INTRODUCTION
In the run up to elections Council business is always a bit quieter – a period of Pre-election sensitivity, commonly known as “Purdah”. This has resulted in fewer meetings and fewer announcements and no policy announcements. https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn05262/.
As Independents we were not out and about canvassing for either of our two constituencies Windsor and Maidenhead, but we’ve both been highlighting key dates for residents to enable them to vote as well as alerting them how to find out more about the candidates, in order that they can make an informed choice.
DISABILITY AND INCLUSION FORUM
Helen attended this. Sadly there were problems with the sound, making it well nigh impossible to hear what anyone attending in person said, so will have to wait for the minutes.
WINDSOR MUSLIM ASSOCIATION
The WMA invited the community to the celebration and prayers for Eid. There were probably around 100 people attending the celebration held at the New Windsor Community Association. Helen attended, as did other Windsor councillors. Alison was unable to attend as was visiting her elderly father on Father’s Day. The guests of honour were the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Plentiful and delicious food was provided. https://www.windsorexpress.co.uk/gallery/religion/197117/royal-borough-mayor-and-deputy-mayor-join-eid-al-adha-celebrations-in-windsor.html
VOLUNTEERS FAIR
Helen attended this event held at our Maidenhead Library. There was a wide variety of different groups represented. If you’d like to know more about what’s going on in our community then https://rbwmtogether.rbwm.gov.uk/ is a good place to start. There is a wealth of information here so worth dipping into.
CORPORATE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL
Helen has been elected Vice Chair. She met with the Chair and Clerk recently to discuss how we could make this Panel more effective and prioritise what areas we should be spending time scrutinising.
GARDEN IN BLOOM
Our Ward now has over 50 nominations. We have started looking at these nominations and ranking them and will come to a decision by the closing date of the end of July. We’d welcome more entries. https://my.rbwm.gov.uk/webform/garden-bloom-awards. We smiled when we saw this hedge in Tudor Way.
FLOWER STREET DISPLAYS
Some three years ago RBWM cut the funding for flower street displays in Windsor. At that time Helen encouraged residents to “adopt” planters and troughs, and secured funding from Centrica. Since then Helen, with the support of residents, has transformed the plot outside the Dedworth Road Pharmacy (previously Boots) in Dedworth Road. We now have displays outside Dedworth Food and Wine (near Hetpoles), on the railings at the junction of Smiths Lane and Dedworth Road, along Dedworth Road outside the Food Mall, Scotts, Dedworth Road Pharamacy and the TVH, and on the corner in St Andrews Crescent. Both residents and businesses are supporting through planting, tending and most importantly watering. See the photo at the top of the page.
NEW tBfI LEADERSHIP
Alison, as secretary of the Borough first Independents, has been organising an EGM for our members to vote for the new leader and chair, since our current leader/chair Cllr Geoff Hill resigned. Our interim leader is Cllr Suzanne Cross from Bray ward and our interim chair is Cllr Helen Taylor.
PAINTING THE FENCE AT SAWYERS CLOSE COMMUNITY GARDEN
Alison went along to Sawyers Close and helped Danielle Lane from Abri and the Wildlife Trusts to paint the fence in the community garden – it looks so colourful now. It was a very hot afternoon but was fun.
WINDSOR HUSTINGS
Helen and Alison attended the Windsor Hustings to hear from 5 of the 7 candidates for the General Election. It was an interesting evening and good to see some familiar faces there.
THAMES WATER LEAK IN CLEWER HILL ROAD
Alison was alerted to a major water leak on Clewer Hill Road just after lunchtime on Thursday 27th June – she spent most of the afternoon on the phone to Thames Water. Then she went to speak to the workers repairing the leak. The road was closed and a diversion put in place around Perrycroft and Rycroft. Whilst this was not ideal it was an emergency. The road was repaired and then a few days later the leak reoccurred. We agree that this is not acceptable and we will be putting forward a motion at the next council meeting regarding this. Watch this space…
DUCK RACE & VETERANS FAIR
Alison attended the Windsor Rotary Duck Race and the Veterans Day Fair organised by Cllr Knowles. It was a lovely day. Our tBfI colleague, Cllr Buckley won the duck race too!
RESIDENTS ISSUES
Caring for the elderly, bins, mould and damp, homelessness, road closures and lack of water.
MEETINGS/EVENTS
Holyport Fair, Indonesian Summer Fayre, Affordable Housing Consultation, Sawyers Close development, Volunteers Fair, Disability and Inclusion Forum, Business Expo, Community Groups in Windsor, tBfI exec x 2, Eid with WMA, Hustings at the Old Court, Old Windsor Carnival (photo below), Windsor and Ascot Development Panel, New Windsor Community Association meeting, Chair and Clerk for Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Panel.
