September 2020

The children are back to school and seem to have adapted well to the new rules and behaviour that are necessary to help prevent a second wave of Covid-19 this autumn. We've been impressed by the creative ways that the schools in our ward have been dealing with things like school drop-offs, homework and parents' evenings. As teachers ourselves, we'd like to pay tribute to all the staff who have worked so hard throughout the pandemic.

Mill Lane Roundabout

As you may be aware from previous newsletters, we have been campaigning since our election for improved safety measures at this accident black-spot. Sadly, in the past couple of weeks, another near-miss almost brought tragedy, as a young boy was knocked off his bike.

This renewed our call, supported by residents and local activists, for the council to make the crossing safer. So far we have been able to have the vehicle activated sign installed but the council need to make funds available for the upgrade to a toucan crossing that is urgently needed.

Along with improvements to the signage, reducing the speed limit and activating speed cameras, this scheme was included in the borough's Cycling Action Plan.

It was costed at £67,000 and was due in 2018-2019. In that election year the Conservatives spent £100,000 of council tax on a promotional video and lamp-post banners across the borough, it's time the council got its priorities right. If you agree, please consider writing to the Lead Member at Cllr.Clark@rbwm.gov.uk

Amy with resident, Martin Gibbons, his children and Cycling Action Group Secretary, Susy Shearer

We Love Libraries!

We are really pleased that Windsor library is now open for browsing and computer use. You can check out your books using the self-service kiosk. Face coverings must be worn and hand-sanitiser is available at the entrance. The opening times are as follows, and may be altered depending on demand:

Monday 9:30am-5pm
Tuesday 10am-7pm
Wednesday 10am-5pm
Thursday 9:30am-5pm
Friday 9:30am-5pm
Saturday 10am-4pm

The library is about so much more than books; they also offer support for residents' health and well-being with books on prescription to help support those living with long term conditions.

Did you know that they have reminiscence boxes available for hire by groups or for use with individuals with dementia?

Each box contains multi-sensory objects on a theme such as the seaside or childhood and they are designed to help users access their memories and stimulate the senses.

If you would like more information on these services, please contact the library service on libraries@rbwm.gov.uk or 01628 796969

Don't forget to fill out the short library consultation on planned changes to opening hours, including no Sunday openings, which ends on 30th November.

Ward Work

We were contacted last week by a resident concerned about the impact of the 10 pm curfew on a much-loved takeaway food van in Clewer East. In this particular case, Karen was able to talk to both the business owner and the Licensing officers about proposed plans to keep the business running with drive-through service of pre-ordered food only after 10 pm.

Get in touch if you have any concerns about the impact of Covid restrictions on your business and we will help in any way we can.

The Pirate Park is one of the busiest playgrounds in the area so it's not surprising that the equipment wears out from time to time. We are pleased that RBWM have finally fixed the roundabout after Amy reported a resident's concerns some months ago. If you spot any damage, you can report it on the council website and we will of course follow up if you let us know.

The Pirate Park

Meetings and Committees

Unless you are a regular viewer of the RBWM Youtube channel, you may not be aware of the types of meetings that we attend on Zoom or listen to live via Youtube. This is the list for September:

Amy:

Corporate Parenting Forum

One Borough- Community groups and local charities

Overview and Scrutiny Questioning training

Good Governance Training- Understanding Officer and Member Roles

Royal Borough Development Management Panel (Planning)

Community Empowerment Meeting with Radian

Windsor Town Forum

Shadow Member Briefing-Adults

Extraordinary Full Council

Shadow Member Briefing- Children

Adults, Children and Health Overview and Scrutiny

Communities Overview and Scrutiny (Watched live on Youtube)

Karen:

Climate Change, Sustainability and Parks Briefing

Good Governance Training- Understanding Officer and Member Roles

Employment and Skills - Embedding Community Response

Windsor Town Forum

Extraordinary Full Council

A Town Council for Windsor? Have your say.

There will be an extra meeting of the Windsor Town Forum on Monday 12 October at 6.15 pm. The discussion at the Forum meeting will focus on the four questions that the council is seeking views on in this first part of the consultation:

• What is the appetite for creating a new town council for Windsor? Is a parish council needed or desired?

• Is there a sense of community identity in the review area and should this community be represented by its own parish council?

• How could a new parish council take shape?

• Should a new parish council be warded to reflect the communities that exist in the review area? If so, how should these boundaries be drawn?

Anyone wishing to speak can contact the clerk in advance of the meeting (Shilpa Manek tel 01628 796310 email shilpa.manek@rbwm.gov.uk) for details of how to access the meeting using Zoom. If you just want to watch the meeting you can do so via the live stream on the council's YouTube account.

Or share your views by emailing Electoral.Registration@rbwm.gov.uk or writing to Electoral Services at the Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1RF.

Waste collections

Recently Amy had a useful meeting with an Environmental Services manager from Serco and was able to discuss the key issues affecting Clewer East and report a number of ongoing problems e.g. St Leonard's Road green bins as well as share local knowledge that will aid the operatives in future, for example communal bins, collections from alleyways etc.

Finally, she pointed out that as many residents had paid an increased subscription for their green waste and had collections missed, perhaps the the council would consider a refund or extension to subscription as a gesture of goodwill. This was also raised at the Overview and Scrutiny meeting last week and the Lead Member said that the council is looking into it.

What are Serco doing to improve?

They discussed ways that Serco are trying to make things better for residents and to aid communication, which seems to be behind many of these issues. For example:

• A dedicated team has been tasked with reviewing every single route and identify issues/more complex or nuanced collections.

• Setting up a comms team of managers who are in direct contact with councillors to share information and issues for speedy resolution.

• From October hosting a dedicated bins customer service line to deal with missed collections and take pressure off RBWM customer services staff.

• Sorting out gaps in the IT systems that have meant Serco haven't always received the missed bin reports from RBWM.

We have been advised that if there are further issues, residents should continue to report them using the RBWM online form (or to us and we'll use the form) but if problems continue,we will go directly to Serco escalate it.

Fly-tipping

Some people continue to spoil our area by dumping their refuse and expecting other people to clear it up. In fact, it has surged by 79% against RBWM's target for April 19-20.

To try to tackle this and the related problems of cigarette butt littering and dog-fouling, the council has a new contract with enforcement company who will issue £100 Fixed Penalty Notices to anyone caught in the act!

If you spot any fly-tipping, please report it online as the council are usually very swift to clear it up. Amy reported the mess below and it was sorted within 24 hours.

Fly-tipping on Clarence Road

The Stafferton way Recycling Centre is now open to residents every day for disposal of bulky waste.

Neighbourhood Watch

As the nights draw in, this might be a good time to join an existing Neighbourhood Watch scheme or set up your own scheme. It only takes ten minutes a week to run one for your own road and there are several around Clewer East already - enter your postcode in the website to find out where. The schemes are a good way to bring neighbours together and access advice and information. Organisers can also access free security devices for the more vulnerable. Check the website here:

Save our Town Centre

We've all noticed the empty retail units in Windsor and wondered what can be done to reinvigorate the area at a time when internet shopping is on the increase.

Would anyone you know be interested in having a Pop Up Shop in Windsor? Residents have told us that it is usually difficult to find a willing landlord, but the lead member for Windsor and the Town Centre Manager are keen to bring together businesses and landlords, so this might be a good time. Let us know if we can put you in touch!

Remembrance Sunday

We are really pleased to let you know that the West Windsor councillors are working together to make sure the poppies are up for Remembrance Day again this year. We've had the okay from the council and will let you know more details soon.

And Finally...

Al councillors have been asked to do their bit in spreading the NHS and government health messages to help keep Covid-19 numbers down this winter. We had a go filming in the Pirate Park, much to the amusement of the children playing nearby! Here's our efforts- we don't expect the Oscar call any time soon...