Maidenhead & Windsor

Arts provision in Windsor will be up and running again in time for the autumn season following the Royal Borough's decision to appoint a new interim provider.

Firestation Arts & Culture Limited is a new community interest company founded by local resident Dan Eastmond who has 15 years of arts and entertainment experience including working with major events organisations and promoters. He and his management team of three professionals will now take forward a 12-month programme designed to cater for a wide range of ages and interests across the community.

The decision to appoint Firestation was taken by the Windsor and Maidenhead borough's cabinet, meeting last Thursday (April 24), after a rigorous submission and vetting process that saw four organisations shortlisted for the final selection stage.

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for leisure and culture, said the standard of submissions was very impressive and he thanked all those who took part for their professionalism and their enthusiasm for arts provision in their local community.

He said: "Those of us involved in the selection process were particularly struck by the proposals from Firestation. They clearly demonstrated their desire to excite and inspire participation and reach out well beyond the walls of Windsor Arts Centre itself into the wider community."

Cllr Grey said that Firestation was a 'clear and vibrant' new brand based on thorough assessment of local audiences. They showed sound financial planning that would make the best use of the centre and indeed had the potential to become more self-sustaining in the future.

He added: "Since Windsor Community Arts Centre Limited went into administration just before last Christmas the council has been determined to find a new provider to take forward a varied programme that caters for the needs of the local community. We believe we have found a company which will make effective use of the council's £80,000 grant funding and restore a lively, inclusive arts programme for the town."

The Windsor and Maidenhead borough's decision is to appoint Firestation for an initial 12-month period while local consultation is carried out and proposals for a more permanent arrangement developed.

Mark Taylor, project manager for WAC, said: "Having Firestation on board means that there will be arts provision in Windsor while we take time to consider longer-term issues, such as repairs and improvements to the building itself. The results of our planned consultation will also give us a robust basis for arts provision that is rooted in the local community."

The council hopes the unsuccessful applicants will work with Firestation to ensure the provision of excellent arts coverage for Windsor residents.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is stepping up its fight to save South Ascot post office in Brockenhurst Road following the news earlier this month that five post offices across the borough are to shut.

Windsor and Maidenhead Council on Tuesday passed a unanimous motion from Cllr Alison Knight, Sunninghill and South Ascot ward councillor (and seconded by Cllr John Story), that the council leader write to the managing director of Post Offices Ltd expressing the council's opposition to the proposed closure and demanding that the branch be kept open.

The closure proposal follows the decision by Post Offices Ltd to axe branches at Boyne Hill, Cookham Road, Knowl Hill and Norfolk Park in Maidenhead and Springfield Road in Windsor. Only the Bridge Road post office in Maidenhead was saved.

Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Knight said: "We were all delighted to hear that Bridge Road post office will remain open, but it seems that this is now at the expense of South Ascot.

"The post office in Brockenhurst Road is the only one in the area, and serves a wide community including residents on the Bouldish Farm estate, many of whom do not have their own transport.

"The other nearest post offices are in Ascot High Street, which is a walk up a very steep hill from South Ascot, and the main post office in Sunninghill is even further away.

"The closure of Brockenhurst Road would impact very severely on many older people and some of the most vulnerable members of our community. We are determined to fight to try to save this valuable asset which is truly a lifeline for so many."

A six-week consultation on the proposals to close South Ascot post office begins on May 28 and runs until July 8.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is to demand immediate action from First Great Western to improve their train services for residents in the wake of reports that one in five trains run at least ten minutes late.

Windsor and Maidenhead Councillors unanimously supported a motion from Cllr Simon Dudley noting the "poor performance" of First Great Western and highlighting a government requirement for the train operator to produce a remedial plan to rectify their performance and "improve their failing service".

The motion – part of the council's ongoing lobbying of First Great Western – proposed that the council's views be expressed to both First Great Western and the Department for Transport.

Cllr Dudley, chairman of Maidenhead Town Forum, said: "We are determined to continue to lobby First Great Western to ensure that they significantly improve the services they provide to our residents.

"Although we are told that one in five trains run more than ten minutes late, in practice many more trains on these lines are late, causing misery and inconvenience to many people from the Royal Borough who commute into London and in the other direction to the West Country every day.

"We successfully lobbied for improvements to the entrance to Maidenhead station where First Great Western are intending to invest more than £1million in upgrading the station, and this work is currently underway as regular users of the station will have seen. Now we are committed to keeping up the pressure for a better service for everyone who uses the trains."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 4 May - 10 May 2008
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

4th May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 1:30 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group D
* 3:00 pm
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (12A)
* 7:30 pm
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (12A)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Lu Willis, Tonia Maddison, Brita Cernitori
* 4:00 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group E

5th May in Maidenhead

No events planned

6th May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
The Ethics of Progress
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Lu Willis, Tonia Maddison, Brita Cernitori
* 4:30 pm
Bollywood Dance
* 5:45 pm
Norden Exposure Youth Dance
* 7:00 pm
Norden Exposure Academy

7th May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:30 am
How Does Your Garden Grow?
* 4:15 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group A
* 7:30 pm
FuzzyLogic and guests
* 7:45 pm
Pretty Witty Nell
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Lu Willis, Tonia Maddison, Brita Cernitori
* 5:30 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group B
* 6:45 pm
Norden Lights Academy

8th May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:30 am
Make Silver Jewellery
* 7:30 pm
Celebrating Linda Smith
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Lu Willis, Tonia Maddison, Brita Cernitori
* 5:00 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group C
* 6:15 pm
Tabla Drumming
* 6:15 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group F
* 6:45 pm
Tabla Drumming
* 7:30 pm
Tabla Drumming

9th May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Sherman Robertson and BluesMove
* Workshops and other events
* 11:00 am
Fun at the Farm
* 2:00 pm
Lu Willis, Tonia Maddison, Brita Cernitori
* 4:30 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group G
* 7:00 pm
Life Drawing

10th May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 11:00 am
Hansel and Gretel, by Marcello Chiarenza
* 3:00 pm
Hansel and Gretel, by Marcello Chiarenza
* 7:30 pm
London and the Hanoverians
* 7:45 pm
Cabaret Night with Maurice Clarke supported by Amanda Brown
* Workshops and other events
* 9:30 am
Kathak Dance
* 10:00 am
Lu Willis, Tonia Maddison, Brita Cernitori
* 10:30 am
Kathak Dance
* 11:30 am
Kathak Dance
* 2:30 pm
Watercolours

For the first time the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough looks set to have an all-woman combination as Mayor and Deputy.

Maidenhead's Cllr Dorothy Kemp has been nominated as Mayor-elect for 2008/2009, following her successful year as Deputy, while it is expected that Cllr Catherine Bursnall, of Windsor, will be chosen as the new Deputy Mayor.

The election ceremony will take place at the council's annual meeting in the Town Hall on Tuesday May 20.

Cllr Kemp was first elected to represent the Oldfield ward in May 1998 and over the past 10 years has served on a large number of council committees, boards and panels. She has a particular interest in issues affecting children and young people and has represented the council on a range of outside bodies and organisations looking after the interests of youth in the community. These include membership of Castle Hill Youth and Community Centre management committee and the borough's Early Years Partnership. She is also a school governor at both Cox Green School and Woodlands Park Primary School. Cllr Kemp served on Berkshire County Council from 1981 to 1989.

As Deputy Mayor Cllr Kemp has had a busy schedule of engagements for the past year, which she described as 'excellent training' for when she becomes the borough's first citizen.

She said: "The past year has given me tremendous opportunities to meet the people and organisations who contribute so much to the daily life of our borough. I have been impressed by the sheer volume of volunteer hours given by dedicated residents to charities and community groups and by the unflagging enthusiasm shown by those who have embraced so many worthy causes.

"I am very much looking forward to my year as Mayor, when I will have even more opportunities to see at first hand the amazing wealth of voluntary work in our community and get to know the people at its heart."

Cllr Kemp is widowed and has three grown-up children. Her son Duncan be her official Escort at a number of functions during her Mayoral year.

Cllr Catherine Bursnall, a ward councillor for Castle Without in Windsor, was first elected to the council last May. She is married to Cllr Tom Bursnall, a ward councillor for Clewer East. She currently serves on the Windsor development control panel and on the young people's consultative forum.

Cllr Bursnall said: "I am absolutely thrilled at the prospect of being Deputy Mayor. Never for a moment did I dream that, just a year after being elected, I would be given the opportunity to represent the Royal Borough in this very important way. I will be working closely with Cllr Kemp and will do my utmost to support her in the year ahead."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

More than £557,000 of fraudulent Windsor and Maidenhead benefit claims have been identified over the past year thanks to the Royal Borough's benefit fraud team – helped by a new dedicated anti-fraud computer system and information from residents.

This is £100,000 more than the previous financial year, when the team identified nearly £460,000 worth of benefit 'stolen' from council taxpayers – and brings the total over the past two years to more than £1m.

A total of 236 Windsor and Maidenhead investigations were completed during the year, resulting in 18 prosecutions, 33 administrative penalties and 10 formal cautions. In addition, the team stopped a number of fraudulent claims before they were paid.

Measures have already been put in place to recover 'every penny' of the overpayments.

Cases investigated by the team came from referrals from the public, from the matching of computerised information with other government agencies such as HM Revenue and Customs, Department for Work and Pensions and the Pensions Service, as well as those referred to the team by council staff.

Cllr David Hilton, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead finance, said: "Well done to the benefit fraud team for their hard work and perseverance in foiling the benefit fraud cheats. Thanks are also due to benefit officers and residents who have provided information to the fraud team. People who commit benefit fraud are in effect stealing from council taxpayers and it is in all our interests to stamp it out."

Catherine Hickman, head of audit and review, said: "We are delighted with the success of what is very much a team effort and would like to encourage residents to continue contacting us with helpful information."

Once a debt is identified the benefits team puts measures in place to recover the overpayment. Tricia Jones, housing benefit manager, said: "Council taxpayers can rest assured that we intend to reclaim every penny."

A new Windsor and Maidenhead team member was welcomed in November 2007 – a dedicated anti-fraud computer system that ensures the high level of performance already achieved by the team is enhanced through providing investigators with a secure and efficient case management system. It also provides data that helps ensure resources are used to target fraudsters in the correct areas, giving best value to the authority and its residents.

Anyone who has information on suspected benefit fraud, such as benefit recipients failing to tell the council about a partner living with them, employment, additional pensions or benefits, money in the bank or property ownership, is asked to contact the Royal Borough's free and confidential Beat the Cheat hotline on 0500 353300.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough has turned down a planning application for more than 400 houses and flats and an extra care housing scheme at St Mary's Park, Maidenhead, a large part of which is on the contaminated waste site at Badnell's Pit.

At a special 2¼-hour meeting last night (Monday April 21), members of Maidenhead development control panel unanimously refused the application from Michael Shanly Homes who want to develop the site after decontamination and remediation works have been completed. Approval for these works was granted on appeal in 2006.

The application was for 402 flats and houses and an extra care housing scheme on the site, along with car parking, open spaces and landscaping. The main access would have been off Blackamoor Lane, with limited secondary access off Simpson Close, a footway link to Deerswood and a separate pedestrian/cycleway connection to Blackamoor Lane.

The panel made it clear that they did not object to new housing on the site but they believed the scale, height and density of the Shanly proposal constituted a severe overdevelopment and raised serious concerns about the adverse impact on local roads.

Members also expressed concern that, as a result of the costs involved in the remediation of the site, the developer had not proposed any much-needed affordable housing nor the full level of Section 106 contributions necessary to meet the increased infrastructure needs of the community if the development went ahead.

The special Windsor and Maidenhead DC meeting was held in the Desborough Suite of the Town Hall to cater for the large number of local people who wished to attend. Chairman Cllr Derek Wilson also extended speaking times to allow panel members to hear the extensive submissions from both the applicant and objectors before taking their decision.

Cllr Wilson said: "This was an extremely complex application for the biggest housing development proposal the Royal Borough has ever dealt with. The controversial history of the Badnell's Pit site and the magnitude of the proposed housing development meant we had to take time and great care over reaching a decision.

"We appreciate that the remediation of the site depends entirely on the developer having a viable housing development. However our job as a DC panel is to ensure that the application meets the necessary planning requirements – and in this case we believe it failed on a number of very important counts.

"We want to make it clear that the Royal Borough does not object to housing on this site as such and we hope Michael Shanly Homes will take the panel's views into account and make changes to the application to overcome the planning issues we have raised."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The last 12 months (April 2007 to March 2008) have seen a dramatic decrease in violent crime in Windsor.

New figures released by Thames Valley Police show a reduction of more than 15% for Windsor overall, with the town centre down by nearly 10%. The reduction is a result of excellent partnership working between the Royal Borough's licensing team, Thames Valley Police and Windsor licensees.

Initiatives over the last few months include drugs dog operations, use of an itemiser, an electronic device which detects small amounts of drugs, and more recently use of the Search Arch which detects metal objects such as knives as people pass through it.

Cllr Jesse Grey, the Windsor and Maidenhead council's lead member for community safety, said: "These figures clearly demonstrate what effective partnership working can achieve.

"The police operations, backed by the council, have had a significant impact on the reduction in violent crime. However, we will not rest on our laurels and will continue to use all powers available to deal with the offenders.

"I would like to thank the licensees for their continued support. They played a crucial role in bringing about this dramatic drop, by working with the licensing team and the police to keep known offenders out of their premises."

Acting Supt Jim Templer, commander of Windsor and Maidenhead local police area, said: "These encouraging figures show what can be achieved when communities and partner agencies work together. The figures are a signal that we are making an impact and they will undoubtedly inspire greater efforts in the year ahead.

"I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to these reductions and I hope that the good work will continue over the year ahead."

Gillian Naden, chair of Windsor Pub Watch and manager of Bar Yello, said: "Our members are extremely happy to hear of the significant reduction in violent crime figures in Windsor town centre. The hard work and communication between all partners is producing excellent results. We will continue with our hard work alongside the Royal Borough's licensing team and Thames Valley Police to keep the violent crime figures to a minimum."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is to welcome home more than 500 Windsor soldiers who have been serving in Afghanistan at a special parade to be held next week.

Troops from the 1st Battalion the Coldstream Guards, based at Victoria Barracks, will take part in a welcome home parade through the town on Saturday April 26.

Mayor of the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough, Cllr Leo Walters – who first called for a parade to welcome home soldiers serving in Afghanistan last autumn - will take the salute at the Guildhall as men and women from the Coldstream Guards march past from their barracks in Victoria Street.

The parade was given the official seal of approval in December following a unanimous vote by councillors.

The Mayor will be joined at the Guildhall by General Sir Michael Rose, Colonel of the regiment, as well as councillors, past mayors and freemen of the borough as the parade passes at about 11.30am.

Following the parade senior officers from the regiment will join the Mayor and councillors for a civic reception in the Guildhall.

Led by the band of the Coldstream Guards, the parade will leave the barracks from the Sergeant's Mess Gate in Victoria Street at 11.15am and follow a route along Victoria Street, Charles Street, Goswell Road, Barry Avenue, River Street, Thames Street and High Street, returning through the front gates of the barracks in Sheet Street.

The parade will take place after the usual guard change to minimise disruption to the town.

Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Walters said this week: "I am naturally very proud that the council's desire to honour our brave troops is coming to fruition in such a fitting and memorable way.

"I am also very honoured to be taking the salute together with General Sir Michael Rose to welcome back these troops who have been serving in Afghanistan. The Army plays a very large part in the community of the garrison town of Windsor and I am delighted that we are able to recognise the commitment and dedication of these young men and women who serve our country so proudly.

"I would also like to pay tribute to the families of all our troops who provide such strong support during the regiment's tours of duty. The welcome home parade will undoubtedly be a very moving experience for them – and will give them a lasting memory of the esteem in which they are held."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Seventeen-year-old Jodie Dingwall is the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough's new MYP (Member of Youth Parliament).

Jodie, of Sturt Green, Holyport, topped the recent polls to become the Windsor and Maidenhead borough's fifth MYP in a hard-fought election which saw a record number of votes – a total of 3128 – cast at youth centres and schools across the borough over an eight-day period.

Each of the three candidates set out their manifestos to help them secure the votes of 11-18-year-olds across the borough in the annual elections.

Jodie polled nearly 43% of the votes in the close-run contest with manifesto pledges including:

· increasing job opportunities for under-18s
· fighting for cheaper and more reliable public transport
· increasing the entertainment and nightlife for under 18s in the borough.

Jodie follows in the footsteps of the outgoing Windsor and Maidenhead MYP Gemma Thorogood and their predecessors Robert Weeks, Helen Flory and Natasha Lavender in representing the views of local young people at the National Youth Parliament conferences.

She will also help youth workers to set up local satellite youth forums to feed ideas and opinions into the borough youth forum – with the aim of reflecting the views of as many young people as possible in the future provision of services they need and use.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead children's services, said: "I am delighted for Jodie – and I am sure she will do as good a job as her predecessors in representing the views of her peers in the Royal Borough.

"It is really important that our young people have an opportunity to have their say on issues which matter to them and which affect them. This is why the role of MYP is so important as he or she can take those views to national level through the youth Parliament.

"It is really encouraging that so many young people took the time and trouble to read the candidates' manifestos and vote in the recent elections, and I would like to thank everyone involved for helping to make this election a really worthwhile event."

Jodie said after the election: "I am proud and delighted to have been elected as MYP for the Royal Borough – and I will do my very, very best to fulfil the expectations of all those who voted for me.

"I am really looking forward to my year as MYP – it will be a very exciting experience and one which I'm sure I will remember for ever. Thank you to all those who voted for me – now it's up to me to make the best of this brilliant opportunity to really make a difference for all of us."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

There'll be dragons a-plenty in the Windsor "den" next week as youngsters bring a touch of colour to the town's St George's Day celebrations.

Budding young artists will be encouraged to draw on all their artistic skills to commemorate the special day of the country's patron saint – April 23 - by taking part in a feast-day colouring competition.

Royal Windsor Information and Windsor Royal Shopping are challenging youngsters aged from three to 12 to recreate the popular story of St George slaying the dragon by entering the innovative competition to win family tickets to Legoland Windsor.

The challenge for the younger children – three-to-five-year-olds – will be to colour in a picture of a dragon – and for older children the dragon will be accompanied by St George. The best entry in each age-group will win a family ticket (for four) to Legoland.

Entry forms will be available from Saturday (April 19) from the Information Centre and selected shops and restaurants in Windsor Royal Shopping. The competition closing date will be Sunday April 26. Completed entries should be returned to the Royal Windsor Information Centre at the Old Booking Hall in Central Station.

For the mums and dads there's a classic twist on the traditional George-and-the-dragon theme – with a Classics on the Concourse classic car show in Windsor Royal Shopping on Sunday April 20.

The event – staged by the Heathrow Classic Vehicle Club - has been running since 2004 on August Bank Holiday weekend to raise money for the Heathrow children's charity "Happy Child".

This weekend's show is an additional event to mark national Drive-it Day which demonstrates the extent of the classic vehicle movement in the UK.

Fifteen classic cars - including several big American cars with drivers in US airforce uniform – will be displayed in Windsor Royal Shopping throughout the day raising money for the Heathrow charity.

For further information about the colouring competition contact Barbara Hunt on 01753 743909; and for the Classics on the Concourse event contact Debbie Norley on 01753 797070.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 27 April - 3 May 2008
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

27th April in Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Lu Willis, Tonia Maddison, Brita Cernitori

28th April in Maidenhead

No events planned

29th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Maidenhead Drama Festival
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Chi-Kung
* 2:00 pm
Lu Willis, Tonia Maddison, Brita Cernitori
* 4:30 pm
Bollywood Dance
* 5:45 pm
Norden Exposure Youth Dance
* 7:00 pm
Norden Exposure Academy

30th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:30 am
How Does Your Garden Grow?
* 4:15 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group A
* 7:30 pm
Maidenhead Drama Festival
* 8:00 pm
Faustus
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Lu Willis, Tonia Maddison, Brita Cernitori
* 2:30 pm
Thames Valley Tai Chi
* 5:30 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group B
* 6:45 pm
Norden Lights Academy
* 7:00 pm
Reading Group

1st May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:30 am
Make Silver Jewellery
* 7:30 pm
Maidenhead Drama Festival
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Lu Willis, Tonia Maddison, Brita Cernitori
* 5:00 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group C
* 6:15 pm
Tabla Drumming
* 6:15 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group F
* 6:45 pm
Tabla Drumming
* 7:30 pm
Tabla Drumming

2nd May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Maidenhead Drama Festival
* Workshops and other events
* 11:00 am
Fun at the Farm
* 2:00 pm
Lu Willis, Tonia Maddison, Brita Cernitori
* 4:30 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group G
* 7:00 pm
Life Drawing

3rd May in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Maidenhead Drama Festival
* Workshops and other events
* 9:30 am
Kathak Dance
* 10:00 am
Lu Willis, Tonia Maddison, Brita Cernitori
* 10:30 am
Kathak Dance
* 11:30 am
Kathak Dance
* 2:30 pm
Watercolours

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough's campaign to retain 24-hour fire cover in Windsor has been boosted this week with the news that it has been given permission to seek a judicial review of the decision by Berkshire Fire Authority to close the town's fire station at night.

Councillors have expressed their "absolute delight" at the news – which comes in the wake of the fire authority's decision last year to axe night-time cover and provide a service from Slough between 8pm and 8am.

Cllr David Burbage, Windsor and Maidenhead council leader, said: "This is very encouraging news for everyone who has been fighting to retain 24-hour, seven-day-a week fire cover for Windsor.

"We took the decision in October to resort to legal action to overturn the fire authority's decision – and this week's news is a positive step forward in our bid to safeguard the level of fire cover our residents and visitors to Windsor need and deserve.

"We promised our residents we would do everything in our power to fight this decision – and now we must turn our energies to keeping up that fight on their behalf through the courts."

Cllr Christine Bateson, one of the Windsor and Maidenhead council's representatives on the fire authority, said: "I am absolutely delighted – this is a real boost for Windsor's campaign. We have had overwhelming support from every quarter of the community within the borough. Now we can continue to try to safeguard the full-time fire cover we so desperately want to maintain in Windsor."

The news follows the council's application to the High Court in October to seek a review on the grounds that:
· the fire authority's consultation process was flawed
· the fire authority based its decision on historical statistics and without proper assessment of future risks and demands in respect of continuing population increases in both Windsor and Slough.

The Berkshire Fire Authority now has 35 days to prepare its defence, after which a date will be set for the court hearing.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

It's just grand for 7th Windsor Scouts as they receive £2,000 under the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead's Grand in the Hand scheme. The money will be put towards fencing around the scouts' headquarters to help reduce vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead community safety, said: "I am delighted that the 7th Windsor (Old Windsor) Scout Group will benefit from Grand in the Hand. I hope the new fence will ensure that people of all ages in the local community can enjoy the facilities with a better level of security.

"I fully support the Grand in the Hand scheme, which over the past four years has made a positive contribution to tackling anti-social behaviour. It supports schemes where different organisations work
together for the good of their communities."

Glynn Shefford, Windsor group scout leader, said: "It is great that we are now able to deter vandals and make our scout headquarters a place where the youngsters and leaders can feel safe. We would like to thank the Royal Borough for their support."

Grand in the Hand provides funds to local community groups and parishes to put towards projects to reduce anti-social behaviour. To find out more, groups should contact Amy Cannon, anti-social behaviour co-ordinator, on 01628 796725.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Pupils from Dedworth First School will become mini sleuths for the day when they start the new term with an innovative community safety treasure hunt on Monday 21 April.

They will hunt around their school grounds in Smiths Lane and in Dedworth library (adjacent to the school), searching for clues set by the headteacher, community wardens, librarians and police community support officers.

The clues relate to general awareness, community safety and about the library – with all the children receiving certificates and special awards for the ones who listen best to instructions. And demonstrate good and outstanding behaviour.

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead community safety, said: "I think this is a really good iniative. It is great to get the children out and about, increasing their local knowledge and developing their investigative skills. It is also good to get them to develop their listening skills."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough retailers and licensees have scored full marks and earned the praise of trading standards officers and the police following the latest joint operation to clamp down on underage sales.

All nine Windsor and Maidenhead off-licences and supermarkets visited in the operation – eight in Maidenhead and one in Eton Wick - refused to sell alcohol to the three specially-trained young people who were being secretly monitored by trading standards officers.

Seven of the nine asked for proof of ID and the other two asked the child their age during the joint operation carried out on Friday April 4 by the council's trading standards and licensing officers and Thames Valley Police.

Steve Johnson, Windsor and Maidenhead trading standards manager, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the results of this latest operation. The 100% success rate among the licensees we visited proves that the message on under-age sales of alcohol is really hitting home to retailers who sell alcohol.

"Of course we will continue to stress the importance of asking for proof of age and refusing to sell to anyone suspected of being under-age who cannot produce this proof.

"Meantime these results are extremely encouraging and reflect an increased awareness among supervisors of designated premises and their staff to be very careful not to sell alcohol to minors.

"They also go a long way to reassuring the public that retailers are taking a responsible attitude to the problems of under-age drinking following statistics in the press recently claiming that nearly 50% of children have had an alcoholic drink."

Debie Pearmain, Windsor and Maidenhead police licensing officer, said: "This latest joint operation between ourselves and the Royal Borough has produced some really encouraging results which are a major improvement on the test operations we carried out last year.

"In those operations, 38 visits were carried out between May and July and 12 sales were made, and in August two sales resulted from a further eight visits.

"In all these cases the offenders were issued with either fixed penalty notices, cautions or warning letters."

The continuing clampdown on under-age sales of alcohol is reinforced by the ongoing message to licensees to always ask for proof of identity such as driving licence, passport or accredited ID card – and to ensure that staff whose duties include selling alcohol receive proper training and support.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Residents and visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to help celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's 82nd birthday at 12 noon Monday April 21 when the Royal Borough stages its traditional 21-gun salute in the shadow of Windsor Castle.

The 'Happy Birthday' greeting will be launched by the Mayor, Cllr Leo Walters, who will fire the first of the Windsor and Maidenhead council's mini cannons, under the experienced eye of borough bombardier John Matthews. Also present will be the Mayoress Mrs Margot Walters and Deputy Mayor Cllr Dorothy Kemp.

The event – at Windsor Castle's The Long Walk, near the Brook Street entrance – is always popular with children, some of whom may be invited by the Mayor to play a very real part in the birthday tribute by helping to fire the cannons.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Maidenhead residents are enjoying more free evening car parking from this week as two more town centre car parks offer free parking for residents with yellow Advantage Cards after 7pm.

From Monday (April 7) motorists using Hines Meadow and the Nicholson's car parks have been able to park for free after 7pm – compared with the £1 tarriff previously applied.

The latest two evening "recruits" join the Maidenhead Town Hall car park – where parking is free after 5pm – and Grove Road, West Street and Stafferton Way car parks which already offer resident cardholders the benefit of free parking after 7pm.

Windsor and Maidenhead Residents parking before 7pm can still take advantage of the free evening parking when they purchase their discounted tariff up to 7pm to avoid having to return to their car.

To claim their free parking, Advantage Card holders simply insert their cards into the ticket machines and are issued with a ticket which should be displayed in the windscreen of their car.

Free evening parking also applies in Alma Road, Alexandra Gardens, Home Park, King Edward V11, Romney Lock, Victoria and York House car parks in Windsor.

Cllr David Burbage, leader of the Windsor and Maidenhead council, said: "We are delighted that we have been able to expand the free evening parking in two more Maidenhead town centre car parks.

"By doing so we are ensuring that as many residents as possible can benefit from the excellent town centre facilities in the evenings without having to worry about the additional cost of parking for their evening out.

"There are more than 60,000 current Advantage Card holders in the borough, many of whom would potentially benefit from this scheme."

Free parking is available to Advantage Card holders – to apply for a card call 01628 796252 or email advantage@rbwm.gov.uk for more information.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is motoring ahead with plans to further increase parking space in Windsor town centre – and is calling on businesses and organisations with available evening and weekend parking bays to become part of the solution.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for highways, transport and environment, said: "We would like businesses near the town centre and with employee parking bays to call us to discuss making these spaces available to shoppers and visitors outside office hours. This is fairly common practice in other towns with major tourist attractions.

"This could be a mutually beneficial arrangement with visitors to the town centre having a wider range of parking options and businesses getting involved in helping the community as well as benefiting from an otherwise unused asset."

The Windsor and Maidenhead council is already in very positive discussions with Berkshire East Primary Care Trust about the possibility of using King Edward VII Hospital's parking with a weekend shuttle to the town centre.

Paul Roach, town manager for Windsor, sent a parking questionnaire to businesses in January and the council is following up all potential opportunities. Anyone who is interested in working with the council on this is invited to return the questionnaire to Paul or call him on 01753 743921.

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is also introducing the use of the Alma Road overflow coach park for car parking. This will be at the discretion of the parking attendants who will make the decision about when the park will be used for cars based on the number of coaches expected on any particular day.

The council has already freed up 170 parking spaces for residents by converting double yellow lines to singles and creating resident-only parking.

Other options to increase the number of spaces and travel options for visitors include:

* the possible extension of Home Park car park – discussions have taken place with Crown Estates and designs prepared
* making best use of the privately owned King Edward Court car park – the council is in dialogue with the owners
* talking to South West Trains about introducing reduced fares for Advantage Card holders from Datchet, Horton and Wraybury
* improving bus services with real-time information
* improved signposting and driver information for car parks.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Maidenhead Drama Guild will be performing A Midsummer Nights Dream in the idyllic grounds of the Berkshire College of Agriculture from Tuesday 22nd July to Friday 25th July. Ticket Prices are £11 and £9 concessions . A buffet pre-theatre dinner can also be purchased at £13.50 per head.

The play’s main plot involves two sets of couples whose romantic cross-purposes are complicated even further by their entry into the fairyland woods where the Fairy King and Queen preside. In a brilliant satirical device, another set of characters - Bottom the weaver and his “rude mechanicals”- are introduced. They have entered the same enchanted woods to rehearse a home-spun play which leads to hilarious results.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream contains wonderfully lyrical expressions of lighter Shakespearean themes, notably love, dreams and the creative imagination itself. A truly ideal entertainment for a summer’s evening in a sylvan setting.

Maidenhead Drama Guild will be performing extracts of the play at the upcoming BCA Open Weekend on 26/27th April.
To book tickets please call the Maidenhead Drama Guild Box Office on 01628 635017 or go to www.maidenhead-drama.co.uk

Maidenhead Drama Guild, 40 Springfield Park, Holyport, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 2YN

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 20 April - 26 April 2008
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

20th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 11:45 am
Lunchtime Concert: Sally Goodworth and Elizabeth Collins (piano duet)
* 3:00 pm
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (18)
* 7:30 pm
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (18)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Group of Five

21st April in Maidenhead

No events planned

22nd April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:30 am
Juno (12A)
* 8:00 pm
Juno (12A)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Chi-Kung

23rd April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:30 am
How Does Your Garden Grow?
* 7:45 pm
Game?
* 8:00 pm
In the Valley of Elah (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Lu Willis, Tonia Maddison, Brita Cernitori
* 2:30 pm
Thames Valley Tai Chi

24th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:30 am
Make Silver Jewellery
* 7:30 pm
Amandine Savary
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Lu Willis, Tonia Maddison, Brita Cernitori

25th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
John Bishop: Stick your job up your arse
* 8:00 pm
Steve Waterman
* Workshops and other events
* 11:00 am
Fun at the Farm
* 2:00 pm
Lu Willis, Tonia Maddison, Brita Cernitori
* 4:30 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group G

26th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 11:00 am
George and the Dragon
* 3:00 pm
George and the Dragon
* 7:30 pm
Two
* Workshops and other events
* 9:30 am
Kathak Dance
* 10:00 am
Lu Willis, Tonia Maddison, Brita Cernitori
* 10:30 am
Kathak Dance
* 11:30 am
Kathak Dance
* 2:30 pm
Watercolours

A special meeting of Maidenhead development control panel is to be held on Monday April 21 to consider the planning application for the redevelopment of Badnell's Pit after its decontamination.

Applicant Michael Shanly proposes to build 402 flats and houses and an extra care housing scheme on the Maidenhead site, along with car parking, open spaces and landscaping. The main access would be off Blackamoor Lane, with limited secondary access off Simpson Close, a footway link to Deerswood and a separate pedestrian/cycleway connection to Blackamoor Lane.

A report for members' consideration will be published on Friday (April 11) and the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is keen to ensure that everyone in the community should have access to the information and the opportunity to attend the meeting. The report will be available on the council's website www.rbwm.gov.uk

To cater for the expected large attendance, the meeting will be held in the Desborough Suite of the Town Hall, starting at 7.30pm (doors open 7pm).

Cllr Derek Wilson, panel chairman and lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead planning, said: "This is a very significant planning application – the biggest-ever housing development proposal in the borough – and the history of the site means that many people have very strong feelings about its future. There has been a comprehensive and valuable public response to the application and my aim for the meeting is to give everyone – both the applicant and the objectors – the opportunity to put forward their views to panel members."

Anyone wishing to speak at the meeting must register their intention with the council no later than 4.45pm on Friday April 18. Normally the applicant and objectors are each allocated three minutes to make their submission – however, given the significance of this application the chairman may decide to extend the time allowed to both sides.

Should large numbers of residents register their request to speak, the Windsor and Maidenhead council advises them to appoint nominated spokespeople who can cover all the issues they wish to raise. In this way the speaking time allowed can be used in the most effective way.

To register a request to speak at the panel meeting, please contact Karen Williams, interim democratic services manager, on 01628 796529 no later than 4.45pm on Friday April 18.


The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The CO2 and 2M groups, including the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough, have highlighted what they describe as an 'elaborate smokescreen' in the government's environmental policy.

They say the contradiction in increasing pollution through the unsupportable expansion of two of the UK's major airports with the provision of 15 potentially beneficial eco-towns is 'The Emperors New Clothes' in helping to save the planet.

Ministers announced last week that a site at Elsenham in Essex, situated just two miles away from Stansted, has been shortlisted to become one of the UK's first eco-towns. Fourteen others have been announced, each saving a potential 42,400 tonnes of carbon emissions per year in comparison with a non-eco-town.

But the CO2 and 2M groups are pointing out that all 15 eco-towns will save tiny amounts of carbon emissions in comparison with the increase in pollution from two new runways at Stansted and Heathrow.

Cllr David Burbage, leader of the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough, speaking on behalf of 2M, said: "This is the great carbon con. The eco towns are an elaborate smokescreen. The government could have a much greater impact on emissions by simply standing up to BAA's insatiable demands for growth. There really is no evidence that the government is serious about tackling emissions."

Member of the CO2 Group and leader of Essex County Council Lord Hanningfield said: "BAA's own figures for its Stansted planning application suggest carbon emissions will rise from the current 2.03 million tonnes to 9.19 million tonnes if a second runway at Stansted goes ahead."

"This means the expansion of Stansted to a two-runway airport will see 400 times as much extra carbon emitted into the atmosphere as that potentially saved through the building of an eco-town.

"To put it another way the extra carbon created by the use of a second runway at Stansted would be as much as that produced by 1,154,032 average homes every year, in contradiction to the government's claims to be going green.

"It's 'The Emperor's New Clothes' in environmental policy. The contradiction between these proposed new eco-towns and the government's aviation policy is astounding. When a government claims it's trying to get us green by introducing eco-towns it certainly shouldn't be signing up to quadrupling pollution in another part of the economy.

"Surely this kind of contradiction in policies at a time we are all trying to reduce our carbon emissions by 80% is morally bankrupt.

"There is no energy saving 'insulation' on this government's aviation policy and we will all be left in a new environmental dark age if plans to quadruple pollution at Stansted go ahead."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

New sport and leisure facilities could be provided for people in Cox Green, thanks to Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough plans to build modern facilities in the heart of the community.

Following consultation with local residents, community groups and site users, the Windsor and Maidenhead council has submitted an outline planning application for a purpose-built centre close to the existing community complex to provide a BodyZone fitness gym, aerobics studio, four team-size changing rooms for outdoor use and changing rooms for indoor sports.

There are also amendments to the council's planning application for the new Holyport Manor Special School on the Cox Green site. These show a new layout for the two floodlit all-weather pitches, which in turn allows for an improved layout for the grass pitches to make better use of the existing sports field. The floodlights would be directional and switched off at a fixed time in the evenings.

All the new facilities would be available for local people as well as pupils and students at the two existing schools on the Cox Green site and the young people who would be attending the proposed new special school.

The Windsor and Maidenhead council plans to submit a funding bid to the Football Foundation, and the new facilities will reflect the high standards required by this organisation's grants process and that of Sport England. Funding would also be planned through developers' contributions for leisure provision.

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for leisure and culture, said this was an exciting opportunity to give Cox Green better sport and leisure facilities for the benefit of the entire community.

He said: "We are still in the very early stages and go-ahead will depend on the outcome of the planning process and also on funding from the Football Foundation. However, the council's plan to build the new Holyport Manor gives us a unique chance to come forward with proposals that will add considerable community value to the project."

Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Grey said that public consultation had already played a major part in taking forward the proposals for Cox Green but there would now be further opportunities to comment as part of the normal planning process.

The planning applications can be viewed online at www.rbwm.gov.uk with paper copies available to view at the Town Hall and at Cox Green Library.

More than 300 letters are being delivered this week to local residents, letting them know about the leisure proposals, where they can be viewed and welcoming their comments.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough has welcomed the news that Maidenhead's Bridge Road post office has been saved but is bitterly disappointed that five others will close, despite a council-led community fight to keep them in business.

The council is also very unhappy with the announcement that the South Ascot branch at Brockenhurst Road is now proposed for closure, with public consultation getting under way on May 28.

Post Offices Ltd announced its final closure decisions today (Tuesday April 8), dashing the hopes of borough councillors and residents who campaigned to save the branches at Boyne Hill, Cookham Road, Knowl Hill and Norfolk Park in Maidenhead and Springfield Road in Windsor.

Cllr David Burbage, Windsor and Maidenhead Borough council leader, said: "We are delighted that people power has persuaded the Post Office to retain Bridge Road but bitterly disappointed it has ignored the overwhelming community need for the others. Absolutely no thought has been given to the inconvenience – and in many cases hardship – that will result from these closures, particularly by older and more vulnerable members of our community."

Cllr Burbage said the council had a scheduled cross-party meeting with a Post Offices Ltd representative on Thursday (April 10) and would be drumming home the message that the closure programme was a serious mistake.

He said: "We have been trying to get a meeting with the Post Office for weeks and finally they agree to meet us – two days after the announcement. However, we will use the opportunity to remind them of the sheer folly of their ill-thought-out closure programme in the Royal Borough. We are also very unhappy with the Post Office's one-in-one-out approach. Bridge Road may have been saved but South Ascot is now under threat."

Cllr Simon Werner, leader of the opposition, said: "It is difficult to understand why the Post Office is cutting off so many of its customers, especially when so many other big businesses such as banks are realising the benefits of having easy-to-access local branches that serve their communities."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough has criticised the 'unhelpful' response of Post Offices Ltd who have finally agreed to meet a cross-party council representation – two days AFTER the final list of closures has been announced.

With six local post offices under threat in the Windsor and Maidenhead borough – five in Maidenhead and one in Windsor – Cllr David Burbage, council leader, and Cllr Simon Werner, leader of the opposition, requested a meeting before the publication of the closure report on Tuesday April 8. However, after more than a month of trying to 'pin them down' to an agreed date, the post office has offered to meet borough representatives on Thursday April 10.

Cllr Burbage said: "Post Offices Ltd have been extremely unhelpful. The council is unanimously opposed to the closure programme in our borough and we wanted a meeting to put forward our views in advance of a final decision being taken. Despite our best efforts to be flexible about dates and times, we were unable to pin them down – and we have now been offered a meeting when it is far too late to impress upon them the very real concerns of people across our community.

"We believe this is a shabby way to treat elected representatives of Royal Borough residents who are, after all, post office customers and deserve to be heard."

Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Werner said this was typical of the post office whose closure programme paid scant regard to the needs of local communities.

He said: "Councils and local people were the last to be consulted about the proposed closures and the entire process smacked of decisions having already been taken. No thought has been given to the needs of those who depend on services provided by their local post offices, many of them older and more vulnerable residents or young people with children who will find it impossible to travel the extra miles to get to another post office.

"We await the closure list with a great deal of trepidation because we have no confidence that the views of post office users have been taken into account. I sincerely hope our fears do not become a reality."

The six Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough post offices marked for closure are: Maidenhead – Boyne Hill, Bridge Road, Cookham Road, Knowl Hill and Norfolk Park; Windsor – Springfield Road.

In a letter to the council on March 25, postal service watchdog Postwatch said it was 'very concerned' about the capacity of Maidenhead Crown Office (High Street) to cope adequately with the increased business following four post office closures around the town centre.

Sheila Button, chair of Postwatch South East, wrote: "Customers and stakeholders have reported concerns about the quality of service at the crown office. Postwatch oppose the closure of Bridge Road because it has the largest number of customer sessions and would therefore ease the pressure the most. There are also a number of new dwellings being built which would add to the population."

A motion passed unanimously by full council last August condemned the threatened loss of local post offices and the difficulties this would cause to many residents.

Since the proposed closures were announced the Windsor and Maidenhead council has taken up the cudgels on behalf of local residents. Advertisements were taken in the local press urging people to make their views known through the consultation. Letters were also sent to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and there has been close liaison with local MPs Adam Afriyie and Theresa May.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Many Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough residents are benefiting from major improvements to the borough's bus network with better and more frequent bus services to Heathrow's new Terminal Five now in operation – including bus route 60 from Eton Wick to the new terminal.

The package of improvements came into effect from last Saturday (March 29) – with more earlier and later buses serving the new Terminal Five and better Sunday services on several routes.

The revised route 60 – which amalgamates two former short loop services – has been extended to take in Terminal Five and is operating seven days a week from early morning to late evening.

The new route 60 runs from Eton Wick via Eton, Slough, Datchet, Welley Corner in Horton, Wraysbury, Horton, Coppermill Road in Horton, Poyle, Colnbrook and Staines and on to Terminal Five from 5am to 11pm seven days a week – compared with the previous smaller loop services which operated just five days a week between 8am and 5pm.

In addition, a new Horton Link trial route is providing a weekday service from Horton village green to Windsor via Datchet, leaving Horton at 10.15am and returning from Windsor at 1.15pm. This additional route has been set up to assist Horton residents who might otherwise be further from bus stops than with the previous arrangements.

The Horton Link service started on Tuesday (March 25) and is being run for a trial period until Friday May 2, after which a decision will be taken as to its economic viability.

The innovative package of improvements are the result of partnership working and joint funding arrangements between the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough, Slough Borough Council, British Airports Authority and the First Group to improve services within the borough and on to Heathrow to link with the opening of T5.

The package includes some new fully-accessible buses with lower exhaust emissions on many routes, as well as more Real Time Passenger Information on electronic bus stop displays at key locations.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for highways, transport and the environment, said: "Many more of our borough residents are benefiting from these new improved bus services – particularly those who do shift work at the airport and people travelling to and from Terminal Five who now have a practical alternative to using their cars.

"I would urge Horton residents to make full use of the link service in the coming weeks to ensure that it is considered economically viable to continue with it after the trial period."

Windsor and Maidenhead Borough residents are also benefiting from additions to the current route 305 which provides a direct link to Staines, with extra early morning services now stopping at Horton village green at 8.05am to collect children for school.

Cllr Rayner added: "We are in talks to improve this service with the bus operators and we will keep residents informed." The service also provides the opportunity to connect with route 60 (including the schools services) at Wraysbury station and continue to Slough bus station.

Additionally, Horton residents who were registered at the surgery in Wraysbury (prior to its closure) and need transport to the doctor's surgery in Datchet can be provided with a free taxi. Arrangements should be made directly with the surgery when making an appointment.

For Windsor and Maidenhead residents with permanent (or temporary) mobility difficulties People to Places provides a bespoke community transport service which can be accessed by contacting them directly on 01628 587920.

For further details on bus services and timetable information go to www.heathrow7series.com. Copies of the new timetables are available from borough libraries and customer service centres at Maidenhead Town Hall, St Ives Road and York House council offices in Sheet Street, Windsor.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

A controversial proposal for an office development on Maidenhead's old cinema site has been unanimously refused by the Royal Borough.

Meeting last night (Wednesday April 2), members of the Maidenhead development control panel stressed the importance of the site for the rejuvenation of the town centre and the council's commitment to ensure an appropriate development.

However, they felt the application from CBRE SPUK II (No 7) Ltd for a four storey office building with underground parking was not suitable for the site because of its

· over-dominance and impact on this important gateway to the town centre
· impact on the Conservation Area, and
· detrimental effect on the Green Way.

The panel also approved an application to demolish the old cinema and a wall, both unlisted but in the Conservation Area.

Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Derek Wilson, panel chairman, said: "There has been huge public and media interest in this application, including a petition with more than 1,000 signatures, and the panel took considerable care to look into every aspect of the development proposals.

"The old cinema site has been a blot on the Maidenhead landscape for many years and we are very conscious of the need to develop it for the overall benefit of the town centre – but we must get it right!"

The site has existing planning approval for offices, granted in 1997, and Cllr Wilson pointed to last year's Planning Inspectorate report that named Maidenhead as a suitable place for future office development. However, he said each application must be judged on its merits and in this case the proposals failed to measure up to the planning requirements for the site.

He added: "I would hope that the developer will now take a fresh look at their designs and come back with an amended proposal that takes the planning panel's decision – and the very valid views expressed by members of the public – into account."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The 2M group of local authorities opposed to Heathrow expansion – of which the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough was one of the pioneers - has now doubled in size following a surge in membership among London boroughs.

The group - which took its name from the 2 million residents represented by the original 12 authorities including Windsor and Maidenhead - now represents a combined population of 4 million people after Brent, Harrow, Lewisham, Southwark and Sutton added their voice to the protest.

Cllr David Burbage, leader of the council said; "This is really good news for all of us who are campaigning against unsustainable expansion of Heathrow. The more local authorities throw their weight behind the protest the more likely our voices are to be heard.

"The fact that the 2M group now represents four million people shows the widespread nature of the concern, and together we are demonstrating our opposition to Heathrow's potential impact on the many people who would be affected if the current proposals are implemented.

"Under the 2M banner we will now be stepping up our call for a complete review of the airports white paper. It's time to look at the alternatives to BAA's demand for more runway capacity."

Consultation on the government's proposals for a third runway and increased use of existing runways closed on February 27. A copy of the Windsor and Maidenhead borough's response can be viewed on the council's website www.rbwm.gov.uk

Transport secretary Ruth Kelly is expected to announce her decision in the early summer. The Heathrow expansion plans are equivalent to building a new airport the size of Gatwick in the most densely populated part of the country.

The full 2Mmembership comprises the London Boroughs of Brent, Camden, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Richmond, Southwark, Sutton and Wandsworth, the boroughs of Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead and South Bucks District Council.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 13 April - 19 April 2008
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

13th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:45 pm
Office Hours
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Group of Five

14th April in Maidenhead

No events planned

15th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
HMS Pinafore
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Chi-Kung
* 2:00 pm
Group of Five

16th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
HMS Pinafore
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Group of Five
* 2:30 pm
Thames Valley Tai Chi

17th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
HMS Pinafore
* 7:45 pm
Jude Simpson presents Growing up games
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Group of Five

18th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
HMS Pinafore
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Group of Five

19th April in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 2:30 pm
HMS Pinafore
* 7:30 pm
HMS Pinafore
* 7:45 pm
Cabaret Night with Clare Burt
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Group of Five

There's a feast of fun, free activities on offer for young Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough library-goers and their mums and dads this month – just in time for the school spring holidays.

No need to book – just turn up to any of the following events:

Bookstart Bounce and Rhyme Sessions (for children aged 0-3)
· Monday 7 April - Windsor Library. 10.30 -11am.
· Thursday 10 April - Maidenhead Library. 10.30 -11am.
· Wednesday 16 April - Cox Green Library. 2 -2.30pm.

Storytimes (for under 5s)
· Friday 11 April - Windsor Library. 10 -10.30am
· Tuesday 15 April - Maidenhead Library. 2.15 -2.45pm.
· Friday 18 April - Windsor Library. 10 -10.30am

Art Junction Drop-in Craft Sessions (for 5-11 year olds)
Tuesday 8 April - Maidenhead Library. 2.15 - 4pm.
Wednesday 9 April - Cox Green Library- 10.30am – 12noon.
Tuesday 15 April - Maidenhead Library 2.15 - 4pm.
Wednesday 16 April - Cox Green Library- 10.30am –12noon

Family Fun Morning
· Tuesday 15 April -Woodlands Park Library and Children's Centre, Woodlands Park, Maidenhead. The borough's container library will be making an extra-special visit between 10am and 1pm for young visitors to meet children's book character Kipper the Dog, and enjoy crafts and storytime sessions and refreshments and goodie bags for all the children.

(The container library regularly visits the Woodlands Park children's centre every Monday from 10am to 1pm and 2 – 5pm).

For further information about any of the above events contact Kathy Dolan or Alison Hollands at Maidenhead Library on 01628 796974.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Professional street and break dancers of all ages will entertain shoppers when they visit Maidenhead High Street on Saturday April 5 between 12noon and 2pm.

The Urban Dance Company will show how it's done outside Maidenhead NatWest Bank, with demonstrations from Slam – the hip hop crew for 14 to 17-year-olds, Bay-b-sham – with dancers aged from seven to 10 years, and the grown-up United Breakz break dance crew.

Steph James, Maidenhead town manager, said: "Visitors to the town centre can expect to see a lively, skilful and entertaining display from a well-established local dance group."

The group runs classes in Maidenhead, Bracknell, Woking, Camberley and Lightwater.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

There has been an overwhelmingly positive response to a proposal by Maidenhead Town Partnership to install bollards at either end of the High Street/King Street pedestrianised area.

Maidenhead Shop managers and businesses are currently being consulted on plans to replace the broken rise-and-fall bollard at the Queen Street end of the High Street (outside Boots) with a manual bollard and to install a similar one on King Street where pedestrianisation ends (outside U-Want Taxis).

Shopkeepers are also being asked to comment on proposals to extend the time during which the High Street is pedestrian-access only and vehicles are prohibited. It is recommended the existing 11am to 4pm restriction be extended to between 9am and 5pm. This follows concerns for pedestrian safety while the existing bollard has been out of order because delivery vehicles have been accessing the High Street during peak shopping hours.

Steph James, Maidenhead town manager, said: "About 90% of the responses so far have been in favour of the two bollards. However anyone with particular concerns can contact me to discuss."

The consultation document includes a covering letter explaining the current situation and the proposed changes, and a short questionnaire with space for respondents to voice their opinions. Managers are also welcome to contact Steph on 01628 796128 to discuss the matter further.

The closing date for responses is Friday April 18.

Once the consultation is complete, Maidenhead Town Partnership will advise the council of the recommendations and a formal plan can be drawn up.


The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Borough has received four 'interesting and exciting' proposals from groups keen to take over the role of providing arts services in Windsor.

Since Windsor Community Arts Centre Limited – the company providing arts activities for Windsor residents from the council-owned old fire station in St Leonard's Road – went into administration just before Christmas the council has actively sought a new provider, and interested groups were given until March 14 to submit their proposals.

The four groups which rose to the challenge of designing lively, viable programmes catering for the varied needs of the community are:

· Everyday Theatre
· Firestation Arts & Culture
· Windsor Arts are Yours (The WAY Group)
· Windsor Arts Centre Management Group (WACMG)

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead leisure and culture and one of the building's trustees, said: "We are pleased to have received four interesting and exciting proposals which we – together with colleagues from Arts Council England South East – are evaluating against each other and the council's requirements.

"Following presentations to councillors a recommendation will be made to cabinet at the end of April for a decision.

"We are committed to arts in Windsor; the £80,000 annual grant previously given to the arts centre was maintained in the 2008/09 budget."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead