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General Election candidates confirmed


Today we can confirm all the candidates seeking to represent the Windsor and Maidenhead Parliamentary constituencies, ahead of the General Election on Thursday 4 July. Candidates across the UK had until 4pm today to submit their nomination forms.



Reminder to register

 

The deadline to register to vote for this election is Tuesday 18 June at 11.59pm – however you only have to register if you have never registered before, or have recently moved, or changed your name. Registering is easiest online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

 

If you have already registered, look out for your polling card landing on your doormat in the coming days.

 

Postal and proxy voting

 

The deadline for receiving new postal vote and postal proxy applications, or amending existing postal or proxy applications, is 5pm on Wednesday 19 June. The deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies) is 5pm on Wednesday 26 June. You now have the option to apply online to vote by post or proxy at https://www.gov.uk/how-to-vote

 

Check you have suitable photo ID

 

If you choose to vote in person on the day, by law you will need to bring along and show accepted photo ID in order to vote at a polling station. If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, you can apply by 5pm on Wednesday 26 June for a free Voter Authority Certificate. Visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID or call 0800 328 0280 to apply and check the full list of accepted forms of ID.

 

What is suitable photo ID?

 

A wide range of photo ID are accepted including a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK or EEA driver’s licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. You will be able to use expired ID if you are still recognisable from the photo. The Resident Advantage Card is not an accepted form of ID for voting.

Supporting Carers in the Royal Borough


Next week is Carers Week (10-16 June) and we’d love to say a huge thank you to all the residents in our community who provide unpaid care for a family member, friend or neighbour.

 

This year’s theme is ‘Putting Carers on the Map’ and we're using this as an opportunity to highlight their valuable role and some of the support available locally for carers.


Further details on what it means to be an unpaid carer can be found in this video: Do you look after someone? Are you an Unpaid Carer? on Vimeo.


We want carers to know that we value what they do and want to reassure them that help is available for them when they need it.

 

We’re working with our social care partners Optalis, Achieving for Children, Family Action and NHS Frimley, along with community groups and local businesses, to make sure that carers can prioritise their own mental health and wellbeing.

 

Throughout the next few weeks, we will be highlighting some of the support available to carers, along with upcoming events, using our social media channels and weekly Residents’ Newsletter.

 

Find out more about support available Carers Hub | RBWM Together

Join us for a free event at Maidenhead Library

 

Everyone is welcome to attend a talk followed by a Q&A with local author Ruth Fogg, whose new book explores stress management for carers. Free for all!

 

Monday 10 June, 2pm to 3.30pm at Maidenhead Library


Find out more about Ruth here.

Visit the NHS Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust Health Bus!

 

If you want to learn more about unpaid carers, their roles and the support available, please feel free to drop by the NHS Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust Health Bus, which will be touring Berkshire during Carers Week.

 

Friday 14 June, 2.30pm to 5pm – Dedworth Tesco, 290 Dedworth Road, Windsor, SL4 4JT

 

More information can be found at the Berkshire NHS website.

Attend a Parent Carer Webinar

 

If your child completes caring tasks for a loved one, you want to learn what is meant by the term ‘young carer’, or more about the available support, please feel free to attend Family Action’s Parent Carer Webinar.


Tuesday 11 June, 9am (in-person), 1pm (online) or 7.30pm (online)

Register to attend by emailing rbwm.yc@family-action.org.uk

 

Find out more about young carers here.

Find out more about the RBWM Knowledge Bank


This week we’ve been celebrating Volunteers’ Week, in which the amazing contribution volunteers make to communities across the UK is celebrated. And that’s why this week we’re letting readers know all about the RBWM Knowledge Bank.

 

The Knowledge Bank is a new initiative to bring together skills from across the Royal Borough, in both the public and private sectors, for the benefit of the voluntary and community sector (VCS). The aim is to deliver projects that support the VCS to build capacity, stability and resilience through skills-sharing.

 

In support of the Knowledge Bank the pilot RBWM Skills Programme encourages council employees to volunteer with local voluntary or community groups, and to pass on their knowledge, experiences and skills. The programme matches colleagues with groups and organises relevant training sessions, and participation is entirely facilitated by the RBWM Communities Team. 

Making a difference


Clare Walsha, a Strategy, Policy and Performance Officer at the council, is using her volunteering time to support Windsor Horse Rangers.

 

Clare told us: “In helping the Rangers develop a strategic plan I’ve been able to apply the principles I learned from working on the Council Plan.

 

“I’ve taken a mentoring-type approach, so asking questions to understand what they need from me and then giving advice and signposting to public resources.”

 

Karen Meade, from the Windsor Horse Rangers, said: “Our experience so far has been very good. The initial contact helped us as an organisation to think about our strengths and weaknesses, which was a useful exercise in itself.

 

“The team has been very friendly and happy to fit around when we’re free to meet up. They have given us guidance on where to start with writing a strategic plan, and we are now progressing well with it.”


Get involved

 

If you're an organisation or community group who could benefit from skills mentoring, we’d love to hear from you, and we may be able to help you find a volunteer.

 

And if you’re someone who is looking to volunteer you can see a list of current volunteering opportunities on our volunteering website.

Reminder: Volunteer Fair at Maidenhead Library


We're co-hosting a Volunteer Fair at Maidenhead Library tomorrow, Saturday 8 June, 10am-1pm.

 

Come along and meet community and voluntary organisations from across the borough. The fair is free to attend and will be a great opportunity to find out about what’s happening in your local area and to discover how you might like to be involved.

 

We’re also inviting all stallholders and attendees to join us for The Big Lunch afterwards (from 1.30pm). The Big Lunch is a way for communities to get to know each other, we are inviting everyone to bring their lunch for a big picnic at the amphitheatre outside Maidenhead Library, weather permitting of course!


Read more

Fostering: A valuable and rewarding paid role


We need more people to become foster carers and make a difference for local young people in the community.

 

Providing a secure, stable and supportive home for a child or young person in care is a valuable and rewarding paid role.

 

In return, we offer our foster carers excellent support, training and benefits via our in-house independent fostering agency, Achieving for Children Fostering.

 

Why we foster with Achieving for Children

 

“We are in our 26th year as foster carers for the Royal Borough and Achieving for Children and wouldn’t change a thing. We have done both long-term and short-term fostering and have fostered around 40 children.

 

“Our parents were also foster carers for 25 years and were able to benefit from their expertise and support along with many other experienced foster carers of the time and learn something new every day along with Achieving for Children’s support and guidance. And of course, the children we take care of teach us many things during their time with us.

 

“We have enjoyed fostering and learnt along the way. We have had many challenges and many success stories but it’s worth every bit of our time. Achieving for Children offer so much support, guidance and training, we have been very happy being one of the team and working with them.”

 

Could you foster too?


We need more people from all walks of life to look after a range of local children and young people in the short- or longer-term, including teenagers, sibling groups and children with a disability, who for different reasons cannot live with their parents.


We welcome enquiries from anyone aged 21 or over, regardless of income, employment status, gender, sexuality, religion, whether or not you have pets, own your home or rent. It’s your personal qualities that matter.


Our website has lots of information about the process and opportunities, we are also available via phone and email, make contact with us for an informal chat. Email us at fosteringenquiries@achievingforchildren.org.uk or call 020 8547 5355.

Our Cycling PSPO consultation has been extended



Earlier this year, we extended the PSPO prohibiting cycling at Peascod Street, Windsor and High Street, Maidenhead for a further three years. The PSPO currently prohibits cycling 24/7 at both locations. During the public consultation around this PSPO, we received some valuable feedback suggesting that a more balanced approach would be beneficial.


Based on this feedback, we launched a follow-up consultation asking residents whether they agree with a separate proposal to amend the PSPO to apply only during the hours of 10am to 5pm. This has the potential to help promote active travel while continuing to promote safer cycling.


During this consultation process, which started on 8 May, we’ve received feedback from some residents that a reference to motor vehicles in the consultation materials was unclear. We’ve therefore updated the consultation materials to clarify the existing rules and we’re extending the consultation until Friday 28 June to give everyone extra time to share their views.


We encourage all residents to have their say and participate online at RBWM Together, or use the public-access computers available at all local libraries, where paper copies of the consultation documents are also available upon request.

Reminder: Full road closure of Broadway


The full road closure of Broadway in Maidenhead began this week, to enable the safe demolition of the closed Broadway multi-storey car park.

 

A full temporary road closure is required until Thursday 13 June, daily between 9am to 3pm (though with no weekend closures) in order to enable the safe demolition of the staircase tower. This will ensure pedestrians and vehicles stay a safe distance from these major demolition works.


The footway on the opposite side will remain open. A diversion for motorists will be in place during this time via A4 Frascati Way, A4 Bad Godesberg Way, A4 St Clouds Way, Forlease Road, Bridge Road and High Street.


As a result of the road closure weekdays between 4 and 13 June the following bus routes are affected:


  • Thames Valley Buses routes 3, 7, 8, 9, 16, 53, 234, 235, 238 and 239 will not call at Broadway, Market St, Library, Queen St, York Rd East bus stops between 9am and 3pm, but will outside these times. All other stops served as usual. 
  • Arriva route 7 and Red Eagle Buses route 63 will only pick up from Frascati Way stop S1/S2 and turn at the roundabout south of the station, at all times, not just between 9am and 3pm.

Royal Borough Community Spotlight


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


  • Maidenhead Heritage Centre free exhibitions in the Nicholson Shopping Centre over the coming weeks. "Memories of D-Day" is running for another two weeks alongside a changing display of Maidenhead's listed buildings. Later displays will include Maidenhead and the Olympic Games and the River Thames in Maidenhead. Further information from 01628 780555 or 07973 849836.


  • Table Top Sale (Saturday 8 June, 12pm to 3pm) - Cox Green Community Centre, 51 Highfield Lane, Maidenhead SL6 3AX. Come along and grab a bargain and tea/coffee and cake. Children entry free. For more information, please contact us on 01628 636715 or email.


  • Comedy Evening (Saturday 8 June, 7.30pm) - St. John the Evangelist, Littlewick Green. Come and see Andy Kind, stand-up comedian and preacher, perform his comedy gems. The evening will include refreshments during the interval. For more information and tickets visit.


  • St Michael's Church, Bray Recital (Sunday 9 June, 3pm) - St Michael's Church, Bray SL6 2AA. Young prize-winning British pianist William Bracken makes his debut at Bray with Mozart, Messiaen and Brahms. Admission is free with a retiring collection, church teas will be in the hall afterwards. For further information visit.


  • Bazaar & Coffee Morning (Saturday 15 June, 10am to 11.30am) - St Marks Crescent Methodist Church, Allenby Road, Maidenhead, SL6 5BQ. A friendly morning for all in the Community to enjoy. There's a raffle, stalls available with many items for sale at good prices. Delicious home baked cakes, stationery, books, CDs, DVDs, bric-a-brac, with items for gifts or home. Coffee is available during the morning and served in our colourful Hub. All Welcome - free entry. All Proceeds to St Marks Church Fund. For more information email.


  • The Maidenhead Lions annual Duck Derby (Sunday 16 June, 12pm to 5pm) - Ray Mill Island on the Thames below Boulter's lock. With a wide variety of stalls and local organisations offering goods for sale and games of chance. Activities will include face painting, music, Nick teaching his circus skills and making his balloon creatures and an opportunity to be creative with crafts and the ever-popular hook a duck. The Duck Race will be started by the Mayor of Windsor & Maidenhead at 4.30pm. The Sea Cadets will release the ducks which can be seen drifting down the Thames. Entry is free but tickets for the duck race will be on sale on the day. For more information visit.


  • Open Gardens Event (Sunday 23 June, 11am to 4pm) - Oakley Green, SL4 4PZ. In support of OGAFCA and the Braywood Memorial Hall. To book and for more information visit.


  • Summer Family Funday (Saturday 6 July, 12pm to 3pm) - Eton Wick Church of England First School, Sheepcote Rd, Eton Wick, Windsor SL4 6JB. Inflatable fun, face painting, carnival of games, BBQ and entertainment. Free entry.


  • Maidenhead Bikeathon (Sunday 7 July 2024, Cyclists can depart between 8am – 10am, event closes at 3pm). This road event mainly is on the quieter country lanes of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. The event starts and finishes at Maidenhead Office Park, Westacott Way, Littlewick Green SL6 3QQ (free and ample parking. Short (family) route is 15 miles (24km), Medium route is 32 miles (50km) and Long Route is 64 miles. Organised by Maidenhead Rotary Club (a registered charity). For more information visit.


  • Volunteers urgently needed at Cox Green Luncheon Club which meets weekly on Tuesdays at Cox Green Community Centre. If you enjoy preparing and cooking food, why not come along to meet us and find out more. Any time you can spare monthly, fortnightly, weekly or occasionally would be much appreciated. For more details and information on other volunteering jobs at Cox Green Luncheon Club please contact Pam Hitchcock on 07814 358 270.

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.

Our consultations - have your say


We regularly hold consultations and surveys to get your views on proposals within the Royal Borough.


Participating, sharing ideas, and giving your feedback is the best way to ensure your views are heard.


Our current consultations are:



Partner consultations:


  • Only for residents of the Sunningdale parish: Sunningdale Parish Council has launched its Resident and Stakeholder Survey, which they will use to inform their decision making on the priorities of the Parish via their Business Plan. The closing date is 17 June 2024 and Sunningdale Parish Council encourages its residents to complete the survey online on their website. 

Local Travel Updates


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.


  • There will be a road closure on the B4447 Maidenhead Road between Whyteladyes Lane and Lightlands Lane from 10pm on Saturday 8 June until 6am on Sunday 9 June to facilitate railway bridge survey works.


  • The full road closure of Broadway in Maidenhead will run until Thursday 13 June to enable the safe demolition of the closed Broadway multi-storey car park. Please see the relevant article in this edition of the Residents Newsletter for full details.

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