OCTOBER 2023 UPDATE
INTRODUCTION
We both post widely on local social media keeping our Clewer and Dedworth East residents, as well as others, informed as to what is going on locally, and we don’t tend to repeat that in this monthly update. This concentrates on what we’ve been doing over the month.
LEGOLAND
Alison and Helen, along with other RBWM Councillors attended the launch of the new Golf Academy. This facility is built outside the resort itself just by the Main Entrance, which means it can be used without paying to enter the Resort. LEGOLAND are offering residents local to the site (who receive their Residents newsletter) free taster sessions.
Together with Cllr Suzanne Cross (Bray) we attended a meeting to be briefed on the latest thoughts on the bridleway, the progress of the Holiday Village and the replacement ride. Residents meetings have been organised for November. There will be a Public Exhibition on Monday 13 November 4-7pm where LEGOLAND will explain their future plans.
“The November LEGOLAND Windsor fireworks show will not be going ahead in 2023, their Brick and Treat will now run from 28 September to 5 November and they look forward to welcoming everyone for a fantastic time” However there will be fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
Dower Park residents have been finding the noise levels unacceptable and this is being addressed
CENTRICA
As you may have read on social media Centrica are moving up a gear when it comes to volunteering in the local community. Helen has put call outs for schools, community organisations etc to let me know of any projects which would suit volunteers. A trickle has come in but more would be welcome. Once Helen knows all the details are OK and Centrica can deliver, she leave the organisation and Centrica to liaise direct. A team of eight spent five hours replanting the troughs on the railings at the junction of Smiths Lane/Dedworth Road and tidying up the Clewer War Memorial Garden ready for the Remembrance Service on Sunday 12 November at 10.45 am.
MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING
Well done to one of our ward residents, Colette Malloy for raising over £2500 for MacMillan Cancer. Alison attended the coffee morning and was tempted with some red velvet cake. A fabulous community event for all involved.
ROYAL WINDSOR RACECOURSE
A new Manager is to be appointed so a new relationship to be built. Fortunately I have a good relationship with the Deputy General Manager and we have worked together successfully on issues such as the liveried taxis, complimentary tickets for the Fireworks Spectacular for our Family Hub. The Fireworks Spectacular is on Saturday 4 November https://bit.ly/48YJ3O2
POPPIES
Cllr Karen Davies is the official organiser for Windsor liaising with the local Royal British Legion organiser. This year it was extended it to the whole of Windsor. We all met at Woody’s and armed with ladders and poppies put them up in our Ward ensuring they were where our service personnel live. There are a few along Dedworth Road which have been put up separately by a resident. As usual a Remembrance Service will be held at the Memorial in Clewer Memorial on Sunday 12 November at 12.45. There will be the Remembrance Day Civic Service and Parade at the Parish Church, High Street. There are collections at both the Tesco Superstore and Waitrose. You can also donate https://bit.ly/3MnA2oh
RESIDENT VOLUNTEERING
It is gratifying that residents are stepping forward when asked to volunteer, Vale Road cemetery is a wonderful success. Helen is organising volunteers to clear the alleyway at the top of Illingworth linking to Washington Drive and to give a make-over to the shrubbery bed in Dedworth Road next to Boots. Quite a bit of work goes into such activities, liaising with the RBWM officer to seek permission, Tivoli re-collecting rubbish etc, ensuring that public liability is covered, purchasing materials and being present on the day. Jon Davey, Tesco, is taking lots of steps to encourage more volunteers to strengthen local community groups/charities. Helen is working closely with the RBWM Communities team on projects to strengthen our volunteering sector.
EVENTS TO RAISE MONEY FOR MOROCCO
Alison & Helen attended the YUSRA event at the New Windsor Community Association in early October and then went to the Swan pub to celebrate the safe arrival in the UK of Rebecca Calvert who had been holidaying in Morocco during the earthquake.
INDONESIAN FESTIVAL
Alison & Helen attended the wonderfully colourful Indonesian festival at New Windsor Community Association.
BERKSHIRE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Together with fellow Champion Cllr Jack Douglas, Helen has forged good links with the Berkshire Community Foundation. An immediate result was Jack and Helen sharing their call for bids from local community organisations/charities re their Surviving Winter fund. We have agreed to share which organisations we’re in touch with re Corporate Social Responsibility and volunteering. We have established a close link with RBWM Community Lead. To find out more about BCF https://www.berkshirecf.org/ This can only strengthen our voluntary sector, and both Jack and Helen believe collaborative working is the way forward.
REPORT IT
We continue to use the report it system. It does take time to get things done, for example Helen reported the zebra crossing outside Hilltop First School as needing repairing/repainting some six months ago and this month it was started but not yet completed. Where we have reported multiple times and no action we take it up with the relevant Cabinet Member. It was good to see a new street sign for Burton Way, after several times of asking.
MAYOR’S CHARITY ARMED FORCES DINNER
Alison attended this with her partner – a lovely evening hosted at the Windsor Guildhall in aid of the Arms Forces charity.
UTILITY REPAIRS
We are re-energising our efforts of liaising with RBWM officers to try and stress the importance of Utility Companies appreciating the severe inconvenience of not co-ordinating their teams of staff in an efficient and effective manner. For example, fixing a water leak can take up to five teams of staff, and if they’re not co-ordinated to run seamlessly one after the other it can double the length of time a job gets to be completed. Helen had built up that understanding with an officer who left a few months back and it appears that RBWM have been unable to replace her.
SMITHS LANE
Most of Smiths Lane was resurfaced in October, this was postponed from a few weeks back. The road was shut whilst this work was undertaken. We discovered that the bus company appeared not to have been informed so we’re discussing with officers how to improve communications.
WINDSOR REPAIR CAFÉ
Alison & Helen both dropped in on the inaugural Windsor Repair Café – which is held on 3rd Saturday of every month at the Windsor Baptist Church on Victoria Street in Windsor. It is great to see so many items being renewed.
COUNCIL
This was held on 10 October. It was an Extraordinary Meeting with one agenda item – the finances. Would we support the actions of the Senior Leadership Team and Cabinet? https://bit.ly/473B8xq To be honest, there was a fair bit of politicking. For the benefit of residents Helen explained why it appeared to be taking such a long time to establish the financial situation, a plea for a longer term plan ie 4-8 years hence, a robust and transparent budget process, and requested that residents be encouraged to be involved in the process of identifying savings and sources of income. https://bit.ly/3tI0J0h This was backed up by Cllr Jodie Grove, and the Lead for Finance, Cllr Lynne Jones, took this suggestion on board with a view to setting up a mechanism. https://bit.ly/3Scw3hT All the points Alison had intended to make had been covered by others, so wisely she decided not to prolong the meeting. Much to our dismay there were seven councillors who did not agree to support the action plan to reduce the deficit and take responsibility for achieving financial stability.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING BOARD
Helen requested an Agenda item on Long Covid. Here is the link to the item, the presentation and Helen’s questions. https://youtu.be/qTXi3gqDrr4?t=625 The outcome was to agree to Helen’s request that residents be kept better informed about the support for those with Long Covid.
CONSULTATIONS
Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document. Closing Date 27 November. https://bit.ly/3MdCDkA
Corporate Plan Engagement sessions from groups. Closing Date 5 November https://bit.ly/47baYIZ
RESIDENTS ISSUES
Overgrown hedges, Abri repairs, businesses run from home, uninsured and untaxed cars parking in residential streets, housing and homelessness,
MEETINGS ETC
Abri Senior Land Manager re Sawyers Close Development x2, Head of Democratic Services x2, Windsor Food Share Management Meeting and celebration of 10th anniversary, RBWM Head of Procurement re CSR, Windsor Homeless Project – sleepout evening (see photo at top and below), Briefing from RBWM CEO and Head of Resources to Independent Group, Health and Wellbeing Board, LEGOLAND x 2, Council, Maidenhead Planning Committee, Windsor Municipal Charities Trustee Meeting, Equalities and Community Engagement Officer, Corporate Plan Engagement Sessions x 3, Launch of Dementia Friendly Royal Borough, Centrica volunteering on Dedworth Road, Abri Community and Involvement Manager re funding, Minister of Baptist Church Victoria Street re homelessness, Berkshire Community Foundation, Abri, Service Lead Transport and Cabinet Member for Highways re bus consultation, Parks and Open Spaces Contract Manager with Tivoli, Remembrance Poppies .
