Maidenhead & Windsor

As the cost of sending waste to landfill increases by £8 a tonne tomorrow (Tuesday April 1) the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough has issued a call to local residents: Recycle more, pay less tax!

Cllr Paul Etherington, chairman of the Windsor and Maidenhead sustainability panel, explained: "It now costs the council £58 to dispose of every tonne of waste – £32 of which is landfill tax. That's 32 big reasons for all of us to increase our household recycling and composting.

"The UK is only a few years away from exhausting existing landfill sites and the government has made it clear that landfill tax will keep on rising by £8 a tonne until 2011 – so the less we send to landfill the less we pay and the easier it will be for the borough to help keep our council tax rises as low as possible in the future."

During the past year (2007/08) the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough sent 45,000 tonnes of waste to landfill – 1,000 tonnes less than in 2006/07 but still amounting to more than £1 million in landfill tax.

Cllr Etherington added: "Continuing to send waste to landfill is just not an option at these prices. It is not only hard on the pocket but is also completely unsustainable and severely damaging to our environment."

Cllr Alison Knight, lead member for strategy, said: "Some 27% of the waste that goes into wheelie bins in the Royal Borough comes from our kitchens and gardens and could easily be recycled. That's why the council is currently giving away 5,000 free composters to local residents.

"We want to encourage people away from their wheelie bins towards turning their kitchen and garden waste into useful compost that can be used to help gardens grow more beautiful in the summers ahead.

"Around one and a half thousand of the borough's free composters have been ordered so there are still plenty up for grabs."

Windsor and Maidenhead Residents who would like a free composter should call 0845 077 0757 or order online at www.recyclenow.com/compost

Once the supply of free composters has run out, 220-litre composters and also larger bins will be available to residents at reduced prices. More information is available at www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/wm_home_composting.htm

Good materials for composting include everyday kitchen waste such as fruit and vegetable peelings, eggshells and tea bags. Garden waste such as grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, leaves, dead flowers and weeds as well as shredded cardboard and newspaper are also good composting materials. Instructions come with each bin.

Information about how to compost easily is on the council's website at www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/wm_home_composting.htm

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 6 April - 12 April 2008
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

6th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 1:30 pm
Introduction to Bollywood
* 2:00 pm
Norden Lights
* 4:30 pm
Norden Lights
* 8:00 pm
Norden Lights
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Making a show in a day
* 10:00 am
Group of Five
* 10:00 am
Sound and lighting for stage
* 10:00 am
Slapstick and pratfalls
* 11:15 am
Costume design
* 1:15 pm
Creating a character
* 2:30 pm
Animal masks and characters

7th April in Maidenhead

No events planned

8th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
No Country for Old Men (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Chi-Kung
* 2:00 pm
Group of Five

9th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 2:30 pm
No Country for Old Men (15)
* 8:00 pm
No Country for Old Men (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Group of Five
* 2:30 pm
Thames Valley Tai Chi

10th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
The Last South: Pursuit Of The Pole
* 7:45 pm
Office Hours
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Group of Five

11th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:45 pm
Office Hours
* 8:00 pm
Five Star Swing
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Group of Five

12th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Celebrity Piano Recital: John Lill
* 7:45 pm
Office Hours
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Group of Five

Details of how the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough will respond positively to future proposals for phone masts in the borough have been set out in a planning document adopted at the end of February.

The Windsor and Maidenhead council's Telecommunications Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was formally adopted on February 21 as part of the Royal Borough's Local development Framework.

The document – which replaces previous supplementary planning guidance adopted in December 2000 – explains how the council will respond to proposals for telecommunications development in the future, while protecting both urban and rural areas from visually harmful development.

Cllr Derek Wilson, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead planning, said: "The siting of phone masts can be a very contentious issue, generating concerns about both the environmental and visual impact in the surrounding area.

"As a local authority we have to balance the need to provide efficient telecommunications systems with the concerns of our residents about the appearance and perceived intrusive nature of some of these masts. This planning document sets out how we intend to achieve a mutually-acceptable solution."

The Supplementary Planning Document can be viewed on the Windsor and Maidenhead council's website at http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/ and also at council receptions at the Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead
and York House, Sheet Street, Windsor, as well as at all borough libraries.

Anyone wishing to object to the new planning document can apply to the High Court for permission to seek a judicial review of the council's decision to adopt the document. Any application must be registered by May 21 – within three months of the date of adoption of the document.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough residents have another opportunity to meet their local elected representatives on Saturday 29 March 2008.

Maidenhead councillors will be holding their regular surgery between 10am and 12 noon in the council's mobile facility, which will be located outside the National Westminster bank, High Street.

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.

The next Maidenhead surgery will be held between 10am and 12 noon on Saturday 14 June 2008.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Children can go wild at Braywick Park in Maidenhead over the spring holidays – and discover just how much they know about local wildlife.

The annual Braywick trail challenge takes place at the Hibbert Road site on Thursday April 10 and Thursday April 17 between 1pm and 4pm both days.

Youngsters will be given a map and clues and have to figure out the answers as they make their way around the Maidenhead park, with a chocolate reward for anyone who completes the quiz trail.

There's no need to book, simply turn up on the day. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

The cost is £2.60 per child with an Advantage Card or £3.20 without. Adults go free.

For further details call 01628 777440.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

New nationwide free bus passes for the over-60s could leave the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough out of pocket if the government does not properly fund the full amount of money needed to cover the extra cost, particularly for the huge number of visitors using public transport in Windsor.

A report to cabinet next week (March 27) shows that changes to the concessionary fares scheme – allowing older people and those who are disabled to travel free all over the country and not just in their local areas – could mean the council having to subsidise bus fares for people from outside the Windsor and Maidenhead borough.

Now the cabinet is proposing to write to transport secretary Ruth Kelly stressing that the scheme must be fully funded.

Cllr John Story, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead adult services, said: "It's great news that people over 60 and those who are disabled are being given free nationwide travel. It will open up new opportunities for them to visit some of the country's most popular tourist and historic attractions, such as Windsor – but while this will be of tremendous benefit to the local economy it means the council has to bear the cost of bus travel for people who don't live in our borough.

"The Royal Borough is one of this country's top destinations, with around seven million visitors every year. The Department for Transport should fully fund the changes to concessionary fares so that the council does not subsidise the bus fares of visitors.

"We propose to write to the transport secretary to impress upon her the absolute necessity of allocating enough funds to cover the extra passengers we expect to welcome to Windsor after April 1."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 30 March - 5 April 2008
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

30th March in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 11:45 am
Lunchtime Concert: Bartholomew LaFollette (cello), Alasdair Beatson (piano)
* 3:00 pm
Lust Caution (18)
* 7:30 pm
Lust Caution (18)
* Workshops and other events
* 9:30 am
Indian Head Massage Certified Course
* 10:00 am
Group of Five
* 1:30 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group D
* 4:00 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group E

31st March in Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 4:00 pm
Sound and lighting for stage

1st April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Chi-Kung
* 2:00 pm
Group of Five
* 4:30 pm
Bollywood Dance
* 5:45 pm
Norden Exposure Youth Dance
* 7:00 pm
Norden Exposure Academy

2nd April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 2:30 pm
Charlie Wilson's War (15)
* 8:00 pm
Charlie Wilson's War (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Group of Five
* 2:30 pm
Thames Valley Tai Chi
* 4:00 pm
Sound and lighting for stage
* 4:15 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group A
* 5:30 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group B
* 6:45 pm
Norden Lights Academy

3rd April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Romeo and Juliet
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Jewellery: Cabochon Settings
* 2:00 pm
Group of Five
* 6:00 pm
Tabla Drumming

4th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Norden Dance
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Group of Five
* 7:00 pm
Life Drawing

5th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 2:45 am
Introduction to Disco Dance
* 1:30 pm
Junior Norden Lights
* 3:30 pm
Junior Norden Lights
* 5:30 pm
Junior Norden Lights
* 7:30 pm
Norden Lights
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Comic Art Masterclass
* 10:00 am
Group of Five
* 11:30 am
Introduction to Street Dance and Hip Hop
* 1:30 pm
Comic Art Masterclass
* 1:30 pm
Make Up for Stage
* 3:45 pm
Stage Combat

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough has expressed deep regret at the death on Monday (March 17) of former councillor Harry Parker after a long illness.

One of the Royal Borough's most respected and longest-serving councillors, Mr Parker represented Old Windsor Residents and Ratepayers Association as an Independent for the Old Windsor ward almost continually from 1976 until 2003. He was a former member and chairman of Old Windsor Parish Council and was Deputy Mayor of the borough from 1993 to 1994.

His services to the Royal Borough – and in particular to his local community of Old Windsor – were recognised in 1999 when he was made an Honorary Freeman of the Borough following a unanimous council resolution.

At the time of the ceremony, Mr Parker was only the 12th person to be granted Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough freedom status, joining a prestigious list which then included the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen Mother and the Prince of Wales.

Born and educated in Somerset, Mr Parker served in the RAF from 1943 to 1947. He and his wife, Doreen, moved to Old Windsor in 1965 where he served on the parish council and became its chairman for two years in 1973.

Mr Parker's involvement in his local community of Old Windsor led to his election as a borough councillor to serve the Old Windsor ward in May 1976. An election defeat three years later took him off the council but his return in May 1983 marked the start of a long and distinguished service, in particular through the various housing boards and panels.

In addition to his local community involvement, Mr Parker also served on a wide range of statutory organisations including the Berkshire Fire Authority, Windsor and Maidenhead Association for Social Work, Thames Water Southern Consultative Committee and the local Authorities Aircraft Noise Council.

Over the years he also developed a reputation as a fluent and well-informed speaker on health and environment issues, drawing on his career in the fields of microbiology, applied bacteriology and food science.

Cllr Leo Walters, Mayor of the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough, said: "Harry Parker richly deserved his status as an Honorary Freeman of the Royal Borough – which recognised the outstanding work he did over many, many years for his local community of Old Windsor.

"He was a very well-respected and gifted man, whose dedication and commitment to the work of the council will be very sadly missed. On behalf of all my fellow councillors I would like to extend our sincere sympathies to his family at this very sad time."

Mr Parker leaves two sons, David and Robert.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Proposals for the regeneration of Maidenhead town centre have taken three significant steps forward this week.

As the Royal Borough began a tendering process for urban designers to draw up a Masterplan for Maidenhead, one of the world's largest property companies, ING Real Estate, announced it is proposing to invest more than £150m in a retail-led development linking the town centre to the station.

"This is very exciting news," said council leader David Burbage. "We are well on the way to bringing in experts to assist in re-designing a town centre for the future and we are delighted to be in discussions at this early stage with a respected developer for one of the key areas of the town."

This week also sees the formal launch of the Partnership for the Rejuvenation of Maidenhead (PRoM), a cross-party group created by the council with an independent chairman charged with steering the regeneration.

Recognising the need for urgent progress, PRoM is pursuing actions on three fronts:

* Devising a Masterplan and strategy which will include Development Briefs for key areas
* Looking to progress one or more of these areas as a priority
* Ensuring that its work on a Vision for the town centre runs parallel to and informs the new Local Development Framework which will replace the Local Plan

As part of the process, council officers have held talks with a number of potential developers and investors – and the proposal announced by ING Real Estate is welcomed as a strong signal that Maidenhead is an attractive investment opportunity.

The need for regenerating the area bounded by Queen Street, Broadway and King Street was one of the main themes to emerge from public consultation and surveys. Since PRoM's formation it has been underlined as a main priority with a view to enhancing the retail offer and linking the town centre with the station.

ING has not yet made a formal presentation to PRoM or the council but its project would be retail-led. Discussions will take place in the next few weeks about the scheme, which could see the Nicholson's Centre linked to Queen Street, King Street and the station with shops, stores offices and housing.

Bob Dulson, chairman of PRoM, said: "This is just the kind of fillip we need and it proves there are serious players willing to get involved in the much-needed regeneration of Maidenhead."

At the same time, PRoM has been working on the draft Vision for the town centre and the council is now seeking tenders from urban planning companies for the preparation of a Masterplan.

Bob Dulson said: "Since PRoM was announced, lots of exciting ideas have been coming forward. Much valuable work has also been done by the council over the past year and PRoM, with the help of the planning department, has been busy pulling all this together into a brief for the design consultants."

Importantly the Vision and Masterplan will be backed by a series of Development Briefs. These 'action plans' will provide more detailed guidance to determine the appropriate development for each of the areas that make up the town centre. They will also be built into the new Local Development Framework.

Bob Dulson added: "PRoM will try to stimulate a continuing constructive debate so that those who live and work in Maidenhead can have a proper say in defining its future. There will be formal and informal opportunities for the public to be involved, as the blueprint is prepared.

"One of the most important things for me was that PRoM had the support of both parties – and not only do we have their support but we have the participation of the leaders of both of the main political groups on the council.

"Our job now is to produce a cohesive plan for the town centre as a whole. Everyone seems to agree where the problem sites are and we need to address those, but they have to be seen as part of an overall scheme.

"We're looking for a blueprint for a Maidenhead that properly befits, attracts and serves its residents – and hopefully excites them too."

Cllr Burbage said: "This investment is the first sign that our town is starting to come back to life. PRoM is leading the way by developing a Masterplan that will make Maidenhead the envy of the region. This £150m is just the start of the good news – we expect other investors to follow ING; in short Maidenhead's coming back!"

Cllr Simon Werner, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said: "Back in 2006 the council started the process of creating the partnership vision for Maidenhead. PRoM is a welcome next step in this process. I look forward to being part of the team that will regenerate Maidenhead and make it once again 'The Jewel of the Thames'."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Final preparations are being made for the state visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife to Windsor on Wednesday March 26 when they will be welcomed by Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.

The event, which includes a spectacular procession through the town, will mean significant road closures on the day of the state visit itself and for the rehearsal in real time the day before (Tuesday March 25).

Windsor shops and businesses will be open as usual and the Royal Borough and Thames Valley Police are working together to minimise disruption in the town centre and to provide advance information to help people get in and out of the town during both days. Detailed information booklets have been distributed to local residents and businesses on or near the procession route.

Road closures:
Road closures will be in force in the town centre from 9.45am to 3pm on both Tuesday and Wednesday March 25 and 26. However, the police and council staff will be working to ensure that the town is re-opened at the earliest possible opportunity.

There will also be very short road closures to facilitate troop movements between 10.50am and 11.15pm (approx) and again between 1.30 and 1.50pm (approx) at: St Leonard's Road (from Bolton Road), A308 Frances Road, A308 Osborne Road, Kings Road roundabout (by Long Walk), A308 Albert Road (from Old Windsor) and A332 Kings Road (from Peanut Roundabout).

Car parking
Most Royal Borough car parks will be open as usual, with the exception of River Street, Home Park and part of King Edward VII (Datchet Road), which can be accessed from the Datchet direction only before 9.45am.

For drivers who cannot access their usual car park and for those coming into the town centre to watch the procession there is a park and walk facility at The Brocas, Eton (courtesy of Eton College).

The procession
The President and Madame Sarkozy are scheduled to arrive in Windsor at 12 noon on Wednesday March 26. They will be greeted by the Queen and Prince Philip in a specially-constructed pavilion adjacent to Windsor and Eton Riverside Station. Also there to add a welcome on behalf of the Royal Borough will be the Mayor, Cllr Leo Walters.

Afterwards the royal party and their visitors will board horse-drawn carriages for the procession to Windsor Castle, accompanied by a Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry.

The procession route will be: Datchet Road, Thames Street, High Street, Park Street, Long Walk, Cambridge Gate and Cambridge Drive for the drive up the Long Walk to Windsor Castle. Crowd barriers will be installed along the route (with pedestrian crossing points open at all times except during the procession). There will be a viewing area for people who are disabled at the bottom of Thames Street (by the King George V Memorial).

Further information
Full details of the state visit arrangements are available on the Royal Borough's website www.rbwm.gov.uk or on the Thames Valley Police website www.thamesvalley.police.uk

Further information is also available from the council's customer service centre on 01628 683868 or the Royal Windsor Visitor Information Centre on 01753 743900

For local police-related enquiries in connection with the state visit the following telephone number should be used for the days of the rehearsal and state visit only: 07813 072748.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

A pair of derelict and potentially dangerous semi-detached houses, at 19 and 21 Exchange Road, Sunninghill, has been acquired by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead under a compulsory purchase order made in 2006.

One of the houses has been empty for about 12 years and the other for nine years. Both properties have suffered from subsidence and the gardens have regularly been used for dumping rubbish and household waste. There has been a long history of complaints relating to overgrown gardens, rats and mice, unauthorised access, theft of architectural features and vandalism.

Prior to taking possession, the Windsor and Maidenhead council entered into negotiations with the owner and secured an agreement that he would renovate the properties and bring them back into habitable use. The work was never completed and the houses continued to deteriorate and blight the area.

Cllr Derek Wilson, lead member for planning and housing, said: "These houses have deteriorated to the point of being dangerous and it is now a difficult choice whether to restore the existing buildings or to demolish and rebuild."

He added: "We use compulsory purchase orders only when every other avenue has been exhausted, but this action underlines our commitment to bring long-term empty and derelict homes back into use."

Cllr Alison Knight, councillor for Sunninghill and South Ascot ward, said: "These houses have long been a source of discontent for neighbouring residents. If we had not taken this action, we would have been letting them down."

The council has put the properties on the market through Halifax Estate Agents in Ascot (01344 627666) and Waterman Residential in Maidenhead (01628 777880). Prospective purchasers will be requested to submit sealed bids, to be opened on Monday April 7.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Spring is in the air and the Easter weekend is the perfect time to get out, enjoy the fresh air and meet some cute, fluffy farmyard newborns – in Maidenhead town centre.

There's plenty for Windsor and Maidenhead youngsters to see and do, for free, in the Maidenhead Easter Farmyard Frenzy on Saturday March 22:

· Pet and feed goats and meet a pony, chicks, ducklings, lambs and guinea pigs, from 11am to 4pm near the Boy and the Boat statue
· Take part in an Easter bunny workshop in the Nicholsons Shopping Centre, from 11am to 3pm – make bunny ears and Easter headgear, with a prize of a Peter Rabbit toy for the best creation
· Enjoy some spring silliness as a clown and stilt walkers visit the High Street.

Steph James, town centre manager, said: "This is going to be a fun event for all the family and a great chance to meet some really special and adorable visitors."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 23 March - 29 March 2008
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

23rd March in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (15)
* 7:30 pm
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (15)
* 8:00 pm
Talk Radio
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Spectral Jazz
* 1:30 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group D

24th March in Maidenhead

No events planned

25th March in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
The Band’s Visit (12A)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Chi-Kung
* 4:30 pm
Bollywood Dance
* 5:45 pm
Norden Exposure Youth Dance
* 7:00 pm
Norden Exposure Academy

26th March in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:00 pm
Reading Group
* 7:30 pm
Altwood School Palladium
* Workshops and other events
* 2:30 pm
Thames Valley Tai Chi
* 4:15 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group A
* 5:30 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group B
* 6:45 pm
Norden Lights Academy

27th March in Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Jewellery: Cabochon Settings
* 2:00 pm
Group of Five
* 5:00 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group C
* 6:00 pm
Tabla Drumming
* 6:15 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group F

28th March in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Little Jenny and the Blue Beans
* Workshops and other events
* 11:00 am
Fun at the Farm
* 2:00 pm
Group of Five
* 4:30 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group G
* 7:00 pm
Life Drawing

29th March in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 11:00 am
Shadow Play
* 3:00 pm
Shadow Play
* 7:45 pm
Cabaret Night with Louise Gold
* 8:00 pm
Stewart Lee 41st Best Stand-up Ever!
* Workshops and other events
* 9:30 am
Indian Head Massage Certified Course
* 9:30 am
Kathak Advanced Dance
* 10:00 am
Group of Five
* 10:30 am
Kathak Intermediate Dance
* 11:30 am
Kathak Beginner Dance

Older Windsor and Maidenhead residents worried about standing up for their rights and getting their point across in interviews and meetings affecting their lives can now enlist the help of a professional who will speak up for them – for free.

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough and Age Concern Slough and Berkshire East have joined together to develop an advocacy service providing fully trained, independent professional advocates to help residents over 50 years when discussing such issues as health or social problems.

The service is managed by Age Concern Slough and Berkshire East, and provides telephone, home visiting and appointment services at its offices in Slough. Residents can contact the office themselves or give permission to a carer, friend or relative to make contact.

Cllr John Story, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead adult services, said: "This service will be a real lifeline for many people. There are more older people in the Royal Borough than anywhere else in Berkshire, but up to now there has been no independent service where they could voice their concerns or find help in understanding decision-making processes."

Tracey Morgan, chief executive for Age Concern Slough and Berkshire East said: "We have been speaking up for older people in Slough for nearly 10 years. I am delighted the Royal Borough has recognised the need for this crucial service and look forward to bringing our skills and experience into Windsor and Maidenhead."

The service is available at Age Concern Slough and Berkshire East, The Old Library, William Street, Slough, or in Windsor or Maidenhead by prior arrangement. For further details call 01753 822890.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

A short stretch of Broadway, Maidenhead, will be closed for seven days from the end of the month to allow new gas and water mains supplies to be connected to two adjacent new office and residential developments.

Maidenhead Broadway will be closed along the 67-metre stretch from its junction with Queen Street to the junction with Park Street from 12 noon on Sunday March 30 to 12 noon on Sunday April 6.

Diversions will be clearly signposted with the alternative route via Queen Street northwards, High Street, St Ives Road and York Road.

The Broadway exit from the Grove Road car park will be closed for the duration of the work, and the Royal Borough's car park team will create a temporary exit onto York Road, alongside the existing entrance.

The gas and water mains – as well as a new drainage and sewerage outlet - will be connected to the new developments at 29A and Chatsworth House, Broadway, by means of trenches dug across the roadway. Work on the trenches will begin on Sunday morning and continue into Monday, followed by the laying of the water and gas pipes on Wednesday and Thursday and the backfilling and reinstatement of the road surface on Friday and Saturday, in readiness for the re-opening of the road on Sunday (April 6).

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead highways, transport and the environment, said: "We have worked very closely with the developers of the two site, the contractors and the utility companies to minimise the inevitable disruption to this part of the town.

"By working together from the outset we have managed to ensure that there will be only one road closure, during which time all the essential services will be run into the new buildings – rather than up to five closures if each of the utilities had to work separately.

"We do appreciate that people wil be inconvenienced during the week-long closure, but in the long-term the new developments will bring more people into the area during the day which will undoubtedly generate extra business locally. So please do bear with us during this essential work. We will monitor the process to make sure the contractors keep to their promises."

For further information contact about the closure contact Streetcare Services on 01628 796801.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Consultation is now underway on a range of options to improve the taxi service provided by Hackney carriages in the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough.

Members of the Windsor and Maidenhead borough's licensing panel agreed earlier in the year to carry out widespread consultation on a number of taxi licensing proposals – including changing the present system in which taxis operate in one of three different zones to allow taxis to operate anywhere in the borough, and lifting the restriction on the total number of licences currently issued (87).

The formal consultation began last week, with questionnaires circulated to everyone involved in the Hackney carriage business, and interested groups including the Access Forum, town managers, chambers of commerce, the police, pubs and clubs across the borough as well as taxi users.

A total of 20 questions cover every aspect of taxi use in the Windsor and Maidenhead borough, including:

* should taxis continue to be restricted to specific zones within the borough, preventing them from picking up anywhere other than their specified zone (either Windsor, Maidenhead or the third area which includes Ascot)
* should the council increase the overall number of taxis
* should there be a limit on the total number of taxis
* should all vehicles registered as taxis be new?

Other issues covered in the questionnaire include accessibility for disabled people, the benefits of dual-fuel, the ease of hailing a taxi, pick-up points, waiting times and additional taxi ranks.

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead community safety and chairman of the licensing panel, said: "We are determined to ask as many people as possible their views on these options to enable us to make the best decisions for both taxi operators and users alike.

"One of the main features under discussion is the option do away with the present zones which restrict taxi drivers from picking up a fare from anywhere in the borough. If these proposals are adopted there could be more taxis available in the town centres late at night, which would be of benefit to both drivers and passengers.

"We now need the views of as many people as possible to help us decide the best way forward for the taxi service in the Royal Borough. So please do take the time to take part in the consultation and tell us what you think."

Copies of the questionnaire can be obtained by calling 01628 685849. The closing date for the return of questionnaires is Tuesday April 1. Forms should be returned to: Ian Hunt, Democratic Services, Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1RF.

For further information about the consultation call 01628 685849.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Pupils at St Mary's Catholic Primary School in Cookham Road, Maidenhead, have set the eco-standard for others to follow – the school has become the first in the borough to earn an Eco-Schools green flag.

The award has taken the school three years to achieve and has been led by the pupils themselves, under the guidance of the school's education for sustainable development co-ordinator, Elaine Hurrell.

Eco-Schools is an international award programme administered in the UK by environmental charity Encams and supported by the government, and aimed at encouraging every school to become a sustainable school by 2020. There are three levels, with the bronze and silver being self-assessed while green flag status requires an inspection by Encams. Inspectors visited the school at the end of February.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead children's services, said: "The Royal Borough encourages sustainable education and it is heartening to know that it is the children themselves who have driven this programme. Hopefully this will be an inspiration to pupils of other schools to achieve similar success."

At St Mary's, environmental issues are fully embedded into the curriculum – a requirement of the green flag award. The school held environment weeks in 2006 and 2007, has welcomed environmental theatre groups and pupils have visited a landfill site.

Elaine Hurrell said: "The children are involved at all levels, from our eco-committee of 15 children who make decisions and feed back to their peers, to recycling monitors in every classroom, to the children choosing to give up sweets at break time in favour of fruit and then collecting the leftovers and composting them for our eco-garden.

"The children designed the eco-garden and last year we grew courgettes, lettuces and strawberries; this year we are renovating it so the crops should be even better. We also have a wildlife area with a new pond for dipping, which we use for part of the science curriculum."

St Mary's will not be resting on its laurels after this award. Windsor and Maidenhead Schools have to reapply for their green flag every two years and are only granted permanent green flag status when they have achieved their fourth green flag. Trained Eco-Schools assessors visit permanent green flag schools at random to ensure standards are being maintained. As one of the St Mary's pupils said to the inspectors: "Of course it's not just for today, it's for ever."

Elaine added: "Our goal for the year ahead is to look at travelling to school and hopefully to encourage such initiatives as walking buses and park and stride."

For further information on Eco-Schools visit www.eco-schools.net

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 16 March - 22 March 2008
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

16th March in Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Spectral Jazz
* 1:30 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group D
* 4:00 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group E

17th March in Maidenhead

No events planned

18th March in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:45 pm
Abigail's Party
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Chi-Kung
* 2:00 pm
Spectral Jazz
* 4:30 pm
Bollywood Dance
* 5:45 pm
Norden Exposure Youth Dance
* 7:00 pm
Norden Exposure Academy

19th March in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:45 pm
Abigail's Party
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Spectral Jazz
* 2:30 pm
Thames Valley Tai Chi
* 4:15 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group A
* 5:30 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group B
* 6:45 pm
Norden Lights Academy

20th March in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:45 pm
Abigail's Party
* 8:00 pm
Talk Radio
* Workshops and other events
* 10:30 am
Jewellery: Cabochon Settings
* 2:00 pm
Spectral Jazz
* 2:00 pm
Writing a Novel for Publication
* 5:00 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group C
* 6:00 pm
Tabla Drumming
* 6:15 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group F

21st March in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:45 pm
Abigail's Party
* 8:00 pm
Talk Radio
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Spectral Jazz

22nd March in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:45 pm
Abigail's Party
* 8:00 pm
Talk Radio
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Spectral Jazz

The signs are good for roundabout sponsorship in the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough as a new scheme officially gets underway next week.

First to celebrate the borough's new "sense of direction" is the roundabout at Cannon Lane on the A4 Bath Road west of Maidenhead, which will see its sponsor, Stubbings Nursery, unveil its new signs at a special ceremony at the roundabout on Wednesday March 12 at 11.45am.

Next week's unveiling ceremony marks the start of a partnership between the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough and Immediate Solutions, a marketing company specialising in local authority sponsorship with the aim of encouraging local businesses to sponsor roundabouts and improve the appearance of the local area.

The A4 roundabout – with its distinctive topiary planting – has been sponsored by Stubbings Nursery for several years, and the company has just renewed its sponsorship agreement for the coming year.

The four new signs – facing the four road junctions leading onto the roundabout – will advertise different elements of the nursery's business and display the council's Cleaner, Green, Safer logo and borough crest.

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead leisure and culture, said: "We are delighted to have signed up to the new sponsorship scheme with Immediate Solutions, and especially pleased that Stubbings Nursery has chosen to renew its agreement for the sponsorship of the A4 roundabout.

"The sponsorship scheme provides a very positive way of helping to ensure that our roundabouts are both practical and attractive features of the local landscape. Several more sponsorship arrangements are already in the pipeline for other roundabouts around the borough, and we hope that even more local businesses will want to follow the example of Stubbings Nursery and demonstrate their commitment to creating green oases for local people and visitors to enjoy."

For further information about the roundabout sponsorship scheme contact Kate Dagnall, Royal Borough environment officer, on 01628 796093.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Local arrangements are nearing completion for Windsor's first state visit to the town since 2001 on Wednesday March 26 when the President of France Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla will be welcomed by Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.

The event will include a spectacular procession through the streets of Windsor and, in preparation, the Royal Borough and Thames Valley Police are working together to ensure the event goes smoothly, to minimise disruption in the town centre and to provide as much information as possible to businesses and residents along the processional route.

Detailed information booklets* will be distributed over the next week, setting out the state visit schedule, both for the arrival day itself and for the rehearsal, which will take place in real time on Tuesday March 25.

Produced by the council and the police prior to every major ceremonial occasion involving a royal procession through the town, the booklets provide an extensive range of information, including the processional route map, road closure times and parking arrangements.

For those coming into the town centre to watch the procession there is information about pedestrian access points, the park and walk facility at The Brocas, Eton (courtesy of Eton College) and facilities for people who are disabled.

Lloyd White, who is co-ordinating Windsor and Maidenhead council arrangements for visit and rehearsal, said: "This is the sixth state visit to Windsor since 1998 and the council and police have built up a very effective working partnership over the years. Our aim is to manage these high profile occasions so that they can be enjoyed by everyone who wants to join in the colour and spectacle while ensuring that the town centre can function as normally as possible."

Supt Dan Hale, who is in charge of the police operations in the town, said: "It is important that we get detailed information to the public so that residents and businesses can plan ahead. There are obvious security arrangements which have to be strictly adhered to but, wherever possible, we want to ensure that Windsor life can carry on with the minimum of interruption."

The President and Mrs Sarkozy are scheduled to arrive in Windsor at 12 noon on Wednesday March 26. They will be greeted by the Queen and Prince Philip in a specially-constructed pavilion adjacent to Windsor and Eton Riverside Station. Also there to add a welcome on behalf of the Royal Borough will be the Mayor, Cllr Leo Walters.

Afterwards the royal party and their visitors will board horse-drawn carriages for the procession to Windsor Castle, accompanied by a Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry

The procession route will be: Datchet Road, Thames Street, High Street, Park Street, Long Walk, Cambridge Gate and Cambridge Drive for the drive up the Long Walk to Windsor Castle.

More than 90 flagpoles are being installed along the route and will be decorated with the Union and French banners. Banners of the Royal Borough will be displayed on the flagpoles outside the Guildhall, where robed councillors will gather to watch the procession. The entire route will be lined with representatives from the armed forces.

Road closures:
With the rehearsal taking place in real time the day prior to the state visit, road closures will be in force in the town from 9.45am to 3pm on both Tuesday and Wednesday March 25 and 26. However, the police and council staff will be working to ensure that the town is re-opened at the earliest possible opportunity.

Most Royal Borough car parks will be open as usual, with the exception of River Street, Home Park and part of King Edward VII (Datchet Road), which can be accessed from the Datchet direction only.

* Copies of the booklet will be delivered to residents and businesses along or adjacent to the procession route.

Further information is also available from the council's customer service centre on 01628 683868 or the Royal Windsor Visitor Information Centre on 01753 743900

For local police-related enquiries in connection with the state visit the following telephone number should be used for the days of the rehearsal and state visit only: 07813 072748.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

More than 160 cans and bottles of alcohol have been confiscated and 30 test purchases carried out in a bid to crack down on anti-social and underage drinking in the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough.

The alcohol - which includes vodka, cider, lager, wine, and alcopops - was confiscated from people found drinking in alcohol-free zones, mainly in Windsor and Maidenhead town centres.

The drinks were seized by officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), alongside Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough licensing officers, over a period of three weekends between 8 and 24 February.

Insp Mark Millward, Neighbourhood Inspector, said: “We know that both Windsor and Maidenhead are great places to visit for an enjoyable evening out. However, whilst we want people to have a good time, we also encourage them to drink responsibly. We will continue to confiscate alcohol from anyone who is found drinking in alcohol-free zones.”

In addition to the alcohol seizures, test purchases have been carried out by 15-year-old volunteers at a total of 30 off-licences and supermarkets across Windsor, Maidenhead and Ascot, believed to be selling alcohol to underage people.

Nine premises failed the test, seven of which were issued with on-the-spot £80 fixed-penalty fines. Further action is pending against the other two.

The tests - named Operation Legitimise – which took place on 15, 16 and 22 February, were carried out by police and licensing officers from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council.

Speaking of the checks, Debie Pearmain, licensing officer for Thames Valley Police, said: “We will not tolerate underage drinking in the Royal Borough. If any premises are found to be selling alcohol to underage people, action will be taken against the seller and their licence could be removed.”

Councillor Jessie Gray, from the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council, said: “We are pleased to carry out these successful joint-agency test purchase operations. Gaining control of underage sales is crucial in our attempts to reduce anti-social behaviour and to make the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead a better place to live and work.”

Last month’s crackdown was in support of the Government’s Alcohol Confiscation Campaign 2008.

Thames Valley Police ~ Windsor and Maidenhead

Hardworking local schoolchildren have put the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough in the top ten local authorities across the country in the latest Key Stage 3 league tables.

The achievements of the borough's 14-year-olds in the core subjects of English, maths and science see local schools ranked third highest in the country out of 150 local authorities in science, fourth highest in English and ninth in maths.

The Secondary School (Key Stage 3) Achievement and Attainment tables published today (Thursday February 28) show that pupils are once again notching up well-above-average performances in Level 5+ ratings in:
· English – 83% (up from 81% in 2006 and 9% above the national average of 74%)
· science – 82% (same as last year but 9% above the national average)
· maths – 82% - (3% down on last year and reflecting the slight downward national trend which stands at 76%)

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough's contextual value added rating – which measures the progress made by pupils between national tests at the age of 11 and the Key Stage 3 tests at 14 – gives the borough a score of 100.3 (based on 100) and puts Windsor and Maidenhead in 35th place across the country.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for children's services, said this week: "Once again our young people have demonstrated just how hard they work and have achieved a really well-deserved set of results.

"They all deserve our warmest congratulations – as indeed do their teachers and other support staff in our schools who provide such excellent learning environments in which our children can develop and realise their full potential. Very well done everyone!"

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is closing the door on anti-social behaviour by introducing the first alley gate at Murrin and Courthouse Roads, Maidenhead.

The Maidenhead gate closes off an alley linking the two roads and aims to help stop the anti-social behaviour that had been on-going for a number of years.

As a direct response to residents' concerns and complaints, which included reports of burglaries, damage to vehicles and harassment, the council used its powers under Section 129 of the Highways Act 1980 to make a Gating Order.

Comprehensive consultation with residents and statutory bodies was also carried out and the order was approved on 5th November 2007. The gates were installed on 29 January 2008.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenheadhighways, transport and environment, said: "Most alleys are safe and provide useful shortcuts for residents. However, in this case there was a long-standing problem and I am pleased that we have established a robust process for dealing with such cases. This shows the Councillors are listening to the needs of our community. This is one of the many ways that we are dealing with crime. If you have a similar problem near you then please contact the council to see what we can do to help!"

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for community safety, said: "This gating has been a good example of the council listening to residents. To make it happen there has been great teamwork between residents, the community safety team, highways and the police. Reducing crime and anti-social behaviour is a clear priority for the Royal Borough. We will not tolerate activities that make residents' lives a misery and we are always willing to work with local people and partner organisations to help find solutions".

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 9 March - 15 March 2008
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

9th March in Maidenhead

* 11:45 am
Czech Season, Lunchtime Concert: Adam Walker (flute), Susie Summers (piano)
* 3:00 pm
The Kite Runner (12A)
* 7:30 pm
The Kite Runner (12A)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Spectral Jazz
* 1:30 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group D
* 4:00 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group E

10th March in Maidenhead

No events planned

11th March in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:30 am
The Kite Runner (12A)
* 2:30 pm
Kite Runner (12A)
* 7:00 pm
David Cavalier, Cooking demonstration and tasting menu
* 8:00 pm
The Kite Runner (12A)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Chi-Kung
* 2:00 pm
Spectral Jazz
* 4:30 pm
Bollywood Dance
* 5:45 pm
Norden Exposure Youth Dance
* 7:00 pm
Norden Exposure Academy

12th March in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
The Picture of Dorian Gray
* 7:30 pm
Present Laughter by Noel Coward
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Spectral Jazz
* 2:30 pm
Thames Valley Tai Chi
* 4:15 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group A
* 5:30 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group B
* 6:45 pm
Norden Lights Academy

13th March in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Present Laughter by Noel Coward
* 7:30 pm
Endellion String Quartet with viola player David Adams
* Workshops and other events
* 9:00 am
Creative Writing: Making Yourself Heard
* 10:30 am
Jewellery: Cabochon Settings
* 2:00 pm
Spectral Jazz
* 2:00 pm
Writing a Novel for Publication
* 5:00 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group C
* 6:00 pm
Tabla Drumming
* 6:15 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group F
* 7:30 pm
Indian Head Massage

14th March in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Present Laughter by Noel Coward
* 7:45 pm
Bee & Bustle Old Tyme Music Hall
* Workshops and other events
* 11:00 am
Fun at the Farm
* 2:00 pm
Spectral Jazz
* 4:30 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group G
* 7:00 pm
Life Drawing

15th March in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Czech season St John’s Chamber Orchestra
* 7:30 pm
Present Laughter by Noel Coward
* Workshops and other events
* 9:30 am
Kathak Advanced Dance
* 10:00 am
Spectral Jazz
* 10:30 am
Kathak Intermediate Dance
* 11:30 am
Kathak Beginner Dance