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Independent review finds Royal Borough has made good progress after positive shift in strategic leadership and culture
The
Royal Borough has made “good progress” where needed as a council over
recent years and also has a clear direction to strengthen further,
thanks to a positive shift in strategic leadership and the culture of
the organisation.
That’s
the initial feedback from an independent Corporate Peer Challenge,
completed last week, which saw us invite an external team to interview
councillors, staff, residents and external partners, as part of
reviewing the council’s performance.
Councils
have a Corporate Peer Challenge on a regular basis, organised
free-of-charge via the Local Government Association, to provide a
practitioner perspective and “critical friend” feedback to support
ongoing improvement across the sector.
Despite
the challenges of Covid, the review’s initial feedback is the Royal
Borough has made “good progress” where needed since its previous
review in 2017 and is already well aware of further work required,
guided by its new Corporate Plan and strong leadership.
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Extraordinary Full Council meeting on Tuesday to consider Borough Local Plan
Full Council is holding an extraordinary meeting at the Holiday Inn, Maidenhead, on Tuesday 8 February at 7pm,
to consider adoption of the Borough Local Plan. We’ve deliberately
chosen a large venue with plenty of car parking spaces, given the
significant public interest.
The most convenient way to watch is live via our YouTube channel, but if you wish to attend in-person, please take a negative Lateral Flow Test beforehand and consider wearing a face covering.
Be
aware that public seating spaces are still limited to around 170 so
please arrive early to avoid disappointment. Members of the public who
have submitted questions in advance will have a reserved seat available
if they wish to attend the meeting in-person.
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Contracts exchanged on lease surrender agreement for Maidenhead Golf Course site
The
exchange of contracts on lease surrender agreement has taken place with
Maidenhead Golf Club with respect to the Golf Course site.
This
agreement allows the club to remain in occupation until December 2025
while ensuring we can bring forward in a timely manner a significant
development site that’s so crucial to meeting a significant proportion
of the community’s housing need in a strategic way, delivering a
sustainable new urban extension as part of the next phase of
Maidenhead’s regeneration.
The
site offers a highly sustainable location, which, once complete, will
deliver more than 2,000 desperately needed homes, with 30% of the
properties being affordable, in addition to a new primary and secondary
school, and a community hub. It’s a critical part of the Borough Local
Plan, which has now been independently assessed as sound by an
independent Planning Inspector.
The
Royal Borough is currently 83% green belt and while a fraction of
greenbelt development is needed to meet local housing need, 82% will
still remain green belt. This site allocation will therefore accommodate
future population growth while preventing speculative development
across the borough, including on green belt land elsewhere, while
opening-up significant areas of green space for public access, improve
walking and cycling connectivity for residents.
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Apply early to hold a Platinum Jubilee street party
The
Royal Borough invites you to join Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum
Jubilee celebrations this summer by applying to hold street parties in
your community.
Events
and initiatives marking Her Majesty’s milestone 70 years of service as
monarch to the UK and Commonwealth will be held throughout the year,
building to celebrations over the extended Bank Holiday weekend from Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June.
Applications
for temporary road closures need to be made at least 10 weeks in
advance to meet legal requirements. The closing date for all
applications is Friday 25 March. Applications received after that date will not be considered.
We're
looking forward to receiving lots of early applications from across the
borough. And what's more, you’ll be glad to know that we're even
covering the legal fees for the temporary road closures.
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Final reminder: Last chance to have your say on our draft Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Strategy
Residents, community groups and partner organisations have until midnight tonight (Friday 4 February)
to help finalise the Royal Borough’s strategy for providing safe
accommodation and associated support for victims of domestic abuse.
We are consulting on our draft Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Strategy 2021-24, which sets out how safe accommodation and support for domestic abuse victims and their children will be provided over the period.
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Are you passionate about safeguarding children and young people?
Independent
members are the public eyes and ears, playing a key role in the
oversight and scrutiny of the Partnership’s decisions and policies. Your
community insights add value to otherwise exclusively professional discussions, helping everyone stay in touch with local realities and issues.
Independent
members can come from any profession or background, be of any age, but
it does help if you understand the borough’s dynamics.
The Partnership’s two existing independent members are due to retire but will be on hand to support their replacements. The roles are voluntary although expenses are paid for the six annual meetings.
To find out more, or apply, email our safeguarding assurance manager, Daniel Crampton. Applications close on Friday 1 April.
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Celebrate Lunar New Year in Maidenhead town centre
Maidenhead
High Street will be transformed this weekend to mark the start of the
Lunar New Year, complete with activities for the whole community to take
part in.
The celebrations kick off in style tomorrow (Saturday 5 February) at 1pm with
the return of the much-loved Lion Dance Parade. The traditional
performance and thunder drumming, which start at the Boy and the Boat
statue, will produce an exciting display of colour and rhythm.
Celebrations will continue on Saturday 26 February,
when Maidenhead High Street will host a speciality food market
celebrating the nations who mark the Lunar New Year – it promises to be a
delicious mix of hot food, snacks, treats and drinks.
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Make your home more energy efficient with the Green Homes Grant scheme
Eligible
homeowners or private tenants are invited to apply to the Green Homes
Grant scheme to make improvements to increase the comfort and energy
efficiency of their homes.
These are designed to lower carbon emissions and save money on fuel bills and could include:
- Wall and loft insulation
- Air source, ground source or hybrid heat pumps
- Double/triple glazing to replace single glazing
- Thermostats and heating controls
- Hot water tank insulation.
Warmworks,
which is delivering the scheme on our behalf, will arrange a survey in
the homes of eligible householders to agree what work will be carried
out. An accredited and registered sub-contractor team then completes the
installation of the agreed measures.
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Valentine's Advantage Card competition and monthly offers
Advantage Card holders can enter a prize draw to win two tickets for Ascot Racecourse, a hamper from Dr Chocs Windsor Chocolate Factory, gin from Horse Guards London Dry Gin and a photo art gift from Windsor Eton Photoart! The competition closes next Monday (7 February).
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Get involved in local town forum meetings
If you'd like to have your say on issues affecting Maidenhead and Windsor towns, we want to hear from you.
Agendas
are published a week in advance, so you can see what councillors will
be discussing, and get involved if there’s a topic you’re interested
in.
Your discussion suggestions will be added to a future agenda if appropriate.
The next Windsor Town Forum is on Tuesday 8 March and the next Maidenhead Town Forum is on Thursday 17 March.
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Royal Borough community spotlight
Here are just some of the upcoming community events in the Royal Borough:
-
1947 Thames Flood exhibition (10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday until
end of March) - Maidenhead Heritage Centre. This free exhibition marks
the 75th anniversary of the disastrous 1947 Thames Flood and includes memories of those who lived through the floods and many photographs.
Heritage Centre researchers are grateful to readers of this newsletter
who have already contacted them with personal memories of local floods,
please feel free to share your memories with researchers via email. Learn more on the Maidenhead Heritage Centre website
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Spring concert - (7.30pm
Saturday 5 March) - St Mary’s Church, Maidenhead. The Windsor and
Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra (WMSO) will be performing a selection of
pieces by Walton, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky for their spring 2022
concert. Book your tickets and find out more on the WMSO website
If
you have an upcoming not-for-profit community event or activity 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 over 19,000 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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Have your say
We regularly hold consultations to get your views on proposals within the Royal Borough.
Responding to our consultations and giving your feedback is the best way to ensure your views are heard.
Our current consultations are:
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M4 closures
The
M4 is due to be closed in both directions between Junctions 6
(Slough-Windsor) and 8/9 (Maidenhead) from 8pm today to 6am on Monday 7
February.
The
M4 is also due to be closed in both directions between Junctions 4b
(M25 interchange) and 5 (Langley) from 8pm on Friday 11 February to 6am
on Monday 14 February.
For details of 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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Keep in touch
Other accounts you may be interested in:
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