September update from your Clewer & Dedworth East councillors

We’ve been waiting for the announcement on our financial situation and the plan of whats going to happen.   The Update from Cabinet has been widely circulated ,  Councillors are being briefed over the next couple of weeks when we will have a chance to ask questions and understand more clearly what comes next.  In turn we will communicate this to residents.

Cabinet Meeting

Helen attended in person (Alison attended online) the 27 September Cabinet meeting.  The Cabinet revealed our financial situation and this is posted elsewhere.  Helen requested greater detail in the Cabinet Forward Plan so that both the Scrutiny Panels and residents understand what Cabinet is considering in future months.  We heard about the reduction in spending on library books which will have most negative impact on children and the less well off.  Helen suggested ways that these cuts could be mitigated.   We heard about the retendering of the subsidised bus contracts and Helen urged that during the consultation the views of those most adversely impacted – the elderly and less well off – were gathered, bearing in mind such residents are less likely to be on social media. You can watch the Cabinet meeting here.

Disability & Access Forum

See agenda here. There was an update on the Isolation and Loneliness Project engagement and consultation, review of Parallel Windsor (a great success), an update on the Broadway car park and Nicholson’s shopping centre (not a success!) and non mainstream housing.

There were no papers in advance so Helen suggested that the Chair and Officer meet earlier to agree the Agenda, thus giving officers more time to prepare papers. To encourage attendance by officers Helen suggested officers are invited for a particular time slot, rather than be expected to stay for the whole meeting.

Windsor Town Forum (now called Windsor Forum)

Watch it here.

The Windsor Town Forum was well attended by about 20 residents in September.  The main items on the agenda were an update from the Town Centre Manager, a presentation on the Vision for Windsor project (which will become an ongoing topic for future meetings) and a presentation and discussion on digital infrastructure.

Then at the full council meeting in September Alison proposed a motion to rename the forum just Windsor Forum to include more residents from outside of the town centre.  Helen seconded the motion and it was unanimously agreed in under 3 minutes.  So from here on we will have the Windsor Forum and the next one is November 9th at 6.30pm at York House in Windsor (and via Zoom & YouTube).  Please send in your ideas for agenda items by 9th October to cllr.carpenter@rbwm.gov.uk

One Borough

Agenda is here.

Helen attended this and it was held at the Maidenhead Synagogue.  Each representative in turn briefed the group on their activities.  Helen briefed the group on her work as the CSR Champion and the Windsor Foodshare. This is an excellent opportunity for finding out what the voluntary sector is doing and creating collaborative workings.

Abri meeting

Helen had been in contact with housing association, Abri’s Operational Director with concerns about service standards.  As a result a meeting was held in person with him and his top team and several councillors from RBWM.  

It was a frank meeting with Abri explaining its issues and what they are doing about them  and the councillors explaining the areas of difficulties experienced by their residents.   Actions were agreed, new communication channels opened and such meetings will he held every quarter.  Helen was conscious that two Windsor Wards: Clewer East & Eton & Castle were not represented so has agreed that councillors from there will be included in future correspondence and meetings.

The Operations Director stressed to Helen he wanted to know when things were going wrong and followed this up in writing since when she has been sending him the serious cases in her Ward.  This has resulted in fast action but she keeps stressing that operating systems and procedures need to change in order to reduce the number of times things don’t go right first time.

Leslie Dunne House

The Leslie Dunne Social Club (the residents) held a Summer Fayre, probably the last summer fair of the season.  It was very well organised and supported and some stalls sold out before the end.    Helen donated two tickets for Royal Windsor Racecourse.  They have given her complimentary tickets to distribute to local charities, good causes.  She looks out for any fairs and events and approaches the organisers.  If you’d like tickets please contact her.

Bins – Sawyers Close

There have been major issues with the bins at Sawyers Close.  These are big “industrial” bins to serve each block.   There was a major problem around 3 months ago, which we raised with Abri.  Sadly, at the time of writing it is still unresolved.   Non residents have been observed on CCTV emptying their business waste in these bins and action is being taken.  We’ve had meetings with Abri to suggest ways to improve the situation and hope within a few weeks things will have resolved.  

Garden In Bloom

Alison and Helen delivered all remaining certificates from all their nominated entries. 

There was just one resident with a lovely front garden and Helen had to call eight times to find them in after their holiday. Helen persevered as we like to thank residents in person for cheering up their street.  They have offered to collect seed heads and scatter these on the two wilding verges.  

Planters & Troughs

Next month we’ll be “wintering” the planters and troughs.  Helen will put out dates so if you’d like to join us stripping out the summer bedding, enriching the soil and preparing for the winter/spring you’d be really welcome.  If you have any plants to contribute they too would be welcome.

Much to our amazement the plot outside Boots on Dedworth Road was tided up by Tivoli.   It still is much too high, someone sitting on the bench is confronted by a hedge and the lovely clock needs to be more on display. 
Helen will discuss how much and when would be the right time to prune back these shrubs.  Meanwhile Helen will be looking for volunteers to help with turning over the soil, enriching it and planting some spring bulbs and forget-me-nots.  (She has hundreds to spare!).

Parks

We’ve mentioned before that the Parks Manager is leaving, which is tough as he was beginning to get on top of the backlog of work and delivering miracles with no/little money.   Fortunately Osgood Park railings have had a spruce up and the worst of the rotten posts replaced – so a big improvement.

Social Media

Both of us post widely on social media as we believe it is important residents are given the opportunity to be kept up to date. We post on the majority of Windsor Facebook pages, Next Door and other social media channels.  If you know of any other way of spreading the word please let us know.

Helen has the responsibility for sharing information on both the Windsor Foodshare and Age Concern.   Helen is trying to encourage the newer councillors to post more widely.  

Thank you to the admins of the Windsor Facebook groups who allow us to post regularly. 

Communities Celebration Event

Helen attended this held at Maidenhead Library and it was such a positive events with community groups/local charities hosting stands  The photo at the top of the page is of Helen with the Maidenhead United FC Magpies – a charity. It was well attended and had a disco.  Helen ventured onto the dance floor (sadly no photos!).  She was able to reconnect with local charities and signposted both individuals and charities to further assistance A big thank you to the RBWM Communities team.

Fundraising for the Morocco Earthquake victims

There were two events on the same day, both of which we supported.   One held by YUSRA at the NWCA.  As well as an amazing variety and volume of food there was a bouncy castle for the children, henna, massage.   One held at the Swan to acknowledge the safe return of Rebecca Calvert.  Rebecca told us of the terrifying experience when the earthquake struck and how lucky she and her friend were to be unharmed. Alison & Helen showed their support at both events.

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