Royal Borough residents are being asked for their views on the development of the Traveller Local Plan.

The first stage of the development of the Traveller Local Plan asks residents for feedback on an issues and options paper which looks at the health, education and accommodation needs of travellers, gypsies, travelling show people and boat dwellers. Feedback on the options and issues paper is being sought from all residents of the borough including travelling and settled communities.  

Cllr David Coppinger, lead member for planning said: “Ensuring that both our settled and traveller residents have access to the facilities they need to lead happy, healthy lives is vital.

Council sets out proposed robust budget for future generations

The proposed budget for 2019/20 sets out investment for services that matter to  residents as well as ensuring front line services are protected.

The proposals include significant investments in parks and infrastructure including roads and community facilities.

The budget also proposes at 2.99% increase in the council’s element of Council Tax which keeps it the lowest outside of London while ensuring key services like weekly bin collections remain.

Councillor MJ Saunders, cabinet member for finance, said: “I am delighted that we are able to present a budget which reflects on residents’ needs as well as what they would like our council to invest in.

“Officers have been working hard on this budget throughout the year and like all councils we have experienced challenging financial positions. We have also had to allow for the uncertainty around Brexit and how that may impact on the council and the services we provide.

“We have also seen increasing demand and cost associated with providing children services, adult services and children in care which is expected to continue in 2019/20 and our budget reflects that changing position.

“Through our capital programme we have been able to invest in a variety of key resident services including additional funding for parks and roads which reflect back on the findings from the residents’ survey.

“We will continue to provide residents with value for money services as well as investing in facilities and infrastructure for today and the next generation.”

The council budget will be discussed at all scrutiny panels with the first one being children’s services overview and scrutiny panel on Tuesday 29th January at the Town Hall, Maidenhead.  The budget will then be debated by Full Council on 26th February in the Town Hall, Maidenhead.

Year to begin with the Berkshire Community Foundation Clarence House Chase

Ascot Racecourse is proud to announce the launch of a three-year partnership with the Berkshire Community Foundation, starting with the running of the Berkshire Community Foundation Clarence House Chase this Saturday, January 21.

The partnership will see Ascot supplement its existing charitable efforts, which have been headlined recently by raising over £750,000 for The Prince’s Countryside Fund over the last two years, with a specific focus on children and young people in the Berkshire area.

The Berkshire Community Foundation (BCF) has been at the forefront of local charitable giving for the last 30 years and aims to strengthen communities, tackle disadvantage and transform lives by connecting people who care with the causes that matter in their local community.

BCF raise funds for, and make grants to, local charities and voluntary organisations addressing identified need across Berkshire. Their annual ‘Vital Signs’ research report highlights the key areas of need affecting Berkshire through extensive research and community engagement, which enables them to provide informed, strategic support to the areas that need it most.

They ensure that donations go to the heart of the community and are effective in bringing the greatest benefit to those most in need, making a lasting and sustainable difference to the local communities and providing a permanent and growing source of local charitable funding that will support community needs for years to come.

There is a new planning application to redevelop the site of the Royal Hunt pub in North Ascot. The deadline for comments to Bracknell Forest is February 9th 2020. CLICK HERE for the FACEBOOK GROUP

CLICK HERE to see  plans .  CLICK HERE to see the Royal Hunt Community Group.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION CLOSES DECEMBER 19th

CLICK HERE for Website - https://www.northascotproposals.co.uk/ .   E-mail: northascotproposals@wearefield.co.uk or call 020 7096 7733  CLICK HERE for North Ascot Redevelopment FACEBOOK GROUP

Following public consultation in Autumn last years, developers have produced revised plans, 18/0777/OUT, which remove the proposed golf academy. The proposals are for: Outline application for the erection of a new school building including ancillary facilities (environment building, caretaker's bungalow, swimming pool, sports pitches and multi-use games area (MUGA)), replacement scout hut, recreation ground, 12 affordable housing units and re-development of existing schools site to provide up to 24 market housing units together with associated infrastructure and landscaping (all matters reserved except for details of access).  To see the planning application itself go to CLICK HERE for PLANNING APPLICATION

CLICK HERE for PLANNING APPLICATION

World Mental Health Day is celebrated each year on 10^th October and Charters School in Sunningdale has been encouraging its students to talk openly about mental health during a series of assemblies throughout the week.

Year 10 Emotional Wellbeing Champions, who have received training in working to remove stigma associated with mental health, designed the assemblies and delivered them to highlight the fact that 1 in 4 young people will struggle with their mental health at some point.  They will be running campaigns throughout the school to raise awareness and to encourage students to speak to someone they trust.

They explained that the issue can affect anyone and highlighted a surprisingly long list of celebrities who have spoken openly about their struggles, encouraging students who are experiencing similar feelings to talk about their worries with teachers, friends or family members. The school is keen to promote an open culture around mental health issues to remove any stigma.