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

A homeowner who built a first-floor extension without permission has been ordered to pay thousands of pounds by magistrates for planning breaches.

Terence Hunt had the large extension to the dormer bungalow built and the council’s planning department advised it breached planning control and it was unlikely to receive planning permission.

He was also advised the extension should either be completely removed and the property be reverted back to being lawful, or an attempt be made to gain planning permission retrospectively.

A planning application for the work in Iona Crescent, Cippenham, was submitted

and refused in September 2018.

The planning decision report stated: “The proposed development, by reason of the siting, size, design and bulk is considered to be visually intrusive and over dominant, out of keeping with the original dwelling and the immediately adjoining dwellings which would be detrimental to the character and visual amenities of the surrounding area.”

A planning enforcement notice under section 171A of The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 was served the following month when no attempt was made to remove the extension.

It required Mr Hunt to fully demolish the unauthorised extension, reinstate the house as it was previously and remove all the materials, rubbish and machinery to comply with the planning enforcement notice within three months.

However, Mr Hunt appealed against the planning enforcement notice to the Planning Inspectorate which was dismissed and the enforcement notice upheld. The judgement required the enforcement notice to be complied with by May 2020.

A visit in September 2020 revealed the notice had not been complied with and legal proceedings began.

Mr Hunt appeared before Justices of the Peace at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Friday 27 August and admitted two counts of failing to comply with the planning enforcement notice contrary to Section 179(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

He was fined £6,000, ordered to pay costs of £1,535 towards the council prosecution, and a victim surcharge of £190.

In their sentencing remarks the magistrates said: “The council has spent lots of hours on this case and lots of warnings on an extension that shouldn’t be there.

“It’s your fault that this case is here, so you will pay the costs.”

Mr Hunt in mitigation said he accepted his failure to adhere to the planning authority’s instructions and advice regarding the first-floor rear extension citing financial constraints. He added he would work with the council to ensure the building is compliant.

Cllr Pavitar K. Mann, cabinet member for housing, highways, planning and place, said: “Repeated evasion of planning permissions and enforcement notices does not mean an unlawful development will be allowed to stay.

“This has cost the resident dear and council staff will continue to monitor what is being developed in the borough.

“The council relies on information on potential planning breaches coming from residents and urges residents to contact us if they suspect a breach has occurred.”

The homeowner is still required to comply with the statutory notice to demolish the unauthorised extension and failure to do so could result in further prosecution proceedings.

The council provides green bins on an 'opt in' basis where garden waste can be deposited and collected from homes every fortnight.

This is turned into high quality compost.

Garden excess can also be taken to Chalvey HWRC.

For more information and to apply for a green bin, visit - https://www.slough.gov.uk/household-waste-collection/garden-waste

Compost can be created at home with a compost bin where some of household waste like vacuum contents, fire ash and paper can be mixed with food waste like tea bags, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peelings.

For more information about home composting visit - https://www.slough.gov.uk/bins-waste-recycling/home-composting

It's day 3 of #RecycleWeek 2021

Almost a third of textiles end up in the bin in the UK.

Reusing older clothes by upcycling them, or turning them into other usable items, as well as buying fewer items or ones which will last longer, are all ways to reduce waste. For more ideas visit -https://www.loveyourclothes.org.uk/

Items which have had their day can be taken to Chalvey HWRC and placed in the recycling containers, or the ones which are located around the borough which can be found here - https://www.slough.gov.uk/bins-waste.../recycle-bring-banks

There is also a collect from the doorstep service on a Monday by the council's partner TRAID. Contact TRAID on 0208 733 2580 (select option 1) to book a free collection or visit https://www.traid.org.uk/clothes.../book-a-collection/

More information here - https://www.slough.gov.uk/bins-waste.../clothing-collections

We have our own Local Loop now.

Day two of #RecycleWeek 2021.

Some items can be taken to Chalvey HWRC to be recycled even if they do not belong in the household red recycling bins.

There are recycling bins at Chalvey HWRC where other items can be placed and will be recycled.

This includes batteries, wood, foil and textiles.

The cartons bin can also now accept Pringle style containers which have metal ends.

The full list of items is here - https://www.slough.gov.uk/bins-waste-recycling/household-waste-recycling-centres/4

Each day there will be helpful tips on how and what to recycle in the borough.

Recycling begins at home.

Each household has a red bin specifically to place specified items in for recycling.

They are -

*Clean cardboard food boxes and egg cartons, toilet or kitchen rolls

*Drink cans and food tins -please rinse

*Glass jars and bottles - no lids

*Paper, magazines, newspapers, catalogues and phone directories.

*Plastic drinks, shampoo, washing up liquid bottles, all clear and colour plastic bottles - remove lids and pump dispensers

Each is then separated for recycling.

Everything else goes into the black waste bin. Even that is recycled into electricity after being incinerated at Lakeside energy from waste site in Colnbrook.

For a more detailed list of what goes into the red recycling and black waste bins bin visit - https://www.slough.gov.uk/household.../what-goes-in-bins/2

Both carriageways of the M4 motorway between junctions 6, Slough, and 8/9, Maidenhead, are closed from 8pm on Friday 24 September and 6am Monday 27 September.

Both carriageways are closed between junctions 5, Langley, and 6, Slough, tonight Monday 20 September from 9pm and reopens at 6am the following morning.

The westbound carriageway between junctions 5, Langley, and 6, Slough, is closed overnight from 9pm on Tuesday 21 September and 6am the next morning.

The eastbound entry slip road at junction 5, Langley, is closed overnight on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 September, between 9pm and 6am the next morning.

All closures for Highways England smart motorway work.

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

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police and Slough Trading Standards, an estate agent has been jailed for three years for defrauding his clients of more than £182,000 in Slough.

Lee Clarke, aged 42, of Park Corner, Windsor, was jailed for three years at Reading Magistrates’ Court today (17/9).

Clarke has also been disqualified from being a Director of any company for six years.

Principal Trading Standards Officer for Slough Borough Council, Peter Adshead said: “This has been a complex and lengthy investigation where many Slough residents were victims of this man and the agency.

“The evidence was meticulously collected by the Trading Standards team and handed over to the police to assist with a successful prosecution. Cooperation with the police continued throughout the investigation.

“We hope this sentence will remind business owners that failure to comply with legislation will be investigated and brought before the courts where necessary. Landlords and tenants expect their money to be legally protected and monies handed over promptly.”

Visit Thames Valley Police here for more -
https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/news/thames-valley/news/2021/september/13-09-2021/estate-agent-jailed-for-defrauding-his-clients-of-more-than-182000---slough/

The council is thrilled to be chosen as one of the Arts Council's priority places for the next three years. It will help bring opportunities for local artists and the community - https://www.slough.gov.uk/news/article/120/slough-chosen-as-arts-council-priority-place-

You can look at the Arts Council Delivery Plan in more detail at https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/sites/default/files/download-file/Arts%20Council%20England_Delivery%20Plan_21-24.pdf

There are a number of roles available at Slough Children First and housing maintenance partners Osborne Property Service. All here - https://www.slough.gov.uk/council-jobs

Everyday digital skills classes are among those available in our adult learning programme. There are classes for job seekers, people learning the basics, skills for Android users and iPad users & much more. Find out more at https://www.slough.gov.uk/community-learning-skills/enrol-course

Both carriageways of the M4 will be closed between junctions 5, Langley and 6, Slough, from 8pm on Friday 17 September until 6am Monday 20 September.

Both carriageways between junctions 8/9, Maidenhead, and 6, Slough, will be closed from 9pm on Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 September, until 6am the next morning.

The eastbound carriageway will be closed between the same junctions and times on Monday 13 September.

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

Work places can be a safe haven for someone suffering domestic abuse. Employers can learn how to spot the signs and help. Free seminar available - sign up here - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-domestic-abuse-effects-the-workplace-and-how-businesses-can-help-tickets-170011132875

The council is set to discuss the future of some care services at the next Scrutiny Panel on Monday (13 September) with Cabinet making the final decision on 20 September.

A public consultation was held with service users and the recommendations include closing the following services currently operated by the council:

• Lavender Court

• Respond (short-term breaks service)

• Priors Day Service

• Phoenix Day Service

• The Pines Day Service.

Instead of the day centres, residential service and respite service, the council will be looking at other ways to meet resident’s needs. These may include accessing activities or services run by other providers including local community groups and charities, using personal assistants, using direct payments, or accessing other support networks. This decision affects 107 residents registered to use the services.

This recommendation follows a public consultation which ran from Monday 5 July through to Friday 6 August and asked people with an interest to share their views. Residents were supported in taking part in this consultation with three on-line surveys, and a consultation webpage. Easy read surveys were circulated alongside information about the consultation, to people who use the services. Telephone calls were also made at different stages during the consultation period to all customers and focus groups were established which were supported by advocacy.

Currently the council has significant financial challenges. This process has been undertaken to ensure available resources are used in the most efficient and effective way to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people within our community.

Alan Sinclair, executive director of people (adults), said: “These recommended changes will allow us to offer a more personalised service based on the individual resident’s needs. We understand that this proposal will bring change for people who use these services and their families. Each person who uses these services will benefit from a re-assessment of their needs and will be supported with their own new individual plan. As well as saving over a million pounds of taxpayer’s money, this will allow more flexible and tailored support for people.”