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Full Council votes to adopt Borough Local Plan supporting sustainable development until 2033

Earlier this week, the Royal Borough voted to formally agree the Borough Local Plan (BLP), a key planning document guiding and supporting sustainable growth, regeneration, and investment until 2033.

The Borough Local Plan provides the vision for the borough’s future development, including setting out how many new homes are needed, how much space for jobs is required, the best locations for new development, and where development cannot happen to protect valued natural and built historic heritage.

This final document has been shaped over a decade through a series of public consultations and includes the changes required by independent Planning Inspector Mrs Louise Phillips to make it sound.

Full Council’s decision to adopt the Borough Local Plan means it has full weight in deciding planning applications, complementing existing planning documents such as the neighbourhood plans, as well as other council work, plans and decisions

If you would like to know more, check out our FAQ document on our website and our BLP Explained video on social media.

Royal Borough thanks public for amazing response to budget consultation as Cabinet amends proposals to include arts funding

Thank you to everyone who took part in the public consultation on the proposed budget for 2022/23, which saw around 1,800 consultation responses submitted by residents, community groups and businesses.

This valuable community feedback has been analysed and helped to inform discussions when the proposed budget was presented to Cabinet yesterday evening, ahead of Full Council meeting on Tuesday 22 February to set the budget.

Investing in arts and culture was identified clearly as one of people’s key budget priorities. In the light of tight budgetary constraints, Full Council had decided in February 2021, as part of the budget-setting process, to stop funding for Norden Farm and the Old Court.

Last night, Cabinet members voted to amend the proposed budget, which they have recommended for approval to Full Council, to now include arts funding of £115,000 for Norden Farm and £25,000 for the Old Court for 2022/23.

Learn more in our press release.
Share snaps of your Royal Jubilee and Coronation memorabilia for exhibition at Royal Borough’s libraries

We are inviting residents to share their photos of Royal Jubilee street parties and memorabilia dating from Her Majesty The Queen’s previous milestone anniversaries, to help create an exciting exhibition for her Platinum year.

Our Library Service and the Mayor, Councillor John Story, want to see copies of your old snaps of street parties and other celebrations held locally for the jubilees in 1977, 2002 and 2012, or the Coronation in 1953. They’re also appealing for photos of people’s commemorative collectables, whether that be crockery, ornaments, tea towels or postage stamps.  

The resultant photographic exhibition, to be entitled 70 Years 70 Photos, will see those images put on display around local libraries, ahead of the main Platinum Jubilee weekend in June.

Please email your scanned photos, or digital copies, of past street parties and collectables to local.studies@rbwm.gov.uk. Images can also be submitted by posting on Twitter, using the hashtag #70Years70Photos. By sending photos, you confirm they are your photos, and you give permission for their reproduction.

One lucky person will also be chosen at random to win a new book about The Queen. The project is funded by Arts Council England money provided via Libraries Connected, the national sector support organisation for libraries.

Learn more in our press release.
Spotlight on Services campaign highlights range of council services

Did you know we deliver around 400 different public services and activities as a council? Everyone knows about roads and bins, but we do so much more to support our residents, businesses and communities.

This week, as part of our Spotlight on Services communications campaign, we've been challenging our social media followers to watch short street scene clips in various locations, including Ascot, Maidenhead and Windsor, and see how many services you can spot! Take part on Facebook or Twitter.

Over the next two weeks, please look out for our series of social media posts highlighting some of our services which are perhaps less well known but still important.
Nominate an inspirational person as a batonbearer for the Commonwealth Games 2022

There are only a few days to go until nominations close for Batonbearers in England for the Commonwealth Games.

A batonbearer is someone who:

  • Is willing to take on a challenge and has a unique and inspiring story
  • Has made a meaningful contribution to sport, education, the arts, culture, or charity
  • Is a figure of inspiration that positively challenges others to achieve their best
  • Has taken on a challenge or cause and made a positive impact within their community.

If you know someone who meets one or more of these criteria, nominate them before the Monday 14 February deadline on the Commonwealth Games 2022 website.
Take part in the Automatic Fire Alarm Consultation

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is asking everyone to consider how it should respond to Automatic Fire Alarms in lower risk, occupied buildings such as shops, office blocks, and factories.

This public consultation, is being held because 99% of automatic fire alarm calls are false alarms, caused by cooking fumes for example.

The service says up to 1,300 hours of firefighter time could be saved each year, and instead spent on other priority work such as vital training, visiting high-risk properties to help prepare firefighters should they need to respond to an incident there and ensuring more fire engines would be available for emergency incidents.

To learn more and take part in the consultation, which ends on Monday 28 March, visit the RBFRS website.
Think pharmacy first

When you or your family are unwell, your local pharmacy is there to help.

Community pharmacists are trained medical professionals who can provide free advice on the best treatment for a wide range of illnesses and minor ailments.

Local pharmacies can provide expert advice and a fast route to medication for minor ailments like aches and pains, sore throat, coughs, colds, flu-like symptoms, runny noses, earache and skin rashes. Most pharmacies also have a confidential consulting area for privacy should you need to discuss your condition.

Check out Frimley CCG's new video for more information.
Is your small business looking for support?

If you own a small business, you are invited to join organised networking events hosted by My Royal Borough.


Attendees will hear from inspirational independent businesses and have the opportunity to take part in a networking session. Coffee, tea, and cake will also be served.

Learn more and sign up today on the My Royal Borough website.
Survey to find out views of South Asian unpaid carers

Healthwatch Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead has launched its Mind The Gap survey to find out the views and experiences of South Asian unpaid carers across the Royal Borough, and how services could be improved.

It wants to hear what it’s like for carers, what support is currently on offer, and if and how things need changing.

If you’re a South Asian unpaid carer, you can complete the survey online or call the Healthwatch Hub on 0300 120184 to do it over the phone. The survey is available in English, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi and Bengali. 

For more details visit the Healthwatch website.
Royal Borough community spotlight

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

  • The Fabergé connection between England and Russia - (11.30am Monday 21 February) - Baylis Theatre, Braywick Leisure Centre. Inspired by the Romance to Revolution exhibition at the V&A museum, The Arts Society Maidenhead will be holding a talk providing a fascinating insight into the London branch of Fabergé. Entry is £10 for non-Arts Society members. More information is available on the Arts Society website 

  • Online at-home chair exercises for older men - (noon to 12.45pm from Friday 18 February to Friday 25 March). Men’s Matters and the Workers Educational Association are running an online chair exercise programme for older men (65+) via Zoom. The exercises are quite gentle and participants can go at the pace that best suits them from the comfort of home. To sign up, please email samuelsberks@aol.com. Further information is available on the Men’s Matters website 

  • 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

  • Renaissance Voices 20th anniversary concert - (7pm Saturday 5 March) - All Saints Church, Boyne Hill. Maidenhead Renaissance Voices choir are marking their 20th anniversary with a special concert featuring the atmospheric Requiem Mass for Six Voices, and the exuberant Purcell ode, Come Ye Sons of Art. Tickets are £15 and can be bought at the door. More information is available on the Renaissance Voices website 

  • Upcoming events at Windsor Senior Citizens Social Club (King George VI Day Centre, Clarence Road, Windsor) - King George VI Day Centre has an exciting calendar of events over the coming months including a Valentine’s Day-themed lunch on Monday 14 February, a Pancake Day pancake flipping competition on Tuesday 1 March, and St Patrick's Day celebrations including music, games, and lunch on Thursday 17 March. The centre also has arts and crafts, live entertainment, tea/coffee, and biscuits and offers fresh cooked meals. To learn more, visit the King George VI Day Centre website 

  • Sign up to Boyne Hill Cricket Club - The cricket season is fast approaching, and Boyne Hill Cricket Club is welcoming new members and colts, including four Saturday men’s teams, two Sunday women’s teams, one friendly Sunday team, and over 250 colts (boys and girls) from age four upwards coached by great L2 coaches. Winter nets are starting soon, so please email jackspencerjones@yahoo.co.uk if you are interested in joining 

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.
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:


More information can be found on the consultations pages of our website. 
M4 closures

The M4 is due to be closed in both directions between Junctions 4b (M25 interchange) and 5 (Langley) from 8pm today to 6am on Monday 14 February.

The M4 is also due to be closed in both directions between Junctions 6 (Slough-Windsor) and 8/9 (Maidenhead) from 8pm on Friday 18 February to 6am on Monday 21 February.

Visit the Highways England website for more details on the M4 smart motorway scheme.

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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