Maidenhead & Windsor

The results from the recent public consultation on future development in the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough are now available for public viewing - and highlight the continuing support for maintaining our Green Belt and a preference for higher density development.

The consultation, on the Local Development Framework (LDF) Options Paper, was carried out between March and May this year to enable the public to express their views about how the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough can best meet the government target of 6,920 new homes between 2006 and 2026.

The Windsor and Maidenhead report was considered at cabinet on Thursday 25 June and it was agreed that the findings of the consultation should now be taken into account in developing a strategy for the future development of the borough. This will now be carried forward as part of the LDF core strategy which will be presented to the government for independent examination during 2010.

The Options Paper set out a draft vision for the borough and key development management policies, and presented a number of objectives, in particular about density options for new development.

A total of Windsor and Maidenhead 2,163 people replied, 96% of them residents and the remainder from interested groups such as developers and parishes. Their responses revealed:

· a general agreement with the overall vision for the LDF and about the objectives and aims as set out in the Options Paper
· the importance of the Green Belt - 63.5% of respondents rated the Green Belt as of highest importance and a further 16.6% still felt its protection was important
· a general preference of respondents (47%) for higher density development in existing settlements, while taking local conditions into consideration
· a preference for development in small sites (56%) if greenfield land is required, again with provisos
· a preference for new businesses to be on land next to town centres or other existing employment areas (74%).

Cllr Alison Knight, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead planning and development, welcomed the results and said they would help to further firm up the development strategy for the borough.

She said: "Thank you to everyone who took the time to give their opinions. Your feedback will help to ensure the resulting strategy is improved as far as possible, bearing in mind the current government-imposed requirements."

The final drafting of the LDF core strategy will take place this autumn along with further public consultation. Subject to approval from the Secretary of State, the strategy is expected to be adopted in December 2010.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough adventurers from four to 12 years old are invited to join a special quest this summer - to read six books and reach the dragon's lair.

Starting on Saturday 11 July, Windsor and Maidenhead children can sign up as Quest Seekers at any one of the borough's libraries in the popular annual Summer Reading Challenge.

From then until Saturday 12 September the challenge is to read six books of their choice - and incentives to keep going include stickers, a dragon model, magic colour change pen and bookmark to be collected along the way. Every adventurer completing the quest will receive a medal and certificate.

Last year a record 2,026 children across the borough took part in - and 1,310 completed - the Summer Reading Challenge.

Cllr Simon Dudley, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead adult and community services, said: "The Summer Reading Challenge is an exciting way of encouraging children to keep reading over the summer holidays and discover new books and authors.

"This year's theme sounds great fun and I really hope even more of our children will be inspired to become Quest Seekers and meet the challenge."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Enjoying a good book is about to become even easier with the launch of a wider range of mobile library services in the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough.

Following a thorough Windsor and Maidenhead review last year - and taking ownership of a new, state-of-the-art vehicle - the council is introducing a number of improvements, including more than 40 extra public stops and a weekly full-day stay at Shifford Crescent in Cliveden View, Maidenhead for the container library.

Cllr Simon Dudley, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead adult and community services, pointed out that as well as providing an essential service for residents who are housebound or have difficulty getting out and about, the mobile library is available to anyone who would like to use it.

He said: "The Royal Borough provides a thriving library service that is continually reviewed and updated to meet the requirements of residents of all ages. Following last year's review we consulted with the public and received a very high level of support for the proposed changes.

"By taking the library further into the community we are making it even easier for everyone to enjoy our wide range of regular, large print and audio books."

The extended mobile Windsor and Maidenhead library services, which start on Monday 6 July, will be:

* available to more residents - by combining homes and housebound stops with public stops, more than 40 additional public stops have been created
* more efficient - routes have been adjusted and the mobile library redirected to where customers want it
* more environmentally friendly - the new vehicle has a controlled emissions system
* more integrated - from September the vehicle's computer system will be networked, making it quicker and easier for mobile customers to obtain requests from any other library in the borough.

The new routes can be viewed at www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/libraries_mobile.htm, at the local libraries, or by calling mobile library supervisor Ralph Hinchliffe on 01628 796314.

Cliveden View residents will be able to enjoy an even wider range of books plus free internet access with the arrival of the container library next to the Shifford Crescent shops every Tuesday, starting Tuesday 28 July. The library, which is considerably larger than the mobile library and has a much larger stock, will be open from 10am to 1pm and 2 to 5pm.

To celebrate the launch a family fun session will be held on the green next to the shops from 10.30am to 12noon on 28 July.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Do you use your Windsor and Maidenhead public library - and if not, why not?

That's the question the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough library service is asking local residents as part of a wide-ranging review of library services across the borough.

The review - the first since 2001 - will look at the service currently offered to library users and identify what it can do to improve and attract new customers.

Cllr Simon Dudley, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead adult and community services, said this week: "We are very proud of our existing library service, but we have to ensure that we are giving residents what they want from their libraries so that we can attract even more users - and that's what this review is all about.

"We want you to help us make our service even more appealing and tell us what we can do to improve the facilities we offer.

"I would like to reassure people at the outset that this is not about reducing hours or closing libraries - we simply want to find out who uses the service and how we can improve it.

"The message is - this is your service and we want to hear your views. And it's not just the views of current users we are seeking - we would also like to hear from people who don't visit a library as to why they don't.

"So please make the most of this opportunity to have your say and help us give you what you really want from your library."

Windsor and Maidenhead Residents can take part in the review by:

• filling in a questionnaire available from their local library
• completing the questionnaire online at the Royal Borough website at www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/libraries_review.htm
• attending one of two public meetings on Tuesday 7 July in the Desborough Suite, Town Hall, Maidenhead from 6.30 - 8.30pm or the Council Chamber, Guildhall, High Street, Windsor on Thursday 9 July from 6.30 - 8.30pm. Refreshments will be available at both meetings and vouchers for two free DVD hires will also be on offer.

To reserve a seat at the Windsor and Maidenhead public meetings call 01189 626114 or email roland.kirby@ntlworld.com by Friday 3 July.

Following the consultation, a report and recommendations will be considered in the autumn.

For further information contact Mark Taylor, head of library, information, heritage and arts on 01628 796989.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is setting the green example - and saving taxpayers' money - by installing energy-efficient smart meters in council buildings.

The initiative, approved at Windsor and Maidenhead Cabinet on Thursday (25 June), means the main council buildings will be fitted with the meters which automatically monitor energy use in specific areas such as individual floors, identifying opportunities to reduce energy consumption.

In addition - in line with the council's policy of transparent government and in what may be a first countrywide - the public will be able to go online and see how much energy is consumed in individual council buildings and even submit suggestions to further reduce consumption.

Cllr Liam Maxwell, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead policy and performance, said payback on the £30,000 initial cost would be expected within two years and from then on the council would be saving on energy bills.

He said: "This bold initiative will cut energy costs in our offices and at the same time help us as a council to achieve our goals of reducing waste, meeting carbon and energy reduction targets and embedding a low carbon culture."

The initiative forms part of the Windsor and Maidenhead borough's five-year strategy and implementation plan, introduced in April 2008 to focus on carbon dioxide emissions arising from the council's own activities and operations, including corporate buildings, schools, street lighting, staff travel and waste production from schools and offices.

Other organisations have reported energy consumption savings of 15% by introducing and acting on information from smart metering.

A pilot scheme in the council offices in York House, Windsor, initiated in December last year, has already identified a number of energy-saving opportunities, including the installation of more efficient energy control devices, better housekeeping, resetting controls and bringing about changes in behaviour by increasing staff awareness.

As an added incentive, council teams could earn RecycleBank points for the energy savings achieved.

Cllr Maxwell added: "Hopefully, seeing the reduction in council energy consumption for themselves online will inspire residents and businesses to also make changes for the better.

"We will be writing to organisations in the borough to encourage them to install smart metering, and will be more than happy to advise and share good practice with them."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough's drug and alcohol action team (DAAT) popular Guide for Families which has information on the most common drugs from alcohol through to heroin has recently been updated.

Three thousand copies of the revised Windsor and Maidenhead guide are being distributed to schools, GP surgeries, family centres, libraries, leisure centres and other venues around the borough.

The all-colour pocket-sized guide:

* provides details of what drugs look like, their street names, how they are taken, the effects, the risks and the legal status
* has a list of helpful local and national contacts
* aims to encourage parents to become more informed about substances and then talk to their children and help them to make positive choices and stay safe
* advertises the. T2 drug treatment and advice service that can offer support to young people with drug or alcohol problems along with their siblings and parents

Cllr Simon Dudley, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead adult and community services (which includes the DAAT), said: "I would encourage parents to read this guide as it provides details on drugs and where to get information and further advice.

"Drugs and alcohol are easily accessible and while we are fortunate that the Royal Borough does not have a big problem, it is important parents keep informed so that they're better able to talk to their children about the risks."

For further information or to get a copy of the booklet, call the borough's drug and alcohol action team on 01628 796362

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead: 5 July - 11 July 2009
Altwood Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4PF
01628 788997

5th July in Maidenhead

* Film
* 3:00 pm
Marley and Me (PG)
* 7:30 pm
Marley and Me (PG)
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Expressions
* 1:30 pm
Norden Lights (Group D)
* 4:00 pm
Norden Lights (Group H)
* 4:00 pm
Norden Lights (Group E)

6th July in Maidenhead

No events planned

7th July in Maidenhead

* Film
* 8:00 pm
The Damned United (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 4:30 pm
Bollywood Dance

8th July in Maidenhead

* Film
* 2:30 pm
The Damned United (15)
* 8:00 pm
The Damned United (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Berkshire Yarns
* 6:45 pm
Norden Lights Academy
* 7:00 pm
Book Club

9th July in Maidenhead

* Film
* 2:30 pm
Conversations with my Gardener (Dialogue avec mon Jardinier) (12A)
* 8:00 pm
Conversations with my Gardener (Dialogue avec mon Jardinier) (12A)
* Workshops and other events
* 2:00 pm
Berkshire Yarns
* 6:15 pm
Tabla (Beginners)
* 6:15 pm
Norden Lights (Group F)
* 6:45 pm
Tabla (Experienced)

10th July in Maidenhead

* Film
* 8:00 pm
Let the Right One In (Låt den rätte komma in) (15)
* Workshops and other events
* 11:00 am
Messy Monkeys
* 2:00 pm
Berkshire Yarns
* 4:30 pm
Norden Lights (Group G)
* 7:00 pm
Life Drawing Course

11th July in Maidenhead

* Performances
* 8:00 pm
We'll Meet Again
* Workshops and other events
* 10:00 am
Berkshire Yarns

Three men have been charged following an incident at an address in Queen Street, Maidenhead, on Tuesday (23/6).

Si Qiang Wu, aged 41, of Canterbury Place, London; Guo Bin Huang, aged 32, of High Street, Maidenhead; and Wen He, aged 23, also of High Street, Maidenhead, are each charged with being concerned with the production of Class B drugs (cannabis) and being concerned with the supply of Class B drugs (cannabis).

All three men were remanded to appear at Slough Magistrates’ Court today (25/6).

The charges relate to an incident at about 5pm on 23 June, when officers attended a privately rented flat in Queen Street, Maidenhead, following reports of a strong smell of cannabis coming from the property.

Two other men, who were injured during the incident after they are believed to have fallen from a window at the address, are still in hospital, where their condition is described as stable.

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead

All schools in the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough are open as usual in line with advice from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) following confirmation of two cases of swine flu (H1N1 virus).

One pupil at each of two Windsor and Maidenhead borough schools has been affected - Charters in Sunningdale, and Trevelyan Middle in Windsor.

The Windsor and Maidenhead council is in close contact with the schools and headteachers are adhering to HPA guidance which says that any child with flu-like symptoms should be kept at home. Parents who are concerned should contact NHS Direct for advice at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or call 0845 46 47. Children with no symptoms should be sent to school as usual.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead children's services, said: "Thankfully it appears that the swine flu virus is very mild and, given the way it has been spreading throughout the country, it is inevitable that it would reach borough schools eventually.

"The council has previously issued advice to headteachers and I know that the schools concerned have been in touch with the HPA and are following guidance very closely. We hope the pupils affected will be feeling better soon."

The HPA says that the only people who need to stay away from their normal activities (such as going to school or work) are those who have been confirmed as having swine flu, those who are being investigated as possible or probable cases or those who have been attending a school where a case is found to have been present and have symptoms.

The council understands from the HPA that only close contacts of probable or confirmed cases (family, friends etc) will be started on antiviral medicine as a precautionary measure but can continue their normal lives so long as they do not have any clinical symptoms.

Children and adults who have no symptoms but have had contact with probable or confirmed cases in social community settings do not need to be excluded from either school or the workplace. They should continue their normal daily routines.

Everyone can help guard against H1N1 flu virus
The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is urging all local residents to follow the common sense preventative advice CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT.
Use a tissue when you sneeze
Dispose of it quickly
Wash your hands to kill the germs

Even though the World Health Organisation (WHO) has moved to alert level 6 (pandemic) it does NOT mean the virus itself is getting more serious.
The council has comprehensive plans in place for coping if the virus continues to spread. The top priority is to ensure that the essential services will continue, even if staff become ill.

The Windsor and Maidenhead council works closely with its partner organisations to plan for all potential emergencies. It is involved in both Thames Valley regional and Berkshire county planning and there are daily contacts between health colleagues and local authorities.

If residents have flu-like symptoms, the HPA advice is to STAY AT HOME and check their symptoms at NHS direct www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or call 0845 46 47.
For up-to-date advice visit www.hpa.org.uk or www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Speedy access to hot topics from the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is now available on Twitter, the short message service that keeps people up to date via their mobile phones or PCs.

Windsor and Maidenhead Residents can sign up at twitter.com/rbwm to receive useful updates (tweets) about:

* what's happening - events, offers and discounts, public consultations and meetings
* travel information - emergency road works, road closures, parking availability, severe weather reports
* reminders - elections and electoral registration, school admission deadlines, council tax dates, waste collection days
* news - headlines from the latest council press releases about new developments and services.

Cllr Richard Kellaway, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead finance (including the council's customer service centre), said: "Using Twitter is part of the council's ongoing commitment to improving services.

"We are embracing modern communications methods to get information to residents - fast.

"Millions of people across the UK are now using Twitter to send and receive information about themselves and the services they use. This is a great opportunity for Royal Borough residents to get in on the act.

"People who sign up for council updates will get the latest news sent to their mobile phones or PCs, giving them access to a world of information about services that affect them every day of their lives - roads, schools, waste collections, libraries - the list is endless."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead