INTRODUCTION
With many residents and officers on Summer holidays it has been quieter – there have been no Council meetings. Its given us both a bit of a breather and enabled us to catch up on outstanding matters and plan for the forthcoming year.
THAMES WATER
We liaised with our local MP, Jack Rankin and leader of the council, Cllr Simon Werner and a joint letter was finally sent to Thames Water asking for a meeting with their CEO to discuss the issues we have experienced along Clewer Hill Road. We discovered that Thames Water have been called out over 100 times since 2018 and it’s just unacceptable.
We have been experiencing issues in Sheepcote Road and thanks to resident, Colette Molloy and her regular updates it looks like Thames Water are trying to fix these too.
Thames Water have been invited to an Overview & Scrutiny panel in October and we are hoping to meet with the CEO as soon as possible.
KEELER
Helen had a meeting with Keeler to understand their latest planning application. They are looking to seriously refurbish the interior of their buildings. To do this they will decant all operations into one half, refurbish the vacant half, and repeat. They need space to park during this operation so are looking to create more parking places on an old unused house on site. When the refurbishment is complete it will increase its car parking capacity for visitors thus minimising the chances of visitors parking in nearby roads. Helen suggested they hold an “Open Morning” for local residents to explain their plans and offered to help.
RYCROFT
This was recently resurfaced, the road having been closed for a few days to enable to the work to take place. To the untutored eye (Helen’s included) the finish looked poor, and she asked RBWM to have a look. They responded promptly and fully and explained that this was an inexpensive resurface job and the top dressing is expected to wear away quickly but it still is doing its job. They said they’ll keep an eye on it and if its not up to scratch within the first year, the contractors have to redo at their expense, which is reassuring.
See picture below for image of the works.
WARDENS
We have, as you may know, very few Wardens, around three in the field. They no longer undertake random walk-abouts but react to need. Recently we have requested additional patrols in areas where residents have alerted her to drug dealing and dog fouling and where residents are driving their car over green open space.
COUNCILLOR REPRESENTATION
RBWM have representation on various community groups. Helen has been appointed as the council rep for Age Concern and King George VI Day Centre and as Trustee for Ellison House, the almshouse in Victoria Street. Alison is the council rep for the New Windsor Community Association, Hanover Way. There’s a hive of activity going on there as it has two large halls for let. Helen attended the record fair and the antiques fair, both of which are monthly events, bridge on a nearly weekly basis and both of us attended the Family Fun Day out, which had a lovely atmosphere and was greatly enjoyed by local families.
SHIRLEY AVE UPDATE
Helen spoke with owner about the plans for the now vacant car showroom. The solar panel company should be moving in by the end of September. She was assured that the additional parking created by the vacant car showroom will still be available. She also spoke with the Iman from the Prayer Room to pass on her thanks for more considerate parking but asked that there be another reminder as they are still a few who park inconsiderately. Medina Dairy has moved out completely and the site has been sold. It is NOT the intention anymore for that site to be developed for housing.
TRAFFIC LIGHT
The wonky light at the Prince Albert has been fixed. Hoorah!
ABRI
At least half of residents requests for assistance come from Abri customers where it appears Abri have not delivered to their service standard. We find it galling that when we intervene things tend to happen as it should have happened when the resident first raised it. Both of us have regular meetings with those staff involved with the Sawyers Close development. This has now passed the final planning hurdle with RBWM – this has been a tortuous process, very frustrating for Abri, but we’ve been able to remove some blockages to help it progress. The new Children’s Park should be open late September/early October.
INNOVATIONS PROJECTS
Each year RBWM offers an innovation grant in conjunction with NHS Frimley to improve the health and well being of our residents. This year Alison applied on behalf of her business, Windsor Web (who built this website!) and offered to build 6-8 websites for people with disablities, mental health issues or unpaid carers. The website will help them become “digital entrepreneurs” and hopefully see them run their own online business. So far she has already signed up two local residents (both in Clewer and Dedworth East) but there are a few more places available. Let her know if you know anyone who might have a great business idea and fits the criteria.
BUS STOPS & STUMPED LAMP POSTS
Alison continues to chase the council officers about when the bus stops in Clewer Hill Road x 2 will be repaired. We have also been informed that the stumped lamp posts around the ward (with yellow tape on them) will be repaired/replaced by April 2025. We will keep our eye on this and update as we find out more.
FIFIELD FUN DAY
Early in August we both attended the Fifield Fun Day and caught up with some of our fellow tBfI councillors, Cllr. Grove, Cllr Taylor and Cllr. Cross. Cllr Suzanne Cross played drums in her band, The Country Chicks who were amazing. It was a lovely afternoon.
GARDEN IN BLOOM AWARDS
Alison and Helen toured the ward looking at all the 60+ entries for the GIB and deciding on a winner. Since then we’ve been personally handing out the certificates and thanking residents for making the Ward more attractive, which will continue throughout September as we had so many applications!
Congratulations to our winner, Mr N. Danby and our runner up Mr David Crofts. See photos below. Well done to all.
CONSULTATIONS
Achieving for Children SAFE project – closing date 27 Sept. https://forms.gle/HYjS1HiASuXukHzTA
RESIDENTS ISSUES
Fly dumping, overgrown vegetation, Abri issues, homelessness, domestic violence.
MEETINGS
Centrica – Corporate Volunteering Manager, Keeler – Director of Operational Management and Supply Chain Management, RBWM – Strategic Lead Contracts and Service Improvements
Windsor Ascot & Maidenhead Development Committe (planning)