Maidenhead & Windsor

Summertime, and the going is easy … well, it certainly is in Cookham, thanks to the first "easy going route" leaflet just published by the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough.

The full-colour leaflet gives easy-to-follow details of an accessible route around Cookham village and Cock Marsh with mostly flat grass or tarmac surfaces suitable for people with restricted mobility and parents with pushchairs and buggies.

The stile-free route is divided into three sections:

· a 7.5km circular route starting and ending at the car park on Cookham Moor via Cock Marsh, Bourne End and parts of the Thames Path National Trail and back to Cookham
· the village route starting at the Crown public house via Berries Road, the sailing club and along the riverbank to Holy Trinity Church and back down the High Street past the Stanley Spencer gallery
· extending the first two routes to Cookham Lock via Ferry Lane and Odney Lane.

As well as detailing the walking route, the leaflet includes local and historical information and details of parking, toilets and refreshment stops.

Cllr Asghar Majeed, chairman of the Windsor and Maidenhead rights of way and highway licensing panel, said: "We are extremely fortunate to live in a very beautiful part of the country, and we want to encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of the current summer weather to get out and about and enjoy their surroundings.

"We fully appreciate that some of our less mobile residents – or families with pushchairs or wheelchairs – find the prospect of tackling public rights of way rather daunting if they do not know the route and are unsure about how steep or wide the paths are and whether there are barriers or stiles to negotiate.

"Hopefully this new easy going route – and its explanatory leaflet – will open up new horizons for everyone around Cookham and enable them to enjoy some of our local areas of natural beauty."

Other leaflets produced by the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough include walks around White Waltham, Waltham St Lawrence, Bray, Datchet and Sunningdale, as well as a leaflet for the Green Way and the Knowl Hill and Cookham Bridleway circuit for horseriders.

The new easy going leaflet is available from the Town Hall and Maidenhead Library as well as Windsor Information Centre. It can also be downloaded from the Royal Borough website at http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/prow_publications.htm

If you would like help understanding this leaflet or would like to receive the leaflet in a different format please email prow@rbwm.gov.uk or telephone 01628 796180.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Royal Borough residents have another opportunity to meet their local elected representatives on Saturday August 2.

Maidenhead councillors will be holding their regular surgery between 10am and 12noon in the council's mobile facility, which will be located outside NatWest 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 12noon on Saturday October 4.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Work is due to start soon on the access road that will serve the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough's new Holyport Manor Special School.

A key element of the £24 million project at Cox Green, the new access road will lead to the site from a new junction at Cannon Lane. It is due to be completed by Christmas so that work on the school itself can get under way in the New Year. The school will open in September 2010.

The most significant new-build project ever undertaken by the council, the school is being funded through the government's One School Pathfinder programme and it will cater for about 150 pupils with special educational needs and include a 24-bed respite centre.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead children's services, said that work starting on the site was the first tangible step toward fulfilling a long-held council ambition to provide a top quality learning environment for young people with special needs.

She said: "Holyport Manor is already doing excellent work, despite its totally inadequate and out-of-date buildings. Just think how much more can be achieved by the pupils and staff in a modern, well-equipped school, tailor-made for their needs."

The new junction off Cannon Lane will feature traffic calming measures, including a raised table with warning signs on the approaches. Low-level street lighting will be installed to increase safety for drivers.

Co-ordinated working to minimise disruption
Joined up working between the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough, National Grid Gas, electricity company Scottish and Southern and BT will make sure that disruption on Cannon Lane will be kept to the absolute minimum – with welcome benefits for the local community.

Over the August bank holiday weekend, when traffic is traditionally lighter than usual, drainage work will be done to help resolve the long-standing flooding problem under Cannon Lane Bridge.

Unfortunately the council has no option but to close the road on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, August 23, 24 and 25 to allow this work to go ahead – but the closure gives the gas, electricity and telecoms companies the opportunity to carry out necessary work related to the school development over a weekend. This also means that, depending on the weather, there should be no need for any further road closures in the future.

Diversion routes will be well signposted on both the north and south approaches to the bridge.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead highways, transport and environment, said this demonstrated what joined up working could achieve.

He said: "I am delighted that the council is taking positive steps to alleviate the flooding problem under Cannon Lane Bridge.

"By bringing the utilities together over the bank holiday weekend, we have been able to plan ahead and co-ordinate everyone's work for the same time. This means just one road closure, instead of three our four, limited disruption and great benefits for both local residents and the travelling public."

Cannon Lane should re-open at midnight on Monday August 25, after which traffic will be kept on the move by using one lane of the carriageway, controlled by temporary lights. This is expected to last for about two weeks until the gas main work is complete.

The access road and associated works are being constructed by Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Services. The main contractor for the school is Willmott Dixon.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Here comes the sun (at last!) – and with it some hot tips for safe sunbathing from Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough trading standards officers.

The seasonal advice comes as Windsor and Maidenhead officers respond to public concerns about "confusing and misleading" information on sunscreen products – which could mean consumers inadvertently putting their health at risk because of ambiguous labelling.

Their advice is designed to help consumers unravel the mysteries of UVA, UVB and SPF, and follows a European Commission recommendation to the sunscreen industry to make the labelling on sunscreen products easier to understand and provide clearer information on the level of protection provided.

Windsor and Maidenhead Officers' advice includes:

· reminding consumers that the standard Sun Protection Factor (SPF) used on sunscreen labelling only indicates the level of protection against UVB radiation, which is the cause of sunburn. Most do not indicate the level of protection from UVA radiation which causes premature skin ageing, interferes with the human immune system and is a major contributor to the risk of skin cancer
· recommending that they look out for a standardised logo for UVA protection (the letters UVA inside a circle) to be used alongside the SPF currently used. By buying sunscreen with the logo, consumers will know the product contains a minimum UVA protection
· remembering that any SPF over 50 ceases to become any more effective. They recommend that the equivalent of six full teaspoons of a sunscreen with an SPF of 15-20, frequently reapplied, should be sufficient for normal adult skin.

The European commission recommendation also calls on the sunscreen industry to stop using terms such as "sun block" and "total protection" on their labelling because sunscreen products cannot deliver total protection from UV radiation.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead public protection, said: "All these numbers and symbols can be extremely confusing for consumers as there is no consistency and therefore no way of accurately comparing the level of UVA in one product with that in another and also no way of easily knowing how much protection is provided.

"Products with only a UVB level of protection can give people a false sense of safety because they let hazardous UVA radiation reach the skin.

"But by following officers' advice and making sure they buy products with the new UVA logo consumers will know that they have at least a minimum UVA protection."

Windsor and Maidenhead Officers also advise:

· wearing sunglasses during summer months to protect the eyes from sun damage
· always buying sunglasses that comply with British Standard BS 1836:2005
· taking note of the various filter categories ranging from 0 (used mainly for fashion and which do not significantly reduce the glare from bright sunlight) to 4 which are the most suitable for very bright conditions.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Aquatic wildlife will be under the spotlight in a 'dippy' open day for nature lovers of all ages at Braywick Nature Reserve, Maidenhead, in early August.

Visitors to the Hibbert Road site will have the chance to dip into ponds and learn about the many creatures – including beetles, bugs, newts and dragonflies – that bring them to life at this time of the year.

Senior Windsor and Maidenhead countryside ranger Trevor Smith said: "Ponds are so much more than just green wet places that smell! Visitors will be able to see a whole new world under the surface."

The Pond Open Day takes place on Sunday August 3 and visitors are welcome to join either of two sessions from 11am to 12.30pm and 2 to 3.30pm.

Adults are welcome on their own or with the youngsters and all children must be accompanied. Wellies are not required and dogs are not allowed.

The event is free and no booking is required – simply turn up on the day. For further details call 01628 777440.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough residents who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing are invited to find out more about the specialist services available to them at an information morning to be held in the Town Hall early next month.

Social workers from Wokingham District Council's Deaf Services team – who provide a service to Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough residents to access social care support from specialist social workers – will be running the information session on Monday August 4 from 9am until 1pm in the Bridge That Gap café in the Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead.

They will be available to offer advice and information to both professionals and service users on a range of issues including equipment needs, communication support, interpretation services registration and help in accessing a wide range of community services.

Cllr Simon Dudley, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead adult services, said: "This drop-in session is a really good opportunity for deaf, deafblind and hard-of-hearing residents to find out more about the social care and community services available to them in the borough.

"The service provided by the team at Wokingham is a very comprehensive one, and it is important that we give people the opportunity to have access to any help and support which will make their lives easier and more comfortable."

The Deaf Services team also provides specialist services to other Berkshire unitary authorities including Reading and Bracknell Forest.

For further information about the session contact the Deaf Services Team on 0118 9445421 / Minicom 0118 9272202 / Fax 0118 9272223 or at deafservices@wokingham.gov.uk

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Two bars in The Arches, Windsor, have been served notice by Royal Borough planning enforcement officers for staying open almost two hours beyond closing time.

Breach of condition notices were served last Thursday (July 17) on Bar Indigo and Scotch Bar in Goswell Hill for remaining open until 3am. Both bars are required to close at 1am as part of their planning permissions.

Windsor and Maidenhead Planning enforcement officers will monitor the situation and if either bar has not complied with the notice after a month they could be prosecuted.

Cllr Alison Knight, lead member for planning and housing, said: "Residents in the area have long-standing concerns about the noise and antisocial behaviour created by an inconsiderate minority of bar customers in the early hours of the morning.

"This move reinforces the message that we are determined to contain the problem and encourage bar owners to make every effort to comply with the necessary regulations."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Residents and visitors in Windsor are finding that sitting down is a lot more comfortable, thanks to a joint scheme by the Royal Borough and Windsor Castle that has refurbished the well-used benches lining the pavement from Thames Street to Castle Hill.

Some 70 benches have been upgraded in the phased scheme that kept the majority in use during the contract, which has now been completed.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for Windsor, said she was delighted that the partnership between the Castle and the council had resulted in the much-needed refurbishment work.

She said: "I would like to thank Windsor Castle for their generous participation in this scheme. As is often the case these days, organisations working in partnership can achieve so much more than if they work alone. These benches outside the Castle are constantly used by residents and visitors alike and the joint approach means we can share the responsibility for the benefit of everyone."

Windsor Castle is funding the refurbishment and annual maintenance, with the borough organising the work and liaising with the contractor, L & L Installations (Gainsborough) Ltd, which has worked successfully on other Royal Borough schemes such as Cookham Footpath 60 and Bisham Brook footbridge.

The work involved removing the old bench slats, painting the metal brackets and replacing the slats with the oiled oak timber prepared off-site. Only small sets of benches were removed at any one time so that plenty of seating capacity remained in use.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 3 August - 9 August 2008
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

3rd August in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
Smart People (15)
* 7:30 pm
Smart People (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Home Is Where The Art Is

4th August in Maidenhead

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

5th August in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Mongol (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Circus Week
* 2:00 pm
Home Is Where The Art Is

6th August in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Mongol (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Circus Week
* 2:00 pm
Home Is Where The Art Is

7th August in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Summer Concert Series: 3, Graham Scott (piano)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Circus Week
* 2:00 pm
Home Is Where The Art Is

8th August in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Gone Baby Gone (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Summer Circus Week
* 2:00 pm
Home Is Where The Art Is

9th August in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
Gone Baby Gone (15)
* 8:00 pm
Gone Baby Gone (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Home Is Where The Art Is

Maidenhead Arts Cafe,
Methodist Church Hall,
High Street,
Maidenhead,
Berkshire,
SL6 1EF.
5/1208

Friday 5th December - Bryn Haworth

He has been called a 'musician's musician' - a first class rock musician whose music has its roots in blues and r&b. He plays guitars and mandolin and is particularly recognised a remarkable exponent of the slide (or bottleneck) guitar, a technique derived from the blues. His is a more gentle and mellow approach than others which beautifully compliments his highly melodic songs.

He has recorded with top musicians including Chris de Burgh, Joan Armatrading, Ian Mathews, and Gerry Rafferty. Amongst his latest sessions have been those for Gerry Rafferty on his latest albums: "On A Wing And A Prayer", "Over My Head", and "Another World" released on the Hyperion label in Jan 2003--listen out in particular for Bryn's slide guitar on the opening track 'All Souls'.

Bryn also writes his own songs, and has had several of his own compositions recorded by other artists including Lulu, Sandy Denny, and Mary Black on her 1999 album "Speaking With The Angel".

The cafe provides high quality entertainment in relaxed, informal surroundings. Events take place in the recently refurbished hall of the Methodist Church at the top of the High Street in Maidenhead. Drinks (Tea, Coffee, Cappuccino, J2O's, Coke etc) are available from our bar, along with various light snacks throughout the evening.

Entrance is by ticket (£5:00 available on the door, or in advance). Contact us on info@artscafe.org for details or tickets.

Maidenhead Arts Cafe

Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough planning enforcement officers have served a stop notice preventing builders' rubble and waste being illegally dumped on a Green Belt site in Shurlock Row.

Following tip-offs from villagers, Windsor and Maidenhead officers visited the Shurlock Road field, to the north of the village, last Friday afternoon (July 18) and served the stop notice. With immediate effect and for 28 days, offloading of waste on the site is an offence under planning laws.

An enforcement notice served on the site in 2001 had brought dumping to a halt but on Friday residents reported that lorries had again been seen offloading builders' waste.

Cllr Alison Knight, lead member for planning and housing, said: "Our enforcement officers acted speedily to stop the illegal dumping and will continue to closely monitor the situation.

"As well as regularly visiting the site they are also in contact with residents acting as the council's 'eyes and ears' when they can't be there.

"This action is good news for Shurlock Row residents but also for all Royal Borough residents who can rest assured the council will take swift action against anyone caught trying to offload waste material illegally."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

A unique Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough scheme will prove that there is such a thing as a free lunch when more than 1,300 five-year-olds tuck in to healthy meals when they start school in September – at no charge.

The Windsor and Maidenhead council and its school meals contractor Harrison Catering Services have joined forces to give all Year 1 new-starters in Royal Borough schools a week of free lunches to introduce them to the nutritious menus available throughout the year in their school dining halls.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for children's services, said: "This is a great way of giving children a warm welcome to their new schools and helping develop their appetites for the fresh, healthy meals that will sustain them across the day.

"I hope parents of all our Year 1 pupils will allow their children to take advantage of this exciting offer because we believe that when the children have tasted the food for themselves and discovered just how delicious it is, they will want to carry on having school meals in the future."

All 42 schools who will have Year 1 intakes in September are being notified this week about the scheme and letters are going out to parents to let them know about the free lunches available when their child starts school in September.

Gareth Harrison, director group business for Harrison Catering Services, said: "School meals have moved on significantly since we took over the contract three years ago. We serve tasty, fresh food every day using recipes that the children recognise and enjoy. Freshly prepared, hot meals now cost only £2 per day, which represents fantastic value for money and a healthy way to keep concentration levels high throughout the school afternoon."

During the week of free Windsor and Maidenhead lunches the menu will be typical of the range of food available every week throughout the school year, meeting the government's strict nutritional guidelines and offering fresh, healthy food, prepared and presented in ways that appeal to young children.

Free lunches will be provided from the day each child starts school and will continue until Friday September 12.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

More taxis operating anywhere in the Windsor and Maidenhead borough with standardised fares – that's the prospect for local residents and visitors who use the borough's Hackney carriages following a decision of the licensing panel last night (Monday July 21).

Widespread consultation earlier this year proposed a number of options designed to improve the Windsor and Maidenhead borough's taxi service, and panel members voted to:

· amalgamate the three existing zones of Windsor, Maidenhead and Ascot into one borough-wide zone, meaning that taxis will now be able to pick up and set down passengers anywhere in the borough
· increase the number of taxis from 87 to 100 with the additional licences offered to registered drivers
· standardise all taxi fares in accordance with the current fares in the Windsor and Maidenhead zones
· gradually increase the current number of accessible vehicles which can carry a passenger sitting in a wheelchair rather than making it a requirement of all vehicles in the fleet.

Members agreed to give further consideration to proposals to standardise the colour and livery of taxis and to introduce dual-fuel in all vehicles – and to maintain the existing standards for taxis rather than implement the option of ensuring that all vehicles are new.

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead community safety and chairman of the licensing panel, said: "We consulted widely earlier in the year to get the views of as many people as possible on the options for improving the taxi service in the borough.

"The establishment of one single zone across the borough is good news for residents and other taxi users as it means that taxis will now pick up and set down passengers anywhere in the borough rather than being restricted to one particular zone.

"Also under the current arrangements a taxi taking a customer from Maidenhead to Windsor cannot return to Maidenhead with another customer and has to return empty to its designated zone. Amalgamating the zones will allow them to do this."

More than 200 completed consultation forms were returned from taxi drivers, taxi users, passenger groups, chambers of commerce, town centre managers, parish councils, Thames Valley Police, local pubs and clubs and other interested parties as part of the recent consultation.

Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Grey continued: "There were some differences in the responses from taxi drivers and from members of the public, in particular with reference to deregulating of the issue of new licences.

"We could have taken the decision to deregulate completely but have decided against this. In increasing the number of licences from 87 to 100 we have worked hard to balance the range of views by limiting the number of new licences to 13 and continuing to review the numbers in the future.

"This is a long overdue process as it is the first increase in licence numbers for 13 years."

"In addition we will be revising the policy for the granting of new licences to make it both fair and clearer for potential applicants."

For further information contact Alan Barwise, licensing and enforcement manager, on 01628 685849.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough and other members of the 2M group of local authorities opposed to Heathrow expansion have this week published plans for a high-speed rail network which could reduce the need for domestic and short-haul flights.

The High Speed North proposal unveiled yesterday (Monday July 21) in Westminster, would provide a new fast link between London and Edinburgh with the first stretch from London to the Midlands following the route of the M1.

The new route would provide direct connections from other parts of the UK to a growing network of European cities including Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Lyon.

Heathrow would be an integral part of this new network, enabling people from Scotland and the north, who might otherwise take an internal flight, to travel to the airport by rail.

Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr David Burbage, council leader, said after the launch: "The 2M group, of which the Royal Borough is a member, is committed to opposing the expansion of Heathrow and concerned
at the environmental impact of Heathrow on all our communities.

"This proposal has got to be seriously considered and we think that a high-speed rail network could help to do just that."

The new blueprint has been devised by civil engineer Colin Elliff and published by the 2M group as part of its contribution to the national debate on transportation policy.

Speakers at Monday's launch in Westminster included council leaders from the 2M Group, John Stewart from the aircraft noise campaigners HACAN and Colin Elliff.

The 2M Group is an all-party alliance of local authorities concerned at the environmental impact of Heathrow expansion on their communities. The group, which took its name from the 2 million residents of the original 12 members, now represents 21 authorities with a combined population of 4.5 million people.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Local Windsor and Maidenhead residents are about to find it even easier to contact the council and their elected councillors, thanks to a new booklet published this week.

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Residents' Guide provides:

* direct telephone and email contact details for all 57 borough councillors
* information about how to get in touch with the council services that people use on a daily basis and
* a useful reminder that many services are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year by going online at www.rbwm.gov.uk

Cllr John Story, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead communications, said: "Residents have often told us that they would appreciate a booklet of council contacts – and, thanks to the support of our advertisers, we have been able to publish the guide at absolutely no cost to local taxpayers.

"With more than 300 different services provided by the council, it's not surprising that our residents and customers are sometimes not sure who to contact so now they will have a handy guide to help point them in the right direction."

The booklet will be distributed throughout the borough and will also be available through local libraries, council offices at the Town Hall, Maidenhead, and York House, Windsor, and at First Stop shops in Eton, Datchet, Sunningdale and Sunninghill.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Gardeners in the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough look set to be offered a convenient new low cost collection service that will take away their grass clippings and other garden waste for recycling.

The fortnightly service will cater for residents who want a regular, dependable green garden waste pick-up in addition to the Windsor and Maidenhead council's normal weekly refuse and recycling collections.

If given the go-ahead by cabinet on Thursday July 24, the Windsor and Maidenhead green waste kerbside service will not only make gardeners' lives easier but also play a key part in reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill and the borough's impact on climate change by reducing carbon emissions.

For a subscription of just 66 pence a week (£29 a year) residents who want to take part in the scheme will be provided with a special 240 litre green waste recycling bin, which will be emptied by Veolia, the council's contractor, every two weeks.

Lead member Cllr Alison Knight said that a recent local market testing exercise showed there was an undoubted demand for a regular green waste collection, with 62% of residents who responded saying they felt it was a good idea to have a not-for-profit service.

She said: "The Royal Borough is an enthusiastic gardening community and sensitive about caring for our environment. With more and more residents keen to play an active part in helping to cut the huge volume of waste we send to landfill every year, this service will be a great bonus. For a modest fee, we will organise for garden waste to be taken away every two weeks, turned into compost and be of benefit to even more gardeners in the future."

Cllr Knight stressed that the new service would not affect the council's normal weekly refuse collection – it would be an extra option for residents who need a regular and efficient way of disposing of their garden waste.

She said: "I believe this will be a major improvement and incredibly popular with gardeners. It also demonstrates that the council is committed to working with residents to help make the borough a greener and better place to live."

Cllr Paul Etherington, chairman of the sustainability panel, said: "Around 16% of waste currently put into wheelie bins comes from gardens and could easily be recycled. Instead, it is costing the Windsor and Maidenhead council £370,000 a year to dispose of at a time when efforts are being made to minimise council tax rises. This can't be good use of taxpayers' money.

"With the escalating cost of sending waste to landfill – about £58 a tonne – and the government's hefty financial penalties if we go over our limit, we must find new ways of encouraging local people to recycle even more.

"Thanks to the efforts of our residents, we already have a creditable recycling rate but the council must push for even more – and here is a cost-effective, efficient way of diverting garden waste from being dumped in expensive and unsustainable holes in the ground."

Residents are also being encouraged to join the borough's growing band of home composters – recently boosted by the council's special offer of 5,000 free compost bins. There is still a limited number of free bins available by calling 0845 077 0757 or ordering online at www.recyclenow.com/compost

Residents can also continue to take their green waste to the household waste recycling centre at Braywick, which is open seven days a week between 8am and 8pm (April to September) and 8am to 4.30pm (October to March).

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is forging ahead with its innovative programme of street de-cluttering and has already scored an impressive "century" in its first few months

A report to next Thursday's Cabinet (July 24) will show how Windsor and Maidenhead Streetcare officers have removed an initial 120 out-of-date, damaged and redundant road and direction signs since the launch of the initiative earlier in the year.

Most of the work already completed has been concentrated on the gateway routes into the main town centres and also pedestrianised areas of the towns, with the main focus on removing signs that are no longer valid and repositioning those that could be placed on existing poles.

The de-cluttering activities will be extended in the coming months as officers make a clean sweep of Datchet, Cookham, Bray, Horton and Wraysbury.

Windsor and Maidenhead Officers have also been setting their sights on street furniture that is past its best including streetlamps, posts and bollards – and have been busy painting some of this furniture as part of an ongoing regime of inspection and maintenance.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for highways, transport and environment, said: "We have been working closely with the town managers in both main towns to identify unnecessary signage and have already responded positively to many reports of out-of-date or redundant signs around the borough.

"We are fortunate to live in a lovely part of the country and it is up to us to maintain that attractive appearance as far as we can – and this de-cluttering initiative is going a long way to achieving that aim as well as complementing our ongoing work to tackle graffiti and flyposting.

"We want to encourage as many people as possible to tell us about defective or redundant signs or street furniture so we can repair or replace them - and we will be asking parish councils, community wardens and the police to report such signs too."

Some of the signage across the Windsor and Maidenhead borough is necessary to comply with traffic laws and the council is not allowed to remove it. In addition any new signs must if possible be combined with an existing sign or existing street posts or lampposts.

Cllr Rayner added: "While we are governed by legislation we do have a certain amount of discretion and we will continue to maintain the minimum amount of signage as required by law in an effort to minimise street clutter even further. I am determined to have unnecessary signs and signposts removed as they are a blot on our landscape."

For further information about the borough's street de-cluttering programme contact David Perkins, head of Streetcare operations, on 01628 796860.
To report street clutter or damaged street furniture call the Customer Service Centre on 01628 793800.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 27 July - 2 August 2008
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
Maidenhead Concert Band 10th Anniversary Concert
* 7:30 pm
Maidenhead Concert Band 10th Anniversary Concert
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Home Is Where The Art Is

28th July in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:00 am
Summer Theatre Week

29th July in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:00 am
Summer Theatre Week
* 8:00 pm
Cassandra’s Dream (12A)
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Home Is Where The Art Is

30th July in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:00 am
Summer Theatre Week
* 8:00 pm
Cassandra’s Dream (12A)
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Home Is Where The Art Is

31st July in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:00 am
Summer Theatre Week
* 8:00 pm
Cassandra’s Dream (12A)
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Home Is Where The Art Is

1st August in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 10:00 am
Summer Theatre Week
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Home Is Where The Art Is

2nd August in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Montgomery Holloway Music Trust Students Concert
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Home Is Where The Art Is

Just two weeks after scooping three regional awards, the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough's building control consultancy team has been shortlisted for two national Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Built in Quality Awards.

Nominations are for Best partnership with a contractor and Best fire engineering project categories, both for work carried out on Providence Place/Sainsbury's in Maidenhead.

The awards ceremony will take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Thursday October 16.

The Windsor and Maidenhead team, headed by building control consultancy manager Roger Paine, are hoping to equal last year's national success when they won two LABC Built In Quality Awards for Best partnership and Best fire engineered solution.

At the regional finals at the end of June this year they took first place in three out of five categories, namely Best partnership with a contractor, Best fire engineering project and Best commercial project, and as a result were put forward for the nationals.

Cllr Alison Knight, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead planning and housing, said: "The borough's building control consultancy team offers a proactive approach to helping design teams understand and comply with any legal requirements, from the design stage to completion.

"This highly regarded team is building success upon success – as well as last year's national and this year's regional awards, they also boast the coveted Charter Mark for customer service excellence."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

A new map of all the legally recorded footpaths, bridleways and byways in the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough has been published by the council.

Of interest to Windsor and Maidenhead path users and landowners alike, the Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way brings the information up to date with the addition of any legal changes made to the public rights of way network since the last update was published in 2000.

There have been more than 50 changes to the path network since that date, including several resulting from the construction of the Jubilee River, a new link to the Thames Path at Ferry Lane in Cookham and a new link on the Green Way recreational route north of Maidenhead.

The new map shows more than 190 miles of public rights of way and is accompanied by a legal statement listing the start and finish points of each path.

The map is a set of 26 A2-size map sheets, and the statement runs to 111 pages listing the details of more than 600 individual paths.

Cllr Asghar Majeed, chairman of the rights of Windsor and Maidenhead way and highways licensing panel, said: "The public rights of way network is an invaluable asset to the borough, as it is the main way in which residents and visitors can enjoy access to the borough's rich and varied countryside. We must work together with the landowners to provide a good network of paths.

"The path network, which accounts for more than 30% of the borough's total highway network, includes some of the most attractive sections of the Thames Path National Trail as well as many other popular walking routes such as the Green Way and horseriding trails such as the Knowl Hill and Cookham bridleway circuits."

Copies of the complete map and statement can be viewed at the Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead; York House, Sheet Street, Windsor; and Windsor and Maidenhead central libraries.

Relevant local extracts are available for viewing at all parish council offices and at the following local libraries: Cookham, Cox Green, Datchet, Eton, Old Windsor and Ascot.

The map can also be viewed electronically on the borough website at http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/prow_index.htm

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Consultation starts this week on redesigning the services offered by the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough to children with difficulties caused by speech and language impairments and autism.

The proposal – out for consultation until the end of September – focuses on providing one overall cohesive service for Windsor and Maidenhead mainstream schools bringing together the provision for children with communication and interaction difficulties.

Most pupils currently attend their local mainstream school, with advice from specialists including the Specialist Autism Mainstream Service (SAMS) and the NHS Speech and Language Therapy Service (SALT). Pupils with more severe needs may attend one of three resourced units at Altwood, Ellington and Furze Platt senior schools. These are all currently separate.

The new proposal is for one service to provide not only a range of specialist advice but also new teaching bases.

There will be advice for Windsor and Maidenhead schools from specialists in communication and interaction difficulties, including SAMS and SALT; and there will be new teaching bases for the neediest pupils in place of the current resourced units but not necessarily in the same schools as at present.

This proposal will ensure that the advice will come from a single source covering the different kinds of expertise; will more effectively help schools make provision for pupils with these difficulties; and in time should mean fewer children with these needs will have to be educated outside the Royal Borough.

No children will have to change from their current schools as a result of this proposal.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead children's services, said: "This consultation is all about changing the balance of services for children with communication difficulties by providing more integrated expertise for mainstream schools. We want children to be able to have their individual needs met in their local schools. And we are especially keen to keep the expertise of existing specialists within the borough in the new service.

"This will be a service to help reach more children in ordinary classrooms than at present. We have every intention of maintaining current investment in the system.

"But we really do want to hear what people think about these proposals – in particular everyone involved in working with children who have these special needs. So I would urge everyone with an interest to take part in this consultation so that we can plan the best way forward."

Copies of the consultation can be viewed at www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/consultation_communication_interaction_provision.htm.

To request a printed copy call 01628 796779.

Email responses should be addressed to communication.consultation@rbwm.gov.uk, or by post to Communication and Interaction Consultation, Special Educational Needs, Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1RF.

The consultation began on Monday (July 14) and closes on Tuesday September 30. Following the consultation, a recommendation will be put forward to Council in 2009.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

It's set to be an action-packed summer for teenagers with hundreds of fun, sporty and cultural activities planned around the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough - and most of them are Free.

About 8,000 young people are expected to join in the Windsor and Maidenhead borough's popular 1319 programme and help smash the 30,000-visit target, topping last year's record of more than 27,000 visits.

It all kicks off on Friday July 25 from 12noon to 4pm at South Ascot Recreation Ground in Victoria Road, where teenagers can play human table football, dress up in sumo suits, practise their golf chip shots, try their hand at bush craft survival skills from the 'Didgeridoo man', join in a game of lacrosse or volleyball, take part in a football or basketball mini-competition, and much more.

From then until Saturday August 30 anyone from the age of 13 to 19 can try out a whole range of activities, including:

· basketball, cricket, football, rugby coaching
· angling
· golf tuition
· sailing, kayaking
· night walks
· residential trips
· make like Tarzan and travel from tree to tree on a high ropes course
· BMX, skateboarding, cycling proficiency
· rock music workshops
· tennis, athletics, frisbee
· swimming, badminton or squash for 50p at the Magnet and Windsor Leisure Centres
· £1 for a gym session at the Magnet, Windsor, Braywick and Charters BodyZone
· fitness coaching at SHOKK gym in Cox Green.

There will also be plenty of free, regular activities at parks throughout the borough.

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead leisure and culture, said: "With this fantastic line-up of activities for teenagers at locations conveniently situated around the borough, there really is no excuse for teenagers to be bored these summer holidays!"

For further details, and for prices and bookings where they apply, visit www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/13-19_index.htm or text or call the 1319 information hotline on 07876 356768.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Five budding young Windsor and Maidenhead artists have demonstrated their artistic skills to emerge as winners of a recent colouring competition organised by the Royal Borough's community safety team as part of the annual Junior Citizen event.

Each winner will receive a certificate at a special ceremony at the fire station, Bridge Road, Maidenhead on Tuesday July 15 at 7pm followed by a tour of the fire station when they get the chance to use the fires hoses and climb on board the fire engines.

The five winners are:

Lydia Roberts – South Ascot Village School, South Ascot
Rachel Hufflett – Holy Trinity Primary School, Cookham
Stephen Brooker – Harmans Water Primary School, Bracknell
Ansha Latif – Marish Primary School, Langley
Amaanah Latif – Marish Primary School, Langley

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead community safety, said: "Junior Citizen is a great way to teach young people valuable life skills and how to be a responsible person. The information they receive from a range of agencies, including the borough's community safety team on the consequences of criminal damage, should help them grow up to be model citizens.

"The children produced very colourful entries – I am delighted I will be there to congratulate the winners and award the certificates."

Paul Jacques, group manager, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Junior Citizen gives young people the opportunity to learn about a wide range of different issues in a fun and interactive way. The hands-on approach makes the subjects interesting and memorable, which is essential as many of the lessons provide potentially life-saving information.

"We look forward to welcoming the competition winners to Maidenhead fire station and hope they have an enjoyable time, while at the same time learning more about fire safety. "

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Achievement at Trevelyan School in Windsor has improved to such an extent in the past year that Ofsted inspectors have said it no longer needs to stay on the list of schools given notice to improve.

And Trevelyan's achievement marks a significant Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough milestone as it means there are now no borough schools in any Ofsted categories earmarked for special action.

Inspectors spent two days at the school in Wood Close, Windsor, in June, and their report highlights the good progress made since the last inspection in March 2007 and awards the school a "satisfactory" rating for the quality of its education provision.

There is particular praise for the development of rigorous monitoring and evaluation of the performance of both pupils' and the school, which has enabled the school to address the issues raised at the previous inspection

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead children's services, said: "This is a very well-deserved report for Trevelyan, and is a real tribute to a year of extremely hard work by staff and pupils and all those who support the school in so many ways.

"It gives the school a solid foundation from which to move forward and I look forward to further reports reflecting continued improvement in teaching and learning across the school. I am particularly pleased that Trevelyan's achievement means we no longer have any schools in any Ofsted 'special' categories - so very well done everyone."

Highlighted in the report is the "caring, supportive and enriched education" provided for pupils which results in good personal development, well-being, good attendance and good behaviour – all of which contribute to the school's "calm and welcoming atmosphere".

The report also acknowledges the improvement in leadership and management and the benefit to the school from the support of a local authority adviser who has had "a significant impact on the school's understanding of what it needed to do to improve". It goes on: "Systems for evaluating teaching and analysing achievement and standards are much better and consequently the school is now able to identify its strengths and weaknesses."

There are "good" marks, too, for pupil-teacher relationships, meaning that most pupils enjoy lessons and are keen to improve, and for the provision of support for children with special educational needs or behavioural and physical difficulties.

To help Trevelyan continue to improve, inspectors recommend several areas for further work including improving standards in maths, particularly in years 6 and 8; making marking of pupils' work more effective; improving the consistency of teaching and continuing to develop senior and middle managers' management skills.
The report concludes by noting that "the progress made since the last inspection shows that the school has satisfactory capacity to improve."

Chairman of governors, David Cox, was delighted with the report. He said: "Clearly what this report provides is a perfect springboard to allow the school to aim even higher. The governors, staff and pupils will continue to strive for 'good' and 'outstanding' Ofsted ratings in the future."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough's insurance and risk management team has taken second place in a prestigious national award.

Windsor and Maidenhead Insurance and risk manager Steve Mappley picked up the Operational Risk Award certificate from TV personality Paul Ross at the black tie 2008 Alarm Awards in Birmingham last week.

The award was for the team's fraud assessment matrix that identifies where the risk of fraud is most likely to arise with the most damaging effect on the council, enabling the council to demonstrate how the risk of fraud and corruption is specifically considered as part of its overall risk management process.

Cllr David Hilton, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead finance, said: "It is particularly pleasing that our team received a commendation for the work done in this key risk area as it demonstrates the council is continuing to move in the right direction with its approach to managing risk.

"Their work is critical in keeping costs down for the council. Failure to deal with fraud can undermine the council's business objectives and could even increase the council's exposure to litigation, bringing about unnecessary losses from the public purse and requiring the use of scarce resources to deal with the consequences."

Alarm, the national forum for risk management in the public sector, presents the annual awards in recognition of excellence in the management of risk in the public services.

The Operational Risk Award is given for the best improvement to or introduction of systems to manage risks encountered by staff in the day-to-day operation of the organisation.

Steve Mappley said: "The whole event was very professionally run with golden envelopes, the council's logo emblazoned across screens and huge anticipation before each of the category winners were announced. Ours was the penultimate category so we had that little bit more waiting to do.

"We will be striving to go one better and take the winners award in 2009!"

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

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

20th July in Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Take One Picture

21st July in Maidenhead

No events planned

22nd July in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Around The Fringes 2008 - Edinburgh Previews, Double Bill A
* 8:00 pm
Caramel (Sukkar Banat) (PG)

23rd July in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Around The Fringes 2008: Edinburgh Previews, Double Bill B
* 8:00 pm
Caramel (Sukkar Banat) (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Home Is Where The Art Is

24th July in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Summer Concert Series: 2, Caroline Palmer (piano), Gabrielle Lester (violin), Melissa Phelps (cello)
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Home Is Where The Art Is

25th July in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
Private Property (Nue Propriété) (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Home Is Where The Art Is

26th July in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
Welcome to the Sticks (Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis) (12A)
* 8:00 pm
Welcome to the Sticks (Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis) (12A)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Home Is Where The Art Is

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is continuing its clampdown on benefit cheats with yet another successful prosecution involving overpayments of housing and council tax benefits.

At Reading Crown Court on Friday (July 4) Julie Smith of Moor End, Holyport, was sentenced to 150 hours community service and served with a compensation order for £11,613.18 after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to three counts of dishonestly making false statements to obtain benefit.

All three offences are contrary to Section 111a(1) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992.

Smith – who had been claiming housing and council tax benefit since 2001 as a single parent – dishonestly made false statements to obtain benefit by failing to declare that her partner was living at the same house and was in paid employment.

The fraud was discovered after an anonymous tip-off to the Royal Borough's benefit fraud team.

In addition to the community service and the compensation order, Smith was ordered to pay £250 costs.

Cllr David Hilton, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead finance, said: "This is the second such successful prosecution in a matter of weeks – and this in itself should send out the ongoing message that we will continue to come down very firmly on anyone who tries to cheat the benefit system by failing to declare their true status."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The line-up for Maidenhead's summer movie extravaganza has just been announced – and there's something for everyone in the FREE three-day cinema spectacular to be held in Kidwells Park from Friday July 25 to Sunday July 27.

The curtain rises on Maidenhead At The Movies and its feast of eight classic all-time favourites on Friday morning – and the final credits will roll after the last showing on Sunday afternoon.

The star-studded line up – courtesy of Maidenhead Town Partnership – features top movies for all the family:

Friday - 10am Finding Nemo; 2pm Pirates of the Caribbean and 6pm Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Saturday -10am Mary Poppins; 2pm Shrek and 6pm The Italian Job (the original 1969 version)
Sunday - 10 am Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and 2pm Grease.

Free popcorn will be available at each showing using a voucher from the Maidenhead Advertiser and other sponsors will be handing out goodie bags during the screenings.

Sima's Action Kids will also be on site with their popular family entertainment at 1pm between screenings on the Friday and Saturday.

Steph James, Maidenhead town manager, said: "This promises to be a really fantastic event and we hope people will come and have a fun day out with all the family and see some great films.

"I would like to say a very big thank you to all the businesses who have come forward to sponsor the event as without them this event would not be possible. The full line up of sponsors is now confirmed as Veolia, Barratts Thames Valley, the Royal Borough, Balfour Beatty, Burnham Beeches Hotel, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Berkshire College of Agriculture, the Maidenhead Advertiser (Louis Baylis) Trust and Maidenhead and District Chamber of Commerce, TIME 106.6FM, and In The Vicinity.co.uk. Thank you to all of you!"

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Nature lovers of all ages can join a leisurely guided stroll around Sutherland Grange Nature Reserve, off Maidenhead Road (A308) in Windsor.

Organised by the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough's Countryside Service and led by senior countryside ranger Trevor Smith the Haymeadow Harmony walk will take place on Sunday July 13 from 2 to 3.30pm.

Trevor will explain the importance of the interesting plants and bugs living in a rich hay field, illustrating the greater variety of life than in the many short open mown swards of grass elsewhere.

Adults and families are invited to attend. Suitable footwear is recommended and wellies if there has been heavy rain. The route may not be suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.

Participants should meet in the lay-by off the A308 on the Maidenhead side of the Centrica building (grid ref 940771). There is no charge but donations are welcome.

For further information call 01628 777440.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Join the Windsor and Maidenhead criminal proceedings at Cookham Library

It would be a crime to miss it if you're a Windsor and Maidenhead fan of fictional detective Tom Fletcher.

That's the message to all Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough readers who enjoy crime fiction, as local crime author Patrick Lennon puts in a personal appearance at Cookham Library in High Road, Cookham, on Tuesday July 29 at 7pm to talk about his books.

Patrick has written two books set in Cambridgeshire featuring detective Tom Fletcher – Corn Dolls and Steel Witches. During the informal evening Patrick will talk about his writing and answer questions from his audience.

Copies of both books are available to borrow from the library, and Patrick will be signing copies of Steel Witches at the end of the evening.

His personal appearance is part of the National Year of Reading partnership scheme between libraries and publishers to bring authors and readers together to discuss writing.

Wine and nibbles will be available during the evening.

The Windsor and Maidenhead event is Free, but places should be reserved by contacting Cookham Library on 01628 526147.

For further information contact Victoria Law, reading and learning manager, on 01628 796999.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough's drug and alcohol action team and Thames Valley Police have teamed up with an A-level media studies student, Marcus Eldridge, from Altwood Business and Enterprise College, Maidenhead, to produce a short film called 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' to be launched on Monday July 14.

The film is aimed at young Windsor and Maidenhead people and their parents and follows a teenage girl during an evening out drinking – and ends with a hooded man approaching her with no indication whether he intends to help or prey on her.

At the end of each scene there are questions intended to be thought-provoking and prompt discussion. A leaflet has also been produced containing key notes for parents and teachers.

The DVD will be sent out with a letter from the police to the parents of Windsor and Maidenhead under 18s who have been caught drinking in a public place, as well as being used by the police schools officers at alcohol awareness sessions in local schools.

Cllr Simon Dudley, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead adult services with responsibility for the drug and alcohol action team, said: "This DVD will be invaluable in educating young people of the dangers surrounding alcohol and underage drinking – and should encourage them to seriously consider the attitudes and choices they make when using alcohol. The DVD also makes young people aware that they are less able to react to unforeseen circumstances when under the influence of alcohol.

"It is particularly relevant that young people have been involved in this project. This will help to ensure its credibility among the audience at which is directed.

"The aims of the DVD are to pass on safer drinking messages to young people and to help parents openly discuss the risks of binge drinking with their children."

Chris England, media teacher at Altwood Business and Enterprise College, said: "It is particularly exciting and challenging when a student's project gains a real commission. It gives a greater sense of audience and purpose to the film, and negotiating with a real client gives additional sharpness and focus. A wide range of talents and skills are evident in the film so it's particularly pleasing when they are acknowledged by a wider audience."

Sgt Matthew Gray, Windsor and Maidenhead community safety sergeant, said: "We are very grateful for the assistance given by Altwood Business and Enterprise College and in particular Marcus.

"We intend to use the DVD not only to educate young people but also to encourage discussion between young people and their parents about the risks of alcohol abuse and the law surrounding the purchase and consumption of alcohol."

For more information about the film or how to get hold of a copy contact: daat@rbwm.gov.uk or tel 01628 796362.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough's benefit fraud team has reinforced its determination to clamp down on benefit cheats following a successful prosecution involving overpayments of housing and council tax benefits totalling more than £4,500.

At Maidenhead magistrates court on Friday (June 27) Katie Herridge, formerly of Stuart Way, Windsor, pleaded guilty to two offences of failing to notify a change in circumstances when claiming housing and council tax benefit between May 8 and October 26 2007.

The defendant received a two-year conditional discharge and was ordered to pay costs of £175.

Both offences are contrary to Section 112(1a) Social Security Administration Act 1992 and the Council Tax Regulations 1987.

The defendant had failed to notify Windsor and Maidenhead council that her entitlement to income support had ended on May 8, and had subsequently received an overpayment of £4153.92 in housing benefit and £433.24 in council tax benefit.

The discrepancy was uncovered as a result of the team's use of government data matching, in which information supplied by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is matched with that of Royal Borough benefit claimants to establish benefit entitlement.

Cllr David Burbage, leader of Windsor and Maidenhead council, said: "We want to send out a very clear message that we will take very firm and strong action against anyone who attempts to cheat the benefit system."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Providence played a major role in winning the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough's building control consultancy team a trio of trophies – all three awards received at a recent regional event were for the Providence Place/Sainsbury's development in Maidenhead.

The Windsor and Maidenhead team scooped the awards – Best partnership with a contractor, Best commercial project and Best fire engineering innovation – in the first Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Central Built In Quality regional awards.

They were nominated in five of the 11 categories against competition from local authorities in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire.

Regional winners will be nominated for the national awards and the winners announced at an awards ceremony in October.

The team, headed by building control consultancy manager Roger Paine, will be hoping to equal last year's national success when they won two 2007 LABC National Built In Quality Awards, for Best partnership and Best fire engineered solution.

Cllr Alison Knight, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead planning and housing, said: "The borough's building control consultancy team offers a proactive approach to helping design teams understand and comply with any legal requirements, from the design stage to completion.

"These awards are the latest feather in the cap for a successful and highly regarded team who as well as last year's national awards also boast the coveted Charter Mark for customer service excellence."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Litter louts beware – the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is proposing a 'zero tolerance' approach to anyone throwing rubbish on the ground instead of in the bin.

Windsor and Maidenhead Culprits will be handed a £75 fixed penalty notice – with a £25 discount if paid within 10 working days – if the proposal is given the thumbs up.

The new policy, which was discussed at the planning and environment overview and scrutiny panel meeting on Monday June 30, will be presented to cabinet for approval on Thursday July 24.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead highways, transport and environment, said: "The cleanliness of our streets is a high priority, as is borne out by our high ranking in a whole range of local authority clean-street surveys. We also take a proactive approach to working with partners on various intiatives.

"However even one piece of litter is one piece too many and we intend to make the borough even cleaner – making it even more appealing to residents, employees and visitors."

Based on a two-pronged approach of education and enforcement, two newly-appointed litter enforcement officers will at first concentrate on awareness campaigns aimed at the public and shops, pubs and businesses.

Cllr Rayner said: "This was the same approach used with the introduction of smokefree legislation, which worked very well."

The message to the Windsor and Maidenhead public is that, as well as being an eyesore, littering attracts more littering, encourages vermin, and picking up litter costs money, while shops, pubs and businesses will be encouraged to take responsibility for the litter created by customers and staff. Businesses ignoring this responsibility could find themselves facing legal action.

Blitzes will take place on specific areas, especially town centres, by the officers supported by the police.

Cllr Rayner added: "Cigarette butts and chewing gum are classified as litter and areas where smokers congregate – and drop stubs – outside buildings will be particularly targeted.

"Everybody who works and lives in the borough must take on the responsibilty of keeping the area clean and tidy. If you see someone drop litter, please ask them to pick it up and put it in a bin!"

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough residents are benefitting from an impressive increase in value-for-money council services, a report released this week reveals.

The Windsor and Maidenhead council is meeting 61% of its targets, up from 51% last year, according to the borough's Best Value Performance Plan for 2007/08.

In addition, the number of targets not achieved fell by two-thirds over the year 2007/8.

Cllr David Burbage, leader of the Windsor and Maidenhead council, said: "This report is great news for residents as it shows just how seriously we take our commitment to providing quality, good value services for taxpayers."

The council fell just short of its targets in 27% of cases and didn't meet 12% of them, compared to 11% just short and 38% not met the year before.

Progress has been achieved across the council, with specific areas of improvement including:
· Percentage of pupils achieving five or more GCSEs at grades A* - C
· Preventing homelessness
· Direct payment of benefits
· Percentage of household waste composted
· Speed of planning application decisions
· Library service standards.

Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Burbage added: "I am delighted that we have achieved such a marked improvement across the board.

"As an example in real terms, in 2006/7 the percentage of home composting was at 8.1%; now it's at 10.1% as a result of the council's introduction of free home composters. In other areas such as streetcare we have maintained our already high levels of performance.

"Where we didn't meet the targets, we will redouble our efforts to provide even better quality, best value services. For example, we fell just short of some of our community safety targets and will be working closely with the police to improve this. The new Local Area Agreement was recently signed which highlighted tackling crime and fear of crime as one of our priority areas."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

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

13th July in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 1:30 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group D
* 3:00 pm
Kathak Matinee
* 7:30 pm
Honeydripper (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Take One Picture
* 4:00 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group E

14th July in Maidenhead

No events planned

15th July in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
The Banquet (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Take One Picture

16th July in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 7:30 pm
Falstaff
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Take One Picture

17th July in Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Take One Picture
* 6:15 pm
Tabla Drumming
* 6:15 pm
Norden Lights Youth Theatre Group F
* 6:45 pm
Tabla Drumming
* 7:30 pm
Tabla Drumming

18th July in Maidenhead

* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Take One Picture

19th July in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 3:00 pm
The Last Mistress (Une Vieille Maîtresse) (15)
* 4:00 pm
Meltdown!
* 8:00 pm
The Last Mistress (Une Vieille Maîtresse) (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Take One Picture

Go for gold - that's the summer reading challenge for all Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough four to 12 year olds.

Young Windsor and Maidenhead readers are being invited to take part in this year's challenge, which boasts a sports theme to tie in with the Beijing Olympics starting in August.

Children don't have to be sports mad to get involved - but they do need to enjoy a challenge. To take part, children should pick up an 'amazing moving image' membership card, fold-out chart and stickers at any borough library, and then read their way to a gold level certificate.

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead leisure and culture, said: "I would encourage children to take up the challenge and 'go for gold' this summer.

"Reading is a great way to fire a child's imagination and increase their vocabulary - and with the incentive of a gold level certificate, I am sure there will be lots of children on the starter blocks waiting to take part"

Librarians too will be under starter's orders by turning team coaches, showing the way to fast-track reading.

Some libraries will be running team events where you can talk about books and authors.

Children can sign up at any borough library. To find out more, visit the council website www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/library_events.htm

It is all free, starts Saturday July 12 and runs throughout the summer holidays.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough has pledged to keep up the pressure on the Environment Agency to scrap plans to sell a third of lock keepers´ cottages along the Thames – despite the announcement of a six-month stay of execution.

Windsor and Maidenhead Councillors last week approved three motions expressing ´horror and opposition´ to the proposals to sell 10 of the 57 lock keepers´ cottages on the Thames and cut 24-hour cover at those locks.

Despite the news of the EA´s six-month reprieve, members voted at Tuesday´s council meeting to keep up the pressure by writing to the EA, local MPs and central government expressing their opposition to the plans.

Cllr David Burbage, leader of the Windsor and Maidenhead council, said: "There is very strong opposition among members of all parties to these plans and we are determined not to be deflected by the news of the six-month reprieve.

"We are committed to keeping up the pressure to maintain 24-hour cover at all locks and retain the lock keepers and their cottages. Locks and weirs are extremely dangerous places and we will continue to impress on the EA just how important these men and women are for the safety of everyone using the river.

"An on-site round-the-clock presence is absolutely essential to monitor and react to flood emergencies as many critical lock locations simply may not be accessible in times of unexpected floods."

Under the EA´s proposals 10 properties would be sold and a further 12 rented out privately. The EA will now carry out a further review of waterways staff which it is estimated will take six months.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough´s benefit fraud team has reinforced its determination to clamp down on benefit cheats following a successful prosecution involving overpayments of housing and council tax benefits totalling more than £4,500.

At Maidenhead magistrates court on Friday (June 27) Katie Herridge, formerly of Stuart Way, Windsor, pleaded guilty to two offences of failing to notify a change in circumstances when claiming housing and council tax benefit between May 8 and October 26 2007.

The defendant received a two-year conditional discharge and was ordered to pay costs of £175.

Both offences are contrary to Section 112(1a) Social Security Administration Act 1992 and the Council Tax Regulations 1987.

The defendant had failed to notify the council that her entitlement to income support had ended on May 8, and had subsequently received an overpayment of £4153.92 in housing benefit and £433.24 in council tax benefit.

The discrepancy was uncovered as a result of the Windsor and Maidenhead team´s use of government data matching, in which information supplied by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is matched with that of Royal Borough benefit claimants to establish benefit entitlement.

Cllr David Burbage, leader of the council, said: 'We want to send out a very clear message that we will take very firm and strong action against anyone who attempts to cheat the benefit system.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Plans for a revitalised Maidenhead town centre are set to take a major step forward with the introduction of a framework for the ING Real Estate development planned for Broadway, King Street and Queen Street.

The proposed draft planning brief was discussed at the planning and environment overview and scrutiny panel meeting last night (Monday June 30)and will be presented to cabinet for approval on Thursday July 24.

If approved, the draft – designed by the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough and overseen by the Partnership for the Rejuvenation of Maidenhead (ProM) – will be available on the internet and at main council buildings for the public to comment on.

Cllr David Burbage, leader of the council, said: “The planning brief forms the framework for the development, sets out the key principles and will provide the basis for a detailed scheme to be drawn up.

”A lot of professional expertise and time has gone into getting the brief to this point. But as this development is a major step in the regeneration of the town centre and will have a potential effect on everyone who lives, works or shops in Maidenhead, we want to get as much feedback as possible from the people who will use it.

”By doing this, we can ensure this exciting addition to the town centre is welcomed by and meets the needs of Maidonians.”

The retail-led development scheme, initiated by ING Real Estate after it bought a major parcel of land in the area, will include shops, housing and offices. This follows the identification for development of part of the site, including the Broadway multi-storey car park, within the Borough Adopted Local Plan.

Following the consultation on the draft brief in the summer, a report will be put to cabinet in the autumn for final approval and adoption.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Risk management champions at the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough have been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

Insurance and risk manager Steve Mappley and his team are in the running for the Operational Risk Award in the 2008 Alarm Awards. Alarm, the national forum for risk management in the public sector, presents the awards in recognition of excellence in the management of risk in the public services.

The Operational Risk Award is given for the best improvement to or introduction of systems to manage risks encountered by staff in the day-to-day operation of the organisation.

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead council’s entry is a fraud assessment matrix that identifies where the risk of fraud is most likely to arise with the most damaging effect on the council, enabling the council to demonstrate how the risk of fraud and corruption is specifically considered as part of its overall risk management process.

The borough team will join the three other category contenders – Darlington Borough Council, Gloucestershire County Council and Powys County Council – at the annual awards dinner in Birmingham on Monday June 30 where the winner will be announced.

Cllr Duncan McBride, chairman of the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead audit and performance review panel, said: “Well done to the insurance and risk management team for their hard work on this pioneering project and congratulations on gaining national recognition.

“Their work is critical in keeping costs down for the council. Failure to deal with fraud can undermine the council’s business objectives and could even increase the council’s exposure to litigation, bringing about unnecessary losses from the public purse and requiring the use of scarce resources to deal with the consequences.”

Steve Mappley added: “I am very excited that our approach has been recognised in this way and I must give my thanks to Steve Murtagh of the audit and control team for his valuable input.

“Our approach is innovative as there is no existing guidance that specifically and precisely allows the risk of fraud to be judged in this way. The results were so pleasing I made the submission as I think our approach is worthy of wider appreciation and, hopefully, will become a widespread methodology in the public sector.”

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Work swings into action from this week on new play areas across the Windsor and Maidenhead borough.

Two of the five are brand new – at Braywick Park and Laggan Field in Maidenhead; two are refurbishments of existing play areas at Desborough Park, Maidenhead, and Park Corner in Windsor, and one is an extension to an existing play area at Home Park in Windsor.

First up are the two refurbishments and the Home Park extension, with the two “new boys” following in July and August:

· Desborough Park, Maidenhead (started this week - Monday June 23 - and due for completion by mid-July) – complete replacement of all the old equipment with activities including an aerial runway, two multiplay units with ladders, slides, nets and climbing wall, a speed gyro roundabout and spring rider
· Park Corner play area, Windsor (starts July 7 and scheduled for completion by the end of July) – replacement of old play equipment with new features including a five-man pod swing suitable for young children with sensory and learning difficulties, a multiplay unit and a springer rider
· Home Park, Windsor (work starts June 30) – providing more play equipment for younger children to widen the age range and supplement the existing facilities
· Braywick Park, Braywick Road, Maidenhead (work starts on August 4 and runs until the beginning of September ) – this brand new play area for nine-to-14-year-olds will feature climbing boulders, multiplay unit, pod-swing, skyrail runway and rodeoboard
· Laggan Field off Laggan Road, Maidenhead (work scheduled to begin on September 8 and finish at the beginning of October) – a new play area for ages 3–8 featuring swings, a stand-alone hip-hop slide, a falling star springer, “little steps” and a “rodeo disk” for balance and movement.

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for leisure and culture, said: “This is a very exciting programme of work which will provide some wonderful new and additional facilities in parks across the borough.

“We looked very carefully at areas where there is either currently no play provision at all or where the existing facilities had literally reached the end of its useful life – and these are the areas we are focussing our attention on.

“This programme will provide some exciting new equipment which children will want to use - will also encourage families to enjoy some of the beautiful open spaces we have in our borough as well as the health benefits of outdoor exercise.”

The play areas in the £250,000 programme are funded by Section 106 developer contributions.

For further information about the new play areas contact landscape officers Deborah James, on 01628 796048 or Liz Cronin on 01628 796133.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead