Have your say on our proposed release of green belt land for family housing consultation. You have until 17 December to respond, read more at https://www.slough.gov.uk/news/article/136/consultation-on-proposed-release-of-green-belt-sites-for-family-housing and respond at https://slough.citizenspace.com

Household Support Fund

Vulnerable families will be given a helping hand this winter with grants available through the Household Support Fund (HSF).

Last night (Monday), Cabinet agreed to administer the scheme, where the council has been given £1,177,691.53 from the Department for Work and Pensions’ £500m HSF fund.

The money given through the fund is to help families and individuals who may struggle to pay for basic living costs this winter, including:

• food

• energy

• water bills

• essentials linked to the above, e.g. sanitary products, warm clothing, soap, blankets, boiler service or repair

• purchase of equipment, including fridges, freezers and ovens.

Half of the council’s funding will go to families with children in receipt of Free School Meals, care leavers and families with children in early years.

Currently there are 5,507 children receiving free school meals, whose families will receive £15 per week for a total of five weeks, over the Christmas period and in February and March, to help pay for essentials.

Families with children or care leavers known to Social Care may be eligible for a level of discretionary support via their social worker or Personal Advisor, and those with children eligible for the Early Years pupil premium will be eligible for a £50 payment.

The other priority group for the HSF funding is households in receipt of Council

Tax Support and those in temporary accommodation within Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO), to help with the cost of utility bills.

These groups will receive £40 per household and in the majority of these cases the payment would be made to the household’s council tax account, in lieu of a cash payment, or rent account, where the person lives in accommodation that is managed by the council and has utility charges included.

Cllr James Swindlehurst, leader of the council, said: “We are appreciative to the DWP for giving us this funding to help vulnerable local residents. We know the winter period can be a struggle and with rising costs everywhere, we hope this will help residents in a small way.”

The council will be making direct contact with those identified as being eligible for these payments.

To ensure other residents are not disadvantaged, some of the funding will be set aside for applicants who come directly to the council for assistance.

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

The council cannot commit to further funding applications once all available funding has been allocated. The grant funding will end on 31 March 2022.

A new drop-in Tai Chi session from @sportinmind - starts tomorrow at Arbour Park.

Partnership working tackles illegal use of vehicles

A multi-agency operation to combat crime and anti-social behaviour took place in Slough yesterday (Thursday).

Slough Borough Council teamed up with the Thames Valley Police Neighbourhood Policing Team, Road Policing Unit, and the Home Office, for Operation Caesium, to clamp down on vehicles being used illegally.

This included carrying waste without a licence, unsafe or non-roadworthy vehicles, driving offences, fly tipping and unpaid parking fines.

The operation was based in St Martins Place, Montem Lane and over the course of the day more than 100 people were stopped and spoken to.

The agencies:

took several vehicles off the road for insurance offences

issued three fixed penalty notices for driving offences

collected £5,542 in unpaid parking fines

a Private hire vehicle operator was reported for not displaying plates correctly.

Councillor Beni Bains, lead member for regulation and public protection, said: “This was a great display of partnership working. Every driver has a responsibility to be safe and legal on the road.

“This operation was a chance to catch offenders but also to educate people on the proper use of their vehicles and the importance of checking they use a registered waste carrier.”

Kurt Henney, from the council’s resilience and enforcement team, said: “With the challenging environment we find ourselves in, partnership working is now more important than ever so we can work closely with other agencies to help make our streets safer and greener to live on.

“Residents can also help up combat environmental crime by checking that the person taking their waste has the authority to carry waste. You can check a waste carrier’s licence on the Environment Agency website and ensure they give you a receipt for the waste and where it will be disposed of.”

You can search for registered waste carriers at https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers

A reminder that electoral canvassers will be door knocking on homes which didn't respond to the annual canvass, until 29 November. They all have ID badges confirming who they are and their role as a canvasser.

Online library consultation session - tomorrow at 6.30pm. Sign up at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/consultation-on-proposed-changes-to-slough-library-service-tickets-176961254877 and a joining link will be sent. Read more about the consultation at www.slough.gov.uk/libraryconsultation

Sign up until 5.30pm on Tuesday 9 November.

The council is consulting on the proposed release of Green Belt sites for family housing in order to deal with the shortage of large homes in Slough.

The council wants to hear your views on the proposal, which forms part of the local plan for Slough, which has identified a shortage of around 5,000 houses in the period up until 2040.

The majority of homes recently built or planned to be built in the borough are flats in places like the town centre – which are only suitable for smaller households.

But Slough needs more family homes consisting of three bedrooms and more – in particular affordable homes, with 10 percent of the 2,000 people on the council housing waiting list needing four or five bedroom properties.

Work on the local plan has identified there are no reasonable options, or combination of options which could accommodate all of Slough’s housing and employment needs within the town and as a result, the council is considering developing some green field sites.

Green field sites have the advantage of offering lower density family housing with a higher proportion of affordable housing compared to what brownfield sites can deliver.

All the proposed sites are classed as urban extensions which is considered one of the most sustainable forms of development due to the nearness of amenities such as shops and public transport.

The sites, listed below, have been given an initial traffic light system as to the appropriateness as potential sites. However, a variety of further assessments need to be completed before final decisions are made.

GREEN – suitable sites

• Wexham Park Hospital School of Nursing site

• Land to the rear of Opal Court Wexham Street

• Land east of Wexham Park Hospital

• Land east of Rochfords Gardens

• Upton Court Farm

AMBER – possible sites

• Land East of Market Lane - part of Northern Extension

• Land south of Blenheim Road - part of Ditton Park Historic Park & Garden

RED – unsuitable sites

• St Anthony’s Field, Farnham Road - gap between Slough and Farnham Roya

• North of Muddy Lane, Stoke Poges Lane - part of playing field

• Bloom Park, Middlegreen Road – part of public open space

Councillor Pavitar K. Mann, lead member for housing, highways, planning and place, said: “We want our families to be able to grow up and prosper in our town and ensure we have family homes for them to move into.

“This public consultation is an important opportunity for the council to receive and take into account your views on potential options for development in the green belt and I would urge local residents and groups, businesses, organisations, landowners and developers to take part is this public consultation.”

It is recognised the development of any site would harm the Green Belt and it will be necessary to demonstrate that there are the necessary “exceptional circumstances” to justify this.

It should be noted the consultation is only about the possible release of land for housing. Any proposals for the use of green belt land for any other purpose will be considered as part of the local plan process.

One of the purposes of the consultation is to help gather evidence about what other constraints there may be to developing the sites.

The consultation begins on 5 November and will close on 17 December.

Have your say
Full details about the proposal and information about how to make comments can be found at https://slough.citizenspace.com/

The deadline for comments is 17 December.

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has come into force across Great Britain as of 5pm on 3rd November 2021. This means it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures to protect their birds from avian influenza (bird flu).

The AIPZ means bird keepers across Great Britain must:

• Keep domestic ducks and geese separate from other poultry.

• Ensure the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources;

• Feed and water your birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds;

• Minimise movement in and out of bird enclosures;

• Clean and disinfect footwear and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy;

• Reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas.

• Keep free ranging birds within fenced areas, and that ponds, watercourses and permanent standing water must be fenced off (except in specific circumstances e.g. zoo birds).

See the government press notice for further details - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-latest-situation-avian-influenza-prevention-zone-declared-across-great-britain?fbclid=IwAR3ZwdWTclZeOxx_oJGIz4catEzOJJHlKT7OuxLTJjjNmlHAWzgm9ALwqK4

Nominations are open for the Slough Youth Awards, which recognise young people’s achievements.

Now in its sixth year, the awards are supported by the council’s Youth Voice team and Slough Youth Parliament.

The annual ceremony arose from the youth parliament’s manifesto commitment to raise the profile of young people in a positive way, by celebrating their many achievements.

Please acknowledge the achievements and breakthroughs of our resilient and talented youth community by nominating them for an award in one for the following categories.

Young Artist Award

Young Environmentalist Award

Young Inspiration Award

Young Entrepreneur Award

Young Sportsperson Award

Young Volunteer/Voluntary Group of the Year Award

Submissions must be referring to achievements during 1 September 2020 to 31 August 2021 and be for a young person aged 11-19 or up to 25 years old with learning difficulties, disabilities or is a care leaver who lives in Slough.

Councillor Christine Hulme, lead member for children’s services, lifelong learning and skills, said: “Slough is full of talented and amazing young people who give their times as volunteers, are part of local groups and who go above and beyond to help the community.

"Our judging panel is looking forward to reading all about the fantastic breakthroughs Slough’s youth have made.”

The awards show will be hosted by members of Slough Youth Parliament and there will be a variety of performances on the night from local artists.

Nominations close on Monday 22 November. Save the date for the awards which will be held on 9 December at 7pm.

Read more about the categories and fill in the nomination form at www.slough.gov.uk/slough-youth-awards/slough-youth-awards-1

The next library drop-in sessions to discuss the consultation are on Thursday at Britwell library from 11am-1pm and The Curve from 1.30-4.30pm. Please come along. Find out more, and fill in the survey, at www.slough.gov.uk/libraryconsultation

The planning applications which have been submitted and decided upon in the last week, are all listed here - http://www2.slough.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/Wchweeklylist.displayPlanningLists

70 years ago today on the 31st of October 1951, Zebra crossings came into use for the first time in England and in the UK as the first official zebra crossing started protecting pedestrians in Slough High Street.

Post-war Britain had only 10 percent of its current road traffic, but fatalities were mounting. The typical pedestrian crossing was marked with nothing more than metal studs in the road: easy for pedestrians to see, but difficult for the motorist. By the time a driver felt the bumps under his tyres, it was usually too late to stop or slow down.

The government's Transport Research Laboratory ran visibility experiments on new types of crossings, using model roads at 1/24 scale (a half-inch to the foot). The lab then tested a variety of designs at a thousand locations starting in 1949. Broad black and white stripes had the most visual impact.

The new striped crossings were made the legal standard in Britain and widely introduced in late 1951, starting at Slough. Pedestrian deaths dropped 11 percent in the first year.

Jim Callaghan, Member of Parliament (and later prime minister), visited the lab in 1948 and is sometimes credited with first noting the crossing's resemblance to a zebra. Despite Callaghan's saying in 1951 that he didn't remember doing that, no one else has ever claimed credit, and the name zebra crossing caught on.

A 12-week consultation about how to make library services in Slough fit for the future, has now launched, running from 28 October until 20 January 2022.

The council needs to ensure libraries are affordable and deliver value for money, are accessible and meet local needs and support and promote good use of technology.

It is important to hear your views about the key issues the council should consider when designing the borough’s future library service.

The consultation is open to all Slough residents, and library users from outside the borough. The council welcomes responses both from those who use the library service and those who currently do not.

There are five proposed options that residents are invited to comment on. With all options, there will be one library open every day for residents to access.

Residents can comment on the options, listed below, and suggest alternatives.

• Reduce the money available to spend on buying publications (both hard copy and eResources).

• Keep all the main library buildings open but reduce the opening and staffed hours at Langley and Cippenham and reduce the staffed hours at The Curve and Britwell libraries.

• Keep all library buildings but reduce the hours they are open, the hours they are staffed, and the space dedicated to the library. Attract other users to rent space in the building (co-location).

• Move all library services out of the current main library buildings and re-locate services to be delivered from a range of other locations across the borough.

• Close both Langley and Cippenham library buildings but maintain the staffing and opening hours at The Curve library and at Britwell library.

A comprehensive consultation pack has been produced, explaining in more detail the options and reasonings behind them.

Have your say

• Fill in the survey online at https://eu.surveymonkey.com/r/librariesconsultation

• Email libraryconsultation@slough.gov.uk if you have any questions.

• Visit a drop-in session

• Visit an online session

Councillor James Swindlehurst, leader of the council, said: “We want residents to continue reading and be inspired to, and we need their thoughts on how we can adjust the service to meet our needs now and going forward.

“There has been a huge shift towards online resources in recent times and our libraries need to plan and organise for new innovations and changes like these. We need to ensure our residents’ priorities are where we put our resources, and we need to ensure the service provides good value for money and is sustainable for the future. I therefore urge residents to fill in the consultation to let us know their thoughts and priorities, and what aspects of the service are most important to them.”

Councillor Christine Hulme, lead member for children’s services, lifelong learning and skills, said: “We know our libraries are much loved in the community and we are committed to providing a great service. It’s no secret the council must make efficiencies, so we are looking into ways of maintaining this great service, while reducing costs.

“Nothing has been decided yet, we genuinely do want to hear which options residents prefer, or any alternatives they can suggest. I would encourage all residents, whether library members or not, to fill in the survey and have a say on the future of libraries in the borough.”

The library team will be hosting drop-in sessions at each of the council’s four main libraries – The Curve, Britwell, Cippenham and Langley, where residents can ask questions and get help filling in the online survey if they need it.

The dates for the drop-in sessions are:

• Friday 29 October, 11am-1pm – Cippenham

• Friday 29 October, 2.30-5pm – The Curve

• Saturday 30 October, 12noon-3pm – Langley

• Thursday 4 November, 11am-1pm - Britwell

• Thursday 4 November, 1.30-4.30pm – The Curve

• Wednesday 10 November, 11am-1pm – Cippenham

• Monday 15 November, 1.30-4.30pm – Langley

• Tuesday 23 November, 1.30-4.30pm – Britwell

• Saturday 27 November, 12noon-3pm – The Curve

• Saturday 11 December, 12noon-3pm – Cippenham

• Thursday 16 December, 11am-2pm – Langley

• Friday 7 January, 11am-2pm – Britwell

• Monday 10 January, 1.30-4.30pm – The Curve.

There will also be two online sessions for anyone who can’t make it in person. These will be on Zoom on:

• Tuesday 9 November, 6.30-7.30pm

• Wednesday 8 December, 6.30-7.30pm.

The feedback from residents, along with data on demographics and library usage, will be used to make the final decision.

If you cannot access the internet at home or need help to complete the survey, you can visit your local library for access to public computers and staff support. There will also be some paper copies at all libraries and hubs.

Residents are invited to read the full consultation pack before filling in the consultation survey. Visit www.slough.gov.uk/libraryconsultation

Responses will be analysed and an outcomes report will go to Cabinet later in 2022.

Did you know that Datchet holds a beer festival?

I didn't until I saw the banners around the village, yet it's been going since 2009, and it's on next weekend.

It takes place at Datchet Village Hall, which is about ten minutes from the railway station, so rather than the dangers of driving there you can catch the trains via Windsor. (Staggering back up Castle Hill might be a challenge!)

The Saturday evening is already sold out, but there are tickets for the Friday and Saturday afternoon sessions.

They expect to have over 20 local ales and ciders available.

Further details at the SL event here:
https://www.scooploop.com/thread/datchet-beer-festival

Slough Town FC take on Bath City FC at Arbour Park stadium on 26th Oct, in their next Vanarama National League South game.

Supporters aged 18 and under can watch Tuesday evening's home match against

Bath City FC for 𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀 if accompanied by a paying adult.

Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the turnstiles.

https://sloughtownfc.net/article/2527/Special-offer-for-Bath-City-match

Last week SBC posted this update about the green bin collection service.

https://www.scooploop.com/thread/winter-break-for-green-bin-collections

This year, green bin collections will be paused between November and March. I can understand this as a cost-saving exercise, and I'd rather this than them start charging for collection, BUT, I realised I have only two more collections THIS YEAR and there's loads of gardening still needs doing!!

So, my title is an exhortation to get outside and make the most of your remaining bin collections!!!

The planning applications which have been submitted and decided upon in the last week, are all listed here - http://www2.slough.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/Wchweeklylist.displayPlanningLists

A landlord has been ordered to pay thousands of pounds by a judge for illegally letting out an outbuilding for more than three years.

Paul Vig admitted failing to comply with a Planning Enforcement Notice which prohibited the outbuilding being used as a self-contained residence which he was letting out.

The structure in the garden of a house in Reddington Drive, Langley, had a shower room, a washing machine and white goods which allowed it to be a self-contained property – also known as a ‘bed in a shed’.

A planning enforcement notice was issued for the property in 2015. However, when the 58-year-old applied for a compulsory licence for a house in multiple occupation, or HMO, it was discovered although some of the white goods had been removed, it contained everything needed to be an independent self-contained unit.

Mr Vig and his wife, Maria Vig, appeared at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday 6 October, for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing, as they benefitted from letting out the property at £160 per week. Each had admitted a single charge of being in contravention of an enforcement notice contrary to section 179 Town and County Planning Act 1990, between 21 September 2016 and 24 July 2019.

Mr Vig, of Scotlands Drive, Farnham Common, was fined £5,000 for flouting the enforcement notice. The fine was ordered to be paid within six months or he would face a three-month prison sentence. He was also ordered to pay £8,161.67 towards the council’s costs.

Mrs Vig, 40, of Fawsley Close, Colnbrook, was given a six-month conditional discharge with Judge Emma Nott stating she was just a landlord by name on documentation and all responsibilities were undertaken by her then husband. She was ordered to pay the remaining council costs of £4,000.

In her judgement, Judge Nott said: “I am satisfied that Mr Vig knew full well that the continued commercial use of the outbuilding was in breach of the enforcement notice.

“Photographs dated 24 July 2019 show a kitchenette – washing machine, microwave, fridge freezer, washing facilities, cupboards with food and glassware. With or without the kitchen equipment, this is a self-contained unit of accommodation and the tenancy agreements show that this is how it was let.

“As a commercial landlord he has a clear duty to understand and comply with all rules, regulations and notices pertaining to the properties he rents out.

“The offending is aggravated by the length of time over which it was committed, the fact that it was committed for financial gain, the poverty of amenity provided by the property to the tenant of the outbuilding and the adverse effect on the tenant of the main property.”

Councillor Beni Bains, cabinet member for regulation and public protection, said: “Beds in sheds will not be tolerated in the borough.

“They are not suitable accommodation for the resident and they are just designed to make money out of the most vulnerable.

“Planning enforcement will continue to seek out landlords who act in this unlawful way.”

Green bin collections are to be adjusted to when they are used the most.

The service will be paused throughout the winter when less gardening waste is created.

Currently green bins are collected fortnightly all year round except for a short break over the festive period.

Green bins have become a popular additional opt-in service for residents with 28,000 households the recipient of the garden waste bin.

This service, which is limited to one green bin per household, does not incur an additional cost to residents unlike many of the neighbouring local authorities, which also have a hiatus over the winter months.

Green bin collection will stop for the winter from Monday 22 November.

Collections will begin again on Monday 21 March, 2022.

Green waste is waste produced from a resident’s garden including grass cuttings, hedge and shrub trimmings, small branches and twigs, flowers, small plants and weeds.

The green waste is taken to the Chalvey Household Waste and Recycling Centre where it is transferred to composting facilities in Bracknell, to produce high quality compost products.

See what can be put in the green bins, and to apply for a green bin, here - https://www.slough.gov.uk/household-waste-collection/what-goes-in-bins/3.

Green waste can be taken to Chalvey Household Waste and Recycling Centre at any time of the year.

For more information about what goes into waste, recycling and green bins visit - https://www.slough.gov.uk/household-waste-collection/what-goes-in-bins.

I think this is a great idea...

Rather than the American Halloween tradition of 'trick or treat' (demanding sweets from your friends or neighbours), Hackney residents collect foodstuffs for their local foodbank. Last year they collected five tonnes of food!

Perhaps something for your Halloween party to consider for Slough Food Bank?

Read about it here: https://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2021/10/12/trick-or-eat-halloween-hackney-foodbank/

The simplest of measures can prevent a car becoming the target for thieves.

Locking car doors and closing windows is the first line of defence from car thieves.

Make sure car keys are nowhere near the front door where thieves can extract them through the letter box, which is called fishing.

Keep keys on a hook away from windows and doors.

For more car prevention advice visit - https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-vehicles-safe/preventing-car-vehicle-theft/

Residents are invited to have their say in a consultation about future services in Britwell and Northborough.

The survey, which is live now until 5pm on Tuesday 30 November, is part of the council’s plans to develop strong, healthy and attractive neighbourhoods.

The redeveloped Britwell Community Centre and library is scheduled to be completed early next year. The proposed redevelopment will look to house a new GP and Health Surgery in the new centre allowing a range of services to be delivered from one location.

Some of the topics in the survey include Covid-19 Impact, the health and wellbeing of residents and the local area.

The results will identify key issues, concerns and areas for opportunity and improvement.

Councillor Sabia Akram, lead member for leisure, culture and communities, said: “The people living in these areas day to day know what is most important to them and what services they value. Housing health services alongside our community centre and library makes best use of our building and means residents can do more in one visit.

“I would encourage Britwell and Northborough residents to fill in the short survey to make their views known.”

The council is working in partnership with Britwell Parish Council, Public Health Slough, East Berkshire NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) health partners and One Slough to create strong neighbourhoods.

The survey is available online at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Britwell

Paper copies can be collected and returned to the following locations.

Britwell Library, Wentworth Avenue, SL2 2DH

Children’s Centre, Monksfield Way, SL21QX

For help filling in the survey, please call 07523 935995 from Monday to Friday between 9.30am-4pm. For more information on the Creating Stronger Neighbourhoods initiative, please email community.development@slough.gov.uk or call Aqeel Akram (Community Development Officer) on the number above.

There is no full M4 weekend closure this weekend.

Both carriageways between junctions 5, Langley, and 4b, the M25, will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am, on Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 October.

The eastbound exit slip road is closed at junction 6, Slough, overnight between 9pm an 6am, on Monday 18, Tuesday 19. Wednesday 20, Thursday 21 October.

The latest planning applications which have been submitted and decided upon in the past week, are all listed here -

http://www2.slough.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/Wchweeklylist.displayPlanningLists

This should be sounding alarm bells for the community, not just in the Slough-Eton-Windsor area, but nationally.

Eton College were ahead of the game in March 2020 when they closed down weeks ahead of government instruction for state schools to do the same.

Cases of Covid are still rocketing in this country, 45,000 last Thursday alone -- that's 45,000 new cases in one day -- with 800 hospitalisations, and 100 deaths, per day. The UK tops the league tables for Covid, and that's not a great place to be. (Why is the government still pretending that all is hunky-dory?)

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/eton-college-covid-lockdown-students-b960669.html

The rise in popularity of video doorbells can make homeowners feel safer.

However, such recording devices are great after a crime has been committed.

Burglars be can be put off by alarms and prevent a resident becoming a victim in the first place.

More Thames Valley Police crime prevention advice here - https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/protect-home-crime/keep-burglars-out-property/

Violence against women and girls in the borough will be tackled after more than half a million pounds was secured from the government.

The Safer Street Fund of £23.5 million was set up in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard in London, with the aim to make public spaces safer for women and girls.

The successful joint application was made by the council, the Thames Valley office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Aik Saath and Lime, a specialist youth engagement organisation.

Several projects will be made possible by the £513,940 award. It will lead to a ‘whole system’ approach by the partnership which will begin immediately and run until April 2022.

The initiatives will centre on Chalvey, where statistically there is a more of a need to make women and girls safer.

Working closely with the Chalvey Community Partnership the work will address issues and themes identified by residents in the area.

Local information reveals violence against women and girls is committed by men of all ages and was due to a range of factors including cultural attitudes as well as physical factors such as location and environment.

This insight is at the centre of the projects to tackle the safety issues women and girls face.

The whole system approach will be made up of six parts.

• A Street Guardianship team to improve safety through daily street patrols.

• A Design Out Crime project to change streets making them safer, from physical changes like street layout to lighting and surveillance.

• Specialist intervention and community work with members of the Roma community.

• A specialist Youth and Community Worker to work with young people when in or out of school, to challenge signs of sexual harassment and adopt more positive and respectful attitudes towards women and girls.

• Develop a communications campaign with young people to educate peers.

• Create an enhanced Choices programme working with Year 12 students, practitioners, young people and parents. The Choices programme already supports young people to understand themselves and make better choices using interactive, story-driven resources which were co-created by Slough students.

Councillor Beni Bains, cabinet member for regulation and public protection, said: “This money will start to make a big difference in attitudes towards all types of violence towards women from verbal, emotional, intimidation or physical.

“Working with information residents have provided, and knowledgeable partners, means the money will be used in the most effective areas in the most effective way.”

For more information about the national Safer Street Fund visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/police-local-authoritiesgiven-extra-235m-for-safer-streets

In a record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award, as the scheme marks its Silver Jubilee, Herschel, Salt Hill, and Pippins Parks are three of 2,127 celebrating success today.

The award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces. Salt Hill Park and Pippins Park have held Green Flag Awards for the past 11 years and for Herschel Park, this year’s flag marks a decade of being in receipt of the award.

After 18 months that have seen our parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that Herschel, Salt Hill and Pippins Parks have achieved the Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that make Slough’s green spaces, great spaces that everyone can enjoy.

Herschel, Salt Hill, and Pippins Parks join parks and green spaces as diverse as the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, Woodhouse Park in Peterlee, and Chiswick Old Cemetery in London.

Sophia Norfolk, principal environment officer & interim parks manager, said: “I am delighted that we have won Green Flag Awards again this year, our parks team work so hard to maintain the amazing green spaces we have around our town, and they continue to be a source of great enjoyment and relaxation for residents young and old. We have such a wide variety of spaces for people to enjoy from the new wetland at Salt Hill Park to the beautiful landscaping at Herschel Park. There really is something for everyone to enjoy.”

Commenting on the news that Herschel, Salt Hill and Pippins Parks have achieved the Green Flag Award standard, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making these three Slough Borough Council parks worthy of Green Flag Awards.

“To meet the requirements demanded by the scheme is testament to the hard work of the staff and volunteers who do so much to ensure that Herschel, Salt Hill and Pippins Parks have high standards of horticulture, safety and environmental management and is a place that supports people to live healthy lives.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

A brand new project which will work with 30 lucky residents of East Berkshire to help them launch their dream businesses, is being launched in November. The project, StriveLive, is being delivered by Enterprise CUBE, an experienced team, who have worked to support new businesses across the Berkshire since 2010.

Jenna Moody, building better opportunities compliance officer, Slough Borough Council said: “This is an amazing chance to get fully funded training, support, win prizes and join a group of other start-ups who are all striving to start a business.”

“If you are a resident who is currently unemployed or economically inactive and looking for a chance to make your business dream a reality then this course is for you.”

StriveLive aims to provide the complete start-up incubator experience online, creating the ideal environment for a resident to start a new business. It is run by a small team who have all started and run their own businesses. Connecting 30 resident entrepreneurs, StriveLive offers a start-up community.

It combines weekly live video training sessions with an easy-to-use online learning tool that residents can use in their own time. Residents are also offered lots of one-to one sessions with experienced entrepreneurs, who can offer mentoring and tailored advice to help them launch their businesses.

If that wasn’t enough, thanks to Housing Solutions, there is also the opportunity for residents to win £1,500 of cash prizes to help them launch their businesses at the end of the project! StriveLive launches on 2 November and will run for 7 weeks.

Interested residents should contact Enterprise CUBE or Slough Borough Council for more details. To find out if you are eligible for a free place, get in touch with Jenna Moody at Slough Borough Council email: Jenna.Moody@slough.gov.uk, phone: 07526200906. Or fill out this form on Enterprise CUBE’s website https://www.enterprisecube.org/signupfree/

There are a number of roles available at local schools, Slough Children First and other partners. For more visit -https://www.slough.gov.uk/council-jobs

It takes burglars just a few seconds to silently break in via a front door which have not been secured properly.

Protect your home by pulling the handle up on a uPVC front door.

Simply shutting the door won’t prevent burglars. Double-lock the door every single time you leave the house and pull the handle up when going to bed and remove the key.

Modern multi-locking and uPVC doors use a system of hooks and latches which only work if you lift up the handle.

For more crime prevention advice visit - https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/protect-home-crime/door-window-lock-advice/

Who keeps their jewellery, money and other precious items in their bedroom - where you feel it's safest? 🙋

Burglars know where these valuable items are too.

They go straight to the bedroom to rifle through clothes drawers and bedside tables.

Large amounts of valuable jewellery and money should be kept in a safe bolted to the floor or a safety deposit box.

For more crime prevention advice visit - https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/protect-home-crime/

Think you know what a burglar looks like?

These days some professional burglars who target the borough drive high performance cars and can be working in teams. Operating in the day and under the cover of the darker early evenings, they look like anyone else.

They are unlikely to be carrying bags of swag or carrying TVs.

Expensive, small items like jewellery and money are targeted as it's easy to transport.

If something doesn't look right, or someone is behaving suspiciously, report it to Thames Valley Police on 101 or via their online service https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/.

In the run up to the clocks going back an hour at the end of the month the council will be sharing crime prevention tips in partnership with Thames Valley Police. These are intended to assist with protecting yourself, elderly friends, relatives and property as the nights get darker.

On average this year, there has been a burglary every other day in the borough. When the clocks go back the number increases dramatically.

Each day the council will post some simple and quick tips and reminders which could prevent you from becoming a victim of crime.

With many workers starting to return to the workplace after over a year working from home, remember to close and lock windows and doors.

Opportunistic thieves love an open invitation - and an empty property - especially in the dark before residents even get home from work.

Both carriageways of the the M4 motorway will be closed between junctions 6, Slough, and 8/9, Maidenhead, from 9pm until 6am the following morning on Monday 11, Tuesday 12 and Thursday 14 October.

The westbound carriageway between the same junctions is closed from 9pm on Wednesday 13 October until 6am the following morning.

The full weekend closure is between 4b, M25, and 3, Hayes, from 4am on Saturday 16 until 6am Monday 18 October.

All work is for Highways England smart motorway project.

The planning applications which have been submitted and decided upon in the past week, can all be viewed here - http://www2.slough.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/Wchweeklylist.displayPlanningLists

The council is set to discuss a consultation into how Slough library services will look in the future.

The council prides itself on its fantastic libraries across the borough where more than 600,000 visits are made by residents in a typical year, to borrow more than half a million books.

However, changes need to be made to the provision to ensure that library services are affordable and deliver value for money, are accessible and meet local needs and support and promote good use of technology.

The consultation will last for 12 weeks and will launch on 28 October, 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 when designing the borough’s future library service.

There are five proposed options, listed below, which residents will be invited to comment on.

Reduce the money available to spend on buying publications (both hard copy and eResources).

Keep all the main library buildings open but reduce the opening and staffed hours at Langley and Cippenham and reduce the staffed hours at The Curve and Britwell libraries.

Keep all library buildings but reduce the hours they are open, the hours they are staffed, and the space dedicated to the library. Attract other users to rent space in the building (co-location).

Move all library services out of the current main library buildings and re-locate services to be delivered from a range of other locations across the borough.

Close both Langley and Cippenham library buildings but maintain the staffing and opening hours at The Curve library and at Britwell library.

Councillor James Swindlehurst, leader of the council, said: “With work underway to address our immediate financial issues, Cabinet is now looking at the council’s medium term financial strategy to make sure all services can operate within a tighter financial envelope, ensuring the council’s sustainability going forward.

“We’re really proud to have provided a generous library offer over the years in Slough, which has seen us invest in new buildings like The Curve, and the council Cabinet’s preferred model for future library services is to retain our library buildings – but we want to know your views and priorities as we weigh up various options against each other.

“Therefore, we really want residents to engage with this consultation and let us know what you want from our library service so we can draw on your views as we shape these services for the future.”

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

The Cabinet meeting is on Monday 18 October. More information on the consultation can be found in the Cabinet papers at https://democracy.slough.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=109&MId=6746 and www.slough.gov.uk/libraryconsultation

There are teaching assistant roles available, roles at Slough Children First and Osborne Property Services Ltd. Take a look here - https://www.slough.gov.uk/council-jobs

There are several Slough specific resources for residents who would like more information about mental health this World Mental Health Day.

This year the focus on World Mental Health Day, on Sunday 10 October, is mental health in an unequal world on a local and global level.

One of the key reasons for inequality is the stigma and discrimination towards those with mental health issues which can create a barrier to accessing help.

Such stigma has led to 9 out of ten people with mental health problems stating it has negatively impacted either their education, work, or personal lives, or all of them.

In Slough there is work happening and resources available to prompt and make conversations around mental health normal, like people would ask about someone’s physical health.

Cllr Pantelic, lead member for Social Care and Public Health, said: “There are excellent resources here to support people who feel their mental health is suffering.

“The challenges of the pandemic continue to affect us all this year, so it’s important for everyone to seek help and advice when they need it and not suffer in silence.”

Slough Public Health has partnered with Slough CVS and Wellbeing Prescribing to create information designed to support and help residents who are facing issues. They are available at www.publichealthslough.co.uk/campaigns/health-at-home

Slough CVS also provides support and activities to build people’s confidence. This is through face-to-face activities and meeting other people to break down the fear of reintroducing social situations back into their lives and therefore helps with the feelings of loneliness.

For more information of what activities are out there visit https://sloughcvs.org/wellbeing-prescribing/

The new “Thriving Community Project” has activities to participate in, in person or online to improve mental health and wellbeing, visit here -

https://sloughcvs.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Thriving-Communities-Project.jpg

For more Mental Health information visit Mental Health Foundation here - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/world-mental-health-day

Every Mind Matters offers a range of resources to help spot the signs of common mental health concerns, offers practical self-care tips, guidance and, importantly, explains when to seek further support. It also has a free NHS-approved online tool the Every Mind Matters Your Mind Plan. http://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

Both carriageways will be closed between junctions 5, Langley, and 4b, the M25, overnight from9pm on Monday 4, Tuesday 5, Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 October until 6am the following morning

The full weekend closure from 8pm on Friday 8 until 6am on Monday 11 October, is further afield between junctions 4b, M25, and 3, Hayes.

The planning applications which have been submitted and decided upon in the last week, are all listed here - http://www2.slough.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/Wchweeklylist.displayPlanningLists

Volunteers will be meeting this Sunday morning (3rd October) for the monthly clean-up along parts of the Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal.

This month is slightly different as one work party will be litter-picking, and a second work party will be attending to the two pollinator patches and planting new flowers.

The Friends of Slough Canal organise themselves through a group on Facebook -- follow the links for more information.

FoSC FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/191327457654862

Tidy-up: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=4533176480100589&set=gm.4288295267958040

A number of roles are available with partners Slough Children First, Osborne Property Services and in local schools. Take a look here -

https://www.slough.gov.uk/council-jobs

January saw the launch of the Early Years health and wellbeing accreditation. It was created by the children and families team, in partnership with Public Health. The aim of the initiative is to help improve the health and wellbeing of children and their families. Early years settings across the borough have been invited to sign up for the accreditation, which supports them to promote and establish the health improvement messages and practices that should form the foundation of their childcare provision.

The rollout was a positive one, despite the challenges of being in the midst of a pandemic, with settings realising the need for such an initiative in Slough. So far, 34 settings have signed up for the accreditation and have begun work that requires assessments in the four areas of: health and wellbeing, nutrition and oral health, physical activity, and emotional and mental wellbeing.

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.

The accreditation not only highlights areas for improvement but allows providers to showcase the great work they are doing in the local area. Three of our settings have now reached the stage of accreditation and were recently presented with their certificates by Cllr Natasa Pantelic and Cllr Christine Hulme.

Debbie Haden, local childminder and owner of Debbies Dinkies, said: “We've thoroughly enjoyed making progress through the kitemark accreditation, it has made us more aware of how important and beneficial health and wellbeing is for Early Years children. Which also enables the children to make the best possible start in life.”

Aakanksha H Gushani, nursery manager at Bright World Nursery, said: “At Bright World Nursery, we are committed to contributing towards healthy outcomes for young children. We are excited to have achieved our gold award, and to be able to showcase the quality of our provision. This initiative has helped us to promote and establish the best health improvement messages and practices for our children and families.”

Lin Meade, Early Years Professional, Monksfield Way Children’s Centre, said: “Taking part in the kitemark has been a rewarding experience for the whole team. It has helped us to recognise the support we as Children’s Centres already give to the families that use our services, as well as identifying areas we can further develop. We look forward to continuing to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes of each child and family that we come into contact with.”

Councillor Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for social care and public health, said: “We're delighted to be presenting these awards today, and would like to thank all the providers for their continued hard work. It’s been a pleasure meeting the children and staff of these three wonderful settings. We hope other settings will continue to sign up for this accreditation.”

Councillor Christine Hulme, cabinet member for children’s services, lifelong learning & skills, said: “We are so proud of our early year’s workforce in Slough and these kitemark awards continue to allow our practitioners, childminders, nursery staff and teachers to give the best start to our youngest residents.”

There is no weekend closure.

The eastbound entry slip road at junction 5, Langley, is closed overnight between 9pm and 6am the following morning tonight Monday, 27 September, Tuesday 28, Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 September.

Both carriageways are closed from 9pm on Thursday 30 September between junctions 5, Langley, and 4b, the M25, until 6am the following morning.

All closures for Highways England smart motorway project.

The opening hours at Chalvey HWRC will change to the winter times from Friday 1 October.

Opening times will be from 9am to 5pm each day and closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Last entry is 15 minutes before closing time.

For more information, what items can be accepted, and opening times and guidance on commercial waste, visit - https://www.slough.gov.uk/bins-waste-recycling/household-waste-recycling-centres

The list of planning applications submitted and decided upon in the last week, can all be found here -

http://www2.slough.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/Wchweeklylist.displayPlanningLists

Day 5 of #RecycleWeek 2021.

Shops are now accepting more and more product packaging not commonly accepted in red recycling bins, for it to be recycled.

Tesco and Co-op stores are able to accept soft plastics such as those which cover bread and rolls, frozen food bags, crisps and salad packaging.

Boots UK and Superdrug accept plastic empty make-up containers.

Batteries and small electronic items can also be recycled at specific electronic stores.

To look up which shops and stores accept certain recyclable materials, as well as on street recycling units, visit - https://www.recyclenow.com/local-recycling

There are a number of roles available at Slough Children First and the council's housing maintenance and repairs partners, Osborne Property Services, which require candidates. Take a look here - https://www.slough.gov.uk/council-jobs

For posts prior to 10th September 2021 (especially those by Slough Borough Council, @SloughBC) please visit the Local Loop for Burnham.

(By a strange quirk of the recent location database upgrade, Slough residents were all transposed to Burnham! Enquiries are continuing to see if this problem can be resolved.)

https://www.scooploop.com/loops/burnham