Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice Spring 20181

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What’s inside

Sign up to The Lexicon Bracknell Half Marathon See page 3

Get active with Everyone Active

Thursday, 1 March 2018 sites will continue to experience the reputation and importantly is An innovative new marked the start of the leisure same high levels of service under the prepared to invest in our facilities community website services partnership between new provider. They will also beneft and staff. I look forward to working See page 6 Bracknell Forest Council from the introduction of its talent with our new Everyone Active and Everyone Active, which development programme, Everyone management team.” Active Sporting Champions, award- has taken on the day-to-day Ian Cook, Everyone Active’s winning swimming lessons and more running of Bracknell Leisure regional contract manager, than 30 years experience in the said: “We are delighted to have Centre, Coral Reef Waterworld sports and leisure industry. offcially started our partnership with and Downshire Golf Complex. Vincent Paliczka, director Bracknell Forest Council to manage The transformation of leisure for environment, culture and its fantastic leisure facilities. The frst services, by outsourcing the communities, said: “We carried out couple of weeks have been really management of the leisure sites, an extensive selection process to positive and we are looking forward will generate signifcant income for fnd a partner that could build upon to making a big difference to the Improving and transforming the council while protecting jobs, the excellent reputation our leisure experience of everyone who comes our services as well as securing more than £1m services have established over the through the doors. See pages 10 & 11 of investment in Bracknell Leisure past 50 years. We believe Everyone “We have a number of exciting Centre to improve the facilities, Active can do just that and we look upgrades planned at Bracknell some of which will take place in the forward to working with them to Leisure Centre, which will help early years of the contract. further enhance our leisure services.” Everyone Active and the council to Everyone Active has already started Cllr Iain McCracken, executive achieve our joint aim of encouraging to make a number of improvements, member for culture, resources more people to improve their health including a better booking system and public protection, said: and wellbeing by getting active.” for Coral Reef Waterworld. The “Bracknell Forest Council has a long booking process has been made established reputation for frst class more convenient for customers by leisure provision and it is important Turn to page 11 for frequently Don’t forget to have your asked questions or for more allowing them to book all sessions to us that this is at the very least say on the local plan online anywhere from two weeks to information about Everyone Active maintained for our residents and See page 16 60 minutes in advance. visitors alike. Everyone Active has visit www.everyoneactive.com Customers across all three leisure an excellent leisure management

www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk 2 Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice

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Jemca Bracknell Jemca Reading John Nike Way, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 8TN Rose Kiln Lane, Reading Berkshire RG2 0LJ Tel: 01344 789789 Tel: 0118 907 9768 jemcabracknell.toyota.co.uk jemcareading.toyota.co.uk

Models shown for illustrative purposes only. Official Fuel Consumption Figures in mpg (l/100km): Auris Hybrid Design 5 door 1.8 VVT-i Auto. Urban 72.4 (3.9), Extra Urban 72.4 (3.9), Combined 72.4 (3.9). CO2 Emissions 91g/km. RAV4 Hybrid Icon 5 door FWD 2.5 VVT-i Auto. Urban 57.6 (4.9), Extra Urban 56.5 (5.0), Combined 56.4 (5.0). CO2 Emissions 116g/km. Prius Hybrid Excel 5 door 1.8 VVT-i Auto. Urban 85.6 (3.3), Extra Urban 85.6 (3.3), Combined 85.6 (3.3). CO2 Emissions 76g/km. C-HR Hybrid Dynamic 5 door 1.8 VVT-i Auto. Urban 80.7 (3.5), Extra Urban 68.9 (4.1), Combined 72.4 (3.9). CO2 Emissions 87g/km. Yaris Hybrid Design 5 door 1.5 VVT-i Auto. Urban 85.6 (3.3), Extra Urban 78.4 (3.6), Combined 78.4 (3.6). CO2 Emissions 82g/km. All mpg and CO2 figures quoted are sourced from official EU regulated laboratory test results. These are provided to allow comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect your actual driving experience.

LEXUS SELF-CHARGING HYBRID RANGE ALWAYS CHARGED. ALWAYS READY.

Lexus Reading Rose Kiln Lane, Reading, RG2 0HS. Tel 011 907 9769 www.reading.lexus.co.uk

Ofcial fuel consumption fgures in mpg (l/100km) for Lexus Hybrid range: Urban 3 .1 (7.3) - 7 .5 (3.6), Extra Urban 47.1 (6) - 0.7 (3.5), Combined 43.5 (6.5) - 7 .5 (3.6), CO2 137 - 81 g/km. BIK from 1 - 2 %. Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice 3

Leader’s welcome Award winning The Lexicon welcomes millions of visitors Hello and welcome to the spring edition of Town & Country.

As I’m sure you’ll all remember, this time last year we were gearing up to the opening of The Lexicon. This year we’re able to take full advantage of our award winning new town centre and enjoy what it has to offer. You will see in the story to the right of this column, that an overwhelming amount of people have visited so far and we have some exciting new retailers lined up which is something else to look forward to this year.

The Lexicon has welcomed millions of visitors since opening last As well as new retailers, there are also plenty of events to experience September and has already scooped two top industry awards. at The Lexicon, including The Lexicon Bracknell Half Marathon on 13 The first nine weeks of opening saw more than three million visits to the new May. This year’s event will start and fnish in the heart of The Lexicon town centre, which compares to 820,000 for the same period in 2016. By the and the course will not disappoint. Don’t forget to sign up and if you end of the first six months this increased to 8 million visits. don’t fancy joining the course then come along and cheer on the In addition to its popularity among shoppers and visitors, it also picked runners taking part and make the most of what our town centre has to up two awards at the 2017 Revo Gold Awards – taking top prize in the Re:new category for projects that have positively impacted their surrounding offer. environment and being voted as ‘Best of the Best’ across all categories. Now that the snowy spell is out of the way and spring is fast The Lexicon is already ranked as the 33rd best shopping destination in the UK, according to industry commentator Trevor Wood Associates; this approaching, there is also the chance to get outside and enjoy the compares with 255th position last year. fantastic countryside and open spaces available in our borough. Let’s Recent retailer announcements by The Lexicon will further enhance the not forget that 39 per cent of Bracknell Forest is covered by forest and shopping and leisure experience for visitors. Due to open their doors in the woodland! There is a vast range of outdoor activities to take part in next few months are: with family and friends so why not enjoy a day out in one of our parks • Pret A Manger or join a trail led by our dedicated rangers – they’re free to enjoy after • JD Sports all! Keep an eye on the community map included in our new website • Brown Bag (coffee shop) Help Yourself to fnd events and social groups available locally. Turn to • Skechers • Swarovski page six to fnd out more. Cllr Marc Brunel-Walker, executive member for economic development and On the theme of keeping active, you’ll see from the front page that our regeneration, said: “The Lexicon has had a fantastic start and I’m delighted that so many people have visited and are continuing to do so. The list of leisure services are now managed by Everyone Active. I’m sure our retailers is growing and these new additions will certainly complement the new operator will bring new ideas and innovations to the table and I town’s already strong shopping, dining and leisure experience.” look forward to seeing what improvements are in store for some of the facilities, especially Bracknell Leisure Centre. On your marks for The Lexicon The transformation of leisure services by outsourcing the management Bracknell Half Marathon of the leisure sites is just one part of our overall transformation programme here at Bracknell Forest Council. Despite the fnancial There’s still time to sign up for The Lexicon challenges we face to save £25m by 2020, the council has already Bracknell Half Marathon, which takes place on Half Marathon 2018 identifed an impressive £6.5m of savings. Take a moment to read Sunday, 13 May. through our transformation journey so far on pages 10 & 11 where we The annual 13.1 mile event, which is entering its 34th year in May, will be also take a look back at last year’s transformation highlights. the frst to start and fnish in Bracknell’s new town centre. It is again being sponsored by The Lexicon as part of its three year commitment to the In addition to us transforming our services, there are also important borough’s biggest sporting event. plans to transform the borough. Don’t forget to have your say on the The entry fee is just £24 each and can be booked online at new local plan for Bracknell Forest as this will play a major role in www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/halfmarathon. shaping the borough’s future. Turn to page 16 to fnd out more.

Let’s not forget the recycling changes too which, as well as being good for the environment, will help to save residents money by avoiding Bracknell Market’s back with a boom costly landfll charges. You can read more about the changes on page Bracknell Market is booming since its re-launch in 15. September - hosting a range of fresh produce and street food stalls every Friday and Saturday outside Princess Square. 2017 was a signifcant year for Bracknell Forest Council and I look forward to another brilliant and busy year in 2018. The market runs from 9am to 4pm and has a selection of stalls from fresh cakes and bread to BRACKNELL eggs, cheese, meat and fish. Cllr Paul Bettison OBE MARKET Find out more on the market’s Facebook page: Leader of Bracknell Forest Council www.facebook.com/bracknellmarket. 4 Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice

Find out about self-service accounts: Quick links www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ selfservice

Keep these links handy (or bookmarked in your internet browser) to fnd everyday and useful information you might need from us.

Council tax enquiries www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/counciltax

Planning matters www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/planningapplications

Refuse collection dates www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/householdwasterubbishcollections

Recycling www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/recyclingrubbishandwaste

Brown bins www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/householdwastegardenwaste

Leisure facilities www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/leisureandculture

Jobs www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/jobs

Pay online www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/onlinepayments

Find my nearest www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/findmynearest

e+ account www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/epluscard

More than 24,000 residents now have a self-service account, set up yours today! Join the 24,000 residents who have set up a self-service account to make contact with us easier and more convenient. With a self-service account you can log an enquiry with us 24 hours a day, seven days a week using your smartphone, PC or tablet. Registering is easy and enquiries can be logged for street cleansing, Follow us on grounds maintenance, highways, waste and recycling and more. To set up a self-service account in just a couple of minutes, use the URL at the top of this page and click ‘register’. www.facebook.com/bracknellforestcouncil

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Bracknell Forest Council About Town & Country

Town & Country is published by Bracknell Forest Council. It is Instagram: @bracknellforest printed on environmentally-friendly paper. Town & Country is delivered to more than 50,000 households in the borough and is also available on our website www. bracknell-forest.gov.uk A summary of Town & Country can be made available in large print, in Braille or an audio cassette. Copies in other languages may also be obtained. Editorial: [email protected] General council enquiries: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk [email protected] Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice 5

How we will bridge the gap • We have identifed £6.5m worth of savings through our transformation Budget 2018/19 programme. • We will save around £3m through changing the way we provide Our 2018/19 budget proposals were agreed last month at services. the meeting of full council. • We will use £2.5m of reserves to support our front line services. • In line with the government’s grant settlement calculations, council tax Although we have achieved savings of £30m over the past fve years, we will increase by 5.99 per cent. are still facing a funding gap of around £20m over the next two years, due to a reduction in government grants and increasing demand on services, The increase in council tax explained such as children’s and adult social care. • The increase equates to £1.38 extra per week for a Band D council tax payer. • The change comprises a 2.99 per cent general increase in council tax and a further 3 per cent increase to fund adult social care pressures. • The increase will raise £3.2m in funds. These additional funds however, will not cover the overall increase being experienced in social care costs, so there is a need for further savings and changes to the operation of some services. However, the budget does not include plans to close any existing facilities. We are committed to working with other specialist operators to ensure services are provided in more cost-effective ways, for example: • We have found innovative ways of supporting the care needs of individuals, such as the introduction of the ‘conversations approach’, bringing short-term support sooner to those who need it most. • We have introduced ‘Bracknell Forest Help Yourself’ to help people fnd the right support to meet their needs while increasing their independence - see page six. • We found ways to provide leisure services in a more cost effective way by partnering with external operator Everyone Active which has taken on the management of our three leisure sites. For more information on our 2018/19 budget, see the news section of our website.

Our ground breaking work Help a young person succeed with man’s best friend takes centre stage at Crufts through fostering

We’ve trialled an innovative way We’re seeking more of supporting vulnerable people in Bracknell Forest and the work families to foster is being showcased at the world’s largest dog show, Crufts, in March. local children. As part of the transformation of our adult social services, in 2017 we partnered with charity Dogs for Good to provide people with Fostering can be hugely rewarding. learning disabilities or autism with intervention sessions with a specially Whilst you’ll need to be committed and trained community dog, aiming to teach them new or adapted have a spare bedroom, once approved behaviours and improve their you can foster fexibly from one independence. As part of the project which is the weekend a month upwards. first of its kind in the UK, participants worked with a community dog, dog handler, occupational therapist or In return you’ll receive a social worker for eight sessions where they were supported to carry generous tax-free fnancial out every day tasks. By the end of the trial, significant improvements independence. We’re now working allowance, specialist training were seen in participants’ health and on a launch of a formal partnership and a huge amount of support. mobility due to their increased activity with the charity which will see us run levels, and their wellbeing improved the programme for other social care due to being able to independently groups as well, such as older people, Enquire today quoting Town & Country: carry out tasks they were previously those with physical disabilities, T: 01344 352020 unable to. sensory needs or mental health As a result, we’ve been able conditions, helping us to improve the E: [email protected] to adjust participants’ support lives of more vulnerable people in the www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/fostering packages to reflect their new level of borough. 6 Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice Help Yourself to all Bracknell Forest has to offer needs as information is available on of local community groups and agencies which provide support at organisations which each offer social home, businesses that can deliver activities or support to residents. meals and registered care homes for “We wanted to harness this unique people who no longer feel able to offering by creating an easy to live in their own home. use directory to help residents The website has been launched as explore what’s available in their part of the council’s transformation local area, while giving groups and programme and aims to empower organisations a chance to showcase residents to take control of their what they offer. health and wellbeing. It also allows “The site is designed for anyone local voluntary groups and charities who is interested in learning a new to showcase how they can support skill, meeting like-minded people or members of the community and getting active. For those who require increase participation. support, Help Yourself allows people Bracknell Forest Help Yourself to fnd organisations which can offer will replace the council’s current this, whatever their needs. Local community groups and voluntary organisations have come information hub (iHub) as the go- “I’d encourage everyone in the together in partnership with us to create Bracknell Forest Help to place for information on what’s borough to log on to Bracknell on in the local area, however it is Yourself, an innovative community website that everyone can use Forest Help Yourself and see what’s not intended to be a council run to help them stay ft, healthy and connected to their community. on offer in your neighbourhood, you and managed website. Instead, might be surprised at what’s just The creation of the new website them or simply help them to meet the site will be a resource for all around the corner.” has been led by our adult social like-minded people. Bracknell Forest residents and local care, health and housing team Features include a community map community groups, the voluntary There are more than 400 to help ensure people of all ages so residents can fnd events and and private sector to provide or organisations currently listed on and abilities are able to access social groups available locally, a access information on services or Help Yourself with more to be added information on the activities and wellbeing planner to allow people to activities in the borough. over time. Visit https://helpyourself. support available locally to meet identify how they can improve their Cllr Dale Birch, executive member bracknell-forest.gov.uk. their needs and interests. It is a wellbeing and a search tool for those for adult services, health and If you would like your business or comprehensive online guide so looking for a particular activity. housing, said: “Bracknell Forest organisation to be included on Help people can easily fnd things to do, Bracknell Forest Help Yourself also is a great place to live and we are Yourself please email Help.Yourself@ organisations which can support supports people with social care lucky enough to have an abundance bracknell-forest.gov.uk. Feeling low or anxious? Needing support to get back to independence?

The Bracknell Forest Community Network connects people aged 18+ experiencing stress, anxiety or low mood to develop confdence, interests and hobbies, life skills, and resilience.

Contact the Bracknell Forest Community Network by: Tel: 01344 823300 or Email: [email protected] Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice 7 Help give someone back New support for the borough’s their independence vulnerable families The borough’s vulnerable families will benefit We want to help more people to live as independently as possible in from greater support following the launch of their own homes for longer; this means that it is more important than a revolutionary new way of working to help families become stronger and better able to ever to provide high quality home based support. support their children. Following a grant of £1.9m from the Department for Education, we launched the family safeguarding model in November 2017, bringing together teams of professionals from a variety of specialities to support families to stay together. Specialists in adult and children’s social care, domestic abuse, mental health and drugs and alcohol now work together to provide support to each member of a vulnerable family rather than working separately with a parent or child. Sharing information on the family between them, the team work together to ensure every family member gets the right support, helping to reduce the risk of more serious interventions. As part of the launch, each specialist in the team has been trained in ‘motivational interviewing’, a technique used to help people uncover challenges they are facing and gain the motivation to help overcome them. Motivational interviewing is used to support People often require support with Self employed personal assistants work for families to identify and work towards the everyday tasks and activities in order to themselves and can advertise their services via changes needed to keep their family together stay independent; this could include, but Bracknell Forest Help Yourself to gain work; they safely. is by no means limited to, personal care. may work for more than one person at a time. Cllr Gareth Barnard, executive member for People with health problems, a learning What age range do personal assistants children, young people and learning, said: or physical disability or impaired hearing support? Personal assistants support older people but also “We are committed to improving the life or sight need support with things such chances of all children in the borough and as doing their shopping online, cleaning, support younger people with a learning disability, long term condition or mental health condition. in most cases that means keeping children socialising or taking them to appointments. within their family unit. Who can become a personal assistant? With more people living longer and each person’s “We recognise some parents need support requirements being different, there is an increasing Anyone over the age of 17 can set up as a with issues which may be affecting their need for personal assistants to work with people personal assistant. ability to look after their children, such as in the borough and help them to overcome the What are the benefits? alcohol or drug addiction, experiencing challenges they are facing. • Flexible working hours mental health problems or domestic What is a personal assistant and what does the • Training and support abuse. Through the family safeguarding role involve? model we aim to work as a team with • Workplace pension and paid annual leave Personal assistants make life easier as people get those parents and their children to help (pro rata) available for employed personal them reflect on their situation, identify older or as their needs change. As older people assistants. find daily activities more challenging such as challenges and risks and create an action getting out and about, getting washed, making plan to improve their circumstances by themselves meals, seeing friends, going out to tackling those challenges. a social club or even just down to a local park, “The family safeguarding teams are having a personal assistant can help them achieve already using the techniques they’ve these things and give them a new lease of life. learnt with the families they support and Who employs a personal assistant? we have high hopes that over the next year we will see families improving their Personal assistants can either be employed or circumstances as a result of going through self-employed. the programme. Our aim is to keep more Employed personal assistants are directly families together safely, improve the employed by the person in need of support or that health and educational achievements of person’s nominated family member or friend. They children and reduce emotional or physical receive money from the council via what’s known harm and neglect.” as a direct payment to fund support for their care Find out more about becoming a personal needs. They are then able to use that money to assistant at https://helpyourself.bracknell-forest. To find out more about the family safeguarding pay an assistant for their care, with the support of gov.uk and click on ‘For Adults’ and then select model, please visit www.bracknell-forest.gov. the council. ‘personal assistants’ from the dropdown menu. uk/familysafeguarding. 8 Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice

SAYS HELLO!

Everyone Active is now working with Bracknell Forest Council to Brought to you by bring you a azing sports and leisure facilities, including Coral Reef Waterworld, Downshire Golf Co plex and Bracknell Leisure Centre.

For ore infor ation please visit www.everyoneactive.com Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice 9

Work continues at King’s Academy Protect yourselves The all-through school project constructed by Mace and sponsored by the council, remains on schedule to against measles, open in September 2018. The cladding on the outside of the building has now been completed and efforts have turned to fitting out the inside in preparation for the opening this autumn. mumps and rubella Sarah Howells, who was appointed as the principal in May last year, has now formally started her position and has started making connections within the local community, including primary schools and parents. The King’s Following outbreaks of measles Academy Group is also in the process of recruiting staff. this year, it is important that people protect themselves against the infection, as well as mumps and rubella, by ensuring that they’ve have had two doses of the MMR vaccination as adequate protection only comes from having both doses. In Bracknell Forest we’re pleased to say that 90 per cent of children are fully vaccinated by the age of five, the highest rate in Berkshire. However, it’s important that residents’ contact their GP if they or their children haven’t had two MMR doses as they are at risk of infection. For more information visit www. nhs.uk/conditions/measles/

Great Hollands Primary School The expansion of Great Hollands Primary School is now complete. The work has helped to bridge the gap between the Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 accommodation and provides a new main entrance, reception and administration offices, as well as four new classrooms, a food technology room, a remodelled main hall and a new staff room. School Governors are people like you

Interested in influencing the future of young people? Want to use your skills and develop new ones? Email: [email protected]

www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/schoolgovernors 10 Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice

Adult social care, Improving and health and housing transformation update

transforming Over the past year, we have drastically changed our adult social care services, ensuring the people we support have genuine choice and our services control over the care they receive: • We now use the ‘Conversations approach’ to assess the needs of anyone contacting 2017 was quite a year for Bracknell Forest Council – we continued to transform services while the social care team for help with something helping launch a new town centre, re-opening a redeveloped Coral Reef Waterworld and gaining affecting their wellbeing. This means more some top recognition for our first class services. people receive short-term support sooner. Pressure on public sector spending remains intense and the council needs to find £25m of savings • 43 per cent of our social care users now by 2020 – this is 30 per cent of our net budget. The scale of savings means we cannot continue to receive support via a direct payment, a provide services in the way we had previously. payment made by the council to help people By thoroughly reviewing our services, looking at how we can provide them differently to reduce manage their own social care needs. This costs and even improve them for residents, whilst also looking at other income generation means they are able to choose and manage opportunities, the council has already identified £6.5m of savings with groundwork started for the care they receive to ensure it works for additional savings to reach the £11m transformation savings target. them, all with the support of our dedicated As well as the successful transformation of our services, 2017 was a bumper year for the team to guide them. borough. Highlights included: • We have launched a new website to help people find and connect to support and activities in their communities which help Ofsted rated our children’s services them remain independent and live life their as ‘good’ with ‘outstanding features’, The opening of The Lexicon in way. You can read more about this on page meaning Bracknell Forest’s families September – our new £240m social, six. and children receive some of the best economic and cultural heart. More • Our new community connectors and social support in the country. than 8m people have already visited. prescribers are now in post and will be helping people connect with local groups to help them overcome the obstacles they are Launched a new public website to The Care Quality Commission (CQC) facing. praised the way we work with health enable you to do more online – quickly • We’ve been reviewing care packages using partners to support vulnerable and efficiently. our new improved assessment tools to ensure residents – other councils are now everyone gets the right care package to meet learning from us. Coral Reef Waterworld – one of their assessed needs. This is done in a fair Berkshire’s most iconic water parks and transparent way. was officially re-opened by HRH The We are proud of the progress made so far and Countess of Wessex in November Forestcare, the council’s emergency are now focusing on working even closer with after a £13.3m refurbishment. response service, was rated as ‘good’ health organisations. We will also be focusing by the CQC. on recruiting more carers in Bracknell Forest to ensure more people can be supported in Consolidating the majority of our town their own homes, allowing them to remain as centre based staff in to one building independent as possible while easing the strain to save around £400,000 a year. on local health services. Re-launching Bracknell Market with a new management company at the Securing £3.29m of funding from helm to provide shoppers with a range Children, young people and the Department for Transport to of fresh produce and street food. learning transform Downshire Way in to a dual We recently launched the family safeguarding carriageway. model, a revolutionary way of providing greater support to vulnerable families in the borough. The council’s early help targeted youth support service was recognised as This will help us to keep families together and one of the best nationally by Brook and the Family Planning Association reduce the risk of more serious interventions. for its innovative relationships and sex education (RSE) programme for the You can read more about this on page seven. borough’s young people aged 11 to 19. Property We have been working towards having all town Cllr Peter Heydon, executive member for transformation and finance, said: centre-based staff located at Time Square. “Bracknell Forest Council had a bumper year in 2017, not only did we see the completion This work is due to complete in the spring and of our new town centre and Coral Reef Waterworld, we also received high praise from a will see a £400,000 saving with the closure of number of inspectors for our services. This was all carried out at a time of great financial Easthampstead House. challenge. The council has also developed a property “We are seeing real results from our transformation programme now, not only is it saving investment strategy, which has already achieved us millions of pounds it is also providing better services for our residents, which is great income of more than £2m per annum – money news.” which is being used to support essential services. Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice 11

New library Leisure The transformation of leisure services by outsourcing the management of Bracknell technology Leisure Centre, Coral Reef Waterworld and Downshire Golf Complex, will generate significant income for the council while protecting jobs, as well as securing more than coming soon £1m of investment in Bracknell Leisure Centre to improve the facilities. Visitors to the borough’s libraries will be given new opportunities to access library services in a more convenient way, through the introduction of new technology called Open+. The installation is due to start in spring and is expected to be fully operational by autumn 2018. The new technology will include secure self service kiosks, providing users with quick and easy access to their library accounts, Q: Why has council decided to partner with an Q: How can a private operator run the leisure allowing them to issue and discharge their external operator? services at a profit but the council can’t? own books; book access to a computer; A: The council needs to save £25m by 2020. As A: Everyone Active operates over 150 leisure pay for printing and photocopying or pay part of an overall transformation programme, sites, which means it benefits from much larger any fines with cash or cards. in January 2017 we asked the public for their economies of scale as a significant leisure opinion on outsourcing our leisure services. The technology will not replace our operator in the UK. If the three leisure sites had Following a comprehensive review, entering experienced library staff or volunteers who continued to be run by the council, funding cuts into a partnership with an external operator was will be available to help people use the new would have been made causing reductions in considered to be the best option in order to make technology if needed, but will help to make the services available. The partnership will allow savings whilst protecting the quality leisure offer visiting the library more convenient. Its us to continue to provide a quality leisure offer available to our residents. secure design means we can keep some to our residents, as well as enhancements to the

libraries open outside of normal hours, so facilities. residents with an e+ card can visit at a time Q: Who is the external operator that will be more suited to their needs. running the leisure facilities? A: Everyone Active. They are part of Sports & Q: What will happen to ticket and membership Residents have told us that our libraries Leisure Management Ltd and are a nationally prices? are greatly valued. So the introduction of recognised leisure management company A: Bracknell Forest Council will retain an overview Open+ technology will allow our libraries which will take over the day-to-day running of of all core pricing structures across the three to evolve and grow, so they remain at the Bracknell Leisure Centre, Coral Reef Waterworld leisure sites. Any request to change pricing must heart of our communities for many years to and Downshire Golf Complex. Having recently be made via a formal proposal for the council to come. celebrated its 30th anniversary, Everyone Active review. No core pricing changes above inflation is the longest-established leisure provider in the can be implemented before 1 April 2019. UK and currently operates more than 150 facilities across the country. The partnership with Everyone More library volunteers Q: What happens to existing memberships and Active began on 1 March, 2018. needed bookings? A: Bookings already made beyond March 2018 Our library volunteering programme has Q: Will the council be selling the leisure sites? will be honoured and all three sites are continuing proved to be very successful so far and A: No. Bracknell Forest Council will NOT to take bookings as usual. Memberships will we are now looking for new volunteers be selling the sites. We have entered into a continue as long as they are valid and all for Binfield, Crowthorne and Whitegrove partnership with Everyone Active which has taken libraries in particular, or for those who can over the day-to-day running of the three leisure members will be able to continue using their e+ volunteer at other libraries during evenings sites. Bracknell Forest Council will still own all card. and weekends. three sites but the centres will no longer run at a loss. Q: Will the council still be held accountable for We’re also keen to hear from anyone who the three leisure sites? can help with book groups and children’s activities. If you or someone you know Q: Why has the council decided to outsource A: The council will be responsible for making sure would like to get involved, visit www. the leisure services after spending money on the quality standards outlined in the contract are bracknell-forest.gov.uk/libraries/volunteer- refurbishing Coral Reef Waterworld? met by Everyone Active. The council is confident your-library for more information or to A: The reason behind the Coral Reef project, that Everyone Active will also make improvements apply. which was first considered in 2013, was the to service standards given its reputable position in essential replacement of the roof. Without this the industry. For other volunteering opportunities in work, the site would have been forced to close. the borough, please visit http://involve. The council subsequently decided to expand this community. work to include a much greater refurbishment Q: What will happen to clubs and businesses project to improve the overall facility for the based at the leisure sites? benefit of residents. The council will continue A: Clubs continue to use the centres for activities to benefit from the investment in Coral Reef with an aim to increase participation and healthy Waterworld through the annual management fee lifestyles for our residents. The services provided from Everyone Active. by lease holders will also continue. 12 Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice

A day in the life of Bracknell Forest Council We’re shining a light on different services within the council to tell you a little more about the work they do for residents across the borough. A few of the teams tell us more about their role:

Charlotte, highway network offcer “We coordinate the work Emma, senior project worker, early help “Children’s Centres of the Highway Authority, utilities and contractors and offer services for children and their families from pre-birth to issue them with permits to work on our roads. We always starting school. We offer services for all children and parents, consider the likely effects on the public and place conditions including family play sessions, antenatal and postnatal groups, as on permits to minimise this impact. ” well as parenting support within the home. ”

Jo, specialist social worker for child sexual exploitation and Louise, admissions assistant “The school admissions missing children “I carry out individual direct work and ‘keep team is responsible for processing all applications in and safe’ sessions with young people who are at risk of out of Bracknell Forest schools. We receive around 4,000 sexual exploitation. I also carry out ‘return home’ applications each year for processing as well as a large interviews with children and young people who have number of phone and online queries. “ been missing.”

Time Square Children’s Centre School Police

Hannah, social worker “I work in the community team for Chris, senior ranger “The rangers are responsible for people with learning disabilities. We work with people and managing the borough’s parks and countryside sites their carers, helping to improve their health and well-being. for the beneft of people and wildlife. We work with We regularly meet with people to ensure that the person and both volunteers and contractors to make sites safe and their carer get the best possible service from us.” enjoyable places to visit.”

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Community Data safe with BFC Data is the stuff that makes the council work. We hold lots of data learning gets safely and securely, including personal data, which residents have given us so that we can provide thumbs up certain services. How we hold your data is our priority. across the There is new government-backed legislation coming in to force in May to evolve the current Data Protection board from Act; this change in law seeks to ensure that public bodies like the council continue to hold your data Ofsted securely and safely but they must go one step further and tell you what Bracknell Forest’s community they will do with it. The new legislation learning service, which provides is called the General Data Protection educational courses for adults in Regulation (GDPR). the borough, has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted following its inspection in November 2017. “leaders and managers have taken to build on this for 2018. Inspectors found the council-run successful action to improve learners’ The majority of Bracknell Forest’s service to be ‘good’ in all five key achievements rates and these are now community learning courses are run areas: effectiveness of leadership high.” at the Bracknell Open Learning Centre and management, quality of teaching, The community learning service on Rectory Lane. Courses are also learning and assessment, personal provides a range of courses, from run in community centres, Bracknell development, behaviour and welfare, computer skills, arts, crafts and Forest children’s centres and schools outcomes for learners and adult cookery to classes to help people across the borough, as well as learning programmes. prepare for employment. Courses are through council partners, Involve The council is currently putting The findings from the report show available to all residents over the age and Bracknell Forest Homes. To find processes in place. If you need any Bracknell Forest Council’s efforts of 19 who have been a resident in the out more about the spring courses further information you can contact to raise standards following the EU for more than three years. 2,377 available or to book a place, please the council at iso@bracknell-forest. service’s previous inspection have people in the borough enrolled on a visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ gov.uk. paid off. Inspectors noted that course in 2017 and the council is keen communitylearning.

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This is 110g of cooked rice. If every re3 household reduced what they throw away by just this small amount every day, we would save £1 million in waste disposal costs.

Waste doesn’t have to be something we do. For food and money saving tips, visit www.re3.org.uk

re3 is a waste management partnership between Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham Borough Councils and FCC Environment. www.re3.org.uk

66780 RE3 FOOD WASTE AD BRACKNELL 247x305.indd 1 05/06/2017 11:58 Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice 15 Residents can now recycle more than ever from their home

The full list of items that can now be recycled in your blue bin: ✔ Clear plastic fruit, vegetable and food trays - NEW! ✔ Yoghurt, cream, soup and snack pots - NEW! ✔ Food and drink cartons (no lids) - NEW! ✔ Cosmetic pots and tubs (no lids) - NEW! The range of items that can be recycled in your blue bin has been extended and you can now add ✔ Tin foil and foil trays - NEW! plastic pots, tubs, clear trays, foil trays and food or drink cartons. Other accepted materials include ✔ Plastic bottles with trigger handles- NEW! paper, cardboard, tins, cans, plastic bottles and aerosols. We kindly asked that you quickly ‘wash and squash’ all recyclable items to reduce contamination and free up space in your blue bin. ✔ Ice cream and margarine tubs - NEW! The changes follow the significant enhancement to the re3 Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) which ✔ Plastic bottles (no lids) allows for processing a wider range of plastic cost-effectively and to a very high standard. Improving ✔ Tins, cans and aerosols the recycling rates across the borough will not only have positive environmental benefits, it will also create significant savings to waste management costs. It is estimated that sending residual waste to ✔ Paper and cardboard landfill is as much as two and half times more expensive than recycling the same amount. For more information on Cllr Mrs Dorothy Hayes MBE (pictured above), executive member for the environment and chairman recycling, including the of the joint waste disposal board, said: “This is fantastic news for our residents and we hope the list of all items that can changes will make recycling easier and less confusing. We estimate that almost 2,000 tonnes of be recycled, visit: www. pots, tubs and trays can be collected from the re3 households each year. This will give us potential bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ to divert that amount of plastic from landfill and recycle it into new products such as plastic bottles bins-and-recycling/what- or clothing. With this enhancement we can certainly tackle our waste more effectively and better goes-my-bin protect the environment.” College Town Junior School eco rangers Bracknell Forest Council’s waste and recycling team visited College Town Junior School to meet their eco rangers and see some of the fantastic outdoor learning work they’ve been doing. The eco rangers started out in 2014 and the scheme provides a great chance for children to participate in gardening and environmental activities while reaping the benefits of spending a bit of time outdoors, away from the classroom. There are recycling stations in the school playground to collect food scraps and recyclables and during the summer months, the eco rangers help to compost up to six kilos per week of food waste. Food harvested is used in cooking lessons and any spare is taken home by the children. It is a great way to learn and increase knowledge of the environment, whilst making new friends. Well done College Town Junior School! http:// www.colltown-jun.bracknell-forest.sch.uk. 16 Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice Don’t forget to have your say on the new local plan for Bracknell Forest The consultation on the proposed new local plan for the borough is open until Monday, 26 March 2018. The draft local plan sets out a manage the road network. new planning framework including Cllr Chris Turrell, executive member planning policies to be used in for planning and transport, said: assessing planning applications and “It is important that residents get proposed sites for development up involved and have their say in to 2034. This includes the need to this consultation as the plan will find sites for 3,216 new homes. play a major role in shaping the The plan also identifies sites of borough’s future. There are real varying sizes for potential allocation. choices to be made about how A number of sites in Bracknell we meet our future development town centre are included and needs, as well as ensuring we have are proposed for further retail, a framework in place which reflects leisure, office and residential use. the latest national guidance, so I Development of these sites will urge everyone to take a look at the continue the process of regenerating proposals and share their views”. the town centre. You can view the proposals In addition to housing and mixed- and have your say at: www. use developments, new facilities are bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ proposed including primary schools draftlocalplanconsultation. and major areas of new public green Hard copies are also available to space for all residents. There will view at Time Square, all libraries in also be infrastructure improvements, the borough and in your local Parish including improvement works to or Town Council office. Virtual reality training helps our foster carers improve their skills Imagine if we could experience the reality of a child in care and see things from their perspective. That is precisely what our foster carers are doing. Thanks to a partnership with social enterprise organisation The Cornerstone Partnership, Bracknell Forest Council foster carers have been given access to some innovative training using virtual reality (VR). We have been the first local authority to use immersive technology to improve understanding of child trauma for foster carers’ and staff. One of our foster carers commented: “The virtual reality training enables the viewer to feel and understand how scary and traumatic life can be for a child in care. It’s not pleasant viewing but I highly recommend everyone to experience it.” If you are interested in finding out more about the support offered by Bracknell Forest Council for fostering, please visit: www.bracknell-forest. gov.uk/fostering. Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice RegisterRegister forfor aa self-serviceself-service account:account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservicewww.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice 1717

MARCH DreamWorks Madagascar: A Musical Adventure, Wednesday 23 - Sunday 27. Private Peaceful, South Weekends and in school holidays - sessions at South Hill Park. Hill Park, Wilde Theatre. 10.30am. Stick Insect Handling sessions - The Look Wed 11 - Sun 15 Saturday 26, 9.30am - 1.30pm. The Long Green Wed 11 4pm, Thu 12, Sat 14 & Sun 15 12noon & 4pm Out. Sessions are included in the entrance price to The Walk. Join the rangers to walk 9 miles from Horseshoe Look Out. Fri 13 12noon & 7pm Lake to Englemere Pond. Meet: Horseshoe Lake car March - 29 Apr. Yucky You show - The Look Out. Wilde Theatre, £14.50 - £20.50 (for more details, see Shows run at 11am, 12noon, 2pm and 3.15pm every our website) park, Mill Lane, Sandhurst, GU47 8JW. Cost: £2. weekend and on Bracknell school holidays. School Workshops available. Recommended 2yrs+. Booking required: 01344 354441. Tuesday 13 - Saturday 17, 7.45pm, Sat matinee Wednesday 11, 10.30am. Ranger led walk - Wednesday 30 1 hour slots between 10am – 2.30pm. Crowthorne Musical Players: Sister Act, Westmorland to Newt Reserve. Up to 2 miles (1 hour). 3.45pm. The Big Tree Climb at Ambarrow Court. Cost: South Hill Park, £17-£19, Family £55, Students £13. Meet: Westmorland Park car park, Warfeld, RG42 3QP. £20. Booking required: www.bigtreeclimbing.co.uk/ Wednesday 14, 10.30am. Ranger led walk - Lily Hill Wednesday 11, 7.30pm. Bracknell Jazz Young contact-us/ Musicians: Jim Gold, South Hill Park, Recital Room, £8 Park walk. Up to 2 miles (1 hour). Meet: Lily Hill Park Wednesday 30, 2pm - 3.30pm. Minibeast Safari at north car park, off Lily Hill Road, Bracknell, RG12 2RX. in advance, £10 on the day, Under 18s £5. South Hill Park. Meet: Courtyard in front of South Hill Friday 16, 7.30pm. Conservatoire Concert Series: Thursday 12, 10am - 4.30pm. Workshop: Arts, Crafts Ugnius Pauliukonis, South Hill Park, Recital Room, & Madagascar, South Hill Park, various spaces around Park reception, Ringmead, Bracknell, RG12 7PA. Cost: £12, Members £10, Under 18s £5. the building, £55, Members £53 (includes tickets to £2. Booking required: 01344 354441. Saturday 17, 10.30am - 4.30pm. Workshop: Lego Madagascar) available to 6 - 11yrs. JUNE Animation, South Hill Park, £45, available to 8yrs+. Saturday 14, 10am – 4pm. Adult Workshop: Life Saturday 2 – Sunday 3 (Sat, 10am - 6pm, Sun, Sunday 18, 7.30pm. The Barber of Seville, South Hill Printing, South Hill Park, £60, Conc £59, Members £58. 10am - 5pm). The Festival of Food and Folk, South Park, Wilde Theatre, £23, Members £21. Hill Park Grounds (South Lake), free entry. Tuesday 20, 10.30am. Ranger led walk - Chapel Saturday 14, 3pm. Exhibition: Slow Art Day, South Wednesday 6, 10.30am. Summer stroll at Lily Hill Green and back. Up to 7 miles (2½ hours). Meet: Heath Hill Park, Mirror Gallery, free entry. Lake car park. Map grid ref: 827 654. Tuesday 17 April, 10.30am. Ranger led walk - Park. Up to 2 miles (1 hour). Meet: North car park, off Tuesday 20 - Saturday 24, Berkshire Arts Academy, Caesars Camp & the Redoubts. Up to 7 miles (2½ Lily Hill Road, Bracknell, RG12 2RX. Cost: £2. BARTA: Spring Awakening, South Hill Park, Studio hours). Meet: The Look Out Discovery Centre (car Thursday 7. Guitarra Romantica, South Hill Park, Theatre, £15. parking charges apply), Nine Mile Ride, RG12 7QW. Recital Room. Map grid ref: 878 661. Wednesday 21 - Thursday 22, 2pm & 7.45pm. Eagle Wednesday 18, 7.45pm. Simon Goodall and The Friday 8. Simon & Garfunkel Story, South Hill Park, House School: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Wilde Theatre. South Hill Park, £15. Bourne Again Shadows, South Hill Park, Wilde Theatre, £19.50, Members £17.50. Sunday 10 - Monday 11. One Two Step Dance, South Friday 23, 7.30pm. Conservatoire Concert Series: Florian Mitrea, South Hill Park, Recital Room, £12, Thursday 19 - Friday 20, 7.45pm. Forbidden Nights, Hill Park, Wilde Theatre. Members £10, Under 18s £5. South Hill Park, Wilde Theatre, £23. Tuesday 12, 10am - 11am. Community Litter Pick at Sunday 25, 10.30am - 4.30pm. Adult Workshop: Saturday 21, 7.45pm. The Supersonic 70s Show, South Hill Park. Meet: courtyard in front of South Hill Stained Glass Workshop, South Hill Park, £54, Conc South Hill Park, Wilde Theatre, £19.50, Members Park reception, Ringmead, Bracknell, RG12 7PA. £53, Members £52. £17.50. Sunday 22 - Monday 30 (various dates and times, Tuesday 19, 10.30am. Ranger led walk - Rapley Lake Thursday 29, 8pm. R’n’Beatles, South Hill Park, Cellar and back. Up to 7 miles (2½ hours). Meet: The Look Bar, £15. for more details, see website) Lift Off Dance Festival, Out Discovery Centre (car parking charges apply), Nine Thursday 29, 10am - 4pm. Adult Workshop: South Hill Park, Wilde Theatre, Cinema, Rehearsal Monoprinting with Watercolour, South Hill Park, £60, Rooms. Dance Workshops available, £5 - £20. Mile Ride, RG12 7QW. Cost: £2. Conc £59, Members £58. Sunday 22, 2.30pm. Wilde Sundays: Suntrap, South Saturday, 23, 1pm - 3pm. Himalayan Balsam pulling Friday 30 - Sunday 1 April (30 & 31, 1.30pm & Hill Park, McAllister’s, £7. at Larks Hill. Meet: Larks Hill car park, Warfeld, RG42 7pm, 1, 1pm & 6pm). Jayne A. Coleman Academy Wed 25, 7.45pm. Border Tales, South Hill Park, Wilde 2QD. Theatre, £15.50, Members £13.50. of Dance: Dance Art, South Hill Park, Wilde Theatre, Thursday 28, 2pm - 3pm. Community Litter Pick at Thursday 26, 8pm. Get Ready, South Hill Park, Cellar £18.50. Lily Hill Park. Meet: north car park, off Lily Hill Road, APRIL Bar, £10. Monday 30, 7.45pm. Izindava, South Hill Park, Bracknell, RG12 2RX. Easter School: DreamWorks Madagascar: A Friday 29, 8.15pm - 10pm. Nightjar Walk at The Musical Adventure, South Hill Park. £15.50, Members £13.50. Rehearsals: Mon 2 - Fri 6 April, 9am - 5pm MAY Look Out. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing Technical Rehearsal: Sat 7 April, 11am - 6pm Thursday 3, 7.45pm. The Nature of Forgetting, South and footwear and bring insect repellent, a torch and Dress Rehearsals: Sun 8 - Tue 10 April 5pm - 10pm Hill Park, Wilde Theatre, £16, Members £14, post-show binoculars. No dogs please. Meet: The Look Out Wilde Theatre & rehearsal spaces, £185, Sibling £175 discussion available. Discovery Centre car park, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, Available to 7-17yrs 7 May - 8 Jul 2018. The Slime Show - The Look Out. RG12 7QW. Cost: £3. Booking required: 01344 Tuesday 3 April, 10am - 11.30am or 1pm - 2.30pm. Shows run at 11am, 12noon, 2pm and 3.15pm every 354441. weekend and during school holidays. Easter Treasure Hunt at Ambarrow Court. Cost: £3. Friday 29 - Sunday 1 July. Berkshire Theatre Booking required – 01344 354441. Meet: Gazebo Tuesday 8, 10.30am. Ranger led walk around Company: Legally Blonde, South Hill Park, Wilde on grass feld, Ambarrow Court, Wokingham Rd, Cabbage Hill. Up to 7 miles (2½ hours). Meet: Frost car Sandhurst, GU47 8JB. park, Wellers Lane, Warfeld. Map ref: 873 725. Cost: Theatre. Wednesday 4 April, 10am - 11.30am or 1pm - £2. JULY 2.30pm. Easter Treasure Hunt at South Hill Park. Cost: Wednesday 9 May, 10.30am. Spring stroll at South Saturday 1, 1pm - 3pm. Himalayan Balsam pulling at £3. Booking required – 01344 354441. Meet: Gazebo Hill Park. Up to 2 miles (1 hour). Meet: Courtyard in Horseshoe Lake. Meet: Horseshoe Lake car park, Mill on rear feld, South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell, front of South Hill Park reception, Ringmead, Bracknell, Lane, Sandhurst, GU47 8JW. RG12 7PA. RG12 7PA. Cost: £2. Thursday 5. Forever in Blue Jeans, South Hill Park, Wednesday 4, 10am - 12noon. Young People’s Sunday 13, afternoon (timings TBC). Sports Taster Workshop: Art Factory, South Hill Park, £18.50, Day at Westmorland Park. Meet: Westmorland Park, Wilde Theatre. Members £17.50, available to 4-11yrs. off Westmorland Drive, Warfeld, RG42 3QP. www. Sunday 8. West Forest Sinfonia, South Hill Park, Wed 4 – Sat 7 April, 7.30pm. The Elephant Man, bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parks-and-countryside/events Recital Room. South Hill Park, Studio Theatre, £13.50, Members Sunday 13, 1 hour slots 10am - 12pm. The Big Tree Summer School: DreamWorks Madagascar: A £11.50. Climb at Westmorland Park. Suitable for all from 6yrs Musical Adventure, South Hill Park. Thursday 5 April, 10am - 11.30am or 1pm - - adult. Cost: £20 per ticket. Booking required: www. Performers Course: Wed 25 July - Fri 3 Aug, 9am - bigtreeclimbing.co.uk/contact-us/ 2.30pm. Easter Treasure Hunt at Lily Hill Park. Cost: 5pm (excluding Sun 29 July) £3. Booking required – 01344 354441. Meet: At the Tuesday 15 - Saturday 19. EBOS: Monty Python’s Technicians Course: Wed 25 July - Fri 3 Aug, 9am - Giant Picnic Table, Lily Hill Park, off Lily Hill Road, Spamalot, South Hill Park, Wilde Theatre. Bracknell, RG12 2RX. Tuesday 22 May, 10am - 11am. Rhododendron Walk 5pm (excluding Sun 29 July) Friday 6, 7.30pm. Bracknell Jazz: Katie Brown, Alex at Lily Hill Park - guided walk. Meet: North car park, off Musicians Course: Mon 30 July - Fri 3 Aug, 9am - 5pm Hitchcock & Tom Smith, South Hill Park, Recital Room, Lily Hill Road, Bracknell, RG12 2RX. Cost: £2. Booking Performance dates (all courses): Sat 4 Aug 2 & 7pm, £10, Under 18s £5. required T: 01344 354441. Sun 5 Aug 12noon & 5pm Bracknell Forest Council does not necessarily endorse any of the organisations included on this page. 18 RegisterRegister forfor aa self-serviceself-service account:account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservicewww.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice

SUPPORT Crowthorne Musical Players: Simon Light – Bracknell Forest Natural History Society: Gill Cheetham Age Concern Bracknell Forest: offce – 01344428074, 01344411278 – 07906366009 – [email protected] – – 01344423440 – [email protected] – www. day centre 01344422048 – www.ageconcernbracknell. www.cmp-berks.org.uk bfnathistsoc.org.uk org.uk Crowthorne Symphony Orchestra: 01189722164 – Bracknell Forest U3A (University of the Third Age): Alzheimer’s Society, Bracknell area: Geraldine www.crowthorneorchestra.com Tony Bolt – 01344483843 – embershipsecretary@ Durrant – 07713390714 – geraldine.durrant@ Crowthorne Village Singers: Susan-Mary Spiller – bracknellu3a.org.uk – www.bracknellu3a.org.uk alzheimers.org.uk – www.alzheimers.org.uk 01344780604 Bracknell Trefoil Guild (Guiding for Adults): 01344451451 Berkshire Asbestos Support Group: 08008840720 – Park Opera: Tony Bentley – 01344429352 – Mrs Gwen Cooper – [email protected] – www.berkshireasbestossupport.org Sandhurst & District Corps of Drums: Mark Saunders www.trefoilguild.co.uk Bracknell Area Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Support – 07751754981 – [email protected] –www. Bracknell & Wokingham College: 08453303343 – Group: 01189783541 (loop system available) – sandhurstdrums.co.uk www.bracknell.ac.uk [email protected] Sing Healthy Choirs: Dorian Edwards – Bracknell Branch of the National Women’s Register: Bracknell & Wokingham District Cats Protection: Liz 07825616759 – [email protected] – www. 01344860039 – www.nwr.org Spooner (coordinator) – 03453714212 – readingeastcp@ singhealthy.co.uk Bracknell Camera Club: enquiries@bracknell- hotmail.com – www.cats.org.uk/bracknell Thames Voyces Chamber Choir: 01344771966 camera-club.co.uk Bracknell Tuesday Stroke Club: Meryl Lay – 01344 The Savoy Singers: Pam Stevens – 07710772792 Bracknell Chess Club: Ian Searle – 01344482281 – www. 429098 – [email protected] – www. berkshirechess.org.uk Bracknell Thursday Stroke Club: 01344442717 / 01344 savoysingers.org.uk Bracknell Circle Dance: Anne Parry – 01344424655 422504 ART GROUPS Bracknell Flower Club: Alison Phillips – 01344882733 Bracknell LETS (Local Exchange Trading System): Bracknell Mencap: Alison – 01344868076 – alison@ Ascot Art Group: Terry Earthy – 01344883950 – bracknellmencap.org Gill – 01344442914 – [email protected] – [email protected] www.bracknell-lets.co.uk Bracknell Parkinson’s UK – Will Hague – 01276850286 - The Ark Trust Ltd: 01344266899 – www.theark.org. [email protected] – www.bracknellparkinsons.org Bracknell Open Learning Centre: Natalie Gendall – olc@ uk bracknell-forest.gov.uk – www.bracknellforest.gov.uk/ Bracknell Shopmobility: Becky Pearce or Sue Great Hollands Art Group: Eileen Mann – 01344451041 Lewis – 01344861316 – bracknellshopmobility@ bracknellopenlearningcentre utdsl.com – bracknellshopmobility.org CONSERVATION/OUTDOOR Bracknell Reel Club – Scottish country dancing: Bracknell Wick Hill Women’s Institute: Sally Barrett – Ascot Horticultural Society: Peter Cleare – 01189793024 – www.bracknellreelclub.org.uk 01344454582 – [email protected] 01344622086 – www.ascothorticulturalsociety.org. Carnation Sequence Dance Club: Peter Cairneross – Citizens Advice Bracknell & District: 03444111306 uk 01344893552 Crowthorne Stroke & Disabled Club: 01344775725 Binfeld Badger Group: 07092234377 – www. Club Marmalade – inclusive nightclub run by Drop in Every Monday at St. Paul’s Harmans Water: binfeldbadgers.org.uk people with disabilities: 01344755528 – www. Lesley Barton - 01344 427486 – lesleyjbarton@hotmail. Bracknell & District Friends of the Earth: clubmarmalade.org.uk co.uk 01344449115 Tap and Jazz/Lyrical Dance Classes for Adults: Elaine – East Berks Ostomy Club: Jackie Dudley – Bracknell Conservation Volunteers: Trevor Scott – 01344484736 – [email protected] 01344426652 – [email protected] 01344628602 – [email protected] –www. East Berks Scrabble Club: Tricia walker – Easthampstead Rotary Club: John Fordham – bracknellcv.org.uk 07746981801 – www.eastberksscrabbleclub.org.uk 01344862440 – [email protected] – www. Bracknell Flower Club: Anne Agar – 01344642453 Easthampstead & Wildridings Community Centre easthampsteadrotary.co.uk – [email protected] www. Short Mat Bowls Club: Pam & Mick Staines - Konnections@Kerith: Jo Dawson – 01344828802 – bbandoflowers.org.uk 01344583602 – [email protected] [email protected] – www.kerith.co.uk Berkshire Woodturning Association: David Blundell – Foundation for International Spiritual Unfoldment (FISU) Lions Club of Bracknell: Mike Hendy – 07717209455 – 01344427326 – [email protected] – www. meditation courses: Amiya – 07906686788 – Amiya@ [email protected] – bracknellforestlions.org.uk berkshirewoodturners.org.uk fsa.org – www.fsu.org National Women’s Register (Bracknell Branch) - Heathlands Grow Your Own: Howard de Silva – Fitness Yoga, Owlsmoor Centre: Emma Baldwin – 01344860039 07813542756 - [email protected] 07545008064 – [email protected] New Hope (substance or alcohol misuse): 01344312360 - www.heathlandsgyoa.co.uk Freedom to Dance Ballroom Tuition, Owlsmoor Centre: Rethink Mental Illness: Alison Summersbey – RSPB Wokingham and Bracknell: www.rspb.org.uk/ Jonathon – 07545075426 – [email protected] 01189892653 – [email protected] – groups/wokinghamandbracknell Glee Club UK: Melissa – 07967768320 – www. www.rethink.org The Bracknell Forest Society: Lynda Lunn – gleeclubuk.com Rotary Club of Bracknell: 07910359116 01344423440 / 451878 – [email protected] – Harmans Water Womens Institute:– Lynne Daley – Royal Naval Association Bracknell Branch – June www.thebracknellforestsociety.org.uk 07565515329 - Mrs Irene Hunter – 07913986749 Boddrell – 01344311869 – secretary.bracknellrna@ Thames Valley Branch of the Worldship Society: William Lorna Timms Dance Group, Owlsmoor Centre: gmail.com – www.bracknellrna.co.uk Mayes – 01753620237 – [email protected] Melissa Timms – 01189736270 – melissa@ Samaritans of Bracknell, Wokingham, Ascot & Districts: – www.worldshipsociety.org lornatimms.co.uk support – 01344455556 or (free to call) 116123 – Warfield Environment Group: Claire – 01344302708 North Ascot Over 50s Monday Tea Dance Club – John admin, publicity & recruitment – 01344868808 – www. – [email protected] – Bollands – 01344 883535 – Margaret Birdseye – 01344 samaritans.org www.warfield-env-group.co.uk 885727 – [email protected] Martin’s Heron School of Dance: Rebecca Sandhurst Stroke & Disabled Club: Pam Owles – LEISURE 01344775698 – [email protected] Ward – 07966579829 – missbecky@ The Active Weigh Healthy Eating and Fitness Classes – Aldance – Dance Classes: Amy Davison – 07899796212 martinsheronschoolofdance.co.uk – Miss Ali Cannon – 07542170427 – ali@theactiveweigh. – [email protected] – www.aldance.co.uk www.rebekahsdanceschool.co.uk co.uk – www.theactiveweigh.co.uk Ascot Bridge Club: David Calcutt – 01344886412 Move it Mondays – Inclusive SEN Dance Club: Charlie Senior Citizens Owlsmoor Centre: Jenny – - [email protected] – www. Dixon – 07792901616 – [email protected] 0127633790 – [email protected] ascotbridge.org.uk Over 50’s Social Dancing – Lynda - 01344451878 Slimming World, Owlsmoor Centre: 07824533623 – Ascot Locomotive Society: E Chambers – 01344883425 Over 50s Tea Dance Club: Shirley Braban – Amanda – [email protected] Ascot Fitness -Yoga & Clubbercise & Dance 01344441110 Three Counties Breast Cancer Support Group: Fitness: Flo Young – 07711077038 – flo@ Phoenix Sequence Dance, over 60s ballroom, Jackie Wetherall – 01344774149 – jackie@ ascotfitness.co.uk – Owlsmoor Centre: John Coupland – 0127635168 – btinternet.com www.ascotfitness.co.uk [email protected] Women’s Institute, Owlsmoor Centre: Hazel – BARA (Bracknell Active Retired Association): Mrs Jacqui Pilates Beginners at Ascot & Windsor: Amanda – 01344780453 – [email protected] Brown – 01344447424 – jacqui.brown1972@ntlworld. 07927543214 – [email protected] – Youthline Ltd: Collette Reynolds – 01344311200 – com www.facebook.com/pilatesofexcellence.co.uk [email protected] – www.youthlineuk.com Bracknell Afternoon Townswomen’s Guild: Pilates in Owlsmoor: Tina – 07540187807 – Rosemary Harris – 01344303804 – rosemaryh3@ [email protected] MUSICAL GROUPS talktalk.net Poleft Exercise, Owlsmoor Centre: Vicky – Binfeld Singers: Jan Vigar – 01344411267 – Bracknell & Binfeld Ladies Darts League: Mrs Sylvia 07961954848 – [email protected] [email protected] Robinson – 01344484893 – [email protected] Sandhurst Camera Club: Bob Hallsworth – Boys’ Voices: 01344 775367 – www.boysvoices.uk Bracknell & District Historical Society: 07780681700 – [email protected] Bracknell Choral Society – Maria Martin – 01344625700 Sandhurst & Crowthorne Flower Club: Wendy Gostling – 01344304223 – [email protected] – Bracknell & District Wargames Club: G Bazett – 01344780797 – [email protected] ww.bracknellchoral.org.uk 07979593437 – [email protected] – Sandhurst & District Gardening Club: Sheila Crowthorne Choral Society: Teresa Edwards www.badwargamers.co.uk Davenport – 01252874361 – [email protected] – – [email protected] – www. Bracknell Film Society: David J Maxwell – www.sandhurstgardeningclub.co.uk crowthornechoral.org.uk 01344483964 – [email protected] – Sandhurst Historical Society: Janice Burlton – www.bracknellfilmsoc.org 01252872504 – www.sandhurst-historical-society.org Bracknell Forest Council does not necessarily endorse any of the organisations included on this page. RegisterRegister forfor aa self-serviceself-service account:account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservicewww.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice RegisterRegister forfor aa self-serviceself-service account:account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservicewww.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice 19

Sandhurst Ladies Golden Circle Club: Linda Bracknell Forest Runners: Alan Street – 07770265366 PARENTING SUPPORT GROUPS Bothwell – 01252870214 – [email protected] – [email protected] – Binfeld Coffee Drop at Binfeld Library: Sarah Henty – Sandhurst Women’s Institute: Liz King – 01344777131 – ww.forestrunners.org.uk 01344306663 [email protected] Bracknell Hockey Club: Alison Eatwell – Bracknell National Childbirth Trust: Rebecca – Saturday Morning Short Walks: Brian Poulton 01344483747 – [email protected] 08442436058 – bracknellNCTenquires@hotmail. – 07443499207 – 01344483940 – bp2007@poulty Great Hollands Bowls Club: David Harnden – 01344 co.uk – www.nct.org/branches/bracknell towers.co.uk – www.sebr.org.uk 423365 – Iris Sullivan – 01344424371 Crowthorne & Sandhurst National Childbirth Trust: Linda South East Berks Ramblers: Brian Poulton – Junior Taekwondo, Owlsmoor Centre: Lynee – 08704211871 07443499207 – [email protected] – www. Lewendon – 07766125735 – lynne_lewendon@sky. Home-Start Bracknell Forest: Val Callan or Tessa sebr.org.uk com Dove – 01344860025 – [email protected]. Street Dance, Owlsmoor Centre: Yazmin – Little Kickers, Owlsmoor Centre: Rob – 01276600393 – com – www.homestartbracknellforest.org.uk 07794677629 – [email protected] [email protected] Itchy Feet Toddler Gym Class & Little Bakers Cooking Tap Dancing For Fun, Owlsmoor Centre: Richard – Moves Fitness Classes: Rosie Martiiu – Club: Elizabeth Claridge-Ware – 01344890668 – Search 01420520172 – [email protected] 07780801970 – [email protected] – www. on Facebook The Bracknell Forest Society – www. movesfitness.com Jo Jingles Ascot & Bracknell: Jackie Thornton thebracknellforestsociety.org.uk Rugbytots: 0845 3133255 – www.rugbytots.co.uk – 01344484473 – [email protected] – Zumba with Carolyn: Carolyn Hayes – 07952517572 – Sandhurst Health Walks: Kat Bradshaw www.jojingles.com/ascot [email protected] – carolynh.zumba.com – 01252876593 – 07789226264 – Konnections – Mums Group – Jo Dawson – Zumba Fitness (Zumbafit4all): Wahida Finlay – [email protected] – 01344828802 – [email protected] – www.kerith. 07702604227 – [email protected] sandhursthealthwalks.weebly.com co.uk Sandhurst Indoor Short Mat Bowls Club: Ann Glaister – YOUTH GROUPS Little Tots, Toddler Play Group, Owlsmoor Centre: 0127634774 – [email protected] 07815785373 – [email protected] All Starz Kids Club and ZoneYouth Club, Warfeld: David Sandhurst Joggers: Ian Watson – 01252873055 Music with Mummy: Stephanie – 07776131065 – Ritchie – 01344886900 – [email protected] – [email protected] – www. [email protected] – Emma – www.warfeld.org.uk sandhurstjoggers.org.uk 07734562421 – [email protected] – Bracknell Young Gamers Club: Jean Remillard – Self Defence Class, Owlsmoor Centre – Sonny – www.bracknell.musicwithmummy.co.uk 01344648500– [email protected] 07851433456 – [email protected] Music with Mummy, Owlsmoor Centre: Elizabeth – Konnections @ The Kerith (youth groups): 01344828802 Short Mat Bowls Club: Penny – Penny 01276504834 – [email protected] – [email protected] – www.kerith.co.uk 01344882137 – Jackie – 01344301158 One + Lone Parent Support Group: Sarah Hardy – Kumon (after school maths): 01344776504 – [email protected] – 01344862699 – [email protected] – www.kerith. South Berks District Scouts (Birch Hill, Hanworth, chartersshortmatbowlsclub.wordpress.com co.uk Wildridings, Great Hollands, Crowthorne, Sandhurst and SSKA Shotokan Karate for GCSE /A Level – Fitness The Alders Children’s Centre: Amanda Owlsmoor): www.southberksscouts.org & Self Defence: Sensei Phil Trivett – 07859013104 – Hales-Owen –www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ South East Berks District Scouts (Ascot, Binfield, [email protected] – www.sska.co.uk childrenscentres Bullbrook, Crown Wood, Harmans Water, Washindo College-Karate-do The Peaceful Way: The Oaks Children’s Centre: Amanda Hales-Owen Priestwood, Sunningdale and Warfield): Karen Stone – 07970868920 – karenstone65@ – 01344317020 – www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ Steve Richards – 01344860039 – steve.richards@ icloud.com – www.washindo.co.uk childrenscentres seberksscouts.org – www.seberksscouts.org Taekwondo, Owlsmoor: Mr Douglas – 08453105783 The Rowans Children’s Centre: Amanda Hales- Tai-Chi, Owlsmoor Centre: Stephanie 01189735242 SPORT Owen – 01344312800 – www.bracknell-forest.gov. – [email protected] uk/childrenscentres Active 4 Life / A Balanced Body with Lee Bowen: Bowen TNT Academy Krav Maga self defence for youths: The Willows Children’s Centre: Amanda Hales-Owen Therapy: Lee Avery – 07710722615 – Tamas – 07955920942 – www.tntacademy.net – 01344354450 – www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ www.facebook.com/Active4LifeWithLee / - www. Walking Football - Bracknell Town FC (over 50s): childrenscentres abalancedbodywithbowen.co.uk John Waterton – 01344303688 Toy Box Play Group, Owlsmoor Centre: Kate – Back to Netball: Niki Kelly – 07905725974 – niki@ Wellington College Badminton Club: Julie Els – 07887747832 – [email protected] initialsports.co.uk – www.initialsports.co.uk 07803850499 – [email protected] BATS (Ball and Team Sports): Bert Ridley – 01344423264 Who Let the Dads Out, Bracknell, Baby & Toddler Westmorland Park Lawn Tennis Club – Group: Darren Teverson – 07799412808 – Darren. – [email protected] 07500114487 – clubspark.westmorland@ [email protected] Bracknell Bootcamps: Lee Cooper – clubmember.org – www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ 07809422865 – [email protected] – www. westmorlandpark If you have an event, club, or organisation you bracknellbootcamps.co.uk Winkfeld Tennis Club: 01344885110 would like to promote, these will now be featured Bracknell Bowling Social Club: 01344423494 Yateley Offshore Sailing Club: Ian Skinner – on our comminity website Bracknell Forest Help Bracknell Combat Academy martial arts classes: 0127631241 – [email protected] – www.yosc. Yourself, which is referred to on page six. To be Ian – 01344311131 – www.combatacademy.co.uk org.uk included on Help Yourself please email: Help. [email protected]

Bracknell Forest Council does not necessarily endorse any of the organisations included on this page. Bracknell Forest Council meetings March Mon 12 5.30pm Bracknell Town Centre Regeneration Committee June Tue 13 5.00pm Executive Mon 4 9.00am Appeals Committee (part open) Fri 16 11.00am Corporate Parenting Advisory Panel Tue 5 7.30pm Adult Social Care & Housing Overview & Scrutiny Panel Mon 19 9.00am Appeals Committee (part open) Thu 7 7.30pm Licensing & Safety Committee Thu 22 7.30pm Planning Committee Tue 27 7.30pm Adult Social Care & Housing Overview & Scrutiny Panel Tue 12 5.00pm Executive Wed 28 7.30pm Governance & Audit Committee Wed 13 7.30pm Children, Young People and Learning Overview & Scrutiny Panel Thu 29 7.30pm Overview & Scrutiny Commission Mon 18 5.30pm Bracknell Town Centre Regeneration Committee Tue 19 7.30pm Environment, Culture and Communities Overview & Scrutiny April Panel Tue 10 5.00pm Executive Thu 21 7.30pm Planning Committee Thu 19 7.30pm Planning Committee Wed 18 7.30pm Children, Young People and Learning Overview & Scrutiny Panel Fri 22 11.00am Corporate Parenting Advisory Panel Wed 25 7.30pm Council Tue 26 5.30pm Education Employment Sub-Committee Thu 26 7.30pm Health Overview & Scrutiny Panel Wed 27 7.30pm Governance & Audit Committee Thu 28 7.30pm Health Overview & Scrutiny Panel May Tue 8 5.00pm Executive Thu 10 7.30pm Overview & Scrutiny Commission July Thu 17 7.30pm Planning Committee Thu 5 7.30pm Overview & Scrutiny Commission Wed 23 7.30pm Annual Meeting of Council Meetings will be held at either Easthampstead House or Time Square. Please check the website to confirm the venue. Details correct at time of going to press. 20 Register for a self-service account: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/selfservice

Beech House is a specialist residential dementia care home ideally located between Wokingham and Bracknell. We have been owned, since 2008 by a small award winning independent care group who have continually invested to create a beautifully furnished care home, for 31 people aged 65 or over, living with dementia. Gill Kirk is celebrating her 20th year as registered manager at Beech House, making her probably one of the longest serving managers in the country. Beech House has the use of the company’s own specially adapted minibus that we use regularly to take our residents out on day trips, to local attractions such as the River Thames, local zoos, gardens, and also to the theatre. In our latest inspection we were rated as GOOD by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Beech House Dementia Care Home London Road, Binfield Nr. Bracknell RG42 4AB

Telephone: 01344 451 949 www.beechhouse-dementiacarehome.co.uk [email protected]

Part of the Award Winning Haven Care Home Management Group