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Are you thinking about standing in the next Borough or Parish elections?
We are holding an information session for anyone thinking of standing as a candidate in the next Local Elections 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 will be available. All 14 parish councils will also have all-out elections this year.
As canvassing gets underway within communities, we're holding an information session for prospective candidates at Maidenhead Town Hall, on Wednesday 1 March at 6pm, which people can book to attend either in person or virtually.
If you would like to book a place, please contact [email protected] and let us know whether to expect you in person or via Zoom. Information about how to become a councillor is also available on our dedicated webpage.
Learn more in our election candidate session press release.
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Full Council to consider extra police officers for the Royal Borough
Four extra police officers, dedicated to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in the Royal Borough, are proposed to be recruited to support community safety and enhanced local partnership working with the police.
The proposed £240,000 investment from the Royal Borough is part of the budget plans for 2023/24, which Cabinet is recommending to Full Council for discussion and approval on Tuesday 21 February, as part of the budget-setting process.
If confirmed by Full Council, four additional warranted police officers will join the Neighbourhood Policing Team working across the Royal Borough, initially for a period of three years, enhancing our existing partnership work with Thames Valley Police to address key local crime issues and anti-social behaviour affecting communities and the environment.
Learn more in our extra police officers press release.
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Users of new Vicus Way car park able to park for longer in response to resident feedback
Users of the new multi-storey Vicus Way Park in Maidenhead now have greater flexibility when using the site with the ability to leave after 8pm.
The change has been made following feedback from residents and businesses, and vehicles will now be able to leave after this time, and throughout the night, providing greater benefits for commuters and residents, as well as increased parking options while the Nicholsons multi-storey car park remains closed.
Entry to Vicus Way car park for vehicles will remain closed from 8pm. From then the shutters and barriers will be down, but those at the exit will automatically raise for vehicles leaving the car park, before lowering again. Pedestrians will be able to access the car park via the pedestrian entrance on Vicus Way in order to collect their vehicles.
Learn more in our Vicus Way press release.
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Apply for Coronation Concert tickets
You have until Tuesday 28 February to enter a public ballot to attend the BBC's Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday 7 May.
There are 5,000 pairs of tickets available for the concert which will be allocated based on the geographical spread of the UK population.
The concert will see a world-class orchestra play interpretations of musical favourites fronted by fantastic entertainers, alongside performers from the world of dance and the arts.
Learn more and apply on the BBC website.
There's also still time to apply to hold a Coronation street party on a public highway. Organisers must apply by 4pm next Friday (17 February) on our street party webpage.
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Unlock Your Potential – Exploring job opportunities and support for young people
It’s National Apprenticeship Week and our skills and employment campaign, Unlock Your Potential, continues with a focus on the opportunities and support available to young people in the borough. We’re sharing information on how to access some key sectors, as well as where you can find the support you need to access jobs and opportunities.
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Career pathways: construction
If you’re interested in a career in the construction industry, there are a range of career paths and roles in the sector available.
Brian Kelly, Maidenhead Project Director at building contractor JJ Rhatigan which is currently constructing The Landing redevelopment in central Maidenhead, also known as ‘One Maidenhead’, explains more.
What skills are required for those interested in a career in the construction industry?
"The main attribute for those wishing to enter the construction industry is a good, positive attitude. They also need to be prepared to work hard, listen, and be willing to sometimes work long hours."
What roles and opportunities are available in the sector and what are the benefits?
"There are numerous career paths for both males and females with no path solely for either. These include engineering, health and safety, quantity surveying and project management, to name a few.
"The main benefit is a rewarding career where you get to work on something important from inception to completion. There is also plenty of opportunity for career progression and scope to work on a wide range of projects."
How does JJ Rhatigan support apprentices wanting to gain experience in the sector?
"We employ graduates to train for construction management roles and through our supply chain can place school leavers on apprentice schemes, notably with Lee Marley Brickwork who employ 12% of their total workforce as apprentices. We also facilitate student placement positions for third level students."
What work are you doing currently in the Royal Borough?
"We are currently constructing ‘One Maidenhead’ consisting of 429 homes across four buildings. The development will also deliver six retail spaces, a podium car park, and a new area of landscaped public realm."
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Career pathways: film and TV
The Royal Borough is a popular location for filming, and we receive regular requests to use locations in the borough for films, TV shows and adverts.
We spoke to our film officer Charlie Gamble to find out more about her role and the opportunities available for those looking to get into the creative industries.
What does your role as the Royal Borough’s film officer involve?
"The borough is striving to be a film-friendly place for the creative industries to come to film on location. The film office facilitates requests from productions looking to film on council land and highways. I’m constantly scouting for potential locations in the area, meeting with property owners to see how filming could fit in with their business activities and adding their details to our expanding database. The film office is partnered with Berkshire Film Office, Filming in England and Film Offices UK (FO:UK), through which we work together to raise the profile of filming in our area."
What are the options available to those interested in pursuing a career in the creative industries?
"You may have studied a media production course at school, college or university, or are looking in a new direction to the creative industries. Most people start work in this field in entry-level roles such as production runner, or department trainee. From there you gain on-the-job experience, which enables you to move up the ladder, or you may find that you are able to transfer your skills across to another department. What is important is having a passion for the creative industries, resilience, the ability to work under pressure, excellent communication skills and to be able to learn new skills quickly."
What kind of roles are available?
"There are so many different types of work available in the creative industries, such as special effects, hair and make-up and camera, as well as production and accounting roles. Check out the ScreenSkills website which features more in-depth information, free courses, and is a great place to start your research into the sector. Resource Productions in Slough also hold industry-specific training.
"In terms of looking for work, it is often the case that the speed at which a production needs crew means that they informally advertise. This is often by word of mouth, or social media. Crew are often recruited via national databases. You can register as a new entrant or established crew member for free on the Filming in England website."
What advice would you give to someone seeking work in the film industry?
"Work hard to build your network of contacts in the industry. Be polite and courteous to everyone you encounter, as you never know where your next job offer will come from. Don’t be disheartened by setbacks, it takes a while to become established in the industry and to find your way."
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Graduate opportunities at the Royal Borough
Did you know that we at the Royal support the Local Government Association’s National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP)?
It provides graduates with the opportunities to develop their leadership skills and undertake various placements across the council for two years, where they can develop their project management and people skills while broadening their understanding of local government.
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The Royal Borough welcomed Jennifer Hardy, national management trainee, through the graduate scheme last year. Jennifer said: “I graduated with a PhD in English from King’s College London in August 2022 and started working at the Royal Borough in October 2022. The last four months at the council have challenged me to learn new skills and develop my existing ones.
“My first placement in the Communications department gave me the opportunity to lead the public consultation on the 2023/24 draft budget, and it’s been really rewarding to engage with members, officers, and community organisations to ensure local voices are heard. I’m now working on several community engagement projects that require creative thinking and interdepartmental collaboration. Everyone I’ve worked with at the council has been really supportive and helped me to settle into the role.
“Being part of the programme gives you access to lots of different roles and departments and provides you with a range of opportunities for working with senior managers. Over my two-year placement, I will complete a qualification in leadership and management, which will help prepare me for an ongoing career in local government - hopefully at a senior level.”
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Ollie Cassells, national management trainee, joined the Royal Borough via the programme in 2021.
Ollie, who studied politics and international relations at the University of Bath, said: “I have led a variety of exciting campaigns, schemes, and initiatives – including our Here to Help campaign, safe, warm spaces network, and budget consultation 2022/23. I have also contributed to Operation London Bridge – the funeral plan for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - and our Peer Review. I am now leading our communications and engagement for voter ID at the upcoming local elections.
“I enjoy the breadth of scheme and experiencing different services, functions, and roles within the authority. I have also appreciated the responsibility, and autonomy given to me - it has provided excellent opportunities for professional development, and to grow my skill set. The authority is full of great personalities, mentors, and leaders, who make the scheme what it is."
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Check out the employment support available
There is also employment support available from:
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Ways into Work, which delivers supported employment services, brings its clients to Maidenhead Library on Thursday mornings as part of our accessibility mornings where they can get support, including help with job searches and CVs
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The National Career’s Service which offers personalised careers information, advice, guidance services as well as helping you make decisions about careers, courses and work. The service operates from Maidenhead Library every other Friday. To book an appointment please email [email protected] clearly stating you would like to see an advisor at Maidenhead Library
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Skills for Life is a national government campaign, which can help you find training, support and advice to gain the skills you need for the job you want. You can use their website to search for apprenticeships
- You can also check out the range of career opportunities at the council by visiting our careers webpage.
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How our schools are supporting National Apprenticeship Week
Schools in our borough have been supporting National Apprenticeship Week with several inviting employers to speak to their pupils.
At Newlands Girls’ School, in Maidenhead, around 35 employers from various companies carried out mock interviews with all year 11 pupils, and all year groups benefitted from a tutor time presentation or activity on apprenticeships.
Throughout the year the school is inviting a range of employers and alumni to speak in assemblies and at careers events and inform pupils about apprenticeships within their organisations.
Others have run careers days, inviting employers to speak about the opportunities available in various sectors, helping students understand their next steps and explore potential future professions.
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Supporting households with the cost of living
This winter, we have been supporting households in financial difficulty via a cash payment of £145, using our allocation of the DWP Household Support Fund (HSF).
We are working with nine partners within the voluntary sector, housing, and health. These organisations offer support and advice to a wide range of people across the borough and are often able to link the HSF payments to wider, longer-term assistance. Below are two examples of how the HSF has helped residents this winter.
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Supporting our residents
Recently, Mr S, who has a long-term health condition and has been suffering from a chest infection, was referred to the HSF in order to help improve his health and living situation. After a home visit, Mr S was found to be sleeping in his living room as he had no reliable means of heating his bedroom. Due to rising fuel costs, Mr S was struggling to pay his bills and his health condition was impacting his ability to manage on his own. Through conversations with a social prescriber, Mr S was encouraged to apply for the HSF. The £145 payment enabled him to purchase an electric blanket. He was also supported to apply for additional benefits, to help pay to employ someone to help with the house.
Mrs P contacted Citizens Advice for help because she was living in accommodation that was not attached to any mains supply and was having to rely on solid fuel for all her heating needs. Due to ill health, Mrs P was unable to work and her ability to get out of the house had been impacted. Spending more time at home increased her fuel needs, and she was struggling financially. Money from the HSF enabled Mrs P to buy extra fuel to stay warm and has had a positive impact on her health. Alongside support from Citizens Advice, the HSF helped provide urgent financial relief that has improved Mrs P's situation while additional longer-term help is put in place.
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How to apply
The HSF is running until the end of March, and we are keen to ensure that residents who are struggling financially are aware of the support available.
The scheme is being delivered through our partners within the borough: Citizens Advice East Berkshire (CAEB); Abri Housing Association; Housing Solutions; Royal Borough Housing Service; Age Concern Windsor; Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead Social Prescribing service; West Windsor Hub; The Baby Bank; Maidenhead Foodshare and Maidenhead United FC Community Trust.
To apply for the HSF, residents should contact one of our partners. Anyone unsure of which organisation to approach should contact Citizens Advice, at [email protected].
For more information about the scheme and details on how to apply, visit our website.
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Focus on Sustainability: Cut emissions while cutting costs on travel
You may be aware of the 'Get around for £2' Government scheme that is capping single bus fares at £2 until Friday 31 March.
Switching from using your car to hopping on the bus, where possible, will not only save you money but will help to reduce CO2 emissions and tackle congestion. This has huge environmental benefits, such as reducing air pollution from exhaust fumes, which benefits both us and the local wildlife.
So, get involved and swap your car keys for a bus ticket today! (Please note that Thames Valley Buses, Reading Buses, Red Eagle Buses, Arriva and First Bus are participating in this scheme within the borough).
Please visit our Here to Help webpage if you're struggling financially with the cost of living as support may be available to you.
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How to support the Turkey-Syria earthquake appeal
Our thoughts and condolences as a community are with those who have been affected by the earthquakes which have killed more than 20,000 people in Turkey and Syria.
This terrible disaster destroyed hundreds of buildings, leaving survivors facing freezing conditions and in need of urgent aid.
As part of ongoing support efforts, the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) has set up an appeal to provide essential supplies for families including blankets, food and water, and emergency shelter.
The Government has also pledged to match pound-for-pound up to £5 million donated by the public to this appeal. If you would like to donate or learn more, please visit the DEC website.
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Take part in our World Café survey
Have you attended one of our award-winning World Cafés in the past year? If so, we’d love to hear your thoughts and check if their format is right for you.
If you’ve not been to one, we’re also keen to find out why as it could be something we could solve.
Our World Cafes, run in partnership with NHS Frimley, bring local residents and community organisations together. The sessions are informal, allowing you to have honest conversations about what matters most in your neighbourhood, get support if needed, and work with us to find community-based solutions.
Every ward in the Royal Borough will have a World Café, and eleven wards have been visited already. The next one is in Boyn Hill on Saturday 4 March, from 11am to 1pm.
The World Cafe survey is online and takes five minutes to complete. It closes at midnight on Monday 6 March.
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Maidenhead and Windsor Town Forums - get involved
You are invited to suggest discussion topics for the next Maidenhead and
Windsor Town Forum meetings.
To submit topics for discussion at Maidenhead Town Forum on Thursday 16 March and Windsor Town Forum on Monday 20 March, and to find out how you can attend and speak at a meeting, please email [email protected].
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Urgent Primary Care Service at St Mark’s Hospital
If you are registered with a Maidenhead GP practice and need same day urgent care for a minor illness or minor injury, you can be treated locally at St Mark’s Hospital.
Your GP practice can book you into this Urgent Primary Care Service for illnesses such as chest infections, skin infections, or urinary tract infections, plus injuries such as cuts and grazes, minor burns, or minor head injuries.
The St Mark’s team is led by GPs and includes nurses, physiotherapists, and other clinicians to cater to a wide range of medical complaints and concerns.
The Urgent Primary Care Service was developed by Maidenhead GP practices during the Covid pandemic alongside East Berkshire Primary Care and NHS Frimley. Its aim is to support the urgent healthcare needs of local people while also allowing GP practices to see and treat more patients with non-urgent health concerns, or patients with long-term conditions.
For more details, and to see a video about the service, visit the Frimley Health and Care website.
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Join our local Healthwatch advisory group
Healthwatch Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead (WAM) is currently recruiting volunteers to join their Healthwatch advisory group.
Healthwatch is an independent statutory body which requires health and social care leaders to listen to resident feedback and improve standards of care. Last year, Healthwatch nationally helped nearly a million people have their say and get the information and advice they need.
Healthwatch WAM is our local independent champion for people who use health and social care services in the Royal Borough. They make sure those running services put people at the heart of care. One important way they do this is to ensure local voices are heard. They are looking for people with a desire to see better outcomes for people who use health and social care services to join the advisory group.
The advisory group agrees and monitors strategic priorities, ensuring the issues and themes we work on are the priorities for residents in the Royal Borough. The advisory group meets every two months and attendance at other local strategic meetings will be based on a member's availability, knowledge, and interests.
Further information can be found on the Healthwatch WAM website.
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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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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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Paper, Paper Everywhere (Monday 13 to Friday 17 February, 9.30am to 12.30pm) – Cookham Library community room. In the February half term, WildCookham is organising an Environmental art project for families to create an exhibit for the Our Changing Earth festival on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 June. To register, visit the Our Changing Earth website
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Bazaar and coffee morning (Saturday 18 February, 10am to 11.30am) – St Mark’s Crescent Methodist Church, Maidenhead. Items on sale include home baked cakes, stationery, books, and bric-a-brac. There will also be a raffle. Proceeds will go to the Emerge Project at Wexham Park Hospital. To learn more, please email [email protected]
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Desborough Bowling Club Open Day (Saturday 18 February, 10am to 4pm) – Desborough Bowling Club, Maidenhead. The club are inviting residents, young and old, to come along and see the facilities and experience Bowls at its best. Tea and coffee will also be available
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Apply for Cookham & Maidenhead Arts Trail – Artists have until Tuesday 28 March to apply to join this year’s Cookham & Maidenhead Arts Trail (CAMAT). The trail will take place from Saturday 9 to Sunday 10 September across a variety of local venues including artists' homes, studios, and village halls. It’s an opportunity for anyone to meet local artists and see, discuss, and buy their work. Learn more on the CAMAT website
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Windsor Lions prostate cancer screening event (Thursday 20 April, 3pm to 8pm) – Windsor Racecourse. Men aged 40 to 75 are encouraged to book online to reserve a slot and then attend a simple blood test to check for possible signs of prostate-related problems. The results will be returned to the attendee within a couple of weeks and are totally confidential. Windsor Lions do not charge a booking fee but do ask for donations as they are funding the event themselves at about £30 per person. To book or find out more, please visit the Windsor Lions' website
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Girls’ rugby taster sessions – The girls’ squad at Maidenhead RFC is inviting new players of all experience levels to join their flourishing U12, U14 and U16 teams. Please email [email protected] for more info
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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Local Travel Updates
Planned engineering works will also close the line between Windsor and Staines from tomorrow (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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