INTRODUCTION
The big news for January was the official announcement that I am re-standing at the May Local Election together with Alison Carpenter. See below for more details. With the cold snap I have been promoting the Warm Hubs in West Windsor as well as posting any help I find on the Cost of Living.
COST OF LIVING
I’m on the Management Board of the Windsor Foodshare (the local foodbank)so am kept aware of the demand and supply. I offered to take on the role of sharing posts, but will admit particularly over Christmas there was a deluge. I’ve decided to try and reduce the of postings significantly by combining posts.
We are really fortunate to also have the Community Fridge in Windsor. This is NOT a food bank. Its purpose is to rescue food that would otherwise go into landfill. Tiia Stephens runs this and has built up good relationships with local stores and food outlets. She regularly collects food just about to go out of date. She distributes this via her shop in Oxford Road, runs pop up shops usually at Sawyers Close and delivers surplus food to Broome Farm and Sawyers Close. The purpose is to prevent food unnecessarily ending up in landfill, so everyone, whether you are short of food or not, is welcome. I am fortunate in not being short of food but at the end of a session have taken surplus food that would otherwise not find “a home”. All Tiia asks is a contribution, £3 towards the cost of renting her shop in Oxford Road. I want more people to know about this and spread the word. Click here to open Facebook page.
Last Saturday she had a pop up shop in the Pump Room at Sawyers Close. On the last Saturday of the month this is open to ALL residents. There was an abundance of food items wanting good homes and I suggested to Tiia that the surplus could be distributed to our network of Warm Hubs in West Windsor, rather than be wasted.
We are fortunate to have a network of 5 Warm Hubs in West Windsor, each open on different days of the week, so that there is a 7 day coverage. Each offers something slightly different. For more details go to this website.
UTILITY CABINETS
As I go round the Ward I’ve noticed the sheer number of the green Utility Cabinets left open. I’ve counted eight in all so have reported these to the relevant RBWM Officer pointing out that British Telecom can’t be keeping an eye on them. If you spot one then report it directly to the utility company on 0800 023 2023 giving the road name AND the postcode. Here is a postcode finder, a bit of a pain, but there we are https://www.royalmail.com/find-a-postcode. I have suggested that utility cabinets have a code number on the outside which would make it so much easier to identify.
TROLLEYS
Abandoned trolleys appear to be multiplying. Some residents are returning these to the store, but that does take a bit of time. The quickest, and at no cost to RBWM, is to use the Trolley wise app. Alison introduced me to this and it really is easy to use. You click on the app, take a picture of the trolley, it automatically knows where you are. You tell them which supermarket and how many trolleys, and that’s it. Two minutes and its done.
THAMES WATER
I now have a meeting set up with the Operations Manager covering Windsor. I was contacted by residents about temporary traffic lights on the Winkfield Road by the entrance to St Leonards Hill. I have been told these were erected without permission. I was told initially it was Thames Water, then it was not. I contacted Thames Water to try and find out and was told it was not on their system. I then approached Crown Estate as hedges have been grubbed up and it basically looks a mess as I assumed they had done it. They told me they had not and were trying to find out who. I spotted two Thames Water employees working there and they confirmed it was down to Thames Water. I informed Crown Estate. Over a week later it appears nothing has been progressed, so this is added to my long list of items to raise with the Operations Manager.
Thames Water attended Woody’s Café for a couple of hours to explain how residents could reduce their water bills and indeed some might be eligible for a reduction. Sadly not many residents turned up. Although they offered to return I know they cannot do evenings, so unless I’m inundated with requests I won’t repeat it.
WINDSOR TOWN FORUM
This met on 16 January. Residents expressed their strong view that the Forum was not fit for purpose. A suggestion was made that a Windsor Consultation Panel be set up. Current consultations are meant to be discussed/listed at the Forum but for some reason this was omitted. I agree that the Windsor Town Forum as currently run is broken – watch this clip of me stating my thoughts.
In my opinion we need a Windsor Town Council and I was supported of the move a couple of years ago for us to have one. This was rejected by the Tory Administration and is something I am going to work towards as soon as practical. I was disturbed to find that the LGA had been misinformed as to the number of residents who had signed the petition – they were told it was only 2%. I pointed this out at the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Panel and we agreed the LGA should be informed of the correct figure. This is what I said:
CORPORATE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL
Under the excellent chairmanship of Cllr Gerry Clark I believe we are really adding value. Before Christmas we reviewed the budget and requested that, should more money become available from Central Govt (it did) that the severe cuts impacting on our most vulnerable would be restored. At that meeting I proposed, and it was accepted, that the other two Scrutiny Panels look at their areas, they did and the People O&SP recommended that the most severe cuts be restored. So it was good to read that the Leader had listened and will be recommending that these cuts will be restored. I virtually attended Cabinet intending to speak on the Corporate Plan refresh but my request was ignored. Members do not have the right to speak at Cabinet, but nevertheless I was disappointed, as usually we are allowed to speak However since becoming a Councillor this is the third meeting where I’ve not been allowed to speak.
TRAFFIC AND SIMILAR MATTERS
I have been speaking with officers re the parking issues in West and East Crescent. I’m waiting for a proposed plan of double yellow lines for West Crescent to keep at least one pavement side clear of vehicles so that disabled residents and parents with buggies can walk along safely. Re East Crescent I’m working with a resident to find out if residents want a Residents Only Road, which should help sort out parking issues in that road. I’ve not had as much success with Duncroft. I proposed a one way system to officers but they rejected this as, from experience, they find people speed up, which runs the risk of accidents. However I have agreement for a single “halt” line from Duncroft (east exit) onto Perrycroft as there have been a number of near misses there.
The good side of social media revealed itself this week. The traffic lights went down at the Clewer Hill Road/Winkfield Road junction (due to a power cut in the early hours). Residents posted about this on social media and one resident had reported it. I emailed the officer responsible in the hope he would read that when he got in the office. He did and by 10am the lights were back working. The response time would have been far longer if it hadn’t been for social media!
WILDING VERGES
There are now two wilding verges in the Ward, one at the junction of Clewer Hill Road/Dedworth Road/Wolf Lane, and this is marked as such. The other is at the junction of Clewer Hill Road/Sheepcote Road, but this has not been marked and I have been chasing the relevant officer over this. A resident has approached me re another area at the top of Perrycroft and I’ll be following this up with the officer. If you spot any other areas you think suitable within the Ward please contact me.
PARKS
We have been without Parks and Cemeteries Officers for over six months now. It’s not that the posts have been frozen, just no one is applying for these roles. These roles have been reconfigured and applicants are being interviewed next month. Sadly the lack of officers has meant these areas have been neglected and it’s very difficult to get anything done. For example in Osgood Park I have reporting the fly tipping for over six months, both on the report it system and by email, but nothing gets done. Not only frustrating for me, but for local residents. I’ve been asked about lighting in both Osgood and Clewer Memorial. The Community Safety Manager has informed me that an application will be made from the Safe Streets initiative should funding be made available. However Osgood Park is not considered a high priority as residents can walk around the perimeter which will only add a few more minutes to their journey.
NEW WINDSOR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, Hanover Way
As this is tucked away behind Hanover Way on the edge of Dedworth Manor Park it’s not as well-known as I think it should be. It has function rooms, which are used by local clubs, e.g. Windsor Bridge Club, and a Martial Arts Room together with a bar and lounge. Here is a link which tells you more. Next door are the outdoor football pitches, the children’s play area and a multi-user games area.
TESCO COMMUNITY GROUPS
The new Tesco Community Champion, Jon Davey, has held a series of Community Gatherings. I’ve managed to attend three of these and they have been very helpful in all of us understanding what groups operate in our area, and how to contact each other.
SAWYERS CLOSE UPDATE
Abri are consulting on the draft Stakeholder Master Plan. See website for for details and how to respond. This will be presented to the March Cabinet for approval. If this is approved Abri intend to submit a planning application in April with an expectation it will take around six months at least before the application is presented to Panel for determination. Should it be approval it is likely work will start in 2024.
LEGOLAND
They regularly hold Residents’ Meetings, which I try to attend with two hats on, as a resident but also as the Ward Councillor. Residents were updated on the Village development. Residents were most concerned by the removal of trees and thus the removal of a noise barrier.
ELECTION
The local election is on May 4. I am thrilled that Alison Carpenter, who has done so much for the local community, is standing with me. She has boundless energy and will be able to share the workload that I don’t feel the need to continue at the pace I’ve been doing. Amongst many things she brings a professional approach to communicating with residents, and is trying to bring this dinosaur out of her comfort zone into the modern world!!!! You might like to follow her on Facebook to find out more about Alison and what’s she’s up to. Her profile can be found here. She is out and about meeting with residents. Around last May I started knocking on residents’ doors to gauge resident’s reactions to how I’ve tackled the role of their Ward Councillor and to inform my decision whether to stand or not. I was bowled over by their reaction and positive vibes, so made the decision to continue. I have continued door knocking since then so have spoken with nearly half of my households. I will continue this approach over the coming months. Around 40 local residents have stepped forward and offered to distribute material, and I will admit I’m enjoying the logistical challenge!
CONSULTATIONS
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Cyclops/Mill Lane/Parsonage Lane/A308 junction closing date 5 Feb – more details here.
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Chronic Pain Services closing date unknown – more details here.
MEETINGS
Head of Infrastructure Sustainability and Economic Growth, Budget briefing, Windsor Town Forum, LEGOLAND residents meeting, Council, Cabinet, Consultation on the Mill Road roundabout, Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Panel.
Cllr Helen Price, Clewer and Dedworth Ward, tBfI, cllr.price@rbwm.gov.uk 07752 847796
Published and Promoted by Charles Hollingsworth on behalf of “the Borough first Independents“, both of PO BOX 4919, Maidenhead, SL6 1LS