Launch of domestic abuse survey

Slough Borough Council’s community safety team is launching an online survey asking for views about domestic abuse and wider VAWG (Violence Against Women & Girls).

They are also keen to hear from male victims/survivors and respondents, whether in a personal or professional capacity. The survey is running until 20 March.

The survey aims to find out people’s experience of domestic abuse support in Slough to help shape the council’s local strategy and services provided.

The survey is not only for those directly affected by domestic abuse but also residents that have views on what should be offered in the Slough area. All responses are confidential and there will be no identifying details requested.

Councillor Balvinder Bains, cabinet member for public protection, regulation and enforcement, said: “The survey is for professionals, victims, and survivors of violence, including men and boys, residents who care about this topic and members of local groups and organisations.

“If we are going to improve services around domestic abuse, including violence, coercive control and so called ‘honour based’ abuse and forced marriage, it is essential we listen to residents and hear their experiences.

“We understand writing about personal experiences can bring up difficult memories, so please only complete the survey if you feel ready and able.”

Responses will be split into the following categories:

• I am a partner/ professional agency (i.e.. Police, Probation, Drug Services etc)
• I am (or have been) a victim/ survivor of violence against women and girls (including men and boys)
• I am a resident of Slough and care about this topic
• I am a member of a local group or organisation and see the effects of domestic abuse.

The survey can be accessed at https://forms.office.com/r/tRzguURRu4

Please remember if anyone is in immediate danger, call 999, or for support during working hours, call Hestia on 01753 477352.

The National Domestic Abuse helpline is available 24/7 on 0808 2000 247 or www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk.

Knife Angel vigil – a strong message of unity

The Slough community came together in a show of unity against knife and violent crime.

A candlelit vigil at the Knife Angel, a sculpture against violence and aggression, was held at Arbour Park last night (26 January).

There were speakers from Thames Valley Police, local faith leaders, a young volunteer and families of those who died as a result of knife crime.

Chief Inspector Ashley Smith, from Thames Valley Police, said: “This is just the start of what we are doing in Slough, and we cannot do it alone. Seeing how many people are here shows the commitment.

“Together with our partners, and community, we can make a difference and prevent further acts of violence on our streets. Slough stands together against all forms of violence.”

Reverend Sue Lepp, police chaplain, had a powerful message for everyone.

She said: “Angels are messengers. We need to be angels. To be messengers of warning and peace. To the young people, be angels of influence. To the adults, be angels of example. Knife crime and violence have no part in this community.”

Umar Ansari, the father of Abdul Aziz Ansari, 18, who was murdered in Langley in May 2022, spoke of the need to take a stand together.

He said: “Last year was a devastating year for us; we had three separate murders. Is this the type of identity we want for Slough? A place that is unsafe for our children and ourselves?

“We have had to go through the whole painful experience of being told he is no longer with us. The impact has not gone away. The pain and grief is now within our DNA.

“Slough is growing. We can’t allow ourselves to sleepwalk into a town that becomes less safe for our generation and the generation to follow. It is time for us to reclaim Slough. We need to be cohesive. We need to stand together. If you hear of any anti-knife crime campaigns, please support them.”

Stuart and Amanda Stephens, the parents of Olly Stephens, 13, who was murdered in Reading in January 2021, both spoke.

About three years ago Olly had known about the Knife Angel and fallen in love with the design, but sadly he never got to see it in person.

Stuart said: “Too many young lives have already been lost to the cancer of knife crime. Our children are being sold lies through their phones. It is up to our families and community to inspire change to our youths’ behaviour towards each other. We start at home by talking to our children.

“It is shameful to pick up a knife. It is just plain stupid to actually use one. Please have these conversations, no matter how awkward.”

Amanda said: “Children killed our son. Our children are our future. We need to protect them.”

She read a poem about the Knife Angel, written by Theresa Redmond.

“As I stand so strong and tall
I symbolise life, now lost, so cruel
I’m made of knives used by gangs, a structure of hate, caused by man
An Angel made, from sadness and gloom
That stands in hope of getting through
To all these gangs in senseless need
Of taking life
With needless greed
These murderous youths can’t comprehend
The misery caused with no real end
A sentence passed
A life’s long pain
Made with knives
To no ones gain.”

Dr Osman Latif, from Jamia Masjid & Islamic Centre, Slough, said: “You are our hope in this town. You have to be the beacons of light in every place you are living to make this a place to live in peace, comfort and harmony.”

Pastor Cecil Boyd, from Church of God of Prophecy, Britwell, said: “We stand against violence and aggression of all sorts. When we work together, we can make a change. We can stem this violence in our community. Our children are the future of this town, they need us. Let’s work together to bring this to an end.”

Naresh Saraswat, a Priest from Slough Hindu Temple, said: “Together we can do a lot of change. I wish Slough has a very nice, peaceful future. We can hope, we can wish that this is the end of knife crime in our town.”

Eisa Mohammad, a volunteer with Together as One (Aik Saath), spoke about a project the youth did to discuss what they would do if they could ‘change one thing’.

He said: “We are thinking a great deal about how we can support families. In the name of those who are fallen, we must do more to bring the youth together and remove them from harmful influences. Make them a beacon of change for future generations.”

Since the Knife Angel arrived in Slough on 10 January, more than 5,500 people have attended and liaised with officers and volunteers, there are more than 700 tags with key messages around stopping violence and by the end of March, more than 3,000 young people in Slough will have been educated about knife crime.

The Knife Angel was brought to Slough in partnership with Thames Valley Police, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley and Slough Borough Council.

The last full day the Knife Angel is in Slough is Monday 30 January. It will head off to the next location in Gloucester on Tuesday 31 January.

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Slough’s Great Winter Get Together
Community groups and organisations will be joining forces for a Great Winter Get Together (GWGT).
The Slough events aim to give residents access to information and support to help them through the cost-of-living challenges. This includes information and support relating to several other services across the town, including fostering and support on how to keep well for longer.
There will be a chance to chat to services, organisations and charities providing support with debt and welfare, benefits, household and energy bills, plus information on health and wellbeing.
The timing and location of the events have been organised to give people who work in the week, work shifts or cannot always get into the town centre, a chance to access these organisations.
The events will be at The Centre in Farnham Road, on Friday 27 January, from 4-8pm and Saturday 28 January, from 9am-12noon.
Councillor Sabia Akram, cabinet member for leisure, culture and community empowerment, said: “This will be a great opportunity for anyone looking for help and advice, because so many great organisations will be in one place together. The cost-of-living situation is tough for many people but by talking to these organisations, you may find sources of support you didn’t know existed. I hope as many people as possible attend the Great Winter Get Together.”
Organisations attending on Friday 27 January, subject to change, include:
• Department for Work and Pensions (benefits, careers, skills and training)
• Everyone Active (fitness, sport and exercise)
• Slough Borough Council Environmental Services (green bins)
• SBC Community Development Team (information and advice on Household Support Fund, energy bills savings and other SBC services)
• Active Slough (fitness, sport and exercise)
• Turning Point (Recovery and advice)
• The Slough Hub (Jobs, training and skills)
• Fostering for Slough
• HAF Programme (Holiday Activities and Food)
• Community Learning and Skills Service (CLaSS) (Training, education, learning and skills)
• Berkshire Healthcare Wellbeing Service (Health and wellbeing, plus support with budgeting, debt advice and more)
• Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service wellbeing team
• Talking Therapies (Mental health and counselling)
• Residents’ Association (Community support)
• Solutions 4 Health (Health check-ups, smoking cessation and more health advice)
• Warm Spaces Slough
• The Cowshed (clothes and essentials)
• SBC Sustainable and Active Travel (bike training and travel options)

Attending on Saturday 28 January, subject to change, will be:
• Department for Work and Pensions
• Everyone Active
• SBC Community Development Team
• Active Slough
• Osborne (Housing support)
• Artful Hub (Mental health and art support)
• Community Learning and Skills Service (CLaSS)
• Berkshire Healthcare Wellbeing Service
• Xyla Health and Wellbeing (Diabetes support and weight management)
• Slough Libraries
• Talking Therapies
• Solutions 4 Health
• Warm Spaces Slough
• Slough 50 Plus Forum (support for adults)

Residents can pop-in at any point that suits them while the events are on. They have been arranged in partnership with the council, DWP and Everyone Active.

The Great Winter Get Together events happen nationally, inspired by murdered MP Jo Cox.

Exhibitors welcomed for Wedding Fair

If you’re in the business of love and romance and would like to attract potential new customers, a new Wedding Fair may be just what you need.
The council’s registrars’ team have teamed up with Baylis House to host the fair on Sunday 19 February, and they are looking for exhibitors to be there on the day.
If you have a flair for hair, are brilliant at beauty, perfect at pictures, or can bring flower power, contact the team to find out more about the fair, which will run from 10.30am-4.30pm.
The following businesses are examples of who the team would like to have a stall at the event.
• Wedding cakes
• DJs
• Jewellery
• Wedding outfits
• Photographers
• Videographers
• Cars
• Caterers
• Musicians
• Hair & Makeup
• Mehndi artists
• Stationery/Wedding cards
• Photo booths
• Beauticians

Councillor Balvinder Bains, cabinet member with responsibility for registrar services, said: “Weddings are such joyous occasions, and each couple has different preferences for how their day looks. If we can get a variety of local businesses all in a room together, it gives couples a real flavour of what is out there. Please contact the team to find out more.”
Baylis House is located on Stoke Poges Lane.
To get involved, or to find out more, contact:
• Tajinder.bahia@slough.gov.uk / 07985 192089
• Lorna.woods@slough.gov.uk / 07818 244739

Review of polling districts and polling stations

Residents are invited to give their views in a consultation about polling districts and polling stations.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) reviewed the number of wards in Slough, increasing them from 15 to 21. All ward boundaries will change, and new wards will come into effect for the May 2023 local elections.

As a result of these changes, new polling districts will have to be created within each of the new wards. For each of the 45 polling districts, a suitable location for a polling station has to be identified.

The consultation into these polling districts is open until 18 January.

Councillor James Swindlehurst, leader of the council, said: “The LGBCE review has created new wards and we want to ensure everyone can access a polling station within a short distance of their homes.

“We would like residents to get involved to help shape the future polling district boundaries and polling places in the borough. Please have a read through the proposals and give your feedback to help us plan.”

To view the proposals for suitable polling districts and polling places for all the new wards, visit https://www.slough.gov.uk/voting-elections/polling-districts-and-places-review

Responses to the consultation can be made in writing, either by email to ballotbox@slough.gov.uk or by post to: Polling Review, Electoral Services, Observatory House, 25 Windsor Road, Slough SL1 2EL

Final proposals will be considered for approval at the full council meeting on 26 January, with the revised register and new polling scheme published in early February.

Full details of the Boundary Commission’s ward boundary changes for Slough can be viewed on the LGBCE website - https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/south-east/berkshire/slough

Christmas bins and recycling

The Christmas period brings lots of fun and celebrations, but with that comes extra empty cardboard packaging and a few more bottles clinking into the recycling bin.

A reminder to everyone that bin collection days will change in Slough over the Christmas and New Year period. They will be emptied between two and four days later than normal between 26 December and 13 January, due to bank holidays.

Residents are encouraged to recycle as much as they can over the holidays - the red bin is for cardboard, newspapers and magazines, drinks cans and food tins, glass jars and bottles and bottle shaped plastic only.

We can accept Christmas cards without embellishments and wrapping paper, as long as there is no glitter and if it passes the scrunch test. This means if you can scrunch it and it stays in a ball without springing back, it can be recycled. If it doesn’t stay in a ball, it can’t be recycled.

If you have too much recycling or rubbish that won’t fit into your normal bin, it can be taken to Chalvey Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC), which will be open from 9am-5pm every day except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

The council cannot collect side waste, so please break down all boxes before putting them in the red bin. The council does offer a bulky waste collection service, for a fee.

Councillor Mohammed Nazir, Cabinet member for transport and the local environment, said: “Residents have done a great job recycling throughout the year and we would like to see this continue. There can sometimes be an increase in flytipping over the festive period, however, there is no need to dump waste when the recycling centre will be open on most days.

“There is no charge to dump normal household waste, so I would encourage those who have too much for their home bins, to bring it to a household waste recycling site to dispose of it responsibly.

“We hope everyone has a fantastic Christmas and New Year with their friends and families.”

For those enrolled on the paid for garden waste scheme, they can dispose of their real Christmas trees in there, if they cut them up and ensure the bin lid shuts.

Anyone not enrolled can dispose of their tree, for free, at Chalvey HWRC.

For the full list of Bank Holiday bin dates, visit https://www.slough.gov.uk/household-waste-collection/bank-holiday-collection-dates

For more details on what can be recycled, visit www.slough.gov.uk/recycling

Warm Space project welcomes new sites

A project aimed at giving people a warm space to go to sit, socialise and have a cuppa is running in Slough.

The partnership is between the council, Slough Council for Voluntary Services, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), community groups, charities and organisations across the borough.

Warm Spaces are open to anyone and to provide one, your space must be warm, have a toilet for visitors, be able to provide hot drinks and have somewhere to sit.

In Slough, the team is looking for more places to sign up as a Warm Space.

Free starter packs of tea, coffee, sugar and biscuits, sponsored by SSEN, will be distributed to all groups who sign up to Warm Spaces Slough.

Councillor Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for social care and public health, said: “This is a brilliant national initiative, and I would love it to be a great success in Slough. If you have a space in your building or office which you think would fit the bill, please register on the One Slough directory and you’ll soon be welcoming people in and providing a valuable community service. Thank you to those already signed up.”

Vicki Atherton, Director of Operations at Slough CVS, said: "Slough CVS has teamed up with SBC to support places and groups offering warm spaces across Slough as the cold spell hits. We are all experiencing the cost-of-living crisis and Warm Spaces Slough offers a safe and welcoming place for everyone, to enjoy a free hot drink and a chat."

Mohammed Kamraiz, SSEN Customer and Community Advisor, said: “We are delighted to be able to help the community in Slough to stay warm this winter through a donation to the costs of running this hub.

“The cost of living crisis is affecting many people and at SSEN we know and value the importance of safe, warm spaces for communities to share this winter.

“We are offering advice to our customers in the event of a power cut and additional support is available for those who are more vulnerable, and I would encourage all customers to visit our website to find out more - https://www.ssen.co.uk/power-cuts-emergencies/electricity-supply-emergency-code-esec/”

The list of current Warm Spaces, operating now or soon to be, is below.

• Slough Baptist Church, Windsor Road
- Mondays 3-5pm starting on 9 January
- Wednesdays 11am-2pm starting on 4 January

• Slough Community Support Café, St John’s Church, Stoke Poges Lane
- Tuesdays 5-9pm

• Slough Community Support Café, St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Stoke Poges Lane
- Thursdays 3.30-8pm

• Cippenham Carers Group, Cippenham Baptist Church, Elmshott Lane
- Third Wednesday of the month from 1-3pm

• Ujala Foundation, Manor Park Pavillion, Villiers Road,
- Tuesdays 10am-2pm and Thursdays 12noon-2pm.

• Home Slough is offering a warm space during their WOW Slough winter programme. All events will be held at The Curve. For dates and times visit HOME Slough - Creative arts in your community - https://www.homeslough.org.uk/

The Slough community support café is for all ages to have a simple meal, coffee, read newspapers or have a chat and there is space for children to play or complete homework. For more information, email office@communitycafe.uk or call Mark on 07817 829393.

If anyone is already running a Warm Space, or wants to register, submit a listing to detail what you can offer - https://sloughhealth.org/submit-listing/

For local health and wellbeing activities, visit Slough’s health and wellbeing directory - https://sloughhealth.org/

Keep an eye out for the Warm Spaces Slough logo on posters and in windows of more spaces as they sign up.

To find out more about the scheme and requirements, contact community.development@slough.gov.uk

Remodelling of children’s centres consultation

The council is set to discuss a consultation into how Slough children’s centres will look in the future.

The council currently has 10 children’s centres across the borough; however, change is being proposed because a recent review has highlighted the capacity to identify and target those most in need of support is limited, and whilst the core functions and offer are maintained, they are spread thinly and unevenly across the range of centres and associated localities.

The consultation will last for six weeks and will launch the week beginning 9 January 2023, if Cabinet give the go-ahead.

During the consultation residents will be asked to give their views on the key issues the council should consider regarding the borough’s future children’s centre model.

1. There are four proposed options, listed below, which residents will be invited to comment on. To create a new 3 centre model by closing 7 of the existing 10 children’s centres to establish a new model of delivery serviced by the existing centres at Penn Road, Chalvey Grove and Romsey Close. This option would see the 3 retained centres operate on a north, south and east locality basis. This option would include the maintenance of directly delivered early education and childcare from Chalvey Grove and Romsey Close. Stand-alone early education and childcare would also be maintained at Yew Tree Road. (Recommended).

2. To create a new 2 centre model by closing 8 of the existing 10 children’s centres to establish a north and south locality model serviced by the existing centres at Penn Road and Chalvey Grove respectively. This option would include the maintenance of directly delivered early education and childcare from Chalvey Grove. Stand-alone early education and childcare would also be maintained at Yew Tree Road.

3. To create a new 1 centre model by closing 9 of the existing 10 children’s centres to establish a boroughwide model at Chalvey Grove. This option would see the discontinuation of all early education and childcare currently delivered by SBC.

4. To continue with the current provision of 10 centres or to have less of a reduction of centres than proposed above.

Councillor Christine Hulme, lead member children’s services, lifelong learning and skills, said: “We are very proud of all our children’s centres and staff, and this review has been undertaken to see how we can identify and work with those residents most in need of support while making sure the service remains sustainable.

“It’s important that our residents have their say about the changes proposed for our children’s centres, so please engage with the consultation and the drop-in sessions that will be on offer, so we can take your suggestions, priorities and views and use them to help shape the service provided.”

When the consultation launches, there will be an online survey, drop-in sessions at children’s centres and online sessions for residents to share their views.

The Cabinet meeting is on Monday 19 December. More information on the consultation can be found in the Cabinet papers.

Conviction for man dumping raw meat

A man who repeatedly dumped piles of raw meat was caught out after being captured on CCTV.

The bizarre situation began in December 2021 when the council’s environmental services waste crews were finding raw meat and waste carcasses dumped over numerous days in Farm Lane, Slough.

This continued through to January 2022 and an investigation was carried out by the council’s resilience and enforcement team, using a covert deployable CCTV camera.

The offender, Naveed Ahmed, of Oatlands Drive, was caught on camera and invited for interview under caution at the council.

The team presented him with the evidence, and he admitted he was responsible for the dumped waste.

Due to the public health hazard created by the repeated dumping of waste meat and carcasses, a prosecution was sought, and this was heard at Reading Magistrates’ Court on 25 November.

Mr Ahmed did not attend, so magistrates heard the case in his absence, and found him guilty of four offences.

He was fined £2,640 for each offence, ordered to pay a £190 victim surcharge, as well as £2,872 towards court costs, bringing the total to £13,622.

Councillor Balvinder Bains, cabinet member for public protection, regulation and enforcement, said: “Any flytipping is a crime and is unacceptable, but to happen upon piles of rotting meat in a public place was particularly disgusting for our crews. In the CCTV footage you can see the offender bring the meat to the site in a plastic bag to dump. This could easily have been put in his home waste bin, where he could have avoided a criminal conviction and a large fine.

“We hope this discourages other people from dumping waste products of any kind. Thank you to our resilience and enforcement and legal teams for their efforts in bringing this to court.”

To report flytipping, use the council’s online form at https://www.slough.gov.uk/xfp/form/229

Time to show domestic abuse the red card

Slough Borough Council is launching a campaign to show there is never any excuse for domestic abuse.

Historically, when there are major sporting events, like the World Cup, there is an increase in the number of domestic abuse incidents where a woman is the victim.

The council, in collaboration with the Safer Slough Partnership and Slough Children First, has created a series of posters aimed at perpetrators, victims and children. They offer details of support and information services, both locally and nationally.

One of the messages is ‘Don’t lose it all for football’.

Rachel Axtell, the council’s domestic abuse partnership officer, will be running training sessions and speaking to local groups during the period of the World Cup and the 16 days of activism against male violence towards women, which starts on 25 November, on White Ribbon Day.

She said: “Slough Borough Council is working with a number of organisations to co-ordinate the response to domestic abuse and as a partnership we recognise there is more to be done. Events such as the World Cup remind us of this challenge. We need to remember that domestic abuse isn’t only physical, it can involve mental abuse, sexual abuse and coercive control. There is a lot of help out there so if someone is in an abusive relationship, or you know someone who is in an abusive relationship, please try to reach out to someone for support. Don’t suffer alone.”

Councillor Balvinder Bains, cabinet member for public protection, regulation and enforcement, said: “The start of the World Cup is a timely occasion to raise awareness about domestic abuse and remind everyone that violence, in any form, is never the answer. Enjoy the football but win or lose, don’t take it out on anyone else.”

Carol Douch, Operations Director from Slough Children First, said: “Every child and adult has the right to feel safe in their own home. Working together we can ensure zero tolerance of domestic abuse. If you feel that you or someone you know is at risk, then please speak up and ask for support.”

Local support services for domestic abuse include Hestia, Slough, who can be contacted on 01753 477352 and The Dash Charity, Windsor and Maidenhead, on 01753 549865.

Nationally, help is available via the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 and the Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010 327.

Report seeks Cabinet approval to re-commission voluntary and community sector services

A report going to Cabinet on 21 November is seeking approval to re-commission two services for the delivery of a voluntary and community sector support service and an advice and information service, to replace existing provision when current contracts expire in June 2023.

These services are to:

provide support to community groups to help them develop, including volunteer support, whilst making these groups more easily available to residents, as well as health, care, and support staff, and
continue to develop advice and information services to support residents across Slough.
These services will be part of the preventative work undertaken across Slough to enable people to get help closer to home and continue to be active members of their community.

Part of the Cabinet paper seeks approval to bring the Carers service, that is currently provided by Slough CVS, back in-house when the contract expires in June.

The suggestion is that carers assessments and some activities run currently by Slough CVS will be undertaken by a Carers Co-ordinator who will be part of the adult social care team in the council. As well linking in with carers support groups and supporting access to carers groups and activities within the community.

Any changes in the service will be co-designed with carers and the wider voluntary and community sector.

Marc Gadsby, executive director people (adults), said: “For any current users of Slough Carers Support, we don’t want you to worry about these suggested changes. If approved by Cabinet, bringing on board a Carers Co-ordinator to run the service as part of our team will mean we will continue to help and support our carers throughout Slough, building on the great work that Slough Carers Support have done.”

Suspension of e-scooter trial

The trial of e-scooters that has run since June 2020 across Slough is coming to an end on 30 November.

The e-scooters are operated by Neuron Mobility UK, and the trial has been extended several times but as the contract with Neuron was coming to an end, the council was unable to extend the contract without opening it up to tender.

The transport team will be evaluating the scheme and providing a report to Cabinet in February 2023 with the possibility of restarting the scheme subject to procurement and Cabinet approval in June 2023.

This does mean however that from the end of this month, the e-scooters will be removed from Slough for now. The scheme has proved very successful and popular with residents and commuters alike.

Councillor Mohammed Nazir, cabinet member for transport and the local environment, said: “This is a chance to pause and evaluate the trial, whilst we undertake more work and preparation for an expected DfT decision on permanent schemes once the national trials have completed.

“It has been great working with Neuron Mobility UK throughout this successful trial, and seeing our residents and commuters enjoy scooting around the borough. I look forward to seeing the transport team’s report at Cabinet early next year.”

Sustainable Warmth scheme to help fund energy-saving improvements

The Sustainable Warmth scheme aims to upgrade energy inefficient homes of low-income households, helping people to save money on their energy bills whilst also reducing carbon emissions.

Delivery of the scheme is through the Greater South East Net Zero Hub. Slough Borough Council is supporting the scheme and encouraging eligible residents to apply.

The scheme incorporates two areas of funding, targeting households with a combined gross household income of less than £30,000 and living in energy inefficient homes.

The energy efficiency criteria is determined by the EPC rating of the property.

Funding is available to households heated by a gas boiler connected to the mains gas grid (on-gas), but the council is particularly keen to encourage households heated by alternative fuels including electricity, oil, liquid propane gas, and solid fuels (off-gas), to apply.

A managing agent, City Energy, will guide customers through the application journey, helping them understand and establish eligibility for the scheme. If eligible, the installer will identify which improvements for the home will provide the greatest benefits and arrange any necessary surveys and installations.

The funding allows £10,000 per property to provide a range of energy and cost saving upgrades, depending on the specific circumstances, such as the fuel source, energy efficiency and EPC rating of the home, with up to £25,000 available for the least efficient homes heated by the most polluting fuel sources.

Councillor Mohammed Nazir, lead member for transport and the local environment, said: “With costs rising all the time, this is a real opportunity for those in energy-inefficient homes to make improvements, which will save them money in the long-term and help to reduce carbon emissions.

“If residents fit the eligibility criteria, it’s worth them applying and speaking to the experts to see if there are any measures suitable for their home.”

The council’s community development team and housing regulation team will also be contacting residents they work with who they think would be eligible for the scheme.

Applications must be made by 31 December, with the works completed by March 2023.

For more on the scheme, visit the council's website - www.slough.gov.uk/sustainablewarmth and visit the Berkshire website to apply -
https://berkshire-applications.co.uk/

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Household Support Fund applications open

The Household Support Fund (HSF) grant has been extended again to support those most in need.

The grant helps families and vulnerable individuals who struggle to pay for basic living costs, such as:
• food
• energy
• water bills
• essential goods.

The £1,177,691.53 grant is funded by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

Applications are open until 31 March 2023 or whenever the funds are exhausted, whichever is earlier.

Councillor Zaffar Ajaib, lead member for customer services, procurement and performance, said: “The grants will be welcomed at this time of rising costs and they are particularly for those households who are most vulnerable to help them through exceptional hardship. We would encourage people to check the eligibility criteria online and apply before the March deadline to benefit from this support.”

As with earlier tranches, more than half of the funding will be used to provide £15 per week, per child, in food vouchers to households in receipt of Free School Meals for the October 2022 half term, Christmas holidays, and February 2023 half term break. There are currently 7,100 eligible for Free School Meals.

It will also provide a fund for the direct provision of support to care leavers and other vulnerable families known to the relevant teams.

The remaining fund will provide support to individuals and families who are eligible for assistance through the existing discretionary application process.

The scheme is open to all, but applications are encouraged from those groups that have missed out on other Government support packages. This may include but is not limited to:
• people who have fuel costs but who cannot access the £400 of energy support from the Energy Bill Support Scheme
• those who receive non-means tested benefits and missed out on the cost-of-living payments
• disabled people with increases in utility bills due to the usage of equipment or transport costs
• those in receipt of housing benefit only, for example, those living in houses in multiple occupation and paying for fuel through meters etc
• people who are entitled to but not claiming qualifying benefits
• groups vulnerable to rising prices.

The grants will be issued on a first come, first served basis, providing the criteria is met.

Claim forms and more details about the Household Support Fund and discretionary schemes are available at https://www.slough.gov.uk/hsf

Council accepts findings of Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman public interest report

Slough Borough Council has apologised and made a payment of £3,550 to a resident for failing to provide a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) in a timely manner, to enable a chair lift to be installed at her property. This failure meant the resident was unable to access the first floor of her property independently for more than a year.

An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO), after a complaint by the resident, led to the council being found to have caused an injustice to the resident. This failure was caused by the operation of a waiting list to submit applications for DFGs which is at odds with the guidance - “Home adaptations for disabled people: a detailed guide to related legislation, guidance and good practice,” published by the Homes Adaptations Consortium in 2013, which prohibits the use of priority systems to manage demand.

The LGSCO took the unusual step of issuing a public interest report due to the significant fault and injustice caused and a concern that there was a systemic problem with wider learning required.

The LGSCO have made the following recommendations which have been accepted in full by the council, as well as apologising to the resident and paying her £3,550.

• Immediately end the DFG minor works waiting list and process applications for all those on the waiting list in line with the statutory timeframes.
• Complete its review of the DFG policy, taking account of new non-statutory guidance "Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) delivery: Guidance for local authorities in England.”
• The Council should ensure any future policies do not include any local priority systems intended to, or with the effect of, managing demand or creating waiting times beyond the statutory timescales. It should also ensure any future policies are approved by Cabinet, having been through legal and financial officer clearance.
• Review its arrangements with local housing associations to ensure that works undertaken to these properties can be undertaken in a cost effective and timely manner.

The council has reviewed its policies and will also be formally reporting on these and the Public Interest Report at its Cabinet meeting on 21 November 2022. The reports to this meeting ask elected members to agree the lessons learned and action taken in response. The council’s People Scrutiny Panel has also agreed to set up a task and finish group to review the council’s complaints procedures against the LGSCO’s best practice guidance.

Marc Gadsby, Executive Director, People (Adults), said: “We welcome the report from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and have put in place the recommendations detailed within it. As part of those recommendations a change in policy is being implemented regarding the way Disabilities Facilities Grants applications are assessed, to ensure they are processed in a timely manner, helping our residents receive the adaptations needed for them to live independently, as soon as possible.”

Councillor Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for social care and public health, said: “On behalf of Slough Borough Council, I would like to apologise unreservedly to this resident. Our staff work extremely hard to make sure everyone receives the help they need, but in this case, we did not get it right. Our focus now is on taking the recommendations from the LGSCO and improving our policy and service to ensure this doesn’t happen again. We will continue to work with this resident to make sure her needs are being met."

Ends

School Street launch - Holy Family Catholic School

A road leading to a school which suffers from huge congestion issues will be almost car free at the beginning and end of each day from 1 November.

Moveable barriers will be placed in Langley High Street (slip road) for 45 minutes each morning and afternoon as a new School Street launches at Holy Family Catholic School in Langley.

The barriers will be manned by volunteer marshals from the school and motorists who use the road to take and pick up their children from school are being encouraged to either walk, bike, scoot, use public transport or park and walk.

Sara Benn, headteacher at Holy Family School, and her senior staff have worked with the council’s active travel (Better by) team to take part in the scheme. The aim is to encourage some children and their parents and carers to make their trip to and from school differently.

Langley High Street (slip road) will be closed to school and through traffic, from adjacent to number 17 Langley High Street to the existing closure point of Langley High Street and Trelawney Avenue, between 8.15am and 9am and again as school finishes between 3pm and 3.45pm.

However, the road will not be entirely vehicle free, so children, parents and carers are urged to be mindful of the few permitted cars, bicycles and scooters using the road.

Residents of Langley High Street whose properties fall within the closure area, will still be able to come and go as they please, through the manned barriers by displaying the permits the council has provided.

Councillor Mohammed Nazir, cabinet member for transport and the local environment, said: “This is a really exciting pilot with the school to address the problem of too many cars in this road at peak hours.

“We have seen similar schemes work in other places and if more parents and children walk, cycle or scoot to school, the result will be a safer, healthier and more pleasant environment for everyone around the school.

“If parents have no choice but to drive their children to school, they are being encouraged to use the car park at The Toby, who have kindly offered one hour’s parking in the morning and afternoon, for parents dropping off and collecting children. Parents are asked not to use private parking areas provided for residents or block residents’ access.”

School Streets have been successfully set up in Europe and London and are beginning to be trialled in different areas of the UK.

The Holy Family School Street trial is the third in Slough and the Transport Planning team is working with other schools to increase the number of School Streets.

House of Commons visit for Slough representative

A member of Slough’s Youth Parliament has been invited to the House of Commons to take part in a national discussion on important issues for young people.

Arjan Dhillon, UK Member of Youth Parliament for Slough and Langley Grammar representative, will visit the House of Commons on 4 November.

Earlier in the year, students across Slough schools, and nationally, voted in the Make Your Mark ballot. This raised health and wellbeing as the top issues they were concerned about, so this has been the main focus of UK Youth Parliament work since March.

In Slough there were two youth-led focus groups which have fed into the health and wellbeing report, soon to be published by the British Youth Council. Nationally, there were 190 focus groups, with 2,858 young people consulted and sharing their experiences on health and wellbeing issues.

Education was a reason 85% gave for having an impact on their health and wellbeing, while other reasons included resources, accessibility, discrimination, and online safety.

The House of Commons session will allow greater discussion on young people’s concerns.

Arjan may be chosen by the Speaker on the day to talk, but either way, he will be able to vote on the topics of the day and this will decide what the national Youth Parliament campaign will be, led by the British Youth Council.

Arjan said: “I am excited, but nervous. So far, I felt that mental health and the cost-of-living crisis have impacted us the most.

“I feel they are also linked, as many people will feel more anxious as interest rates and taxes are increasing. I am not sure about how to tackle them though, so will be good to discuss with others.”

Councillor Christine Hulme, lead member for children’s services, lifelong learning and skills, said: “It is a fantastic opportunity to get to go to the House of Commons and potentially speak on behalf of Slough’s young people.

“As a council, we are very proud of our youth and the work they do to understand what their peers need and what we can do to help.”

National Anti-Slavery Day

Modern slavery is closer than you think.

To mark national Anti-Slavery Day tomorrow (18 October), the Safer Slough Partnership is reminding everyone of what modern slavery is and what it can look like.

Modern slavery is the illegal exploitation of people for personal or commercial gain. Adult and child victims are trapped in servitude, which they were deceived or coerced into, and they feel they cannot leave.

Modern slavery includes sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, forced labour and domestic servitude. It happens across the world and UK. It is also happening in Slough. Victims can come from any country. They can also be British citizens.

Councillor Balvinder Bains, lead member for public protection, regulation and enforcement, said: “The Safer Slough Partnership has run an awareness campaign about modern slavery for many years, including an award-winning campaign in 2018. This involved putting posters in public spaces in English, Polish, Romanian, Urdu and Punjabi, to inform residents this could be happening on their doorstep.

“Very sadly, this issue is one which hasn’t gone away. There are still people living and working in poor conditions, being exploited, and threatened if they try to leave.

“We want people to have a voice and to report their concerns so we can stop this happening to more people. If you think you know of someone who may be a victim of modern slavery, or believe you are a victim yourself, report it now – there is help available.”

Help is available through the Modern Slavery helpline. You can report concerns or ask for help by calling 0800 0121 700.

For further information visit https://www.unseenuk.org/

Sustainable Travel Grant for schools and businesses

Applications for a Sustainable Travel Grant (STG) to support and encourage the development and implementation of travel action plans are invited.

The STG scheme provides financial assistance to organisations investing in measures aimed at encouraging sustainable travel, such as increasing travel to school or work by public transport, cycling, walking and scooting.

Sustainable Travel Grants (STGs) could include, but are not limited to:

• secure cycle parking
• shower/changing facilities
• a survey to develop a travel action plan
• cycle training, biker’s breakfasts, cycling promotion event
• walking initiative.

Grants can range up to £2,000 and will normally be up to 50% of any proposal, although in exceptional circumstances higher awards may be made. The applicant would be required to secure the remaining 50% match funding amount.

Councillor Mohammed Nazir, lead member for transport and the local environment, said: “The council is committed to encouraging more sustainable modes of transport for people travelling to school or work.

“Schemes such as this are a great opportunity to get some funding towards a project which will have environmental and health benefits.

“We encourage schools and businesses to apply, provided they can give the match funding required.”

Grant applications will be assessed on several factors including a travel plan being in place, or actively being developed in partnership with the council’s Better by…sustainable transport team.

Applications close on 18 November.

For full guidance notes before application, visit www.slough.gov.uk/stg

Cost of living resource pack

'Fighting the cost of living' is a resource pack full of information and contact details to support residents.

There is information on how to get help with energy bills, heat your home and support with debt and welfare.

Details of organisations working in Slough to support residents with food, furniture and clothing are included plus general links for employment, health and council support.

Find the resource pack at https://www.slough.gov.uk/benefits-support/cost-living and please share it with those who would find it useful.

If you would like a hard copy, please get in touch with the community development team via community.development@slough.gov.uk

Community survey launched

A survey asking for residents’ views about how to make their neighbourhoods healthier and more attractive is running until 16 October.

The council’s community development team has been working with health and community partners to create Stronger, Healthier and more Attractive Neighbourhoods (SHAN).

They have already completed plans for Chalvey, Colnbrook, Britwell and Baylis and Stoke, with actions being put in place.

Now, they have launched a survey to hear from residents in the following areas:
Cippenham Green
Cippenham Meadows
Central
Upton
Elliman
Wexham
Foxborough
Langley Kedermister
Langley St Mary’s

Councillor Sabia Akram, lead member for leisure, culture and community empowerment, said: “The work in the other areas has really helped to see where there are gaps in services residents need and where we can use existing resources. We are working with partners to empower residents to do more for themselves in supporting their health and wellbeing needs.

“The results of the survey will help us to identify key issues and areas for opportunity and improvement around health and wellbeing in each community. Please complete the survey when you get a moment.”

The survey closes on 16 October and only takes five minutes to complete. Residents, organisations and businesses are all invited to complete it.

Complete the survey online - https://forms.office.com/r/VEhri0jtch

Death of HM The Queen: Civic remembrance service

The Mayor of Slough, Councillor Dilbagh Parmar will be hosting a civic service of remembrance for Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday 18 September 2022.

The service will be held at 2pm at St Mary’s Church, Church Street, Slough and led by the Reverend Scott Lamb from St Mary’s and Father Darcy Chesterfield-Terry the Mayor’s Chaplain.

The service will include prayers, hymns and readings – including a reading from the Mayor of Slough from the book of Revelation, chapter 21, verses one to seven.

Attendees will include current councillors, former Mayors and senior officers from the local emergency services and key organisations.

Residents are welcome to attend though space is limited due to the size of the church.

Short notice, but as SBC haven't posted this tweet here...

"The Slough Proclamation, marking the beginning of the reign of His Majesty King Charles III, will take place today (Sunday 11 September) in the Town Square, High Street, Slough at 2pm.
Residents are welcome to join us for the Proclamation by the Mayor of Slough. "

https://twitter.com/SloughCouncil/status/1568888702935437312?t=3YuyALVPmSoaPMVmmSPaag&s=19

Death of HM the Queen: Books of condolence available

Residents wishing to express their condolences following the death of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II, can now use one of six physical books of condolence the council has provided across the town.

The books have been opened and are available during normal opening hours at:
• The Curve
• Cippenham Library
• Langley Library
• The Britwell Centre
• The Chalvey Hub
• The council’s headquarters, Observatory House (also open on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September from 9am to 5pm)
From today until the day after the funeral.

The Royal Family has also opened an online book of condolence: https://www.royal.uk/send-message-condolence

The book of condolence at Observatory House was signed first by Deputy Mayor of Slough, Councillor Haqeeq Dar this morning (9 September).

An area behind the large metal sign outside The Curve has also been allocated as the place where residents can lay flowers if they wish.

Any flowers laid will be collected regularly by the council and transported to The Long Walk in Windsor on behalf of residents.

Government responds to Commissioners’ request

A request to the government from the council’s Commissioners for further powers has been agreed.

Commissioners, who have been brought in following the council issuing a Section 114 notice, had asked to expand the current Directions to include the structure and recruitment for tiers two and three staff, without following the usual council procedures.

This was so they can get the right people in place, quickly, to help with the council’s recovery programme.

A letter sent to the Commissioners, dated 28 July, said the Secretary of State was ‘minded to approve’ the request and a consultation period followed.

No representations were received that did not support the proposed expansion to the intervention package.

The powers have now been approved and confirmed in a new report from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, issued on 1 September.

The report, said: “The Secretary of State, having considered the representations made…considers it necessary and expedient, in accordance with his powers under section 15(5) and (6) of the 1999 Act, to expand the intervention package in order to secure the Authority’s future and sustainable compliance with its best value duty.”

Councillor James Swindlehurst, leader of the council, said: “We accept the previous restructure and S114 have left staff vacancies. There is an urgent task to fill the staff structure and have proper teams to do the jobs needed by the council. To get us to the place to be a functional organisation again we have accepted the Commissioners may need the powers to get this sorted and we are cooperating.

“This is short-term while we are trying to get into a better place. We all agree we want an appropriately skilled workforce which can represent the diverse community of Slough. We hope the Commissioners hold these new powers in reserve and use them only if they feel we cannot make sound decisions ourselves.”

Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Brown, said: “We know there is more to do on the officer structure, and we welcome the decision to grant the Commissioners further powers to help us tackle this issue. We are committed to the pace of change needed and want to retain our dedicated and competent staff to see us through these next challenges and to best serve our residents.”

The new Directions will be in force until 30 November 2024, unless the Secretary of State considers it appropriate to amend or revoke them at an earlier date.

The report can be found on the government’s website -
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/intervention-at-slough-borough-council

Scrutiny set to discuss possible changes to bin collections

Slough Borough Council’s Scrutiny Committee is set to discuss a proposal to move to alternate weekly collections of rubbish and recycling bins at their meeting on 8 September.

The proposal will initially be discussed at Scrutiny, before being taken to Cabinet on 19 September for a decision.

Slough is one of only a handful of local authorities which still collects both rubbish and recycling weekly with most councils having moved to alternate weekly or even three-weekly collections in the past decade.

If approved, the move is expected to save the council around £423,000 in 2023/24 and around £705,000 per year thereafter. As seen in other areas, it will encourage more people to recycle, boosting the town’s recycling rate from the rather poor 28 percent it is currently.

The move would not include blocks of flats with communal bins where collections would remain weekly. However, flats and other properties with individual bins would move to alternate weekly with grey bins (refuse) being collected one week and red bins (recycling) being collected the following week.

Any approved scheme would not be implemented until June 2023 to give time for preparations by both the council and residents.

Councillor Mohammed Nazir, lead member for transport and the local environment, said: “Since 2019 we have been discussing the possibility of a move to alternate weekly collections in a bid to increase our recycling rates and cut down on our waste costs.

“During the pandemic with everyone at home we did not believe it was an appropriate time, but now we are bringing forward a proposal which we believe will not only save money but also encourage people to do more to reduce their waste and up their recycling which has wide-ranging benefits for the local and worldwide environment.”

The proposals include options for larger households and those with babies in nappies who may struggle not to fill their current grey bin too quickly.

Councillor Nazir added: “We do not want our discussions to concern or anger people unnecessarily. It is a proposal at this stage and if approved by Cabinet, it will not be implemented until June 2023 to give residents and us time to prepare and make sure the new system is workable and understood.

“However, as I will be explaining to Scrutiny, we can no longer just stand by, creating mountains of rubbish, unable or unwilling to play our part in the incredibly important movement to improve the world’s environment and combat climate change.”

The full report to Scrutiny and a link to watch the meeting live on 8 September can be found at https://democracy.slough.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=683&MId=7165

Charges proposed for tipping building waste

Slough Borough Council’s Scrutiny Committee is set to discuss a proposal to introduce charges for certain types of waste being dumped at Chalvey Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC) at their meeting on 8 September.

The proposal will initially be discussed at Scrutiny, before being taken to Cabinet on 19 September for a decision.

If approved, building-type waste would all incur charges for people to dispose of them at the tip from 1 November.

The kinds of waste being proposed for charges includes:
kitchens and bathrooms
timber including flooring, fencing and decking
rubble, paving slabs and concrete
windows and doors
plasterboard
tyres
water tanks and boilers
fireplaces, chimney pots and similar.

The charges proposed range from £3.20 to £26.50 per item.

Councillor Mohammed Nazir, lead member for transport and the local environment, said: “All local authorities now have the power to charge for waste that comes from a house but is not classified as normal household rubbish.

“More than a year ago, our neighbour Buckinghamshire introduced charges at their centres in Burnham and Langley which are right on our boundary and many other councils have done the same.

“Unfortunately, a few Bucks residents, in an attempt to get around the charges have been bringing this type of rubbish to Chalvey and tipping it for free; free for them but unfortunately not for our taxpayers who are picking up the tab for its disposal.

“We are proposing a new set of charges from November this year which brings Chalvey HWRC in line with its neighbours; charging only those minority of people who wish to dispose of these certain types of waste and relieving the burden from other taxpayers.”

He added: “All usual refuse and recycling items can continue to be tipped for free by local residents – but we would encourage everyone to try and reuse, give away to charities or the needy or recycle items before bringing them down.

“In this way, we can all play our part in reducing waste and improving the environment for everyone.”

The full report to Scrutiny and a link to watch the meeting live on 8 September can be found at https://democracy.slough.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=683&MId=7165

New lights and footpath installed at Chalvey Rec

A project has been completed at Chalvey Recreation Ground to provide new solar lighting across the park alongside a new footpath, making walking through it at dusk and in the evening a safer and more comfortable experience.

The footpath and solar powered lighting were installed after the council worked with Chalvey Community Partnership and through focus groups and surveys (online and street based). The recreation ground was identified as a location that would benefit from some improvements to increase feelings of safety. This project was also supported by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

There was previously no path connecting the park’s main entrances and no lighting in the park. Now completed, the path consists of 16 solar lights on six metre columns and a 1.5m wide tarmac path. The path has created a circular walk linking the park’s main features (playground, MUGA, and outdoor gym) and entrances, helping to encourage use of the park for exercise.

The lighting columns are 100% solar, there are no energy costs, the dimmer setting also enables lower energy consumption, the columns emit less light pollution, and they are less harmful to wildlife and the environment.

Mohammed Ahmed, Chairman for Chalvey Community Partnership, said: “We are delighted that the work to make the Chalvey Recreation Ground has been completed. Parks provide a safe place for communities to connect, enjoy the outdoors and be active. As a result of the new footpath and solar lights going up, we have seen a significant increase in the number of people using the park. Feedback shows that improving local amenities helps to improve the local area through usage and make it feel safer.”

Councillor Mohammed Nazir, lead member for transport and the local environment, said: “This project has already encouraged higher usage of the recreation ground, and will continue to do so particularly in the winter months, during the shorter days.”

“It’s great to see that by making these additions to the recreation ground, residents are feeling safer and enjoying the space more.”

Ends
Photo 1: Image of Chalvey Rec taken by David Frost from Solar Vision.

“Help stop fly-tipping – don’t pay cash to get rid of your trash” is the simple request from Buckinghamshire Council and Slough Borough Council.
The councils are asking residents to follow this advice to make it harder for fly-tippers to get away with illegally dumping rubbish.
Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment for Buckinghamshire Council, said:
“Seventy percent of the rubbish fly-tipped in Buckinghamshire comes from over the border, costing us around £600,000 to clear up each year. We’re therefore looking beyond our residents, educating people in Slough and London Borough of Hillingdon on how to be part of the solution to fly-tipping rather than part of the problem.
“If you’ve had a clear-out, have DIY rubbish, or have a large item like a fridge or mattress to get rid of, paying someone ‘cash-in-hand’ means your rubbish is far more likely to end up fly-tipped.
“A legitimate waste carrier must pay a commercial tip when they want to dispose of rubbish. An anonymous ‘man with a van’ is keen to avoid the disposal charge – by dumping your rubbish in the countryside.
“Use a company that has a Waste Carrier Licence, and ask for a record of who you’ve paid. By having an electronic method of payment, criminals are put off fly-tipping, and they are much easier to track down and prosecute if they do.”
Mohammed Nazir, Cabinet Member for Transport and the Local Environment for Slough Borough Council, said:
“There is a lot of cross-border fly-tipping going on and we are delighted to be working with Buckinghamshire Council to share the message against paying cash to get rid of unwanted rubbish. Fly-tipping is not acceptable behaviour, whether in your own borough, or a neighbouring one. We hope by following this simple advice, fly-tipping will be reduced in both areas.”
If the council's Enforcement Team finds your rubbish has been fly-tipped, you need to be able to show that you’ve checked the person taking away your rubbish is fully authorised and will dispose of it properly. By paying by bank transfer or card, you can provide evidence of the identity of the person who removed it and the Enforcement Team can investigate them.
If you pay with cash in hand, you could end up being issued with a £400 fixed penalty notice for failing in your ‘duty of care’. If the incident is serious, this might rise to a court summons that could result in a criminal conviction and a big fine.
Find out more about helping in the fight against fly-tipping on Buckinghamshire Council's website - https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/.../help-stop-fly.../
Find out how to report fly-tipping in Slough at https://www.slough.gov.uk/bins-waste-recycling/flytipping-littering

A-level results day for Slough students

Our A-level pupils received their results earlier today in schools across the borough.

Councillor Christine Hulme, lead member for children’s services, lifelong learning and skills, said: “I continue to be inspired by the hard work and dedication shown by our A-level students who have received their results today. The past two years have presented unique challenges whilst studying through Covid and our students have risen to the challenge and focused on their exams.

“We in Slough have fantastic school staff and support services, who continue to guide, teach and help our children achieve their very best. This is always an opportunity to thank them for their hard work, dedication, and skills. Over the past two years they have worked through a difficult time during the pandemic whilst always aiming for the very best for their students.”

“Whatever our young people go on to do as their next step, be it further education, or starting out at work, we as a council wish them every success for their futures.”

Don’t let some bright spark ruin your park!

After a spate of fires in the last few weeks across our local parks, residents and visitors to the borough are being urged to remember that barbecues and fires are not permitted in any of our parks.

Three parks have suffered damage from fires recently, Hawker Hill, Upton Court Park, and another small fire at Bloom Park. Barbecues and fires are not allowed in any of Slough’s parks, woodlands, and open spaces. The recent extremely dry conditions make lighting any fires outdoors dangerous. If you see anyone lighting fires in any of Slough’s parks and open spaces, please report this to the police.

As well as Barbeques and fires, discarded cigarettes and glass bottles (these can act like a magnifying glass) can also cause dangerous fires to break out. A glass bottle was believed to have caused the recent Hawker Hill fire.

On 9 August the fire service attended a fire at Upton Court Park. The crew were from Ascot as both appliances from Slough and the one from Langley were attending incidents elsewhere. John Knight, highways operative at the council, who was driving a water tanker at the time, also arrived at the scene and was able to unlock the gates and bollards for the neighbouring fire service and assist with extra water, around 4,000 litres from his tanker, saving valuable time and stopping the fire spreading further to nearby trees.

Richie Sage, Watch Manager, Green Watch, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Maybe it was luck that John was there at the time of the incident, but his knowledge, professionalism and support benefitted both of our organisations for this incident, and enabled us to give a prompt and effective response which reduced damage to the grass and trees and in turn reducing the impact to the environment.”

Please help to save resources, time, the environment and potentially lives by being responsible in our parks and open spaces.

Cllr Mohammed Nazir, lead member for transport and the local environment, said: “We are experiencing such a long dry spell at the moment, and the ground is more vulnerable than ever to fires breaking out, by even a tiny spark. Please respect our valuable parks and open spaces by obeying the park byelaws and not using barbecues or fires in our parks. Please be vigilant when disposing of cigarettes and glass bottles and dispose of all waste responsibly.”

Changes to library opening hours

Libraries throughout Slough will have altered opening hours or self-serve provision only throughout August and beyond.

Some libraries will be shut completely on certain days.

The tough decision to provide a short-term reduced service is a result of a high number of staff vacancies and some staff sickness.

Up until now, the existing library team, with support from others in the council, have managed to operate as normal, but this cannot continue.

The full list of ad-hoc August changes is below. A September rota is currently in progress.

• Wednesday 17 August – Britwell staffed 1.30-5pm and self-serve from 9am-1.30pm. Langley closed. Curve and Cippenham open.
• Thursday 18 August – Britwell self-serve only, 9am-5pm. Curve, Cippenham and Langley open.
• Friday 19 August- Britwell self-serve only, 9am-5pm. Cippenham closed. Curve and Langley open.
• Monday 22 August – Britwell staffed 1.30-5pm and self-serve from 9am-1.30pm. Langley closed. Curve and Cippenham open.
• Thursday 25 August – Britwell self-serve only, 9am-5pm. Langley closed. Curve and Cippenham open.
• Friday 26 August – Britwell self-serve only, 9am-5pm. Cippenham closed. Langley closed. Curve open
• Wednesday 31 August – Langley open 12noon-5pm, Britwell staffed 1.30-5pm and self-serve from 9am-1.30pm. Curve and Cippenham open.

On the days when it is self-serve only in Britwell, residents will be able to borrow, return and renew books through the self-serve kiosks. They can still book and use the public computers and print from them and use WiFi.

Instruction notices will be put up, which will also offer the contact numbers for other libraries open that day.

Liz McMillan, Locality Hubs and Library Services Manager, said: “We are really disappointed to have to make these changes, but the pressure on existing staff is too much. We have to make some temporary changes to the opening times and which libraries can remain open each day. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.”

Residents who had made appointments to see a customer adviser, on a day when the library will now be closed, will be contacted so other arrangements can be made.

E-scooter survey and trial extended

A survey to gather residents’ and users’ views about the e-scooter rental trial scheme has been extended until the end of August.
Slough introduced the e-scooter rental trial scheme in October 2020, with Neuron Mobility operating 300 dockless e-scooters.
The bright orange scooters can be used on the road, and in cycle and bus lanes; they have a maximum speed of 15mph and can be used by registered scheme members aged over 18 with a driving licence.
Councillor Mohammed Nazir, lead member for transport and the local environment, is urging everyone to have their say.
He said: “We’ve heard various opinions from residents during the period the e-scooters have been in Slough. We want to get a better understanding of residents' and users’ views on rental e-scooters, as well as the benefits people experience when they use them.
“We need these views to be made official so they can be taken into consideration for the future of the scheme.”
The invitation to run a trial e-scooter rental scheme, alongside other towns and cities, came from the Government, to gather data to help inform the future legal status of, and associated regulations for, e-scooters. It also enables them to understand the impacts and benefits of e-scooters and usage data and travel patterns.
The national e-scooter rental trial scheme began in July 2020 and was set to end this November.
However, the Government has since confirmed the existing e-scooter rental trial schemes can now run until May 2024.
A recommendation will be made in a report to Slough Borough Council’s Cabinet in November 2022 that the council continues with the e-scooter rental trial scheme until May 2024, and, if e-scooters are made fully legal by the Government, that the e-scooter rental scheme is kept.
This extension of the trial will allow the council to obtain further data to analyse the impact of the e-scooters.
At the end of the trial schemes in May 2024, the Government will make a formal decision on whether to fully legalise the use of e-scooters.
To help the council and the Government understand the impacts and benefits of e-scooters, please fill in the online survey at https://slough.citizenspace.com/transport/slough-e-scooter-rental-trial-scheme/
This is open until 11.59pm on Wednesday 31 August 2022.
It is currently illegal for privately owned e-scooters to be used on public roads and footways.
Neuron Mobility funded the infrastructure for the e-scooter rental trial in Slough and the scheme was brought in with no capital cost to the council.
Visit https://www.slough.gov.uk/parking-roads-travel/e-scooter-trial to find out more.

Active travel award given to Penn Wood Primary

Penn Wood Primary and Nursery School has been awarded a Bronze active travel accreditation. Slough Borough Council’s places & community team has been engaging with Slough schools on the Modeshift STARS travel plan tool and active travel activities.

Modeshift STARS is a comprehensive travel plan tool that assists schools in:
creating, developing, and implementing travel plans
monitoring and evaluating travel plans and the initiatives contained within them
recognising and rewarding excellence in the promotion of sustainable and active travel
schools are then awarded Green, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum accreditation.

Active travel is making journeys by physically active means, like walking or cycling/scooting, instead of using the car.

Schools have been taking part in a series of active travel initiatives and have taken snap shots of various activities as evidence of their participation.

Penn Wood Primary and Nursery School has been pro-active in creating a working group with teachers, staff, and pupils. They facilitated and uploaded two consultations, 10 travel initiatives and five supporting initiatives.

Jane Girle, Headteacher, Penn Wood Primary and Nursery School said: “Penn Wood School is committed to being an active school and are looking forward to working towards our silver accreditation in the autumn term.”

Councillor Christine Hulme, cabinet member for children’s services, lifelong learning & skills, said: “It is great to hear that one of our schools has been awarded this accreditation, as well as benefiting our school children’s health, it is of huge benefit to the environment also. Well done Penn Wood Primary for all your hard work on this award.”

We are working with a further twenty-seven schools in Slough to reach at least Bronze level accreditation by December 2022. If your school is interested in taking part in Modeshift STARS email BetterBy@slough.gov.uk

Community centres for hire

We have 10 community centres and other venues located in various wards across Slough to ensure everyone has access to a community centre near them. These centres have provided a service to the general and business community for more than 25 years.

Our community centres and venues are affordable and versatile with easy access to the M4, M25 & M40 and to rail links to central London and close proximity to Heathrow Airport.

Our facilities can be hired for a host of activities and events, whether you are planning a wedding, party, conference, business or corporate event, our team can help you find a suitable venue that will be perfect for you. We understand the importance of every event and can offer flexible options to meet your needs for every occasion.

• Find out more about our centres at https://www.slough.gov.uk/community-centres
• Fill out the online form at https://www.slough.gov.uk/xfp/form/172
• Email communitycentres@slough.gov.uk
• Telephone 01753 875762 / 01753 875401 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 4.30pm).

Feedback

If you have hired one of our community halls or other venues, we would like to hear from you. The feedback will be used to enable us to better understand how we can potentially improve the service we provide.
Please complete the survey at https://eu.surveymonkey.com/r/97NG97F

Housing fraudster convicted

A man has been found guilty of fraud after he tried to get on the council’s housing register for his own financial gain.

Asif Iqbal, of Bader Gardens, Slough, was charged with two offences under the Fraud Act 2006 of dishonestly making false representations on application forms that he submitted to the council in order to be included on the housing register, intending to mislead the council and make a gain for himself or cause a loss to the council.

The case was heard at Reading Magistrates’ Court on 12 July where Mr Iqbal was found guilty on two offences of fraud.

In December 2019 and January 2020, respectively, Mr Iqbal, 39, submitted two housing applications on which he failed to mention he had previously held a tenancy for a property in Purfleet, Essex, between August 2018 and December 2018.

In order to qualify for inclusion on the housing register, a person must have been continuously resident within the Slough borough for at least five years immediately preceding their application.

When he was challenged by a member of the housing allocations team, Mr Iqbal claimed he had been using the Purfleet address as a correspondence address only, because he had been hoping to obtain employment in that area and eventually move there. He claimed his friend lived at the address, while he continued to live in Slough.

The subsequent investigation showed that not only was Mr Iqbal the tenant who paid the rent, but he was also paying all the bills, including council tax, water and electric. He had also insured a vehicle at the address during the period of the tenancy.

Mr Iqbal had taken a job in Leyton in May 2018, after which he had agreed to rent the Purfleet flat. He admitted he had taken the tenancy and was paying all the associated bills but maintained that his best friend was actually living there instead, while he continued to rent a room in Slough and commute to his job in Leyton. He claimed that although he paid all the bills, his friend repaid him all the expenses in cash.

Further enquiries were made in an attempt to corroborate Mr Iqbal’s story, but this failed and he was convicted on 12 July on both counts by a District Judge following a trial at Reading Magistrates’ Court.

On finding Mr Iqbal guilty, the Judge stated that in her opinion, the matter should never have gone to trial, but did give Mr Iqbal credit for being of previous good character.

She made reference to the housing crisis and the difficulties councils face juggling finances to meet the needs of residents.

Mr Iqbal was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order of 180 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay the prosecution costs in full of £5,532.84, along with a £95 victim surcharge.

Councillor Pavitar K Mann, lead member for housing and planning, said: “We have a high demand on our housing service with people in genuine need and fraudsters who seek to exploit that do very real harm to our residents who do need a secure home. It delays the process for everyone else and causes real hardship.

“I’m glad he was convicted and will be punished and hope it will deter anyone else from falsely applying. We will never apologise for taking action against those who seek to make fraudulent claims and prioritising our residents in real need.”

Sign off celebration for community plan

A mini ceremony was held to officially sign off the Baylis & Stoke Stronger Healthier Attractive Neighbourhood (SHAN) plan.

When SHAN was launched by Slough Borough Council in the Baylis & Stoke ward, the Ujala Foundation stepped forward to say they would like to be involved and would like to lead with other partners.

Working with the council’s community development officer, Aqeel Akram, the Ujala Foundation supported the survey roll out, collection, and promotion.

The Ujala Foundation has been serving the community of Slough, especially the Manor Park community, for several years through various initiatives, programs and projects.

They hosted a celebration on 29 June to adopt the plan formally. In future, the Ujala Foundation would like to bring together key stakeholders, partners, residents and organisations/groups to form a steering group that will lead on delivering on the actions highlighted in the plan.

Baylis & Stoke ward councillors, Cllr Fiza Matloob and Cllr Mohammed Nazir, attended the ceremony, along with representatives from key partners, stakeholders and organisations.

Councillor Mohammed Nazir, lead member for transport and the local environment, said: “It is brilliant to see the launch of another SHAN plan. We have already implemented these in Colnbrook and Britwell and the communities there are doing a great job.

“I look forward to seeing the action plan come into place. Ujala are a very resourceful and committed group and they will work with the local residents to make SHAN a great success.”

Councillor Fiza Matloob, said: “This is a great initiative and to a see a local community group, who do some amazing work in the community, have a great reputation and are well established, step forward and adopt the plan, and take the lead is very satisfying.

“I personally know the work Ujala do and I am sure they will do an amazing job at delivering on the SHAN plan. This is also a great opportunity for community groups/organisations to come together to do collaboration work, and for residents and communities to come together for the betterment of society.

“We encourage everyone in the Baylis and Stoke ward to get involved, volunteer, contact Ujala and support this great plan. We will be here to support both our residents and community groups.”

Residents who were present at the ceremony had the opportunity to put forward their concerns and questions about the plan.

If you’d like to see the plan or would like further information, please contact the Ujala Foundation Vice Chair Arshad Mehmood on ujalaslough@mail.com

Summer Reading Challenge

Children can let their imaginations run wild in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, which launches on Saturday 2 July.

This summer, children aged 4-11 can visit Slough Libraries to get involved in a science and innovation themed challenge, titled Gadgeteers. To take part, they need to read six books over the summer.

Through taking part in the challenge, with free materials from Slough Libraries and online via the challenge website, children will be supported and encouraged to use their curiosity and wonder to understand the science behind a whole range of interests, from fashion and technology to cooking and music.

The challenge features six Gadgeteers characters brought to life by children’s writer and illustrator Julian Beresford.

Through the libraries’ book collections and accompanying themed activities, the challenge will help to spark children’s curiosity about the world around them and encourage them to feed their imagination over the summer holiday. Children will be rewarded with free goodies as they read their own choice of books to progress through the challenge and are awarded a medal and certificate on completion.

Councillor Christine Hulme, lead member for children’s services, lifelong learning and skills, said: “Every year it is wonderful to see how many children embrace the Summer Reading Challenge.

“There are so many amazing books to choose from and the little prizes along the way is a great incentive. I hope many more children will take the chance and embrace the theme this year.”

Joining the challenge is free. It runs until 17 September. Children need to be a member of the library to take part.

The official challenge website hosts digital rewards, author videos, games and more for children to enjoy all summer. Visit www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk

Sign up to the challenge and discover a world of imagination, inspiration and innovation inside your local Slough library.

To see what else is on offer at Slough’s libraries or to become a library member, visit www.slough.gov.uk/libraries

Final day to have your say on three proposed transport schemes

We’re bidding for some funding under the UK government’s Levelling Up Fund and our consultation closes today (Thursday).

Our bid focuses on three transport schemes, and we’re running a consultation on each.

1. Farnham Road Public Realm
2. Salt Hill Park and Western Gateway
3. Farnham Road Bus Accessibility

For more information and to give your views, please visit the consultation website - https://slough.citizenspace.com/transport/levelling-up-fund/

High Street shop fined for possessing illegal tobacco

A company which was caught selling illegal tobacco must pay more than £61,000 in fines.

J.S.G. UK Ltd, trading as SL Wines in Slough High Street, the director, Surgit Singh and the company secretary Jasmeet Singh, both from Hounslow, were fined and ordered to pay proceeds of crime at Reading Crown Court on 27 June.

During an investigation in 2019, using tobacco detection dogs, £12,000 worth of illegal tobacco products were discovered in a van, registered to the business, outside the back of the shop.

The products were seized by Slough’s Trading Standards officers. The products, including cigarettes, hand rolling tobacco, chewing tobacco and shisha were both counterfeit and breached labelling requirements that referred to the dangers of tobacco.

The company was fined a total of £1,120 for both the counterfeit and mislabelled goods and the director and company secretary were fined the same amount each. Costs of £11,200 were awarded against the company.

In addition, a proceeds of crime order was made against the company, the director and the company secretary totalling £47,111.43.

The total judgement means the amount attributed to the offence was in excess of £61,000.

Councillor Beni Bains, lead member for public protection, regulation and enforcement, said: “Illegal tobacco is potentially dangerous above and beyond the dangers normally associated with tobacco, as the ingredients are unknown, quality control is reduced and warnings on the packaging is not in an understandable language for the majority of the people of Slough.

“I hope this will serve as a warning to those who sell illegal tobacco that Slough Borough Council will seek out this kind of product and take a robust stance against such sales.

“My thanks also go to the council’s Financial Investigators who were able to uncover the profit made from this illegal activity.”

Home to school travel assistance consultation launches

The council’s Cabinet has approved a consultation into the future of home to school transport services.

There are significant areas of inefficiency in the delivery of current arrangements, so on 20 June, Cabinet agreed the council could review its travel assistance policies.

This is so the council can continue delivering its statutory responsibilities, improve outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and control costs.

The consultation, which covers home to school transport and post 16 transport for children and young people with SEND, launches on 23 June for 28 days.

Councillor Christine Hulme, lead member for children’s services, lifelong learning and skills, said: “We want to run a service which supports the integration and independence of children and young people with SEND, promote environmental sustainability and secure the most efficient use of public resources.

“We want to get service users’ views on the current service and which options they would prefer in future. Please complete the consultation when you can.”

In the current system, many young people will travel long distances on their own in a taxi, which does not promote independence. A policy review could mean moving away from the traditional arranged transport for all as a door-to-door service and looking into alternative provisions, on an individual needs basis.

The council spent approximately £3.4m on transporting children to school and post 16 establishments in 2021/22. The council currently provides assistance for 710 individuals, of which 520 are SEN. The cost on average is £5,769 per annum per passenger for SEN travel. The current service covers approximately 134 routes.

Proposals planned for inclusion in the consultation include:

• independent travel training
• a new travel bursary option so families can make their own travel arrangements
• the use of collection points for transport arrangements which have historically collected and dropped off at a child’s home address
• ceasing provision of travel assistance to faith schools or same sex establishments, where there are closer ones to meet educational needs
• introduction of a contribution charge from those in receipt of assistance where the council does not have a statutory obligation to provide free assistance to eligible individuals. The consultation will explore how any contribution fee should be structured and the level of any fee. Options could include a flat fee, tiered contribution and subsidised fee for low-income families.
During the consultation, there will be engagement sessions with educational settings, community groups, stakeholders and service users, as well as public meetings in person and online. These will enable parents and young people to share their experiences of travel and transport to educational settings.

Date Venue Time
27 June The Curve, William Street, Slough, SL1 1XY 10am-12noon
27 June The Curve, William Street, Slough, SL1 1XY 12.30-2.30pm
4 July Romsey Close Children’s Centre, Marish Primary School, Romsey Close, Langley, SL3 8PE 12.30– 2.30pm
7 July Chalvey Hub, Ladbrooke Road, Chalvey, SL1 2SP 11am-1pm
7 July Chalvey Hub, Ladbrooke Road, Chalvey, SL1 2SP 7-9pm

The consultation will end on 21 July.

Have your say by visiting the consultation webpage - https://slough.citizenspace.com/transport/travel-assistance-policy/

Cabinet will receive an update on the policies in September, before a new policy is published and implemented in October. Operational changes will begin during the 22/23 academic year, with full adoption of the new policies in time for the 23/24 academic year.

Kitemark accreditations awarded to more early year’s settings

Slough’s early year’s Health & Wellbeing accreditation is now in its second year of rollout. On Thursday 16 June two more providers received their award at a presentation event at their respective settings.
Dar-ul-Madinah Nursery in Chalvey received a silver award and Adventure Learning Day Nursery in Langley received a bronze. Councillor Christine Hulme, cabinet member for children’s services, lifelong learning & skills, officiated at the event.
The initiative was created to support the improvement of the health and wellbeing of children and their families. Thirty-six settings are currently signed up for the accreditation and are progressing with its implementation.
By signing up for the accreditation, settings can showcase the great work they are doing, which includes assessments in the four areas of: health and wellbeing, nutrition and oral health, physical activity, and emotional and mental wellbeing. It also recognises how providers implement the necessary changes to ensure they are supporting children and families and it becomes embedded practice.
Settings are required to provide evidence that shows how they are helping to tackle health inequalities and enabling families to have a better health outcome. A panel of health professionals evaluate submitted evidence, and the setting is graded with their achieved level of accreditation. Levels of accreditation range from bronze to platinum, with the setting receiving a framed certificate of award, and finally an engraved plaque for achieving platinum.
Currently, three early year’s settings hold gold awards for attaining this level of the accreditation.
Councillor Christine Hulme, cabinet member for children’s services, lifelong learning & skills, said: “It has made me very happy to be here today with some of our wonderful early year’s workforce, celebrating their achievement in receiving these awards. It’s been so interesting to hear what a difference implementing the work needed for these awards, has made for the children and families. Thank you very much for your continued hard work and dedication.”
Sofia Nasir, nursery manager at Dar-ul-Madinah Nursery, said: “Staff, students, and families have all had a great time today receiving this award. This has allowed us to grow as individuals as well as educate and train our team and the families we work with. This is an excellent programme, and I would encourage all nurseries to participate. Parents are inspired and supportive of this campaign as their children are making better choices independently and are becoming more active. We are excited to continue applying this concept and raising awareness in our community.”
Manjit Sandhu, nursery manager at Adventure Learning Day Nursery, said: We decided that completing the accreditation was a really good opportunity for us. The kite mark accreditation helps us to review our own practice in relation to the health and wellbeing of our children and young people. In addition to this, it allows us to consider new working strategies which we can implement in order to further help our children and their families.”
If you are a parent/carer and would like to know more about the accreditation, please speak to you child’s early year’s setting.
If you are an early year’s provider and would like more information on this opportunity, please contact Jacqui Shadrache, Senior Health improvement Officer on 07889304302 or email Jacqui.shadrache@slough.gov.uk



Photo 1 - Dar-ul-Madinah Nursery: (L-R) Zainulhassan, Aaizah, Jacqui Shadrache – Senior Health Improvement Officer, Slough Borough Council, Cllr Christine Hulme, Yusuf, and Ayah.

Photo 2 - Adventure Learning Day Nursery: (L-R) Front row is Manjit Sandhu, with Cllr Christine Hulme, and at the back is Rebecca Nicholls, Inderjit Bhara, Halima Khan and Rusha Chatterjee.

£150 rebate update – apply now!

Residents eligible for the £150 council tax rebate can apply now.

Thousands of direct debit payers have already received their money, but now those who pay in other ways can also apply.

Letters are being sent out to those eligible, but they can apply online before it arrives.

They will need:
• their council tax account number
• their bank sort code and account number
• an email address.
On the online form, residents will be asked to verify their account to confirm they are an eligible household.

This is through the government’s Spotlight system. If the system rejects the claim, for reasons such as the bank not sharing data with the system, the bank account being a business account or the bank account being less than three months’ old, the council may need to credit the £150 to the individual’s council tax account.

If the name, address or bank details are incorrect, it will delay the application being processed, so please double check all entries.

Save the form progress as you go along.

Applications close on 20 July. If residents haven’t applied by this date and are eligible, the money will be credited to their council tax account.

To apply, visit https://www.slough.gov.uk/council-tax/energy-bill-rebates/2 and click the form link.

Payment will be made within four weeks, though it is expected to be a lot quicker than that.