covid-19 lateral flow test before attending.

There will also be four virtual meetings on 2 and 6 December running from 6pm to 7pm and 7.30pm to 8.30pm on each date, one of which will be recorded for viewing on demand.

All places must be booked in advance by visiting the Engage Wokingham Borough webpage.

After the disappointment of having to cancel its Christmas events last year, Woodley Town Centre is delighted to announce that both spectacular Christmas events are back this year.  

• The Christmas Illuminations and Carol Concert will be held at the Centre Stage in Woodley town centre on Saturday 27^th November 2021 at 4.30pm.

• And its fabulous Christmas Fayre will be held in the town centre on Sunday 5^thDecember 2021 from 10am to 3pm.

“We are absolutely delighted to announce the return of our two main events of the year. We will be producing a thousand carol sheets for our spectacular Christmas Illuminations and Carol Concert. The Woodley Concert Band will support the Sainsbury Singers together with soloist Charis Anne in leading the singing on  what we know will be a wonderful evening. 

The Woodley and Earley Lions will also  be there  handing out warming  mulled wine and mince pies and JAC will  there with their hot roasted chestnuts.

We will also be joined by the Woodley Town Mayor Councilor Janet Sartorel who will switch on this year’s Christmas lights with the three winners of our Christmas poster competition.

Our Christmas Fayre has this year attracted a record number of stall holders and we have a full line up of entertainment on the Centre Stage, together with plenty of street entertainment to entertain visitors as they start their Christmas shopping in Woodley.

And , of course Santa will be present on his sleigh supported by his elves.

We are very excited about the two events and it will be fabulous to see everyone out again this year and getting Woodley’s Christmas off to a spectacular start with these two events,” comments Woodley Town Centre Manager, Brian Fennelly.   

For more information, please contact Brian: 07506741591 / [email protected]