West Berkshire Council services will be disrupted this weekend as essential maintenance takes place at the council's Market Street office.

The weekend will see power to the building shut down while mandatory electrical testing is completed and this will affect key IT systems.

Although plans are in place to minimise the disruption some inconvenience to local communities is inevitable.

The disruption will mean that it won't be possible to phone or email the council or access the website. In particular:

• Libraries usually open on Saturdays will be closed
• The Visitor Information Centre in Newbury will be closing early at 1pm and will only be able to take cash payments
• Shaw House will be open for weddings and registrar services as usual but will only be able to accept cash at the gift shop
• The West Berkshire Council website will be unavailable with only a page providing emergency out-of-hours contacts details and links to those council services hosted externally.

Services will start to become unavailable from 6.30pm on Friday October 2nd until 8.30am on Monday October 5th.

Speaking about the work, Maintenance and Property Delivery Manager Andy Green said: "We're required by law to test our electric wiring every five years. To do this safely we need to turn off power to the building and a consequence is that we'll be left without some of the systems we use to provide our services to local communities.

"Unfortunately there is no alternative so we're asking our residents to be patient and plan to contact us, if they need to, either side of the weekend. We're working to keep the disruption to a minimum and plan to resume normal service on Monday morning.

"We're also putting plans in place to make sure that those services that run over the weekend can continue to run as far as possible - and particularly where we have significant responsibilities such as our safeguarding and housing services."

If you need to pay a bill, request a service or information or get in touch with someone at the council please make arrangements to do so either side of the weekend.

There will be an Emergency Duty Team available to deal with out-of-hours social services and homelessness emergencies. The team can be reached by:

·         Phone: 01344 786543

·         Text: 07867 907877

·         Email: edt@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Snapshot…of the Parish Council meeting on 8th September 2015 

 

Planning Applications

Seven planning applications were tabled for consideration:

• One for S19 variation of various conditions planning application. 11/01652/LBC. Conversion of refurbishment of former stables into ancillary domestic residential accommodation including removal of the 20th century wood store and new bin store.
• One for change of use of land to Gypsy/Traveller use, to provide 3 pitches with total of 3 mobile homes and 3 day rooms.
• One for a new garage with accommodation over to replace existing garage.
• One for an application for removal of various conditions of planning permission 12/02811/FUL. Demolish existing dwelling and construct new dwelling and car port. One for the timber framed, timber cladded shed with slate roof.
• One for a single storey extension to the kitchen (proposed minor amendment to approved scheme 14/02758/House and 14/02759/LBC2.
• One for Driveway access across public open space to service existing dwelling.  Reissued new planning number 15/02222/FUL.

Further information about Planning Applications can be found on the Planning Advice section of the West Berkshire Council website.

 

West Berkshire Council’s Home to School Transport Policy Consultation.

West Berkshire Council Executive Committee will be considering the revised draft for September 2016 admissions at a meeting due on 10 September 2015.

 

East Lane/High Street Junction and Bus Service Safety Audit

A Road Safety Audit has been carried out by an independent traffic management and road safety consultant on the proposed scheme.  West Berkshire Council’s response to the audit has been prepared on matters including the position of give way lines at the East Lane junction, carrying out a swept path test, the minimum 1000mm footway depth increase along a limited distance in front of the bus shelter, possible parking measures on the south western corner of the junction and the positioning of a new pole and flat. The proposed response was accepted and the draft layout plan showing the alterations to the bus stop and junction layouts, carriageway markings in the High Street approved.

 

Vegetation Curridge Road/Arlington Hill

The overgrown gorse bushes and other vegetation obstructing visibility sight lines have been reported to West Berkshire Council.

 

Groundwater Flooding Consultation

Local Lead Flood Authorities to work together with affected Parish Councils and communities to capture information about the extent of groundwater flooding in their areas. Chieveley and Winterbourne are included. The deadline for comments is 16th October 2015.

 

Faded safety warning signs for Horse Riders around Curridge village

The faded Horse Riding safety signs have been reported to West Berkshire Council.

 

Spotlight…

Have you considered seeking co-option as a Local Chieveley Ward Parish Councillor

The Parish Council is anxious to progress co-options to fill the two Chieveley Ward vacancies still available. Serving as a Councillor on behalf of your Parish can be both rewarding and give a sense of achievement. In particular the Parish Council seeks expertise in social media.

FAQ…of the month…. Question – When does the Parish Council Meet?

Answer - The Parish Council meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month with the exception of August.

Next Meeting...The next Parish Council meeting will take place on  Tuesday 13th October 2015, 7.30pm at Chieveley Village Hall & Recreational Centre, High Street, Chieveley, Berkshire RG20 8TE.