E – NEWS

JANUARY 2021

For the latest Covid-19 updates visit www..gov.uk and sign up for the Covid-19 newsletter. For more guidance visit www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home You can find the latest information on local cases and statistics on the Covid-19 dashboard at www.berkshirepublichealth.co.uk Wokingham Borough Community Response The Community Response (WBCR) continues to be ready - if and when you need support this winter. One Front Door is run by Citizens Advice Wokingham, supported by Wokingham Borough Council. One Front Door works closely with the Borough Council and local voluntary organisations such as the Wokingham Volunteer Centre, First Days, Involve, Link Visiting Scheme, Age UK and others. Do get in touch if you need help, for example, with prescription collections or a shopping service because you are self-isolating. It can also help with other Covid-19 effects such as debt advice from losing your job, statutory sick pay and benefits, mental health, and wellbeing. You can contact One Front Door on 0300 330 1189, by emailing [email protected] or visiting www.citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk

Are you a keyworker who is regularly leaving home to go to work?

You are invited to come forward for twice- weekly rapid testing at the Wokingham Shute End testing centre.

Around one in three people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and will be spreading it without realising

Widening rapid testing to those showing no symptoms will help find people who are infected and infectious but unaware that they might be spreading the virus

Find out more, including a link to the online booking system, here https://cutt.ly/3jFKfoc

1 E – NEWS

JANUARY 2021

When you do have to go out please support our local shops and businesses. Many have found different ways to operate during the pandemic and associated lockdowns and your support will help them keep going during these difficult times.

Here is the latest offer from the FBC Centre cafe

Libraries While the libraries may be closed there are lots of online events and activities available for all ages, from virtual book clubs to learning resources for adults and creative ideas for children. You can get book recommendations, read magazines and newspapers or listen to music. Visit www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries to find out more.

Dog Themed Treasure Trail at the

Looking for something to do with the children? My Journey along with the Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) Community Engagement Team have produced a dog themed treasure trail around California Country Park which can be done on foot, by bike or scooter. Venue: California Country Park, , , Finchampstead, Wokingham RG40 4HU How to take part: Visit https://myjourneywokingham.com/events for more details and to download the questionnaire and map. Follow the path on the map to spot the pictures of 12 dogs. When you have worked out what breed of dog it is, write the correct name and number in the boxes in the questionnaire. The competition finishes on Sunday, 14th February 2021. How to enter: Return the completed form to: [email protected] Prizes: There are some goody bags to be won kindly donated by Tesco's.

2 E – NEWS

JANUARY 2021

FINCHAMPSTEAD NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN CONSULTATION

Finchampstead Future, a group of local residents working in partnership with the Parish Council, has completed the draft Finchampstead Neighbourhood Development Plan for the period 2018-2036.

The draft FNDP has been approved by Finchampstead Parish Council and there will now be a six-week period of consultation from 1st February to 19th March 2021.

This is the first major milestone in the process of getting the plan adopted by Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) and so to influencing development in the Parish in years ahead. The draft FNDP and supporting documents will be available through the following link:

http://www.finchampsteadfuture.com/

A summary version of the Plan is being delivered to each home in the Parish in early February and local people are invited to give us feedback on the development policies that we are proposing to help us deliver our vision:

“To embrace the need for change to meet the needs of a growing population whilst protecting those important things that have attracted generations of people to choose Finchampstead as a place to live and raise their families”.

Part of getting the FNDP through the approval process is evidencing that the plan accurately reflects the needs of the area and the views of local people. We want to ensure that we consult with local people, organisations, businesses and landowners about our analysis and policy proposals and take their views into account.

We would like local people and organisations to comment on the draft plan. You can:

All of the feedback will be evaluated and changes made to the Plan as appropriate. WBC will then consider the Plan to ensure that the proper processes have been followed and that the content complies with the planning framework. There will then be a further public consultation before WBC sends the Plan to an Independent Examiner who will examine it with regard to compliance with national and local planning policy, and with representations received.

Subject to the approval of the Independent Examiner there will then be a referendum, arranged by WBC, seeking local residents’ approval of the Plan. This is likely to be in late 2021.

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JANUARY 2021

Rubbish and recycling

Since the pandemic started there have been big changes in the amount of waste received. Re3, WBC and the Parish Council are grateful to everyone for using the waste facilities and services so efficiently.

To check what you can recycle head to bit.ly/recyclefromhome

You may have seen that some new stickers with QR codes have been added to our bottle banks! Scan it and check information on glass recycling in multiple languages bit.ly/re3glasstranslations

Please remember you can recycle all glass bottles and jars from your drinks or favourite sauces as well as empty bottles from perfumes or aftershaves. Do not put broken drinks glasses into the bottle banks.

There are bottle banks at the Avery Corner Car Park; the California Country Park and at Wokingham Tesco.

Neighbourhood Watch Neighbourhood Watch (NW) is a grassroots charitable movement which aims to help build safer stronger and more active communities in which people can thrive. It is the largest crime prevention voluntary movement in and Wales and has upwards of 2.3 million members. Schemes are run by volunteers across England and Wales supported by volunteer Associations, and by Neighbourhood Watch Network, the national umbrella organisation for the movement. Visit www.ourwatch.org.uk for more information. A NW Crime and Community Survey carried out in 2020 aimed to better understand the impact of NW on levels of crime victimisation; fear of crime and feelings of safety; neighbourliness; community cohesion and isolation. The results from the 30,000 respondents showed some great benefits to being a member of NW and living in a NW area. Overall findings and all local reports can be found at ourwatch.org.uk/impact. There are several NW schemes in Finchampstead Parish but it would be good to see more. Thames Valley NW is looking for keen and experienced existing NW co-ordinators who could help get some new schemes up and running, and / or help with other roles. If you are interested please get in touch and we will put you in contact with the appropriate person.

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JANUARY 2021

Planning and local development updates

The Government has reviewed its proposed housing targets and the Borough’s target has now been reduced from 1635 units per year to 759 units per year. We joined with all of the other Towns and Parishes in the Borough to protest against the proposals, and supported Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) to do the same. We are delighted at the outcome.

Gorse Ride regeneration The development at Arnett Avenue, the first phase of the regeneration project, will provide 46 new homes which are due to be completed this Spring 2021 although there may be a short delay due to the current lockdown. A contractor is currently being selected for the first stage of phase 2 of the project, and work will start later in 2021. Phase 2 involves the construction of 249 homes overall.

Reading Football Club ground WBC has recently approved an application for the development of 140 dwellings at this site which is in Parish but adjacent to Finchampstead Parish. Finchampstead Parish Council objected to the application and is disappointed at this outcome, as are both Barkham Parish Council and & Newland Parish Council. Sand Martins Golf Club The Club has refined its previous proposals for improvements to the Club facilities and will be submitting a revised planning application to WBC soon.

The scaled-down proposals no longer include a private members’ health club and spa, and the amount of overnight guest accommodation will be reduced. The proposed improvements include landscaping works, extra parking, a vibrant new restaurant, golf clubhouse upgrades including a new gym, and the provision of a purpose-built function suite in a new ‘Venue Building’.

A community newsletter will be issued to 500 addresses in immediate proximity to the Golf Club and the full planning application will be able to be viewed and commented on at the WBC website in due course. www.wokingham.gov.uk

Arborfield Strategic Development Location (SDL)

Work continues to progress on the SDL with the construction of more dwellings at Arborfield Green and the creation of the new primary school well underway. At Finchwood Park - within Finchampstead Parish - there are now 80 dwellings occupied with more under construction. The latest reserved matters application to be submitted to WBC is for a further 235 dwellings.

https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/major-developments/arborfield-garrison/

We have a representative - Cllr Andy Pearce - on the Community Liaison Group which meets regularly to discuss progress with the development.

If you live at Finchwood Park, or those parts of Arborfield Green in Finchampstead Parish, we can raise any issues with the Group on your behalf. If you have any concerns or queries about the development and your local environment (but not the houses themselves) do get in touch.

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JANUARY 2021

Parish Council grants and donations

Each year the Parish Council has a budget for grants and donations to local organisations which provide valuable facilities or services for the Parish and / or its residents.

In 2020/21 our largest grants have been made to Citizens Advice, Keep Mobile and the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership.

We have also awarded grants to Link Visiting; the Me 2 Club; MS Therapy; the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal; Wokingham Job Support Centre and the Wokingham Volunteer Centre. A summer holiday picnic project; the Grub Club and a project to promote wellbeing in the older members of the community have been supported.

Donations have been made to the California Ratepayers Hall and the Memorial Hall, and to the local primary schools to allow them to provide extra curricular activities for all pupils. The St. James’ Churchyard has also benefitted from a donation.

We provide support for the youth activities provided through the FBC Centre.

Our budget for 2020/21 is now fully committed but we have made provision for grants in our 2021/22 budget. Please get in touch with us for more information.

Big Garden Birdwatch 29-31 January 2021

Enjoy an hour with nature and discover the wildlife on your doorstep - to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch you just need to count the birds you see in one hour. You can find all you need to take part, help with identifying what you see, and expert advice on feeding the birds at: www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/

Experts from across the UK will be sharing photos, footage and facts about the birds they see over the weekend, as well as answering any questions you may have. Plus, there’ll be live quizzes, and familiar faces throughout the weekend - all set to make this the best birdwatch ever!

National Nest Box Week 14-21 February 2021

This annual event puts the spotlight on breeding birds and encourages everyone to put up more nest boxes in their local area.

Visit www.nestboxweek.com to find out which birds like which boxes, how to make your own box, where to buy a box, where to put it and how to look after it.

6 E – NEWS

JANUARY 2021

Some of our recent activities Here are a few of the things we have been up to over the last month. We have:

• Held a Main Council meeting and meetings of the Finance & General Management Committee, Planning Committee, and the Amenities Committee.

• Attended meetings of the Gorse Ride Community Steering Group (Cllr Steve Bowers is Chair of the Group); the Berkshire Association of Local Councils Executive Committee (Cllr Roland Cundy is a member); the Wokingham Borough Climate Emergency Working Group (Cllr Roland Cundy represents our Parish and the other Town and Parish Councils) and the Arborfield Development Community Liaison Group (Cllr Andy Pearce represents our Parish).

• Met representatives from the Borough Council and Parish Council to discuss cycle routes.

• Provided grants to Link Visiting and the Wokingham Volunteer Centre.

• Agreed our budget and Precept Demand for 2021/2022.

• Planted more trees at Burnmoor Meadow.

• Reviewed progress with the improvements to the California Country Park and considered our priorities for further improvements to be discussed with the Borough Council.

• Finalised a new lease with the Finchampstead Sports Club relating to its use of the Memorial Park - the Parish Council is the Custodial Trustee of the Park.

• Worked with Cemex UK Ltd and WBC to put arrangements in place to resolve issues on Footpaths 33 and 29 near Longwater Lane.

• Continued using our post mounted speed indicator devices to remind drivers of the speed limit (traffic monitoring is temporarily on hold due to technical issues)

• Continued to liaise with Wokingham Community Response

• Received 2218 page views on our web site, and had 869 new users visiting the site. The draft Finchampstead Neighbourhood Development Plan has now been completed and a consultation starts on 1 February. See page 3 of this newsletter for details of the consultation and how to comment.

The office may still be closed but we are still working - so please get in touch if you wish. We are now meeting using Zoom video conferencing and members of the public are welcome to attend a Main Council or Committee meeting - please contact us if you would like to do so.

FINCHAMPSTEAD PARISH COUNCIL PARISH OFFICE, FBC CENTRE, GORSE RIDE NORTH, FINCHAMPSTEAD RG40 4ES Tel: 0118 908 8164 email: [email protected] www.finchampstead-pc.gov.uk

To subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter and other Parish Council information please contact us at the address above or follow the link on our website. 7