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Royal Borough to take further urgent action on spending to avert Section 114 risk
Cabinet this week received an urgent update on the
council’s financial position and committed to take further immediate
and significant action to address the budget gap.
The budget is currently showing an overspend of
£7.3m for this year, and £6.2m for 2024-25. This is due to a combination
of historical decisions which have affected the council’s financial
resilience, and wider financial challenges affecting councils across the
country.
Achieving financial stability is the council’s top
priority. Intensive work continues to reduce spending and increase
income. However, the scale of the challenge and the limited financial
reserves held means that the Royal Borough is at risk of having to issue
a Section 114 notice unless further action is taken now to reduce
non-essential spending.
If a council
can't finance its budget, a Section 114 (S114) must be issued. S114
bans all new spending except on protecting vulnerable people, statutory
services, and pre-existing commitments.
What action are we taking?
Find out more about the financial challenges and how the council is responding urgently to these here.
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Council Leader joins Royal Borough’s Community Wardens for a taste of their vital work
Our
Council Leader joined our Community Wardens for an afternoon to see
first-hand some of their vital work protecting communities and
supporting neighbourhoods.
Councillor Simon Werner, who is also Cabinet member for Community Partnerships, Public Protection and Maidenhead,
joined the wardens in Maidenhead town centre on Wednesday afternoon. He
was accompanied by ward members, Councillor Gurch Singh and Councillor
Jack Douglas.
They
started with a litter pick in Kidwells Park before continuing on foot
to the West Street car park, identifying issues that needed addressing
on the way, such as graffiti and litter, and the councillors got hands
on by cleaning graffiti.
Councillor
Werner then met Maidenhead Town Manager Robyn Bunyan for a walk through
the town centre, identifying other issues on the way.
The
wardens focus on deterring anti-social behaviour, promoting crime
prevention, enforcement operations and community engagement.
Read more in our press release and check out our video on Facebook.
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Free numeracy programme to improve lives
If you find numbers a challenge, you can improve your numeracy skills and gain confidence to tackle everyday budgeting or get a new job, with our free maths programmes.
We
and partner training providers have created the sessions for people
aged 19 years and over who do not have GSCE maths at grade C or the
equivalent.
Designed to
help with everyday activities like shopping and cost of living issues,
these sessions will be designed to improve specific skills, like
budgeting, helping children with homework or improving maths skills for
work.
The
government funded Multiply programme is to help adults improve their
numeracy skills. This adds to council’s work supporting skills and
employability.
To view and register for courses, visit the website.
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Reminder: Essential maintenance of Windsor Coach Park footbridge to start next week
Essential refurbishment of a footbridge, which will enhance the sense of welcome into Windsor town centre, is due to start from Monday 2 October.
The
work will now completely avoid the Christmas trading period to help the
local business community. After listening to concerns, we've split
these important works into two phases – with no scaffolding or bridge
closure happening during phase one, due to start next week and last
around eight weeks.
Phase
one will focus solely on refurbishing the bridge lifts and will start
with a site compound being set up in a small area of the Coach Park. The
bridge will remain open to the public via its steps, however the lifts
will be unavailable. Signposted alternative routes and lift access will
be in place from the Coach Park to the town centre and castle for those
who would usually use the lifts.
After
a break for Christmas trading, the ambition is to start phase two in
the New Year and works will continue for around 17 weeks in order to
maintain the bridge and enhance the sense of arrival into Windsor.
During
phase two, the bridge will need to be fully closed to the public and
encapsulated in scaffolding due to its proximity to a working railway
platform. Access to businesses will be maintained throughout, and signs
will be in place showing alternative walking routes.
Read more in our press release.
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Reminder: Essential maintenance work to historic Cookham Bridge to start soon
If
you usually use Cookham Bridge, please remember to plan your journeys
as the bridge is due to be closed for essential maintenance work from Monday 16 October for approximately 20 weeks.
This
important refurbishment project will help extend the life of the Grade
II listed structure, ensuring the bridge continues to serve the
community for many years to come and will avoid more disruptive work in
future years.
The diversion route will follow the A4094 south
from Cookham, west along the A4 Bath Road, north on the A404, and then
along the A4155 Marlow Road, with this route in reverse for traffic on
the northern side of the bridge.
The
project includes bearing replacement, re-waterproofing, resurfacing and
joint replacement. The bridge will close to motor vehicles, but
pedestrian access will remain. Cyclists will need to dismount before
crossing the bridge.
If left
unattended, extensive and longer-term strengthening works would be
required in future. By making this investment now, we can ensure the
bridge is fit for purpose for everyone to use for decades to come and
avoid more disruptive work in future years.
For more information, visit our website.
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Parking for your evening out in Maidenhead
We’re
continuing our Park Smart Maidenhead campaign, highlighting the range
of parking options in Maidenhead for different user groups, to help you make informed decisions around where best to park for your own needs, priorities and destinations.
Where
possible, of course, we encourage people to walk and cycle for many
shorter journeys into town, or use public transport. But we know that’s not always possible for all people all the time – so when you have to go by car, we want to ensure you know your full options and can make the most of your choices.
This week, we’re focusing on those visiting Maidenhead town centre for leisure purposes. Also check out our website to
see the choices for specific user groups, including commuters,
shoppers, blue badge holders and those visiting Maidenhead’s
restaurants. #ParkSmartMaidenhead
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Maidenhead has a good range of restaurants, some award-winning, for a great evening out with friends and family.
And here’s the most tasty news – parking is free in Grove Road, West Street, Hines Meadow, and Stafferton Way from 9pm until 9am, Monday to Saturday, and free from 9pm Saturday right through Sunday until 9am on Monday. In Vicus Way, it’s free from 8pm to 9am, Monday to Saturday, and free from 8pm Saturday until 9am on Monday.
In addition to being free all day on Sundays, it’s also free all day in these car parks on bank holidays too. The free all-day parking on Sundays is also great if you’re off to see a film in Maidenhead with the family, or your mates.
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Congratulations to our local winners and finalists in the BBC’s 2023 Make a Difference Awards
Congratulations to our local winners and finalists who have been recognised at this year's BBC Radio Berkshire Make a Difference awards.
The aim of the awards is to shine a light on the
everyday, unsung heroes who go that extra mile for others in their own
community.
Local winners include champion kayaker Georgia Carmichael, from Maidenhead, who won the Bravery Award. The
21-year-old athlete has had a series of setbacks and comebacks after
sustaining several brain injuries. You can read more about her story here.
Martin Woolner, from Maidenhead, scooped the Green Award which is awarded to an individual or group of people who help to make where we live more environmentally friendly and better for nature.
Finalists from the borough included The Baby Bank,
which provides essentials to families in need, in the Community Group
category, zero waste store Filling Good in the Green category, and Chrissy Rosenthal, from the Stanley Spencer Gallery in Cookham, in the volunteer category.
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Maidenhead Town Forum and Windsor Forum - get involved
You are welcome to attend, listen to the discussion, ask questions and suggest items for future agendas at the next Maidenhead Town Forum and Windsor Forum meetings.
The next Windsor Forum will be held on Thursday 9 November at York House, Windsor from 6.30pm. The next Maidenhead Town Forum will be held on Monday 13 November at Maidenhead Town Hall, also from 6.30pm.
The meetings will also be streamed live on the council’s YouTube channel.
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Royal Borough Community Spotlight
Here are just some of the upcoming community events and volunteering opportunities in the Royal Borough:
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Children's Book Sale (Saturday
30 September, 9am to 5pm). Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Service
are holding the first of their autumn children's book sale in the
Nicholsons Centre. New and good as new books will be on sale from £1. In
addition, there will be Halloween costumes and a soft toy spinning game
with a prize every time.
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World Food fundraising event (Saturday 30 September, 12pm to 5pm) – New Windsor Community Association, Hanover Way, Windsor, SL4 5NW. There will be Henna stalls and a BBQ featuring diverse foods from cultures around the world. Free entry. All
funds raised will go to charities working to provide support in Morocco
following the earthquake in the High Atlas Mountains, and in Libya
following widespread flooding in Derna.
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Windsor Parish Church of St John the Baptist organ recital (Sunday 1
October, 7pm) - High Street, Windsor SL4 1LT. After many years of
fundraising and three years of works by Bishop & Son, the rebuild of
the Hunter organ in Windsor Parish is nearing completion. As part of
the Windsor Festival there will be a re-opening recital by international
concert organist and Windsorian Thomas Trotter. Further details and
tickets are available here.
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New Dementia Café
(Monday 2 October and first Monday each month, 11am to 12.30pm) – The
Fox and Castle, 21 Burfield Road, Old Windsor. A relaxed and friendly
gathering for those navigating dementia. Any age, any stage welcome with
carers or family.
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Dyslexia Awareness Week
(Monday 2 to Sunday 8 October) – Events at Maidenhead and Windsor
libraries. A series of events are being run by our library service with
support from specialist charities and local company, Bright Young
Things. They include information on the support available, confidence in
the classroom workshops and a talk. For full details and to book, visit
our website.
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Coffee Morning in aid of Oxfam
(Wednesday 4 October) - Holy Trinity Parish Centre Cookham. Speaker the
Rev. Richard Coles. Tickets £10 available from The Little Bookshop,
High Street, Cookham (01628 520434) with every penny going to Oxfam.
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GoodGym Windsor and Maidenhead. Next week sees not one, but two opportunities to help out Braywick Heath Nurseries. For more information click here and here. There will be early evening wildflower bed gardening at Kidwells Park on Friday 6 October, 5.30pm to 6.30pm with details here. Help Wild Cookham maintain the pond at Marsh Meadow on Saturday 7 October, 10am to 1pm. Details here. Friends of Maidenhead Waterways work party on Saturday 14 October, 8.45am until midday. Details here.
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Windsor Homeless Project Annual Sleep Out
(Friday 6 October, 7pm to 11pm) – Windsor & Eton Football Club.
Join the Windsor Homeless Project for an evening of food, entertainment,
and personal stories. Tickets just £15 and includes food and live
music. There is a full licensed bar too. Book via the website.
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Talent Show
(Saturday 7 October, 2.30pm) - St Marks Crescent Methodist Church,
Allenby Road, Maidenhead, SL6 6DA. Come and enjoy a great show with an
array of talents. All welcome. Refreshments served. Donation at the door
for Action for Children and church funds. If you would like to perform
yourself, or for more information, please email info@stmarksmaidenhead.org.uk.
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Young Soloists Concert
(Saturday 7 October, 7pm) - St Mary the Virgin Church, Hurley. The
concert, which will last for about one hour, will be followed by a
reception at which you will be able to find out more about the Music and Arts Hurley Festival.
You will experience wonderful music, entertainment, good food and
conviviality. Tickets, priced £15, may be obtained via the website.
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Fancy going back in time with two wonderful young musicians?
(Sunday 8 October, 3pm). Old Windsor Parish. Sofia Kirwan-Baez
(soprano) and Alex Norton will take guests on a colourful musical trip.
As well as the chance to sing along they'll be iconic songs from the
last century. Sofia and Alex have appeared at the Wigmore Hall, London
and in October they are at the Oxford International Song Festival.
Plenty of parking. Donations welcome.
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Holyport Whist Club
(Alternate Tuesdays, 2pm to 4pm) – Holyport Memorial Hall. New members
and beginners welcome. Call Jeanette Sperling on 01628 624442 or email jeanettesperling37@gmail.com to learn more.
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Indoor short mat bowls club
(every Thursday 7pm) - Braywick Leisure Centre, Maidenhead. New members
who have never tried their hands at bowls before but would like to give
it a go are welcome. Short mat bowls is a game that can be played by
anyone of any age or any ability and, as a starter, you can try the game
using the club’s bowls. Experienced players who are looking to join a
new or additional club are also welcome. For more information contact
Tony on 07985 583295 or just come along and watch.
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The Sound Crowd
(Friday nights, 6pm) - The Old Court, St Leonards Rd, Windsor SL4 3BL.
This three-part choir, established in 2010, sings rock, pop, soul and
more. It is a pay as you go choir and the perfect way to kick start
your weekend. The choir has a great mix of male and female singers
with fantastic energy. First session free. Contact Dan at thesoundcrowd@gmail.com for more information, or just rock up and get singing.
If you have
an upcoming not-for-profit community event or appeal for volunteers
you’d like to promote in this newsletter, simply send basic information
about your event to communications@rbwm.gov.uk and it could be shared with more than 21,000 local residents.
You just
need to include a brief description, when and where it takes place, and a
link to a website/social media page/contact where people can find out
more.
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Local Travel Updates
Rail - industrial action
The ASLEF train drivers union has announced strike action on Saturday 30 September and Wednesday 4 October, and an overtime ban today (Friday 29 September) and from 2 to 6 October. For more information on how this will affect services, visit the SWR website and GWR website.
Council highways works
For details of further council works on highways, visit our website. For full local roadwork details, including work by utility firms, please visit the One Network website.
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