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Cabinet to consider draft budget proposals for 2024/25 ahead of public consultation

 

Cabinet will next week consider draft budget proposals for the 2024/25 financial year, ahead of public consultation. 

 

We've taken swift and decisive action to address the serious financial challenges we face. At this stage, the budget proposals provisionally set out a balanced position for 2024/25.


The final funding position from government will not be known until later in December, and further due diligence will continue ahead of the final budget being presented to Full Council in February for agreement.

 

Read more in our press release.

Consultation starts on proposed changes to parking fees and charges

 

We've launched a public consultation on changes to parking fees and charges in the Royal Borough. These changes would come into effect from February 2024, once feedback from the consultation has been considered.

 

The proposals include freezing parking charges in the two main town centre multi-storey car parks that we operate (Hines Meadow in Maidenhead and Victoria Street in Windsor) for the first three hours.


This supplements the existing one hour free residents’ parking offer at these car parks and selected car parks across the borough which we operate. The one hour free for residents will remain in place to encourage enjoyment of leisure activities and shopping within your local town centre and support a thriving local economy.

 

The consultation shares alternative options for permit charges for on-street parking in residential areas where there is controlled parking. This is to gauge your views on the different options, before taking a final decision.

 

The consultation runs until Monday 1 January 2024. You can find out more and take part in the consultation via our website and read more in our press release.

Have your say on proposed extra support for disabled people to have home adaptions


We're consulting on a draft policy which, if approved, would mean extra financial support for disabled people to have household adaptions, helping them to live safe and independent lives at home. 


Let us know your views on our draft Disabled Facilities Grant and Housing Assistance Policy, which would be used to decide applications for funding assistance for eligible works, including ramps, stair lifts, level access showers and door-widening.


Several additional packages of discretionary assistance are proposed, above and beyond the statutory support already offered to disabled people. This includes a new means-tested top-up on the mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants for those in financial hardship, doubling the maximum available for eligible works to £60,000.


The consultation runs until Friday 2 February 2024. Take part on our website and read more in our press release.

Green light for regeneration scheme set to deliver scores of social rented homes


A planning application from housing provider Abri for the regeneration of Sawyers Close in Windsor have been approved by our Windsor and Ascot Development Management Committee.


The proposals will see the existing buildings demolished and 413 high-quality affordable homes built, both on the existing site and on open space adjacent, transferred to Abri by us. Every Abri household at Sawyers Close is guaranteed one of the new properties.


Through working closely with Abri, we have agreed significantly more social rented homes at this redevelopment than is required under planning policy – 199 of the 413 units will be social rents. Of these, 167 will replace existing social housing units, and 32 additional homes will be set at social rent levels for the duration of the first tenancy/first five years.


This shows how we're committed to working with our partners to address the local housing challenge residents face, to improve access to quality, genuinely affordable housing and to improve quality of life for all, including our most vulnerable residents.


Read more in Abri's press release.

Reminder: Temporary bin collection dates over Christmas and New Year


Make sure you know your different bin collection dates over the festive period.


Check our website for the timetable and ensure your bins are out before 7am on your collection day and no earlier than the night before, or check when your next collection is due via our website.


Thank you for all your recycling efforts this year. Please keep making a difference for the environment and recycling what you can over the festive period. Visit our website for a full list of what can be recycled.


Please ensure all items are placed inside your bins. If you have extra rubbish or recycling this can be taken to Stafferton Way Household Waste and Recycling Centre. 


Normal collections resume on Monday 15 January.

Make the right choice when you’re unwell


Knowing where to go when you’re ill is important, especially at this time of year with services facing additional winter pressures.

 

Using services wisely, therefore, can help you receive the best care without unnecessary delays.

 

That's why NHS Frimley Health and Care has created this helpful infographic.

 

You can find out more about the different services, and which illness are best helped by them, on the Frimley Health and Care website.

What do you know about high blood pressure?

 

NHS Frimley wants to understand how much you know about your blood pressure and if you’re doing anything to manage it, via a short online survey running until Friday 22 December.


High blood pressure (hypertension) is known as ‘the silent killer’ because it often has no symptoms yet is responsible for thousands of deaths and disabilities each year through strokes, heart attacks and more.


Whether you know nothing at all, or you’re checking your own blood pressure daily, your feedback will help build a better picture of local heart health plus what can be done to better support sufferers.


Click here to take part in the blood pressure survey. For more details about hypertension, how to check your pressure, and what to do to manage or lower it, visit the blood pressure section on the Frimley Health and Care website.

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 11 January at York House, Windsor from 6.30pm. The next Maidenhead Town Forum will be held on Monday 15 January at Maidenhead Town Hall, also from 6.30pm.

 

The meetings will also be streamed live on the council’s YouTube channel.

Royal Borough Community Spotlight


Here are just some of the upcoming community events and volunteering opportunities in the Royal Borough:


  • Carols on the Hill (Friday 8 December, 6.15pm) - Castle Hill, Windsor, SL4 1PE accompanied by the Band of the Household Cavalry. With Windsor Castle as its atmospheric backdrop, this free favourite carol service has been a popular fixture in the town. It includes a 15-minute medley of seasonal music as part of the Living Advent Calendar and a collection in aid of two charities. Organised by Churches Together in Windsor with Windsor & Eton Town Centre Management. For more information, visit the website.


  • Christmas Tree Festival (Friday 8 December, 3pm to 7pm, Saturday 9 December, 2pm to 8pm, Sunday 10 December, 2pm to 8pm, and Monday 11 December, 3pm to 7pm) – Holy Trinity Parish & Garrison Church, Claremont Road, Windsor. An opportunity to visit this historic church and support its first Christmas Tree Festival. Free entry. Refreshments. Donations to Save the Children Gaza Emergency Appeal.


  • Christmas Tree Festival (Friday 8 December to Sunday 10 December) - St Luke’s Church, Norfolk Road, Maidenhead. Visit the beautiful church filled with decorated trees. This year will be the 12th annual festival. The church will be open for viewing today, 10am to 7pm, Saturday, 10am to 7pm and Sunday, midday to 6pm. For more details visit the website.


  • Live Nativity (Saturday 9 December, 11am to 2pm) - Windsor Methodist Church, Alma Road, Windsor SL4 3HH. A very special opportunity to dress in costume and take part in the Nativity story, with a straw filled manger in the Cornerstone Chapel and live animals outside. Free event. For more information, visit the website.


  • Clewer Scout and Guide Group Christmas fayre (Saturday 9 December, 11am to 2pm) - Scout Hut, Maidenhead Road, SL45EJ. Free entry and lots of parking. Stalls, homemade cakes and refreshments, plus an amazing raffle. Everyone welcome.


  • Santa & his elves (Saturday 9 and 16 December, 11am to 3pm) – The Square in the Nicholsons Centre, Maidenhead. Children can meet Santa and take a selfie with him and receive presents.


  • Old Mother Hubbard, The Lady who Lived in a Shoe (Saturday 9 December) - Memorial Hall in Old Windsor. Riverside Players are a local, not-for-profit, society that has just celebrated its 60th anniversary. It makes annual charitable donations to local and national charities that have meaning to its members. For more information contact Vicki Arnold 07799 840599 or visit the website.


  • Christmas with Cantorum (Saturday 9 December, 5.30pm) - Holy Trinity Church, Cookham. Enjoy the best of the Christmas Spirit in a concert packed with seasonal songs and carols along with favourites for the audience to enjoy singing too. There will be music by Rutter, Howells, Tippett, along with new music written especially for the choir. Tickets include a programme and refreshments and are available from the website.


  • Christmas concert with Ascot Brass Band and Taplow Choirs (Saturday 9 December, 7pm) - St. Mary's Church, Maidenhead, SL6 1YY. In aid of Alexander Devine and Thames Hospices. Tickets available here.


  • Volunteer at the Maidenhead Lantern Parade with GoodGym (Saturday 9 December, 4pm to 6pm). The Maidenhead Lantern Parade is back. This magical winter event brings together the local community for a celebration of creativity, light, and live music. There is plenty to get involved with - tasks include handing out lanterns and/or lights to members of the community, carrying lanterns during the parade and helping keep the parade at a suitable pace for the marching band. Dress up warmly and bring a high-vis vest if you have one so you can be easily identified as a volunteer. Sign up here. After the fun and festivities, help out Norden Farm with the clear up to help keep the town looking good. For more information, visit the website.


  • Bray Village Hall Christmas market (Saturday 9 December, 11am to 5pm) - Bray Village Hall, High Street, Bray, Maidenhead SL6 2AR. Shop local - you'll find something for the whole family with children's entertainment and a variety of stalls including jewellery, reflexology, clothing, accessories, Christmas gifts and even some Bray-specific treats. Indulge in a mince pie or enjoy a tipple in the village hall bar. Father or Mother Christmas will make an appearance. Christmas tree lights switch-on and carols around the tree at 4pm.


  • A Christmas fair with a difference (Saturday 9 December, midday to 3pm) - St Andrews Church, Mill Lane, Windsor SL4 5JH. You will hear the bells of St Andrews Church ringing and there is a chance to try it for yourself with an instructor. The church also has beautifully tuned handbells, which will be available for visitors to try and ring a tune, helped by other ringers. A plant and miniature Christmas tree stall makes a colourful display as you enter the church and there will be mulled wine and homemade soup, tombolas, Christmas tree decorations, a variety of home-made preserves, jewellery and 'new to you' clothes and bags. The Windsor Historical Group will be in attendance with information and books. For more information, visit the website.


  • Old Windsor Christmas fayre (Sunday 10 December, 4pm to 6pm) - St Luke’s Road. Live music, community stalls, street entertainers, Santa’s grotto, food and crafts.


  • St Michael's Church community carols (Sunday 10 December, 3pm) - High St, Bray SL6 2AB. An informal concert, with the church choir singing some classical Christmas pieces, a reading or two, some well-known carols for the audience to join in, and to finish a selection of popular Christmas songs. Admission free, with a collection in aid of Thames Hospice. Mulled wine and mince pies served afterwards. For more details, visit the website.


  • Claremont Singers Christmas concert (Sunday 10 December, 3pm) -Holy Trinity and Garrison Parish Church, Claremont Road, Windsor SL4 3AX. The choir would love you to join it for a programme of Christmas music to raise money for Thames Hospice and Holy Trinity Church. Tickets are £5 and available on the door. Accompanying carers and children go free. Complimentary mulled wine, soft drinks and mince pies will be served after the concert. For more information about the choir, visit the website.


  • A Dickens of a Christmas and God Bless Us Everyone (Monday 11 December, 11.30am) – Baylis Theatre, Braywick Leisure Centre, Maidenhead. It has become a tradition for The Arts Society Maidenhead's December lecture to have a Christmas theme and this year’s talk continues this practice. For more information, visit the website.


  • Windsor and Eton Living Advent Calendar (Tuesday 12 December, 6.15pm to 7pm) - Windsor Library. Now in its 11th year, this family favourite has become a must for locals in the town centre. At 6.15pm promptly every evening there is a 15-minute Christmas-themed performance at various locations around the town centre. Come to Windsor Library on Tuesday to see what entertainment lies behind the advent calendar door. There will also be Christmas nibble to enjoy.


  • Christmas raffle (Tuesday 12 December, 3.45pm) - Eton Wick C of E First School. £1 per entry and residents can enter the raffle here. There are more than 50 prizes to be won, including a Royal Collection Trust hamper, tickets to the races, New Years’ Eve party tickets, multiple meal vouchers, beauty vouchers, photography vouchers, cocktail experiences and more. For more information, visit the website.


  • The Snow Queen by Mary Portalska (Wednesday 13 December to Friday 15 December and Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 December, midday to 4pm) – Holyport Memorial Hall, Tickets available here or call 07375 111174.


  • Carol singing (Wednesday 13 December, 5.30pm) - St Marks Crescent Methodist Church, 68 Allenby Road, Maidenhead, SL6 5BQ. All welcome. Hot coffee and mince pies will be available after the carols. For more information email info@stmarksmaidenhead.org.uk or call 01628 623263


  • Christmas street food (Thursday 14 December, 3pm to 5pm) - Datchet Library. Come and discover the delights of street food with a Christmas twist.


  • Windsor Voci Chamber choir Christmas concert (Thursday 14 December, 8pm) - St Stephen's Church, Windsor. A wonderful evening of festive delights, music and readings for Christmas. For more information, visit the website.


  • Voices Anon Christmas concert (Friday 15 December, 7.30pm) - Maidenhead Methodist Church, High Street, SL6 1EF. Admission free. A collection will be taken in aid of the Baby Bank.


  • A Jazz Christmas - Aid for Ukraine (Friday 15 December, 8pm) - Maidenhead United Reformed Church, West Street. Come and listen to Christmas jazz, and sing along as well. Tickets £10 on the door, with all profits going to Aid for Ukraine. All welcome. Free refreshments.


  • Signature A Cappella Singers (Saturday 16 December, 1.30pm to 3pm) - Windsor Royal Station. The group will also be fundraising for the Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Service.


  • Christmas stories and crafts (Monday 18 and Thursday 21 December, 10.30am) – all borough libraries. Visit our website for more information.


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.


To see further volunteering opportunities in the borough, or for another way for community organisations to promote volunteering opportunities, please visit RBWM Together.

Local Travel Updates


Rail - industrial action


An ASLEF union ban on overtime working will affect train services until tomorrow (Saturday 9 December). Check the SWR and GWR websites for updates.


Rail - engineering work


  • Planned engineering works are taking place on the South Western Railway network this weekend, Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 December. The lines in the Staines area will be closed all weekend due to maintenance work. On Saturday, London Waterloo to Windsor services will terminate at Staines and buses will run between Staines and Windsor. On Sunday, buses will run between Hounslow and Ascot via Staines, a revised service will run between Ascot and Reading and buses will run between Hounslow and Windsor via Staines. For more information, visit the SWR website.


  • Work on a new HS2 station will affect train services into London Paddington this winter. The construction of Old Oak Common Station will involve engineering work on the existing railway. The impact of these works mean that on 24 and 27 December there will be no train services into or out of London Paddington station. More information on the 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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