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Cabinet to consider proposed amendments to budget
Thank you to everyone who took part in the public consultation on the proposed budget for 2023/24. All local authorities are legally obliged to produce a balanced budget and public engagement forms a key part of this process.
The six-week budget consultation saw 373 responses submitted by residents, community groups and businesses, with nearly 7,000 questions answered overall. Analysis of this valuable community feedback will help inform discussions at Cabinet next week (Thursday 9 February) and Full Council on Tuesday 21 February.
Cabinet papers set out a number of proposed budget changes, including an additional £500,000 for Adult Social Care and £670,000 for Children’s Services, which will remove or reduce savings originally proposed in these areas, including those relating to Meals on Wheels, Family Hubs and the Youth Offending Team.
Other proposed budget amendments also include retaining free Sunday parking in Maidenhead, extending the Resident Parking Discount Scheme to further car parks, investment to provide four environmental enforcement officers, and additional budget for road maintenance, the appearance of town centres, and air quality monitoring.
During the consultation, the Government announced an extra £3.539m in grant funding for the Royal Borough than had been assumed when preparing the draft budget. This gives the council the financial flexibility to allocate additional funding in light of the consultation responses.
Learn more in our budget consultation press release.
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New guides to support residents and visitors with access needs launched by Royal Borough and AccessAble
New destination Access Guides for Windsor and Eton, developed thanks to a partnership between the Royal Borough and AccessAble, have been launched.
VisitWindsor has worked with AccessAble, the UK’s leading provider of detailed disabled access information, to produce the guides which help residents and visitors with access requirements to plan their journeys to and around both towns.
The guides, which were launched at an event at the Learning Centre, Windsor Castle, feature local businesses and tourist attractions and make it easier for disabled people and carers to access services and facilities and have a good experience while they are visiting a business or destination.
The free Access Guides are available via the Visit Windsor website and on the AccessAble app. Hard copies will also be available shortly in Windsor, Eton Wick, Ascot and Maidenhead libraries.
Learn more in our AccessAble press release.
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Look after yourself and others as cold weather returns
A Level 2 Cold Weather Alert has been declared by the Met Office for the South East of England from 6pm on Sunday 5 February until 6pm on Tuesday 7 February. Due to clear spells, temperatures are expected to fall rapidly in the evenings, leading to cold nights and widespread frosts.
In line with NHS guidance, you can prepare for the cold weather now and we are encouraging everyone to check on vulnerable family members, friends or neighbours.
Make sure there is access to warm food and hot drinks and people can stay warm, especially those who are not mobile, have a long-term illness or are aged 65 and over, as well as make sure medication supplies are up to date.
For more advice, please visit the NHS website or speak to a pharmacist.
If you, or someone you know, are struggling to heat your home, we are promoting several community organisations which are opening safe, warm spaces and running coffee morning and other activities where people can go this winter. Check out our map of locations to learn more.
If you are struggling financially and facing difficult decisions around food, rent, or heating, you are encouraged to seek help before reaching crisis point. Check our dedicated Here to Help webpage as soon as possible.
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Unlock Your Potential – Exploring opportunities and support for jobseekers and businesses
This week, we've launched our skills and employment campaign, Unlock Your Potential, which during February is highlighting the opportunities and support available for jobseekers, as well as new and existing businesses in the borough. Our economic development officer, Saloni Radia, explains more.
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How does the council support residents and businesses?
“We work with a range of businesses across the borough in a number of different ways. We have Town Managers who work across the borough - Robyn Bunyan for Maidenhead and the surrounding areas, and Paul Roach who is responsible for Windsor, Eton and Ascot.
“We also have the Visit Windsor Partnership, focussed on hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses in the borough, and My Royal Borough, which is where local businesses can join our online directory, have social media content amplified, join business networking sessions and post vacancies on the recruitment page.
“You can join our interactive dog-friendly shop map and access training and support, including accessibility training from AccessAble. Local start-ups and businesses can also visit the Berkshire Growth Hub, where there are some exciting programmes available, and you can access a range of resources.”
What kind of support is available?
“For residents, we have employment support available through the Jobs Hub partnership with Maidenhead Job Centre Plus and Maidenhead Library. We also run monthly job fairs at Maidenhead Library (see below), joining up businesses in the borough looking for staff, with local jobseekers. We also have employment support available through the National Careers Service at these fairs and the opportunity to sign up for adult education courses via our Community Learning and Skills Service.”
What outcomes and successes have there been?
“In the Royal Borough, we have a greater percentage of people who are working compared to the South East or the UK as a whole. We are very lucky in the borough to have a jobs ratio of 0.97%, compared to 0.87% in the South East and 0.86% in the UK as a whole - this means there is a job available for any resident of working age who wants one, so long as there is a skills match.
“We ran four job fairs with our partners last spring which saw more than 800 jobseekers and 50 businesses attend. Our Library Service began hosting job fairs at Windsor and Maidenhead libraries in September, and also hosted Heathrow Academy for two drop-in information sessions about the opportunities available and requirements to work at Heathrow Airport. Our job fair at Maidenhead Library in January saw 90 jobseekers attend, and 10 businesses promoting their vacancies.”
Check out the employment support available
We offer a wide range of employment initiatives, skills programmes and support in conjunction with our partners, helping you find a new job, progress your career, learn new skills, or expand your existing skillset. Many of these resources can be found online.
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We work with JobCentre Plus to promote local job vacancies to our residents via job fairs (see below). Jobseekers have the opportunity to connect with employers looking for staff to fill their vacancies and employers across a variety of sectors attend the events making it an ideal forum for candidates to understand the local jobs market, and the skills required to be successful in their applications.
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East Berkshire Community Learning and Skills Service (ClaSS) delivers community learning and skills courses for over-19s in Windsor and Maidenhead. Its courses and qualifications can help you find work, get a better job and progress onto a higher-level course.
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If you are unemployed, being made redundant or just looking for a career change, Careers Springboard is a free job club, led by volunteers who can assist you with job applications and much more.
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Our Supported Employment Service offers specialist employment support, job coaching, work experience and support to help those with learning difficulties and autism find voluntary or paid work.
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Your library membership can be used to access a range of online skills and careers resources including digital skills courses and guidance on job applications and interviews. To see what’s on offer, visit our website and sign up to become a library member.
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Skills for Life is a national government campaign helping you find training, support and advice to gain the skills you need for the job you want, with a range of courses available.
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Calling all jobseekers! Attend our jobs fair next week
Next week, a jobs fair will take place at Maidenhead Library on Tuesday 7 February 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 [email protected].
For more information, please visit our employment support webpage.
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Reminder: Apply early to celebrate His Majesty The King’s Coronation with a street party
We’re inviting you to join His Majesty The King’s Coronation celebrations this May by applying to hold street parties in your community.
The Coronation will take place on Saturday 6 May. Events marking the Coronation will be held over the course of the weekend, including the additional Bank Holiday on Monday 8 May.
To ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time, we’re asking anyone wishing to hold a street party on the public highway to ensure they apply for a temporary road closure by the deadline of 4pm on Friday 17 February. The application window first opened two weeks ago.
Organisers just need to follow a few steps to help organise their day, which can be found on our street party webpage.
For further details, please read our Coronation street parties press release.
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Have you got suitable photo ID for the upcoming elections?
The Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station in some elections. This new requirement will apply for the first time in England at the local elections on Thursday 4 May, when our Borough and Parish elections will be held.
You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable. You can use any of the following:
- Passport
- Driving licence (including provisional licence)
- Blue badge
- Certain concessionary travel cards
- Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
- Biometric Immigration document
- Defence identity card
- Certain national identity cards
If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate, on the Government website.
For more information, please visit the Electoral Commission website or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.
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Would you like to work at our upcoming elections?
We employ more than 500 people during an election period to help the process run in a smooth and transparent way. Each time we have vacancies for committed individuals to work in the polling stations, opening postal votes and counting votes overnight.
We are looking for people who can give a high level of customer service at our polling stations and greet the first elector with the same enthusiasm as the last.
At the count, you will need to be able to work accurately and quickly and follow instructions. More details of the roles and payments can be found on our website.
Our next scheduled elections are the Borough and Parish Council elections on Thursday 4 May. If you are interested in taking part, please complete the online form and we will be in touch.
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World Café is coming to Old Windsor
Our next World Cafe will be in Old Windsor ward tomorrow (Saturday 4 February), from noon to 2pm.
There’s no need to book in advance. Simply pop along to the Old Windsor Memorial Hall, Straight Road, Old Windsor, SL4 2RN.
Enjoy a cuppa and chat with representatives from Abri Housing, as well as community organisations. Our Royal Borough World Cafés are free and informal where you can have open conversations about what matters to you most in your neighbourhood, find solutions, as well as discover relevant support and meet fellow residents and local groups.
For more details visit the RBWM Together website.
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Reminder: Have your say on proposals to open new facilities for children with special educational needs
Thank you to everyone who has taken part in our consultation on plans to open new facilities for children with special educational needs, which will allow more children with special educational needs to attend a local school.
We would like your feedback on plans to create an Early Years School Readiness Hub at The Lawns Nursery School, in Windsor, and to establish up to four more Resource Bases attached to mainstream schools in Maidenhead and Windsor. The funding for the proposed new facilities comes from a government grant.
For further details and to take part, visit our online consultation webpage before the deadline on Friday 24 February.
To learn more, please read our press release.
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Last chance to give us your views on plan to upgrade A308 junction in Windsor to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists
You have until this Sunday (5 February) to have your say on our proposal to upgrade a mini roundabout on the A308 in Clewer, Windsor to a new signal-controlled junction, improving road safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Thank you to everyone who has already taken part in the consultation, which launched on Tuesday 10 January, and to those who attended our drop-in information events at the Swan pub in Clewer on Monday 16 and Monday 30 January.
The scheme at the A308’s junction with Mill Lane and Parsonage Lane would see the creation of a new cycle optimised protected signals, or ‘Cyclops’, junction.
The new design would completely separate those travelling on foot and by bicycle from vehicles, reducing the possibility of collisions or conflict at a junction where there have been several incidents over the years.
For full details and to respond to the consultation, please visit the RBWM Together website.
Read our A308 press release to learn more.
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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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Homes for Wildlife event (Saturday 4 February, 10am to noon) – Braywick Nature Centre. Wild Maidenhead and Bisham Nest Box Group are teaming up for this special event. There will be a range of boxes to see and buy for garden birds, owls, kestrels, swifts, hedgehogs, bees, and bats. There will also be advice about helping bees in your garden. There will be experts on hand to answer your questions about siting, observing and maintaining boxes and also about our local wildlife in general. Please sign up using the details found in the Wild Maidenhead newsletter
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Roots of Jazz (Friday 10 February, 7.45pm) – Windsor Fellowship Church. A live band and a talk exploring the intertwining stories of the roots of jazz and the Christian faith, through the lens of slavery. Learn more and book tickets on the Windsor Fellowship website
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Tree pruning at Ockwells park (Saturday 25 February, 10am to 1pm) - Learn the basics of winter pruning and get stuck in helping us maintain our community orchard! Bring your own gloves and secateurs. Warm clothes and sturdy shoes are recommended. Run in collaboration with Wild Maidenhead. Free event – no experience necessary. Book and learn more on the Eventbrite page
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Free taster session with the Tuneless Choir (Wednesdays 8, 15, 22 February, 8pm to 9.15pm) – Maidenhead United Reformed Church. Choosing to ‘sing like no one is listening’ really is very good for you. Even if your notes are a bit wonky, you can still reap the benefits of singing with others and have a tonne of fun with Tuneless Choir. It’s best experienced to be believed, so why not take up the offer of a free taster in February? Claim your free session on the Tuneless Choir website or contact Tabitha on [email protected]
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Sunningdale Quiz Night (Friday 24 March, 7pm to 10.30pm) – Sunningdale Holy Trinity church 1st Sunningdale Scouts are hosting their regular Quiz Night in aid of raising funds to build a new scout hut. The event is always great fun and well attended. They offer tables for teams of eight, with a meal included in the ticket price of £15 per person. To secure your table please contact [email protected]
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Beginners running course (Starting Monday 17 April) – Maidenhead Athletics Club. Local volunteer group, the Running Sisters, will be running a beginners ‘couch to 5k’ style course for ladies who haven’t run before (or recently) and want to start. The six-week course will take place on Monday evenings, building the distance each week. Learn more and book on the Running Sisters website
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St Mark’s Badminton Club is looking for experienced players – Social (but competitive) badminton on Wednesday evenings at St Piran's School, Maidenhead. If you are looking to return to playing after a break or just looking for another club, why not give them a try? To learn more, email Ian on [email protected]
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 [email protected] 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:
More information can be found on the consultations pages of our website.
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 on 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
Essential slip road resurfacing will take place at junction 9b on the A404 (Thicket roundabout, Maidenhead) from 9pm today (Friday 3 February) until 6am on Sunday 5 February. Drivers will be diverted early towards Burchett’s Green and take the Henley Road towards the A4 Bath Road or alternatively continue to the Holyport Interchange and return. Visit the National Highways website for more information,
Planned engineering works will also close the line between Windsor and Staines from Saturday 11 to Sunday 19 February. A replacement bus service will operate during this time. Please visit the South Western Railway website for more information.
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