Maidenhead & Windsor

Windsor’s Imperial Park is set to become the first new major park in the town for almost 60 years.

The park, in Imperial Road, is on the site of the former Trevelyan Middle School playing fields and will feature facilities for all ages including a children’s play area, small pavilion and multi-use games area for football and basketball. Work started last week on an entrance from Imperial Road and this will be followed by a car park.

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead leisure and culture, said: “The freeing up of this land has offered an exciting and rare opportunity to create a new park in Windsor, which historically has been short of parks.

“By consulting with residents prior to the work starting we have ensured that we are providing the facilities they want.”

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for Windsor and ward councillor for Clewer East, said: “Inevitably there will be some disruption while work is being carried out, but once completed Imperial Park will be an excellent, convenient venue of which local residents can be justifiably proud.”

Residents were consulted earlier this year to find out what facilities they would like to see in the park, and pupils at two local schools, Oakfield First and Clewer Green CE, chose the design for the new play area.

Work should be completed by early next year and the total cost will be £495,000, which will be met by Section 106 contributions arising from new developments in the area.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough residents concerned about crime and anti-social behaviour in their local areas look set to get further help from the council, thanks to a proposed change to its alley gating policy.

A report to be discussed next week proposes that the Windsor and Maidenhead council rather than local residents will pay for the installation of alley gates – a tried and tested crime prevention measure in areas where narrow alleys and pathways close to homes offer opportunities for crime. The installation of gates, restricting access to people who have keys, aims to reduce these opportunities and increase confidence in local communities.

The proposal to shift the cost of alley gating installation from residents to the borough will help ensure that this potential solution to local crime and disorder is open to all residents and not just those who can afford it.

Cllr David Burbage, Windsor and Maidenhead council leader, said: “Over the past couple of years we have paid very close attention to residents’ concerns about crime and disorder where these alleys and pathways run close to their homes and offer either meeting places or quick escape routes for groups of mostly young people intent on causing trouble.

“Gating off these cut-throughs and giving access only to residents with keys has proved an effective deterrent in other local authority areas but the current council policy means that residents have to fund the entire process themselves.”

Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Burbage added: “By transferring the installation costs to the council, we can ensure this policy offers some help to residents where there is a sound case for gating alleys to help prevent crime. We are also making things easier for residents by ensuring a named officer is appointed to deal with each proposal.”

The change to the alley gating policy will be discussed at the planning and environment overview and scrutiny panel on Monday (September 3) and a final decision will be taken by cabinet on Thursday September 27.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Bigger, better and centrally located – that’s the happy ending to the tale of Windsor Shopmobility’s long-held ambition to secure a permanent home.

After nine years in temporary accommodation in Bachelors Acre, Windsor Shopmobility is moving to a new permanent home courtesy of King Edward Court in Windsor – relocating to Level 5B of the newly-refurbished King Edward Court car park.

The new Shopmobility office will be open for business from 10am on Thursday August 30 and boasts a larger office and storeroom and an accessible toilet.

Free parking is available to those using the Shopmobility service, in bays adjacent to the new office. There is also a free drop-off point for taxis.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead highways, transport and environment, said: “This is a real red-letter day for Windsor Shopmobility – marking the end of a long search for permanent premises after outgrowing our premises at Bachelors Acre which were always only intended to be temporary.

“A great many people have worked long and hard for such a successful outcome – and the very central position of Shopmobility’s new home will make a huge difference to our residents with mobility difficulties.”

Keith Rennie, chairman of the Windsor and Maidenhead Users Network, who manage the Shopmobility service on behalf of the Royal Borough, said: “It is wonderful to be in new purpose-built premises in the centre of the town. This gives our users easy access to the shops and all of the town centre facilities in Windsor and Eton.”

Shopmobility loans manual and powered wheelchairs and scooters to anyone with a mobility difficulty whether this is the result of a permanent or temporary disability, old age, accident or illness. The equipment is available on a daily basis from 10am to 5pm Monday through to Saturday.

Windsor Shopmobility can be contacted on 01753 622330 and Maidenhead Shopmobility on 01628 543038.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Fifty one local schools have been asked to get their teeth into plans for how the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough’s school meals service will be provided in the future.

The borough-wide consultation – at the start of the third year of the Windsor and Maidenhead council’s central contract with Harrison Catering Services – aims to give all schools involved the opportunity to have their say regarding a two-year extension of the contract from 2008 to 2010.

With a 6% increase in local uptake of primary school meals predicted for this year – compared to the national trend of a 7% decrease – schools are being asked for their views, including whether or not the Harrison contract should be extended for a further two years or if they want the council to go out to tender for a new five-year contract.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead children’s services, said that providing good quality, nutritious school meals made with fresh ingredients, was vitally important for the continued health and wellbeing of children and young people.

She said: “Harrison’s meals, most of them cooked on site at individual schools, are of a consistently high standard and are very popular with the children who take them regularly. The fact that local uptake is increasing against the national downward trend is proof that the company is offering an excellent product, appreciated by schools and by many children and their parents.

“However, as Alwyn Infant School’s petition to last week’s cabinet demonstrates, a few schools are finding it difficult to encourage sufficient numbers of pupils to have meals so that they meet their targets to cover costs. This has resulting implications for their budgets when they have to make up the shortfall.

“It is absolutely essential that the views of all schools involved in the meals contract are taken into account before any decisions are taken about how the service should be provided from 2008.”

Consultation with Windsor and Maidenhead schools started before the end of summer term in July with information packs provided to enable them to discuss potential ways forward. As well as details about the possibility of extending the Harrison’s contract for two years or going out to tender for a new five-year contract, schools could decide to:

* appoint their own contractors, either for an individual school to go it alone or for several to join together in a cluster group
* operate the service themselves or
* provide packed lunches (although this would not be in line with the council’s policy to provide pupils with hot meals).

The closing date is September 24.

Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Quick said she was looking forward to constructive responses that would enable the council to go forward with school meals that not only met the national nutritional requirements but were enjoyed by pupils and students of all ages.

Cabinet, meeting last Thursday (August 23), agreed that after the consultation a report would go to the cabinet priorisation sub committee for decision in accordance with the wishes of the majority of schools.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 2 September - 8 September 2007
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

2nd September

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
Grow Your Own (PG)
* 7:30 pm
Grow Your Own (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Royal Photographic Society Visual Art Group

3rd September

No events planned

4th September

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Paris je t'aime (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Royal Photographic Society Visual Art Group

5th September

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Paris je t'aime (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Royal Photographic Society Visual Art Group

6th September

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Les Petites Vacances (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Royal Photographic Society Visual Art Group

7th September

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Fairport Convention
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Royal Photographic Society Visual Art Group

8th September

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
The Flying Scotsman (15)
* 8:00 pm
The Flying Scotsman (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Royal Photographic Society Visual Art Group

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, aggravated vehicle taking and burglary, following an incident in Maidenhead this morning (23/8).

The 25-year-old man was arrested shortly after 7.30am and is currently in police custody.

The arrest follows an incident at an address in Cherry Garden Lane, Maidenhead, where the body of a man was found shortly after 7.15am.

The victim has not at this time been formally identified.

Maidenhead Det Ch Insp Karen Trego, officer in charge of the investigation, said: “A resident from Cherry Garden Lane contacted the police this morning after finding a man inside her home address. Officers attended the address where the body of a man was discovered.

“The motive for the incident is under investigation and police are at this time keeping an open mind.”

Supt Mike Ismay, local police commander for Windsor and Maidenhead, said:” I would like to reassure the community of Maidenhead that this is an isolated incident, and that we are not at this stage looking for anyone else in connection with the inquiry.”

Police are keen to hear from anyone with information, who was in the area of Cherry Garden Lane between 4am and 7am this morning (23/8). An incident room has been set-up at Maidenhead police station and all calls from those with information should be directed to this room via 0845 8 505 505.

Those who don’t wish to speak to police or leave their name should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead

SMILE – the Windsor and Maidenhead borough’s exercise and activity programme for the over-50s – has been recognised for its excellence in a prestigious national award scheme.

The work of SMILE (So Much Improvement with a Little Exercise) was shortlisted, and reached the final, of the Municipal Journal (MJ) Local Government Achievement Awards, which were presented at a recent ceremony hosted by Andrew Marr.

SMILE is a partnership between the Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough’s leisure services team, together with public and voluntary organisations, which provides 40 weekly community-based exercise sessions to improve residents’ physical well-being, muscle strength, flexibility and balance.

As well as promoting a healthier lifestyle, SMILE aims to reduce the number of over-65s who are taken to hospital as a result of a fall.

The SMILE team was nominated for the award earlier in the year, and then had to put together information about all the services they offer, including exercise sessions, stroke rehabilitation programmes, back care and smoking cessation classes, dietician support, walking clubs and social events.

Cllr John Story, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead adult services, said: “Congratulations to all the SMILE team whose hard work and dedication make this such a wonderful service for our residents.

“SMILE sessions are all about encouraging older people to take part in some very simple exercises which can have huge benefits for posture and flexibility – as well as being very sociable activities and great fun.”

Kevin Johnson, SMILE chairman, said he was really proud of the nomination and it had been a great morale boost for the whole team. He said: “We are winners every day because we see the difference SMILE’s work makes to the 750 residents who use it, but it is great this has been recognised externally.

“I’m delighted for all our staff and volunteers – and for the users who are always grateful for everything we do.

”We received a very positive letter from the awards ceremony organisers and hope to be taking part again next year.”

For more details about SMILE, call 01628 777003 or email smile@rbwm.gov.uk

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

A major education development in the Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough will take an important step forward this week if cabinet gives its final approval for the building of a brand new school for children with special educational needs.

The Windsor and Maidenhead council’s proposal for a purpose-built, state-of-the-art replacement for the existing Holyport Manor Special School has been through a full public consultation and, backed by £23.6 million of pledged government funding, is set to become a reality.

Meeting on Thursday (August 23), cabinet looks set to give the green light to the ambitious project on a site off Cannon Lane at Cox Green and, provided it achieves planning permission and work goes ahead on schedule, the school will be open by 2010.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead children’s services, said that cabinet’s approval would be a fitting tribute to the late Cllr Elizabeth Hawkes who was passionate in her support of the new school.

Cllr Quick said: “Building a ‘new Holyport Manor’ was a mission dear to Elizabeth’s heart. She wanted to achieve the very best educational facilities for children with special needs and was a doughty fighter for this project to go ahead.”

The current buildings at Holyport Manor are no longer fit for purpose and the proposed new school in the heart of an established educational community would offer children and young people:

* fully accessible buildings
* access to a broader and more balanced curriculum with learning opportunities suited to their needs
* inclusion within the local community
* greater opportunities for pupils to access lessons in local mainstream schools and easier access to specialist teaching
* opportunities for children from nearby schools to use the new facilities
* more extensive vocational opportunities for 14–19-year-olds.

The new school would also include accessible and safe residential accommodation for 32 children.

Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Quick said she was thrilled by this rare prospect of achieving top quality facilities that would benefit children and young people from across the borough.

She said: “To have secured government funding means we can make a significant contribution to education in our borough. Of course, we have important planning processes ahead but I feel confident that, come 2010, we will have a school to be proud of and where the fine educational traditions and standards set by Holyport Manor will be taken forward into an exciting new era.”

Robert Williams, chair of governors at Holyport Manor, said he was delighted with the continuing progress and eagerly anticipating the idea becoming a reality. He added that he was looking forward to the ongoing involvement of governors, staff and parents in the development of the new school.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families grant, announced in March this year, is from the Building Schools for the Future: One School Pathfinder initiative. It follows a council submission to build the new special school as a centre of excellence on the same education campus as Cox Green Secondary and Lowbrook Primary schools. The new school would have its own access, yet be part of the existing education community.

The full designs for the new school will be made available to the public as part of the normal planning application process.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough looks set to take legal advice in its ongoing bid to challenge plans to axe night-time staffing at Windsor Fire Station.

The move to seek legal advice is just one part of an action plan drawn up in the Windsor and Maidenhead council’s continuing campaign to maintain 24-hour staffing at the fire station.

Members of the borough’s cabinet will on Thursday (August 23) be asked to approve the action plan, which comes in the wake of the decision by the Berkshire Fire Authority to close the fire station between 8pm and 8am from next year.

In addition to seeking legal advice, councillors will also be asked to approve plans to:

· write to the Her Majesty the Queen – whose own Windsor home was damaged by fire in 1992 – informing her of the council’s concerns

· submit a Freedom of Information request about the consultation process involved in the decision and asking for details of calls received and actions taken at both Windsor and Slough fire stations

· write to Windsor MP Adam Afriyie and his Slough counterpart Fiona Mactaggart, and Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to enlist their support.

Cllr David Burbage, Windsor and Maidenhead council leader, said: “We are committed to continuing the fight on behalf of our residents to maintain full 24-hour cover at Windsor fire station.

“Last weekend’s fire tragedy at the hotel in Newquay has highlighted the need for full-time fire cover in an area which attracts thousands of visitors every year – and we have a very similar situation here in Windsor with tourists visiting the area all year round.

“Our action plan is a robust approach to exploring every possible avenue to ensuring that Windsor has the level of fire cover it needs for both our residents and visitors alike.”

Cllr Christine Bateson, one of the Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough’s fire authority representatives, said: “Our residents have made it very clear that they do not want to see fire cover cut at their fire station – and now it is up to us to take that fight forward on their behalf.

“By informing the Queen of our concerns, and rallying support from our MPs, and by investigating fully the way the fire authority’s decision was taken, we will be raising the profile of our campaign – while doing our utmost to keep up the pressure on the fire authority to find an alternative solution and maintain round-the-clock full-time cover for our Windsor residents.”

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Police are appealing for two men who witnessed a fire in Maidenhead in July to come forward as they may be able to help with the investigation.

The fire in Blackamoor Lane, Maidenhead at about 11pm on 25 July is being treated as arson with intent to endanger life.

A man and a woman who lived in the house escaped the fire by jumping from the first floor window. They were taken by ambulance to Wexham Park Hospital. The man was treated for a shoulder injury and has now been discharged from hospital. The woman was treated for injuries to her arm and smoke inhalation and is still in hospital.

Maidenhead Det Con Kathryn Kipps said: “We are appealing for these men to come forward, not because they are suspects, but as they are likely to have been first on the scene of the fire and may have vital information. They were seen walking past the house when the fire was first discovered. They approached the couple who jumped from the window and offered their assistance. We believe that one of the men had a bicycle.”

Both men are in their early twenties, Asian, slim and around 5ft 10ins, with short dark hair. One was wearing a smart beige summer suit and the other had a white t-shirt and jeans.

If you were one of the men or you have any information about them, please contact Det Con Kathryn Kipps via the police enquiry centre on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police or give your name, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead

Last December I noticed a damp patch near my piano. Further investigation revealed a missing tile from the roof just above my music room. I patched it up and thought no more about it. Until July 20th. Remember the day that flooded Nicholson's Walk in Maidenhead?

I looked up and saw that the ceiling was sagging rather alarmingly. Luckily I managed to get help and move the piano out of the way just in time before the whole lot caved in. I had to cancel all my lessons for the last two days of term.

Roofers have been sent for and I should be fully operational again by September.

Now it's time for a new Maidenhead school year. And time to be thinking about out of school activities. Research shows that learning a musical instrument can improve your brain power and help you get better results at school. It's also fun and very rewarding.

I have a small number of vacancies for piano pupils. I teach after school at my home near Maidenhead and I am happy to offer free trial lessons. I have been teaching in the Maidenhead area for more than twenty years and now even have some 'second generation' learners.

Find out more about me from my website:
www.hilarypugh.co.uk

or by telephone
01628 822368

Hilary Pugh
Camley Cottage
Henley Road
Maidenhead
Berks
SL6 6QW.

The Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough is celebrating after hearing two major building projects it has regulated have been shortlisted for a total of four national building awards.

The Windsor and Maidenhead council’s building control team, which ensures developments across the borough comply with building regulations, worked closely with the applicants of the Ascot Racecourse redevelopment and St John the Baptist Convent housing development, Windsor, throughout the design and construction processes of their respective projects.

For the first time, officers decided to nominate developments on which they had worked, for the National Local Authority Building Control Built In Quality Awards, and they are delighted all of their nominations have been shortlisted. They are:

· Ascot Racecourse:

Best commercial project
Best partnership with client
Best fire engineering solution

· St John the Baptist Convent:

Best housing project

Cllr Derek Wilson, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead planning and housing, said: “This is a great achievement for the team and I am very pleased their work on these projects has been recognised within the industry.”

Roger Paine, building control consultancy manager, said: “The Royal Borough secured the contracts for these projects against private tenders and built up an excellent and effective relationship with the applicants.

“We nominated these two projects in recognition of the high quality and innovative methods of construction achieved and, in the case of Ascot Racecourse, to mark the long-term working relationship achieved between the client and ourselves on a complex project which had to be built to a tight and unmoveable completion date.”

The annual Local Authority Building Control National Built in Quality awards are organised by Building magazine, with the aim of rewarding excellence in construction. The winners will be announced on Thursday October 18 at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel In Park Lane, London.

Last year’s event was attended by around 500 people, while this year 180 projects - double the number from last year - were submitted to be judged across the 12 awards categories. For more information about the awards see www.labc.uk.com

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough is continuing to work closely with a local community forum to minimise the impact of a recycling quarry in Maidenhead on local residents.

Borough officers are spearheading the work of the Hindhay Liaison Group – set up last September – to highlight and resolve environmental issues associated with the running of the Hindhay Quarry in Furze Platt, Maidenhead.

The group comprises Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough officers, local ward councillors, the Environment Agency, Summerleaze Limited which operates the site, contractors Lanz and a local residents’ group.

The quarry has planning permission for recycling inert construction waste with operations including the storage, processing, crushing and grading of construction material.

With the latest round of operations currently underway and scheduled to last for another three weeks, the group is reinforcing its commitment to monitoring the work at the site to ensure that there is minimal disturbance and impact upon local residents on the Sterling Homes estate, Gardner Road, Furze Platt Road, Winter Hill Road, Malders Lane and Cannon Court Road.

Windsor and Maidenhead Borough officers will be continuing their programme for monitoring dust and noise emissions. The borough has also carried out a survey of traffic movements to and from the site using Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) and has conducted a comprehensive traffic assessment along Switchback Road to monitor traffic flows, speeds and frequency of movements throughout the day.

Cllr Humaira Javed, local ward councillor and chairperson of the Hindhay Liaison Group said this week: “We are totally committed to making sure the whole community is involved in important local issues such as this – to ensure that local residents are not inconvenienced unnecessarily during the period of operations at the quarry.

“We believe that it is vital to maintain regular dialogue with everyone involved so that we can tackle and resolve any problems which arise and discuss how improvements can be implemented – fostering an atmosphere of trust between partners who might sometimes have opposing objectives.

“There have been a few complaints in the past about vehicle movements and uneven road surfaces, leading to noise disturbance – but by working together we have successfully resolved
the issue to the satisfaction of both the residents and everyone involved.”

Mike Lowe, managing director of Summerleaze, the company operating the quarry, agreed. He said: “All our operations are carried out under the auspices of strict planning conditions and a waste management licence for recycling construction waste.

“But we very much welcome the opportunity afforded by the liaison group to keep vital lines of communication open and respond to concerns and issues swiftly and effectively.”

Owen Cutler, chairman of the Sterling Homes residents group, said: “We obviously have the interests of all our local residents uppermost in our minds in any discussions with the operators and everyone else involved.

“We are very pleased to be part of the liaison group which allows us to put forward suggestions which will be discussed openly and to feel that we are truly having our voices heard and respected.”

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

There is still time to visit Maidenhead library’s exhibition, Connections – Britain’s Hidden Histories, which brings together the experiences of Asian, Black and Jewish people in Britain.

Maidenhead Connections, which runs until Saturday August 25, looks back in history to when these ethnic groups arrived in the country, through to the present day. It combines social history with personal accounts of life in Britain.

The exhibition has been hired by Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough heritage development officer Caroline McCutcheon. She said: “Connections comprises 24 panels which chart different minority groups’ experiences of life in Britain and we are delighted to have the chance to host this travelling exhibition in Maidenhead.

“This is an excellent resource for school children, students and teachers - or indeed anyone working on projects in relation to immigration or in advance of Black History Month in October.

“Visitors can borrow a CD of the exhibition, which contains extra information and activities, and we also have a limited number of teaching packs. Please ask at the reference desk for further details.”

The exhibition has been put together by the Jewish Council for Racial Equality and the Asian Black Jewish Forum. It is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Hanadiv Charitable Foundation, the Stone Ashdown Trust and the Kessler Foundation.

Maidenhead Library, in St Ives Road, is open from 9.30am-5pm on Monday and Wednesday, 9.30am-8pm on Tuesday and Thursday, 9.30am-7pm on Friday and 9.30am-4pm on Saturday. The exhibition runs until Saturday, August 25.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Ascot resident Lisa Hill has proved that she’s on to a Windsor and Maidenhead winner when it comes to composting her kitchen waste.

The young mum has been announced as the Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough’s winner of the Recycle Now Home Composting Golden Bin competition, collecting £100 of garden centre vouchers, donated by DHL the logistics company that delivers compost bins for the borough’s recycle at home campaign.

Lisa ordered her compost bin during Compost Awareness Week earlier this year and her name emerged the lucky winner of a bin, complete with giant gold bow, which was delivered by the Windsor and Maidenhead borough’s waste awareness officer Ankit Rao. Ankit said: “Lisa will now be able to recycle up to one third of her household waste by home composting, helping to achieve the council’s target of diverting waste from landfill. What’s more, by composting at home she will also be able to make a great garden fertiliser.”

Lisa said she was delighted with her unexpected composting bonus: “I am very green. I buy lots of organic produce and I puree vegetables for my baby, with the result I had lots of peelings that I didn’t want to put in my wheelie bin. A compost bin is a great way of getting rid of fruit and veg peel as well as tea bags, egg shells and grass and I can use the resulting compost in my garden.”

Lisa, mum to eight-month old Jake, says she will use her garden centre vouchers to buy some nice pots and plants for her Ascot garden.

Cllr Paul Etherington, chairman of the Windsor and Maidenhead sustainability panel, added: "Lisa's commitment to composting is a terrific example to us all and a useful reminder of what each household can do in addition to recycling glass, paper and cans each week."

Those who missed out on the Windsor and Maidenhead Compost Awareness Week offer need not fear – cut price bins are available to buy throughout the year for as little as £8 (including delivery) thanks to a special discount offer negotiated by the Royal Borough. More information on how to get a cut price composter is available on www.rbwm.gov.uk or by calling 01628 683800.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

As the Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough becomes an increasingly popular location for film and television productions, the council is keen to ensure that, while the borough benefits from this potentially lucrative interest, local communities are protected against disruption and inconvenience.

A report, to be discussed by members of the planning and environment overview and scrutiny panel on Thursday (August 9), sets out how a new Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough Film Partnership would not only promote the local area to location managers but establish a strict code of conduct that would mean minimum impact on residents.

Co-ordinated by the council, the partnership would involve the widest range of local organisations and businesses, including visitor attractions, the police and other emergency services, chambers of commerce, housing associations, hotels and shopping centres.

A web-based ‘film office’ would feature all the information required by would-be film-makers, including the code of practice, a filming licence application form and a database/photo library of potential locations.

Cllr David Burbage, Windsor and Maidenhead council leader, said although the borough already enjoyed an international reputation, the 2012 Olympics presented an unrivalled opportunity to position itself as an inviting centre for film-makers.

He said: “Many local areas are already popular with film-makers – increasingly so with the Bollywood film industry – and with the Olympic rowing events taking place at Dorney Lake, the borough will be a major centre of world attention. We need to act now so we are well prepared to take advantage of the undoubted opportunities to benefit the local economy and create additional income for the borough.”

Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Burbage stressed that the undoubted benefits of being a ‘film friendly’ borough must not detract from the council’s priority to safeguard local interests and communities.

He said: “The partnership would set robust criteria to ensure high standards of conduct and operation so that our residents and the local environment would not suffer – and there would be strong sanctions available allowing the council to take action against film-makers who breached the conditions of their licence.”

The report will be discussed at cabinet on Thursday August 23 and if given the go-ahead in principle, work will start to involve other organisations and agencies as potential partners. Drafts of the code of conduct and filming licence application documents will be circulated for comment and planning will get underway for the web-based film office, to be co-ordinated by the council’s communications and marketing team. It is anticipated that the film partnership would be launched late in 2008.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough is continuing to support residents in the fight against the closure of many local post offices – and is calling for the closure plans to be reconsidered.

A motion unanimously passed by council on Tuesday condemns the threatened loss of local post offices and the difficulties this may cause to many residents.

The motion further expresses “dismay” that local councils and local communities will be the final consultees before closures are announced - and calls on the Post Office and the government to reconsider proposals “that will disadvantage many people”.

The meeting heard from Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Mrs Kathy Newbound, proposer of the motion, that since the council first called for a halt to the closure programme earlier this year, it emerged that councils and local communities would only get six weeks, at the end of the process, to comment on any proposed closures.

Cllr David Burbage, leader of the council, said: “We are determined to carry on putting pressure on the Post Office and the government to take the views of local people into account.

“A six week period at the end of the whole process simply does not allow enough time for the views of residents to be properly appreciated and acted upon – and it is some of the more vulnerable, elderly members of our society who will be most affected by these proposed closures.”

Cllr Alison Knight, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead strategy, who seconded the motion, said: “Post Offices are so often the lifeblood of many local communities, a real social hub where people meet and get to know one another.

“These proposed closures could really spell disaster for some of the smaller communities across the borough, and must be opposed at all costs.”

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough is continuing to support the existing 24-hour full-time service at Windsor fire station following the decision of the Berkshire Fire Authority to axe night-time cover from the fire station from next year – by drawing up an urgent action plan to fight the move.

At its meeting on Tuesday, the Windsor and Maidenhead council unanimously passed a resolution to draw up and implement an action plan - to be reported back to cabinet later this month - in a bid to continue the fight for 24-hour full-time staffing at the fire station.

The resolution follows hot on the heels of the borough’s “bitter disappointment” last week at the news that the fire authority plans to provide only for 12-hour daytime staffing at Windsor – with night-time cover between 8pm and 8am provided by Slough firefighters.

The fire authority’s decision to axe night-time cover is part of its five-year Integrated Risk Management Plan formally adopted on July 25 – a meeting attended by both Royal Borough councillors and Windsor residents.

Cllr David Burbage, Windsor and Maidenhead council leader, said: “We are determined to carry on the fight on behalf of the residents of Windsor to maintain full 24-hour cover at Windsor fire station.

“We will now put together an action plan which will explore all possible avenues to ensure Windsor has the level of fire cover it needs – bearing in mind that as well as our residents, Windsor attracts more than seven million visitors a year to its high profile tourist attractions. For all of these people we have to ensure that there is sufficient and regular cover on the doorstep.”

Cllr Christine Bateson, one of the Windsor and Maidenhead borough’s representatives on the Berkshire Fire Authority, was equally committed to the fight. She said: “The residents who attended the fire authority meeting spoke out loud and clear against the decision to axe night-time cover – and it is up to us to continue the fight on their behalf and keep up the pressure on the fire authority to find alternative solutions and maintain full-time round-the-clock cover at Windsor.”

Details of the action plan are likely to be discussed at the cabinet meeting on August 23.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Carers in the Windsor and Maidenhead borough are set to receive a £53,000 boost to help them in times of difficulty or emergency.

The money will be earmarked to enable them to take advantage of free, short-term, home-based respite care when they need to take a break, for example when they have to go into hospital, for an emergency such as a relative taking ill and needing assistance, or to attend a family funeral.

It forms part of the government’s £25m New Deal for Carers package of support for carers announced by Ivan Lewis, minister for care services, in February and should be available to the council from October.

Cllr John Story, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead adult services, said: "Within the borough there are many hidden heroes who hold families together through their support and devotion. Carers often provide care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, enabling a friend or family member to stay at home and live with the dignity, independence and security the rest of us take for granted.

"We know that carers do not want to give away their family responsibilities. But at the same time they want government and local services on their side to ensure the necessary care and support is available to maintain their family's quality of life.”

Ed Thompson, joint commissioning manager for the Windsor and Maidenhead council and chair of the borough’s Carers Partnership Board, said: “The council already spends around £1m on a range of carers’ services and the New Deal for Carers provides a further opportunity to address the key issue of supporting short-term, home-based cover in crisis and emergency situations which is really important to carers.

“The government has recognised that, despite progress in recent years, carers are still missing out on opportunities because of their caring role, despite contributing a huge amount to society.”

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough has expressed deep regret and sadness at the death yesterday (Wednesday July 25) of Cllr Elizabeth Hawkes after a battle with cancer.

Cllr Hawkes, who was 61, served as a Windsor and Maidenhead borough councillor for 12 years. She was one of two councillors representing the Datchet ward, where she lived for 17 years from 1981 to 1998.

Born in India, where her father was serving in the army, she was first elected to the Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough in 1995, and was the Royal Borough’s cabinet lead member for education from 2000 to 2003. Since May 2007 she chaired the Children’s Services and Leisure Scrutiny Panel as well as the Holyport Manor steering group.

She also served on a wide range of Royal Borough committees and panels including education, planning and highways, represented the borough on many outside committees and was a Datchet parish councillor.

A teacher since 1967, Cllr Hawkes was head of Science and Director of Studies at the Brigidine School in Windsor, with a passionate interest in education, reflected in her years as a governor of both St Mary’s C of E and Churchmead Schools in Datchet.

Cllr David Burbage, Windsor and Maidenhead council leader, said he was deeply saddened to hear of Cllr Hawkes’ death. He said: “Cllr Hawkes was a very popular councillor who was totally committed to the community of Datchet and to education, and she will be sadly missed both by the people of Datchet and by her fellow councillors.

“She braved her illness with great courage and continued to take an abiding interest in local issues right up until the end. Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time.”

David Lunn, chief executive, said: “On behalf of all council staff I would like to express our sincere sympathy to Elizabeth’s husband and family. We have all admired her dignity and professionalism in the face of her ill-health, and will remember her as a dedicated and committed councillor.”

Cllr Hawkes is survived by her husband, Christopher, and daughter Samantha.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Estate agents in the Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough are well prepared to cope with the new Home Information Packs (HIPs), required for the sale of properties with four bedrooms or more from today (August 1).

That’s the message from the Windsor and Maidenhead council’s trading standards service, which is responsible for ensuring that sellers (usually estate agents) comply with the new law – and take action if they don’t.

Steve Johnson, trading standards manager, said: “The new law changes the way in which property is sold and there is scope for some initial confusion. However, we are confident that all of our local estate agents are geared up to cope with the new system and we don’t envisage any major problems”.

HIPs must contain a number of documents, including an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) which has information about the construction of the house and fittings such as heating systems, double glazing and insulation.

Until December 31 this year, property sellers – or more usually their estate agent – must have commissioned a HIP by the time the property goes on the market, and from January 1 2008 onwards the HIP, including the EPC, must be available from the first day the property is placed on the market.

The following documents must be included in all HIPs:

* Home Information Pack Index
* Energy Performance Certificate
* A Sale statement, which includes basic information about the property
* Standard searches, such as details from the local land charges register
* Evidence of Title
* Where appropriate, additional information for leasehold and commonhold sales.

Documents, such as a Home Condition Report, an environmental or flood risk search and other information that would be of interest to a potential buyer may also be included.

The Windsor and Maidenhead trading standards service will be responsible for ensuring that sellers (normally the estate agents) comply with the new law and will have a range of sanctions for non-compliance including issuing advice, warnings and £200 penalty charge notices.

Also from 1 August 2007 estate agents marketing homes with HIPs must be members of an independent redress scheme, operated by the Ombudsman for Estate Agents and The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

Further details on the new legislation can be found at: www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk
The Ombudsman of Estate Agents can be contacted on 01722 424994 and more information is available at www.oea.co.uk/hip.htm

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors can be contacted at contactrics@rics.org or by calling 0870 333 1600.

For trading standards information call 01628 683800.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Police are appealing for witnesses after a cyclist was injured in a collision in Maidenhead on Saturday 4 August.

At about 3.40pm, an 82-year-old man was cycling along the A308 Marlow Road, near the junction with Lee Lane, when he was knocked off his bike by a dark-coloured car.

The vehicle, possibly a VW Passat or Bora, failed to stop at the scene.

The Maidenhead cyclist sustained cuts and bruises. He was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital for treatment and discharged the same day.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, or who has any information about the incident, is asked to contact PC Jonathan Stanley of Taplow Roads Policing on 0845 8 505 505.
If you don’t want to speak to police or give your name, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 12 August - 17 August 2007
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

12th August at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
La Vie En Rose (La Môme) (12A)
* 7:30 pm
La Vie En Rose (La Môme) (12A)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Jo Hall: Watching the Landscape

13th August at Maidenhead

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

14th August at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
La Vie En Rose (La Môme) (12A)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Theatre Week
* 10:00 am
Jo Hall: Watching the Landscape
* 10:30 am
Moonlight or Man Light
* 2:00 pm
Moonlight or Man Light

15th August at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Golden Door (Nuovomondo) (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Theatre Week
* 10:00 am
Jo Hall: Watching the Landscape
* 10:30 am
The Surreal Landscape: Imagination on Fire
* 2:00 pm
The Surreal Landscape: Imagination on Fire

16th August at Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Golden Door (Nuovomondo) (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Theatre Week
* 10:00 am
Jo Hall: Watching the Landscape
* 10:30 am
The Landscape of Remembered Experience
* 2:00 pm
The Landscape of Remembered Experience

17th August at Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Jo Hall: Watching the Landscape
* 10:00 am
Summer Theatre Week

A man released on police bail in connection with an assault in Maidenhead last month has been re-arrested on suspicion of murder.

The 22-year-old man was arrested by Maidenhead officers on (2/8) following the death of a 40- year-old man in hospital this week. The arrested man remains in police custody this afternoon.

Michael Gifkins, of Stompits Road, Holyport, was admitted to Wexham Park Hospital shortly after 7.45pm on 13 July after feeling unwell. Following his admission, doctors discovered that he had a bleed on the brain and later transferred him to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. He died at the hospital shortly after 8pm on Tuesday (31/7).

Mr Gifkins had been involved in an incident in the High Street, near to the junction with St Ives Road, Maidenhead, earlier in the day on Friday 13 July, where he was allegedly assaulted by a motorcyclist.

A post-mortem carried out yesterday (1/8) revealed that Mr Gifkins died from multiple organ failure.

Officers investigating the assault, which happened at around 3.30pm, are still keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident but have not yet come forward. In particular, they are keen to speak to a woman who spoke to the alleged assailant, and the person who took an index number of a motorcycle and passed it to another.

Those with information are urged to contact Maidenhead Police on 0845 8 505 505 quoting URN 807 of 2 August. If you don’t want to speak to police or give your name, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead

A “missing link” in the Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough’s network of riverside paths is being bridged this week with the opening of a new footpath along the Thames under Cookham Bridge.

The long-awaited 18-metre stretch of Windsor and Maidenhead footpath connects the historic Thames towpath to Ferry Lane at Cookham via a wooden boardwalk and a short length of path across the terrace of the Ferry Inn.

The construction of the new footpath will mean that walkers will no longer have to climb steep flights of steps and cross the busy A4094 (Sutton Road) to continue their walk along the riverside towpath.

The new path - which is accessible to wheelchair users and walkers with pushchairs and young children - passes directly under Cookham Bridge.

Its official opening today (Tuesday July 31) marks the end of long campaign by the Royal Borough, the Ramblers Association and other local groups to link up with existing footpath 60 and provide uninterrupted access for walkers along the banks of the river.

Cutting the ribbon to officially open the new footpath on Tuesday will be Cllr John Stretton, chairman of the Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough’s rights of way and highway licensing panel. He said: “I am absolutely delighted to be able to officially open this new stretch of footpath. A lot of people have worked long and hard to achieve this result, which will undoubtedly be of huge benefit to local walkers and visitors alike.

“It will now be so much easier for families and people with mobility problems to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of this stretch of the river bank without having to negotiate a busy road and some very steep steps. And with summer finally here I’m sure we will see a lot more people taking advantage of one of the many beautiful parts of our borough.”

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The often controversial question of where telecoms masts should be sited in the Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough is the subject of a wide-ranging consultation that gives residents and businesses the opportunity to have their say.

One of the main aims of the new draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on Telecommunications Development is to bring local Windsor and Maidenhead people and telecommunications companies together to find sites for new equipment that:

* address the concerns of residents and
* meet the companies’ business needs.

The council is also reminding telecoms companies that ‘it’s good to talk’ to local people before submitting planning applications for phone masts and other communications equipment.

Cllr Derek Wilson, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead planning, said it was vitally important for communities to be consulted as early as possible on new sites for masts and equipment.

He said: “So much distrust has been built up over the years because residents have not been involved and feel decisions are forced upon them without adequate consultation – for example after the council has refused an application which is later granted on appeal.

“While we appreciate the importance of mobile technology both for business and social use, the council is determined to ensure that local consultation and resident involvement must be top priorities from the outset.“

The draft SPD, which will feed into the new Local Development Framework, is now out for consultation until Friday September 7. The document is available for viewing at the customer service centre in the Town Hall, Maidenhead, and Sheet Street, Windsor, and at all borough libraries. Copies may also be downloaded from www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/pp_telecommunications_spd.htm

Response forms are available at Windsor and Maidenhead council offices and libraries or can be completed online at the above web address. Written responses can also be sent through the post to Group Manager – Minor Applications, RBWM Planning Service, Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead SL6 1RF or by email to planning.policy@rbwm.gov.uk

Further information is available on 01628 796115.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead