Neighbourhood Plan Update

Hurley and the Walthams Neighbourhood Plan will be the second Neighbourhood Plan in Windsor and Maidenhead to proceed to referendum.

On Monday, 13th of February, at a Steering Group meeting attended by Planning Policy Officers, Robert Paddington and Jennifer Jackson as well as Lead Member for Neighbourhood Planning, Cllr. Christine Bateson congratulated the group on their success in getting their plan through examination.

There was then detailed discussion about the modifications recommended by the Examiner.  The Steering Group have now voted to accept the recommended modifications, with one abstention.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead will now modify the Plan accordingly and arrange for a Referendum so that the electorate of Hurley and the Walthams can make the final decision whether or not to adopt the Neighbourhood Plan.

It has been years in the drafting, and many changes have had to be made, but it is hoped that the final HWNP will provide useful planning guidance for the area.

To view the draft plan see:  www.hurelyandthewalthams.org

The final plan will be available as soon as the modifications are made.

CCB's Arlene Kersley was thanked by the Chairman of the Steering Group, Cllr. Maureen Hunt and Cllr Bateson for her support in getting the Plan through Examination and explaining the Examiner's report.

Do you know what Affordable Housing means in 2017?

With so much in the news these days about the need for more housing development, many Berkshire Parish and Town Councillors and residents want to know what can be done locally about the problem.  Attendees at CCB's training session last night at the Calcot Community Centre, were looking for answers to what has become a very complex question.

Arlene Kersley, the Rural Housing Enabler for Berkshire, presented on the historical meanings of affordable housing, the Berkshire context and current definitions of affordable housing in legislation. She also explained tenures and allocations and the different ways that affordable housing is developed and funded.

Many people are interested particularly in how affordable homes can be built to provide for local people in their communities.  There are now a number of different ways that this can happen:

• Many Berkshire residents have benefited from a homes developed on Rural Exception Sites (small developments on the fringe of rural settlements for people with a local connection to the village). Sadly due to a number of reasons these have all but stopped coming forward.
• There are now a number of different Community Led Housing initiatives;: Community Land Trusts, Co-housing, Co-operatives and Self-Build that can all hel provide affordable homes to local people.

At last nights informative session delegates were treated to detailed information on all aspects of Affordable Housing.

Following the training Participants were asked for their feedback:

"Very clear and concise explanation of a complex topic.  Excellent presenter - very engaging", wrote one attendee with many similar comments.

CCB with support of the West Berkshire Adult and Community Learning offer a variety of free training for community volunteers, activists and residents.  Keep an eye out for training that might be of interest to you!

TVB LEP's Funding Boost for the Rural Economy

Rural businesses across the Thames Valley Berkshire LEP (TVB LEP) area can now access £720,000 of funding being made available to grow companies and create jobs in rural communities.

TVB LEP is inviting owners of new and established businesses based in rural Berkshire to find out more about how they can apply for a share of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). 

If your company is rurally-based and requires funding to develop and grow, this EAFRD funding could be a significant step towards achieving your plans. We are inviting applications for capital investments to create jobs and grow rural micro and small businesses in the Thames Valley Berkshire LEP area. Priority will be given to projects that:

• implement new technologies, processes or equipment to improve productivity
• allow farm businesses to diversify into non-agricultural activities
• construct and develop workshops, factories and other premises and facilities where there is clear evidence of need and demand.

There is also specific funding for businesses that will develop and grow tourism in rural areas through infrastructure, attractions, events, festivals and high quality accommodation.

TVB LEP is hosting an information event in conjunction with the Department of Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on Tuesday 14 March from 9am-1.30pm at The Green Park Conference Centre. There will be short presentations to explain various grant funding available from DEFRA and from the local LEADER Programmes. There will also be opportunities to talk face to face about your plans with fund representatives.

Tim Smith, Chief Executive of TVB LEP, comments, “This event is an excellent opportunity for businesses based in rural Berkshire to understand how they can apply for EAFRD funding and how this can help grow their business.”

EAFRD is part of the government’s Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Growth Programme. This latest round of £120 million of national funding was announced earlier this month by Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom at the Oxford Farming Conference. Overall the RDPE will help protect 2.5 million hectares of farmed land, create 6,750 rural jobs and contribute to planting of 11 million trees.

If you would like to attend the event on 14 March, please click here to book your place.
Please be aware that places are limited.

Stay Well This Winter - Look out for each other during the cold snap this weekend!

Public health message and tips on staying warm during the February cold snap

Get moving when it snows
• If you live on or near a hill, now is the time to buy your own supply of salt from local garden centres or builders' merchants
• Where council salt bins are provided the salt is only intended to be used on the nearby public roads and footpaths
• Don’t forget to buy a snow shovel and to use it before any snowfall compacts
• There's no reason for you not to clear snow and ice from the pavement outside your home or from public spaces. Doing so will help you and your neighbours.

Keep your home warm, efficiently and safely: 
• Heating your home to at least 18°C in winter poses minimal risk to your health when you are wearing suitable clothing (see page 40 for full advice)
• get your heating system and cooking appliances checked and keep your home well ventilated 
• Use your electric blanket as instructed and get it tested every three years. Never use a hot water bottle with an electric blanket 
• do not use a gas cooker or oven to heat your home; it is inefficient and there is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and this can kill 
• make sure you have a supply of heating oil or LPG or sold fuel if you are not on mains gas or electricity – to make sure you do not run out in winter 

Keep in the warmth by: 
• fitting draught proofing to seal any gaps around windows and doors 
• Making sure you have loft insulation. And if you have cavity walls, make sure they are insulated too 
• insulate your hot water cylinder and pipes 
• draw your curtains at dusk to help keep heat generated inside your rooms 
• make sure your radiators are not obstructed by furniture or curtains 

Look after yourself: 
• food is a vital source of energy and helps to keep your body warm so have plenty of hot food and drinks 
• Aim to include five daily portions of fruit and vegetables. Tinned and frozen vegetables count toward your five a day 
• stock up on tinned and frozen foods so you don’t have to go out too much when it’s cold or icy 
• exercise is good for you all year round and it can keep you warm in winter 
• If possible, try to move around at least once an hour. But remember to speak to your GP before starting any exercise plans 
• wear lots of thin layers – clothes made from cotton, wool or fleecy fibres are particularly good and maintain body heat 
• wear good-fitting slippers with a good grip indoors and shoes with a good grip outside to prevent trips, slips and falls 
• make sure you have spare medication in case you are unable to go out 
• Check if you are eligible for inclusion on the priority services register operated by your water and power supplier

Look after others
• Check on older neighbours or relatives, especially those living alone or who have serious illnesses to make sure they are safe, warm and well 

Ofgem sets prepayment price cap to protect over four million households least able to benefit from competition

Ofgem sets prepayment price cap to protect over four million households least able to benefit from competition

Ofgem has today (7th February) announced the levels of the prepayment price cap which come into effect this April.

The temporary price cap is one of the Competition and Market Authority's (CMA) remedies resulting from its two year investigation of the energy market.

The cap will initially apply to over four million households who prepay for their energy, mostly with traditional prepayment meters, and are amongst those least able to benefit from competition.

The levels of the cap vary for electricity and gas, by meter type and region. 

Ofgem estimates that many prepayment customers are likely to see reductions in their gas bill of around 10-15% from 1 April 2017 or around £80 a year based on a typical household’s consumption. 

Many prepayment customers who use electricity to heat their home such as those on Economy 7 meters will see their electricity bill fall, with reductions of around £80 a year based on a typical household’s consumption. 

The CMA found that prepayment meter customers face particularly high levels of detriment.
Competition among suppliers for prepayment customers is less developed than for those who pay by direct debit, cash or cheque. This means that there are fewer tariffs available to these customers and the tariffs that are available are generally more expensive.

Customers with prepayment meters are also more likely to be in vulnerable circumstances than those paying by other means. 

The cap is due to expire at the end of 2020 when the roll out of smart meters is set to be completed, which will help prepayment meter customers in particular access better deals. 

VACANCY: Chief Officer – Age UK Berkshire, Reading, full-time, permanent, up to £50k

As one of the largest Age UK federated organisation, Age UK Berkshire is a more complex organisation than the turnover would suggest and it is engaged in very effective collaborative work with local partners, which strengthens their proposition to funders.

The deadline for applying for this post is 24th February. Please click on this link for a job pack and further information.

Energy Best Deal Update; switching, saving, informing

Helen Dean, CCB Project Co-ordinator, has been out and about giving talks to groups on how they can reduce their home energy costs. 

Pictured is an English class at Penn Road Children’s Centre in Slough, who were keen to hear about how to compare costs and switch supplier and save money on energy usage at home.

In March Helen will be at the following places:

7th March West Berkshire Children’s Centres Family Support Worker’s training session on signposting clients on reducing home energy costs

8th March training session for Shelter, Slough on advising clients on reducing home energy costs


15th March Bracknell Health Visitors and Nursery Nurses Team meeting training session on signposting clients on reducing home energy costs

Feedback from Helen's sessions:

‘Helen gave a very good presentation. It was really useful’,

‘Helen made it easy to understand. Made me realise how easy switching is!’


‘I attended previously, and there was new information this time, so easy to see that it is updated regularly’

If you are interested in having Helen talk to your group or users about how they can save money on their energy bills please e-mail helen.dean@ccberks.org.uk

Getting Hearts pumping in Woolhampton on a cold winters day....

Learners in Woolhampton getting hands on! Training covered what to do in a range of emergencies including bleeding, heart attacks, choking etc. 

On a very cold January evening, 15 people attended a Heartstart course at Woolhampton village hall.

Nick Young and his team from Heartstart Thatcham taught attendees what to do if someone collapses. Different scenarios were discussed and participants were able to try benefit and get practise using defibrillators on dummies. 

Most of the people who attended live in villages in West Berkshire and now know what do should there be an emergency in terms of trying to help to keep people alive until professional help arrives.

Feedback from participants included:

"This was clearly presented essential information; all questions answered and fantastic practical content"

"I really enjoyed trying out the techniques shown and using the defibrillator "

"Brilliant tutor - hands on and very useful, hope I never have to use great knowledge to have"

The course was one of three to be funded with a grant from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Resilient Communities Fund and two more courses in March are already fully booked - 21st March in Beech Hill and 23 March in Woolhampton. The courses in West Berkshire were also supported and funded by Adult Community Learning West Berkshire Council.