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Candidate nomination period opens for Royal Borough and parish elections
We are officially inviting nominations from prospective candidates in the Local Elections, which take place on Thursday 4 May.
The borough operates by a system of whole council elections every four years, meaning all 41 seats across all 19 wards are available. In addition, all 14 parish councils have all-out elections this year.
The notice of elections has now been published and information about the upcoming polls will be updated on our 2023 Elections webpage.
In order to stand, you must meet the relevant qualifying criteria, get supporters to propose your nomination, and you must also sign and submit a nomination form, together with consent to nomination.
Candidate nomination forms can be submitted until 4pm on Tuesday 4 April. The list of nominated candidates will be published soon thereafter.
Information about how to become a councillor and links to the nomination form are available on our website.
For voters, polling cards are now being dispatched to those already on the electoral register and are expected to arrive from next week. However, it is not too late to register – the last date is Monday 17 April at 11.59pm. Registering to vote is easiest online via the Government website.
Due to a national legal change, for the first time you will need to show photo ID in order to vote at a polling station. A wide range of photo ID will be accepted, including passports, driving licences and cards with a PASS Mark. Please be aware that you cannot use your Advantage Card as a form of photo ID.
If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, you can apply by 5pm on Tuesday 25 April for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate on the Electoral Commission website.
The deadline for receiving new postal vote and postal proxy applications is 5pm on Tuesday 18 April. The deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies) is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April.
Read our Local Elections nomination press release to learn more.
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Local Referendum to be held over proposed Datchet Neighbourhood Plan
A Local Referendum over the proposed Datchet Neighbourhood Plan will take place within the Datchet Parish on Thursday 4 May – the same day as the Local Elections.
Under the Localism Act 2011, communities can help shape development in their areas through producing a planning document, known as a Neighbourhood Plan. Adopted Neighbourhood Plans become part of the Development Plan and the policies they contain are used to help decide planning applications.
The proposed Datchet Neighbourhood Plan has been produced by local people on the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan group, on behalf of the parish council, and an independent planning examiner has confirmed that (with some modifications) it should proceed to referendum.
With the formal Local Referendum period starting earlier this week, voters within the Datchet Parish can view the proposed plan, independent examiner’s report and associated referendum documents on our website. Learn more in our Datchet press release.
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Domestic abuse support services secured for two more years
We have recommissioned for a further two years The Dash Charity, which provides advice and support services on our behalf to residents who have experienced domestic abuse.
The charity, whose acronym spells out Domestic Abuse Stops Here, has been commissioned to operate a helpdesk service, intensive support for those affected by an abusive relationship, and outreach assistance.
In addition to helping adults, the charity is commissioned to provide services which support children and young people who have witnessed abuse.
The charity also raises awareness of what domestic abuse is and how to seek help.
The Dash Charity helpdesk service – 01753 549865 – is open Monday to Wednesday from 9.30am until 2.30pm, Thursday- Friday 9.30am to 4.00pm.
If you need help outside these hours, you can leave a message if it’s safe to do so or send a message by emailing referrals@thedashcharity.org.uk. The team will call you back as soon as they can, the next working day.
If you need emergency help, please call 999. You can also speak to the police for non-emergency assistance on 101. For 24-hour advice, please call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000247.
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Thank you for taking part in our survey guiding priorities for extra Royal Borough police officers
We are joining Thames Valley Police in thanking everyone who shared their insights to help shape priorities for four extra police officers who will be dedicated to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in the Royal Borough.
We are investing in four additional warranted police officers for the Royal Borough, over and above the existing police establishment for the area, to support community safety and enhanced local partnership working between the Royal Borough and police.
To help guide which local policing and community safety issues should be the initial priorities for these extra officers, the community was invited to share their views, local experiences, and perceptions in a short survey. The community also had the opportunity to join discussions with a wide range of key partners at a successful event held last week.
With more than 440 responses received during the three-week survey, the next step is to analyse all feedback to inform the work of these extra police officers, as well as the enhanced partnership working between the council and police.
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Reminder: Share your thoughts to help shape activities at Windsor & Royal Borough Museum
Thank you to everyone who has so far shared their views to help with planning future exhibitions, talks and other activities at the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum.
If you’ve not shared your views already, make sure to fill in the online survey before the Friday 7 April deadline so you can help shape future activities at the museum.
Last weekend, the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum hosted a community engagement day, which gave visitors a chance to explore the museum, the upstairs rooms of Windsor Guildhall, walk in the footsteps of royalty and learn about the history of this Grade I listed building from knowledgeable guides.
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Let us know about your community activities for the Coronation
More than 20 street parties celebrating His Majesty The King’s Coronation are set to take place in the Royal Borough over the extended Bank Holiday weekend in May – and we are keen to hear about other ways you are celebrating.
The deadline has now passed for street parties and other events requiring road closures, however there are lots of other ways you can mark the Coronation if you’re only now starting your Coronation planning – an informal ‘Street Meet’ held on private driveways and front gardens, a get-together for family and friends in the home or garden, a Coronation picnic in a local park for the Coronation Big Lunch, celebrating at a community venue, or decorating your home with bunting.
In addition, the Big Help Out, on Monday 8 May, encourages residents and community groups to organise and get involved in volunteering activities on the special Bank Holiday, to make a difference in their local areas.
If you are organising a volunteering activity for the Big Help Out, or another Coronation community event or activity, and would like help promoting this to the wider community, please get in touch and this can be featured in this e-newsletter that goes to 21,000 local people each Friday. Email details to communications@rbwm.gov.uk.
You can also add your Coronation celebration to the national Coronation Map. For materials to help you celebrate, including Coronation bunting templates, visit the Coronation website. To see the street parties and road closures in the borough, please visit the One Network website.
For information on other ways to celebrate the Coronation, visit our coronation webpage.
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Get involved in our new Town Team and help shape the future of Maidenhead town centre
You are being invited to help shape the future of Maidenhead town centre by getting involved in our new Town Team.
We are currently inviting expressions of interest to join the team, which will be made up of several action groups. You have until Thursday 27 April to let us know if you are interested in taking part.
These will be made up of representatives from the public, private, not-for-profit and community sectors, helping to shape a vision, and guiding community aspirations, for the future of Maidenhead town centre. They will lead on activities and projects which will benefit the users of the town and enhance its vitality and attractiveness.
To sign up, please email Maidenhead Town Manager Robyn Bunyan at maidenhead.tm@rbwm.gov.uk.
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Upcoming improvements to Maidenhead Library
Maidenhead Library will be undergoing planned improvement works to its heating and ventilation starting from Monday 3 April.
The Maidenhead Library team apologise for any inconvenience caused by these works, which are expected to last for eight weeks.
Measures are in place to ensure the library remains open throughout this period and our library team are doing their best to minimise any disruption. Thank you for your understanding.
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Calling all jobseekers! Attend our jobs fair
A jobs fair will take place at Windsor Library on Thursday 20 April from 10.30am to 1pm.
Jobseekers will have the opportunity to meet local employers and find out about their current vacancies. There’s no need to book, just turn up on the day.
Employers who wish to attend the event should contact windsor.library@rbwm.gov.uk
For more information, please visit our employment support webpage.
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Your chance to take part in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry
You are invited to share your personal experience of the pandemic - how it affected you and your loved ones - as part of the official UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
This independent inquiry is examining the UK’s response to the pandemic to see if any lessons can be learnt for the future. It will also be hearing evidence from a wide selection of organisations and public bodies.
Public feedback, however, is key to getting a clear picture of how Covid affected people differently across the country. You can anonymously submit your evidence via the inquiry’s website. You must be aged 18+ to take part.
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Focus on sustainability: Busting energy myths
To help you feel confident if you are considering saving and decarbonising your energy use, our Sustainability team have busted several energy myths you may have come across:
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Myth: Insulation is only for the winter
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Myth busted: A properly insulated house can keep the inside of your home warm and in the summer, insulation can keep the cool air inside if windows and curtains are closed
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Myth: The UK does not have enough sun to generate enough energy from solar panels
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Myth busted: Solar panels are up to 50% more effective in bright sunshine as opposed to cloudy weather. However, solar panels will likely generate enough energy to keep an average household functioning at a low level on cloudier days
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Myth: Using an electric heater to heat individual rooms warm is cheaper than using my central heating
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Myth busted: This is not true as electricity is more expensive than gas. Furthermore, electric heaters are also a fire risk. If you are on a gas energy supply, you can consider changing to a green gas supplier to decarbonise your heating source. Using gas to heat only the occupied rooms in your house could save you money but you should be mindful of ensuring other non-heated rooms are not made vulnerable to mould and damp.
You can find more energy myth busters by visiting the Money Saving Expert website and learn more on the Energy Saving Trust website.
If you are struggling financially and having to make difficult decisions – help is available. Please visit our Here To Help webpage to see what support might be available to you.
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Royal Borough Community Spotlight
Here are just some of the upcoming community events in the Royal Borough:
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Royal Free Singers 50th Anniversary Gala Concert (Saturday 25 March, 7.30pm) – Windsor Parish Church. The Royal Free Singers are delighted to be performing Mendelssohn's dramatic 1846 oratorio, Elijah, depicting events in the life of the Old Testament prophet, Elijah, which was hailed as the Messiah of its day. Learn more and book your tickets on the Royal Free Singers website. Tickets are also available at the door and at the Royal Windsor Information Centre at the Windsor Guildhall
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ECO Action Hub official opening (Saturday 1 April, 10am to 4pm) Nicholsons Centre, Maidenhead. The official opening of the ECO Action Hub at unit 5/7 in the Nicholsons Centre (formerly Dorothy Perkins). Peter Gibbs, best known as a former BBC TV weather presenter, will conduct the opening ceremony at 11am. Also featuring on the day will be the Repair Café where people can bring items to be fixed and displays about subjects such as eco-living and green travel. The opening day will also feature talks about how to save money on fuel bills and how to promote biodiversity in your own back garden. There are also activities planned for children of all ages
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Cantorum Spring Concert (Saturday 1 April, 7.30pm) – Holy Trinity Church, Cookham. Alongside a cello soloist, the Cantorum Choir will perform two Bach Motets, several pieces by Howells and A Farewell to Arms by Richard Rodney Bennett. Tickets are available from the Cantorum choir website. Early birds who purchase tickets before Friday 10 March will receive a discount
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Walk the Stations of the Cross (Friday 7 April, 11.30am) – St John the Baptist Church, Cookham Dean. Nine local artists have been asked to paint an Easter ‘Stations of the Cross’ picture for this traditional walk which goes through the village finishing at Holy Trinity Church, Cookham. Everyone, with their children and dogs, are welcome to join or leave whenever they like, and the walk will finish about 1.30pm. There may well be coffee and a bun at the end of the walk
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Windsor Art Exhibition (Saturday 8 April, 11am to 5pm) – Windsor Parish Church, High Street. Featuring original art, prints and cards direct from seven talented local artists. Free walk-in admission. Organised by the Windsor Artists Collective
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Be a better biker (Saturday 22 April) – Marlow. Do you want to improve your riding skills? Are you out of practice after the winter? Whatever your reason, you can book yourself onto a course which includes a ride out with a qualified motorbike observer. The course will give you immediate feedback on your riding skills. Learn more and book today on the Buckinghamshire website
If you have an upcoming not-for-profit community event or activity you’d like to promote in this newsletter, simply send basic information about your event to communications@rbwm.gov.uk and it could be shared with more than 21,000 local residents.
You just need to include a brief description, when and where it takes place, and a link to a website/social media page/contact where people can find out more.
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Have your say
We regularly hold consultations and surveys to get your views on proposals within the Royal Borough.
Participating, sharing ideas, and giving your feedback is the best way to ensure your views are heard.
Our current consultations are:
Other local consultations
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) are running a consultation on their Corporate Plan and Community Risk Management Plan feedback which closes next week (Monday 27 March).
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is also asking for views on options for a redeveloped or relocated Royal Berkshire Hospital. Take part in their online survey or visit the Building Berkshire Together website to learn more.
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Local Travel Updates
For details of council works on highways, visit our website. For full local roadwork details, including work by utility firms, please visit the One Network website.
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