Maidenhead & Windsor

Maidenhead Royal Borough residents who have care provided through social services are being encouraged to take advantage of a scheme that will give them greater freedom to choose who comes into their home to help them, and when.

Direct payments gives people more power over the purse strings for their care, enabling them to arrange for their own care at times best suited to them and with services tailored to suit their way of life.

From September 1 direct payments will be looked after by a dedicated Maidenhead borough team who will be available to all care users to discuss how the scheme could make their lives easier and give them control over the way their assessed packages of care can be delivered for their particular needs.

Although the scheme will be launched at the Older Persons' Conference in Maidenhead on Monday September 4 it is open to anyone over the age of 18 who has been assessed by social services to receive care and who meets the requirements of the scheme. As well as older people, it covers those with physical and/or learning disabilities, those suffering from a mental health condition and parents of disabled children or children in need who receive care.

Currently there are over 40 people who have care packages in the borough using direct payments, but the council is keen to encourage more to take advantage of the increased freedom and flexibility it brings.

Cllr Pam Proctor, lead member for Maidenhead adult services, said: "The great thing about direct payments is that it gives people freedom to make choices about their care, with the option of employing a carer they know and feel comfortable with – instead of someone they don't know – or purchasing care from a service provider of their choice. They can make arrangements for their care to be they way they want it and at times that will suit them."

Cllr Proctor said this was a way of increasing independence for residents who needed support to enable them to remain in their own homes. "It puts people in the driving seat," she said. "They can make choices about their care and take more control of their own lives – and I'm pleased that we have had very positive responses from those already using the scheme."

Direct payments means that once a person has been assessed by social services and their care package agreed, they are given the money to pay for their care.

The Maidenhead borough's direct payments team – manager Eddie Johnson and advisor Dee Cooper – are available to make home visits to anyone interested in making the change and will provide ongoing support to ensure things go well and to help sort out any problems. Eddie and Dee will help with the interview process and setting up the easy-to-use system for people arranging their own care.

Eddie said: "People using direct payments may want to employ their own carer or use the money to purchase care from a service provider of their choice. It's entirely up to them. However, we will always be available for guidance and support so people feel secure they can call on us if they need help."

Eddie and Dee would like to hear from anyone interested in learning more about direct payments. They can be contacted on 01628 683591 or by email at directpayments@rbwm.gov.uk

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Safety and security features in ten Maidenhead Royal Borough car parks have earned them coveted Park Mark Safer Parking Awards.

The awards, run by the British Parking Association and the Association of Chief Police Officers, go only to car parks that have measures in place to deter criminal activity and create a safer environment for drivers and their vehicles.

The newest addition to Maidenhead borough's Park Mark fleet is The Avenue car park in Datchet, winning the award for the first time. It joins nine others across the borough which have just had their Park Marks renewed:

* Maidenhead – Nicholsons Shopping Centre, Grove Road, Stafferton Way multi-storey and Stafferton Way park and ride
* Windsor – Victoria, River Street, King Edward VII, the coach park
* Eton – Meadow Lane.

Cllr Antony Wood, lead member for Maidenhead traffic and transportation, said this was bad news for criminals: "We want to make it as difficult as possible for thieves and vandals to do their work. These car parks have been assessed by the police to ensure they offer as much security as possible to car park users and their vehicles at all times of the day and night.

"By taking expert advice from the police we can do everything we can to help make car parks as user-friendly and crime free as possible."

The Park Mark assessor from Thames Valley Police who judged the borough's car parks was on the look out for safety and security features such as CCTV, effective lighting and good visibility as well as restricted entrances and exits that make it difficult for criminals to make quick getaways without being seen.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Are they sitting comfortably – and safely? That's the all-important question for Maidenhead Royal Borough parents and other motorists with the introduction of new seat belt and car seat laws on September 18.

The new legislation means that motorists must ensure every child travelling in their car, where seat belts are fitted, uses either a baby seat, child seat, booster seat or booster cushion until they are either 1.35metres tall or 12 years old (whichever they reach first).

To drive home the safety message and raise awareness of the changes, Maidenhead Royal Borough road safety officers will tour borough schools during the first few weeks of term. They have also organised two free child car seat check days in conjunction with an independent expert to check the fitting of seats in cars, and have teamed up with the fire and rescue service, trading standards and community wardens to distribute information about the new laws and give advice to parents.

Maidenhead Trading standards will also be able to advise on the safety of toys, nursery products and all sorts of household products, as well as provide general advice on consumer issues.

The two car seat check sessions will be held on:

* Friday September 15 – Magnet Leisure Centre car park, Maidenhead, from 10am to 4pm
* Monday September 18 – Tesco car park, Dedworth, Windsor, from 10am to 4pm.

Cllr Antony Wood, lead member for Maidenhead road safety, said: " We all need to be absolutely scrupulous in ensuring that our children are safe when travelling in cars. These new rules will impose a legal obligation on adults to use the appropriate child seat or booster cushion for their child's weight and height.

"I would urge all motorists who carry children to take advantage of the child seat check days to get as much information and advice as possible."

Drivers are legally responsible for every passenger under the age of 14, and face fixed penalty fines of £30 for non-compliance or a maximum fine of £500 if a case goes to court.

The new laws will also make it illegal for rear-facing baby seats to be used with active front airbags – and if drivers are not certain that their airbag is deactivated they should not use rear-facing baby seats.

There are only three exemptions to the new rules which allow children to travel in the rear with an adult seat belt:

* for occasional short journeys if the right child restraint is not available
* where two occupied child seats in the rear of the car prevent the fitting of a third
* when travelling in a taxi (with under-threes travelling unrestrained in the back seat only and over-threes using an adult seat belt in the rear seat).

For further information about the new laws contact Philippa Baxter, Maidenhead road safety officer, on 01628

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 3rd September - 9th September 2006
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

3rd September at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
Cave of the Yellow Dog (U)
* 7:30 pm
Cave of the Yellow Dog (U)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Windsor & Maidenhead Embroiderers Guild: Textile Dimensions

4th September at Maidenhead

No events planned

5th September at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Atomised (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Windsor & Maidenhead Embroiderers Guild: Textile Dimensions

6th September at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Atomised (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Windsor & Maidenhead Embroiderers Guild: Textile Dimensions

7th September at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Summer Concert Series 3: Danny Driver (piano)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Windsor & Maidenhead Embroiderers Guild: Textile Dimensions

8th September at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Offside (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Windsor & Maidenhead Embroiderers Guild: Textile Dimensions

9th September at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:00 am
Kathak Dance taster session
* 3:00 pm
An Unfinished Life (12A)
* 7:30 pm
An Unfinished Life (12A)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Windsor & Maidenhead Embroiderers Guild: Textile Dimensions

The Maidenhead Royal Borough's first summer holiday cycle training scheme for 11-14-year-olds gets on the road next week.

Ten trainees are booked on to the four-day course, which takes place at Kidwells Park, Maidenhead:

* 10am – 12 noon Tuesday August 29
* 10am – 12 noon Wednesday August 30
* 1- 3pm Thursday August 31
* 10am – 12 noon Friday September 1

Certificates and proficiency badges will be presented to the successful trainees at the end of the final session on Friday September 1.

Philippa Baxter, Maidenhead road safety officer, said: "Up to 30 schools take part in our cycle training during the school year but there are still many children who begin secondary school without any proper training and want to cycle to school. We are hoping to reach some of these youngsters through the holiday training scheme and, with ten signed up, we have another ten on the waiting list. In fact, places were snapped up within two days of being advertised so the demand is there.

"We are using this as a pilot and if it is successful we aim to extend training courses to include Christmas and Easter too."

The course teaches cyclists the basic rules of the road, improves control and co-ordination, and helps trainees develop awareness of potential hazards and how to deal with them safely.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Maidenhead Parents have been warned to take a careful look at their children's lunch boxes and food wrappings, as some may not be suitable for use with food.

As the new school year approaches and school supplies are bought, this is one of the pieces of advice offered by trading standards at the Maidenhead Royal Borough in order to ensure a healthy start for youngsters.

Trading standards have also warned about pens and pencils, some of which may have high levels of potentially dangerous elements, and have provided advice on customers' rights when buying school uniforms.

Greg Nelson, team leader, Maidenhead trading standards, said: "Rushing around buying uniforms and other items for the new school year can be a hectic and frustrating experience. But if parents follow a few simple steps they can ensure the items they buy are of a suitable quality, fit for purpose and, most importantly, safe for their children to use."

In particular Maidenhead trading standards suggest the following:

· When shopping for a lunch box, ensure it carries the official symbol of a wine glass and fork (often embossed on the plastic) which means the lunch box is safe to come into contact with food. If it does not carry the symbol it should still be safe but as a precaution food could be wrapped before placing inside.

· Check cling film is suitable for contact with food as not all of them are, and ensure it is used correctly.

· Pens, pencils, felt tips and crayons should comply, as far as possible, with British Standards for permitted levels of certain elements such as mercury and lead in the colours and the covering paint.

· Children should be discouraged from putting writing implements in their mouths, and care taken that younger siblings don't choke on small items such as pen tops.

Maidenhead Trading standards also highlighted customers' rights when buying school uniforms.

They advised parents should be aware of their statutory rights under the Sale of Goods Act 1979. If goods are not
· fit for their purpose
· of satisfactory quality, or
· as described
then a consumer is entitled to a full refund, if the fault is brought to the attention of the trader within a reasonable period of time. 'Reasonable time' is defined by the courts and depends on the circumstances.

In terms of a uniform, items should be checked as quickly as possible, preferably within a week. Some shops offer a goodwill policy and extend the length of the time a good can be returned. Shoppers should remember to keep the receipt as proof of purchase.

If a purchaser changes their mind about an item because, for example, it doesn't fit or they bought the wrong item a trader can refuse to refund or exchange it. In these situations the purchaser should negotiate for a credit note.

For second-hand uniforms the rights are the same as for new uniforms. However expectations of the item should be lower, taking into account the price paid.

· For helpful advice on these and other consumer topics visit www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/rbwm and click on 'Consumer Advice'.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

A major upgrade of electrical works in Maidenhead Library will mean an unavoidable closure of the St Ives Road building from 4pm on Saturday August 26 until 9.30am on Monday September 4.

The work will bring the Maidenhead library's electrical system up to date, allowing for the future installation of new lighting and automatic doors. The contract also includes preparation work for the later installation of energy-efficient heaters for all public areas to make the building more comfortable in colder weather and to reduce energy costs.

Mark Taylor, Maidenhead library and information services manager, said: "We appreciate that closing the library will cause some inconvenience to our users but we have no alternative if we are to get this much-needed work done as quickly and safely as possible. We are arranging for other local libraries to stay open longer and we have systems in place on the web or by phone to keep the service running during this temporary closure."

Alternatives available to Maidenhead Library users during the closure are:

* Cox Green Library will open 16 extra hours during the week
* Cookham will open 15.5 extra hours
* Windsor will open 4.5 extra hours
* The telephone renewals line on 01628 633088 will automatically divert to Windsor so library users can continue to extend their borrowing times
* The returns box in the St. Ives Road entrance will be emptied regularly
* Library tickets can be used at any Royal Borough library
* Users can check the catalogue and reserve and renew items on line at www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/onlinelibrary.htm

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Police are appealing for witnesses after a group of about 10 youths assaulted a 16-year-old boy in Maidenhead on Saturday (12/8).

The victim was walking in Halifax Way, Pinkneys Green, Maidenhead when he was approached at approximately 12.50am. He sustained bruising as a result of the incident.

All of the offenders are aged around 16 years old and had hoods pulled tightly around their faces.

A friend of the victim was subsequently chased through Halifax Road by the offenders.

Anyone who has information is urged to contact Maidenhead PC Phil Horler via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. People who do not want to talk to police or leave their name can phone the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead

People of all ages who use sports facilities in the Maidenhead Royal Borough will be helping the council plan for the future of its outdoor and indoor sports provision.

A major consultation has kicked off so that the views and comments of Maidenhead users will feed into both the playing pitch strategy and the indoor sports and community facilities strategy, to guide how local sports will be catered for in the next five - 10 years.

Cllr Richard Fagence, lead member for Maidenhead leisure and cultural services, said: "The council has a strong record for sports provision in the borough but are we not complacent and we need to look to the future to take account of the changing needs and demands of the children and adults who use our facilities.

"To plan effectively for the future we need to find out how our facilities currently measure up and there's no better way than by asking the people who use them. They will also be able to give us important information about how they would like facilities to change and develop in the years ahead – so this consultation is a key part of developing strategies that work, not just getting ticks in the right boxes to meet government targets!"

Maidenhead council has appointed specialist researchers PMP to carry out the survey and questionnaires will be going out to sports clubs, schools and parish and town councils from this week. The aim is to have the draft strategies ready for cabinet discussion by the end of the year.

PMP has set up a dedicated e-mail address for the consultation. Anyone who would like to comment about either the playing pitch provision or indoor sports/community hall facilities in the Royal Borough should email WindsorandMaidenheadStrategies@pmpconsult.com

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

It's time to push the Maidenhead boat out – literally – with next week's official opening of the new facilities for visitors at Hurley Lock.

Have-a-go canoeing and kayaking sessions will be among the highlights of the afternoon's activities when Maidenhead sports personality and Hurley village resident Steve Rider cuts the ribbon to open the new log-cabin style centre alongside the river on Tuesday August 22.

Hurley village residents and young people who use the Maidenhead Royal Borough's outdoor education project will be among guests invited to celebrate the opening of the new £300,000 facilities alongside the river at Hurley Lock.

The festivities will kick off with demonstrations of canoeing and kayaking by members of the Royal Borough's outdoor education project, followed by the official ribbon-cutting and free river trips aboard the Environment Agency's patrol boat, as well as have-a-go sessions in canoeing and kayaking for all ages.

Folk Group Blackbird Quality will provide the musical backdrop to the event from a gazebo alongside the new centre and (weather permitting) visitors are encouraged to picnic on the grass outside.

The eagerly-awaited new log-cabin style centre is the result of a partnership between the Maidenhead Royal Borough, the Environment Agency and Slough Borough Council and supported by funding from the Big Lottery Fund, Clear Skies and Hurley Village Association/Powergen Green Plan Fund.

The centre will provide up-to-date changing/showering accommodation, public toilets (accessible from the outside even when the building is closed), a staff area and storage for an increased number of boats used by young people.

With the emphasis on making the facilities as environmentally-friendly as possible, the centre will be heated by a renewable energy ground source heat pump which will enable it to be used throughout the year and open up the fun, sport and educational opportunities for young people – including canoeing and kayaking to PE level.

The environmental theme will continue during the afternoon with display boards from Thames Valley Energy providing information on a variety of environmental energy schemes.

Cllr Richard Fagence, lead member for Maidenhead leisure and cultural services, said: "A great deal of hard work has gone into providing a modern, safe environment where our young people can take part in stimulating and challenging activities all year round.

"These new facilities have certainly given us all a centre to be proud of, and a place where dedicated and enthusiastic staff can continue to encourage young people to develop their talents and really enjoy healthy outdoor sport and physical activity."

Don Vickers, Environment Agency recreation team leader, said: "This new centre is a great opportunity for more young people to get active and enjoy having fun on the River Thames safely. I hope we see lots of new people making the most of it!"

An important element of the whole scheme was the recent installation of mains drainage to the island by the Environment Agency. Don Vickers added: "This was crucial to making the project happen as it ensured public toilets could be installed, therefore increasing the uses the site can offer."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

A scheme to help the Maidenhead Royal Borough's older residents with their claims for welfare benefits has enabled them to claim well over £½ million in additional financial help in a year.

However, government funding runs out on September 30 so Maidenhead council's welfare benefits team has issued a final call to residents aged over 60 to make sure they take advantage of the scheme before it comes to an end.

The Maidenhead borough's successful bid to the Department of Work and Pensions in 2004 attracted £60,000 specifically to help older residents with their claims It enabled the welfare benefits team to specifically target hard-to-reach older people to make sure they were getting all the benefits they were entitled to.

Since the scheme was introduced in May 2005 the team has

* helped residents claim more than £535,700 in extra benefits
* held 35 surgeries and information stalls at various events and spoken to more than 800 people
* sent almost 700 direct mailshots to individual people
* received 355 referrals.

Cllr Pam Proctor, lead member for Maidenhead adult services, said this was a fantastic result for older people and she thanked the team for their hard work.

She added: "We all know that a great deal of benefits help goes unclaimed because many people don't appreciate they are entitled to it or don't know how to go about applying for it."

Cllr Proctor said that although the welfare benefits team worked all year long to encourage take-up of benefits, this scheme meant the council could increase its efforts to reach older people, with very satisfying results.

She said: "Unfortunately, the government funding runs out at the end of September so we need to send out the message that if older people would like help from the welfare benefits team now is a good time to get in touch. "

The scheme applies to Maidenhead Royal Borough residents who are aged 60 or over. The welfare benefits team can make home visits, complete a benefits check and help fill in the application forms.

Janice Dean, Maidenhead welfare benefits team leader, said she was delighted by the results so far but hoped they could help even more people before September 30.

She said: "Our message is: if you know of any resident who is over 60 and needs advice or help in claiming benefits, please pass on our details to them or, with their permission, contact us yourself. All the work we do with residents is totally confidential and we would be delighted to hear from anyone who thinks they might benefit from our help."

The team's core work is with people receiving home care services, part of which involves helping them ensure they get all the benefits they are entitled to. As well as the additional benefits through the government scheme, they have improved benefit take-up generally – enabling residents to claim more than £660,000 extra benefits a year.

Contact the welfare benefits team on 01628 683231 or 01628 683230 or email welfare.benefits@rbwm.gov.uk or view the team web page at http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/social_welfare-benefits.htm

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Maidenhead Royal Borough is not only fiercely protective of its Green Belt but has also met government targets on house building ahead of time.

That's the message spelled out by Maidenhead Cllr Vicky Howes, lead member for planning, this week as the Maidenhead council put the record straight on "wildly inaccurate" figures on housing density which, according to the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), show the borough to be amongst the lowest for making use of available housing land.

The CPRE alleged that the Maidenhead borough was one of the worst in the country for not allowing developers to build to the government target of 30-50 dwellings per hectare, claiming that the borough's average of permitted homes was less than 20 per hectare.

However, Cllr Howes said the CPRE figures were based on wildly inaccurate and out-of-date government information, some of which went back as far as the 1990s!

She said: "The facts are that in 2004/05 – the most recent monitoring figures we have available – the council allowed 67 dwellings per hectare on medium-sized sites and 19 on small sites. This is an average of 30 dwelling per hectare and fully meets the government planning guidance.

"At the same time we are fiercely protective of the Green Belt, which makes up 83% of our borough and restricts the amount of land available – and we are one of the top performing authorities for ensuring that new development takes place on previously-used land. More than 90% of permitted development is on brownfield sites and this figure has been maintained for several years."

Cllr Howes pointed out the Maidenhead Royal Borough had already met its government-set house-building target of 281 homes per year up to 2013 so the council was now having to restrict house-building to avoid over-development and putting too much pressure on the existing infrastructure

Cllr Howes added: "There is limited availability of land in the Royal Borough, not only because so much of it is in the Green Belt but also because 24% lies in the flood plain. As councillors representing local communities we have to strike a sensitive balance between the need for new homes and the necessity to protect the environment and quality of life enjoyed by our residents.

"I am delighted to say that, as our most recent figures show, we are achieving government targets and making the most effective use of brownfield sites."

The CPRE figures were taken from Land Use Change Statistics (LUCS) published by the Department for Communities and Local Government. Information is obtained from Ordnance Survey mapping but areas like the Royal Borough are not surveyed regularly so the data used is out of date and based on old planning permissions, some going as far back as the 1990s. Also LUCS does not take account of changes of use and conversions, which tend to have higher densities of dwellings.

The borough's figures are taken from the Maidenhead council's own annual monitoring report for sites completed in 2004/05, which show an average density of 30 dwellings per hectare. These figures are sent to the Government Office for the South East on an annual basis.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Financial contributions made by developers in the Maidenhead Royal Borough are being tracked and checked by a new computer system that makes sure they pay on time and that the money is used for the benefit of local communities.

The Maidenhead borough's methods of managing Section 106 agreements, which has already won Audit Commission* praise for its "comprehensive and transparent approach", is now being looked at by other councils as an example of good practice.

In the past year (to the end of March 2006) almost £3 million came into the Maidenhead borough, thanks to contributions made by developers as part of their planning obligations (legal agreements) under S106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 – and a further £2 million came in between April 1 and July 31.

The S106 contributions recognise that some developments may have an impact on local Maidenhead communities, for example on roads, schools, play facilities etc, and developers are required to pay for any changes or improvements necessary to maintain the quality of life for people living in the area.

The system now used by Maidenhead council provides instant access to information by monitoring every S106 agreement (there are more than 500 with around 8,000 clauses relating to financial contributions) and the money allocated to each scheme by ward, parish or service. It also highlights when developers are due to make their payments so that reminders can be sent out and the money received in good time.

Currently there are over 1,200 projects on the database, including a range of recently-completed schemes funded by S106 contributions:

* Desborough Park multi-games area - £62,500
* Boyn Grove (Punt Hill play area) - £73,000
* Burleigh Road, Ascot, traffic calming - £60,000
* York Stream path - £50,000
* Oakley Green Road/A308 road safety improvement - £30,000
* Larchfield Primary and Nursery School remodelling of the nursery - £24,000
* Holy Trinity CE Primary, Sunningdale, refurbishment of the changing rooms - £22,000.

Future projects set to benefit from S106 funding include Sunninghill Library, Braywick Park pavilion and Trevelyan playing fields.

In the past year (2005/06) S106 contributions have brought a total of £2,939,550 into the borough for use in projects as wide ranging as affordable housing, open space, highways, education, youth and community initiatives, libraries, town centres, public art and waste management. Over £940,000 was spent on open space, highways and education.

Cllr Vicky Howes, lead member for Maidenhead planning, said: "If we are to have development in the borough it's only right that the companies should pay for maintaining the local environment, and S106 contributions benefit our communities without a cost to council taxpayers. We must account for every penny that comes in and the new database is an open and transparent way of making the information available to borough and parish councillors so they can see their own wards or areas at a glance.

"Our ultimate aim is to make the information available to the public and we are looking at ways of achieving this. In the meantime, other councils are turning to the Royal Borough as an example of best practice and our head of planning, David Trigwell, has been invited to give a presentation about the system to the Local Government Association. There is a great deal of interest in what we have achieved."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The second interim report on air quality monitoring in and around Maidenhead's Ray Lea Close again shows there is no concern for public health.

The Maidenhead monitoring at 18 homes adjacent to Badnell's Pit followed the identification of trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene in soils at the pit edge. However, both the initial snapshot survey by independent consultants in four homes nearest the site in April and the first full monitoring report in June found no cause for concern. Now the July report shows similar results.

The independent consultants doing the monitoring say "no action is needed to protect public health at this stage and the results indicate there is no significant migration of pollutants from the soil gas". The information has been shared with local Maidenhead residents by the Royal Borough's environmental health team.

The air quality report showed that all measured concentrations of trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene were below the absolute thresholds for long-term exposure. While the level of benzene at two homes was above the lower absolute threshold, this was likely due to a "variety of sources such as traffic emissions and cooking." The report also says that smoking could also contribute to the higher levels of benzene.

Jonathan James, Maidenhead council's project manager for Badnell's Pit, said the results were again as expected and should be of great reassurance to local residents. He explained: "Our consultants always considered the risk to be very low and these findings are further proof that there is no danger to residents' health."

Final monitoring results will be produced in the early autumn.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Maidenhead Royal Borough teenagers are to be given the opportunity to hold the purse strings on spending for young people in an innovative scheme to be launched later this month.

Under the government's two-year Youth Opportunities Fund, young people aged 13 – 19 are being invited to become youth assessors to help decide how and where money is spent on facilities and opportunities across the Maidenhead borough.

To enable the young assessors to get to grips with their new-found spending power, the Maidenhead Royal Borough's community and youth services team is holding a series of one-day training courses next week to introduce applicants to the world of "high finance".

The courses will be held from 11am to 4pm on
Monday August 14 at Castle Hill Centre, High Town Road, Maidenhead
Tuesday August 15 at the Manor Youth Centre, Windsor
Thursday August 17 at Charters Youth Centre, Ascot.

Training will include what is involved in being an assessor – what skills are needed, how those skills can be best used and the commitment involved. Participants will also carry out role-play both as an assessor and an applicant, and undertake practical activities such as designing an application form for would-be assessors to use.

Cllr Richard Fagence, lead member for Maidenhead leisure and cultural services, said: "This is a brilliant opportunity for young people to have their voices heard on issues that really matter to them – and to take charge of how money is spent to give them the facilities and opportunities they most want and need.

"Those young people who do train to be assessors will be working on behalf of their peers to ensure that the money from the Youth Opportunities Fund is directed at helping to fund ideas and schemes which young people really want. So come on, this is your chance to really make a difference!"

For further information about the youth assessors' scheme, and to request an application form, contact either Danny Gomm on 01628 510289 or Denise Gilholme on 01628 796949.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Shoppers at Maidenhead Farmers' Market will get more than fresh fruit and veg on Sunday (August 13) when the Maidenhead Royal Borough sets out its stall to tell people about saving energy and reducing waste.

The two-pronged promotion will feature:

* Emma Flower – Maidenhead energy and health officer, who will give advice about grants and discount schemes for energy efficiency, tips to save money on fuel bills and offer a free low energy light bulb to anyone who completes a home energy survey

* Ankit Rao – Maidenhead waste awareness officer who will have top tips on how everyone can reduce the amount of rubbish they put in their wheelie bins by recycling even more of their household waste and re-using everything from lawn clippings to cast-off clothes.

Ankit and Emma will have a wide range of leaflets and information available and will be happy to answer shoppers' questions.

Emma commented: "What better way of promoting a more sustainable society than by encouraging people to buy locally-produced produce, which helps to reduce 'food miles' and pollution! We want to show market shoppers that there are lots of other ways they can help the environment by reducing the amount of energy they use in their homes – and save money at the same time."

Ankit said: "The farmers' market is a great opportunity to let shoppers know about the huge opportunities for recycling and, since this is the time of year when people are buying fresh seasonal produce from the stallholders, we can remind them to make good use of the leftovers by turning them into compost. The Maidenhead council's discounted composter offer is still available so we have high hopes of more composting converts on Sunday."

Emma and Ankit will be at Maidenhead Farmers' Market between 10am to 1pm.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

While the heat's on Maidenhead, make sure you keep your cool when preparing food for barbecues and picnics and avoid any "unwanted guests" at the feast!

That's the seasonal advice from Maidenhead Royal Borough environmental health officers as the summer entertaining season gathers pace and families move to the great outdoors for meals al fresco – and they've come up with a menu of food safety tips to help keep bugs such as E.coli, salmonella and campylobacter firmly at bay.

Before firing up the barbecue:
· plan ahead by preparing food in advance to help to reduce the pressure
· always wash your hands thoroughly before preparing food, after touching raw meat and before eating
· keep foods out of the fridge for the shortest time possible.If you're short of space in the fridge put wine and beer somewhere cold, such as the garage, or in buckets of ice
· raw meat should be separated from cooked and ready-to-eat food (including salad or burger buns
· use separate utensils for raw and cooked meat and don't put cooked and raw food on the same plate
· don't add sauce or marinade to cooked food if it has already been used with raw meat
· make sure that food is fully cooked and safe to eat by checking that it's piping hot all the way through, that none of the meat is pink and any juices run clear
· when catering for a large group, you can cook meat indoors and finish it off on the barbecue for added flavour.

When having a picnic:
· keep food in the fridge until the last minute and use a cool bag to keep it chilled until you're ready to eat – particularly food containing cream, such as trifle, cream cakes and desserts, meat and poultry.

· remember to wash fruit and salad vegetables thoroughly before you set off and use antiseptic hand wipes if you can't wash your hands
· keep food covered whenever possible to protect it from insects, birds and pets, which can carry bacteria.

For further advice or information on food safety see the Food Standards Agency Website at www.eatwell.gov.uk/keepingfoodsafe/ or contact Maidenhead Royal Borough's Commercial Services Team on 01628 683820

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 13th August - 18th August 2006
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

13thAugust at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
The Wind that Shakes the Barley (15)
* 7:30 pm
The Wind that Shakes the Barley (15)

14thAugust at Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Theatre Week

15th August at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Lemming (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Theatre Week

16th August at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
United 93 (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Theatre Week

17th August at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
United 93 (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Theatre Week

18th August at Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Theatre Week

Police are searching for a man after an assault in Maidenhead on Saturday (29/7).

The 20-year-old male victim suffered a broken jaw as a result of the incident, which occurred in Market Street at around 2.30am.

The offender is white, in his early twenties, about 5ft 5in and skinny. He has short blonde hair and was wearing a black shirt and black trousers.

The offender was accompanied by a woman, who police would also like to identify. She is black, in her early twenties and taller than the offender.

She has black hair which was in a pony-tail, and was wearing a blue jean skirt and light blue top.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Maidenhead Det Con Reese Williams via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. If people do not want to talk to police or leave their name, they can call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead

Maidenhead Royal Borough residents have another opportunity to meet their local elected representatives on Saturday 5 August 2006.

Maidenhead councillors will be holding their regular surgery between 10am and 12 noon in the new reception area of the Town Hall, St Ives Road.

The open session - no appointment necessary - means people can drop in and meet the members to discuss local issues, air their views or ask for help and advice. Arrangements can be made for confidential interviews during the morning, if requested.

Future Maidenhead surgeries will be held between 10am and 12 noon on Saturday 7 October and 2 December.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Be prepared and plan ahead to make sure you get the best deal from your two weeks in the sun.

That's the seasonal advice from Maidenhead Royal Borough trading standards officers as families across the borough get ready to jet off abroad for their annual summer holiday.

Steve Johnson, Maidenhead trading standards manager, said: "Everyone looks forward to their two weeks annual break – and we all hope that everything will go smoothly. But it's important not to take any chances – and a bit of forward planning and preparation goes a long way to ensuring that those two precious weeks really are the holiday you've dreamt about.

"If you do have a problem, however – for example with false claims in brochures or websites for non-existent services or mis-descriptions of facilities – then do not hesitate to contact trading standards who can investigate on your behalf. Some of these mis-descriptions may well constitute criminal offences for which the company can be prosecuted."

Maidenhead Trading Standards travel tips include:
· choose travel agents and tour operators who belong to a trade association that has a code of practice. Look for membership of ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) or AITO (Association of Independent Tour Operators) on brochures, paperwork and invoices. Your money is better protected and you have better recourse when things go wrong.
· package holidays afford more protection than if you are travelling independently because they allow you to claim against the travel agent/tour operator. (To be classed as a package holiday you must have purchased at least two of the following – transport, accommodation or other significant tourist service (e.g. entrance to a sporting event) - at an inclusive price
· When paying for your holiday, if the price to pay is greater than £100 it is generally better to use a credit card as you may be able to make a claim against the
credit card company as well as the tour operator if things go wrong.

Even if the tour operator goes bust you may still be able to claim against the credit card company.
· Don't forget to pack your paperwork when you go. Brochures, invoices etc. will contain valuable information like terms and conditions and contract details that you may need if something goes wrong.

For holidaymakers who experience problems while on a package holiday, trading standards have the following advice:
· bring it immediately to the attention of the representative at the resort
· put the complaint in writing either on a complaint form or in a letter
· collect evidence about the problem such as photographs and statements from other holiday makers
· once you get home contact the tour operator and send copies of your evidence (always keep hold of your originals). Put forward an amount of compensation that you feel is fair and reasonable.

If the complaint is not resolved contact ABTA or AITO if the tour operator is a member as they provide an independent arbitration service, or trading standards for advice on how to proceed with your complaint.

And for dealing timeshares and holiday clubs the message is simple - Be careful! Steve Johnson explained: "Some companies use dubious tactics to sell these and you may be offered a prize or a gift to persuade you to attend a presentation where you will be put under a lot of pressure to sign up on the spot. Unless you are seriously considering signing up to one do not even go.

"If you do sign a contract in the UK you have a cooling-off period of 14 days in which you can cancel the contract and any related credit agreement."

For further information and advice contact Maidenhead trading standards on 01628 683802

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Picnic in the park with a batty bunch when Braywick countryside rangers and the Berks and South Bucks Bat Group hold their annual evening bat walk at Braywick Nature Centre, Maidenhead.

The walk, which takes place on Saturday August 5, starting 7.30pm, will include an illustrated talk about bats followed by a guided bat-watching walk in Braywick Park, with a chance to try your hand at using a bat detector. Visitors can also take along a picnic supper to enjoy before the talk.

Places must be booked in advance on 01628 796227. The cost per person is £4.50 or £4 with an Advantage Card. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Eighteen-year-old Robin Graham, of Squirrels Lane, High Wycombe, died after he got into difficulties in Summerleaze Lake, in Summerleaze Road, Maidenhead.

The incident happened shortly before 7pm.

It is believed that Robin entered the lake to retrieve a football when he got into difficulties in the water.

He was with friends at the time, who tried to save him; however they were unable to do so.

His death is not being treated as suspicious and the matter is now with the coroner. An inquest has been opened and adjourned to a date yet to be fixed.

A post-mortem has revealed that Robin died from drowning.

His family have today released a photograph and the following tribute to their loved one:

"Robin was an exceptional young man and a devoted son and loving brother to his sister Vala.

"He loved football, having played since he was seven years old in teams including Oakridge Baptist Church, Union Baptist, Hithercroft Under 16's whilst still only 14, and ultimately captaining the 2nd XI at Sir William Borlase's Grammar School in the Upper Sixth, an honour and challenge he accepted with relish and characteristic enthusiasm. His leadership qualities and strong team approach brought him both respect and accolades from his fellow players.

"His other passion in life was writing and he contributed to the school magazine and the Wycombe Wanderers fanzine on a number of occasions, and worked at the Maidenhead Advertiser for his work experience placement at 16, covering the front page news story as well as articles and photos captions inside the paper. This experience strengthened his resolve to pursue a career in journalism and he'd just completed a two-week summer school at Bournemouth University, where he had been accepted for a multi-media journalism course in October. A bright future was ahead of Robin but was so tragically taken away in this terrible accident.

"We have had overwhelming messages of support from family and friends from all over the world and we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank everyone for their kindness at this time of our deep personal sadness.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead